Hiking tours are very common in Madeira, and a great way to both stay safe and learn more about the island. While youre on the west side of the island, stop by the lighthouse at Ponta do Pargo. - The weather looks to be warm in November, what sort of temperatures are we likely to get during the day and evening? Still, short storms occur once in a while. We had about 3 hours of moving time, and 4.5 hours total round trip including stopping for lunch and taking copious photos. Also, the month receives the largest amount of sunshine and almost no rainfall. on the beach. By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. As you hike, youll find beautiful wildflowers, a peaceful levada stream running alongside you, Here are examples of several restaurants with beautiful views: Quinta do Furo with a beautiful view of the north coast, Restaurante Planka with a stunning view of Funchal from above, Sabores do Curral with a view of the mountains and the Nuns Valley, Design Centre Nini Andrade Silva Restaurant great interior restaurant overlooking the bay and the port of Funchal, Restaurante Marisqueira O Barqueiro with a view of the Cabo Giro cliff. Local fishermen use Our entire meal was something like 20 including salad and a starter of Youll come away informed about the 15th-century discovery, wars, famine and revolution. Madeirans love sandwiches, and as luck has it, its one of the most affordable and filling items on a lot of menus. options from my favorite tour company, GetYourGuide: Most of Madeiras beaches are rocky, comprising volcanic rock that has smoothed out over the years. You can walk here to snap some photos of the lighthouse, or of the coast itself. 35 - Walk the Levada do Caldeiro Verde. Madeira Film Experience orMadeira Story Centre are, on the other hand, two interactive exhibitions/museums that are not particularly extraordinary, but they are a good option for those who would like to learn the entire history of the island. You can spend a lot of time here if you like taking pictures. Honestly, of all the places on the island, we probably spent least of our time We hiked mid-day on a weekend in mid-Summer, and still found the crowds manageable. This is Madeira! Poncha is Madeira's national drink and it is bloody LETHAL. Light, airy clothing is best; think T-shirts, tank tops, shorts, and sandals . What to Do - Visit Madeira | Madeira Islands Tourism Board official website What to do in Madeira and Porto Santo An archipelago, a world of things to do. Its a hike worth doing for the moving views of the Atlantic and for photos that look like the ends of the Earth. You have successfully joined our subscriber list. This particular headlamp Curral das Freiras (Valley of the Nuns) is one of my favorite places in Madeira. They are all definitely worth a visit. a 580 meter drop? This has a lot of ethnographic value as its a way of life consigned to the past in Madeira. Plus, a few travel tips to prepare for your trip and what you absolutely need to arrange in advance. for luxury, these are the two restaurants thatve been awarded a Michelin star: We didnt plan in advance to visit one of these, but absolutely would on our return trip! Not only that, but you get to actually see the island youre on from a totally different angle. 1. There are also companies offering romantic evening sunset cruises, Delicious food, great cocktails and a beautiful view during sunset, A modern, beautifully located four-star hotel in Calheta, A romantic, evening catamaran cruise from Funchal. Just walk for a few seconds from the desertification of the seabed. from a bus stop. Arranged on terraces are whimsical topiaries, roses, cypresses, and because of spring-like climate the hibiscus and bougainvillea is known to bloom throughout the year. As a result, its climate is more akin to parts of North Africa. Another great tour is this private full-day tour to discover the wine culture in Madeira on an Open Top 4WD for 200 (price for 5 people). And don't forget a sweatshirt and trekking shoes. In the distance the sharp peaks give way to rolling hills planted with crops. The good news about Lesteit's rarer in Porto Santo. 10 Best Things to Do in Madeira - Portugal.com and birds for company. 16 Do's and Don'ts in Madeira - FROM MADEIRA TO MARS Summer travelers must pack light linen or cotton shirts along with a scarf in case of the windy weather, and a sweater for the evenings. December would be a pleasant month for the trip. Where exotic plants, architecture, geology and art meet, 2,500 exotic plants including an interesting collection of succulents. In September, the level of precipitation starts rising a little, though rainfall is still rare. Yes, it is possible to sunbathe in Madeira in Winter. Screened at a comfy cinema by the marina, this movie condenses six centuries of Madeiras history into 30 entertaining minutes. Madeira Island - What to Pack - Clothing and Supplies Tips - SmarterTravel I am Autumn Madeira in autumn is always a good bet for prolonging the summer in continental Portugal. This list of top things to do in Madeira is based on my experience on the island, and such there locusts in the high brush. [HERE] you will also find the brochures with all recommended hikes, available in English, Portuguese, French, Spanish and German. after the entrance definitely stack up to some of the gorgeous gardens weve visited fit the bill. your surroundings and connect with nature. The Levada do Caldeiro Verde meanwhile is from the 1700s and carries water from Madeiras highest mountains to Faial near the north coast and coursing though the marvellous So Jorge Valley. Madeira is also famous for its extensive menu of local drinks, which I have already explained in detail in my post: LOCAL DRINKS OF MADEIRA. These rock formations are located on the north coast of Madeira, and make for a great I'm here to show you My Mum owns a timeshare out in Madeira via the Pestana Group and so I'm fortunate enough to have been to Madeira at least four times over the past twenty years. Bolo do Caco is essentially garlic bread, which is served or offered as an appetizer at nearly near the entrance to the walk to the Vereda dos Balces. But the black sand beach Miradouro Eira do Serrado Walking to this viewpoint takes about 5 minutes each way and extremely Despite high precipitation, rainy days alternate with sunny ones. is the third highest peak on Madeira, and a must-see Made here with Bolo do Caco bread, this steak sandwich cost just 4.30 and took the place of dinner! When you book a hotel or tour that we link to, we may earn a commission. All information should be considered informational and for entertainment purposes. The most unforgettable rides can be found in the north and north-west of Madeira: Cable cars to Faj da Rocha do Navio and Faj da Quebrada Nova in Achadas da Cruz. Normally, the weather is pleasantly warm, except the periods of Leste-winds, which occasionally blow from Sahara, bringing hot temperatures and fine red powder. The key difference: its approximately a million times more affordable. Also stupendous is the twisting road that climbs from Funchal to Curral das Freiras deep in Madeiras interior about half an hour away. that look fit for a race track, zig zagging across the scene. You can see how much the island has changed throughout the years. This Beautiful street art can also be found in Machico. Sadly, he died of a cold that turned into severe pneumonia and never left the island. the old highway, ER101. Theres no better way to explore Madeira island than with a local. world by working abroad. If you aim at the mountains, you might need a down jacket and other winter hiking gear. This church located just up the street from Monte Palace dolphins and whales with excellent reviews (click the tour name for pricing and availability): If theres any Portuguese word youll become intimately familiar with on your trip, Theres also something about the climate and soil that allows unusual flowering plants like cardoons and everlastings to thrive. The mountains are covered in thick forest, 1. always welcome to contact me and Ill see how I can help! as a precursor to just about every meal. photos, and learn about the local flora and fauna: Unfortunately we were here on a cloudy day, but dont underestimate how beautiful these pools are. In an old monastery, Madeira's oldest Madeira Wine Company, run by english Blandy family, you get to see the great 9000. Not a Nomad Blog Travel Work abroad Expat Life Berlin Photography About Search From above, we can admire it from the beautiful Eira do Serrado viewpoint, a common stop during many day tours. relatively early into the hike: The second is a tall, beautiful waterfall that plummets about 100 meters into a Referred to endearingly as a free car cash, this waterfall will definitely do the These are the best things to do in Funchal, Madeira: 1. Averages. In October and November the weather is still warm and sunny, although there is more chance of. - Wanderers of the World which may require proof of vaccination, recovery, or having been tested. Comprised of two inhabited islands, Madeira and Porto Santos, and the uninhabited islets of Desertas and Selvagens, the Portuguese islands of Madeira have long been shrouded in mystery, hidden in the shadows of Portugal's neighboring Azores archipelago. Celebrating the Carnation Revolution With an Eye to the Future, Where to stay in Viseu: 5 Best Hotels in Viseu, SEF inspectors cancel airport strikes in Lisbon, Porto, Faro and Madeira, Third day of Maddie search in Algarve dam could be the last, Wheat soup (soup with pork, vegetables, potato). 6 years ago Save We are considering Madeira for our honeymoon mid November 2017 for two weeks. Are you wondering about all the incredible things you can see and do during a short 4 days in Madeira? Most of these were built at great expense and took years to complete. After the newish Quinta do Lorde resort theres no sign of human habitation save for occasional rest stops with picnic tables. vantage point but without a ton of stairs or walking. This super popular tour spends half a day in the area for an extremely affordable rate and with stellar reviews. Whoever plans on climbing Pico Ruivo, will need hiking shoes, as well as a jacket for the evenings. There are scores of companies offering to take you out into the ocean to spot whales and dolphins. For a March visit to Madeira, you'll need the stable winter set of clothingsome warm sweaters and a jacket. predator fish that hangs out at a depth of 180-1,700 meters. The sea in Funchal warms up to 23C (73F). Yes, I would like to receive e-mail updates from SayYesToMadeira. 50 Amazing Things to Do on the Big Island of Hawaii (2023), Iceland Ring Road Itinerary: An Efficient 10-day Roadtrip for 2023, Zagori, Greece: An Adventurous Travel Guide for 2023. Apart from the beautiful, golden interior, Its delicious. If you are looking for less known places see post: MADEIRAS HIDDEN GEMS. Flower Parade is it's main event, MERCADO DOS LAVRADORES MARKET- WARNING FOR TOURISTS, CAMARA DE LOBOS FISHING VILLAGE BEST PHOTO SPOTS, ENTIRE FLOWER FESTIVAL IN MADERA OUR REVIEW. Tourists, after getting to the Monte Hill, have the opportunity to ride down wicker sleds on public roads. You can also take some stairs up to a small cave, giving driving from Funchal to Santana: Miradouro do Curtado Monte Palace This covers the entire island and coastal areas may see warmer temperatures. even with good hiking boots. in Funchal proper and instead explored outside the city. If youre up for the challenge, Madeiras highest peak (1,862m) is walkable if you have the right shoes and keep up to date on weather conditions. The hike is extremely flat with just a small number of stairs because it freaked him out and honestly I get it. So youll Azulejos also appear amid the foliage, most memorably telling the story of the Portuguese in Japan on a large panel with 166 tiles. The purpose of this post is to inspire you and show you the most beautiful aspects of Madeira at a glance, while links to detailed blog posts or external sites will be a useful and practical guides. has smooth, fine sand you can relax on like any other beach. The average highs and lows in Funchal stick to the highest numbers26C (78F) and 19C (66F), and the sea also stays at its warmest 23C (73F). A potent one. If you purchase something Even more popular than Madeira wine is the fruity Poncha. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Madeira is probably one of the best places in Europe, where you can not only observe dolphins and whales, but also swim with dolphins in their natural habitat. September is the best month for swimming and sunbathing on a beach in Madeira, but the Spring and Summer months are always great. It's an island, so warm weather clothing is going to be the norm for 98 percent of your trip. Praia do Porto do Seixal is a recently formed beach with black sand, located on the north coast of the island.