Not only that we like to talk about such a place, but somehow it makes you feel good o talk about such a special place. It is the kind of place that gives you a feeling of well-being, it is simply relaxing, it is enchanting. I don’t even know what we liked the most, maybe Madeira liked us and that’s the answer 😉
We have friends who went to Madeira more than 20 times and we didn’t really understand at that time how it was possible, why would someone go to the same place so many times. After visiting it, we understood that the only problem with this place is how we will live without it.
We stayed 8 days and we didn’t have a base, we moved from place to place, though the maximum length is 57 km and the width is 21 km. Basically, if you establish your base in a hotel, from there with a rented car you can get in a maximum of 1 hour and a half to any point on the island.
In Madeira it is an eternal spring, we arrived there in December and although the temperature is not really for the beach, it is somewhere between 16-20 degrees, quite pleasant.
Madeira is a territory of Portugal, but it is closer to mainland Africa (800km) than to Lisbon (1,200km), while the Canary Islands are 400km to the south -just a fertile island off the northwest coast of Africa.
Amazing sunset. Landing at one of the most dangerous airports in the world was in full dark 
The flight from Copenhagen to Madeira takes 5 hours but with Norwegian time passes easily when you have internet onboard 
A comfy room is all you need for a start. We stayed at Melia Madeira Mare for the first 2 nights
But let’s see if we can’t sort out some top highlights!
The first 2 days we stopped in Funchal which is the capital of the island. By the end, we came back here. We stayed at Melia Madeira Mare hotel, close to central Funchal and overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. We clearly recommend this place, it was a great experience.
There are many things to see and do in Funchal, but we will highlight the 3 main attractions that we liked the most.
1. The Mercado dos Lavradores is a fruit, vegetable, flower, and fish market in Funchal. The building was designed by Edmundo Tavares and opened on 24 November 1940.
Ananas-banana is a delicious fruit we only ate here. It looks like pine and it is tricky too. You open it piece by piece and then the bits pop up 
Fish section of the Mercado dos Lavradores market. 
Fresh fruits and vegetable lifestyle is the way of the local 
Hm, what to choose… Should I choose an anona maybe? 
If the pictures could also transmit the smell 
Madeira is really spoiling you with fresh fruits 
Market crowded with produce stalls and people walking around. 
They are stems of bananas – also sometimes called stalks of bananas.
2. Monte & Botanical Gardens was another great experience with tropical vegetation all over the place. This was one of the most pleasant gardens we ever been to which covers an area of 80,000 m², is home to a collection of a wide variety of plants, and has a Museum of Natural History and the Palace Tropical Garden
Monte and the church that features a twin-towered façade and a large churchyard with a splendid view over Funchal. Nossa Senhora do Monte church, a building from de XVIII century and the most important place of pilgrimage in Madeira.
And this is the Monte Palace 
Every trail takes you down Mother Nature’s store of fascinating flowers and stunning scenery 
Happiness is Madeira-shaped 
I wanna know, have you ever seen the rain coming down on a rainy day 
Immerse yourself in the wonder of Nature in the green kingdom of plants and shrubs 
Joe Berardo was enchanted by the history and culture of China and Japan and this influenced him to create two oriental gardens in Monte Palace Garden. 
Me and my island in the sun 
Some of the elements of the garden represent Buddhism and its respect for nature 
The Monte Palace is nestled within the beautiful surroundings of a tropical garden. 
They are not for fishing, don’t even think about it 
White sheets of water cascade down into pools
3. We went up to Monte by cable car to see the city from above, but we chose to go down through the tropical gardens. Monte was also known as “the village of carts” offers a magnificent panoramic view over Funchal bay that the 550 meters above the sea have to offer. One of the best reasons to visit Madeira is to hike on remote, high-elevation rainforest paths.
View from the forest over the port of Funchal 
We climbed up with the cable car 
We went down through the rainforest 
We were ready to descend from Monte hiking along the levadas and into Funchal.
Situated 25 minutes north of Funchal, Eira do Serrado is one of the most beautiful places in Madeira with breathtaking views of its surrounding mountains. Madeira is by far one of the most dramatic places we’ve ever visited. If you’re looking for a straight line…anywhere, forget it.
Eiro do Serrada offers a fantastic panoramic view of the valley where the picturesque parish of Curral das Freiras lies.
“Fake It ‘Til You Make It” Worked. Now What. Come down 
Eira do Serrado is one of the most beautiful places in Madeira with breathtaking views of its surrounding mountains 
This magical island 
When the village below is half bathed in sunshine and another half in shadow
While staying in Funchal we took a ride up to this viewpoint which is named Pico de Barcelos, situated nearby to São Martinho and is boasting panoramic views over Funchal and the surroundings.
360⁰ panorama overlooking Funchal and surrounding hills. 
Probably every place should have a Pico do Barcellos where you can see around 360 like this 
The Pico dos Barcelos Viewpoint is approximately 355 meters above sea level. 
We are always looking for great views. But in Madeira, they are everywhere 
Well worth a visit on a clear day. Easy to get to if you have your own car
Pico do Arieiro and Pico Ruivo are two of the highest peaks in Madeira with Pico Ruivo being the highest. Between these 2 peaks there is a well-known walking route which is called PR 1
Length of PR1: 7km (one way)
The time it takes: 3.5-4 hours (one way)
Difficulty: Moderate
Standing there and looking down on the clouds was an amazing day. The air was so fresh and the sky so clear and the sun so very bright. On a clear day, it is possible to see the neighboring island of Porto Santo, 30 miles to the northeast.
A nice shiny view over the Atlantic 
Babe, we should take a picture in this insane landscape 
C’mon wouldn’t you like to be above the clouds too 
Handmade souvenir? Yes, please! 
Looking in the distance at the Atlantic Ocean on a sunny day 
My above the clouds moments. 
Pico do Arieiro, at 1,818 m (5,965 ft) high, is Madeira Island’s third highest peak 
Since the hike is above 1500m, for the most part, you will be hiking above the clouds, making the hike extremely cool and unique. 
This the path from Pico Do Arieiro to Pico Ruivo, the best hike in Madeira.The tour is also known as PR1
Madeira Island’s shores are home to natural sea pools, traditional fishing villages, soaring cliffs, and dense forests. Ponta do Sol (literally ‘Sun Point’) is – as the name already implies – a region where you will find more sun throughout the year than in any other part. We like to think that happiness is Madeira-shaped and every place inspires and empowers you.
A short immersion in street art 
Let’s color the public space, give it life 
Ponta do Sol beach, pure lust 
Ponto Do Sol roughly translates as a point of the sun [because of how it’s situated it means the hours of Sunshine are the most on Madeira] 
The Ponta do Sol beach, hidden away in a small cove, between the slopes of the valley, is just 160 meters long.
And now our favourite – Sao Vicente
Being in a rural area, we stayed here for 2 days and really looked to experience something more authentic, so we chose to stay in a house. We felt at home at Madeira North Coast Guest House. The lovely beautiful garden invites for a relaxing morning siesta or chill afternoon after some hours of hiking. The host couple was so friendly and the shared kitchen and dining room was a real plus to meet the other guests, we loved our stay as we met some Danish people.
São Vicente is an excellent place to visit if you’re into Geology. The Volcanic Caves feature a great 3D presentation. Stalactites and Stalagmites can be seen throughout the caves, a testament to how old this Island really is.
A hat too big for me 
Difficult roads often lead to beautiful destinations 
Give me a Madeira at any time and I’ll be fine 
Sao Vicente is by far one of the most dramatic places I’ve ever visited. If you’re looking for a straight line…anywhere, forget it. 
Sao Vicente with its cheerfulness and its morning flavors 
The entrance to Sao Vicente seen from above 
This place is like a banana. Beautiful on the outside, tasty on the inside 
With this view, coziness at its finest 
You can let me here for the rest of my life and I will cope with
Every island has its local drink. While in Madeira you must try Poncha, a traditional alcoholic drink from the island of Madeira. We liked the local food so much. We were impressed by a truly spectacular road system with over 150 tunnels built with European money. Madeira a wonderful destination to explore.
Well, I know we presented only the good things, but they are true, that was our experience.
Açorda soup was my fav. Most açorda soups have a variety of pounded herbs, garlic, olive oil, and boiling water that is poured over diced bread and left to soften. 
Câmara de Lobos port. 
Madeirans no longer live in small triangular houses as shown here but you can still find a few ones in Santana. 
Simply watching the sun gently rises in the morning with a glass of maracujá is epic 
The Sao Vicente Caves are so worth it. Entrance is charged at €8 for adults but has been closed since March 2020. 
Village of Porto de Câmara de Lobos, just outside Funchal
Madeira has a zest for life, it means exotic flavors, it has vibrant colors and shapes. Madeira is the place you dream of and you don’t know if it really exists. Fortunately, it does exist. Only a plane ticket separates you from it. The world is for sure a better place because of Madeira
We are catchynomads, and we love to show people our country Romania, that’s why we created Enjoy Romania. You’re more than welcome!
0 Comments