Madeira has lots to offer visitors, especially those in search of nature, mountains, city walks and the ocean, so it’s no surprise that it has been chosen as the World’s Leading Island Destination for the last five consecutive years at the World Travel Awards. To discover Madeira’s natural bounty, there’s nothing better than a visit to Laurisilva of Madeira Natural Park, recognised in 1999 by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.
Funchal, the capital of Madeira, is a colourful, cosmopolitan and open city, full of places and secrets to be discovered. Modernity and tradition become one in its gastronomy and history.
“With incredible natural pools, breathtaking landscapes and the wild beauty of the Atlantic bathing its beautiful coasts, Madeira is one of the great European destinations with much to offer, especially for those looking to relax and enjoy the sea, the mountains and nature” said Marta Henriques, Content and Memberships Manager, and Sandra Gouveia, Media Relations Assistant, of the Madeira Promotion Bureau.
The archipelago includes the islands of Madeira, Porto Santo, Desertas and Salvajes. Although only the first two are inhabited, the other two are natural reserves that really deserve their names. Madeira is a water sports paradise that’s commonly referred to as the Hawaii of the Atlantic by surfing enthusiasts. Although, those who prefer calmer waters will thoroughly enjoy the beaches and natural saltwater pools that surround the landscape.
The archipelago is now a destination within everyone’s reach. “With
two airports and more than seventy worldwide connections, the island receives
more than 3.5 million passengers a year. Spain has direct connections from
Madrid, Barcelona, Bilbao and Valladolid,” said Henriques and Gouveia.
With a mild temperature of around 17 degrees in winter and 25 in summer, the
sunny archipelago of Madeira is an exceptional natural destination, teeming
with beautiful views, dense forests, deep valleys and a blue ocean that merges
with the horizon during long, golden sunsets. The best beaches are found in
Porto Santo, which is considered one of the top, sandy beaches in all of
Portugal.
Then you also have the Laurisilva of Madeira Natural Park, which has been recognised by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. And those looking to go out and have fun won’t be disappointed by the culture and nightlife in the capital, Funchal, a cosmopolitan city, and the largest on the island, with unique attractions, where visitors will feel right at home.
Madeira, a natural archipelago
The two managers also pointed out that “ The green volcanic mountains, dense forests and colourful floral landscapes of the islands have been recognised in 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019 as Europe’sLeading Island Destination in the World Travel Awards that from 2015 to 2019 also chose the island of Madeira as the world’s leading island destination.” A large part of this recognition is due to the Natural Park: a biogenic reserve with flora and fauna found in no other place on the planet, which covers approximately two-thirds of the territory of Madeira.
It’s common to find rugged coastlines and ravines in Madeira. These areas are a paradise for canyoning fans and climbers. Madeira’s mountainous massif offers excellent places for hang gliding and paragliding. There are also extensive trails for the less adventurous visitors that run along more than 2000 kilometres of the island from 0 to 1862 metres above sea level. And for those who want to explore the most inaccessible parts of the island, there’s the full day and half-day jeep safari tours.
“For those who prefer golf – the archipelago offers three excellent courses: in Madeira (Palheiro Golf and Santo da Serra Golf Club) and on Porto Santo (Porto Santo Golfe). All these courses have been recognised by the World Golf Awards and recognised as the Best Emerging Golf Destination 2019”.
Funchal’s colourful streets
This is relatively unknown, cosmopolitan
city in the centre of the island has much to offer. Funchal is located inside a
natural amphitheatre-shaped valley that stretches from the port to the
mountains – which can be reached by cable car – and is steeped in culture and tradition
that is so much a part of the nature that characterises Madeira. Tourists can
choose between rural accommodation, luxury hotels or small hostels.
“The Old Town is one of the most beautiful neighbourhoods in the capital of
Madeira, decorated with colourful old houses and quaint restaurants serving
typical dishes like swordfish with fried, bolo de caco bread or
barbecued meat skewers”, said Henriques y Gouveia.
The Farmers Market in Funchal is a must-visit for foodies, with the local products creating a paradise of flavours, colours and smells. For pairing, there’s nothing better than one of the many famous wines. Blandy’s Wine Lodge, one of the top wineries in Funchal, offers visitors the opportunity to witness the production process and explore the history of what is perhaps Madeira’s best-known wine.
