Madeira, Portugal

Nearby areas in Madeira, Portugal

Funchal

Madeira's almost 500 year-old capital has an almost amphitheater-like formation. From the edge of its deep, natural harbor, the city begins on the beach and rises a mile up gentle slopes. Funchal is a densely populated modern city known as "Little Lisbon" because of its fine 18th-century architecture, shady courtyards, decorative iron balconies, steep cobblestone streets, and a prevailing air of grandeur. It is easily and best explored on foot, with many popular sights that include the 15th-century Sé cathedral, a 16th-century fortress, the Rua do Aljube flower market, and the striking design of the Municipal Plaza.

Machico

Legend tells that this town was named after a British merchant who was shipwrecked here after eloping with an aristocrat and setting sail for Portugal. Though it was an original "twin ruling city" with Funchal, its lack of a superior harbor led to Machico's fate as a sleepy agricultural village. The Capela dos Milagres dates to the 15th century and is Madeira's oldest church, as well as the legendary burial place of the doomed lovers. The two forts are remnants of the defenses against centuries of pirate attacks. Machico has a wonderful beach and a tranquil village with excellent guesthouses and restaurants, and is a favorite departure point for a number of Levada walks.

Santana

Characterized by its little thatched triangular houses, Santana is a beautiful north coast village. These small houses built of natural stone, thatched with straw, and brightly painted have served the locals for centuries as stables and dwellings. Several are open to the public. Fruit, vegetables, and the willow branches used by the wicker workers of Camacha are grown here, and each July a large festival of traditional song and dance draws many locals and tourists. Only a short distance from Santana is Queimadas, the starting point for one of Madeira's best Levada walks towards Calderão Verde (the Green Cauldron).

Porto Santo Island

"Madeira's beach," as some call it, is cherished for this one gem that the main island lacks a long, wide, sandy shore that runs for 6 miles along the entire south coast of this "sister island." It was discovered in 1418 and was named "Holy Port" in gratitude for the shelter it provided to explorers caught in a dangerous storm. Its environment is ideal for all sorts of water sports from windsurfing to deep sea diving. The one historic site of note on the island is the Casa de Colombo, Columbus' home during his stay on the island, as an agent for sugar merchants from his hometown of Genoa. Small and tranquil, visitors find quality hotels and restaurants, as well as plenty of activities beyond water sports, like tennis, volleyball, and island tours.

For more information about Madeira, Portugal

Madeira Tourist Office of Funchal

Avenida Arriaga, N°F 16, 9004-519 Funchal, Madeira, Portugal, phone 011-351-291-22-56-58.

Portuguese Trade and Tourism Offices:.

New York

590 Fifth Avenue, 4th Floor, New York, 10036-4704, phone 212-354-4403, fax 212 764-6137, email tourism@portgual.org.

San Francisco

88 Kearny Street, Suite 1770, San Francisco, CA 94108, phone 415-391-7080, fax 415-391-7147, email icepsf@portugal.org.

Washington DC

1900 L Street, Suite 310, Washington DC 20036, phone 202-331-8222, fax 202-331-8236.