INSIDER GUIDE TO MADEIRA

MadeiraG U I D E T O

MadeiraPicture Madeira. What springs to mind? Perhaps it’s the flowers that crowned this pretty island, The Island of Flowers. The deep green mountains, waterfalls cascading among woodland and hiking trails. The picturesque Funchal harbour at sunset, cobbled streets and fishing boats bathed in orange, pink and purple hues…

Wherever your mind wanders to when you picture Madeira, welcome to our destination guide to this breathtaking archipelago. Four wild and beautiful islands off the northwest coast of Africa make up Madeira, and with warm year-round temperatures, and nature and culture nestled side by side, Madeira is a destination to delight sunseekers and the adventurous.

Population: ca. 270,000

Capital: Funchal

National anthem: Hino da Região Autónoma da Madeira (regional); A Portuguesa (national)

National motto: Das ilhas, as mais belas e livres (Of all islands, the most beautiful and free)

Currency: Euro

Official Language: Portuguese

Interesting facts...

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Average Monthly Temperature: Funchal

16° 18°16° 16° 17° 19° 21° 22° 23° 23° 21° 19°

ClimateMadeira’s warm year-round climate means it’s a perfect destination to visit at any time of the year. Temperatures in the summer months average 23 degrees Celsius, with winter temperatures averaging 16 degrees Celsius.

The main island of Madeira is volcanic, with high cliffs, pebbly beaches and a green and rugged interior whose laurel forests are classified as a

UNESCO World Heritage Site

Funchal, Madeira’s capital, hosts the largest fireworks show in the world on New Year’s Eve! The annual celebrations were officially recognised by Guinness

World Records in 2006

Captain Kidd is said to have buried treasure on Ilhas

Desertas in the 1690s!

Madeira was Europe’s main sugar producer for 150 years – before the Caribbean trade began in

the mid-16th century

Madeira has been twinned with Gibraltar since May 2009. There are strong ties between the two cities after 2,000 Gibraltarians were evacuated to the island

during World War II

Christopher Columbus came to Madeira as a wine merchant in 1478 – 79 and returned in 1498 on his way to the New World for the last time. James Cook also called at the island on his ship, The

Endeavour, in 1768.

Visit Porto SantoLaze on the dazzling golden sands of Porto Santo. Perfect as a day trip from Madeira, this pretty island was home to Christopher Columbus.

Build black sandcastlesPraia de Seixal, near Seixal Port (Porto de Seixal) is a stunning black sand beach with spectacular views over Madeira’s north coast.

Explore tropical plantsStroll around the beautiful gardens of Madeira, relax in its shaded gardens, and wonder at the tropical plants that thrive in this warm climate.

Try something a little different

Wander the Mercado dos LavradoresSpend a morning at the Mercado dos Lavradores in Funchal. This busy Art Deco market hall sells plenty of souvenirs as well as fruits, vegetables, fresh fish & meat and flowers.

Watch the Festa da FlorMadeira, known as The Island of Flowers, hosts a dazzling Flower Festival (Festa da Flor) every April and it’s a delightful sight. Expect float parades, live music and pageants all inspired by flowers!

Spot dolphins and whalesExplore Madeira from the water and admire the stunning coastline. Don’t forget to keep an eye out for dolphins and whales diving through the water beside your boat!

Madeira...BOLO DE MEL

Try Madeiran Christmas cake Bolo de

Mel, a rich honey cake that you can now

buy all year round.

ARGUARDENTE

As well as fortified wine, Madeira also

produces arguardente – a rum made

from distilled sugar syrup. The aged rum

is drunk as a digestif and with lemon and

honey when young.

ESPETADA

The espetada is a typical Madeirian dish

made usually of large chunks of beef

rubbed in garlic and salt, skewered onto

a bay leaf stick cooked over hot coals or

wood chips

A taste of

Travel Counsellors recommends

Spend a lazy afternoon in Funchal people watching from under the shade of an umbrella at one of the pavement tables of the

Café do Teatro on Avenida Arriaga. Close to the Cathedral, it has a fabulous selection of teas, coffees, cakes and ice-creams.

Dine out at what is considered Madeira’s most romantic destination - Restaurante do Forte. It sits in the walls of

Funchal’s ancient Sao Tiago fort and if you book one of the more luxurious tasting menus, they will pick you up

from your hotel in a vintage Rolls Royce!

TC Recommended: MadeiraTake a look at some of our Travel Counsellors’ recommendations

for a unique experience in Madeira

“[Visiting in November 2016] was the fourth visit to the

island for my wife and I, and I was eager to see what

my friends would make of it. They loved Madeira too.

They remarked on the cleanliness everywhere. The

easy going nature of the people. The ease of access

to all parts of the island and of course the beautiful

scenery. We took a taxi to Nun's Valley - the ride takes

you to the centre of the island to a view point looking

over Nun's Valley (about 1100 metres high). You have

to walk the part to the viewing platform but it is well

worth it. Then, down into the valley to sample some

local poncha (Madeira wine) and enjoy the local village

hospitality.”

Travel Counsellor Allan

“Madeira has a lot to offer and there are many excursions you can take. If you like walking, there are many Levada walks to go on. Or, simply hire a car and explore for yourself! If you want a holiday

that’s not overly commercialised, has a good climate and lots to offer, Madeira is a great choice!”

Travel Counsellor Jackie

“Madeira is suitable for all of the family and has a

good climate all year round. There is a wide range

of properties, from individual villas with private

pools to the beautiful ‘casa’ properties [large

estates] along with good standard three-, four- and

five-star luxury hotels.”

Travel Counsellor Jayne

“[In Funchal] We tried the basket racing (the wicker basket toboggan ride). We went up the

hill in a cable car which has fantastic views, then we were greeted by two men wearing straw hats who escorted us into huge wicker baskets and

started a fast and exhilarating journey down the hill. Dodging cyclists, cars and pedestrians as

they go, the men ‘drive’ the basket, steering it at high speed down the hill. A lot of fun and not for

the faint-hearted!”

Travel Counsellor Sarah

“We went into Funchal and visited the fish market,

which also has beautiful flowers, fruit, vegetables,

crafts and trinkets. Funchal has a wide range of

shops and it's great to wander the tree-lined,

mosaic-paved streets, see the Cathedral in the

Square, sample the little cafes or spy the cruise

ships in port. You can also take boat trips from the

marina; we have taken a Catamaran trip before

and saw Madeira from a different point of view!”

Travel Counsellor Jackie

“The main town of Funchal still retains all its charm, with beautiful historic buildings, little parks, shops and the harbour. On the Saturday, after a leisurely morning, we went out for a walk up to the village of Monte. The

scenery was beautiful - flowers, wildlife (we saw two buzzards) and the views over the bay. Monte has its

own gardens and is also famous for the wicker basket toboggan ride, which takes you half way down the hills. Funchal is a great alternative for a bit of winter

sun. It is cultural alongside being relaxing, with plenty to do, fantastic service and amazing scenery – we

wouldn’t hesitate to visit again.”

Travel Counsellor Karon

To share your special holiday memories, please upload your images to your social

media account using #TCexperience

Spending moneyWondering how much spending money you’ll need for your travels? To help you plan your trip, here’s a rough guide to the cost of some of the things you might be buying whilst you’re there!

€55Three-course meal for two in a mid-range restaurant

€12Hop-on hop-off sightseeing bus

€10 - €12Bottle of red or

white wine

€15Cable car ride up

to Monte

€5.503km taxi ride in

Funchal €4.50Tour of The Old Blandy’s Wine

Lodge

€1.90Domestic beer

Chatter with the localsCan’t speak Portuguese? Never fear! We’ve collated some useful phrases for you to practise before you go. You might not pronounce the words like a local but you’ll be able to feel like one when you order a glass or two of Madeira wine in Portuguese!

HELLO OLÁ!

MY NAME IS... CHAMO-ME (NAME)

GOOD DAY/GOOD EVENINGBOM DIA/BOA NOITE

GOODBYEADEUS

PLEASEPOR FAVOR

YES/NO SIM/NÃO

THANK YOUOBRIGADO

EXCUSE MEDESCULPE

I’M SORRY, I DON'T SPEAK PORTUGUESEEU SINTO MUITO, EU NÃO FALO PORTUGUÊS

DO YOU SPEAK ENGLISH? VOCÊ FALA INGLES?

HELLO THERE!

I’M LOOKING FOR…ESTOU PROCURANDO…

CAN YOU SHOW ME ON THE MAP?VOCÊ PODE ME MOSTRAR NO MAPA?

HELLO, DO YOU KNOW WHERE… IS?OLÁ, VOCÊ SABE ONDE FICA A PRAIA?

I’M LOSTESTOU PERDIDO

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST? QUANTO CUSTA ISTO?

TWO TICKETS PLEASEDOIS BILHETES POR FAVOR

WHERE IS THE TOILET?ONDE É A CASA DE BANHO?

HOW FAR IS…?QUAL A DISTÂNCIA ATÉ…?

WHEN IS IT OPEN? /WHEN DOES IT CLOSE?A QUE HORAS ABRE? /A QUE HORAS FECHA?

I UNDERSTANDCOMPREENDO

LET’S EXPLORE

I’D LIKE TO ORDER SOMETHING TO DRINK TO START WITH EU GOSTARIA DE PEDIR ALGO PARA BEBER PARA COMEÇAR.

I WOULD LIKE… PLEASE EU GOSTARIA…

A BOTTLE OF (RED/WHITE WINE) PLEASE PODE TRAZER-ME UMA GARRAFA DE VINHO BRANCO

(WHITE WINE) VINHO TINTO (RED WINE) I AM A VEGETARIAN EU SOU VEGETARIANO

CAN I RESERVE A TABLE FOR TWO? GOSTARIA DE RESERVAR UMA MESA PARA DOIS?

WHAT DO YOU RECOMMEND? O QUE VOCÊ RECOMENDA?

SHALL WE HAVE ONE MORE? PEDIMOS OUTRA?

THE BILL, PLEASE A CONTA POR FAVOUR

A TIP GORJETA

IT WAS DELICIOUS! ESTAVA DELICIOSO

LET’S GET A BITE TO EAT

ENGLISH - PORTUGUESE

Old Town with the painting doors project Wander through the narrow, cobbled streets of the beautiful old town in Madeira’s capital, Funchal. Stroll past quaint shops and cafes, and spend a few glorious hours watching the world go by…

The mountainsMadeira’s scenery is utterly breathtaking – with emerald green forests nestled on rugged peaks. Don’t miss walking through the mountains on some of the 2,200 km of footpaths. The paths run alongside the island’s hillside irrigation channels, or levadas, for some awe-inspiring views.

Wine tastingVisit The Old Blandy Wine Lodge and taste the island’s eponymous wine and learn about its four types: Malmsey, Boal, Verdelho and Sercial.

MonteTake a cable car from Funchal up to Monte. Admire the palace and its gardens then clamber into a wicker basket and let the straw-hatted toboggan drivers, or carreiros, guide your hair-raising descent down the narrow streets back to Livramento.

Lava pools in Porto MonizTake a dip in Madeira’s mesmerising Natural Swimming Pools. Formed from volcanic rock, the pools are filled with crystal clear water and are nestled against the beach.

Our favourite sights...

CLIFF BAY

Perched on a dramatic clifftop location, this 5-star hotel offers superb views of Funchal's

bay and is surrounded by beautiful gardens. Every little detail has been carefully considered

to present peace, well-being and elegance at this hotel. Make the most of the island of Madeira's

clear and warm sea with a refreshing dip from the access jetty at the hotel. Enjoy a feeling of total

rest and relaxation at the renovated spa followed by a romantic dinner in an idyllic setting.

PORTO SANTA MARIA

This 4-star hotel, located in the heart of the city of Funchal, offers an historic

centre to explore, beautiful views over the cruise port and a terrace with 360-degree views to take in. Behind the hotel, you’ll find the Old Town of Funchal, perfect for exploring the narrow cobblestone streets

lined by age-old buildings.

PORTO MARE

Located next to the seaside promenade, Porto Mare is a tropical medley offering

exuberant gardens, five pools, entertainment, and tranquillity. Occupying the centre of the

Porto Mare resort, the gardens represent one of the most interesting botanical oases on the island of Madeira. Dine at any one of the delicious restaurants, relax both the body and mind at the spa, or head to the shopping

district in Camara de Lobos town.

Here, we’ve chosen a few of the things we think you should see, do and eat while you’re in Madeira. We hope it inspires you to journey to Madeira time and time again and

taste a little of Madeiran life.Get in touch to build a bespoke itinerary, tailor-made

just for you. We’d also love to see your photos and stories on social media so please share your memories using

#TCexperience