With scenarios that bring together impressive works of nature, the Madeira Archipelago is a Portuguese refuge located in the middle of the immensity of the Atlantic Ocean. Of volcanic origin and privileged geographical position, the island has a mild climate all year round, idyllic landscapes, outstanding cultural traditions and attractions that invite travelers to an unforgettable experience.
Considered the best island destination in the world, it is made up of a group of islands, Madeira and Porto Santo being the main and only populated ones, while Desertas and Selvagens are uninhabited natural reserves. With an area of 741 km², Madeira Island is divided into five regions that include forests, cities, beaches and mountains, in addition to a great natural and cultural wealth.
North Coast
The North Coast is the guardian of the island’s most spectacular green landscapes and a large part of the Laurissilva forest, a World Heritage Site by Unesco. In the municipality of Porto Moniz are the most beautiful landscapes in the region and some of the most famous natural pools in the archipelago. The highlight is Praia do Seixal, with its black sand and green mountains, an ideal place to relax and practice water sports.
In the municipality of Santana, which is considered a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO, it is mandatory to visit the typical houses of Santana, with their bright colors and triangular shape.
Costa Sul
The South Coast is a region of undeniable beauty, with typical and photogenic villages and the sea almost always in the background. Unique opportunity for tourists to have contact with traditions in a cosmopolitan environment. Funchal is the capital and the largest commercial, cultural and tourist center in the archipelago. With six centuries of existence, there is a variety of museums, churches, monuments, parks, botanical gardens and viewpoints. One of the most popular attractions is the basket cart ride, which dates back to the 19th century.
The destination of Câmara dos Lobos is the postcard of this seaside region. Over there, tourists can find authentic and stunning landscapes such as Curral das Freiras, located in a valley surrounded by mountains, and Cabo Girão, which is the highest promontory in Europe, at 580 meters. Its viewpoint has a suspended glass platform and is one of the most visited (and most photographed) attractions and offers a beautiful view of Funchal.
East Coast
The East Coast is distinguished by the diversity of its landscapes, from the dense forest cover of the mountains to the most arid scenarios, passing through cities, beaches and imposing geological formations. The city of Santa Cruz is the gateway to Madeira, as it is home to the Cristiano Ronaldo International Airport.
Its history goes back to the 15th century, being one of the oldest settlements in the archipelago. Highlight for the parish of Camacha, which receives many tourists due to its famous works of wicker crafts. Another important place for the history of the island is the city of Machico, where in 1419 the discoverers of the archipelago Gonçalves Zarco and Tristão Vaz Teixeira disembarked.
West Coast
The main features of the West Coast are its beaches and resorts, ideal for bathers and water sports practitioners. Gastronomy is a highlight, as some of the most important products of regional cuisine are grown there, such as sweet potatoes, sugar cane, bananas and other exotic fruits.
The region comprises three municipalities (Ribeira Brava, Ponta do Sol and Calheta) that bring together several picturesque towns and villages with a rich and vast historical, architectural and traditional heritage. Highlight for Paul da Serra, the only plateau on the island located at about 1,500 meters of altitude and marked by the exuberant diversity of its fauna and flora.
Central Cordillera
The Cordillera Central comprises the entire area of Madeira located above 1,400 meters in altitude and occupies an area of about 8,200 hectares. They are unique scenarios that present unmissable adventures. The site, considered a Natural Monument, is an impressive testimony to the volcanism and erosion of the island.
There are the highest peaks in Madeira, such as Pico Ruivo (1,862m) and Pico do Areeiro (1,818m), and the highest points in the Paul da Serra area, especially Pico Ruivo do Paul (1,640 m ) and the Bica da Cana area (1,620m). In addition to being considered a Geological and Altitude Vegetation Reserve, with several species of endemic flora, the Cordillera Central is the only identified place for the nesting of a rare seabird, the Madeiran nun (Pterodroma madeira).
About Madeira Island
Considered the best island destination in the world, Madeira is a small Portuguese paradise located in the middle of the immensity of the Atlantic Ocean. Of volcanic origin, its privileged location provides a mild climate and sea with a pleasant temperature all year round, in addition to impressive scenery of mountains, valleys and cliffs, all covered by the exuberant Laurissilva vegetation, named Natural Heritage of Humanity by Unesco.
The archipelago is formed by a group of islands, Madeira and Porto Santo being the main and only inhabited islands. There are excellent options in spas, historical monuments and great hotels and restaurants, where you can taste the delicious gastronomy and award-winning Madeiran wines. For more information, visit www.madeiraallyear.com.
With scenarios that bring together impressive works of nature, the Madeira Archipelago is a Portuguese refuge located in the middle of the immensity of the Atlantic Ocean. Of volcanic origin and privileged geographical position, the island has a mild climate all year round, idyllic landscapes, outstanding cultural traditions and attractions that invite travelers to an unforgettable experience.
Considered the best island destination in the world, it is made up of a group of islands, Madeira and Porto Santo being the main and only populated ones, while Desertas and Selvagens are uninhabited natural reserves. With an area of 741 km², Madeira Island is divided into five regions that include forests, cities, beaches and mountains, in addition to a great natural and cultural wealth.
North Coast
The North Coast is the guardian of the island’s most spectacular green landscapes and a large part of the Laurissilva forest, a World Heritage Site by Unesco. In the municipality of Porto Moniz are the most beautiful landscapes in the region and some of the most famous natural pools in the archipelago. The highlight is Praia do Seixal, with its black sand and green mountains, an ideal place to relax and practice water sports.
In the municipality of Santana, which is considered a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO, it is mandatory to visit the typical houses of Santana, with their bright colors and triangular shape.
Costa Sul
The South Coast is a region of undeniable beauty, with typical and photogenic villages and the sea almost always in the background. Unique opportunity for tourists to have contact with traditions in a cosmopolitan environment. Funchal is the capital and the largest commercial, cultural and tourist center in the archipelago. With six centuries of existence, there is a variety of museums, churches, monuments, parks, botanical gardens and viewpoints. One of the most popular attractions is the basket cart ride, which dates back to the 19th century.
The destination of Câmara dos Lobos is the postcard of this seaside region. Over there, tourists can find authentic and stunning landscapes such as Curral das Freiras, located in a valley surrounded by mountains, and Cabo Girão, which is the highest promontory in Europe, at 580 meters. Its viewpoint has a suspended glass platform and is one of the most visited (and most photographed) attractions and offers a beautiful view of Funchal.
East Coast
The East Coast is distinguished by the diversity of its landscapes, from the dense forest cover of the mountains to the most arid scenarios, passing through cities, beaches and imposing geological formations. The city of Santa Cruz is the gateway to Madeira, as it is home to the Cristiano Ronaldo International Airport.
Its history goes back to the 15th century, being one of the oldest settlements in the archipelago. Highlight for the parish of Camacha, which receives many tourists due to its famous works of wicker crafts. Another important place for the history of the island is the city of Machico, where in 1419 the discoverers of the archipelago Gonçalves Zarco and Tristão Vaz Teixeira disembarked.
West Coast
The main features of the West Coast are its beaches and resorts, ideal for bathers and water sports practitioners. Gastronomy is a highlight, as some of the most important products of regional cuisine are grown there, such as sweet potatoes, sugar cane, bananas and other exotic fruits.
The region comprises three municipalities (Ribeira Brava, Ponta do Sol and Calheta) that bring together several picturesque towns and villages with a rich and vast historical, architectural and traditional heritage. Highlight for Paul da Serra, the only plateau on the island located at about 1,500 meters of altitude and marked by the exuberant diversity of its fauna and flora.
Central Cordillera
The Cordillera Central comprises the entire area of Madeira located above 1,400 meters in altitude and occupies an area of about 8,200 hectares. They are unique scenarios that present unmissable adventures. The site, considered a Natural Monument, is an impressive testimony to the volcanism and erosion of the island.
There are the highest peaks in Madeira, such as Pico Ruivo (1,862m) and Pico do Areeiro (1,818m), and the highest points in the Paul da Serra area, especially Pico Ruivo do Paul (1,640 m ) and the Bica da Cana area (1,620m). In addition to being considered a Geological and Altitude Vegetation Reserve, with several species of endemic flora, the Cordillera Central is the only identified place for the nesting of a rare seabird, the Madeiran nun (Pterodroma madeira).
About Madeira Island
Considered the best island destination in the world, Madeira is a small Portuguese paradise located in the middle of the immensity of the Atlantic Ocean. Of volcanic origin, its privileged location provides a mild climate and sea with a pleasant temperature all year round, in addition to impressive scenery of mountains, valleys and cliffs, all covered by the exuberant Laurissilva vegetation, named Natural Heritage of Humanity by Unesco.
The archipelago is formed by a group of islands, Madeira and Porto Santo being the main and only inhabited islands. There are excellent options in spas, historical monuments and great hotels and restaurants, where you can taste the delicious gastronomy and award-winning Madeiran wines. For more information, visit www.madeiraallyear.com.
