Madeira, Portugal
A Journey through Madeira, "Island of Eternal Spring"
Madeira is a Portuguese archipelago located about 1,000 miles from mainland Portugal in the Atlantic Ocean. Often referred to as ” the Island of Eternal Spring.
The island offers a distinctive combination of outdoor adventure, cultural heritage, and relaxation, with opportunities for hiking, scenic drives, historic sites, local cuisine, and world-famous Madeira wine. Spend a vacation exploring the island on its own or combine it with mainland Portugal for a journey of landscapes, culture, and cuisine.
Stay in five-star luxury hotels and resorts in Madeira, where elegant accommodations, ocean views, exceptional dining, and personalized services from spa treatments, wellness therapies, and restorative experiences that add another dimension to a luxury Madeira holiday, with the island’s natural setting providing an ideal backdrop.
Start in Funchal, the capital of Madeira, with historic charm, boutique hotels and lush botanical gardens and haven for culinary enthusiasts where you can indulge in world-class Madeiran cuisine, such as fresh black scabbard fish, traditional espetada laurel skewers with free range beef dripping in garlic infused olive oil and butter paired with renowned Madeira wines.
From Funchal, venture into the island's emerald heart where dramatic volcanic craters are carved into the soaring mountains, offering panoramic vistas from iconic heights like Pico do Arieiro. Peer down into the breathtaking Valley of the Nuns (Curral das Freiras), where seemingly hidden villages lie sheltered by steep mountain walls. Your adventure continues as you explore the charming town of Santana to view its iconic, triangular thatched-roof traditional houses. You will hike along the famous levadas—an ancient network of irrigation canals hand-carved through majestic lava flows. These trails wind through the UNESCO-listed Laurisilva forest, a prehistoric, 20,000 year old bay leaf forest often shrouded in fairytale mist.
Funchal is the natural starting point for discovering Madeira. Founded after the Portuguese settlement of the island in the 15th century, the city quickly grew into an important Atlantic trading center, first through the lucrative sugar trade and later through Madeira wine.
Funchal is always a pleasant walking experience, with the green of the mountains and the blue Atlantic Ocean always visible. Incredible views are found throughout, from the historic center to Monte Palace Madeira with lush gardens filled with exotic plants, koi ponds, and serene corners perfect for soaking in the beauty of nature. Visiting Blandy’s Wine Lodge, a wine lover’s paradise, learn about Madeira wine production and savored its rich flavors and learn the history and craftsmanship behind every sip.
Visit Mercado do Lavadores Farmers' Market with the air filled with the scent of tangerines and exotic fruits, fresh farm to table produce and incredible flower selection.
Guided Walking Tours will make the most of a short introduction to orientate you for exploring the city on your own during he time spent in Funchal.
After conquering Madeira's peaks, a short ferry ride takes you to the tranquil paradise of Porto Santo. Famed for its therapeutic, golden sandy beaches stretching as far as the eye can see, it is the perfect place to unwind and soak in the year-round subtropical warmth
A day trip to Porto Santo begins with a boat crossing from Funchal to this neighboring island, known for its nine-kilometer golden beach. Enjoy therapeutic sand and spa wellness, horseback riding, coastal views, volcanic landscapes, or local seafood and traditional Madeiran flavors and find time to explore historic Vila Baleira or relax beside turquoise Atlantic waters.
Photo by Daniele Franchi (Unsplash)
Travel into Madeira’s dramatic interior to discover Curral das Freiras, known as the Valley of the Nuns, a village nestled in a lush valley surrounded by towering mountain peaks. According to local history, nuns sought refuge here while fleeing pirate attacks. Stop at Pico dos Barcelos and the Eira do Serrado viewpoint, perched high above the valley, to appreciate the spectacular landscape. Continue into the village to visit its church and sample traditional Madeiran specialities, including chestnut delicacies and poncha, a local drink made with fresh fruit juice and spirits.
image: Curral das Freiras, Madeira, Diego Delso, Wikimedia Commons
Explore the eastern peninsula of Ponta de São Lourenço, known for its rugged volcanic landscape, open coastal scenery, and Atlantic views. Hike from Pico do Arieiro to Pico Ruivo hiking one direction and descend to Achada do Teixeira for lunch. This is a hike that you must do when the sky is clear, on a cloudy day you you will be walking through the clouds.
On the tip of the peninsula, explore Caniçal and São Lorenço and swim in the Atlantic Ocean at Caniçal beach, sandy for Madeira beaches! It's quite sandy for a beach in Madeira, and it's also nice to enjoy the rocky waters like 20m both east and west of the beach.
image credit: Richard Bartz, WikiCommons
Explore Madeira’s lush mountain landscapes on guided levada walks and traditional footpaths through the island’s ancient Laurisilva forest, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Follow historic routes surrounded by dense greenery, native vegetation, and views across the mountains and valleys. Walking distances can be adapted to your interests and trail conditions.
Discover the distinctive Penha de Águia rock formation and the rural countryside. With a height of almost 600 meters, its grandiosity unmistakably marks the landscape of the region, providing the centerpiece of the landscape that surrounds some of Madeira's most emblematic viewpoints.
Arriving at the top, you will be rewarded with a breathtaking view over the region's villages, the Madeiran mountain range and the Atlantic Ocean.
image credit: philip bird on @vecteezy
Depart from Calheta Marina for a whale-watching excursion along Madeira’s Atlantic coast. The island’s deep surrounding waters attract a variety of marine life, including whales and dolphins, which may be spotted throughout the year.
Here, you can find companies with vast experience in whale watching in Calheta. They are excellent hosts - after all, we are talking about hospitality - and show at all times the utmost respect for the comfort and tranquillity of the dolphins, whales and turtles that inhabit or visit this marine ecosystem.
Pricing Starts at $8,500 USD per person. (based on 2 persons, sharing one Double Room).
We recommend Reid’s Palace, an iconic Funchal accommodation with World Class, Old World luxury.
This trip is available year-round.
Bespoke Itineraries include:
- English Speaking Guides
- Private Airport Transfers
- Whale & Dolphin Watching Excursions
- Daily Breakfast in Selected Hotels.
- Airfare from Lisbon or Mainland Portugal.
- Reid’s Palace, A Belmond Hotel
Featuring refined furnishings and balconies, the plush rooms offer free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, DVD players and marble bathrooms.
Most have ocean views. Suites add sitting areas or separate lounges.
There’s a ritzy dining room, an acclaimed restaurant with ocean views, and a posh cocktail bar.
Afternoon tea is served on the terrace, and there’s also a spa, an outdoor pool and a tennis court.
Kids’ perks include a play area and a game room.
address: Reid’s Palace Estrada Monumental 139, 9000-098 Funchal, Madeira, Portugal
This trip can be made year-round to accommodate any travel date you wish. To reserve this trip, let us know the number of travelers, your dates of travel and anything you feel must be included in this journey.