“Island of the sun”, “Island of eternal spring”, “Hawaii of Europe” … this place is known by many nicknames that refer to its extremely mild climate.

Although it is in Europe, Madeira lies very close to Africa and can count on a pleasant climate all year round: in summer the days are very rarely sultry and there are few days when the temperature exceeds 30°; in winter it rarely drops below 15°. So all year round the climate is ideal for visiting the island, exploring the forest and touring the towns.

Madeira is a destination of great charm: initially, in fact, travellers are drawn by the idea of an island “lost” in the Atlantic Ocean where the ships setting out to discover the New World once called; after the trip you return home knowing that Madeira is a truly special place, because it offers a balanced mix of relaxation, cultural visits and spectacular landscapes.

What strikes you, even before landing, are the colours: the blue of the Ocean alternating with the green of the lush vegetation that covers the whole island.

The colours, landscapes and panoramic views of this place become indelible memories.

The power of unspoilt nature

Madeira is the home of lovers of scenic walks, because it offers many trails immersed in the laurisilva forest, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The options for venturing into the greenery are many, for all tastes and all levels, but the climb to Pico do Arieiro is unmissable. The third-highest peak in Madeira, at an altitude of 1,818 metres, offers breathtaking views over the sea and an evocative atmosphere, thanks also to the clouds racing past, driven by the ocean wind, and “colliding” with the rock formations.

Inside the Ribeiro Frio Natural Park, another unmissable destination, there are also routes suitable for all levels that let you venture into the forest to appreciate its flora, its fauna and the chromatic variety of its flowering species.

Funchal and the other towns

Funchal is the capital and it is here that you land when you arrive by plane. In the city it is easy to get around on foot, and you immediately appreciate the elegance of its buildings, the liveliness of its people and the greenery of the many parks and gardens that set it apart.

The first stop is the Botanical Garden, which boasts a spectacular collection of exotic trees and rare plant species; just as picturesque are the Monte Palace Tropical Garden, home to the famous laurel forest, gardens, ponds and sculptures, and the Jardim Orquídea, where you can admire an immense variety of orchids, always in bloom.

After visiting the historic cathedral and the alleys of the Old Town, you carry on to the Mercado dos Lavradores, a place capable of engaging all the senses with its colours, sounds and flavours. Among the colourful stalls of the covered market you can buy every variety of exotic fruit: papaya, mango, passion fruit, bananas, etc.; alongside the tropical fruit there are flower and vegetable stalls, creating a multicoloured display that strikes visitors. The vendors often wear traditional dress, colourful too, and offer local fish, fresh bread and many other specialities.

Besides the capital there are many other towns to visit, where you can spend time discovering local specialities: Camacha, for example, is a picturesque village known the world over for its production of wicker baskets, while Santana is famous for its colourful triangular houses with thatched roofs.

Machico is the island’s second town and its historic capital; this place offers a few hours’ relaxation on the town beach as well as a series of spectacular views. Walking through the streets of the centre, it is worth going in to visit the cathedral and the other churches, which preserve a religious heritage of considerable historical and cultural interest.

Along the coasts you also come across many fishing villages, where you can taste fish freshly caught from the Ocean and enjoy the atmosphere of a place where time seems to have stood still.

Crafts, food and wine

Like the rest of Portugal, Madeira boasts an ancient and refined craft tradition. In particular, the village of Camacha has a large production of wicker goods; baskets of all sizes, chairs, tables and even sledges are woven from the dried shoots of certain species of willow that grow on the island.

The wicker sledges are part of an island tradition: indeed, the more daring can decide to ride the descent from Monte down to Funchal on a wicker sledge, steered by the famous “carreiros”.

The art of embroidery is also particularly well developed on the island, and Madeira embroidery is famous the world over. The artisans expert in this art hand down the secrets of the trade from generation to generation; all over the island you find artisans embroidering and selling their creations, some of which require months of work. In some places, such as the Mercado dos Lavradores, you can take part in an embroidery workshop, trying your own hand at this activity.

The island also offers a precious variety of wines, including the famous Madeira, a long-aged fortified wine, highly prized since ancient times.

The vines are tended by hand by winegrowers who make use of the terraces in some areas of the island; the grapes have a singular flavour thanks to the effects of the wind and the volcanic soil. You cannot leave the island without a bottle to take home.

A journey back to the days of Christopher Columbus

Portugal was one of the pioneering countries in the voyages of exploration to the New World: navigators set sail from the country’s main ports in the hope of landing on new shores. Bartolomeu Dias and Vasco da Gama set out from Lisbon itself, heading for Africa; and it was in this very historical context that the island of Madeira was discovered in 1419, when the navigator João Gonçalves Zarco came upon it on his voyage.

Today you can relive the atmosphere of that period thanks to a unique experience: a cruise along the island’s coasts aboard a reconstruction of the caravel Santa Maria.

Guiness Travel frequently offers tours to Madeira throughout the year, allowing travellers to enjoy a few days in perfect balance between history, nature, culture and traditions.

Choose the Guiness Travel Tours

For Guiness Travel, travelling is an enriching experience to be savoured in every respect: so food has its part to play too. In all our itineraries every last detail is taken care of, including the places where you eat.

All the itineraries in the catalogue are 100% independently planned and carefully designed and tested, allowing the product to evolve constantly and reach a high, wide-ranging cultural standard.

That is why we created the Guiness Exclusive Tour, a unique travel experience, mindful of sustainability, which will give you considerable advantages:

  • organisation;
  • attention to detail;
  • the search for excellent services on site (designed to give you maximum comfort, leaving you free to think of nothing but enjoying the moment).

DISCOVER THE TOUR OF MADEIRA

Team Guiness