A charming piece of land in the midst of the Atlantic Ocean, a piece of paradise - Madeira Island, which has long been an elite resort, is becoming more and more popular. The irresistible beauty of the tropics, sandy and pebbly beaches, unique natural attractions, authentic historical sites, an abundance of fruits and seafood make your stay here interesting and rewarding. An attractive factor for holidaymakers is the lack of intense heat on the island even in the summer months. But at the same time, the water in the ocean is distinguished by comfortable temperatures. Those who suffer from high blood pressure or heart problems can safely come here. Everyone here will find a suitable beach for themselves - there is a wide choice of them. There are no problems with accommodation on the fabulous island: modern hotels of different levels will ensure a comfortable stay.
Funchal
The main port and administrative center of the island is a city with an ancient history, beautiful old palaces, authentic streets and picturesque gardens. Luxury hotels of 4 and 5 stars of European class are concentrated in the western part of Funchal. Not far, in the district of Santa Cruz, there is an exclusive airport, considered the most dangerous for landing in the mountainous landscape until 2000. The difficult task for the pilots was facilitated by the runway in the form of an overpass. Funchal as a resort is good for any kind of recreation: beach, sightseeing, wellness.
Excellent infrastructure, clear water awaits tourists on the large public beach of Praia Formosa, which includes 4 sand and pebble areas. All of them are marked with the "Blue Flag" for cleanliness and are equipped with the highest standard. A little further, there is a complex of pools with sea water - Lido, which is very popular. 2 adults and 1 children's pool are included in the Ponta Gorda complex. Lovers of the exotic tend to visit Doca do Cavacas, with pools formed by volcanic lava that go straight to the sea. There is all the necessary infrastructure and there are always a lot of people.
A quiet secluded getaway is provided by the pebbly beaches of Praia do Gargoullo and Praia de San Tiago. Of the amenities they have only a shower and a toilet, but everyday minimalism does not spoil the stay. Shopaholics will enjoy going to the souvenir shops, where they offer products from cork, leather, wood, various things with embroidery and the famous wine. An indispensable entertainment for holidaymakers is a visit to the enchanting gardens of Funchal. Everyone must visit the Botanical Garden - the pride of Funchal.
More than 2 thousand plants grow on the picturesque slopes, fantastic parrots of various species live on the branches of the trees. There is a paid Paleiro park, consisting of themed gardens: French, Sunken, Lady, Rosary. Each of them is based on the flora of the tropics, supplemented by representatives of various natural zones of the world. Tourists love to stroll around the Mercado dos Lavradores market, visit the Se Cathedral, the monastery of Saint Clara, the fortress palace of Saint Lorenzo.
Santa Cruz
The oldest settlement on the island, whose name translates as "holy cross", was founded in the first decades of the 16th century. The first seafarers who landed on this shore erected a wooden cross on a tree. Later it was replaced by a stone structure, which was later destroyed in the 19th century. But the name has forever stuck with a pretty town, which has recently become an attractive resort. An important role in this was played by the appearance in the vicinity of the only airport named after Cristiano Ronaldo.
The local coastline is distinguished by high rocky shores and pebble beaches, with good infrastructure. There are water sports equipment rentals throughout. There is a diving center on the central beach where you can learn the basics of diving. The advantage of Santa Cruz as a resort is the opportunity to enjoy peace and quiet, to take a break from life in the metropolis.
A lot of relatively inexpensive hotels, restaurants, bars, the presence of ancient attractions make your stay here interesting. The beautifully designed promenade, lined with palm trees, is filled with strolling holiday-makers and townspeople in the evenings. A must-see here is the Iqreja Matriz de Santa Cruz church. It was erected in 1533 almost simultaneously with the foundation of the town. Lovers of sandy beaches and noisy entertainment can visit them in Funchal (15 minutes drive).
Calheta
Whoever visits this wonderful town once will no longer choose another resort. Calhete (narrow strait) is the embodiment of all the beauties and delights of Madeira. It arose in the form of a small village back in 1430, in an unusually picturesque place on the island. High cliffs covered with green velvet forests, loose sandy beaches, a cozy bay, unique sights have made Calhete a popular resort. Even a small number of good beaches do not stop tourists.
Two loose sandy beaches are always crowded with vacationers, especially in high season. Golden sand imported from Morocco, high comfort of the coastal strip, good equipment made them famous. In addition to a beach holiday, guests are given the opportunity to delightful walks along the picturesque levada and vereda. A visit to many medieval churches is part of the cultural tourism program.
The local art center, located at the edge of the cliff, brings variety to leisure travelers. It hosts regular exhibitions of paintings, concerts of modern and classical music, interesting meetings, etc. The main street of Calheta is filled with restaurants and cafes, whose menu includes national dishes of seafood and fish. They offer the famous Poncha cocktail with the addition of signature white rum. Many take excursions to the factory where this drink is produced.
Machico
A truly historical place - the town of Machico is considered the most popular among tourists. It was named after the discoverer Robert Machiko, who allegedly discovered the island even before the Portuguese. The legend is confirmed by the presence of ancient architectural monuments and forts in Machico. The iconic religious object of Madeira - the Church of the Annunciation of the 15th century, is located right here. In the 18th century, a chapel of the Virgin was built on the rock. As the legend says, it was built by sailors who escaped death from the collision of the ship with the coastal rocks.
It has become a tradition for local fishermen to make a maritime procession in the bay on decorated boats on the third Sunday of September every year. At the head of the boat procession is a ship with a statue of the Virgin Mary. Tourists have something to see here among the architectural sights. Historical forts of the 17th and 18th centuries, various buildings, fish shops attract the interest of tourists. The surrounding nature gives vivid impressions. An interesting visit to the former center of whaling - the town of Canisal or the rocky island of Ponto de San Lorenzo.
Local beaches can satisfy different tastes of holidaymakers - there is a beautiful sandy strip among the rocky and pebble areas. All beach pleasures are at the disposal of the spa guests. For divers, there is a great place - a marine reserve, where a rich variety of oceanic fauna is presented.
Ponta do Sol
A charming town in the south-west of the island, founded in the 15th century, is rightly considered the "point of the sun" (this is how its name literally translates). Here, indeed, the sun almost always shines, there are practically no cloudy days. Thanks to this, Ponta do Sol is a popular beach resort today.
Pebble beaches are distinguished by the cleanliness of the coastal strip and the transparency of the water that attracts divers. Excursions to the bowbelle ship that sank during a storm off the coast are popular here. White, yellow buildings with bright roofs against the backdrop of green rock massifs look very picturesque. The holidaymakers are delighted with the surrounding landscapes, with the streets buried in flowers. They visit the main attraction of the settlement - the ancient Church of Our Lady Matrizh of the late 15th century.
The interior of the temple, decorated with green ceramic tiles, delights visitors. The surrounding land with fertile soil allows the development of agriculture - the cultivation of sugar cane, grapes and bananas. Local factories make excellent wine, which is exported to different countries. A wonderful drink can be tasted during an excursion to one of the factories.
Ponta Delgada
Irresistible mountain and sea landscapes, natural pools with sea water, wonderful hotels await tourists in the small picturesque village of Ponta Delgada on the northern Madeira coast. On the slopes of steep cliffs, charming houses with tiled roofs are located. Some of them come right up to the ocean blue, including the local church of the Immaculate Heart of the Virgin Mary.
In her honor, an annual holiday is held here in the first week of September, with a large gathering of believers and guests of Ponta Delgada. The village is famous for its sea basins, protected from the tide from the ocean by an artificial dam. One of them is intended for adults, the second, smaller one - for children. Admission to them is paid in high season, from May to October.
The territory of the complex is comfortably equipped: beautiful sun loungers are installed, there are showers, changing rooms toilets, parking, a bar is open. Tourists visit the house-museum of the famous writer, journalist, teacher Horacio de Gouveia, examine rarities, journalism. Local food establishments offer delicious dishes from fresh seafood, vegetables, fruits grown here. In souvenir shops you can buy products of traditional crafts: embroidery, weaving from willow twigs.
Ponta do Pargo
The most enchanting place of the island, located in the northwest of Madeira, Ponta do Pargo, captivating the imagination with majestic cliffs and valleys covered with floral carpets. A calm, cozy town is ideal for a leisurely, measured rest. There are many viewing platforms from which breathtaking landscapes open up.
Here, on one of the high (350 m) steep cliffs, there is a lighthouse built in 1922. Despite the low (14 m) tower of the lighthouse, the projected light spreads 317 meters above the Atlantic surface at a distance of 48 km. Not a single ship, due to the height of the cliff, suffered a wreck in this r / not. Tourists have been allowed to visit the lighthouse since 2001, more precisely, its museum with a small but rich exposition illustrating the history of the lighthouse.
From here you can see the blue expanse of the ocean, it seems that you are standing at the edge of the world. Vacationers stroll along the picturesque coastline, watch birds of extraordinary species. Tourists visiting ancient architectural monuments. Many people visit the Iqreja Ponta do Parqo church, get acquainted with the history of the temple, admire the interior design. The town is connected to Funchal by a motorway and is easy to find by following the signs for the lighthouse.
Arco di Sant Jorge
A small rural settlement (500 inhabitants) in the north-east of the island was originally part of the town of São Jorge. In the 17th century, having gained independence, it began to be called Arco di Sant Jorge. The first part of the name was given to the village by local mountains with many arches. Thanks to the shape of the mountains, a special microclimate has been formed here, which has a beneficial effect on the growth of various plants: grapes, fruit trees, flowers. The flow of tourists visiting Madeira does not stop here. They are attracted by the beauty of the surrounding landscapes, the ocean coast, the peaceful atmosphere. Accommodation is offered in 18 cozy detached houses.
Many people come here from April to December to visit Madeira's "calling card" - a delightful rose garden where wonderful roses bloom. It has 17 thousand bushes of more than 20 types of roses. Delighted holiday-makers are greeted by a floral symphony woven from a kaleidoscope of various shades: reds, yellows, cream, purples, lilacs, etc. There are rare specimens of roses, ranging from ancient varieties to recently bred species. The "rose" garden was founded by the former mayor of Funchal Albuquerque, who was fond of breeding the "queen of flowers" and constantly replenished his collection with new varieties. In 2003, the 4th largest rose garden in Europe in terms of area and richest collection became a public place.
Kanisu
The picturesque area, which is part of the municipality of Santa Cruz, is extremely popular with holidaymakers. A riot of greenery, favorable climate, excellent infrastructure make your stay in Kanisu extremely comfortable. Mild summers, mild winters, without strong winds attract holidaymakers. It is no coincidence that of the 5 districts of Santa Cruz, almost half of the population lives in Canis.
Guests love the green streets, lovely restaurants and cafes. Cozy private villas and 20 hotels welcome tourists. The dense population of Kanisu does not affect the daytime atmosphere of peace, silence and regularity. Fans of active pastime will also find a lot of entertainment for themselves. There are nightclubs here with a good entertainment program. Excursions to the picturesque surroundings are the perfect complement to your leisure time.
Porto Moniz
A tiny town located on a small piece of land sandwiched between a mountain and an ocean, it is famous for its natural lava pools. Everything here is subordinated to resort recreation: the main part of the buildings are hotels and souvenir shops. The road to Porto Moniz from the center of the island is a 1.5 km steep serpentine downhill. This is a rather extreme trip for thrill-seekers. The motor transport stops several times at special areas equipped along the road. Tourists in these moments can take pictures of stunning landscapes.
Resorts are given the opportunity to admire the stunning views of the ocean, with white foam of the surf, with a special blue water. In the eastern part of Porto Moniz there is a port, a helipad, between the rocks there is the Kashalot restaurant and a large lava pool. Vacationers aspire to get there during the swimming season. The Kashalot restaurant, located on the rocks, with inexpensive cuisine is a must-see place for tourists. A magical panorama of waves beating against the rocks opens before their eyes. Walking along the promenade, organically integrated into the incredible natural environment, is a pleasure. Fruit trees are grown on the terraces along the slopes of the mountains.
