Madeira, Portugal

Madeira, Portugal Overview

Madeira is a mere dot in the Atlantic, much closer to Morocco than to Lisbon. Though it appears on a Genoese map of 1351, this thickly-wooded, semi-tropical island remained unclaimed until 1418, when Portuguese explorers were blown off course while exploring the African coast and found safe harbor in Porto Santo. From the shores of that "sister" island, they spotted Madeira and within 7 years it had a pioneer colony of sugarcane planters. Modern Madeirans continue to make use of every patch of the mountainous land to grow bananas, exotic flowers, and the grapes for their world-famous wine.

Funchal is the only town of any notable size, and is the center of most museums, historic buildings, shops, and the best restaurants and hotels. So much more lies beyond its borders, though, that virtually everyone sets out to explore the rest of the small island. One of the most scenic routes takes you to the northwestern point of the island, where the tiny village of Porto Moniz is visited mostly for its natural lava rock bathing pools. Ponta de São Lourenço, on the east side of the island, is one of the last untouched places on Earth. Hills and sea meet in one of Mother Nature's greatest achievements. Along the west coast lies Calheta, an enchanting region that varies from steep mountains, to gentle shores, to lush valleys. Of course, the greatest diversion is the Levada Walks, following ancient irrigation terraces all around the island. Madeira's appeal captivates even such men-of-the-world as Hemingway, who called it "exhilarating", and Churchill, who was inspired to paint it.

Reasons to visit Madeira, Portugal

Madeira is a lush, subtropical island haven of mild temperatures and largely undeveloped spaces. There is only one city of any real size, and while it is densely populated, the rest of the island is virtually deserted. The ambiance is laid back, the scenery drips with beauty, the Levada nature walks are among the most rewarding in the world, and water sports from snorkeling to sailing are abundant. The Madeira wines are highly-acclaimed, as are the crafts of the traditional wicker weavers.