15 days in... Madeira (Portugal)!
- Joana Ribeiro Sabino
- Oct 13, 2018
- 5 min read
Madeira archipelago constitutes a group of Portuguese islands, situated in the Atlantic ocean. It is formed by a total of seven islands and two islets, of which the two main and two secondary ones the only inhabited permanently are the islands of Madeira and Porto Santo, the Big Wild and Little Wild. Politically and administratively, the archipelago is now the Madeira Autonomous Region.
Madeira
The main island, is green, of volcanic origin and has rugged relief, with high cliffs, pebble beaches and settlements in Fajã river deltas. The capital Funchal has botanical gardens and is known for its harbour and the grand new year-old fireworks show. Vineyards and wineries that produce the sweet and fortified Madeira wine are scattered throughout the island of Madeira. Some highly sought outdoor activities are trails along old levadas (aqueducts) in the mountains, golf and surfing, as well as diving in places such as the Garajau Partial Nature Reserve.
Accommodation
The average price of an Arbnb in this island is around 60 euros but you can find prices from 12 euros per night.
Transportation
On this island the only possible public transportation service is by bus. There is two companys' operating on this island; Rodoeste and SAM. The ticket price will depend on the zones. Renting a medium size car for 10 days on this island is around 110 euros. You also have Taxi service.
Attractions
This is my list for 10 days in Madeira island if you can go to all this places. I will start from the most important ones in case you don't have time to do them all.
1 - Lavradores Market
2 - Madeira Botanic Garden (Tickets 6 euros each).
2 - Funchal Sé
3 - CR7 Museum
4 - Ponta de São Lourenço
5 - Santa Catarina Park
6 - Nossa Senhora do Monte Church
7 - São Vicente Caves (Tickets 8 euros each).
8 - Monte Palace Museum (Tickets 12,50 euros each).
9 - Blandy's Wine Lodge (Tickets 5,90 euros).
10 - Porto Moniz Natural Pools
11 - Madeira Story Centre (Tickets 5 euros each).
12 - Palheiro Gardens
13 - Madeira Natural Park
14 - Palheiro Golf
15 - Calheta Beach
16 - Madeira Theme Park (Tickets 6 euros each).
17 - Madeira Casino
18 - Madeira Explorers
19 - PR9 Levada do Caldeirão Verde
20 - Quinta das Cruzes Museum (Tickets 3 euros each).
21 - Cristo Rei da Ponta do Garajau
22 - Funchal Museum of Sacred Art (Tickets 7 euros each).
23 - Santana Typical Houses
24 - Funchal Municipal Garden
25 - Rota dos Cetáceos, Unip Lda
26 - Levada das 25 Fontes / Levada do Risco
27 - Achada do Teixeira
28 - Pico dos Barcelos Viewpoint
29 - Madeira Botanic Garden Cable Car (Tickets 12,75 euros each).
30 - São João Baptista do Pico Fortress
31 - São Lourenço Palace
32 - Frederico de Freitas House Museum
33 - Funchal Natural History Museum
Photos of the Attractions
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Video by; The Arctic Tern
Food
Sopa de Tomate e Cebola
This hot soup offers strong and comforting flavours. It is made of chopped onion and garlic, fresh tomatoes, oregano and olive oil. In the dish, rests a poached egg, which invites to soak the toasted bread in the soup...
Bifes de Atum com Milho Frito
Tuna fishing is a valuable resource for traditional Madeiran fishing. In this dish, tuna is cut into steaks, seasoned with salt and marinated in a "villager sauce". This is made with vinegar, olive oil, garlic, oregano and pepper. The corn flour is cooked and then cooled, it is cut into small cubes. These are fried and served as accompaniment, typical of the Madeiran gastronomic heritage.
Filete de Espada com Banana
Swordfish is an elongated fish that is available in few places in the World, but is typical of Madeira. It lives about 1000 meters deep and despite its little appealing aspect, if you are a fishing lover you will delight in its taste. The succulent fillets of swordfish are seasoned with garlic, lemon juice, salt and pepper. The peeled bananas and fish fillets are then dipped in egg and flour and then fried in oil and sprinkled with sprigs of fresh parsley. Served with cooked potatoes, also known locally as "seed", lettuce and tomato salad.
Porto Santo
A small island in the Portuguese archipelago of Madeira. It is known for its warm waters, diving sites and the long sandy beach of Porto Santo.
Accommodation
The average price of an Arbnb in this island is around 80 euros but you can find prices from 30 euros per night.
Transportation
The boat from Funchal (Madeira island) to Porto Santo cost around 60 euros for 2 adults. And it takes 2h15m to get at destination. If choose a flight it will take 25m and it costs around 150 euros for 2 adults. I couldn't find too much information about the public transportation on this island. There is some bus lines however they are very few. So my advice is to rent a car or if you can't drive one call a taxi. Renting a medium size car for 5 days will cost around 150 euros.
Attractions
This is my list for 5 days in Porto Santo island if you can go to all this places. I will start from the most important ones in case you don't have time to do them all.
1 - Ponta Da Calheta
2 - Cristóvão Colombo House
3 - Palmeiras Farm
4 - Flores Viewpoint
5 - Cardina Museum
6 - Fonte Da Areia Viewpoint
7 - Portela Viewpoint
8 - PS PR1 Vereda do Pico Branco and Terra Chã
9 - Zimbralinho Beach
10 - PS PR2 Vereda do Pico Castelo
11 - Salemas Port
12 - Pico Castelo Viewpoint
13 - Lombas Viewpoint
14 - Morenos
15 - Organs Tubes - Pico de Ana Ferreira
16 - Serra House
17 - Ponta Do Varadouro
18 - Ponta Dos Ferreiros
19 - Nossa Senhora da Graça Chapel
20 - Fonte da Areia Viewpoint
21 - Windmills
22 - Ponta Da Canaveira
Photos of the Attractions
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Video by; chris ru
Food
Picado
A meat dish with cubes, chips and a typical sauce, ideal to share, due to its dimensions.
Bolo do Caco
The typical bread of the island. It can be eaten only with garlic butter or also with other contents, like the sandwiches.
Photo by; Adriao
Prego
It's a beef in a sandwich, usually served on the Bolo do Caco.
Ufa! This week was busy at this blog! But I made and I kept my promise ;) I hope you enjoy this last blog of this week! Madeira Islands are one of the treasures of Portugal. And if you are looking for something moor tropical and you don't want to exit Europe, definitively you should visit Madeira islands.
Next week I'm going to start a new series of blogs. It's going to be a bit different in one subject case I'm going to include something that me as Traveller its very interesting because this application makes you travel, meet new players and also having fun playing it! Also, it gives me and people of my age a nostalgic of our childhood. Tomorrow I will post moor information. Until then, if you plane to travel at Madeira Archipelago I hope this post helped you.
Do forget to travel and enjoy your life! Stay tune!
Gotta Catch 'Em All ! ;)
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