MADEIRA ATTRACTIONS

Dearest Family and Friends!

We would like to present you with the following suggestions to give you a range of options of things to do, see and experience during your stay in Madeira.

We have divided them into the following categories:

• Recommended places to visit
• Tourist Attractions
• Activities / Sports
• Recommended dishes

Special thanks to Silvia for helping us with this chapter.

RECOMMENDED PLACES TO VISIT:

• Funchal Old Town + Downtown + Avenida do Mar (Sea Avenue, Marina & Port) - There are plenty of things to see and experience just walking through Funchal.

• Lavradores Market - www.guiadacidade.pt/portugal/poi/18350/31/mercado-dos-lavradores - A really great thing to see is the Fresh food and flower market. It's downtown and best to see in the morning as all the freshly caught Tuna and Scabbard fish (and all the other crazy species) are visible. 

• São Tiago Fort ( Contemporary Art Museum ) - www.guiadacidade.pt/portugal/poi/18366/31/forte-de-sao-tiago-museu-de-arte-contemporanea - A lovely fortress on the eastern coast of Funchal with great views of the sea and city. It's right by the old town too, with lots of cafe's and squares to visit.

• Funchal Cathedral - Late 15th century Cathedral in the city centre - www.guiadacidade.pt/portugal/poi/18352/31/se-do-funchal

• Church of São João Evangelista of the College of Funchal - www.guiadacidade.pt/portugal/poi/18351/31/igreja-de-sao-joao-evangelista-do-colegio-do-funchal - a really beautiful church with monastery in the heart of Funchal.

• Madeira’s Casino - www.casinodamadeira.com - Designed by renowned Brazilian Architect Oscar Niemeyer, a great night out if you consider yourself lucky...:) 

• Ponta de São Lourenço - The easternmost peninsula of Madeira Island. Incredibly beautiful! - www.guiadacidade.pt/portugal/poi/18323/31/ponta-de-sao-lourenco

• Fanal - Fanal is a place of rare beauty in the middle of the Laurissilva Forest (Madeira). It's great for all you hikers. - www.madeirawalking.com/english/fanal/

• “São joão Baptista do Pico” Fortress - A large fortress in the city with great views from quite high up. They don't have a website, but there's a facebook page.

TOURIST ATTRACTIONS:

• Carreiros do Monte (wickerwork sledges) 

These are wicker sledges pushed and steered by local Madeiran men. The journey starts from the Monte church and takes you down a few hundred metres. A very exiting trip!

www.guiadacidade.pt/portugal/poi/18330/31/carreiros - website can be viewed in English

• Cable cars 

These cable cars give you a great view from above of the city of Funchal and its beautiful surroundings. The cars depart either from central Funchal up towards Monte Church, or from Monte to Funchal. It is a little pricey though (but worth it).

www.madeiracablecar.com

www.telefericojardimbotanico.com - can be viewed in English

(A recommended trip would be to take the cable cars up to Monte, see the village, botanical gardens, and then take the wicker sledges back down to the city).

• Sightseeing Buses (Funchal and Câmara de Lobos)

www.yellowbustours.com/pt/cidades/funchal/funchal-e-camara-de-lobos-sightseeing/ - can be viewed in English

• Boat Trips (Wale and Dolphin watching/ Deserted Islands Visit/ Sport Fishing)

Prazer do Mar - www.madeiracatamaran.com - a great Catamaran ride for whale and dolphin watching.

Porto Santo Line - www.portosantoline.pt - This is the ferry that takes you to Porto Santo - a small island with beautiful sandy beaches. The ferry leaves early in the morning and is roughly a 2.5 hr trip one way. 

Rota dos Cetáceos - www.rota-dos-cetaceos.pt - This is another whale and dolphin sightseeing boat trip, however you can swim with the dolphins with this one, but it's not a catamaran ride. Requires pre-booking.

Bonita da Madeira "Dream Cruises" - www.bonita-da-madeira.com - A yacht that takes you out to the Desertas Islands (deserted islands with lots of protected species). 

Nautisantos - www.nautisantosfishing.com - For the serious sports fishermen! 

• Viewing points

Miradouro do Cabo Girão, Câmara de Lobos - This is Europe's highest cliff, at a wopping 590 metres high with spectacular views! Really worth seeing. - http://rotadosmiradourosdamadeira.blogspot.com/2010/05/miradouro-do-cabo-girao-camara-de-lobos.html

• Madeira Gardens

Jardim Tropical Monte Palace -

www.montepalace.com

Jardim Botânico - Botanical gardens by Monte Church. Really beautiful with tons of wild species.

www.sra.pt/jarbot

ACTIVITIES / SPORTS

• Diving

Madeira Dive Point - www.madeiradivepoint.com

Tubarão Madeira Mergulho - www.scuba-madeira.com

•  Golf in Madeira & Porto Santo

Clube de Golfe Santo da Serra - www.santodaserragolf.com

Quinta do Palheiro Golfe - www.palheirogolf.com

Porto Santo Golfe - www.portosantogolfe.com

• Madeira Ultra Trail, Trail Competition & Running in Madeira

www.madeiraultratrail.com

• Multi activities in Madeira

Terras de Aventura - www.terrasdeaventura.com

Outdoor activities – Walks (Levadas), Canoing, Canyoning, BTT, Jeep Tours 4x4,Moto Quad and aquatic sports with several difficult levels.

ATTENTION!: The levada walks are a fabulous way to see the remote and rural areas of Madeira but those of you who are not familiar with the terrain MUST be aware of the dangers

• Madeira Island Coach Tours and Excursions/ Strawberry World

http://www.lido-tours.pt/pt/index.html

• Beaches and Pools of Madeira

www.madeira-web.com/PagesP/beaches.html

RECOMMENDED DISHES

• Starters:

Lapas (grilled limpets)

Bacalhau de Câmara de Lobos (codfish from Camara de Lobos)

Bolo do caco (fresh local garlic and butter bread)

• Meats:

Espetada (grilled beef on bay-leaf skewer)

Carne de vinho e alhos (pork in wine and garlic)

• Fish:

Bife de atum (tuna steak)

Filete de espada (scabbard fish fillet)
Prawns

• Deserts: 

Pudim de maracujá (Passion fruit pudding)

Baba de camelo (camel's drool - a caramel condensed milk pudding)

• Drinks:

Vinho Madeira - Madeira Wine

Poncha Regional - Local rum with honey and lemon (there are many different flavours of poncha. best to try them all...)

Nikita - Ice-cream with passion fruit soda

Brisa - regional soda drinks from fresh fruits