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Your holiday in Madeira
A coastal paradise in the land of explorers
Portugal has earned its name as the garden of Europe. Thanks to the warm Gulf Stream, the exotic plants once brought back by explorers from the four corners of the world have now become indigenous to the entire Atlantic coast. Beyond its mild climate and varied plant life, Portugal is famous for its history, its sailors and explorers, who have endowed this wonderful country with the finest historical treasures.
A floating garden in the middle of the Atlantic
The island of Madeira is a patchwork of different landscapes. From its coastline of deep greens and blues, to its rugged terrains and majestic valleys, it has earned the evocative nickname of the floating garden of the Atlantic. To fully appreciate its splendour, take a walk through the lush vegetation or along the levadas – irrigation channels that criss-cross the hiking trails. Don’t forget to stop at some of its charming hidden gems to taste the local flavours. If you want to have a swim, the neighbouring island of Porto Santo has a magnificent 9 kilometre-long beach!
Hotel areas
32.6669328, -16.9240554
Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz, located in the southeast of the island, is one of the oldest towns on Madeira. The Cristo Rei do Garajau viewpoint is magical, offering breathtaking views over the Garajau reserve, Caniço de Baixo and the Atlantic Ocean. You can even take a cable car directly from here to Garajau beach. Distance from the airport: 3 km.
Caniço
The municipality of Caniço is home to two tourist areas and a small picturesque town surrounded by fields of crops. Its shops, cafes and restaurants are all conveniently located around the central square. Caniço de Baixo and Garajau are two quiet residential areas that are mainly made up of villas, hotels and flats, with the exception of a few restaurants. Distance from the airport: 10 km.
Funchal
Funchal overlooks a wide bay in the south of the island. In the past, sledges were used to carry vegetables up its steep ancient streets to the market. Nowadays, cars have to squeeze through the one-way streets and parking is almost impossible, so you might as well walk! The Sé cathedral dates from the end of the 15th century, and its modest exterior contrasts with the richness of its interior decoration. The São Lourenço fortress, the Palacio do Governo Regional, the Praça do Municipio and the Igreja do Colégio are also not to be missed when visiting Funchal. Most hotels are located in the west of the city. Distance from the airport: 21 km.
Calheta
Located on the southwestern coastline, Calheta is home to a marina and the island's only two beaches. It also has a museum of modern art and a distillery which produces the white rum used in the typical Madeiran alcoholic drink, poncha. There are also many hiking trails to choose from starting from Calheta. Distance from the airport: 51 km.
Caniçal
Caniçal, a former fishing village and whaling station, is home to one of Madeira's few natural sandy beaches. Caniçal is known for its Whaling Museum (Museu da Baleia) and its annual procession to the Chapel of Our Lady of Mercy in September, a festival and tradition which is unique to Madeira and attracts many curious visitors. The fish specialities in the harbour are also not to be missed - enjoy freshly caught tuna straight from the fishing boat to your plate. Distance to the airport: 11 km.
Must-do & Must-see - Our suggestions
Must-do
- A walk along the levadas (irrigation channels) is undoubtedly the best way to discover Madeira's diverse landscape. Admire the panoramic view from Cabo Girão (580m) or from Pico do Arieiro (1,818m), pass by the natural pools of Porto Moniz, stop in picturesque villages like Câmara de Lobos and don't miss the traditional thatched houses in Santana!
- Experience the thrill of a ride on a traditional wicker sled, operated exclusively by drivers known as the "Carreiros do Monte". A perfect activity to enjoy with family or friends!
- Madeira is home to three excellent golf courses from which you can enjoy beautiful views whilst you play. There are also plenty of opportunities on the island to practice water sports or snorkelling.
Must-see
- Admire the incredible variety of flowers and exotic plants at the Madeira Botanical Garden, which stretches over 35,000m2 and has a view over the ocean!
- For a breathtaking 360° view of Funchal, take the "Teleférico do Funchal" cable car. Once you reach the top, a visit to the romantic little village of Monte is a must.
- Before landing on the island, you might have spotted the Ponta de São Lourenço at its eastern end. It is clearly visible from the sky and contrasts with the rest of the island as it is devoid of vegetation. However, it actually has diverse wildlife and beautiful landscapes.
Excursions
Excursions will allow you to discover your destination from all perspectives. LuxairTours offers a range of selected tours that will allow you to discover unmissable places, paradisiacal beaches, typical dishes... LuxairTours organises a range of quality excursions for you.
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First you will head from Funchal to the Pico da Torre Viewpoint, where you will have a magnificent sight over “Câmara de Lobos” - an authentic fishing village, before heading to the Cabo Girão lookout point to enjoy exceptional views over south-east Madeira. Cabo Girão is also famous for its glass platform built into the cliff edge, from which you can enjoy a stunning view of the ocean from a height of 580 metres. The picturesque Ribeira Brava, with its beautiful baroque church and Manueline baptistery, is the next stop on your journey. After that, you will head to São Vicente via the Encumeada Pass. From the north coast, the panoramic views only get more spectacular, punctuated by the occasional waterfall and the breathtaking spectacle of the ocean raging over the jagged coastline. At the next stop, Porto Moniz, you can marvel at its distinctive shoreline dotted with natural pools formed over the years by volcanic activity and erosion. After a lunch break, the tour will continue towards the nature reserve of the Paul da Serra plateau, before heading back to your hotel.
Duration of the activity: 8 hours
Included: Lunch and drinks, Cabo Girão entrance fee. Free pick-up and drop-off service to Funchal, Caniço and Garajau.
Not included: Pick-up and drop-off service available for Santa Cruz, Machico and Calheta at an extra charge. -
This tour will take you to the highest points of the island where you can enjoy exceptional views, especially from the Pico do Areeiro, the island’s third highest peak at 1,818m. The tour continues towards Ribeiro Frio, known for its trout farming, and then follows the coast northwards through Faial before reaching Santana, a village famous for its small, thatched houses, where you will stop for lunch. In the next stage of the tour, you will cross landscapes characterised by terraced crop fields to get to Porto da Cruz and its famous Eagle Rock. Then, you will cross the Portela Pass towards the Ponta de São Lourenço, the easternmost part of the island, where the view of the Desertas Islands is unbeatable.
Duration of the activity: 8 hours
Included: Lunch and drinks. Free pick-up and drop-off service to Funchal, Caniço and Garajau.
Not included: Pick-up and drop-off service available for Santa Cruz, Machico and Calheta at an extra charge.
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Our journey begins at Pico dos Barcelos, from which you have a marvellous view of Funchal. We continue to the famous Eira do Serrado viewpoint, where you can admire the impressive ‘Curral das Freiras’ (Valley of the Nuns), the deepest valley in Madeira. On the way back, you will visit the Cristo Rei viewpoint, where, depending on the time of year, you can enjoy a beautiful sunset and a breathtaking view of Funchal. From the Cristo Rei statue, there is an excellent view of the city and the crystal-clear water - a truly impressive backdrop. The viewpoint at the statue is definitely worth a visit, whether you walk part or all the way down the stairs. The view of the sea is truly spectacular!
Duration of the activity: 4 hours
Included: Free pick-up and drop-off service to Funchal, Caniço and Garajau.
Not included: Lunch and drinks, entrance fees. Pick-up and drop-off service available for Santa Cruz, Machico and Calheta at an extra charge.
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Hop into a Jeep and enjoy the ride to some of the most secret and inaccessible places of the ‘island of eternal spring’. Your driver will take the most picturesque routes through the island’s rich countryside, and you will have the chance to stop at various viewpoints to take in the breathtaking panoramic views.
Various half-day and full-day tours are possible.
Duration of the activity (half day): 4 hours
• Nun’s Valley & Sea Cliff of Cabo Girão
• Mini-Combo East ChallengeDuration of the activity (full day): 8 hours
• Combo Expedition
• Best of the South
• The Enchanting North
• Amazing West – Porto MonizIncluded: Pick-up and drop-off service to Funchal, Caniço and Garajau.
Not included: Lunch and drinks, entrance fees. Pick-up and drop-off service available from Santa Cruz, Machico and Calheta at an extra charge.
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Levadas are ubiquitous in Madeira and can be found on all its hillsides. They are an irrigation system that allows rainwater and spring water to be redirected from the mountains to the most dry or remote areas of the island. They are mainly used for terrace cultivation and today cover over 2,150 kilometres. Numerous hiking trails run along these levadas. In cooperation with our partners at the destination, Luxair offers hiking routes of all lengths and adapted to all levels of experience, which allow you to discover Madeira’s beautiful landscapes and learn how this ingenious irrigation system works.
Duration of the activity (half day): 3-4 hours
Duration of the activity (full day): 6-8 hours
Included: Pick-up and drop-off available for Funchal, Caniço and Garajau.
Not included: Lunch and drinks, entrance fees. Pick-up and drop-of service to Santa Cruz, Machico and Calheta at an extra charge.
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This tour takes you to the small, 42 square kilometre island of Porto Santo, located about 40 kilometres north of Madeira. The topography of the island is much less pronounced than that of its bigger sister, with the Pico do Facho as the highest point at 517 metres. Similarly, its barren landscapes and its golden beach stretching along 7 kilometres of the south coast are a stark contrast to Madeira's landscapes. Here, you can bask in the gentle way of life, the mild climate and meet the locals, most of whom earn a living from fishing, growing cereals, tomatoes, melons, watermelons, figs and producing very sweet white wine.
Departure times:
• Winter: departure from Funchal port at 8:00 (Friday at 7:00), return from Porto Santo: 18:00 (Friday at 22:30)
• Summer: departure from the port of Funchal: 8:00 (Friday at 7:00), return from Porto Santo: between 19:00 and 21:00 (Friday at 22:30)Duration of the journey: 2,5 hours
There is the option to book an excursion including transfers and a guided tour every day except Tuesday and Friday. This excursion must be booked 2 to 3 days in advance and is based on the following itinerary:
• 7:00: Transfer from the hotel to the port of Funchal
• 8:00: Boat departure
• 10:45: Arrival in Porto Santo.
After a tour of the island, enjoy a free afternoon on the beach of Porto Santo (beach towels not provided).
• 18:00 to 21:00: Transfer to the port of Porto Santo, transfer by boat to Funchal and then by bus to the hotel.Duration of the activity: 12 hours
Included: Pick-up and drop-off service available for Funchal, Caniço and Garajau.
Not included: Lunch and drinks, entrance fees. Pick-up and drop-off service available for Santa Cruz and Machico at an extra charge.
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This trip on board the caravel Bonita da Madeira will take you to most charming and unspoilt spots on the island. If you love wildlife and the great outdoors, then this is the trip for you! You will have the opportunity to swim in the unspoilt waters of Abra Bay or go diving. A delicious lunch will also be served on board.
Our tours are subject to weekday and weather conditions.
• Tuesday and Friday: East Route (Funchal, Garajau, Reis Magos, Santa Cruz, Machico, Caniçal, and Ponta de São Lourenço
• Mondays, Thursdays, and Saturdays: West Route (Funchal, Câmara de Lobos, Cabo Girão, Fajã dos Padres, Ribeira Brava, Ponta do Sol)Duration of the activity: approx. 5 hours (transfer to the port included)
Included: Welcome drink, lunch and other drinks. Pick-up and drop-off is available for Funchal, Caniço and Garajau, Santa Cruz, Machico.
For more information and bookings, please contact your LuxairTours guide on site.
Important information
Tourist tax must be paid locally during your stay.
