Our six favorite things to do in Madeira

Start the slideshow

On the south coast of the island, exotic species flourish between the pebble beaches and the vertiginous cliffs of Cape Girão.

-

Isolated in the Atlantic Ocean, 500 kilometers from the Moroccan coast, Madeira is the main island of an archipelago discovered in 1418. After a perilous crossing of 900 kilometers, the Portuguese João Gonçalves Zarco and his crewmates found first refuge on the small island of Porto Santo.

The explorer did not approach his big neighbor until the following year.

Impressed by the lush forest that covered it, he baptized it the “Island of the“ Wood ”,

in Portuguese.

But by adding this point on the navigation charts, Zarco did not yet suspect that his find would upset knowledge of world geography.

Indeed, a few decades later, a certain Christopher Columbus made the archipelago his home port, before setting out to conquer the New World.

Sunrise over the volcanic reliefs of Madeira, from the summit of Pico do Areeiro.

- Jean-Claude Urbain

Remained since those heroic times under the Portuguese banner, Madeira is today an autonomous region popular with budding botanists and active leisure enthusiasts.

The island is the summit of an ancient submarine volcano, whose flanks exceeding 1,800 meters in altitude constitute a formidable terrain of adventure in all seasons.

Here are our suggestions for activities to enjoy as soon as possible.

Hike along the

levadas

The high reliefs of Madeira creating a natural barrier, the clouds which tear there only spray the northern part of the island.

To irrigate its southern slope, the Portuguese colonists built from the 16th century a whole network of canals called

.

Dotted with tunnels and aqueducts, sometimes carved out of the rock, these waterways meander over 2,000 kilometers.

Still in operation, they are lined with paths which constitute as many hiking opportunities.

In total, the island has 28 marked trails, more or less easy, along the

.

From the family walk to the more sporty circuit, there is something for everyone.

Of medium difficulty, the Levada do Rei allows, for example, to walk half a day through a dense forest, dotted with vertiginous viewpoints.

About thirty hiking trails run along the levadas, irrigation canals specific to Madeira.

- Jean-Claude Urbain

Marvel at biodiversity

Madeira is a land of plenty where nature flourishes with exuberance.

On its very fertile coasts grow in abundance fruits that are generally associated with more tropical latitudes, such as avocados, bananas, mangoes, papayas or passion fruits.

The island is also in bloom all year round, not only with endemic vipers and orchids, but also with exotic species, such as bougainvillea, magnolias, azaleas, and other amaryllis.

These have often been reported from South Africa, Guyana and Hawaii, where many Madeirans went to seek their fortunes in the 19th century.

On the heights of the capital, Funchal, the Monte Botanical Garden is home to more than 2,000 plants from all continents.

As you walk, you can admire oriental-inspired fittings and many works of art, including one of the richest collections of

, these typically Portuguese earthenware tiles.

At the heart of a stunning garden, the Palais de Monte has long been a haunt of the international jet set.

Today it is dedicated to the protection of the environment.

- Jean-claude Urbain

Taste the local wines

If the coastal gardens of Madeira are devoted to the cultivation of tropical fruits, the heights of the island are the domain of grapes.

Grown on narrow terraces called

, grape varieties such as sercial, boal, verdelho or malvasia are used to make a nectar, the taste of which is the result of chance.

In the 16th century, the wine produced on the island traveled for many weeks in the holds of ships bound for England or its American colonies.

The oven effect of this uninterrupted brewing accelerated its aging and softened its aromas.

To reproduce and develop these characteristics, the Madeirans devised a heating technique, the result of which conquered the Anglo-Saxon elites.

Shakespeare sang the praises of Madeira wine and General Washington emptied a few glasses to celebrate the independence of the United States!

Monte Carreiros need a great sense of balance to maneuver their wicker sled at 30 km / h, over 2 km of descent!

- Jean-Claude Urbain

Hit the slopes of Funchal

Known to all football fans for being the birthplace of the brilliant Cristiano Ronaldo, Funchal was above all a site where fennel grew,

in Portuguese.

After having dethroned Machico from its title of capital, the city developed into an amphitheater on the sides of mountains plunging towards the ocean.

The steep incline of its streets suggested to delivery people an original technique for transporting inhabitants and food from the heights to seaside markets, such as the Mercado dos Lavradores.

These

, in fact, used wicker sledges, the

, which they made

down the slope by directing them thanks to the friction of their soles on the ground.

Today, tourists have replaced goods.

From the Monte district, which can be reached by cable car, it is possible to board one of these sledges for a thrilling descent.

Classified by Unesco, the astonishing laurel forest of Fanal seems to be bathed in mysteries.

- Jean-Claude Urbain

Stroll under the centuries-old laurels

The real treasure of the island is its "laurel forest".

Listed as a Unesco World Heritage Site and protected by a natural park, this primary laurel forest is the largest of its kind in the world.

Typical of the reliefs of Macaronesia, of which Madeira is part with the Azores and Canary Islands archipelago, it has nestled since the Tertiary era on the volcanic plateau of Fanal.

At an altitude of 1,300 meters, the daily fog promotes the development of moss on the trunks with tortured shapes.

In the early hours of the day, when the sun's rays pierce the golden mist, these laurels look like so many fantastic creatures, escaped from a medieval saga.

They are indeed very old.

Some of them were there long before the island was colonized!

Trip

The Canaries have a tremendous variety of landscapes off the Sahara

Trip

In Sintra, fairy tales come true

Go

It is always a good time to go to Madeira.

The island remains pleasant throughout the year, with temperatures only fluctuating between 18 and 25 degrees.

The adventure begins there as soon as you land on the airport's narrow runway, supported by 180 pillars above the sea.

Appointment

In Madeira, all occasions are good to party.

Carnival, fairs and festivals punctuate the calendar.

The Flower Festival, which celebrates the arrival of spring, and the Wine Festival, which marks the start of the harvest, are an opportunity to bring colorful folklore to life in music.

It is for the end of the year celebrations that Funchal is adorned with its finery.

Its fireworks display on December 31 is one of the most impressive in the world!

Restore

The waters full of fish and the fertile slopes of Madeira have several surprises in store for gourmets.

The traditional menu begins with a few braised limpets, marinated octopus and round garlic breads, sprinkled with

in brandy and fruit juice, or Brisa, the local soda.

The carnivores then feast on skewers of beef

, stuck on bay stems.

In the village of Santana, you can taste delicious ones at Quinta do Furão.

In the excellent restaurants of Funchal, such as O Forte or Kampo, you can also opt for the essential black scabbard, a fish from the great depths with a disturbing appearance, but with tender flesh, especially when breaded.

The

, a sort of gingerbread with cane molasses, concludes the feast.

Housing

Clinging to the rocks of the coast, a thirty-minute walk from the historic center of Funchal, the Vidamar Resort brilliantly combines tranquility and quality.

This high-end address has several themed restaurants, an exotic garden and three saltwater swimming pools, giving direct access to the ocean.

Information

In addition to its essential tourist advice site, the Autonomous Region of Madeira has set up a portal to keep informed of the health situation and access conditions on the island.

• Portugal

• Hiking

• Tourism

• Nature

• Trip