Madeira is a tropical archipelago located in the Atlantic Ocean and an autonomous region of Portugal. The archipelago is made up of two populated islands, Madeira and Porto Santo, and several unpopulated rocks.
Known worldwide as the Islands of eternal Spring, Madeira as one of the best climates in the world with mild climate throughout the entire year.
Madeira island is 310 miles from the African coast and 620 miles from the European continent, only 1h 30mn flight from mainland Portugal and about 3h from all the main countries in Europe.
Official Madeira Tourism Board websiteCities
Funchal -- capital city of Madeira and home to tourist resorts and local color.Santa CruzMachicoSantanaCamara de LobosPorto SantoRibeira BravaUnderstand
Madeira Islands are just a short trip from Europe, to a destination where you can combine holidays on the beach, in the mountains or in the city.
Discovered early in the 15th century by the Portuguese navigators
João Gonçalves Zarco,
Tristão Vaz Teixeira and
Bartolomeu Perestrelo, Madeira is an
"Autonomous Region" of Portugal.
Get in
By planeFlights arrive in Madeira International Airport (formerly know as Santa Catarina Airport), about 30 minutes from Funchal. The island of Porto Santo's airport is just a 15 minute flight from Madeira International Airport.
Madeira International Airport Codes: LPMA or FNC
The following Airline companies fly regularly to Madeira International Aiport: TAP Portugal , Portugália , SATA , British Airways , Lufthansa , Austrian Airlines , Air France , First Choice Airways , Thompson , LTU , Thomas Cook , Condor , Niki , SAS , Sterling , Transavia , My Travel , Binter.
By boatCruise ShipThere is a car ferry between Porto Santo and Madeira, two hours one way. Ferry Service Funchal-Porto SantoGet around
Buses Recommended to get a 7 days bus ticket, access to all Funchal City routes, 17.50 EUR (March 2007)TaxisCar rental Renting a car is a great way to see the island. All European rules of the road apply in Madeira. Roads outside of Funchal can be windy and steep and gas stations rare.Talk
While English is more common than in Portugal, people will always appreciate it if you try and learn a few words of Portuguese.
See
Levadas -- An impressive system of aqueducts built in the 1900s to bring water from the mountains to cropland.Cabo Girão -- one of the world's highest ocean cliffs (590m/1,935 ft. above sea level), you'll easily realize the island's Edenlike qualityJardim Botânico -- Funchal Botanical gardenSão Vicente Caves -- volcanic caves where you can visit lava tubesJardim do Monte Palace -- Magnificent gardens of the former Monte Palace hotelJardim Orquídea - Orchid gardenMadeira Story Centre -- The best way to learn about Madeira's history and culture Do
Golf -- Santo da Serra Golf, Palheiro Golf, Porto Santo GolfSailingSnorkeling -- Porto Santo SubScuba divingEcotours -- Madeira EcotoursHiking -- Nature MeetingsSurfing -- The Atlantic offers waves for moderate to experienced surfers.Bird Watching -- Madeira Wind BirdsSighseeing tours -- InterToursLearn
The
University of Madeira is one of the youngest Public Universities in Portugal.
Currently the
Mathematics and Engineering Department offers a joint Professional Master degree with the
Carnegie Mellon University in
Human-Computer Interation. This top Professional Master program provides international students with opportunities to study in one of the best locations in the world, while having access to one of the world best Universities in Information and Communication technologies.
Work
Madeira is presently one the best locations in the E.U. for companies with operations in the single market and worlwide. With reduced direct and indirect taxation, adequate infrastructures, competitive operational costs, safety and quality of life, Madeira is positioned to provide the investor with a unique package of benefits, offering a wide range of solutions to enhance the efficiency and performance of various forms of investment.
Moreover, Madeira's preferential tax regime has not only been approved by Portugal, but also by the European Union as a valid form of State Aid for regional development, providing Madeira's IBC with credibility and transparency. To find out more about Madeira's special status in the E.U., please consult State Aid nº 222-A-02; State Aid nº 222-B-02 and the Commission's Decision 2003/294/CE.
For more information visit the official website of the
Internationa Business Center of Madeira.
Eat
BudgetMid-rangeDoca do Cavacas - Estrada Monumental, Ponta de Cruz, Funchal, Tel: + 351 291 762057 - fish restaurant.Golden Gate Café - Avenida Arriaga, 29 - 9000 Funchal, Tel: + 351 291 234383 - international restaurant, one of the oldest and more traditional, just in the city center in a place known as the "corner of the world"Adega da Quinta - Quinta do Estreito - Estreito de Câmara de Lobos, Tel: +351 291 910 530 - traditional restaurant where you can eat "espetada" in an old winery uphill from Câmara de LobosSplurgeXôpana Restaurant, Choupana Hills Resort and Spa, Funchal, Madeira, Tel: (+351) 291 20 6020 - award winning restaurant at the Choupana Hills Resort, with a magnificent view over Funchal and worldclass food and wine.Les Faunes, Estrada Monumental 139, Funchal, In Reid's Palace Hotel, Tel: 291/71-71-71 - top quality French restaurant.Drink
Madeira Wine is a fortified wine prized equally for drinking and cooking. There are four major types of Madeira: Malvasia (also known as Malmsey or Malvazia), Bual (or Boal), Verdelho, and Sercial, the latter two being drier.
Sleep
Budget During low season (winter) prices may drop significantly, e.g., from 50€ to 35€. Time around Christmas is high-season.
For budget sleeping use
Madeira Villas 30-100 Euros
Residencial Melba (Melba Pension), Azinhaga da Casa Branca 8, Funchal, Madeira 9000, Portugal. Lies in Western Funchal. 12 rooms.Mid-rangeQuinta Perestrello Heritage House, Rua Drº Pita nº 3, Funchal, , a small hotel, One adult 33€ per night and breakfast (special offer low season), 37 double rooms, located near Reid's Palace. 24 hour reception.Estalagem do Mar, just outside in waking distance from São Vicente at the north coast. Rooms with private bathroom and tub and view to the Atlantic Ocean. Indoor and outdoor pool, jacuzzi and not necessarily working sauna, lots of parking space. Double low-season at 50€.Crowne Plaza, Some English spoken here, wireless access in lobby. All rooms have ocean front views facing east. Several options for day trips and guided activities.Quinta da Quebrada, Quinta da Quebrada is located in the North Coast of Madeira, more precisely in Arco de São Jorge. The place has a very pleasant weather, with sun all over the year. Very worm and dry on summer, gentle temperature and very few rainy days on winter.The unit offers you 7 Bungalows all with a very beautiful view over the Atlantic Ocean, TV and Telephone. Each one is composed by a double room,a private bath-room, and a kitchenette/living-room.Hotel Monte Carlo, Calçada da Saude Nr. 10. Beautiful, old Hotel with a great view over the city of Funchal. Directly near the Convent St. Clara. Reasonable priced and not directly in a desiganted tourist district. Lots of good and affordable Restaurants nearby.SplurgeReid's Palace - lovely old five-star where Winston Churchill used to stay!Savoy & Royal Savoy - Reid's rival hotel complex, consists of the old Savoy hotel and new, contemporary Royal SavoyChoupana Hills Resort - one of the top hotels in Madeira just outside Funchal.Contact
Stay safe
Emergency Service telephone number is 112
