History:
Madeira was discovered by Portuguese sailors in 1419 during the Age of Discovery, marking the first territorial discovery of this important exploratory period.
The island was found by three Portuguese sea captains – João Gonçalves Zarco, Bartolomeu Perestrelo, and Tristão Vaz Teixeira – who named it ‘Madeira,’ meaning ‘wood’ in Portuguese, due to its dense forests.
The early settlement began with settlers recruited from throughout Portugal. The initial development involved clearing forests for agriculture, and the first successful crop was cereal cultivation.
Until the first half of the sixteenth century, Madeira became one of the major sugar markets of the Atlantic, notably being the first place where slave labor was applied in sugar production. This colonial system was later transferred to other overseas production areas.
In the 17th century, as sugar production shifted to other Portuguese colonies, Madeira’s focus turned to wine production. This transition gave rise to a new social class, the Bourgeoisie, as vineyards replaced sugar plantations.
Climate and Best Time to Visit:
The best time to visit Madeira is between April and October, when temperatures are mild, rainfall is minimal, and most outdoor activities are easily accessible.
The island enjoys a subtropical climate with mild temperatures typically ranging from 16°C to 28°C depending on the month and location.
The weather can be changeable, with visitors often experiencing multiple types of weather in a single day, including wind, rain, and sunshine.
The Madeira Natural Park can receive as much as 2,800 mm of precipitation annually. The island hosts lush laurel forests, and snowfall occurs in the mountains during most winters.
Location:
The Madeira Archipelago is located in the Atlantic Ocean, 978 km south of Portugal and about 700 km west of the African coast.
It’s situated at almost the same latitude as Casablanca and 450 km north of the Canary Islands.
Madeira has a length of 57 km, is approximately 22 km at its widest point, and has a coastline of 150 km. The island features a mountain ridge running along its center, with its highest point at Pico Ruivo reaching 1,862 meters (6,109 ft).
Getting to Madeira.
We flight from Sao Miguel island to Madeira, the trip was about 1h 30 min, we used the Azores airline, very good airline company.
The cost 88 Euros, 100US dollars.
Getting to Funchal
The airport is very far away from Funchal.
There is 3 options:
The first on is by taking the taxi, expect to pay around 30 Euros, 35 US dollars.
The second option is by using the local bus, bus number 208 ,cost 2.60 Euros, 3 US dollars. By taking this bus it take about 55 minutes to go to Funchal.
When you exit the airport, the bus stop is 20 meter on your right,
The last option is the airport shuttle, the aero bus, look for the 04 (SAM company) green sign outside the airport, the cost is 6 Euros, frequency every hour.
From the airport it takes between 30 minutes to 55 min depending the option you choose to go downtown.
Where to sleep in Funchal.
We stay at the Funchal Design Hotel, a supposed 4 star hotel.
We reserved for an apartment, and they give us a simple room, no fridge in the room,
I complaint, because the hotel was full, they move us the next day to our apt, I asked for a refund from the first night, they instead, offered a dinner in their restaurant, only the food.
So we have dinner in the restaurant, menu very limited choice between 2 appetizer and 2 main course, and we have 2 glass of wine.
For the appetizer smoked salmon and tuna salad nicely presented, for main course the octopus risotto was so salty, I have to send back to the kitchen, the second one was good, at the end they apologize and offered the wine.
I believe the restaurant is open only on special occasion, at the customer request maybe.
The room price including the breakfast, the breakfast choice was very limited, and quality just ok, I won’t recommend this hotel, despite the good location.
Transportation:
Walking is still the best option for visiting Funchal, but the Hop On Hop Off option is nice to visit outside Funchal, specially to go to Câmara de Lobos.
The 48 hours ticket cost 28 Euros, 32 US dollars.
There is 2 lines, the red cover two cities, Funchal and Câmara de Lobos, and the blue line which go through the mountain.
Things to Do and See
Hiking and Levadas:
Levadas are ancient irrigation channels built centuries ago to transport water from the island’s higher altitudes to agricultural lands. Today, these channels have become beautiful hiking trails, allowing visitors to explore Madeira’s lush and remote areas.
Ponta de São Lourenço, located at the easternmost tip of the island, offers a unique landscape entirely different from the lush, mountainous areas. Here, visitors find a more arid and rocky terrain, with stunning geological formations contrasting against the deep blue of the ocean.
The Cabo Girao Skywalk, Monte Palace Tropical Garden,
The Old Town Funchal,
The Pico do Arieiro mountain viewpoint.
Santana, visitors can see traditional triangular-roofed thatched houses known as “palheiros,” which are considered a symbol of Madeira. Many of these houses are open to the public as small craft shops or cultural exhibits.
And Câmara de Lobos, a fishing town.
Since we stay only 2 days in Madeira, timewise we were limited about the attractions, specially driving in Madeira is not easy, narrow roads and sometime can be dangerous.
But even with only 2 days we enjoyed the Madeira island, I believe it worth to go back and stay longer to enjoy all the different hiking.
Funchal
Historical Background:
Funchal’s history spans over 5 centuries, beginning when early Portuguese settlers colonized a sunny bay where fennel (funcho) grew abundantly, which gave the city its name.
It was elevated to city status on August 21, 1508, by King Manuel I.
Location and Geography:
Funchal is located on a large slope facing the Atlantic Ocean, shaped like a natural amphitheater.
It sits on Madeira’s sunniest south coast, surrounded by:
– Banana plantations
– Wonderful gardens with year-round blooming flowers and Verdant mountains.
The city is influenced by the Gulf Stream and Canary Current, resulting in mild to warm year-round temperatures. The average annual temperature at Funchal weather station is 19.6°C (67.3°F).
Population
Funchal is the most populous city outside of mainland Portugal, with an area of 76.15 km² and a population of over 112,000 residents, Funchal is considered one of Europe’s safest and cleanest cities.
Unlike many European cities, it has virtually no crime, making it safe to venture out at any time of day or night, Funchal is divided into 10 municipalities.
The city’s economy is driven by, tourism (based on scenery and mild year-round climate), exports including Madeira wines, wickerwork, embroidery, fruit, fish, and dairy products and Industries such as sugar milling, cabinetmaking, and distilling.
FUNCHAL Fish Market and Port Wine tasting
FUNCHAL City Center
Câmara de Lobos
Historical Background:
Câmara de Lobos was the first place inhabited by João Gonçalves Zarco, the navigator who discovered Madeira.
He stayed there between 1420 and 1424, making it the first settlement created in Madeira, which was elevated to parish status in 1430.
The Câmara de Lobos name literally means ‘den of wolves’ and comes from when Zarco landed in 1420 and saw flocks of monk seals resting on the rocks, which he mistook for wolves.
Location and Geography:
Câmara de Lobos is a small town located on Madeira Island in the Atlantic Ocean, just 5km away east of Funchal, the capital city.
The municipality currently has an area of 51.82 km² and a population of around 35,000.
The two main economic activities are, first the fishing Industry:
It’s a working town specializing in the fishing of the night-dwelling Scabbard fish. The hard fishing lifestyle is reflected in the town, with small traditional tenements housing multiple families around the cliffs.
And second the wine Production:
The famous Madeira wine is produced in this town, with almost 62% of the grapes collected in Madeira coming from Câmara de Lobos, partly due to its beautiful sunny disposition throughout the year.
Cultural Heritage and Tourism:
The view from the sea-front is particularly idyllic, as noted by Winston Churchill who used to set up his easel on a little knoll above the horse-shoe of black lava. The village remains worthy of any artist’s attention, with its brightly colored boats and fishing nets strung out in the sun.
Notable Landmarks:
– Nossa Senhora da Conceição chapel (founded in the 15th century)
– The old convent of São Bernardino (from 1425)
– São Sebastião church (built in the 16th century)
Modern Day Life:
Today, much of the population still lives off fishing. The narrow streets of the port area are full of life, with families and children playing, women placing fish to dry in the sun, and men playing cards
Getting there:
We use the Hop On Hop Off bus use the stop 11 or 12.
Where to eat in Funchal:
there is so many restaurant in Funchal, but the two following one worth to be try
Restaurant PORTAO
PEIXARIA NO MERCADO
Where to eat in Câmara de Lobos
CASA DO FAROL
