Madeira is a semi-tropical island rising from sea level to over 6,000 feet. Its steep pitch gives the island six distinct climate zones. The ancient Laurissilva cloud forest at the highest elevations is classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In fact, two-thirds of Madeira is conservation land. It has mountain plains, valleys, high peaks, streams, rocky coastlines, and tidal pools. The island has a unique landscape accessed by a modern roadway system of new tunnels, and the older mountain roads they replaced that wind along the hillsides.
The south coast is sunny, and home to the cultivation of bananas, sugar cane, and grapes. Quaint fishing towns rise off the coast, where small hotels and villas welcome guests. The east coast is home to the historic towns of Caniçal, Machico and Santa Cruz. The wild Ponta de São Lourenço reserve snakes out into the ocean with great hiking and impressive views. The north coast is rugged, and features small towns and great surf. Santana is known for its straw roofed homes and great hiking and Sao Vincente has a series of lava caves. Inland, the massive peaks of Pico Ruivo and Areiro make for wild valleys and cliffs, with lots of grazing sheep and sweeping views. To the west lies the massive flat mountain plain of Paul da Serra, which feels like the surface of Mars, and the crater valley of Curral das Freiras. The sunny west coast runs from the tidal pools of Porto Moniz to the cliffs on the point at Cabo Girão.
Madeira Wine:
George Washington was a big fan of Madeira wine. Both his inauguration and the signing of the Declaration of Independence were celebrated with Madeira wine. The legendary frigate USS Constitution was christened with Madeira wine. The wine has a unique past and is made like no other wine. Visitors can tour wineries in historic Funchal; see how it is made (think hothouse), taste it, and learn about its traditions.
Levada Hikes:
The Levadas of Madeira is a hydraulic engineering marvel and recognized as a world heritage. The building of these mountain channels started in the 15th century and came to be a water transportation system of about 400 miles of waterways and aqueducts. The Levadas (from the Portuguese “levar” – to carry) are a system of channels mostly bordering mountains but also going through them, with several stretches over rugged rocks, to bring water from different sources to the coastal areas. Today, the ‘Levadas da Madeira’ are an exceptional multi-functional landmark, transporting water for human consumption, agricultural purposes and the production of electricity. They are also unique hiking paths for discovering the island’s unique volcanic landscape.
The Madeira Islands are an example of hotspot volcanism. Volcanic activity first made Porto Santo around 14 million years ago, and then Madeira and the Desertas Islands. Madeira is the tip of a huge underwater plain on the African Plate. The island grew and changed over stages of intense volcanic activity. Erosion and the Atlantic built impressive black cliffs, while inland landslides and rain erosion created a dramatic landscape with impressive peak and sudden valleys. Eons later, Madeira offers a wide variety of breathtaking landscapes, rare forests and steep coastlines.
Surfing:
With a mild climate and the setting of the Atlantic, Madeira is becoming a surfing destination.
Surfing infrastructure has sprung up on the southwest coast, around the seaside villages of Jardim do Mar or Paul do Mar, and on the northeast coast near Porto da Cruz. Popular spots include Ponta Pequena and Paul do Mar as well as Faja da Areia on the north shore. Faja da Areia is the best spot for beginners. Most surf spots on Madeira are powerful and there are no beach breaks. The surf season runs from October through April with November to February being the top months.
The Cloud Forests:
The Laurissilva Forest of Madeira is a living remnant of an ancient laurel forest that once covered most of Europe. Today, it is the largest surviving laurel forest on earth. This forest type is only found in the Azores, Madeira and Canary Islands. It contains a unique mix of plants and animals, including many endemic species such as the Madeiran long-toed pigeon. Also called a cloud forest, it often has clouds on top of the trees, drawing moisture from the air into the soil – and then into the levada network of canals. The Parque Natural da Madeira (Madeira Natural Park) contains the largest surviving area of primary laurel forest. These forests have an intact ecosystem with biodiversity and about 76 plant species endemic to Madeira, together with a high number of endemic invertebrates and two endemic birds species.
More information: https://www.visitmadeira.pt/en-gb/homepage
