Madeira Holiday Apartments - About the Island

About Madeira

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The Island • Things To Do • The Levadas • Island Gallery

Fruit stall in the Funchal Municipal Market,
laden with exotic fruit and with the Madeiran Flag behind.

Madeira is a fascinating island lying in the Atlantic Ocean 200 miles from the Canary Islands and less than 400 miles from the west coast of Africa. Bathed by the warm waters of the Gulf Stream, this location means that the island has a very gentle climate throughout the year. It is very mountainous with the peaks reaching to around 6,000 feet and this on an island that is just 35 miles long and 14 miles at its widest means that there is little flat land and the slopes are very steep! The mountains make the island much lusher and greener than the Canary Islands and provide protection to the southern, fertile slopes from the prevailing north-easterly "trade" winds. The warm sea and gentle climate means that a wide variety of plants associated with tropical latitudes thrive here – including bananas, mango and sugar cane which grows wild! In fact sugar was an important crop at one time.

Discovered by the Portuguese in the early fifteenth century, Funchal, its principal town, was founded in 1508. Although relatively close to Africa geographically it is much closer to Europe both ethnically and culturally. Madeira is an Autonomous Region of Portugal, the local language is Portuguese and the currency is the Euro.

The sea front promenade in Funchal on a late afternoon in November.

Madeira has been popular with tourists for many years and is a regular stop for the many cruise liners that ply the Atlantic. The warm, balmy climate, spectacular scenery, exotic flora, abundant local produce from land and sea, plus the Madeiran wine have proved an irresistible combination. The local people are very welcoming and go to great lengths to be helpful, many people speak English and everyone will always do their best to help.

The island has so much to offer, from rock climbing to fishing, from golf to exploring volcanic caves as well as walking some of the extensive network of scenic footpaths following the irrigation channels known as levadas. There is an excellent local bus service providing access to all areas of the island. Boat trips of all types are available ranging from whale watching to deep sea fishing and there are local coach companies running island tours and excursions. The Botanical Gardens in Funchal are wonderful. There are several of these, both public gardens and parks as well as formal gardens like Funchal Jardin Botanico and those at the Monte Palace Gardens (linked to Funchal by cable car). These all provide a fascinating spectacle at all times of the year and complement the huge variety of exotic trees and plants which line the city's street and squares.

Shopping is a delight. The streets of Funchal are packed with shops of all kinds and sizes from tiny little craft workshops in the old town to big indoor shopping malls and supermarkets which stay open quite late. Credit cards accepted include Visa, Mastercard, Diners Club and American Express. Cash withdrawals using a credit card are available at most banks. The fish market and Municipal market are worth a visit just to see the wonderful array of produce and myriad-coloured stalls. Cafés and refreshment opportunities abound where you can sample Madeiran cuisine. If you wish to show your appreciation for good service a tip of 10% is the norm.

UK newspapers arrive in Madeira one day after publication.