AFVersocapaGuia.indd 1 10-10-2011 10:19:51 In fact, you don’t have to travel a long way to find the delicacy. For more energetic visitors there is scuba- ideal holiday destination. There are a thousand and diving, surfing, windsurfing or jet-skiing. one reasons for visiting Madeira! Romantics may prefer a wonderful sailboat trip along the In addition to its stunning scenery and luxuriant coast to enjoy the sunset. mountains, this archipelago also includes a mild climate all year round, a warm welcome and peace, safety and But to make this your dream holiday, you really must spend security among its charms. some time on the paradisiacal island of Porto Santo 40 km from Madeira, only 15 minutes by plane or 2h30 on the ferry. The “golden island” is blessed with 9 km of To really get to know Madeira, climb to the top of a fine, unpolluted sand washed by a clear, calm sea - all mountain and enjoy fantastic, breathtaking views or you need for a perfect stay. follow the trails and paths in the Laurissilva Forest along more than 1,400 km of levadas in a unique encounter with Happiness is so near! the island’s soul. Feel the energy flowing from the cosmopolitan ambiance of Funchal’s streets and buy some souvenirs, like the famous embroidery, Madeira wine or wickerwork. Try taking a tour around the island, stopping off on the way to admire the landscape or enjoy a traditional madeira and porto santo guide .3 AFGuiaMadPSingles altera5.indd 3 11/08/30 08:47 location and climate Madeira and Porto Santo and the uninhabited Selvagens and Desertas Islands make up the Madeira Archipelago, which was discovered by the Portuguese in 1418. The archipelago is in the Atlantic Ocean, 500 km from the coast of Africa and 1,000 km from Europe. It’s only a 90-minute flight from Lisbon. Madeira has an area of 741 km2, and is 57 km in length and 22 km in width. Thanks to their excellent geographical location and mountainous relief, these islands have surprisingly balmy weather, with moderate humidity and pleasant average temperatures of 25ºC in the summer and 17ºC in the winter. The sea temperature is also very mild, thanks to the influence of the warm Gulf Stream, averaging 22ºC in the summer and 18ºC in the winter. 4. madeira and porto santo guide AFGuiaMadPSingles altera5.indd 4 11/08/30 08:47 discover an enchanted island! Brava, before going up to Encumeada on a road full of belvederes from which you can see the surrounding Although it is small, Madeira is rich in majestic scenery mountain peaks. and rare beauty. Go and explore the charms and delights or this floating garden! If you like, go down to the sunny coast of Ponta do Sol and Calheta, with their tempting bathing areas. Surfers The main places to visit in the Madeira Islands are Funchal, will find the best waves in Europe at the picturesque the capital of the archipelago, Caniço, the east coast (Santa beaches of Jardim and Paúl do Mar. Cruz and Machico), the west coast (Câmara de Lobos, Ribeira Brava, Ponta do Sol and Calheta), the north coast If you drive up to Paúl da Serra, the largest plateau in (Porto Moniz; São Vicente and Santana) and Porto Santo. Madeira, stop to take in the fine view of the northern and southern slopes. Then go down to Porto Moniz and Going west from Funchal you will come to Câmara de refresh yourself with a swim in the natural pools formed Lobos, a typical fishing town, and Cabo Girão, the highest in the lava that once flowed down to the ocean. sea cliff in Europe and the second highest in the world (580 m). Nearby is the curious village of Curral das Freiras. Our journey continues to São Vicente, on a road scattered with waterfalls, where the majestic green of the hillsides It is located in a deep valley and has one of the island’s contrasts with the crystalline blue of the sea. most spectacular landscapes, where dizzying views (over 500 meters high, from its belvedere- Eira do Serrado) will When you get to São Vicente visit the caves and the take your breath away. volcano centre and the Museum Centre – Lime Route or Continuing westward, visit the pleasant village of Ribeira simply take a stroll through the town’s pleasant streets. madeira and porto santo guide .5 AFGuiaMadPSingles altera5.indd 5 11/08/30 08:47 From here you can also go back up to Encumeada, Islands and the fabulous view of the bay from the São delighting your senses with the luxuriant vegetation Gonçalo Belvedere. of the Laurissilva “laurel Forest “ or go on to Santana, discovering small belvederes on the way. Delight yourself with the countless views, on an island of such outstanding natural beauty! In Santana you must visit the typical A - framed thatched roof houses, the theme park and Queimadas, which is funchal the starting point for excellent walks like Caldeirão Verde. The descent to Faial is a pleasant surprise thanks to the The capital of the archipelago is on the south coast of impressive beauty of the surrounding mountains. Madeira in a beautiful bay washed by the warm waters of the Atlantic Ocean and surrounded by green mountains and deep valleys. When you get to Faial you can choose between Machico or a visit the island’s interior, taking the road to Ribeiro Frio, Funchal was erected to city on 21st August 1508 and is Poiso and Pico do Areeiro. This peak is the island’s third now the main centre for trade, tourism and culture in highest point (1,818 m) and here we can find beautiful rock the whole archipelago. formations reaching into the sky like timeless statues. Explore this traditional but cosmopolitan city, strolling through its charming streets lined with pretty, flower- If you choose to go to Machico, be sure to visit Caniçal and decked houses. Ponta de São Lourenço, the island’s easternmost point. On the old road back to Funchal, at Ponta do Garajau, Walk around its old, carefully restored squares with Caniço, make sure to stop and look out at the Desertas their traditional Portuguese paving and typical 6. madeira and porto santo guide AFGuiaMadPSingles altera5.indd 6 11/08/30 08:47 The late afternoon is ideal for walking along the seaside promenades. If you enjoy panoramic views, don’t miss the chance of an unforgettable trip on a cable car. The cable cars between Funchal and Monte and between the Botanical Garden and Babosas (Monte) are the fastest way to get there while offering some spectacular scenery. Madeiran architecture. Take in the city’s museums and monuments and its art galleries with collections of works Whatever you choose, make the most of the chance to by Portuguese and foreign artists. see a new world where tranquillity and a warm welcome make the difference. Take a walk round Funchal’s Marina watch the sailboats and, further on, the cruise ships that stop over Funchal from all over the world. You can also walk round in the city’s gardens and look at the exotic, carefully tended multi-coloured flowers. If you would like to see the Madeiran coast from a different angle and enjoy some fresh sea air at the same time, go on a trip in a yacht or catamaran, or journey back in time on a replica of Christopher Columbus’s ship. madeira and porto santo guide .7 AFGuiaMadPSingles altera5.indd 7 11/08/30 08:47 Dive in to the fascination of the deep blue sea in gardens contrast with the emerald green of the islands’ mountains! This is Madeira, an island whose beauty madeira botanical gardens (eng. rui vieira) is a gift from mother nature. In its more than 35,000 m2 of flower beds we find inexcess of 2,000 exotic plants from all over the world living and flowering here as happily as in their original habitat. In view One of Madeira’s greatest tourist attractions is its varied, of the growing loss of biodiversity and habitats worldwide, luxuriant vegetation, with a combination of tropical and this garden has become a focus of science and culture Mediterranean characteristics resulting in a mosaic in aimed at preserving endangered plants. different shades of green. Whether you are a nature lover, botanist or tourist, if you want to take a world tour of the plant kingdom, visit the Madeira is also famous for the harmonious forms and natural history museum and the herbarium. You will also contrasting colours of its countless exotic plants from encounter a fine collection of exotic birds within Loiros almost all over the world, which seem so at home here. Garden; a visit here is much like a safari through a world full Thanks to the exceptional climate, you can admire flowers of colourful parrots. Open daily from 9:00 am to 5:30 pm like orchids, birds of paradise, anthuriums, magnolias, Except on 25th December. azaleas and proteas in their natural environment all year Caminho do Meio - Bom Sucesso round. P.O 9064-251 Funchal Phone: (+351) 291 211 200 Fax: (+351) 291 211 206 Explore the wide variety of lovingly tended gardens and E-mail: [email protected] parks that fill the air with unimaginable shades and perfumes. www.sra.pt/jarbot/ madeira and porto santo guide .9 AFGuiaMadPSingles altera5.indd 9 11/08/30 08:47 quinta das cruzes garden and most valuable exotic plants in the world.