Welcome to Madeira

As Madeira is nearer to Africa than Europe surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean, this enables the island to have a noticeably subtropical climate. With good warm temperatures throughout the year a holiday to Madeira is excellent at any time of the year.
Travellers can enjoy warm climate that Madeira has to offer and the fact that the island never becomes too hot. There is little rainfall and the temperature remains relatively warm all year round.

With it being an island with an active marine life, fish is the order of the day in Madeira. The fertile land also means fresh produce is always available to accompany your fish. In Madeira, the laid back atmosphere means that sitting down for a good meal is just a way of life. And of course, there is no point eating out in Madeira unless you are going to sample their famous wine. There are plenty of varieties to choose from; all with a very distinct taste.

There is nothing more magical than spotting dolphins and whales swimming in the sea. And that’s exactly what visitors to Madeira can enjoy. Some years have seen very rare beaked whales as well as oceanic dolphins making a splash just off the coast.

For visitors who want to find out a little more about our scaly friends, Madeira holds some great diving opportunities. The waters here are crystal clear and that makes for some beautiful sites underwater. Divers often come across barracudas, rays and mantas as they explore the deep blue sea.

Visitors often find that the best way to discover the island on their holidays in Madeira is by bike. The island boasts some great bike trails that make for an ideal way of making the most of the great outdoors and those spectacular panoramic views which Madeira has plenty of. For real mountain bike enthusiasts, the island also has a bike park in Porto Moniz, with jumps and courses to try out.

For those who don’t like travelling on two wheels, exploring the island by foot is just as rewarding. The scenery as you tackle the challenging routes is truly breathtaking with mountains, waterfalls and forestry adding to the magic of the experience. The volcanic island has become legendary among hikers because of the wonderful opportunities it offers and a favourite walk to take is along the Levadas.

Things not to miss

1. Take the trip of a lifetime on a carro de cesto street toboggan. This is an absolute must during a Madeira holiday. Sit in the toboggan and slide at high speed down the hill on the winding streets all the way to Funchal. You will be seated in a wicker sledge and pushed and steered by two drivers.

2. After the thrill of the toboggan ride down the hill to Funchal, you can relax in a cable car which will take you all the way to Monte. There are some spectacular views to be seen of the mountains, the ocean and of Funchal as you glide up the mountains.

3. Monte is worth setting a day aside for. It’s a romantic spot and one of the star attractions there is the exotic Monte Palace Tropical Garden.

4. The Sacred Art Museum shows a collection of Flemish paintings and gold work from chapels and churches and is well worth a visit during your holiday.

5.The fascinating volcanic island can be explored further at the São Vicente Caves. Located at the north coast, you can explore the cave and the lava channels within, to find out more about the beginnings of the island from the volcanic convulsions.

6. Enjoy the beautiful scenery of Madeira by air. Book a helicopter ride over the island and enjoy some spectacular views and unbeatable photo opportunities.

7. Fishing enthusiasts will be blown away by the fishing opportunities presented by the island. The island is located on the migratory routes of big game fish and that means you could be casting your rod to white marlin, blue fin tuna and swordfish among many others.