Madeira A to Z
We
made this guide based on our local knowledge of Madeira. From time time
this guide will change, so make sure you keep a copy in your guidebook.
Here you can find information on the whole island, not just the capital
Funchal, and learn how to make local drinks or where in Madeira Moby Dick
was filmed.
A
• B • C •
D • E
• F •
G • H •
I • J •
K • L •
M • N
O • P
• Q • R •
S • T
• U • V
• W • X •
Y • Z
Arco de São Jorge, sightseeing spot near Boaventura (around
50 min from Funchal). Vineyards abound in this agricultural part of Madeira,
with a very nice rural guest house to stay in called Quinta do Arco.
Boaventura, on the North side of the island, also an agricultural
village with mountainous landscape. The central focus of the village is
around the church. There are many bars to taste local wines, and nearby
is a demanding `levada´ with a superb view over the North of Madeira.
Solar de Boaventura a good choice for a meal or a longer stay at the guest
house.
Caniçal, this was once the centre of Madeira´s whaling
industry. The whaling scenes from John Huston´s film version of
Moby Dick (1956) were shot here. Whaling ceased in 1981, and since then
the waters have been declared a marine mammal sanctuary, the killing of
whales dolphins and seals is forbidden. The whaling Museum (Museu da Baleia)
is now in the old whaling company´s office.
Desertas, islands are composed of Ilhéu Chão, Deserta
Grande and Bugio, located 22 miles Southeast of Funchal. They are the
last sanctuary of the monk seal, Monachus Monachus, for this reason the
islands were declared protected territory by the government in 1990. Access
to the island is restricted but special authorisation can be obtained
(any fishing is forbidden). Sailing out is a special trip if you have
the time.
Eira do Serrado, Only 15 km from Funchal, With a wonderful view
over Curral das Freiras (Nun´s enclosure) this is a great place
to stop for the scenery and to see the village which rests in a spectacular
deep valley. Place to stay: Estalagem Eira do Serrado.
Fajâ dos Padres, is a remote cove set in Cabo Girão
on the South side of the island. Right now the only access is by sea (recently
they installed a new elevator on the side of the plunging cliff but a
landslide has put it out of action untill June 2001) . Here you’ll
find a little pier, a restaurant and guesthouses to stay. There is also
a plantation with various types of vines, bananas and tropical fruits
growing.
Garajau, A natural marine reserve set in the southern coast of
the island, in the far eastern part of the bay of Funchal. Here most of
the German community resides, its the second strongest resort area with
many hotels and restaurants. The climate is mild and there are many water
sports and diving activities. Roca Mar is a good choice for lunch with
a full view of the ocean.
Hortênsias, Hydrangea. These flowers can be seen all throughout
Madeira, along the roads as you drive through the island. You can buy
flowers arrangements or flowers to plant at the market in Funchal or at
a greenhouse.They are locally know as `novelos´.
Ilhéu da Camara de Lobos, A favourite painting subject of
Winston Churchill this picturesque fishing village is one of Madeira’s
main centres for fishing scabbard (peixe espada). The fishermen live along
the harbour, their little chapel dates to the 15th-century named after
their patron saint St Nicholas with decorations of his life, shipwrecks,
drownings and much more. Nearby is the highest sea cliff in Europe, Cabo
Girão peaking at 589m (1,932 ft) above sea level.
Jardim da Serra, This is a picturesque wooded place, with a quinta
made famous by the English consul Henry Veitch (he was removed from his
post around 1822 for addressing Napoleon as "Your Majesty" instead
of "General" as instructed from London). Nearby "levadas"
include: Levada da Boca dos Namorados or Levada das curticeiras. (See
www.naturemeetings.com)
karaoke, If you feel an absolute need to sing or listen to karaoke
in Funchal well try the Prince Albert Pub or else the Hotel do Mar part
of the Clube Naval. In Machico (see below) there is an actual karaoke
Bar.
Lameiros, A small village near S. Vicente. They are developing
their rural tourism, Solar da Bica is a good place to start your stay.
Machico, At the time of the first settlements the island was divided
into two captaincies, João Gonçalo Zarco ruled the West
from Funchal and Tristão Vaz Teixeira ruled the east from Machico.
Machico on the contrary to Funchal developed into a quiet agricultural
town. Visit the 15th-century church Igreja Matriz in the Largo do Municipio
and across the River Machico the Chapel of Miracles (Capela dos Milagres).
Among the many choices you can stay at the Dom Pedro Hotel or the Residencial
Amparo guesthouse.
Nikita, the typical drink from Camâra de Lobos. Ingredients:
0,5 L white wine; 0,5 L beer; 3 scoops vanilla ice cream; 2 slices of
pineapple; sugar. Except for the beer, place everything together in a
blender for a couple of minutes. Pour the mixture into a jug and then
carefully the beer. Bottoms up!
Open da Madeira, part of the
European PGA Tour is held every year at the Santo da Serra Golf club around
March. Mark James was the first to win the competition when it started
in 1993, since then highly regarded professionals such as Rafferty, Spence
and Ballesteros have all participated in the event. The golf course was
originally designed by Robert Trent Jones and has since grown into a 27
par course.
A Quinta Estalagem
Estalagem do Santo is set to open in March 2001, perfect for the next
Open.
Pico do Arieiro, Pico do Arieiro is Madeira´s third highest
mountain at 1,810m (5,938 ft). Passing through mist and sometimes rain
to emerge on a sunlit landscape of volcanic rocks. At the top awaits a
view of clouds in the valleys and dramatic mountain ridges.
The Pousada do Pico do Arieiro inn allows guests to have a spectacular
sunrise, specially cosy in winter when snow covers the mountain tops.
Quinta Vigia, Owned by a British citizen named Mr. Davis who had
the empress Sissi to stay in 1862 and in 1883. The gardens, trees and
house make it a charming place to visit. Built in 1662 by Daniel da Costa
Quintal, Princess Adelaide (daughter of Queen Victoria) and the Duke of
Leuchtenberg were among the many illustrious guests to stay at the house.
Now it’s the official residence of the Regional Government.
Ribeira Brava, A resort town located in the sunny southern coast
of the Island. The town is small and charming with a church overlooking
the main square called São Bento. São Bento has most of
its 16th-century features still intact, with Flemish paintings of the
nativity in the side chapel and an intricate pulpit decorated with wild
beasts.
Santana, know for its triangular thatched houses which are unique
to madeira. Originating in the 16-th century, the oldest surviving examples
are no more than 100 years old. The triangular shape serves as a protection
from the rain and for sleeping in (bathrooms are set well away from the
houses) The hillsides around are also set with thatched byres where cows
are kept to protect them from wondering along narrow terrace paths. The
valley is ripe with fruit, vegetables, and the willow branches that are
then made into wicker products.
Try the restaurant and guest house, O Colmo.
Teleférico, (Cablecar) Start your journey in the old part
of Funchal and head up to Monte, near the tropical gardens at Caminho
das Babosas. Offering an amusing way of seeing the city and surrounding
hills, the journey takes 15 min one way and 30 min return. A fun program
is to visit the Estalagem do Monte were you can have a typical drink called
´poncha´, and then toboggan back down to Funchal with a light
head. First rides at 8.30am last rides at 6pm. Prices 1500$ PTE each way
(subject to changes) Info@madeiracablecar.com Tel: + 351 291 780 280.
Urze This is a tree native to Madeira, planted near pathways you
can see them in most nature and levada walks as they are used to build
natural fences. Another use for Urze is to make brooms.
Vila Baleira,
Porto Santo’s capital that trickles down to the sandy beach. Here
you can see the house of Christopher Columbus (Casa de Colombo) located
behind Nossa Senhora da Piedade. Built from rough stone here Columbus
is supposed to have lived with his wife Filipa Moniz.
Western Madeira, where Ponta Delgada, Jardim do Mar, Paúl
do Mar and many other seaside coves are to be found. This zone is specially
known for its world class surfing conditions and favoured place as a weekend
getaway. In September and October there are also popular festivals with
lots of food and all night parties and parades.
X- mas. The most special time of year in Madeira, celebrations
start early in December. The streets are fully lit with decorations, carols
fill the air and the capital Funchal has a wide range of nativity displays
and flower arrangments and trees to feast the eye. The weather is normally
mild and the smell of delicious local baking together with pine makes
Christmas in Madeira a truly memorable experience.
Yoghurt. Madeira has its own brand of delicious dairy products
ILMA, which makes natural yoghurts, cheeses and milk from the cows grazing
on the fertile hills of the island. When next in a supermarket here try
this special creamy yoghurt.
Zona Franca, the Madeira Free Zone which was designed to increase
foreign investment, was accepted by the EU commission in the 1980´s
so as to help reduce the gap in per capita income compared with the European
average. Industrial companies can set up factories in the eastern extremity
of Madeira, next to the village of Caniçal and benefit from a number
of financial incentives, grants, subsidies and fiscal advantages.
If you would like more information on any part of Madeira let us know.
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