The island of Madeira and the nearby island of Tenerife Island are both called "the eternal island of spring" because the climate is attractive to both places throughout the year. For example, the highest average in December is about 69 degrees Fahrenheit, and in the summer, the maximum is 80 degrees Fahrenheit.
As a result, the small island offers many opportunities for outdoor activities throughout the year. Although there are not many cities to visit on the island of Madeira, it is easy to stay in a church in its capital, Funchal, which can serve as a harp while exploring life and culture in nearby small towns.
Geography of the Islands: Arrival in Madeira
Madeira was discovered by Portuguese sailors in 1418. The archipelago is made up of the great island of Madeira, the paradise of the Madeiran island Porto Santo, and two uninhabited islands called Selvagens and Desertas.
Madeira Island, the largest group on the island, is 45 miles [57 km] long and more than 100 miles [150 km] offshore. Located on the island, Funchal is the largest city and the regional capital of Madeira Autonomous, with a population of just over 100,000.
Unlike the green Madeira, Porto Santo, dubbed the "Golden Island," has small vegetation but its nine-mile [9 km] sea and moderate climate make it a major tourist destination for the rest of Europe. Most of the people of Porto Santo live in Vila Baleira, where you can visit the indoor museum of Christopher Columbus who is said to be home to a famous explorer. However, the whole island offers enough out-of-the-ordinary sacrifices to get it back.
There are two airports in the island group, Madeira (FNC) and Porto Santo (PXO), and Madeira and Porto Santo Islands are the only islands with humans. However, there are boat routes to Porto Santo, Selvagens and Desertas from Madeira, departing every morning at 9 a.m., which you can use to reach the islands by plane.
What to Do in Madeira
There is no shortage of fun things to do on the island of Madeira, from outdoor events to World Heritage sites to festivals and annual events in the island's major cities. Whatever time of year you are visiting, you are sure to find the perfect job to add more to your trip to the islands of Madeira.
Madeira Carnival: A great Funchal attraction for events throughout the year. In the spring, there are flower festivals, and in the summer, the city has a Limpet festival.
Blandy's Wine Lodge: Located in the heart of Funchal, the area offers 200-year-old tours of Madeira wine. You can also book a stay at the famous lodge or attend one of the events held there all year round.
Mounting on Monte Toboggan: There are many unusual ways to get around Madeira, but taking a cigarette ski ride from Monte down to Livramento, Funchal, has been a local favorite since the 1850s. You can start your journey down the two-mile hill at Nossa Senhora do Monte Church.
Madeira News Center: A collaborative museum in Funchal that tells the history of the Archipelago through permanent and revolving exhibitions.
Laurisilva: A UNESCO World Heritage Site accessible from any of these islands containing a laurel forest teeming with wildlife such as the Madeiran long toe pigeon.
Levada Walks: Walk through shallow canals carved in the 16th century Madeirans that carry water from wetlands in the north to the hottest areas in the south. As the rivers flow through the island's forests, they tend to be a great place for day trips.
Where to stay on the islands of Madeira
When it comes to finding a place to stay overnight on the islands, Funchal is Madeira’s most famous night-time accommodation destination. Here, you will find waterfront resorts and affordable room rentals for any budget or travel trip.
Traveling to the budget, you can enjoy a comfortable stay at Pestana Carlton Madeira east of Funchal. The site offers a low price guarantee, which really makes sense for the quality of the hotel.
If you would like to escape to the forest around the city, you can choose from one of the many pousada in the Luarissilva forest like Pousada Dos Vinhaticos. In Portugal, pousada is a state-owned and operated hotel or cuisine that serves traditional food and is always located in a remarkable historical landmark.
You can also head to the high-end luxury Quinta do Monte in central Monte on the Funchal Hills, or to escape the public, spend Valentine's Day at Reid's Palace Hotel, offering back-to-back packages for romantic holidays and celebrations throughout the year.