The Portuguese sailor of the 15th century, whose ship during a terrible storm carried to the shores of an unknown island, called it Madeira, which means “wood”. The uninhabited island was completely covered with dense forests, and evaluating the beautiful soft climate, the settlers began to populate Madeira, gradually freeing the earth from trees. Today, the Madeira forest, included in the UNESCO World Heritage List, is covered by about 60% of the island, there are many botanical gardens and parks here. But not only the lush vegetation is famous for this resort: Madera and fruits, as well as beaches and an amazingly comfortable climate attract tourists from around the world here.
Madeira acquired the title of resort city in the 19th century, then the island competed with the French Riviera in terms of the number of travelers. Today, there are still many tourists on Madeir, but their presence does not affect the peace of the rest and calmness inherent in the vacation on this island.
What to see at Madeira
The capital of the island of the city of Funchal is an old city with architectural monuments from Gothic to Mannerism. Cathedrals, Town Hall, old quarters, a colorful market where you can buy products with the famous local embroidery – all this will interest lovers of history. The botanical garden with thousands of various trees and flowers and with many parrots, as well as the orchid garden, will attract connoisseurs of beautiful nature. Hiking around the island is one of the favorite types of tourists’ recreation: 5-10 kilometers you need to go along the paths leading through the forests, past waterfalls, volcanic caves, along low mountains, from which panoramic views of Madeira and Ocean are opened. The natural volcanic basins of Dok-do-Kavakas, having a direct access to the ocean, is another pearl of Madeira, on which, by the way, a beach vacation is not so developed due to the rocky coastline.
The house of Christopher Columbus
What to do on a port-sauta
But the neighboring island of the Santu Porto is an island. 9 kilometers of the purest golden sand, possessing healing properties and warm calm water compensate for the apparent deserted and lack of entertainment. Water sport, paraglider, bicycle tracks, fishing, botanical gardens and flower meadows are attached to the beaches. The most famous place on the island: the house of Columbus. The great navigator lived here for several years after marriage to the daughter of Governor Madeira. Now the museum is open in this house.
How to get
Madeira resort is worth getting to know him.
You can get from Moscow to Madeira International Airport with one or two transfers at European airports. There are very favorable terms of the TAP Portugal flight, tickets in both directions can be purchased from 26,500 rubles.
If you want to alternate hiking with comfortable movement by car, Onetwotrip offers the opportunity to rent a car. A car with a manual gearbox will cost you from 2000 rubles per day, with a locomotive box of 4000 rubles.
