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Mar 5, 2024

Be Mesmerized by Madeira

Often called the “Pearl of the Atlantic” or the “Floating Garden,” Madeira is a Portuguese island gem overflowing with natural beauty, rich history, and endless opportunities for adventure and relaxation. Discover why this subtropical paradise should be at the top of your travel bucket list.

Madeira Alluring landscapes

Ruggest volcanic beauty:

Madeira’s dramatic landscapes are shaped by its volcanic origins. Lush mountains cascade down to meet the ocean, punctuated by plunging cliffs, cascading waterfalls, and hidden valley.

 

Laurissilva Forest:

a UNESCO treasure, hike amidst ancient laurel trees in the Laurissilva Forest, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that evokes a prehistoric atmosphere.

 

Beaches for every taste:

bask in the sun on the black volcanic sands in Seixal or unwind on the golden shores of Porto Santo, Madeira’s idyllic neighboring island.

Blue ocean and a beach with some plants on the side in Madeira

Adventures of every kind of traveler

Hiking paradise:

from gentle coastal walks to challenging mountain treks, Madeira has hiking trails for all levels. Popular hikes include the Pico de Ariero to Pico Ruivo trail and the 25 Fonetes levada.

 

Water wonderland: dive into the crystal-clear waters for snorkeling or scuba diving encounters with marine life. Go whale and dolphin watching, or embark on a scening boat trip to the Desertas Islands nature reserve.

 

Adrenaline rush:

paraglide over breathtaking landscapes, try canyoning down waterfalls, or take an exhilarating wicked toboggan ride down the streets of Monte.

Blue cloudy sky with a hill top with a walk path in Madeira mountain

Delight your senses with a taste of Madeira

Enjoy the unique flavors that Madeira has to offer by sampling its many local dishes. Given its location, Madeira has an abundance of fresh fish and seafood, which are enjoyed by the locals through various unique dishes. The most common types of fish in Madeira include espada, blue fin tuna, swordfish, and white marlin. These are then enjoyed through simple dishes like Espada com Banana (fried battered espada with fried banana) and bacalhau. For those who are more into meat dishes, Madeira also has plenty of these like the very popular espetada. This traditional local dish is made of beef marinated in various condiments and Madeira wine for four to six hours before being skewered and grilled to perfection. Carne de Vinho e Alhos is another traditional pork dish, which is typically enjoyed during the holidays. If you want to try some more local meat dishes, Picado is also very popular. It is beef cubes cooked in mushroom sauce and served with crisp fries. Madeira offers a lot more other culinary gems such as acorda, carne de vinha d’alhos, malasadas, paestis de nata, and madeirense. It is also worth noting that Madeira is popularly known for the high quality of its cherimoya fruits. It even has the Anona Festival which is a traditional festival that encourages the consumption of cherimoya fruits as well as different products that have been derived from it such as liqueurs, puddings, ice cream, as well as smoothies.

Fresh flavors:

savor the bounty of Madeira, from fresh seafood to tropical fruits to the island’s renowned fortified Madeira wine.

 

Culinary traditions:

dine in local villages to try traditional dishes like espetada (grilled meat skewers) and bolo de mel (honey cake).

 

Cheers to Madeira Wine:

visit the Madeira Wine Institute to learn about the island’s winemaking heritage and taste its unique flavors.

A close up photo of some fruits at a market in Madeira

Want to visit the beautiful island of Madeira?

Book a flight!

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Culture and Island Charm

Funchal:

explore Madeira’s vibrant capital with its cobblestone streets, colorful market, and stroll through its beautiful gardens or ride the cable car to Monte for panoramic views of Madeira.

 

Picturesque villages:

discover the charming villages like Santana, known for its traditional thatched-roof houses or Camera de Lobos, a picturesque fishing village.

 

Festivals and fireworks:

experiences Madeira’s vibrant festivals, from the dazzling Carnival celebrations to the enchanting Flower Festival and the spectacular New Year’s Even fireworks display.

 

Madeira’s year-round sunshine, stunning landscapes, culinary delights, and warm Portuguese hospitality make it an unforgettable destination. Whether you are seeking thrilling adventures, serene relaxation, or a mix of both, Madeira has something special waiting for you.

 

You won’t have any trouble going to as well as around Madeira. The popular resort island has the Cristiano Ronaldo International Airport, which offers the most frequent flights to Lisbon. The airport also offers more than 30 direct flights all over Europe as well as to nearby islands. Public transportation around Madeira is also fairly convenient as there are bus companies like the Horarios do Funchal, which offers scheduled routes to all points of interest in Madeira. It is also worth noting that this bus company has been operating for more than a hundred years.

 

What are you waiting for? Enjoy the sunshine, bask in the beauty, and immerse yourself in Madeira’s colorful culture through an abundance of experiences. Book a trip to Madeira today! You definitely deserve to experience this popular travel destination at least once in your life.

Dark night and fireworks in the sky over a beach in Madeira
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Be Mesmerized by Madeira