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Tucked away in the Atlantic, the island of Madeira is full of fascinating surprises waiting to be discovered. From its rich cultural traditions and vibrant festivals to its distinctive cuisine and breathtaking landscapes, there’s far more to this unique destination than first meets the eye. Here are a few things you might not know…
The name ‘Madeira’
The name Madeira means ‘wood’ in Portuguese. When Portuguese explorers arrived in the 15th century, they found the island covered in dense forests and named it after this abundant natural resource that shaped Madeira’s early development.
Madeira Wine
Madeira wine became famous thanks to long sea voyages. In the 18th century, barrels transported across the Atlantic developed unique flavours due to heat and movement. This accidental discovery created the distinctive style of Madeira wine still produced and enjoyed today.
Madeira wine has a long-standing connection with UK. From the 17th century onwards, British merchants played a key role in developing the Madeira wine trade. Some historic wine lodges on the island were founded by British families, helping make Madeira wine famous across the world.
The Irrigation Channels: ‘Levadas’
Madeira has more around 1,860 miles of levadas. Built from the 16th century onwards to transport water across the island, these historic irrigation channels now form one of Europe’s most extensive walking networks, guiding visitors through forests, tunnels and dramatic mountain landscapes.
Madeira International Airport
Madeira Airport features a runway partly built on concrete pillars over the sea. This remarkable engineering solution allowed the runway to be safely extended and made it possible for larger aircraft to reach the island, significantly improving access to this Atlantic destination. The project has been recognised internationally, receiving awards such as the Best Airport Development Award by the Airport Council International and the Engineering Excellence Award for innovative design and structural ingenuity. These honours highlight the exceptional technical achievement of constructing a runway over the ocean while ensuring safety and operational efficiency.
Cabo Girão Sea Cliff
Cabo Girão is one of the highest sea cliffs in Europe. It rises nearly 2,000 feet above the Atlantic Ocean. Visitors can enjoy amazing views from a glass-floored skywalk, looking straight down at the coastline and terraced farms below.
New Year Fireworks
Madeira’s New Year fireworks are among the most spectacular in the world? The Funchal display once held a Guinness World Record and continues to attract thousands of visitors who gather around the bay to celebrate the arrival of the new year.
Cristiano Ronaldo
Football legend Cristiano Ronaldo was born in Funchal, Madeira. Visitors can explore his story at the CR7 Museum and even land at an airport named after him, celebrating one of Madeira’s most famous international ambassadors.
Unique Biodiversity
Madeira’s volcanic origin and varied microclimates support exceptional biodiversity. The island is home to hundreds of endemic plant species found nowhere else in the world, making Madeira a fascinating destination for nature lovers and garden enthusiasts.
Traditional Toboggans
Madeira’s famous wicker toboggans were once a real means of transport. From the 19th century, locals travelled downhill from Monte to Funchal in wicker sledges guided by skilled drivers. Today, this unique tradition remains one of Madeira’s most iconic visitor experiences.
Mild climate all year round
Madeira has a mild climate all year-round. Thanks to its mild subtropical climate, temperatures remain pleasant throughout the year. Visitors can enjoy outdoor activities in every season, making Madeira a truly year-round destination.
Traditional Honey Cake
Madeira’s traditional honey cake can last for months without losing flavour? Made with sugar cane molasses and spices, bolo de mel is one of the island’s oldest recipes and reflects Madeira’s long history of sugar cane production.
Madeira Embroidery
Madeira has its own unique embroidery style, Madeira Embroidery, recognised worldwide for its delicate floral patterns and meticulous craftsmanship. Each piece is handmade by local artisans, a tradition passed down through generations, making it a symbol of the island’s rich cultural heritage.
Poncha
Poncha is a Madeiran traditional drink that combines distilled sugarcane rum, honey, and fresh fruit juice. Originally consumed by fishermen for strength, it’s now enjoyed in bars and festivals, with locals claiming it can cure colds, or at least lift your spirits!
Protected Areas in Madeira
Around 2/3 of the total area of the island of Madeira is classified as a protected area. Aware of the uniqueness of its natural heritage, Madeira has sought, from an early stage, to obtain conservation statutes, both nationally and worldwide, to maintain the integrity and vitality of its ecological spaces. Thus, over the years several nature reserves - total and partial - have been delimited in Madeira. There are multiple nature reserves, both on land and at sea.
Christopher Columbus – A connection with Porto Santo
Christopher Columbus has a strong historical connection with Porto Santo. After marrying Filipa de Moniz, daughter of Porto Santo’s first donatary captain, Bartolomeu Perestrelo, Columbus is believed to have stayed in the Madeira Archipelago between 1480 and 1482. Porto Santo was also a stopover on voyages connected with Portuguese maritime expansion, and Columbus visited the island in 1498, during his third voyage to America.
Porto Santo – An older volcanic island
Porto Santo is a volcanic island that is older than Madeira. Its geological history, golden sands and surrounding marine ecosystems give the island a character very different from its larger neighbour.
Porto Santo – A 9-kilometre golden beach
Madeira’s neighbouring island of Porto Santo is home to a spectacular 9-kilometre golden sandy beach. In 2022, Porto Santo Beach was voted Europe’s Best Beach by European Best Destinations.
Porto Santo – UNESCO Biosphere Reserve
Porto Santo is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, recognised for the richness of its ecosystems both on land and in the surrounding sea. The island’s volcanic landscapes and protected marine environment make it much more than just a beach destination.
Santana
Santana was awarded the distinction of “Biosphere Reserve” by UNESCO. The municipality of Santana preserves a valuable natural and cultural heritage.
Desertas Islands – Home to one of the world’s rarest seals
Madeira’s Desertas Islands are one of the last strongholds of the Mediterranean monk seal, one of the world’s rarest seal species. The islands are also an important nesting area for seabirds and are fully protected as a nature reserve.
The Selvagens Islands – Portugal’s southernmost territory
The Selvagens Islands, part of the Madeira Archipelago, are the southernmost Portuguese territory. This remote volcanic nature reserve is an important sanctuary for seabirds, and access is restricted to help protect its fragile ecosystem.
Laurisilva Forest – A 20-million-year-old forest
Madeira is home to a subtropical forest that dates back around 20 million years. The Laurisilva Forest is one of the world’s most important surviving laurel forests and has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1999. It covers around 20% of Madeira and is home to numerous endemic species.
Fanal Forest – Ancient trees
Some of the ancient laurel trees in Madeira’s Fanal Forest are believed to have been growing there for centuries. This atmospheric landscape, often covered in mist, is part of Madeira’s UNESCO-listed Laurisilva Forest and is one of the island’s most magical natural settings.
Whale and Dolphin Watching – All year round
Madeira is one of the destinations where you can go whale and dolphin watching all year round. The waters surrounding the archipelago can reach depths of around 3,000 metres and are home to several species of whales and dolphins, as well as sea turtles. You can leave Funchal Marina and head out into the Atlantic to see whales and dolphins in their natural habitat.
Madeira Wine – A taste of history
Madeira Wine was already being exported just 25 years after the beginning of Madeira’s colonisation. The wine has played an important role in the island’s history and was even used to toast the Declaration of Independence of the United States in 1776.
Sugarcane – Madeira’s “white gold”
Sugar was once known as Madeira’s “white gold”. During the 15th and 16th centuries, sugarcane drove the island’s economy and placed Madeira at the centre of European trade. Today, sugarcane is still cultivated and is used to produce traditional products such as sugarcane honey and rum.
Madeira Rum – From sugarcane to spirit
Madeira Rum is made from fermented and distilled sugarcane juice, continuing a tradition that dates back to the island’s earliest history. It is also one of the key ingredients in Madeira’s traditional poncha.
Flower Festival – More than a parade (Since 1979)
Madeira’s famous Flower Festival is not just a single parade. Celebrations take place over several weeks, filling Funchal with floral displays, performances, parades and events celebrating the island’s extraordinary botanical heritage.
Madeira – A spectacular underwater world
The waters around Madeira can reach depths of around 3,000 metres, just a short distance from the island’s dramatic coastline. This exceptional underwater environment helps explain the richness of marine life found around the archipelago.
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