Madeira holidays

Things to do

Explore your destination

Here's a little taste of what's on offer: for more excursion ideas, speak to your Rep.

Eastern Delights

Journey East to Santana to view the famous A-Framed houses before stopping for a delicious lunch at a beautiful Quinta with amazing views of the north-east coastline or a restaurant situated on the river mouth, providing magnificent views.

Flavours of Funchal

Experience the unforgettable city of Funchal, with many things to see and do. You can enjoy spectacular views as you ascend high above the city on a cable car ride to Monte, and watch the descent of the famous snowless toboggan. You'll finish the day with a sample of Madeira wine.

Western Wonders

Experience the view from one of the highest sea cliffs in the world. Explore the dramatic scenery of the western part of the island - stunning contrasts, amazing viewpoints and charming little villages. Heading along the north coast road, where waterfalls cascade down towards the sea, before stopping for lunch (included) overlooking the natural volcanic rock pools of Porto Moniz, then travelling through the cloud-topped mountains.

Highlights

• Braving the heights of Madeira’s peaks walking along the levadas, irrigation channels that criss-cross the hillsides, offering spectacular scenery
• Bathing in the natural pools at Porto Moniz on Madeira’s north coast is a real holiday highlight
• Strolling around the beautiful Madeira Botanical Garden, where you’ll see more than 2,000 exotic plants and a variety of birds
• Taking the cable car up to the village of Monte and descending back down on an exhilarating wicker toboggan ride
• Visiting Santana’s A-shaped cottages: with their thatched roofs, they’re unique to Madeira and now house cattle rather than people
• Wandering around Funchal, with its bustling marina area, impressive cathedral, churches and art galleries, not forgetting its colourful Farmer’s Market
• Enjoying afternoon tea at the famous Reid’s Palace, oozing character and charm and with beautiful views over Funchal’s Bay, Winston Churchill once stayed here
• Hitting the fairways at Madeira’s golf courses, like Funchal’s 18-hole Palheiro Golf and 27-hole Santo da Serra Golf Club, home of the Madeira Open
• Exploring the island’s stunning scenery by bicycle or on horseback or enjoying an exciting jeep safari along winding mountain roads
• Seeing the harbour at Câmara de Lobos, which inspired Winston Churchill to paint its picture
• Joining in the fabulous Madeira Carnival, a huge five day street party in February, with Rio-style costume parades and samba music, live bands and concerts

Food and drink

For the perfect dish on holiday in Madeira, try grilled espada, scabbard fish traditionally cooked with bananas, accompanied by a chilled glass of Vinho Verde. Fried tuna marinated in garlic and served with cornmeal is another favourite.

Meat-eaters will love espetada, beef kebabs cooked with bay leaves; pork cooked with wine and garlic and rabbit dishes. If you’ve got a sweet tooth, try the ultimate Madeira cake, mouth-watering honey pastries and queijadas, made from cottage cheese.

Sweet-wine drinkers can enjoy Madeira Malvasia wine or you can stick to local whites and rosé varieties, and for an after-dinner tipple, try poncha, the local firewater.

Evening Flavour

Although busier at the weekends than during the week, there are plenty of places to enjoy holiday evenings in Madeira.

At Pestana Park Hotel, you can try your luck at Madeira’s casino and watch the floor show, or head into Funchal to relax in pavement cafes and enjoy the late music bars and discos. Vespas is Madeira’s biggest nightclub, with an underground feel, and Copacabana is also popular.

For more laid-back evenings, you can stroll along the coastal promenade or watch the sun setting at Ponta do Sol, meaning Point of the Sun.

Shopping

Shopaholics: you’ll be right at home on your Madeira holiday, whether you want to browse local markets or hit the malls.

Madeira Shopping is the island’s biggest mall, just north of Funchal, where you’ll find 83 shops, 20 restaurants, coffee shops and snack bars, a cinema and the Microlândia entertainment centre. Forum Madeira is another huge mall, with a beautiful roof garden.

For an unforgettable shopping experience, head to the Municipal Market for lace and embroidery, wicker baskets, leatherwear and not forgetting Madeira’s exotic flowers*.

*You can order flowers through your Rep, which will be delivered in a box to your hotel, ready to be checked in with the rest of your luggage for flying home.

Dates for the Diary

New Year’s Eve: Said to be one of the world’s best places to see in the new year, with all the streets lit up and an unforgettable firework display over Funchal’s harbour.

For the Family

• Santa Cruz is a fabulous resort for a family holiday, with fun and games at Praia das Palmeiras. There’s also a small waterpark with a specially designed children’s pool.

• Get interactive at Funchal’s Madeira Story Centre, which tells the island’s history, and Madeira Magic, where there’s a Living Science area, a planetarium and gardens.

• For a really fun day out, head to Santana’s Madeira Theme Park, with four multimedia pavilions full of attractions about the island’s culture, nature and traditions.

Local weather

Information

Language: Portuguese. Currency: Euro. Standard GMT +1hr. Portugal & Madeira Tourist Office: 22-25A Sackville Street, London W1X 1DE. Tel: 0845 355 1212. www.madeiratourism.com

Travel money

Euro

You can get commission-free foreign exchange on currency notes and travellers cheques at most First Choice Travel Shops and Holiday Hypermarkets.