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Madeira

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In terms of "standing out" from the rest, Madeira certainly does. The actual archipelago was once the top of huge volcano, though of course it is currently dormant; the last eruption was approximately 6,500 years ago. A large portion of Madeira's economy depends on tourism, but it's almost an undiscovered gem as far as popular destinations go. Most of Madeira's tourism comes from Europe, and Portugal, of which the Madeira Archipelago is actually an autonomous region. This basically means it belongs to itself, and is self-reliant in terms of government dependency. Madeira actually consists of a few different islands, many home to several luxury resorts, but also accommodation for those tourists that are on a budget as well.

Historically, Madeira has almost always been on the map; several philosophers have made mention of the archipelago. Before it became a territory of Portugal, it was actually believed to be a branching section of the Canary islands. Many tourists come to explore Madeira because of the prehistoric land mass itself, and historical importance. Although of course, as a tropical island chain, Madeira also offers sun, fun, and water - many of Madeira's tourists also come just for the sheer beauty of its gorgeous beaches, and natural atmosphere.

Areas

Madeira's main islands are Madeira, Porto Santo, and Desertas, where most of the tourism interest is. The Savage Islands, and there are many, are for the most part strictly restricted as natural preserve areas for wildlife, and plants. Madeira itself is organized like Portugal, into municipalities. There are eleven in Madeira: Câmara de Lobos, Machico, Ribeira Brava, Calheta, Santana, São Vicente, Ponta do Sol, Porto Moniz, Porto Santo Island (which is the second largest after Madeira), Funchal (which includes the Savage Islands), and Santa Cruz (which contains the Desertas Islands). Madeira is where the city atmosphere is, although Porto Santo is most popular for beach activities.

Weather

The winds dictate the weather in Madeira. For those who don't pay particular attention to which way the wind is blowing, the weather can seem very unpredictable. Northeastern wind causes the most desirable weather, while winds from Africa bring heat and humidity. Thunderstorms are very rare in Madeira, and even rarer are extreme weather conditions.

Average Temperatures

F/C	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
F	61	61	61	62	64	68	71	73	73	69	66	63
C	16	16	16	17	18	20	22	23	23	21	19	17

Average Precipitation/Rain

In./CM	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
In.	3.4	3.5	3.1	1.7	0.9	0.3	0.1	0.1	1.1	3.4	4.2	63
CM	8.6	8.9	7.9	4.3	2.3	0.8	0.3	0.3	2.8	8.6	10.7	160

Getting There

Unless you are a Portuguese citizen, you will definitely need a passport to travel to Madeira, or Porto Santo Islands; these are the two main islands in which the airports and harbors are located. The only difficulties in arriving in Funchal's airport have been in the past; a disproportionate runway that was unsafe for larger planes. However, the runway has been re-developed, and built to withstand larger planes. Otherwise, the general view is that flying or taking a cruise to Madeira is a pleasant experience. Naturally, as it is an island, you cannot drive there.

By plane

There are two major airports located in the Madeira archipelago; on Porto Santo, and on the main Madeira Island; the Funchal airport was redesigned for safety, and is now accessible to planes of all sizes. The best route to travel by plane to Madeira is probably by a flight to Lisbon, and then to the island. Once you've arrived at either airport, there are shuttle services offered from many of Madeira's major resorts, taxi services, and rental agencies that can provide visitors with transportation to the desired destination. There are also ferries that offer transportation to surrounding islands.

By boat

Tourists and visitors to either Porto Santo or Madeira island can take cruise ships, booked with travel agencies to the islands, that offer short stays, or destination plans as part of their itineraries. The trip can range from $150 - usually leaving from the coast of Portugal - to over $1000. The main harbors are in both Porto Santo and Madeira.

Getting Around

Most travel is done by ferry between the two larger islands Madeira and Porto Santo, or by plane, since there are airports on both islands. When travelling on the islands however, there are plenty of modern roads leading to all the major tourist hot spots. Most tourists agree however, that the best way to really see Madeira is by traveling on the older roads.

By car

Traffic in Madeira, and Porto Santo isn't as congested as some destination islands or cities; the modern roads are still fairly new, so many people still prefer to travel by bicycle, or on foot. During the evening and night time the traffic is not too bad, though early morning and mid-afternoon traffic is probably the worst. Car rental agencies can be found at the airport, and ferries can take your vehicle back and forth between the islands, so you don't have to worry about renting a car multiple times on your trip.

By taxi

Taxis are widely available in Funchal City, as well as other more populated areas of the island Madeira and Porto Santo. They operate on meters, so for the most part you shouldn't have to argue about the price of the ride.

By public transportation

The quality of public transportation in Madeira is about average; there's a lot of it, and plenty of people travel by bus and ferry, so it can be quite crowded. However, traveling by bus or public ferry is usually pleasant and reliable, as well as a cost-effective way to budget your expenses while in Madeira.

On foot

Madeira is basically pedestrian friendly; in the more urban areas it's easier to walk around, but most of the time you'll want to travel by bus or car. The distances from one place to another, especially when traveling to the interior of the island, can be quite long.

Food & Dining

Eating in Madeira can be challenging for vegetarians as the diet consists largely of meat. A meal will typically begin with a Minho specialty, caldo verde, which is a soup made from kale, potatoes, and sausage that is quite spicy. Bacalhau is another dish that originated in Portugal and is still served very much in Madeira. Bacalhau is dried codfish and every day, the locals are coming up with new ways to prepare it! Fish is also very common in Madeira and although it's not hard to find salmon or trout, sole and sardines are the two types of fish most commonly used. Sometimes they are accompanied by sauces but often they will simply be grilled on their own. Grills aren't uncommon to see in front of restaurants but it is uncommon to see no meat on them -- they're usually piled so high, you can barely see the cook!

Beaches

Praia Formosa (Sand beach) Location: Approximately ten minutes from Funchal This beach is actually three beaches where you can find sand and one beach that is a pebble beach. The rocks are slippery so if you're daring enough to climb on them, be careful or you'll take a nasty tumble into the waters below. This beach is mostly known for the water sports that are offered here, as well as how it comes alive at night! There are also many services available on the beach including child care, a car park, and changing areas.

Calhau da Lapa (Sand beach) Location: Campanario You will only be rewarded with these fine grains of sand after daring to climb the rocky terrain to get to this beach. There is a path but only half of it is paved so the other half may get a bit tricky and because of this, it's advisable to wear proper hiking shoes at least to the beach. The upside to making the beach so hard to access is that there are very few people here. You also won't find lounge chairs, cabanas, or snack bars but you will get some of the clearest water in the world!

Ribeira Brava (Sand beach) Location: In the southwest region of the island This is one of the most popular beaches in Madeira because there is just simply so much to do! There are different areas for volleyballs and football games, canoes can be rented, restaurants and bars are ready to serve, and there's a lifeguard with a lifeboat, in case an emergency should arise. It is situated right in the middle of Ribeira Brava and is a wonderful way to spend a day although that may not be enough time to do everything there is to do here!

Sights & Activities

Porto Santo Island

The second main island to Madeira is an attractive place to visit the beach, as well as its small historic villages and picturesque towns. There are religious and Christian villages, as well as the larger city of Santo da Serra, where visitors can mingle with diverse cultures, and experience the vivid and varying pulse of Porto Santo's culture.

Curral das Freiras

One of the top rated attractions found in Madeira, where there are hiking opportunities, scenic villages, and religious sites. It's an enormous canyon, for the most part, formed by the extinct crater of the volcano that formed the archipelago millions of years ago.

Santana

Santana is the main town of Comarca de Santana, best known as the area in Madeira with perhaps the best planting ground. The town is very picturesque in the spring, and is particularly popular with tourists who prefer to walk around and get to know the place - rather than head off to the beach, and remain oblivious.

Monte

Famous for its excellent hiking and wildlife observation opportunities, Monte ranks high for eco-tourists, and active vacationers who prefer to be out of doors. It was at one point home to a popular health resort and may be again; it's also well-known for its gardens, and beautiful flora.