10 Reasons to visit Madeira in 2024
BY Richard Webber
15th Mar 2024 Places To Visit
4 min read
Famous
for its beautiful gardens, sunshine and the stunning capital Funchal, the Portuguese island of Madeira
is a must-visit destination for 2024
Madeira has attracted Brits for decades
and it’s easy to see why. A sub-tropical island 400 miles off the African
coast, it enjoys plenty of sunshine and average temperatures around 75 degrees.
Its dramatic rocky coastline is fringed
by ever-flowering bougainvillea, hibiscus and poinsettia, giving way to towering
green peaks.
Dubbed the “Floating Garden of the
Atlantic”, Madeira dazzles with its vibrant hues of flowers and plants growing everywhere,
including Funchal, the capital. Sitting on the sunny south coast, the city
resembles a giant amphitheatre, its houses hugging the lower slopes of a
vertiginous 3,900-ft mountain range.
One of the guarantees about visiting
Madeira is that you’ll never be short of things to see and do. Here are just
ten reasons to visit the beautiful island.
1. Visit the gardens and enjoy a cable-car ride
Monte is an area of Madeira with beautiful gardens that are a must-visit. Credit: Piotr Musiol
The Palace
Tropical Gardens and Botanical Gardens aren’t to be missed. Jump aboard the cable-car
for a 15-minute ride up to Monte, a hilltop parish above Funchal.
"The Palace Tropical Gardens and Botanical Gardens aren't to be missed and are a short cable-car ride from Funchal"
Enjoy
spectacular views of the city before arriving at the tropical gardens, which
showcase exotic plants from around the world. Steeply
terraced botanical gardens, meanwhile, are discovered at the end of another
cable-car ride. Here, around 3,000 plants from five continents are displayed.
2. A tranquil paradise
Grab a cab or hire a car and head to
Faja dos Padres, 20 minutes from Funchal.
An oasis of tranquillity, this speck of
land below an 820-feet cliff face is accessible only by boat or cable car.
Owned by the same family since the 1920s, it’s all about relaxing, swimming and
enjoying a bite to eat.
3. Explore the island
Hire a car and explore beyond the capital.
Stop at Calheta, home to one of Madeira’s two sandy beaches, before heading
around the coast to Porto Moniz, where you can swim in natural rock pools.
In the northeast, Santana showcases traditional
A-shaped houses. But don’t forget to venture into the interior to experience
remarkable scenery.
4. Wander around Funchal
The capital of Madeira, Funchal, is full of beautiful and historic buildings. Credit: Ad Thiry
Historic buildings, museums and classy
boutiques are discovered along the capital’s streets while the attractive palm
tree-lined promenade is a delight. The Old Town bursts into life every evening
so wander along the maze of narrow, cobbled streets flanked by restored houses
plus cosy cafes and restaurants.
"The Old Town bursts into life every evening so wander along the maze of narrow, cobbled streets"
Rua de Santa Maria, dating back to the
15th century, boasts countless doorways rejuvenated by artists with an array of
vivid paintings, transforming the street into a permanent art gallery.
5. Enjoy afternoon tea
Savour afternoon tea at the impressive
Savoy Palace Hotel, a five-star resort hotel. Feast upon a time-honoured tradition while being
entertained by a pianist or harpist.
Enjoy the hotel’s exclusive blends of teas or
champagne served with finger sandwiches and delicate pastries, the mastery
of the company’s award-winning pastry chef.
6. Take a hike
Madeira has some stunning landscapes to explore for hikers. Credit: Eva Bronzini
Madeira is a magnet for walkers, many
keen to follow the levadas, a network of 15th century mini-canals built
to distribute water from wetter northern regions to the drier south.
One of my favourite routes explores
Ponta de São Lourenço, a rocky, finger-shaped peninsula marking the island’s
easternmost point. Its undulating landscape, stark cliffs and rocky coves are
reminiscent of Cornwall’s coastline.
When walking in Madeira, especially in
the mountains, it’s advisable to hire a guide or book via one of many tour companies
on the island.
7. Take to the water
The deep waters of Funchal Bay are rich
in sea life.
Book a cruise and keep your eyes peeled
for dolphins, whales and turtles. Spotted dolphins, pilot whales and loggerhead
turtles are regular visitors, too.
8. Eateries galore
The island’s capital offers countless
cafés and restaurants, catering for all tastes.
My favourites include Recharge Bar
& Restaurant. Part of Savoy Signature’s NEXT hotel, Recharge is
a relaxed, contemporary restaurant serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, all
inspired by the vibrant islands of Hawaii. Unwind in comfy seats while staring
out across the pool towards the ocean.
If you’re looking for a fine-dining
experience out of this world, then head for the 16th floor of the
Savoy Palace Hotel. At Galaxia Skyfood, fine views over the city and
delicious, high-quality food make for a perfect evening.
"The island’s capital offers countless cafes and restaurants, catering for absolutely all tastes"
For a healthy, nutritious lunch, pop
along to Prima Caju. Tucked away in
one of Funchal’s oldest streets, this restaurant has a buzzing atmosphere, with
natural moss adorning the walls and plants hanging from the ceiling.
If pasta, pizza or other Mediterranean-influenced
dishes are what you fancy, you won’t go far wrong than choose Mamma Mia,
situated in front the glamorous Vidamar Resort Hotel, where the food and
service are first class.
Or try Alameda, a poolside
terrace restaurant at the Savoy Palace Hotel where the tradition of the Latin tables is
inspired by tropical flavours.
9. Relax in luxury
The Cliff Bay Hotel has amazing views out to sea. Credit: uggboy
The luxurious five-star Cliff Bay Hotel,
surrounded by gardens packed with exotic plants and palm trees, overlooks the
Atlantic. Guests enjoy direct access to the ocean plus two outdoor pools and a
serene spa.
Renovated in 2021, the hotel—which boasts
its own Michelin-starred restaurant—is the jewel in the crown of PortoBay
Hotels and Resorts. Inside, an abundance of fresh flowers, perfectly-polished
marble floors and well-appointed rooms make for a comfortable stay.
When it comes to food, there are several
restaurants and bars to choose from, including Avista. Alongside the hotel, it’s
located in a centuries-old house atop a natural promontory offering fine views
of Funchal Bay. A wide variety of dishes make up the menu.
So, if you want to holiday and dine in
style, where visitors return year after year, look no further than the chic
Cliff Bay Hotel.
10. Hop across to Porto Santo
Enjoy a day trip to Porto Santo, the
sister island 20 miles away. It’s where explorer Christopher Columbus lived and
is just a ten-minute hop by plane or two-hour ferry crossing.
"Porto Santo, Madeira's sister island, where Christopher Columbus lived, is just a ten-minute plane trip away "
Despite its size—only seven miles by
four—you won’t be short of things to do, including strolling along the beautiful
six-mile-long beach spanning the southern coastline.
For all those little holiday extras
Sometimes, it seems like there is an
endless list of components to consider when booking a holiday. That’s where a
company like Holiday Extras comes to the fore.
Whether it’s airport parking, transfers, lounge access or an overnight hotel
stay, contact Holiday Extras to help make your trip run smoothly.
Getting there
A week on Madeira,
including flights and seven nights’ B&B at the Cliff Bay Hotel, starts from
£1,250pp. Visit madeirachoice.com,
call 017687 75672 or email info@archipelagochoice.com.
For more information about
Madeira, go to visitmadeira.com
Banner photo: The beautiful Funchal Bay, Madeira. Credit: Dimitry
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