Madeira Island Vacation Travel Guide - Things To Do In Madeira Island - Trip Advisor & Booking
Madeira Island Vacation Travel Guide - Things To Do In Madeira Island - Trip Advisor & Booking
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00:00Madeira Island Vacation Guide
00:06Welcome to Madeira Island, the perfect vacation spot for you and your loved ones.
00:11Madeira Island, located off the coast of Portugal, is one of the most beautiful islands in all
00:17of Europe, with pristine beaches and wild national parks that boast some incredible
00:23hiking opportunities.
00:25Located off Morocco and Portugal, Madeira is blessed with magnificent and diverse landscapes.
00:31The whole island is like a garden, flowers are everywhere.
00:35The Madeira Island was voted the best destination in the world six times in a row by the World
00:41Travel Awards and it has been voted the best island destination in Europe seven times.
00:46If you're planning a trip to Madeira Island, here's everything you need to know before
00:51you go.
00:53Hey there!
00:54If you're new here, welcome to our channel.
00:56We provide vacation travel guides for some of the most adventurous regions around the
01:00world.
01:01In this video, we'll be providing a travel guide for anyone planning to explore the Madeira
01:06Island.
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01:13Madeira Island Culture
01:16An oasis of green in the Atlantic Ocean, Madeira Island is an archipelago in Portugal known
01:22for its breathtaking landscapes and luxurious resorts.
01:26Madeira is home to about 270,000 people with a high population density as 75% of the inhabitants
01:33live primarily along the south coast in Funchal City.
01:38The culture of Madeira is diverse.
01:40The native people of the island are known as the Madeirans, who are descendants of both
01:45Portuguese settlers and enslaved Africans.
01:48As such, they speak a unique dialect called Portuguese Creole.
01:52Currently, tourism is the main driver and the biggest source of revenue of Madeira's
01:58economy.
01:59Best Time to Travel to Madeira Island
02:02Madeira boasts a pleasantly mild Mediterranean climate year-round, so the best time to go
02:07is whenever you're free.
02:09But if you're feeling picky, the best time to travel to Madeira Island is during the
02:13off-peak season, which ranges from January to April.
02:17This means you can stay big on your vacation and enjoy the islands in a quieter, less crowded
02:23atmosphere.
02:24You can also find better rates on hotels and flights, plus the weather will be more pleasant
02:29during this time of year.
02:30It's not uncommon for Madeira's high temperature to reach up to 95 degrees Fahrenheit, 35 degrees
02:36Celsius, during the peak tourist season in July.
02:39If that sounds like too much heat for you, then head over between September and October,
02:45when temperatures are usually around 78 degrees Fahrenheit, 26 degrees Celsius.
02:51Where to Go in Madeira Island
02:54Funchal City
02:56Madeira holidays usually begin in the picturesque capital, Funchal, where you can join a boat
03:01cruise out to seek whales and dolphins, or dive into the wine and coffee culture.
03:06Funchal is the capital and largest city in Madeira, and home to most of the island's
03:11museums, shops, and restaurants.
03:14Funchal is home to about 90,000 people, and has been the center of trade and commerce
03:18on the island for over five centuries.
03:21It's known for its sunny weather and cobblestone streets.
03:25The city hosts one of the most impressive botanical gardens in Portugal, which includes
03:29a large variety of flowers, trees, and fauna from all over the world.
03:35This is an exceptional place for walking, and with superb snorkeling, sea kayaking,
03:40and biking.
03:41Families will also find it easy to fall for the island.
03:45With all it has to offer, it's no wonder that Funchal City has been voted one of the
03:49world's top 100 travel destinations.
03:53Ribeiro Frio
03:55The Ribeiro Frio is a natural waterfall that flows from the mountains and into the ocean.
04:01The water is so cold that you can only get close to it for about 10 minutes at a time.
04:06It is located on the island's north side, about an hour's drive from Funchal.
04:10To access it, take the road towards Machico until you see signs pointing out Ribeiro Frio.
04:17Make sure not to miss the beautiful sign while visiting Madeira Island.
04:22Calheta in Porto Moniz
04:24Calheta is a fishing village with a working harbor that is located on the northwest coast
04:30of Madeira.
04:31As you walk around the island, you will notice that there are many more fishermen and women
04:35than there are tourists.
04:37The area of Calheta is where most of the famous Madeiran wines originate from.
04:42The most famous vineyards in this area are Quintos dos Aspresas and Quinta do Ribeiro.
04:50Splash in the water and soak up the sun at the beach.
04:54Madeira has a number of beaches scattered around its coastline.
04:57Among the more notable of these is Calheta, which is one of the top resorts in Madeira.
05:03This beach has golden sand, crystal clear waters, and a marina.
05:08The beach is also good for a variety of water sports, such as canoeing and windsurfing.
05:14Alternatively, at Lido, there is a large and small outdoor seawater swimming pool, which
05:19also has direct sea access.
05:22Punta Gorda also has similar outdoor seawater pools.
05:27Dolphin and Whale Watching
05:29Between April and October, it's possible to find around 20 different species of whales
05:34and dolphins in the waters off Madeira.
05:36Cruises out to see them are among the most popular activities here.
05:41And if the conditions are right, you may find yourself snorkeling along a pod of up to 100
05:47dolphins.
05:48Naturally, an unforgettable moment for every member of the family.
05:53Pico Rio Vel
05:55The walk from Achara do Teixeira to Pico Rio Vel, the highest peak on Madeira, is widely
06:01regarded as one of the island's most beautiful routes.
06:05It takes you around 90 minutes to reach the summit, and although it can be fairly challenging
06:10in places, it's the coast-to-coast panoramas that will take your breath away.
06:16The walk is often combined with the nearby Sal Vicente Lava Tubes, flights, transportation,
06:22and accommodations.
06:24Madeira Islands has a total area of 4,000 square miles and is considered part of mainland
06:30Portugal.
06:31A trip to the island can be made by air or by ship.
06:34The flight from Lisbon takes about an hour.
06:37Once you've arrived on the island, your accommodations will vary greatly depending on your budget.
06:42You can find hotels that range from $150 to $300 per night, as well as upscale resorts
06:49that cost upwards of $1,500 per night.
06:52There are also plenty of options for renting villas, with prices starting at around $450
06:59per week for two people.
07:01Wherever you are in the archipelago, you will find the right form of transport to meet your
07:05needs.
07:06It is easy to get around the islands thanks to the modern road network, and practically
07:11all the places of interest are easily accessible.
07:14We recommend renting a car to get the most out of your vacation.
07:18Hiring a driver is also an option if you don't want to drive.
07:21They can take you to exciting locations on the island and offer knowledge about where
07:25to eat and what sights to see.
07:27Several tour companies operate on Madeira Island, so you buying an all-inclusive package
07:32is also an excellent option.
07:35What to do Madeira Island
07:37Things to do near Calheta
07:39Take a walk through the Monte Palace Tropical Gardens.
07:43This beautiful garden is a perfect place to escape the city and enjoy nature.
07:48The gardens are filled with trees, flowers, plants, and animals from all over the world.
07:54You will find, among others, protea from South Africa, azaleas from Belgium, orchids from
08:00the Himalayas, heather from Scotland, redwood from America, acacias from Australia, olive
08:07trees from Portugal, and so much more.
08:10There are more than a thousand species in this garden.
08:13It's an excellent place for children to learn about different types of species and
08:17get some much-needed exercise, chasing birds or racing through the hedge maze.
08:23Things to do in Ribeiro Frio
08:26The Ribeiro Frio coastline is home to a wide array of wildlife, including the European
08:32fallow deer, Portuguese wild boar, Iberian lynx, weasel, and the Iberian imperial eagle.
08:40Moreover, the ocean shoreline offers plenty of opportunities for swimming, diving, surfing,
08:46and fishing.
08:47Hiking enthusiasts can take on one of the many scenic trails that wind through Ribeiro
08:52Frio.
08:54Things to do in Clinical and Machico
08:58Clinical and Machico are two main towns in Madeira.
09:03From Clinical, you can take a ferry to Porto Santo, an island you can tour by bike or car.
09:10Machico has more of a fishing village feel, and it's easier to take in as you stroll
09:15down its winding streets.
09:17Inland areas also offer many hiking trails that offer stunning countryside views.
09:23There are also many opportunities for horseback riding, so if you're looking for an adrenaline
09:28rush without leaving your hotel grounds, this is your chance.
09:32Discover the best restaurants and dishes on Madeira Island
09:36Madeira has over 700 restaurants, cafes, and fast food establishments, with varieties of
09:42cuisine from around the world.
09:43There is no doubt it has contributed to the island becoming one of the most popular tourist
09:48destinations in Europe.
09:50The following are the restaurants and dishes we recommend trying during your stay on the
09:54island.
09:56The best drinks
09:57Few are aware that this island has a hundred-year-old winemaking tradition, and vineyards grow varieties
10:04such as Sercil, Boal, Verdejo, Malveja, Torrentes, and Tina Negra.
10:12What's more, its sugarcane fields mean that a type of rum, or aguardiente, can be produced
10:18here that's used to make the island's famous punch.
10:22You can't say you've been to Madeira until you've tried a punch made from aguardiente,
10:27lemon or orange juice and honey, a real treat that you'll find in most local bars.
10:33Best restaurant for dessert
10:35If you're looking for a sweet ending to your meal, then head over to Pasteleria Bom Bom.
10:41This popular family-run establishment is famous for its pastries, cakes, and tarts.
10:47Order one of their specialties, such as the Bom Bom de Chocolate, chocolate dome cake,
10:53or the Bolo Re, king cake, iced with chocolate ganache, for the perfect dessert.
10:59Their secret ingredient is passion.
11:03Best seafood restaurant
11:04The Fisherman's Restaurant is a friendly family-run restaurant with a great location
11:08overlooking Porto Moniz.
11:11The food is simple but delicious.
11:13With fresh fish delivered daily by local fishermen, it's tough to beat their signature dish
11:18of grilled sardines with potatoes, onions, and tomatoes.
11:21There's also some fantastic shellfish, clams, oysters, lobster, crab.
11:27They have an excellent selection of wines and beers, too.
11:31Best breakfast or brunch food
11:33Grab a healthy morning meal at Prima Caju.
11:36The acai bowls and oatmeal pancakes feel like a holiday treat, minus the calories.
11:43Eggs are simply served with toast and salad if you're looking for a brunch, though the
11:47savory bowls may just tempt you if your first meal of the day is nearing lunchtime.
11:52Enjoy a refreshing glass of detox juices, smoothies, and kombucha.
11:57Portugal's most famous bakery item is too tempting to ignore at Petafor's.
12:03This bakery is awash with sugary treats, freshly baked breads, and light lunch options.
12:09Yes, you could swing by for some pizza or a salad, but this is the spot for the best
12:14pasto de nata on the island.
12:17Enjoy them warm and fresh from the oven.
12:20Take some to go, or grab a table and a coffee and savor the moment.
12:25Best places to grab lunch
12:27Restaurant Duos is an award-winning restaurant that features traditional Portuguese dishes
12:32that were developed by two chefs who were born and raised on the island.
12:37In addition to serving delicious food, their menu includes gluten-free options and vegan
12:42dishes for those looking for something different.
12:45Try some hyper-local cuisine.
12:47Head over to Rota dos Sabores and order a Chicken Piri Piri dish made with juicy tender
12:54pieces of chicken cooked with hot peppers, garlic, wine vinegar, and olive oil.
13:00You can even have it served on a bed of rice or potatoes for an extra-filling meal.
13:06That sums up our travel guide for your next adventure on Madeira Island.
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