By now you might have heard – Madeira is fast becoming the go-to destination in Europe. Only a four-hour flight from London and Paris, this region of Portugal is often compared to Hawaii. That’s because of its volcanic landscapes, rugged coastline and botanical wonders make it a breathtakingly beautiful vacation hot spot to visit. If that weren’t enough, Madeira also boasts some of the most stunning scenery that includes natural lava swimming pools, too.
Simply put, Madeira seems to be an island that has it all. It’s popular with travelers of all ages and demographics and is considered a peaceful, year-round destination. Situated about 300 miles west of Morocco, there are more and more low-cost flights available to and from the area to help bring in budget-conscious travelers and those looking for something a little beaten off the path.
If you are looking for a true cultural experience, a lot of people like to call Madeira the authentic jewel of European charm. And yes, we believe it. Madeira is where a visitor can experience fine wines, mountain hiking, or city culture. The best part about it is that you can do it all in one day. Madeira has more than 200 years of hospitality traditions, famous visitors in the past included George Bernard Shaw and Winston Churchill.
With that said, here are things that you can expect to see, do and eat during your unforgettable and one-of-a-kind experience in Madeira.
Discover the Sea in Madeira
Although the summer and holidays are the high seasons, Madeira is known to have an “eternal spring”, so it gets visitors all year round. You can take a boat trip along the coast as it is undoubtedly one of the most popular options to discover the coast of Madeira. It is also an excellent opportunity to spot dolphins, whales, turtles and seabirds. You can rent a private yacht, ride a catamaran, a sports fishing boat, a sailing vessel, or even a replica of the Columbus ship.
Swim in a Natural Pool
Madeira is a mountainous volcanic island, that has a wonderful year-round climate, a lush interior, bags of Portuguese charm, but unfortunately no natural sandy beaches. With that said, one of the main attractions of Madeira is the natural saltwater pools, located in Porto Moniz and Seixal and surrounded by breathtaking landscapes. These pools formed by volcanic rocks, allow the sea to circulate naturally.
Sometimes it's nice to feel like a cloud!!! Happy Tuesday of the islands of Porto Santo and Madeira ⚘
pic.twitter.com/HJIhv1DS4Y
— Ester Pestana (@Esterpestana58) October 1, 2019
The Culinary Scene
Madeira can be as expensive or as inexpensive as you wish it to be. Tuna is one of the most popular dishes in Madeira and is usually eaten in the form of steak. Meat lovers will find a large variety of meat dishes, the highlights of which are the traditional espetada, Carne vinha-d’alhos, Picado and other deliciously grilled meat courses (mainly chicken, pork chops, beef steaks).
Some classic dishes:
- Bolo do Caco – A wheat flour/sweet potato bread with garlic butter and parsley. Carne em Vinha d’alhos – Pulled pork cooked after marinating in wine and garlic.
- Bolo de Mel – A cake, though the name indicates honey it is actually made with molasses.Bife de Atum
- Madeirense- Fresh tuna marinated in olive oil, garlic, salt, and oregano, then fried and served with milho frito
- Espada com banana –A dish made with white fish and local bananas.
- Lapas– Grilled limpets, with garlic and a slice of lemon.
- Sopa de tomate e cebola – Tomato and onion soup, crowned with a poached egg.
Carnaval
Madeira is known for its big parades and elaborate decorations. The costumes and the allegoric floats take a lot of time and creativity to build and the streets of Funchal come alive with decorations. You’d almost think that you were in Brazil! You can also check out the Funchal International Film Festival in November, where you will have a chance to explore new arts and trends in the film world.
Getting There
Getting to Madeira, Portugal is now easier than ever before. Portugal’s TAP airlines now have a one-stop from Boston, DC, New York and Newark, Miami, Chicago, and San Francisco. It is also a one and a half hour flight from Lisbon, Porto or the Azores and it takes about 15 minutes to fly between the two islands in the group – Madeira and Porto Santo.
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