Known as the “Purple Island” by the early explorers, Madeira has been known as a desirable place for many centuries and has been sought over by various empires. Due to its strategic Atlantic location, Madeira became an important shipping port in the 15th and 16th centuries and now has many centuries of rich history to show for it. These days, holidays to Madeira are very popular with Brits who are looking to escape the dreary weather of the UK and enjoy some warm spring-like conditions.
This subtropical archipelago is an autonomous region of Portugal and is made up of two islands, Porto Santo and Madeira, as well as two other groups of unpopulated islands. It is known around the world as the “Islands of the Eternal Spring” because it has a mild and lush climate all year long and the temperatures hover around 20-27 degrees Celsius, making holidays to Madeira always warm and enjoyable. The islands are also called the Garden in the Atlantic because the mild temperature allows flowers and crops to flourish all year round.
Madeira was affected by several major catastrophes in 2010, including heavy rainfall and flooding as well as several forest fires. The island is recovering nicely and has done a lot of restoration work since then but some of the upper mountain footpaths are still closed. However, by now Madeira is mostly back to normal and there is still plenty to see and do.
You can fly to Madeira in only four hours from the UK. However when you arrive you will feel like you are in another world. If you are planning holidays to Madeira to explore this lush wonderland, here are some tips to keep in mind:
Madeira in Bloom
The Islands of Eternal Spring are just the perfect conditions for some of the world’s most beautiful flowers to grow. The scarlet passion flower, the sky-blue plumbago or the swan’s neck agave will stun you with their colourful tropical beauty. If you are visiting during late Paril, you will be able to attend the Flower Festival in Funchal, a celebration of Madeira’s biggest and best blooms. Visit the Botanical Gardens which are located on a hillside and offer gorgeous views of Funchal. You can also view the stunning orchid collection at the gardens of Quinta de Boa Vista.
Watch the Whales Dance
Only five kilometres offshore from the island of Madeira, the ocean floor has a dramatic drop off and immediately becomes more than 3,000 meters deep. Combined with the ideal location and the warm waters in the summer months, this makes it a very popular playground for dolphins and whales. If it is your dream to see a dolphin or a whale, this is one of the best places to go looking for one.
There are many whale and dolphin spotting safaris which you can take during your holidays to Madeira that will offer you a chance to glimpse these magnificent creatures. Watching a whale’s enormous tail breach the surface of the water and come down with a splash is a truly amazing experience and one that you will never forget.
Hiking at Ponta de Sao Lourenco
Don’t forget to pack your hiking shoes on your holidays to Madeira, as this beautiful island offers a lot of fantastic trails to explore. The eastern part of the island of Madeira is a nature reserve which has excellent panoramic vistas over the Atlantic. You can also hike through some truly impressive volcanic rock formations and see several unusual species of plants.
The hiking trails have been recently updated and now have easy to climb stone steps and safety railings. If you are attempting the full walk, keep in mind that it will take several hours so be sure to take enough food and water with you. You can also take a detour down the cliffs from the road before you reach the trailhead and find the secluded beach known as Prainha. This is the only natural black sand beach on the island and it is a great place for swimming.
These are just a few tips for what to do when visiting the island of Madeira on your next holiday. Enjoy your holidays to Madeira, as you discover the beauty of this small Atlantic island where Europe blends with the Tropics.
Want to do something a little different than your last vacation? Holidays Madeira allows you to do just that as you get the most out of your visit to this Atlantic island.