Tour of Madeira, Islands, Portugal

Madeira is a popular island in the sun with a climate suitable for year round holidays, although November - February is regarded as the rainy season.

The capital is Funchal situated about 9 miles southwest of the Airport with the Beach Resort Towns situated around the island such as:

Machico about 1 mile north of the Airport.

Santa Cruz about 2 miles south of the Airport.

Canico about 6 miles south of the Airport.

Funchal about 9 miles southwest of the Airport.

Porto Moniz about 31 miles northwest of the Airport.

Porto da Cruz about 6 miles north of the Airport.

Porto Santo island about 25 miles northeast of Madeira.

Google Map.

Machico is situated about 1 mile north of the Airport.

From the historic point of view, this is probably the most interesting town on the island as Machico was the landing point of the discoverers of Madeira.

This peculiar corner of the island boasts the oldest church, the 'Capela dos Milagres', and two forts still bear witness of the locals' defence against the many pirate attacks on the village.

As well as its rich history, Machico makes an attractive resort base with its beach, glorious promenade and beach cafes. You can hook into both sailing and fishing trips from Machico. Campo de Golfe, Madeira's championship golf course, is also located conveniently near Machico just inland.

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Santa Cruz, situated about 2 miles south of the Airport, has a bathing complex comprising two swimming pools, sundecks, locker rooms and esplanade.

There is also a small, sheltered bay between the nautical area and the swimming pools allowing easy access to the sea.

This area also boasts an Aqua Park with capacity for over 1,000 people. This park comprises five toboggan rides and four fast slides, two swimming pools (one of which is reserved for children), a lazy river running round the pools, a bar and changing rooms.

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Canico is ideally situated on the east coast of Madeira about 6 miles south of the Airport.

This Madeira resort retains a low key and luxury edge, with villas, bungalows, aparthotels and plenty of entertainment. Development is focused on the coast, with the pretty inland village of Canico offering a different feel, with a historic church and stylish bars and restaurants.

The waters of the Garajau Natural Marine Park are a big pull for visitors looking to sample some scuba diving and diving on Madeira.

Golf is just a short distance away at Palheiro

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Funchal, situated about 9 miles southwest of the Airport, is a character capital indeed, with a compact centre easily explored on foot. A host of attractions including castles, convents, botanical and tropical gardens, numerous museums and a telefericos cable car ride up into the hills for the brave are all here in Madeira's capital.

To the west of Funchal, from Santa Catarina park the main hotel zone stretches for around 3 miles towards Camara de Lobos. If you opt for accommodation here in Funchal, be awarre that it's around a 30 minute walk into Funchal centre. However, numerous free buses run from hotels into Funchel centre, alongside regular buses and cheap taxis.

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Porto Moniz on the North Western tip of Madeira, about 31 miles from Funchal, might be a remotely located Madeira resort, but it bustles in peak season, particularly when the Coach Trips pour in.

A choice of seafood restaurants combine with natural lava swimming pools on the coast here at Porto Moniz, pulling in the crowds. It's an up and coming Madeira resort.

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Porto da Cruz 'Port of the Cross', situated about 6 miles north of the Airport, is a charming village located on the mountainous northeast coast of the island. Named after the cross that was placed on the shore to indicate the port for the Portuguese explorers.

This place is also famous for surfing; great for swimming and nature walks enjoy the many paths available through out the beautiful landscapes of Porto da Cruz. Furthermore, between Porto da Cruz and Faial there is a place called Penha D'Aguia 'Eagle's Rock' a unique rock formation that rises to an altitude of 580 metres, accessible through a steep pathway offering fascinating panoramic views over the sea and its surroundings.

The village can be visited with one of 4 bus tours around the Island.

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Curral das Freiras ('Nuns Valley') is also one of 4 bus tours you can take around the Island. Situated about 10 miles north of Funchal.

This is a small village nestling between almost perpendicular mountains in the heart of the island. The huge cauldron in which Curral das Freiras is sitting, was either formed by erosion, which is the more recent theory, or as many still believe, by volcanic activity.

In 1566 the nuns from the Santa Clara convent fled from pirates attacking Funchal finding seclusion here where they also brought the convent treasure.

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Porto Santo island, situated about 25 miles northeast of Madeira, can easily be reached many times a day by aircraft from the airport in Madeira directly to Porto Santo's airport. Flight time is approximately 15 minutes.

For those who enjoy a more leisurely pace, they can travel by sea on the Porto Santo ferry, which also transports vehicles if you should wish to take your car. Travel time on the ferry is approx. 2 hours between Funchal and Villa Baleira.

Airport Information . Ferry Information . Google Map.

Porto Santo is described as one long beach with a bit of an island attached. Along its nine kilometres of soft white sands, you’ll find just a handful of hotels and restaurants, making Porto Santo one of the last ‘undiscovered’ resorts in Europe.

The island boasts a first-rate international golf course, horse-riding, diving & game-fishing.

There's an intriguing touch of history, too, as Porto Santo's capital, Vila Baleira was once home to none other than Christopher Columbus.

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For more information on Madeira, visit: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madeira.

Madeira Golf . Other Madeira Leisure and Tour activities . Nature Reserves.