Madeira is one of the mysterious and magical places that one would think more people would have heard of. Madeira, a territory of Portugal in the Atlantic Ocean, is located about six hundred miles southwest of the continent and about 320 miles west of Morocco. Not only is it closer to the U. S. , but it’s alsoNot only is it cheaper than better-known island destinations like Hawaii, Santorini, or Ibiza, but it’s also cheaper while also offering amazing landscapes, cultural experiences, world-class wines, and some exclusive surprises. I can’t place it anywhere else. The underrated island is hassle-free with weekly direct flights from JFK to New York City. After a quick eight-hour crossing of the Atlantic, Madeira’s many treasures will be yours.
Flights to Madeira will land in Funchal, the capital and largest city. Its location in the east of Madeira makes it an ideal starting point for sightseeing tours in this part of the island. Book a room for a few nights at the illustrious Castanheiro Boutique Hotel, whose radiant, modern corridors feature a lively bar, gym, relaxing spa and a rooftop infinity pool with a 360-degree attitude of the city and surrounding elevation . Take some time to explore Funchal proper, whose historic, worn streets open up to colorful nightlife once the sun sets. Whatever your plans for the evening, be sure to meet at Vila do Peixe for dinner, biting into a juicy, seasoned steak with an adorable view of the bay. Funchal is also a wonderful place to stop over on vacation. Famous for its lively city-wide party on New Year’s Day, be dazzled as the enveloping sky suddenly bursts into flames with a kaleidoscopic array of brilliant fireworks at midnight.
Once you’ve gotten past jet lag (or maybe you’ve kept it up all night), start your day with a memorable sunrise boat tour with the Happy Hour crew. Enjoy the included breakfast as you watch the darkness slowly recede from the horizon, revealing the silhouettes of the undulating topography that takes shape as the soft reds of the sun peek over the water. While it’s easy to get distracted by the symbol of Funchal at sunrise, don’t keep your eyes on the water!Dolphins can rarely be seen waving the new day along the boats in the harbor, so don’t miss the chance to enjoy the morning’s perspectives with some aquatic friends.
Fully awake and back on shore, head east and enjoy a hearty lunch at one of the Inn restaurant’s outdoor tables.
Continue uphill, noticing the trees beginning to disappear, until you reach the new air and wide open spaces of Pico do Arieiro. Away from the hustle and bustle of Funchal, appreciate those tranquil mountains that make up Madeira’s hinterland and snap a photo of the idyllic fog that accentuates the colorful and abnormal range. If you can’t resist the lure of the trail, put on some stylish hiking boots and set sail for Pico Ruivo, Madeira’s highest point, to be amazed by the constant visual onslaught. of the lovely steep peaks along the way.
You’ve probably noticed that the surrounding forests on the way to Pico do Arieiro have a strange, airy quality to them. There’s a lot more to this laurel forest, known as Laurissilva, than meets the eye. As laurel forests are almost extinct globally, Laurissilva is one of the rarest biomes in the world. The Laurissilva de Madeira, also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is also the largest of those remaining.
The forest, whose small, gentle leaves, seductive emerald hues, and hazy ambiance appear like something out of a dream, has plenty of winding paths inviting you to get lost within. Find entrances at Poiso or Ribeiro Frio, and as you marvel at the sensational greenery, you might wonder what the little river of water in the impeccably constructed stone vessel rushing by your feet is. This is one of Madeira’s ubiquitous “levadas,” miniature aqueducts built over the centuries to transport water from the island’s wetter and more elevated north to the drier, more populated southern half. If you take the trail at Ribeiro Frio to the mesmerizing vista at the end at Levada dos Balcões, you might notice fellow hikers standing with outstretched palms filled with seed as if waiting for something. The local birds, known for their friendly disposition, are known to flutter into visitors’ hands for a free meal. Try it yourself—grab a handful of seeds from the forest floor and wait for a hungry feathered friend to perch on your fingers for an unforgettable photo opportunity.
Continue north on Laurissilva to the town of Santana on the island’s north coast and see the adorable Santana Houses once you arrive. The triangular huts, built primarily with trees and abundant cereal crops nearby, have thatched roofs that allow for effective drainage and interiors that regulate temperature well. With their bright and colourful colours of red, white and blue, the Houses are emblematic of Madeira and a testament to local ingenuity. If you haven’t had your full fill of the outdoors, swap the striking mountains for the stunning beaches of Ponta de São Lourenço, the eastern tip of Madeira, where beautiful juxtapositions of serene waters and secluded islands are seen on the tranquil trails. There’s no better gift for a day of hiking and exercising than an invigorating elegance of outdoor yoga led by a local instructor. Emilie Mangoni (@emiliemangoni_yoga on Instagram), whose reflective breathing, eclectic-sounding toys, and artistic vinyasa streams will leave your body feeling immediately after. Hours of exploration on foot.
Finally, end your adventure in the Orient with a glass of original and physically powerful Madeira rum from Engenhos do Norte in Porto da Cruz. Considering that the island was once one of the world’s largest exporters of sugar cane, the former factory-turned-distillery continues this legacy, which also acts as a museum with its captivating antiquated buildings and attractive collection of 19th-century machinery, ideal for strolling around with a drink in hand.
For many years, it took hours to traverse the remote corners of western Madeira, given the difficult terrain and lack of roads. Today, the tunnels, which can be discovered all over the island, are the exclusive secrets of Madeira’s incredible west. Some of it is less difficult to access than ever before.
In Calheta, the Savoy Saccharum Resort is the best location to base your adventure in the west of Madeira. The labyrinthine and attractive clifftop resort complex, whose earth-and-wood aesthetic blends into a cozy atmosphere, features a rooftop bar with live music. music in the evenings, a gym, a relaxing spa, sublime infinity pools and a very good gourmet restaurant. Facing directly onto the non-violent tides of the Atlantic, the rooms offer a vantage point from which to appreciate the nearby black sand beaches. Try to sleep your best by leaving the balcony door open at night, letting the sound of the waves crash against your room.
It’s hard not to be amazed by the stunning black beaches, some of which have soft, sandy sand, typical of Madeira, a product of the island’s volcanic origins. Northwest Madeira further enhances those desirable amenities with the respected lava pools. of Porto Moniz and Seixal. They are much more comfortable than they seem; These are not magma pits, but herbal swimming pools surrounded by volcanic rock enclosures that are also a popular summer destination. The striking contrast of blue on black creates visually appealing images and creates a pleasant, easy and informal position to spend an afternoon. Consider spending a night or two at the nearby Aqua Natura Bay Resort, or enjoy a new seafood lunch at the on-site restaurant before diving in.
It can be easy to observe all the bananas and sugarcane growing on Madeira and assume that these are the two most notable exports until you become aware of the prodigious amount of wine that exists on the island. Indeed, Madeiran wine, whose reputation for quality goes back centuries, is so renowned that it was famously used by the Founding Fathers to toast the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Madeira is a can’t-miss for wine lovers, as its warm, subtropical climate and humidity are perfect for producing the famed concoction, and there is no shortage of outstanding wineries.
Quintas das Vinhas is the best for connoisseurs, with its rows of verdant vineyards, comfortable hotels in 17th-century buildings, and pleasant ocean views that offer a setting for a cold drink. For something a little more secluded and romantic, head to Terrabonna. Terrabonna, a cozy vineyard and retreat area nestled in the Cardo Valley, offers incredibly intimate personal villas with striking perspectives of the surrounding elevation, along with an infinity pool to lose track of time as you laugh and enjoy more glasses of reds and whites. . accentuating your stay.
Given its relative remoteness and solitude, the northwestern part of Madeira also has many of the most scenic mountain trails. Book a jeep tour with Lokoloko Madeira to fully immerse yourself in this magical corner of the island, driving along the forested roads surrounding Paul da Serra. and admire in awe the hidden perspectives of the valley. The endearing levadas, regular companions of those forest trails whose curved portions next to the curved trees create unforgettable tunnel-like scenes, are glorious to behold. Consider hiking the stunning 25 Fontes (25 fountains) or the Levada do Alecrim trail (meaning “rosemary” in Portuguese) that culminates in the misty waterfalls of Lagoa Dona Beja.
Like the Laurisilva to the east, the west of Madeira also has a magical and enchanted forest. The transcendental spectacle of the landscape increases as you ascend until, in spite of everything, you leave this world through the gates of the ancient groves of Fanal. . The mystical forest, with its twisted trees bent at twisted, surreal angles, shrouded in a veil of eerie mist, looks like a living portrait straight out of a Tolkien novel. Allow yourself to pass up all plans and immerse yourself in a completely fascinating wonder. paths, fully soaking up every step in this other-global place.
Once you’ve left Fanal and returned to reality, escape one more time by taking in a legendary Madeira sunset. While there is no shortage of places to do so on the island, consider grabbing dinner at Maktub in Paul do Mar. The restaurant and its low-key vibes, facing due west and located mere steps from the sandy shore, provides a laid-back dining experience to enjoy every bite of fresh seafood amongst the dazzling show of warm gradients spreading across the sky as the sun gently comes to rest beneath the horizon.
John Sizemore is a writer, photographer, yoga instructor, and visual entertainment developer founded in Austin, Texas. Follow him on Instagram at @sizemoves. In his spare time, John enjoys learning foreign languages and immersing himself in other worlds, including music, movies, games, and books, as well as exploring the world.
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