A top-ten of Madeira’s best sights and activities
10-06-2009
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1.5 hours flight from Lisboa, in the Atlantic Ocean, lies Madeira, an archipelago of volcanic origin with a mild, subtropical climate and a lush, mountainous landscape. Madeira has a lot to offer, for children and grown-ups alike.
Here are our suggestions for a top-ten of Madeira’s best sights and activities:
Madeira Theme Park: An exhibition centre devoted to the traditions, science and history of the Madeira islands. The main attractions are the four multimedia pavillions where you can relive “The Discovery of the Islands", learn about the “Future of the Earth", experience “The Fantastic Journey" through the landscapes of the archipelago and learn about “The World of Islands, Islands of the World".
Levadas: (See bottom image) Madeira has a large network of hiking paths and levadas, mini canals for irrigation of inaccessible fields. Experience the breathtaking scenery of Madeira’s beautiful landscape and a number of animal- and plant species unique to the Madeira islands on a hike along the levadas.
Cable car: Go by cable car from Funchal to Monte and get a first-class panoramic view of Madeira’s magnificent landscapes. One of the cable cars goes from the Botanical Gardens in Funchal to Monte and is a beautiful way of reaching the famous levadas and other tourist attractions.
Monte sledge: Going down again from Monte, why not try one of the famous Monte Sledges: Wicker sledges formed a bit like a Norwegian kicksled, steered and powered by two men called carreiros.
Wine museums: Madeira has several wine museums where you can learn about the history and production of the famous Madeira wine. The two wine museums in Funchal are situated in beautiful old buildings from the baroque period and the 19th Century, respectively.
Carnival: The carnival celebrations in Madeira start on the Saturday before Lent with a great parade of floats, and continue until Shrove Tuesday. Enjoy the madness, the parties and the revelry, as well as the creativity and the imagination that goes into the caricatures of the last parade on Shrove Tuesday.
Flower Festival: (see top image) Every year, during the first weekend after Easter, Funchal virtually blooms. This is the time of Madeira's flower festival in honour of the many flowers of the island. The Madeira Flower Festival is a treat to your senses with its beautiful parades, decoration competitions and carpets of flowers in the streets.
The São Vicente Caves and The Volcanic Centre: In the São Vicente Caves on the north coast of Madeira, you can walk for half an hour into the centre of the island through volcanic caves and lava channels. The trail takes you past crystalline lakes accompanied by beautiful background music. In the Volcanic Centre near the caves you can watch audiovisual shows about the origin of the caves and the formation of the islands.
Madeira Story Centre: This centre gives you an overview of 14 million years of history through the use of interactive, audiovisual multimedia in combination with authentic historical objects. Prepare to embark on a fantastic journey!
Madeira Magic: A recreational area with a miniplanetarium, a 3D cinema, exhibition area and a large garden. The facilities for families with young children are good and it is easily accessible for both elderly as well as handicapped people.
And this is only the beginning. There are more festivals, more museums, gardens, castles… and then of course there is the beautiful sea and the beaches!
Is your next holiday going to Madeira? Find your cheap flight tickets to Funchal with Travelmarket’s flight search engine.
Photo: Madeira Islands Official Tourism Website
Here are our suggestions for a top-ten of Madeira’s best sights and activities:
Madeira Theme Park: An exhibition centre devoted to the traditions, science and history of the Madeira islands. The main attractions are the four multimedia pavillions where you can relive “The Discovery of the Islands", learn about the “Future of the Earth", experience “The Fantastic Journey" through the landscapes of the archipelago and learn about “The World of Islands, Islands of the World".
Levadas: (See bottom image) Madeira has a large network of hiking paths and levadas, mini canals for irrigation of inaccessible fields. Experience the breathtaking scenery of Madeira’s beautiful landscape and a number of animal- and plant species unique to the Madeira islands on a hike along the levadas.
Cable car: Go by cable car from Funchal to Monte and get a first-class panoramic view of Madeira’s magnificent landscapes. One of the cable cars goes from the Botanical Gardens in Funchal to Monte and is a beautiful way of reaching the famous levadas and other tourist attractions.
Monte sledge: Going down again from Monte, why not try one of the famous Monte Sledges: Wicker sledges formed a bit like a Norwegian kicksled, steered and powered by two men called carreiros.
Wine museums: Madeira has several wine museums where you can learn about the history and production of the famous Madeira wine. The two wine museums in Funchal are situated in beautiful old buildings from the baroque period and the 19th Century, respectively.
Carnival: The carnival celebrations in Madeira start on the Saturday before Lent with a great parade of floats, and continue until Shrove Tuesday. Enjoy the madness, the parties and the revelry, as well as the creativity and the imagination that goes into the caricatures of the last parade on Shrove Tuesday.
Flower Festival: (see top image) Every year, during the first weekend after Easter, Funchal virtually blooms. This is the time of Madeira's flower festival in honour of the many flowers of the island. The Madeira Flower Festival is a treat to your senses with its beautiful parades, decoration competitions and carpets of flowers in the streets.
The São Vicente Caves and The Volcanic Centre: In the São Vicente Caves on the north coast of Madeira, you can walk for half an hour into the centre of the island through volcanic caves and lava channels. The trail takes you past crystalline lakes accompanied by beautiful background music. In the Volcanic Centre near the caves you can watch audiovisual shows about the origin of the caves and the formation of the islands.
Madeira Story Centre: This centre gives you an overview of 14 million years of history through the use of interactive, audiovisual multimedia in combination with authentic historical objects. Prepare to embark on a fantastic journey!
Madeira Magic: A recreational area with a miniplanetarium, a 3D cinema, exhibition area and a large garden. The facilities for families with young children are good and it is easily accessible for both elderly as well as handicapped people.
And this is only the beginning. There are more festivals, more museums, gardens, castles… and then of course there is the beautiful sea and the beaches!
Is your next holiday going to Madeira? Find your cheap flight tickets to Funchal with Travelmarket’s flight search engine.
Photo: Madeira Islands Official Tourism Website
