Madeira Holidays
Shrouded in vibrant bougainvillea, frangipani, orchids and banana leaf plants, Madeira is nicknamed the Island of Eternal Spring for good reason. An enthralling, naturally beautiful island, Madeira boasts fine wines, scenic hikes, indulgent spas and jaw-dropping coastlines.
Madeira wine, charming Funchal and gorgeous scenery
Though technically a part of Portugal, Madeira is close to Africa and benefits from warm weather all year round. Emerald green mountains are crowned with rolling clouds, sun-dappled by the rising sun and framed by brilliant-blue sea - Madeira is by far one of the most picture-perfect destinations in Europe. Funchal is a charming coastal town with lovely cafes and fantastic whale watching, whilst further inland you’ll find exotic flora, wide valleys and beautiful mountain hikes. Anywhere you go, you’ll be met with friendly faces and fabulous glasses of wine.
Our Content Creator Hazel recently visited Madeira: “We travelled to Madeira mid-September and had a wonderful time. My highlights include eating lunch out at sea after spending the morning watching playful dolphin pods and taking a tour to the top of Pico do Arieiro. Afternoon tea at Reid’s Palace is a real must, so be sure to book in advance.”
Why visit Madeira?
- Spend your time sipping wines and trying delicious seafood on your holiday to Madeira. The island’s Atlantic location means the seafood is fresh and succulent, and it’s one of the only places you can try black scabbard – a deep sea fish that’s light, flaky and usually served with grilled banana. It’s also not a trip to Madeira without a sip of super sweet Madeiran wine.
- The scenery here is truly stunning. Whether you fancy exploring the gorgeous black sand beaches, travelling up Pico do Arieiro to view the rolling clouds from above, or hopping on the cable car to the Botanical Gardens, Madeira’s nature is incredible. The levada walks are very popular here too – an open canal system created in the 16th century to distribute the rainfall from the north to the drier south, nowadays you can walk along the systems and get up close to Madeira’s interior.
- Madeira is one of the best places to whale watch in Europe. Book a boat trip along Funchal’s coastline and you may see humpback, tropical and even minke whales out in the wild, or a friendly pod of dolphins who like to race the local boats.