Madeira Travel Guide
Guide
- Madeira Travel Guide
- The Basics
- Contacts
- Attractions
- Excursions
- Transport
- Climate
- Photos
- Hotels in Madeira
Maps
Directory
Why? Although a holiday in Madeira, the
beautiful Portuguese island in the Atlantic, is designed for fun in
the sun, there are actually no beaches. This is made up for by all
the stunning resorts, which sport their own swimming pools, and the
fact that the island is wonderful for walking through the verdant
beauty of its landscape.
When? Most choose to holiday in Madeira during the
summer months (between July and October) when the weather is mainly
sunny and hot, but seldom stifling. Locals, however, advise that
you can travel to Madeira any time of year and enjoy perfect
weather because there is little temperature variation between
winter and summer. As evidenced by its greenery, though, the island
does tend to have an abundance of rain, but when it rains on one
part, it is usually possible to find a dry spot elsewhere on the
island.
Who for? Whatever you look for in a holiday,
travel to Madeira to find it. Young and old have a wide variety of
activities to indulge in, from scuba diving to cable car rides or
thrills and spills in the theme park. Those who enjoy walking are
especially drawn to holiday in Madeira and follow the famed
'levada' (canal) trails across this paradise island.
More Info: To discover the delights of a holiday
in Madeira, and plan your trip, consult our Madeira travel guide,
which contains in depth information about attractions, excursions
and useful tips and hints.
Overview
Most people have heard of the Portuguese island of Madeira, but not many know exactly where it is. Located more than 600 miles (966km) southwest of Lisbon, and off the west coast of Morocco, it is a mere speck in the vast Atlantic Ocean. Madeira, along with its sister island of Porto Santo, is actually the summit of an undersea mountain, rearing up with craggy cliffs from the warm blue Gulf Stream waters in one of the deepest parts of the Atlantic. It features one of the world's highest ocean cliffs, soaring 1,933ft (589m) above the sea, which presented a forbidding sight to the ancient Portuguese mariners who first discovered the island archipelago in the 15th century. In fact Porto Santo and Madeira were the first 'new worlds' that were colonised by Henry the Navigator in his quest to explore the world.
Madeira is tiny, just 13 miles (21km) wide and 35 miles (56km) long, and has no beaches, but it does have an Eden-like beauty with its rich volcanic soil having turned it into a botanical wonderland and agricultural treasure house. Most of the indigenous thick forest was destroyed in a fire created by the first Portuguese colonialists to clear it for farming. Today however, the fragrant island blooms with colourful masses of orchids, bougainvillea, frangipani, wisteria and geraniums. Fruit and herbs grow in profusion on the hillsides and in ravines, and the mountain slopes are terraced with orchards and vineyards. The island has been termed a 'floating garden'.
Madeira is accessible only by air, mainly from Lisbon to the airport near the capital, Funchal. There is no regular passenger ferry, but cruise ships occasionally call.
