Madeira

Hello again! In this post, I am going to recommend some places to visit in Madeira. My spouse and I visited Madeira from the 7th to the 13th of April for our honeymoon (soon I’ll talk about our wedding ceremony 🤭). Madeira is an island that falls under the jurisdiction of Portugal. It is also known as “The Hawaii of Europe”. However, I have a special connection to this island as it is where my dad is from. In this post, I will share some of the must-see places we visited during our five-day stay. Of course, you can always plan your own itinerary, but I highly recommend these spots!

Thanks again, Mum, for this amazing honeymoon present! This memory is one I’ll cherish forever❤️💜

Day 1

On the inaugural day of our Madeira excursion, our slumber was prolonged due to a late flight, we arrived in Madeira at 1 am, our journey was typical of the island’s travel patterns, necessitating a layover in Lisbon, particularly when flying with TAP Portugal. Direct flights to Madeira are a rarity, making a stopover in Lisbon a common feature of the journey. Fatigue clouded our senses, prompting us to opt for a leisurely exploration of the immediate vicinity surrounding our accommodations. Speaking of which, I wholeheartedly endorse “Quiet Place” in Machico for your stay. The proprietors exude warmth and hospitality, and the strategic positioning of the lodging ensures seamless access to the island’s myriad attractions. Machico serves as an ideal launchpad for your Madeira adventures, with its central location facilitating effortless exploration of nearby points of interest.

We began our day by visiting one of the popular viewpoints, Vereda das Funduras, which leads to Ribeiro Frio. Although the viewpoint is at an elevation of 880 meters, we started our hike 200 meters below. The view was breathtaking, and I bought some delicious Madeira delicacies for my family.

After our first small adventure, we went to Porto Cruz for lunch. The plates were huge, but also healthy, which is one of the reasons why I love Portugal. After lunch, we decided to take a walk around Santa Cruz. The waves crashing on the shore were very strong and a bit scary. We always have to respect the power of the sea. However, Santa Cruz Beach has some great spots for diving, which is amazing.

We ended the day by visiting Miradouro do Guindaste, a glass platform giving the impression of walking over the sea while observing the view. Finally, we took a stroll along Machico‘s beautiful yellow sand beach, which happens to be my dad’s hometown. Of course, we also stopped by some shops to pick up ingredients to cook at home 😉

Day 2

This morning, we rose with the sun at 6 am, determined not to miss the breathtaking sunrise at Pico do Areeiro in Madeira. Witnessing the dawn was nothing short of a blessing; although the chill in the air was palpable, the experience was undeniably worth it. From Pico do Areeiro, our adventure continued along PR.1 Vereda do Areeiro, leading us towards Pico Ruivo, the island’s towering peak at 1861 meters. Despite my initial concerns about Isaac’s lack of proper hiking shoes, we were resolute in our determination to conquer the trail. We paused midway to indulge in a coffee break, a decision that proved pivotal—I wouldn’t be recounting this tale if not for that caffeine fix.

We reached the summit, and the view made every effort worthwhile!

Upon descending, we made a pit stop at our next destination: Santana, where I swiftly changed into more versatile attire. Thank goodness for the convenience of having a car at our disposal. Santana is renowned for its picturesque traditional Madeiran houses, exuding an authentic charm. Additionally, the vicinity boasts an array of excellent dining establishments, adding to its allure. You must try the Bolo do Caco, a delectable treat that lives up to its name—a bread cake infused with garlic, olive oil, and parsley.

We made our way to Cabo Aéreo Café in São Jorge, a renowned viewpoint offering stunning vistas of the sea, along with a taste of traditional cuisine.

We concluded our adventure with a trek along PR.8 Vereda da Ponta de São Lourenço. Initially, I anticipated a short stroll, only to discover it stretched into a two-hour hike, leading us to the easternmost point of the island. Upon reaching the summit, exhaustion and thirst weighed heavily on me. However, our exploration didn’t end there. Determined to experience every facet of the journey, we opted for a boat service to reach the very edge, affording us a distant but remarkable view of the lighthouse, We highly recommend Madeira Sea Emotion for your excursion (even though I was very scared I would’ve jumped out of the boat). While they offer a variety of services, we opted for their boat tour, and it exceeded our expectations.

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Published by Gigliola

Author of Resilience, passionate about poetry, human rights, culture, and travel. Lifelong blogger, scientist, and STEM student with a love for dance — and always exploring new passions.

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