Madeira: an island of surprises

Preparation, they say, is everything. So knowing a little about the very special island of Madeira is certainly recommended.

Destinations popular with older travellers are often thought to be of the more slow-paced, tranquil variety, specialising in good food, easily accessible historic sites and high-quality accommodation. It is surprising then, when your plane heads for Madeira’s precariously positioned coastal airport (supported by huge concrete stilts and jutting out over the sea) that everything on this beautiful island seems to be clinging to its volcanic sides. Your first impression might well be that it appears to be a most inaccessible place to go on holiday; but first impressions are likely to change considerably after a few days of exploration….

Madeira does have excellent accommodation, ranging from traditional pension-style hotels in Funchal’s centre – to large, ultra-modern hotels and retirement complexes outside the capital and along the coast. And mouth-watering seafood is served in the island’s many good restaurants. But perhaps most importantly, the island’s road infrastructure is superb, meaning that exploring this stunning island is easy – and most enjoyable. Plenty of taxis, good bus services, excellent car-hire options and of course many mini-bus tours - ensure that you’ll be able to access the many beauty spots of this little island, covering an area of just 57km by 22km in total.

Despite being small, this autonomous Portuguese region offers some breath-taking views. Enjoy a tour to the island’s highest point, Pico Ruivo – so high in fact that it juts through the clouds - rising to 1862 metres above sea-level. Or choose to visit the wonderful coastal waterfalls, which cascade down the vegetation-covered cliff faces. Another popular spot is the Cabo Girao – the second highest cliff-face in the world, offering unforgettable views across the vast Atlantic Ocean.

But perhaps Madeira’s most popular attractions are its famous Levadas – small canals which carry water from the mountains down to the island’s towns. Excellent (if narrow) pathways are to be found alongside these canals, giving visitors the chance to see some truly memorable mountain scenery. There are a range of Levada walks to choose from depending on how energetic you’re feeling; visitors can opt for a short, gentle walk, or enjoy a more challenging trek high up into the misty vegetation – where you’ll see vibrant wild flowers and pretty waterfalls, along with fantastic views over deep, tree-covered gorges.

In the evenings, Funchal’s many restaurants provide the main focus, catering for tourists of various nationalities. The service is invariably excellent, and fish is naturally a very popular choice - particularly good in eateries along the capital’s main coastal drag, where visitors can enjoy pleasant ocean views as they dine. But evenings in Funchal – and indeed a cross the island – are often quiet affairs, as the island’s mature holidaymakers retire to their hotels fairly early.

One of the main reasons Madeira is less popular with younger tourists is the lack of beaches on the island – but a short ferry crossing to the nearby island of Porto Santo gives visitors the chance to enjoy a fantastic, 8km-long sandy beach, together with a pleasant journey on a comfortable ferry. There are also many other sight-seeing and fishing boat trips available, offering visitors the opportunity to view Madeira’s dramatic coast from the ocean.

Although Madeira has become known as a holiday hot-spot for retired holidaymakers, this unique island offers some surprisingly energetic activities for all ages. While visitors can choose to lie back and enjoy the sun, great food and overall top-quality service – to get the most out of this fascinating little island, visitors would be well advised to bring some good walking shoes - and discover Madeira’s many surprises for themselves.



© 2008 Craig Hindmarsh