contents
02 welcome to madeira
- location and climate
- discover an enchanted island!
- funchal
08 nature
- gardens
- laurissilva forest
- nature reserves
18 walks and levadas
20 wellness
22 gastronomy
24 madeira wine
26 culture
- monuments
- museums
36 animation
- madeira islands walking festival
- madeira orienteering festival
- carnival
- madeira island golf open
- flower festival
- atlantic festival
- tour of madeira in classic cars
- funchal jazz festival
- madeira wine rally
- wine festival
- columbus festival
- new year celebrations
44 shopping
46 sports
58 golf
62 attractions you must not miss
72 porto santo
- wellness at porto santo
- how to get to porto santo
- what to see
- what to do
- sports
84 useful information
87 tourist offices
2. . contents
02 welcome to madeira - flower festival
- location and climate - atlantic festival
- discover an enchanted island! - tour of madeira in classic cars
- funchal - funchal jazz festival
- madeira wine rally
08 nature - wine festival
- gardens - columbus festival
- laurissilva forest - new year celebrations
- nature reserves
44 shopping
18 walks and levadas
46 sports
20 wellness
58 golf
22 gastronomy
62 attractions you must not miss
24 madeira wine
72 porto santo
26 culture - wellness at porto santo
- monuments - how to get to porto santo
- museums - what to see
- what to do
36 animation - sports
- madeira islands walking festival
- madeira orienteering festival 84 useful information
- carnival
- madeira island golf open 87 tourist offices
madeira and porto santo guide .
3. welcome
to madeira
. madeira and porto santo guide
4. In fact, you don’t have to travel a long way to find the cacy. For more energetic visitors there is scuba-diving,
ideal holiday destination. There are a thousand and surfing, windsurfing or jet-skiing.
one reasons for visiting Madeira!
Romantics may prefer a wonderful sailboat trip along the
In addition to its stunning scenery and luxuriant moun- coast to enjoy the sunset.
tains, this archipelago also includes a mild climate all
year round, a warm welcome and peace, safety and se- But to make this your dream holiday, you really must spend
curity among its charms. some time on the paradisiacal island of Porto Santo
40 km from Madeira, only 5 minutes by plane or h0
on the ferry. The “golden island” is blessed with 9 km of
To really get to know Madeira, climb to the top of a moun-
fine, unpolluted sand washed by a clear, calm sea - all
tain and enjoy fantastic, breathtaking views or follow the
you need for a perfect stay.
trails and paths in the Laurissilva Forest along more than
,400 km of levadas in a unique encounter with the island’s
Happiness is so near!
soul.
Feel the energy flowing from the cosmopolitan ambi-
ance of Funchal’s streets and buy some souvenirs, like the
famous embroidery, Madeira wine or wickerwork.
Try taking a tour around the island, stopping off on the
way to admire the landscape or enjoy a traditional deli-
madeira and porto santo guide .
5. location and climate
Madeira and Porto Santo and the uninhabited Selvagens
and Desertas Islands make up the Madeira Archipelago,
which was discovered by the Portuguese in 48.
The archipelago is in the Atlantic Ocean, 500 km from the
coast of Africa and ,000 km from Europe. It’s only a
90-minute flight from Lisbon.
Madeira has an area of 74 km, and is 57 km in length
and km in width.
Thanks to their excellent geographical location and moun-
tainous relief, these islands have surprisingly balmy weath-
er, with moderate humidity and pleasant average temper-
atures of 5ºC in the summer and 7ºC in the winter.
The sea temperature is also very mild, thanks to the in-
fluence of the warm Gulf Stream, averaging ºC in the
summer and 8ºC in the winter.
4. madeira and porto santo guide
6. discover an enchanted island! Brava before going up to Encumeada on a road full of
belvederes from which you can see the surrounding
Although it is small, Madeira is rich in majestic scenery mountain peaks.
and rare beauty. Go off and explore the charms and de-
lights or this floating garden! If you like, go down to the sunny coast of Ponta do Sol
and Calheta, with their tempting bathing areas. Surfers
The main places to visit in the Madeira Islands are Funchal, will find the best waves in Europe at the picturesque
the capital of the archipelago, Caniço, the east coast (San- beaches of Jardim and Paul do Mar.
ta Cruz and Machico), the west coast (Câmara de Lobos,
Ribeira Brava, Ponta do Sol and Calheta), the north coast If you drive up to Paul da Serra, the largest plateau in Ma-
(Porto Moniz; São Vicente and Santana) and Porto Santo. deira, stop to take in the fine view of the northern and
southern slopes. Then go down to Porto Moniz and re-
Going west from Funchal you will come to Câmara de Lo- fresh yourself with a swim in the natural pools formed in
bos, a typical fishing town, and Cabo Girão, the highest sea the lava that once flowed down to the ocean.
cliff in Europe and the second highest in the world (580 m).
Nearby is the curious village of Curral das Freiras. Our journey continues to São Vicente, on a road scattered
with waterfalls, where the majestic green of the hillsides
It is located in a deep valley and has one of the island’s contrasts with the crystalline blue of the sea.
most spectacular landscapes, where dizzying views (over
500 meters high, from its belvedere- Eira do Serrado) will When you get to São Vicente visit the caves and the vol-
take your breath away. cano centre and the Museum Centre – Lime Route or
Continuing westward, visit the pleasant town of Ribeira simply take a stroll through the town’s pleasant streets.
madeira and porto santo guide .5
7. From here you can also go back up to Encumeada, de- Islands and the fabulous view of the bay from the São
lighting your senses with the luxuriant vegetation of the Gonçalo Belvedere.
Laurissilva “laurel Forest “ or go on to Santana, discover-
ing small belvederes on the way. Breathe in the countless views on this island of such out-
standing natural beauty!
In Santana you must visit the typical A - framed thatched
roof houses, the theme park and Queimadas, which is funchal
the starting point for excellent walks like Caldeirão Verde.
The descent to Faial is a pleasant surprise thanks to the The capital of the archipelago is on the south coast of
impressive beauty of the surrounding mountains. Madeira in a beautiful bay washed by the warm waters of
the Atlantic Ocean and surrounded by green mountains
and deep valleys.
When you get to Faial you can choose between Machico
or a visit the island’s interior, taking the road to Ribeiro Frio, Funchal was erected to city on August 508 and is
Poiso and Pico do Areeiro. This peak is the island’s third now the main centre for trade, tourism and culture in
highest point (,88 m) and here we can find beautiful rock the whole archipelago.
formations reaching into the sky like timeless statues. Explore this traditional but cosmopolitan city, strolling
through its charming streets lined with pretty, flower-
If you choose to go to Machico, be sure to visit Caniçal and decked houses.
Ponta de São Lourenço, the island’s easternmost point.
On the old road back to Funchal, at Ponta de Garajau, Walk around its old, carefully restored squares with their
Caniço, make sure to stop and look out at the Desertas traditional Portuguese paving and typical Madeiran ar-
. madeira and porto santo guide
8. The late afternoon is ideal for walking along the seaside
promenades.
If you enjoy panoramic views, don’t miss the chance of an
unforgettable trip on a cable car.
The cable cars between Funchal and Monte and between
the Botanical Garden and Babosas (Monte) are the fast-
est way to get there while offering some spectacular
scenery.
chitecture. Take in the city’s museums and monuments
and its art galleries with collections of works by Portu- Whatever you choose, make the most of the chance to
guese and foreign artists. see a new world where tranquillity and a warm welcome
make the difference.
Take a walk round Funchal’s Marina watch the sailboats
and, further on, the cruise ships that stop over Funchal
from all over the world.
You can also walk round in the city’s gardens and look at
the exotic, carefully tended multi-coloured flowers.
If you would like to see the Madeiran coast from a differ-
ent angle and enjoy some fresh sea air at the same time,
go on a trip in a yacht or catamaran, or journey back in
time on a replica of Christopher Columbus’s ship.
madeira and porto santo guide .7
10. Dive in to the fascination of the deep blue sea in con- gardens
trast with the emerald green of the islands’ moun-
tains! This is Madeira, an island whose beauty is a gift botanical garden
from mother nature. In its more than 5,000 m of flower beds we find in ex-
cess of 2,000 exotic plants from all over the world living
One of Madeira’s greatest tourist attractions is its varied,
and flowering here as happily as in their original habitat.
luxuriant vegetation, with a combination of tropical and
In view of the growing loss of biodiversity and habitats
Mediterranean characteristics resulting in a mosaic in dif-
worldwide, this garden has become a focus of science and
ferent shades of green.
culture aimed at preserving endangered plants.
Madeira is also famous for the harmonious forms and con- Whether you are a nature lover, botanist or tourist, if you
trasting colours of its countless exotic plants from almost want to take a world tour of the plant kingdom, visit the
all over the world, which seem so at home here. natural history museum the herbarium. You will also
Thanks to the exceptional climate, you can admire flow- encounter a fine collection of exotic birds within Loiros
ers like orchids, birds of paradise, anthuriums, magno- Garden; a visit here is much like a safari through a world
lias, azaleas and proteas in their natural environment all full of colourful parrots.
year round. Open daily from 9 a.m. to 5:0 p.m.
Except on 5th December.
Explore the wide variety of lovingly tended gardens and parks
that fill the air with unimaginable shades and perfumes. Caminho do Meio - Bom Sucesso
P.O 904-5 Funchal
Phone: (+5) 9 00 Fax: (+5) 9 0
E-mail: jardimbotanico.sra@gov-madeira.pt
madeira and porto santo guide .9
11. www.madeirabotanicalgarden.com palheiro gardens
In addition to their panoramic views, the Palheiro Gardens
quinta das cruzes garden with spacious lawns and lakes boast some of the rarest
This garden is in the park attached to the Quinta das
and most valuable exotic plants in the world. Open
Cruzes Museum and has a wide variety of endemic and
Monday to Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:0 p.m.
exotic plants.
Palheiro Ferreiro - Funchal
Open from Tuesday to Sunday from 0 a.m. to :0 p.m. and
Phone: (+5) 9 79 044; Fax: (+5) 9 79 0
p.m. to 5:0 p.m. Closed on Monday and public holidays.
Calçada do Pico, nº E-mail: gardens@palheiroestate.com
9000-0 Funchal www.palheiroestate.com
Phone: (+5) 9 740 70; Fax: (+5) 9 74 84
monte palace tropical garden
E-mail:museuquintadascruzes@museuquintadascruzes.com
The Monte Palace Tropical Garden is at Monte Palace
www.museuquintadascruzes.com
Quinta, which belongs to the Joe Berardo Foundation.
quinta magnólia garden The garden boasts plants from all over the world on
We can see a variety of exotic plants in the vast green are- which a wide amount species have already been planted,
as in the gardens of this fine example of a Madeiran quinta. including azaleas, heather, different trees and a wide vari-
The garden is in Rua Dr. Pita in Funchal and is open every ety of ferns. It also has a collection of cycads (Encephalar-
day from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. tos), considered living fossils. The garden contains around
Rua Dr.Pita,0 - 9000 - 089 Funchal 0 of the 7 known species.
Phone: (+5) 9 74 598
It also has an area devoted to Madeiran flora, where we
find most of the Macaronesian Laurissilva varieties and
0. madeira and porto santo guide
12. other endangered species like Pittosporum coriaceum, hybrids and rare species arouse visitors’ curiosity for the
popularly known as mocan. rest of the year.
The Monte Palace Tropical Garden is open daily from 9 Open Monday to Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5:0 p.m. Closed
a.m. to p.m., except on 5th December. on Sunday and public holidays.
Caminho do Monte - 9050 - 88 Funchal Rua Lombo da Boa Vista - Funchal
Phone: (+5)9 74 50 or 9 78 9 Phone.: (+5) 9 0 48; Fax: (+5) 9 0 09
Fax: (+5) 9 78 7 E-mail: patrickgarton@hotmail.com
E-mail: info@montepalace.com
www.montepalace.com orchid garden
This orchid jungle boasts more than 50,000 plants and is
quinta da boa vista gardens one of a kind in Europe.
One of the main aims of Quinta da Boa Vista is to take ad- Here we can see interesting laboratory reproduction work
vantage of Madeira’s matchless climate to recreate habi- and its plants flower all year round. Open daily from 9 a.m.
tats similar to those of many highly endangered species. to p.m. except 5th December.
It has sections devoted to Bromeliads from South Amer-
7, Rua Pita da Silva (below Botanical Gardens)
ica, Martinets from Australia and Aloes from Africa.
Phone: (+5) 9 8 444
The quinta’s main attraction is perhaps its orchid collec-
E-mail: Info@madeiraorchid.com
tion that has been growing and winning awards for 0
www.madeiraorchid.com
years now.
From December to May the orchid houses put on a spec- Emperor´s Gardens
tacular show: Cymbidums, Paphipedilums (lady’s slipper) Quinta do Monte was once the home of Emperor Charles
and Lycastes predominate, while a collection of superb I of Austria, who died here, and of other well-known fig-
madeira and porto santo guide .
13. municipal gardens
The Municipal Garden, with an area of 8,00 m, also
known as Queen Amélia Garden, is on the north side of
Avenida Arriaga.
It was once the site of the São Francisco Convent and we
can still see the convent’s coat of arms on a stone on one
ures, like the artist Lourdes de Castro. Its gardens have of the lawns.
been restored and it is now called Quinta Jardins do The garden has fine examples of flora from Madeira
Imperador. and many other parts of the world, the most important
of which are labelled.
There is a café for visitors in the famous Malakof Tower. The garden is located in the city centre and also boasts a
This tower is particularly beautiful, not only thanks to its fine lake and a stream with fish and birds. It has works of art
architecture but also because it affords a view of Monte’s ro- and an auditorium for cultural activities.
mantic landscape all the way down to Funchal. Nearby is a Av. Arriaga – Funchal
garden of the same name, with a small fountain surrounded Phone: (+5) 9 50
by a vast, multicoloured rose garden. Fax: (+5) 9 50
Open Monday to Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5:0 p.m. E-mail: parquesjardinscemiterios@cm-funchal.pt
Caminho do Pico - Monte www.cm-funchal.pt
Phone: (+5) 9 780 40
www.regency-hotels.com or www.cm-funchal.pt
panoramic garden (jardim panorâmico)
The Panoramic Garden is located right in the Funchal tour-
ist area, between the Promenade “Passeio Público Maríti-
. madeira and porto santo guide
14. mo” and the “Estrada Monumental” road, at “Sítio da Ajuda”. Open daily from 8 a.m to 9 p.m
The existing vegetation has been grouped into four dis- , Rua de Janeiro - Funchal
tinct categories: Indigenous Coastal Flora, Indigenous Mid-
dle Altitude Flora, Cacti and Succulents, and Tropical Zone. quinta do arco rose garden
It has a magnificent panoramic view over the Atlantic Ocean. In the gardens of Quinta do Arco in Arco de São Jorge
Open daily from 7 a.m to 0 p.m on the north coast of the island, you can find one of Por-
Estrada Monumental – Funchal tugal’s largest rose collections, including some rare or
www.cm-funchal.pt even endangered species.
The collection consists of more than ,000 different spe-
santa luzia garden (jardim de santa luzia) cies. You can see old and new, rambling and ordinary rose
The area around the old long-abandoned Hinton factory, bushes. The most important and the rarest are labelled
where liquor and sugar used to be produced, has been with their name and class.
transformed into a green area in the centre of Funchal. Open daily from 0 a.m. to p.m. between April and December
The enormous old chimney that belonged to the old fac- Roseiral da Quinta do Arco - Sítio da Lagoa
tory has remained to remind us of the important role it 90-08 Arco de São Jorge
used to play for the Sugar Industry of Madeira. There are Phone: (+5) 9 570 50 Fax: (+5) 9 570 59
around .700 m of green areas, including five different Email: info@quintadoarco.com
themed gardens: The Amphitheatre Garden (Jardim do www.quintadoarco.com
Anfiteatro), The Tropical Garden (Jardim Tropical), The Wa-
ter Garden (Jardim da Água), The Terraced Garden (Jardim santa catarina park
dos Socalcos) and The Laurissilva “laurel forest” Garden Santa Catarina Park, with an area of around ,000 m, is
(Jardim da Laurissilva). between Avenida do Infante and Avenida Sá Carneiro. It
madeira and porto santo guide .
15. nicipal garden at 550 m and covers an area of ,000 m.
It is full of many indigenous and exotic species with
some centuries-old trees.
It is refreshingly cool thanks to a stream that cascades
into its southern part. At the entrance, Largo da Fonte in
the shade of huge plane trees has a bandstand and the
Virgin’s Spring, with a niche containing an image of Our
Lady of the Mount.
funchal ecological park
This park covers an area of around ,000 hectares. The
affords a beautiful view of Funchal from the bay to Ponta considerable differences in altitude and the park’s many
do Garajau and its large lawn is surrounded by flower water courses mean that it boasts a wide variety of indig-
beds with plant species from all over the world. You can enous flora. Trees such as the stink laurel, (Ocotea foetens),
also see aviaries here. Santa Catarina Chapel and a lagoon laurel (Laurus azorica), Madeira mahogany (Persea indica)
with a bird island are other attractions. and Canary laurel (Apollonias barbujana) have also been
on summertime from 7 a.m to 9 p.m planted there. Shrubs thrive in the higher areas of the
on wintertime from 8 a.m to 7 p.m park, with a predominance of tree heath and Madeira bil-
Av. do Infante – Funchal berry (Vaccinium padifolium). Between ,550 and ,00
metres above sea level, we find the last two stands of Ma-
monte municipal park deira mountain ash (Sorbus maderensis). This mountain
Monte’s Park or Leite Monteiro´s Park is the highest mu- ash is a very rare native tree. Where the bird population is
4. madeira and porto santo guide
16. concerned, we can find a considerable number of species queimadas forest park
that usually nest in the Madeira Archipelago. Queimadas is an isolated area 5 km from Santana. It’s an
Another special attraction is the unique snow pit, which ideal spot for a picnic or a walk.
was once used to store ice. To get there go west from Santana until you come to a
Open daily from 9 a.m to 5 p.m. turnoff where the road quickly turns into a rough moun-
0, nr. 59 Estrada Regional tain track. This trail leads through gorse bushes, hydran-
Ribeira da Cales – Monte geas and wild flowers right into a wonderful forest. Not
Phone: (+5) 9 784 700 Fax: (+5) 9 784 8 far from here is Casa das Queimadas a large thatch-roofed
E-mail: pecof@cm-funchal.pt building used by forest rangers.
www.cm-funchal.pt
Laurissilva - laurel forest,
ribeiro frio forest park
Located 7 km from Funchal, Ribeiro Frio is known for its
unesco heritage site
beautiful gardens where plants and trees live side by side in Visit Madeira’s indigenous forest, the same one that João
perfect harmony. We can see a variety of native plants, some Gonçalves Zarco and his companions found when they
of them quite rare. This is an excellent place for a walk, sa- reached the island in 49.
vouring fantastic views from Balcões, where we are stunned Madeira’s natural heritage has been singled out in Europe,
by the sublime landscape of the deep valley of Ribeiro do thanks to its amazing richness, diversity and state of pres-
Faial and the rocky amphitheatre of central chain mountains, ervation, which is due, in part, to the Madeirans’ respect
at the heart of Ruivo’s Peak, the highest point on the island. for their natural heritage.
On 2 December 1999, UNESCO recognised this and
considered the Laurissilva Forest a World Natural Herit-
madeira and porto santo guide .5
17. hogany, Persea indica, and Canary laurel, Apollonias bar-
bujana) and others like the lily of the valley tree, Clethra
arborea, or Madeira juniper, Juniperus cedrus. Lower down
discover bushes, ferns, mosses, lichens, liverworts and
other small typical Laurissilva plants.
To which birdlife is concerned, there is the endemic long-
toed pigeon (Columba trocaz), typical of the Laurissilva
age Site, the only one in Portugal, which now belongs
to all humanity.
You must find time to admire and enjoy this forest which
dates back to the Tertiary Age and survived the last glacia-
tions, which confined it to Macaronesia, i.e., Madeira, the
Azores, the Canaries and Cape Verde.
Madeira has the largest area of this type of forest, about
,000 hectares. It also has the widest variety of fauna and
flora with some rare specimens, such as the Madeira or-
chid, Dactylorhiza foliosa, which is unique.
Feast your eyes on huge trees of the laurel family (stink
laurel, Ocotea foetens, laurel, Laurus Azorica, Madeira ma-
. madeira and porto santo guide
18. Forest and the symbol of Madeira Natural Park. their excellent nesting conditions for seabirds.
Come and discover a true living relic, a real laboratory The Garajau Partial Nature Reserve was set up in 98
for botanists and plant lovers! and is the country’s only exclusively marine reserve.
Amongst the fauna in the park are large fish such as the
nature reserves dusky grouper (Epinephelus guaza) and a wide variety of
A series of protected land and sea areas make up the other coastal species.
most important natural heritage of the Madeira Islands The reserve is considered one of the world’s main ama-
making it an excellent destination for eco-tourism. teur diving destinations and a place of great scientific,
The Madeira Natural Park was set up in 98 to safeguard Ma- recreational and tourist interest.
deira’s natural heritage. It has been classified as a Biogenetic
The Rocha do Navio Nature Reserve in Santana was
Reserve where we can find unique flora and fauna.
set up in 997 at the request of the local population. It
Madeira Natural Park covers about / of the territory and includes a strip of sea, a potential habitat for the Mediter-
is divided into total and partial nature reserves, protect- ranean monk seal, and a small island on which we can see
ed landscapes and recreational areas. rare plants that are endemic to the natural cliff habitats of
The Desertas Islands Nature Reserve is the last Atlantic Macaronesia.
refuge of the monk seal (Monachus monachus), which
was the main reason why it was set up in 990. At the east end of Madeira is the Ponta de S. Lourenço
The Selvagens Islands Nature Reserve is in the far south Nature Reserve, set up in 98.
of Portuguese territory and was set up in 97, making It has peculiar fauna and flora, thanks to important local
it one of the oldest nature reserves in Portugal. These groups practically confined to this area. It also has an ob-
islands are considered to be a bird sanctuary, thanks to servation post for environmental education.
madeira and porto santo guide .7
19. Prepare to discover a fantastic natural world on one
of the unforgettable walks along the hillsides. From 0
to 1.862 metres high the excitement is guaranteed!
levadas
Cultural and environmental factors have made walking
one of Madeira’s most traditional and popular open-air
activities.
Lots of people come to the Madeira Islands just to walk
the different circuits, discovering the pleasure of close
contact with nature.
Walk along Madeira’s paths and levadas to the interior of
the island and see breathtaking virgin scenery.
The levadas are a remarkable, ingenious irrigations sys-
tem.
These channels are testimony to our ancestors’ gigantic
efforts to bring water from the high mountain springs to
the slopes and valleys.
There are around 1.400 km of levadas in Madeira ready
for you to explore and discover breathtaking landscapes.
8. madeira and porto santo guide
20. The rough Madeiran relief and its mountain environment
mean there are routes of rare beauty, but the archipelago
offers some very interesting alternatives, where you can
choose exclusively mountain, forest, seaside or mixed
circuits.
Most of the walks are accessible to all though there are
different degrees of difficulty and so we suggest you
ask your travel agent or consult specialised publications
and make sure you have the right gear.
If you are really interested in walking with nature, we sug-
gest you buy a programme organised by a travel agency
or a holiday activity company, which lay on walks with a
mountain guide.
Never do these walks alone and always take water, provi-
sions, a torch a sweater and wear confortable, non slip-
pery footwear.
On these magnificent walks, hikers of all ages can explore
the island’s fabulous unforgettable landscapes.
madeira and porto santo guide .9
22. Discover an atmosphere of perfect harmony between and beauty centres, amongst others.
man and nature in Madeira, where the saying “a healthy
mind in a healthy body” makes a lot of sense. For more demanding customers, Porto Santo boasts a
thalassotherapy centre, where experienced staff and ex-
Madeira has long been sought out for the therapeutic cellent facilities combine to provide a variety of preven-
qualities of its climate in curing stubborn respiratory dis- tive and curative health services. The island’s sand con-
eases and still offers its visitors excellent conditions as a tains amazing minerals and is an excellent complement
health destination. to treatment for rheumatic diseases.
Dive into an island of calm, clear waters and recharge The Madeira Islands are as healthy as they are natural and
your batteries with seaweed and plant extracts, the fresh have everything you need for a relaxing or invigorating
perfume of flowers, the pure air, and the mild climate. Dis- holiday at any time of year.
cover the fertility of the land and the abundant sea-life in
dishes that are as healthy as they are delicious and rub
shoulders with nature, far from the humdrum bustle of
the big city.
Make the most of the wide range of facilities offered by most
hotels, such as swimming pools, saunas, gyms, tennis courts
and massages. Some are real health resorts that combine
medical and beauty treatments to offer services like tha-
lassotherapy, hydro-massage, Turkish baths, massages
madeira and porto santo guide .
24. In the Madeira Islands, you will find typical regional pudding, mousse or ice cream.
dishes made from the highest quality ingredients. There For the sweeter tooth, there is a rich variety of sweets. The
is also plenty of international cuisine to choose from. most traditional are honey cake and honey corn cakes
made with the richest ingredients such as spices and sug-
Thanks to its close contact with the sea, most restaurants arcane honey. Cheesecakes and fennel candy are also
in Madeira offer excellent seafood and fresh fish dishes. highly appreciated.
Limpets, octopus, shrimp, tuna steaks and scabbard-
fish fillets are just some of the local delicacies. There is also a wide selection of drinks. Exotic fruit juic-
es such as passion fruit, papaya, guava. The celebrated
“poncha” made with sugarcane rum, honey and lemon
You must try traditional regional dishes like tuna steak and the famous Madeira wines, which can be served as
and fried cornbread or the delicious grilled beef on a aperitifs or savoured with a coffee, are also an excellent
laurel spit accompanied with sweet potatoes bread choice.
“bolo do caco”.
Try some of these mouth-watering delights!
Other traditional foods are home-made couscous, home-
baked sweet potato bread and marinated pork.
Fruit lovers will really think they are in heaven!
Tropical fruits like mangoes, bananas, avocadoes, custard
apples and passion fruits are abundant and their exotic
flavours are the perfect end to a meal, either fresh or in a
madeira and porto santo guide .
26. Madeira’s matchless soil and climate, the production The most well-known dry wine is made from Sercial
process and the grape varieties used have made Ma- grapes. This pale, strongly perfumed wine makes an
deira wine unique. ideal aperitif. Verdelho leads the medium dry wines. It is
golden, delicate and quite perfumed and is the best one
Chosen to celebrate the independence of the United for drinking with meals. Boal is medium sweet, smooth,
States on 4 July 77, praised by Shakespeare in his plays velvety, noble and dark gold in colour and goes well with
and admired by monarchs, princes, generals and explor- roast meat or dessert. Between meals or with dessert, few
ers, Madeira wine is certainly a treasure. can resist a Malvasia, a sweet, red, full-bodied, intensely
perfumed wine.
It is appreciated all over the world and has more than Connaisseurs of this ‘art’ should come to Madeira in Sep-
five centuries of history. This ‘nectar of the gods’ is one tember to see and participate in the Madeira grape har-
of Madeira’s finest achievements. vest and its festival, a tribute to this age-old product that
is recognised worldwide.
Just think about the Madeirans’ constructive spirit over the
centuries, visible in the hand-tilled vineyards on small plots Savour a glass and drink a toast to life with
of land called poios (terraces), sometimes clinging to the Madeira wine…
mountain sides.
There are more than 0 Madeira wine grape varieties, though
the best are Sercial, Boal, Verdelho and Malvasia.
madeira and porto santo guide .5
28. Get to know a vast cultural heritage dating back to The region’s historical buildings also play an important
the time of the discoveries at museums, churches, part in its range of accommodation, as some of them
palaces and mansions and in the Madeiran people’s have been converted into sophisticated family accom-
customs, folklore and art. modation at Madeiran quintas. Madeira’s quintas, once
the former homes of princes and nobles, together with
home-stay tourism, some in seigniorial mansions, are
monuments amongst the choices open to you.
Funchal is particularly rich in historical heritage sites of
interest to tourists, including churches, chapels and forts,
many of which are classified as national monuments or museums
listed buildings whose beauty leaves no-one indifferent. For those who enjoy rich, diversified cultural activities,
Madeira is definitely the place to go!
Pieces of the archipelago’s culture and history can be
Among the sights particularly worth a visit are São found in its different museums.
Lourenço Palace, Pico Fort, Sé (Cathedral), Colégio or
Jesuits’ Church, Santa Clara Convent, São Tiago Fort contemporary art museum
and the Municipal Market. This museum placed in S. Tiago Fort has a collection of
Portuguese contemporary art dating from the 90s to
As you tour the island, you will come across monuments the present day. It also organises temporary exhibitions
that are part of the archipelago’s history and statues pay- of different artists and institutions.
ing tribute to historical figures like one of the discoverer’s
of Madeira, João Gonçalves Zarco.
madeira and porto santo guide .7
29. religious art museum
This museum has important collections of 16th to 18th
century Flemish paintings and religious sculpture and
17th and 18th century objects in gold.
Open Tuesday to Saturday from 0 a.m. to :0 p.m. and
:0 p.m. to p.m. Sunday from 0 a.m. to p.m. Closed
on Mondays and public holidays.
, Rua do Bispo
Open Monday to Saturday from 0 a.m. to :0 p.m. and Phone: (+5) 9 8 900; Fax: (+5) 9 4
p.m. to 5:0 p.m. Closed on Sunday and public holidays. E-mail: masf@netmadeira.com
www.museuartesacrafunchal.org
Rua do Portão de São Tiago – Fortaleza de São Tiago
900-50 Funchal mário barbeito de vasconcelos library museum
Phone: (+5) 9 40; Fax: (+5) 9 48 This museum houses a collection related to Christopher
Columbus including maps, prints, rare books, coins and
E-mail: mac.funchal.drac@madeira-edu.pt
articles alluding to the history of Madeira.
www.culturede.com
Open Monday to Friday from 0 a.m. to p.m. and .0
p.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday from 9.0 a.m. to p.m. Closed on
Sunday and public holidays.
8. madeira and porto santo guide
30. 48, Avenida Arriaga natural history museum
9000-04 Funchal This museum is in the Madeira Botanical Gardens and
Phone: (+5) 9 57; Fax: (+5) 9 89 houses a valuable collection of documents attesting to
E-mail: diogosshop@sapo.pt the wealth of the archipelago’s natural heritage and its
dynamics in this area.
museu henrique e francisco franco
This museum has a priceless collection of prints, drawings Open every day from 9 a.m. to 5:0 p.m., closed on 5th
and sculptures by the brothers Henrique and Francisco December.
Franco, Madeiran artists whose works left a significant mark
on Portuguese art in the late 9th and early 0th century. Caminho do Meio - Qt. do Bom Sucesso
Phone: (+5) 9 00; Fax: (+5) 9 0
Open Monday to Friday from 0 a.m. to :0 p.m. and p.m.
to p.m. Closed on Saturday, Sunday and public holidays. frederico de freitas museum house
The jurist Frederico da Cunha e Freitas lived in this Ro-
, Rua João de Deus manesque-style house, where he collected “objets d’art”.
9050-07 Funchal The museum house has been restored by the Madeira Re-
Phone: (+5) 9 0 ;Fax: (+5) 9 7 gional Government and contains an impressive exhibi-
E-mail: museu.franco@cm-funchal.pt tion of different collections including glazed tiles, mugs,
www.cm-funchal.pt teapots, ceramics, religious sculpture, old prints and neo-
classic and art nouveau furniture.
Open Tuesday to Saturday from 0 a.m to 5.0 p.m. Closed
madeira and porto santo guide .9
31. on Sunday, Monday and public holidays. pany, 17th to 19th century Portuguese pottery, Indo-Portu-
7, Calçada de Santa Clara guese and European ivory, Flemish and Portuguese sculp-
9000-0 Funchal ture from the 15th to the 18th century, nativity scenes from
Phone: (+5) 9 0 570; Fax: (+5) 9 0 580 the 18th and 19th centuries and paintings and prints from
E-mail: cmffreitas@sapo.pt the 16th to the 19th century.
www.museumac.com or www.culturede.com Open Tuesday to Sunday from 0 a.m. to :0 p.m. and from
p.m. to 5:0 p.m. Closed on Monday and public holidays.
quinta das cruzes museum
, Calçada do Pico
This baroque-style quinta was once the home of the sec-
9000-0 Funchal
ond captain donee of Funchal. Today it houses a deco-
Phone: (+5) 9 740 70; Fax: (+5) 9 74 84
rative art museum with a vast collection of Portuguese
E-mail:museuquintadascruzes@museuquintadascruzes.com
and foreign furniture from the 16th to the 19th century,
or mqc@netmadeira.com
porcelain from Europe and the Portuguese East India Com-
www.quintadascruzes.com
funchal municipal museum (natural history)
In the 9th century, this baroque-style palace was the
home of the Counts of Carvalhal and was famous for its
receptions. Today, it houses a valuable exhibition of the
archipelago’s fauna, flora and geology. It also conducts
important scientific research into the Macaronesia region.
0. madeira and porto santo guide
32. Open Tuesday to Friday from 0 a.m. to p.m., Saturday, 4, Rua da Carreira
Sunday and public holidays from :00 p.m. to p.m., 9000-04 Funchal
closed Monday and certain public holidays (st January, Phone: (+5) 9 5 050; Fax: (+5) 9 8 74
shrove Tuesday, Sunday Easter, 5th april,st may,st au- E-mail: photographia.vicentes.drac.srec@gov-madeira.pt
gust, and 5,th December). www.museumac.com
, Rua da Mouraria or www.photographiamuseuvicentes.com.pt
9004-54 Funchal
Phone: (+5) 9 9 7; Fax: (+5) 9 5 80 madeira wine museum
E-mail: mmf@cm-funchal.pt The museum is in a series of baroque-style buildings
www.cm-funchal.pt or www.culturede.com where Madeira wine used to be made, stored, sold and
exported and includes the oldest Madeira wine cellars.
vicente’s photography museum The museum’s collection includes letters from famous
This building was once the home and studio of Vicente personalities, documents from the British companies that
Gomes da Silva, a pioneer of photography in Portugal. founded the Madeira Wine Company, books, utensils, a
The museum houses backdrops, cameras and negatives 7th century wine press and antique machinery. There is
collected over a period of more than 100 years by the also a bar where visitors can taste and buy wine.
four generations of photographers in the Vicente fam-
ily. It also has archives of photographs from a number of Open from Monday to Friday 9.0 a.m to .0 p.m. Satur-
other sources. day from 0 a.m to p.m. Closed on Sunday and public
Open Monday to Friday from 0 a.m. to :0 p.m. and p.m. holidays.
to 5 p.m., Closed on Saturday, Sunday and public holidays. Guided tours in English and German, Monday to Friday
madeira and porto santo guide .
33. at 0:0 a.m., :0, :0 and 4:0 p.m., in Portuguese at 5, Praça Colombo
:0 a.m. and :0 p.m., French and Spanish at :0 a.m.. 9000-0 Funchal
Guided tours in English, Portuguese and German on Sat- Phone: (+5) 9 90; Fax: (+5) 9 4 87
urday at a.m.. Guided tours in Russian on request (in E-mail: museuacucar@cm-funchal.pt
advance). Schedules may be changed without notice. www.cm-funchal.pt
8, Adegas de S. Francisco, Avenida Arriaga ibvam museum (embroidery museum )
9000-04 Funchal This museum shows how Madeira embroidery was made
Phone: (+5) 9 740 00; Fax: (+5) 9 740 and has an exhibition of valuable pieces of embroidery,
E-mail: rt@madeirawinecompany.com tapestry and inlaid wood. The embroidery is displayed in
www.madeirawinecompany.com different outfits and with other items such as furniture.
Open Monday to Friday from 9:0 a.m. to :0 p.m. and
city sugar museum from p.m. to 5:0 p.m., Closed on Saturday, Sunday and
Located at the former residence of the Flemish merchant, public holidays.
João Esmeraldo, this museum is dedicated to the manu-
facture and export of sugar in Madeira in the 15th and 44, Rua Visconde do Anadia
16th centuries. 9050-00 Funchal
Open from 0 a.m. to :0 p.m. and p.m. to p.m. Monday Phone: (+5) 9 00; Fax: (+5) 9 4 79
to Friday. Closed on Saturday, Sunday and public holidays. E-mail: ivbam.sra@gov-madeira.pt
www.bordadomadeira.pt
. madeira and porto santo guide
34. casa da luz museum (electricity) Calçada do Pico,
This museum is on the site of the old Funchal Power Plant, 9000-0 Funchal
which was decommissioned in 989. Its contents include Phone/Fax: (+5) 9 5
rare machinery and equipment more than half a century old. e-mail: cccumjcna@netmadeira.com
Open Tuesday to Saturday from 0 a.m. to :0 p.m. and or cccsc.drac@madeira-edu.pt
p.m. to p.m., Closed in Sunday, Monday and public holidays. www.universodememorias.com
Rua da Casa da Luz,
Phone: (+5) 9 480; Fax: (+5) 9 990 monte palace museum
E-mail: mcl@eem.pt This museum in the Monte Palace Tropical Garden houses
www.eem.pt two permanent collections, one of minerals and the other
of contemporary Zimbabwean sculpture. The sculptures
”universe of memories” – j.c. abreu date back to the 950s and 90s and include works by
Presenting a collection of pieces amassed during his trav- Tengenenge artists such as Henry Munyaradzi and Ber-
els donated by João Carlos Abreu, former Regional Sec- nard Matemera. The mineral collection is organised ac-
retary of Tourism and Culture. All the exhibits are closely cording to its aesthetic value. Most of the minerals are
connected to the story of his life. Apart from being excel- from Brazil, Portugal, Peru and North America.
lent museum pieces, they are also important due to their
variety and the fact that they come from the four corners Open daily from 0 a.m. to 4:0 p.m. Closed on 5th December.
of the earth. There is a tearoom adjacent to the museum. 74,Caminho do Monte,
Open Tuesday to Saturday from 0 a.m. to 5 p.m. Closed Phone: (+5) 9 74 50 or 9 78 9
on Sunday, Monday and public holidays. Fax: (+5) 9 78 7
madeira and porto santo guide .
35. E-mail: info@montepalace.com exhibits illustrating Madeiran culture and society. The
www.montepalace.com temporary exhibition room shows themes alluding to tra-
ditional Madeiran culture.
toy museum
This museum houses José Manuel Borges Pereira’s collec- Open from Tuesday to Sunday from 0 a.m. to :0 p.m.
tion of old toys together with some contributions from and p.m. to p.m., closed Mondays and public holidays.
other private collections. The museum also has a café/
restaurant. 4, Rua de S. Francisco
Open Tuesday to Saturday, from 0 a.m. to :0 p.m., Sun- 950- Ribeira Brava
day from :0 p.m to :0 p.m. Closed on Monday and Phone: (+5) 9 95 598; Fax :(+5) 9 957
public holidays. E-mail: museuetnografico@clix.pt
or m.etnografico.drac@madeira-edu.pt
48, Rua da Levada dos Barreiros www.museumac.com or www.culturede.com
9000-0 Funchal
Phone: (+5) 99 9 7 calheta
casa das mudas art centre
ribeira brava
This cultural facility in Calheta is divided into two parts, a
madeira ethnographic museum mansion built in the 16th century that belonged to a
This old baroque mansion now houses the Madeira Ethno- granddaughter of João Gonçalves Zarco, the discoverer
graphic Museum, which has collections of ethnographic of Madeira, and a new, modern wing.
4. madeira and porto santo guide
36. Open from Tuesday to Sunday from 0 a.m. to p.m. and It also presents three different themes areas such as:
from p.m. to p.m. Closed on Monday. Natural Values, Rural Heritage, Lime Production and trade.
Vale de Amores, 970-Calheta Open Tuesday to Sunday from 0 a.m. to p.m. Guided
Phone: (+5) 9 80 900; Fax: (+5) 9 80 9 tours on Saturday, by previous appointment from 0 a.m.
E-mail: casadasmudas@netsapo.pt or to 5 p.m.
centrodasartes@netmadeira.com
Lime Route – Museum Centre
são vicente Associação Rota da Cal
Sitio dos Lameiros
lime route – museum centre
940- S. Vicente
This Museum Centre is of great importance due to its
Phone: (+5) 9 84 08; Fax: (+5) 9 84 0
great natural and cultural heritage values. This centre en-
Cell Phone. :( +5) 95048
closes an approximated area of about 000m, where,
E-mail: rotadacal@solarbica.com
we can find two limestone quarries, a lime kiln that due
www.madeirarotadacal.com
to its unique features its believed to be the only one to be
found in Europe, apart from a set of fossils over 5 millions
ponta delgada
years old, apart from other constructions used to support
farming and cattle-raising, such as haylofts, cultivation dr. horácio bento de gouveia museum house
fields and levadas (water channels), very typical of Madei- Horácio Bento de Gouveia, a Madeiran teacher, journal-
ra’s landscape. ist and author of a vast number of published works,
was born in this house of typical Madeiran 7th and
madeira and porto santo guide .5
37. 8th century design. Here we can see a variety of an- Sítio da Lagoa
tiques and also articles associated with the writer’s 90-08 Arco de São Jorge
working life. Phone: (+5) 9 578 0; Fax: (+5) 9 578
Open Monday to Saturday from p.m. to p.m. Closed caniçal
on Sunday and public holidays. Sítio dos Terços, Vila de
Ponta Delgada
whale museum
This museum opened to the public in 989 and has a
Phone: (+5) 9 8
whaling boat, part of a sperm whale in fibre, showcases
E-mail: cmdrhbg@yahoo.com
containing whalebone and whale’s teeth and photos and
prints of whales.
arco de são jorge
the arco de são jorge Wine Museum Open from Tuesday to Sunday from 0 a.m. to :00 p.m. and
Located in the Experimental Viticulture Field, on a p.m. to p.m., Closed on Monday and public holidays.
grape growing property, this museum is an area dedi- Largo Manuel Alves, Vila do Caniçal
cated to publicizing the wine produced on Madeira 900-0 Caniçal
Island, with an exhibition of some of the equipment Phone: (+5) 9 9 858; Fax: (+5) 9 9 859
used in this activity. All the surrounding garden area E-mail: geral@museudabaleia.org
can be visited. www.museudabaleia.org
Open Tuesday to Saturday from p.m. to p.m. Other
days by appointment.
. madeira and porto santo guide
38. porto santo
christopher columbus museum house
Columbus’s house consists of two buildings, the older of
which dates back to his time on the island.
Here were can see portraits of Columbus from the
16th to the 20th century and maps showing his dif-
ferent routes.
Open Tuesday to Saturday from 0 a.m. to :0 p.m. and
p.m. to 5:0 p.m., Sunday from 0 a.m. to p.m. Closed
on Monday and public holidays. On Summer time: July
to September, Tuesday to Saturday from 0 a.m. to :0
p.m. and from p.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday from 0 a.m. to
p.m. Closed on Monday and public holidays.
and 4 Travessa da Sacristia
9400-7 Porto Santo
Phone: (+5) 9 98 405; Fax: (+5) 9 98 840
E-mail: casacolombo@casacolombo.pt or casacolombo.
drac.srtt@gov-madeira.pt
www.museucolombo-portosanto.com
madeira and porto santo guide .7
39. animation
Madeira is full of fun as we are a happy bunch! There is a
variety of shows, festivals and exhibitions waiting for you!
In addition to the natural attractions and year-round
spring weather, there is always plenty to do in the
Madeira Islands.
Throughout the year, there are cultural, entertainment
8. madeira and porto santo guide
40. and sports events all over the island and they not only to know the Madeira Islands, and to discover the Laurissilva
attract the local population but also make holidays un-
forgettable. forest, which has been officially designated as World Natu-
The main events are the traditional Carnival, Flower Fes- ral Heritage by UNESCO, while, at the same time, spending
tival, Wine Festival and New Year celebrations and the
a week together with visitors from several different nation-
more recent Atlantic Festival.
alities, all with one common interest – that of enjoying an
madeira islands walking festival
The Madeira Islands Walking Festival is an organised active and healthy holiday, in direct contact with nature.
group walking programme, in levadas (water channels)
built by man during the colonisation of the archipelago
or in trails, with specialised guide, during 5 consecutive
days in January. madeira orienteering festival
A total of 0 walking routes have been chosen, all hav-
The Regional Secretariat for Tourism and Transport, through
ing been classified and recommended by the Regional
Government of Madeira. The participants have at their the Regional Directorate for Tourism, organises during the
disposal a list of 4 walks per day, with a range of durations
and levels of difficulty. month of January the Orientation Festival of Madeira, an
The festival also comes with a strong social component, as
the participants shall have the opportunity to visit and get event where competition is combined with leisure.
madeira and porto santo guide .9
41. palhão costume parade.
For these days, the streets of Funchal are decorated with
lights and flooded with carnival music.
Join the fun!
This festival provides permanent contact with Nature, madeira island open golf
where each participant chooses his/her pace according Like an eternal spring, Madeira is the place, by excellence,
to the challenges he/she chooses, amongst the shortest as a golf destination, all year round. The annual Madeira
or longest routes, accessible to all lovers of sport in the Open is the most important golf tournament in the Ma-
midst of Nature. deira Islands and is part of the Main European PGA Tour,
taking place in March at the Santo da Serra Golf Club.
Paradise for golf lovers, don’t miss this tournament of the Eu-
carnival ropean circuit, taking also the opportunity to get acquaint-
The city wakes up on the Friday before Shrove Tuesday to the ed with the other golf courses at Madeira and Porto Santo.
sound of bands, samba and carnival parades taking good
humour to the whole city centre, continuing in the evenings
with shows in Praça do Município for five days running. flower festival
Saturday night is the turn of the grand float parade Every year after Easter, Funchal is the stage of a luxuri-
showing the creativity of the different troupes. ous treat for the senses, the Flower Festival, celebrating
Shrove Tuesday is when Funchal explodes with joy. spring and the season’s exuberant flowering, even more
Thousands of revellers from all over the region parade be- intense in Madeira thanks to its subtropical climate.
fore a crowd of locals and foreigners who soon get caught The celebrations begin on Saturday morning with the
up in the fun of the daring caricatures in the Cortejo Tra- children’s parade, when thousands of kids get dressed
40. madeira and porto santo guide
42. The Music Festival enables residents and tourists alike to
enjoy some of the best examples of our architectural her-
itage while listening to high-quality classical music.
The Fireworks Competition offers unique moments of
splendid pyrotechnics and harmonious music. Every
up and come to Praça do Município in the city centre to
Saturday night, competitors from the four corners of the
build a wall of flowers called the Wall of Hope.
earth delight the crowds with joy and colour. Every year,
There is another outstanding event the next day, the
the best firework companies in the world charm Funchal
Grand Flower Parade with dozens of floats and hundreds
in what is now a major pyrotechnics event.
of people showing off the island’s local flowers filling
the air with soft, ephemeral perfumes. So in June the capital of Madeira is full of attractions and
At the same time as these events, there are other activities in entertainment with unforgettable shows of great artis-
honour of the flower filling this celebration of the senses: un- tic and musical quality and a magic atmosphere.
forgettable carpets of flowers, window dressing competi-
tions, folklore shows, classical concerts and variety shows. tour of madeira in classic cars
Come and experience spring with us! The Tour of Madeira in Classic Cars is an event that is limit-
ed to Classic and Vintage Cars, enrolled in the “FIA Historic
atlantic festival Regularity Rallies” and included in the FIVA (International
The Atlantic Festival takes place in June and involves both Federation of Vintage Vehicles) calendar, Category A, in
culture and entertainment in its three different compo- which participation is limited to the standards of this Fed-
nents: the Madeira Music Festival, the International Fire- eration and simultaneously to those of the International
works Competition and street animation. Automotive Federation (FIA) and must be in original work-
madeira and porto santo guide .4
43. If you are a jazz enthusiast, don’t miss these three summer
nights full of the unmistakable sound of jazz in the unique
scenario of Jardins Quinta Magnólia, at the beginning
of July. www.funchaljazzfestival.com
ing order. madeira wine rally
This event takes place over four days and covers around The largest automobile event in the Region, recognised
400 km through beautiful and often winding Madeiran internationally, is the Madeira Wine Rally. Taking place at
roads, competing in a way that allows competitors to experi- the first weekend of August, brings famous names from
ence the breathtaking landscapes of this beautiful island, at the world of motor racing.
the end of June.
For two days the competitors will race round various
http://madeiraclassicrally.com
parts of the island, bringing excitement to the thousands
of people who pack the Madeira’s mountains to get as
funchal jazz festival good a view as possible of the speed and skill of the driv-
Madeira jazz festival is an event organized by Funchal’s ers. www.ralivm.com
City Hall, which has gained more and more prestige every
year, brings together famous national and international wine festival
jazz players and groups at Madeira. The festival takes over This festival is held in early September, when the grape
Funchal, reaching out for Madeirans and tourists in the harvest begins all over the island. It recreates ancestral Ma-
streets and bars, with street performances and other ac- deiran habits dating back to the time of the first settlers.
tivities in the three days of the Funchal Jazz Festival. In Funchal and Estreito de Câmara de Lobos, we celebrate
4. madeira and porto santo guide
44. features of the grape harvest such as decorations, mu- parade mark this week of history.
sic and dancing. Visitors to the traditional wineries can
taste the wines while, outside, we find tributes to grapes,
with a live grape harvest and the traditional parade of
new year celebrations
If there’s a place where we celebrate life, it’s Madeira. At
grape pickers in Estreito de Câmara de Lobos.
the end of each year, we commemorate the completion
This festival takes on all the features of a traditional Ma-
of another 5-day cycle in our lives.
deiran folk festival with regional dishes, living traditions
and lots of fun.
columbus festival
In September, Vila Baleira devotes a week to Christopher
Columbus who came to the island and lived here for
several years.
The festival remembers the discoverer’s presence in the
Madeira Islands on his voyages to the Americas and the
epic of the age of the discoveries.
Visitors can enjoy music, exhibitions, street entertainment
and medieval scenes. A theatrical recreation of the arrival
of Columbus and his followers at the quay and a historical
madeira and porto santo guide .4
46. find a wide variety of shops selling everything from
Christmas traditions, deeply rooted in Madeirans’ cus- regional goods as souvenirs to Portuguese and inter-
toms, combine with the expressions of joy on the arrival national designer articles.
of the new year in a rich, vast cultural, ethnographic and
artistic programme lasting all through December and
If you’re feeling tired, stop and drink a local fruit juice sit-
until Twelfth Night.
ting comfortably at one of the centre’s pavement cafes.
Funchal Bay’s unique amphitheatre is transformed into
We suggest buying Madeira embroidery, which is a treas-
a giant nativity scene illuminated with thousands of
ure that lasts several generations and is internationally recog-
lights decking the city’s main streets from the second
nised. Madeira embroidery is used in a wide variety of articles
half of November, in a scenario of rare beauty.
from handkerchiefs to beautiful tradition tablecloths, which
An island of celebrations, at hotels, restaurants and bars
and in the streets which to welcome the New Year, lights are real works of art.
the city’s skies with fireworks launched from 50 different
points in a 0-minute display. Other regional handicrafts are wicker baskets, bags, trays,
It’s like a new dawn marking the arrival of a new life! or even furniture.
Wickerwork is available all over the island, but the heart
of its production is in Camacha, where you can find a
wide variety of sizes and shapes.
An unforgettable holiday deserves some fine sou- You’re sure to take at least one bottle of delicious Ma-
venirs. As you roam Funchal’s main streets, you will deira wine home after tasting it at one of the Madeira
madeira and porto santo guide .45
48. wine cellars and shops in the city.
Madeiran flowers like orchids, birds of paradise, king
proteas, anthuriums, etc. are many visitors’ choice of
souvenir. You can buy these flowers anywhere in Funchal,
in the municipal market, flower stalls or florists.
The municipal market, known as the Farmers’ Market, is
another must. It is a true shopping centre for regional
products such as exotic fruits, vegetables, fish and
flowers, wickerwork, rugs and the famous Madeiran
boots. treasures as you explore the depths of the Atlan-
tic. Whatever your choice, you will feel nature all
around you!
If you like active holidays, this archipelago has excellent
natural conditions for mountaineering.
You can choose from trekking, climbing, canyoning,
Climb up to the clouds among mountains and le- jeep safaris, mountain bikes or horse riding to conquer
vadas and enjoy the pure, rarefied air or discover the impressive mountains in a memorable experience.
madeira and porto santo guide .47