MADEIRA ISLAND

The Madeira archipelago is located in the African Plate in the Atlantic Ocean between latitude 30 ° and 33 °N, basically at the same latitude as Casablanca, 978 km southwest of Lisbon, about 700 km west of the African coast, and 450 km north of the Canary Islands.

This archipelago is formed by the Madeira Island with an area of 740.7 km², Porto Santo with 42.5 km², the Desertas Islands with a total of 14.2 km² comprising the three uninhabited islands, and by the Selvagens Islands whose set of 3 islands and sixteen uninhabited islets make up an area of 3.6 km². Of the eight islands, only the two largest (Madeira and Porto Santo) are inhabited and can be accessed via the Madeira Airport in Funchal and Porto Santo Airport.

The islands of Madeira and Porto Santo are recognized nationally and internationally as a very special place to spend a memorable vacation. Its tourist potential and qualities are reinforced by renowned awards attributed to Madeira over the years

Attractions in Madeira Island

The mild climate of Madeira and Porto Santo allows for all kinds of outdoors sports and leisure activities at any time of the year. 

There are many options to choose from, including water, land and aerial sports, ranging from relaxing activities to the more traditional and extreme sports. 

Sea lovers can enjoy the warm sea currents, with temperatures ranging between 19ºC (66ºF) and 24ºC (75ºF), ideal for snorkelling, diving, sailing, surfing, windsurfing and sport fishing, all year round. Visitors can also ride the best waves in Europe at the Jardim do Mar, Fajã da Areia (São Vicente) and Porto da Cruz beaches.

Madeira visitor should not miss a quiet boat trip along the coast where they will be able to watch dolphins, whales and monk seals crossing the Madeira seas.

Visitors looking for greater thrills, will certainly find them here. Paragliding or hang-gliding over the island, canyoning to discover the heart of the mountains, climbing the highest peaks, embarking on an all-terrain adventure, feeling the adrenaline rush while riding a jet-ski, or simply enjoying the sheer freedom of kitesurfing, are some of the sporting experiences available to visitors.

Golf, trekking and hiking are excellent alternatives for those who prefer calmer activities, allowing a closer look at the natural features of these lusciously green islands.
Discover the impressive and diverse island vegetation on a walk along one of the local canals known as levadas or one of the many trails at the heart of the Laurissilva forest, classified by UNESCO as a World Heritage Nature Site. Due to its beauty and diverse landscape, this forest has recently been declared one of the Seven Natural Wonders of Portugal.

Laurissilva forest – Heritage of Humanity

Laurissilva is the name given to a type of humid subtropical forest made up mainly of trees from the lauraceae family of trees and widespread in the Macaronesia - a region which includes the archipelagos of Madeira, the Azores, the Canaries and Cape Verde. 
Its greatest expression is in the highlands of Madeira where its greatest and best preserved swathe is found, having been considered in 1999 by UNESCO as World Natural Heritage, covering an area of around 15,000 hectares.
 

"Macaronésia" is an ancient geographic region in which Madeira Islands are included, and whose unique characteristic is that it preserves the remains of a great forest dating back to the Tertiary Era before the great ice ages. This forest once covered huge extensions of the European Continent. But glaciations led to the massive destruction of the vegetation that once covered Europe. But thanks to the beneficial influence of an ocean climate, these same species were able to survive in the Atlantic Islands. 

 
One of the best ways to discover this fantastic environmental heritage is to stroll along the paths and waterways known as “levadas” that cross this green area and allowing direct contact with flora and fauna species that are endemic to Madeira.

Levadas - a walk of sensations

Levadas are small irrigation canals that can be found on Madeira Island and on the island of La Palma, in the Canary Islands. This term is also applied to canals, usually smaller ones that direct the water to watermills.
 

On Madeira Island, the use of levadas resulted from the need to bring large amounts of water from the north-facing springs where it is abundant, to the south side of the island.
 

The Levadas began to be built in the sixteenth century and the most recent ones date back to the 1940s, supplying water to hydroelectric power plants and also used for irrigation purposes. They extend over about 1,500 km and you can stroll through them on foot; they also allow you to reach the heart of the island where you will encounter breathtaking landscapes. From 0 to 1,862 meters the excitement is guaranteed!
 

The Madeira “Levadas" are among a number of protected areas including, most importantly, the Madeira Natural Park and the Funchal Ecological Park.

Cristiano Ronaldo Statue

The Portuguese international footballer, Cristiano Ronaldo, returned to Madeira to unveil a statue in his honour and he received the «Cordão Autonómico de Distinção», the highest honour awarded by the Regional Government.
 

The statue is located at Praça do Mar in Funchal, a work accomplished by the sculptor Ricardo Veloza from Madeira, in an initiative promoted by «Jornal da Madeira» in partnership with the CR7 Museum.

Cristiano Ronaldo’s worldwide recognition directs the destination Madeira for a potential public on a planetary scale and this statue is a fair tribute to a man from Madeira who never disowned his origins.

Events

Madeira presents a wide range of diverse regional, Portuguese and international events that are staged throughout the year. Every month, the islands of Madeira and Porto Santo serve as a backdrop to numerous cultural and ethnographic events and initiatives that bear witness to the wealth of traditions of the Madeiran people.

Visitors to this dynamic, creative and multi-faceted destination are able to enjoy this cornucopia of cultural, sporting, recreational and popular events.

The Regional Secretariat for Culture, Tourism and Transportation (SRT) is responsible for the events and initiatives on the Tourist Entertainment Calendar organized by the Department of Tourist Entertainment Services (DSAT), as well as for other events of interest to tourists with official support.

Gastronomy

The simple food enjoyed in Madeira Islands reflects the soul of a simple but generous people. Nevertheless, a great variety of local products is available, as well as multitude of local, international and gourmet dishes.
 

Owing to their proximity to the sea, most restaurants specialize in fish and shellfish dishes, of which grilled limpets, octopus and shrimp dishes, tuna steaks and black scabbard fish fillets are just a few examples.

Another irresistible meal is the beef kebab, on laurel wood skewers, served with fried corn and the typical “bolo-do-caco”, with garlic butter.

Homemade couscous, wheat soup, homemade bread made with sweet potato and meat marinated in garlic and wine are also very popular dishes.

Tropical fruits lend their exotic flavors to a great number of desserts. Mangoes, bananas, avocadoes, soursops and passion fruit are used in a great variety of puddings, soufflés, mousses and ice creams.
Madeira Island also boasts a rich confectionery tradition, with special emphasis on the most typical Madeira confection, the traditional “Honey Cake”, a true Christmas symbol in Madeira. Its recipe includes many rich and delicious ingredients, such as spices, nuts and sugar cane honey.

Madeira tartlets, made from fresh ricotta, are also very famous.
Natural fruit juices, such as passionfruit, papaya, guava, mango and lemon juices, constitute delicious drink options, as well as the famous “poncha”, made with white rum, bee honey and lemon.

The various sorts of Madeira Wines, are a truly historical heritage, which can be enjoyed served as aperitifs or along with your main course.

Come and enjoy Madeira typical dishes, which will undoubtedly turn your holiday into an unforgettable experience. 
Add our exquisite aromas and flavors to the pleasure of socializing!