Travel to Madeira

Travel to Madeira

Situated 530 miles southwest of mainland Portugal, this archipelago of volcanic origin was discovered in 1419 by Portuguese navigators. Madeira features a steep drop into the blue waters of the Atlantic Ocean. The sea near Madeira is in fact so deep that large sperm whales often venture near its seashore. One of the worlds tallest ocean cliffs, Cabo Giro, offers magnificent views of the surrounding sea and islands.

Transportation to Madeira

Travellers can fly from Lisbon to Madeira in 1 hour 30 minutes. The daily flights arrive at Aeroporto de Madeira, east of Funchal, at Santa Cruz. Alternatively, there are flights from London to Funchal, with a travel time of 4 hours. Buses and taxis depart from the airport to all destinations. Its quite expensive to travel by bus around the island; buses leave from the big park at the eastern part of the Funchal seafront, next to avenida do Mar.

What to see

Visitors to the island generally start their sightseeing in the main city of Funchal. Here, the main hub of activity is the Praa do Municpio (Municipal Square), covered with hundreds of black and white crescents made from magma. There is a former archbishopric on the squares southern side, now housing a museum of religious art. On the eastern side is the Cmara Municipal (City Hall), previously the 18th century palace and featuring a beautiful tower.

Western Madeira offers panoramic coastlines, remarkable waterfalls and soaring cliffs. The village of Cmara de Lobos was a favourite of Sir Winston Churchill. This little fishing village boasts a charming and peaceful atmosphere. Cabo Giro offers incredible views from the belvedere. Among other appealing towns and villages are Ribeira Brava, Serra de Agua, So Vicente and Porto Muniz.

Daytrips

Pico do Arieiro, a mountain with a village built on its slope, is 22 miles north of Funchal and offers wonderful views. Close by, Ribeiro Frio (Cold River) is a miraculous little village in the Madeira Forest Park. Eleven miles northwest of Ribeiro Frio and 25 miles north of Funchal, the village of Santana is distinguished by its A-framed, thatched-roof cottages, called palheiros.

Porto Santo, the Madeira archipelagos second major island, is only 25 miles away and offers a four-mile sandy beach lining its southern seashore. In summer, the island becomes very dry, attracting visitors looking for some sunshine. The water of Porto Santo, by all accounts, has therapeutic properties. Going inland, Vila Baleira is a tiny village worth visiting for its whitewashed stucco houses and cobblestone lanes.

Activities and leisure

Madeiras warm climate makes it perfect for outdoor leisure pursuits. Activities to choose from include deep-sea fishing, golf, swimming and toboggan rides along slippery-smooth cobblestone lanes. Water sports are also on offer including waterskiing, windsurfing, sailing, snorkelling and scuba diving.

Safety issues

Tourists are much more prone to dangers when on holiday and are well advised to stay alert all the time. Outdoor activities and water sports are likely to put you at risk of injury. We strongly advise you to take out sufficient travel insurance for yourself and your family.