Madeira you ask?
A brief history of the archipelago.
How to get to Madeira
Where to stay in Madeira
What to eat in Madeira
What to drink in Madeira
What to do in Madeira
The Garden Isle
In Conclusion
I was lucky enough to be one of 6 travel agents to be invited on a Familiarization Trip to Madeira Portugal by the Madeira Tourism Board. This was a jam packed one week trip that just touched the surface, and I cannot wait to go back and fully explore this beautiful Island.
Madeira is a self-governing region of Portugal in the North Atlantic Ocean, located about 1,000 km southwest of mainland Portugal and around 700 km west of Morocco. The main island is compact—about 57 km long and 22 km wide—but features a dramatic landscape that rises steeply from the ocean to Pico Ruivo, its highest peak at 1,862 meters. Most of the population lives on Madeira itself (about 253,700 people), while nearby Porto Santo has around 5,700 residents, and the Desertas and Selvagens islands remain uninhabited protected reserves. The island also enjoys a stable subtropical Mediterranean climate, with temperatures averaging 19°C in winter and 26°C in summer, earning it the nickname “land of eternal spring.” However, its rugged terrain creates diverse microclimates, with warm, sunny conditions on the south coast, cooler and wetter weather in the north, and misty, cooler temperatures in the mountains—all within short driving distances.
Ancient History
Madeira, also known as, the Hawaii of the Atlantic, Island of Eternal Spring, Garden Island, Island of Flowers, and my favourite, the Pearl of the Atlantic, was formed in several stages. Beginning 0.5–0.7 million years ago, massive eruptions built a broad island of basaltic rock. As volcanic activity slowed, an erosion phase followed, with millions of years of weathering carving the island’s steep cliffs and deep ravines. Later,120,000–25,000 years ago, smaller eruptions created the volcanic cones and craters that are still visible today.
Modern History
Madeira’s discovery is a classic “Age of Discovery” story involving a storm-driven detour and a mysterious island sighting; although Roman or Phoenician sailors may have stumbled across it centuries earlier, its modern history begins in 1418 under Prince Henry the Navigator of Portugal.
While exploring the west coast of Africa for Prince Henry, Portuguese captains João Gonçalves Zarco and Tristão Vaz Teixeira were caught off guard by a violent storm that drove their ships off course. Fearing for their lives, they eventually spotted a small island that offered safe shelter, and in gratitude, they named it Porto Santo (“Holy Port”).
Zarco and Teixeira returned to Portugal to report their discovery, prompting Prince Henry to send them back in 1419 with Bartolomeu Perestrelo (Columbus’s future father-in-law). From Porto Santo, they noticed a strange cloud on the horizon and sailed toward it, discovering a large, mist-covered, forested island. Landing on its rugged shores, they found it uninhabited and densely covered in laurel forest, inspiring the name Madeira, meaning “Island of Wood.” Zarco also named a bay rich in wild fennel Funchal, which is now the capital.
During the Age of Discovery (15th to 17th centuries), Madeira became a key steppingstone for the Portuguese Empire, serving as a testing ground for colonization, a center of wealth, and a strategic Atlantic hub. It was here that systems like the captaincy model and plantation agriculture were developed, along with the early use of enslaved labor—frameworks later expanded in the Americas. The island also rose to global prominence as a leading producer of sugar, whose profits helped fund further exploration and expansion.
Strategically located in the Atlantic, Madeira functioned as a vital supply and navigation stop along major sea routes. Ships relied on it for fresh water, food, and repairs, especially when using the “volta do mar” wind system. Its role in trade, agriculture, and navigation made it an essential part of Portugal’s early global empire.
As global sugar production shifted to Brazil and the Caribbean, Madeira adapted by becoming known for its wine, strategic importance, and tourism. In the 18th century, Madeira wine rose to fame after heat from long sea voyages improved its flavor, making it popular in places like colonial America. During the Napoleonic Wars, Britain occupied the island and left lasting cultural and economic influence, especially in the wine trade. By the 19th century, Madeira’s mild climate attracted wealthy European visitors seeking health benefits, though the island later faced economic hardship when vineyard diseases devastated its wine industry, leading locals to rely on new industries like embroidery and wickerwork.
Today
Today, Madeira has evolved from a historic trading post into a popular, award-winning destination, experiencing rapid growth in tourism, real estate, and remote work. Its economy now blends traditional industries like agriculture and wine with modern sectors, including tech and digital nomad communities. The island has rebranded as an “adventure destination,” known for hiking, marine life, and natural attractions, while also managing overtourism through conservation measures like trail limits and protected areas. Despite modernization, Madeira keeps its cultural identity through vibrant festivals such as Carnival, the Flower Festival, and its famous New Year’s fireworks.
Luckily for you, direct flights from Canada will soon be available, we flew though Lisbon and then on to Funchal. When you arrive in Funchal you will be arriving at Cristiano Ronaldo International Airport. The airport is world-renowned for its dramatic runway extension, which is built on a massive platform supported by 180 concrete pillars directly over the Atlantic Ocean.
The Capital Funcahl (pronounced foon-SHAAL) makes a great home base while you explore. We were invited to view a few properties, and I can say with great confidence that The Savoy is my number one choice as your home away from home.
The Savoy Palace is a striking five-star luxury resort located just a short walk from Funchal’s historic center. It is the flagship property of the Savoy Signature brand and a modern reimagining of the original Savoy Hotel, which stood on the site for over a century. Do not let the “five-star luxury resort” scare you. This beautiful resort has some great rooms and rates to fit every budget.
The local food scene is built around exceptional ingredients, from exotic fruits grown in rich soil to fresh deep-sea fish and wood-fire cooking. To fully experience Madeira as a foodie, it’s best to explore three culinary levels: refined fine dining, modern comfort dishes, and the island’s traditional rustic cuisine.
Refined Dining: These restaurants focus on elegance, precision, and creative interpretations of local ingredients. Standouts include Rose Garden at The Cliff Bay for upscale international cuisine, Audax for modern artistic takes on Madeiran dishes, and Il Vivaldi for refined Mediterranean dining by the harbor.
My favourite: Il Vivaldi. Situated in a beautiful 150 year old building (which up until 12 year ago was a private residence.
Modern Comfort: Trendy and relaxed, these spots offer creative, globally inspired menus without formality. Highlights include Three (pronounced tree) House with its stylish rooftop setting, Pau de Lume for wood-fired comfort dishes, Vila do Peixe for ocean-view fusion cuisine, and O Recante for contemporary seafood in a coastal village.
My favourite: Pau de Lume. True to its name (which translates to a piece of wood used to light a fire), the heart of the kitchen is its charcoal oven and open grill, giving an incredible smoky depth to both their meat (the steak was to die for) and vegetable dishes.
Rustic Cuisine: Rooted in tradition, these restaurants celebrate simple, local cooking methods and ingredients. Quinta do Barbusano offers classic espetada (beef skewer) and bolo do caco (flatbread served with garlic butter) in a vineyard setting, while Vila do Peixe specializes in freshly caught fish grilled over charcoal in Câmara de Lobos.
My favourite: Quinta do Barbusano. Family style dining set on a hillside winery with breathtaking views.
A little bit more on Espetada and Bolo do Caco
Espetada is Madeira’s signature culinary masterpiece. At its heart, it is a traditional beef skewer (traditionally cooked on long branches of the local laurel wood (bay leaf tree)). The long skewers are brought to your table and hung vertically from iron hooks attached to specialized table stands.
Bolo do Caco is Madeira's staple bread, and it is arguably one of the most delicious carbs you will ever eat. Even though bolo translates to "cake," it is strictly a savory flatbread. It gets its name from the traditional flat basalt stone slab it is baked on, called a caco.
The Passion Fruit Deserts
Many of the desserts we ate were passionfruit of some sort, and I can honestly say they did not disappoint.
Madeira’s beverage culture is as distinct and rich as its culinary scene. Thanks to its dramatic microclimates and steep volcanic hillsides, the island produces unique, legendary ingredients that form the basis of drinks you won't find anywhere else in the world.
Here are the essential, must-try drinks in Madeira, categorized by the island's unique beverage traditions.
World Famous Wine: Madeira wine is a renowned fortified wine known for its distinctive aging process, in which it is deliberately heated to mimic long sea voyages, creating a rich, long-lasting flavor. It is made from four main grape varieties: Sercial, a dry and crisp style; Verdelho, medium-dry with subtle smoky notes; Bual (Boal), medium-sweet with rich caramel and nutty flavors; and Malmsey (Malvasia), the sweetest style, offering deep notes of honey, raisins, and chocolate.
Rum: Locally known as Aguardente de Cana, Madeiran rum is a premium agricultural spirit distilled from fresh sugar cane juice rather than molasses (90% of the world's rum is made from molasses making Madeira Rum Unique). Harvested by hand on the island’s steep volcanic terraces, it produces a highly aromatic rum with bright, grassy flavors and a distinctive mineral character.
Poncha: Originally crafted by fishermen in Câmara de Lobos to ward off illness, this strong cocktail blends aguardente de cana (sugar cane rum), honey, sugar, and fresh citrus juice (a popular alternative is made with Passionfruit juice), mixed vigorously with a traditional wooden tool called a caralhinho.
A week is hardly enough to see everything Madeira has to offer, but here are some of my personal highlights.
Walking tour of Old Town Funchal
Mercado dos Lavradores – The Farmers Market - Inaugurated on November 24, 1940, the building was designed by architect Edmundo Tavares to bring together the city’s scattered market stalls into a single, central hub. This is a must see to view the range of fruits and vegetables grown on the island. (I found it interesting that at sea level you are growing tropical fruits such as bananas and passionfruit and at the higher elevations apples and pears)
The Bordal Embroidery Factory is a leading historic landmark dedicated to preserving Madeira’s centuries-old embroidery traditions. Founded in 1962, it has become a vital cultural “living museum” and remains one of the island’s few active and authentic embroidery houses today. Yes I did splurge on a piece.
Monte Toboggan Wicker Sledges
Carros de Cesto the official Portuguese name for them. Translated literally, it means "Basket Cars"—which is a pretty perfect description of what they are.
It’s remarkable that a transport method invented in 1850 to carry people and goods down the steep hills of Monte is still in use today in nearly the same form. The drivers, part of the Associação dos Carreiros do Monte, take great pride in preserving the tradition, passing down the skill of steering the routes using only their strength and rubber-soled boots. Today, it remains one of Madeira’s most iconic and thrilling experiences.
Madeira Side Car Tours
Exploring Madeira on a private sidecar motorcycle tour is one of the most exciting, scenic, and personalized ways to experience the island.
Dolphin and Whale Watching
Madeira is one of Europe’s top destinations for whale and dolphin watching, thanks to its dramatic underwater landscape, where deep ocean canyons lie close to shore. This unique environment supports remarkable marine biodiversity, with over 26 species of cetaceans recorded—about one-third of those found worldwide. The island’s rich ecosystem and commitment to responsible tourism have earned it recognition as an official Whale Heritage Area.
The Laurissilva Forest
This is not just an ordinary forest, but a true prehistoric remnant. Millions of years ago, subtropical laurel forests covered much of Southern Europe and North Africa, but they disappeared during the ice ages. Madeira’s isolated location and stable climate allowed this ancient ecosystem to survive, making it a rare natural time capsule. Today, it is protected as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and covers about 20% of the island.
The Lava Pools
Madeira’s famous lava pools are natural volcanic swimming pools located in Porto Moniz on the island’s rugged northwest coast. Formed over millions of years by basaltic lava flows meeting the Atlantic Ocean, they provide a unique opportunity to swim in clear saltwater naturally sheltered from the sea’s strong waves.
Casas de Santana
The Casas de Santana, or traditional Santana houses, are iconic, brightly colored A‑frame cottages on Madeira’s north coast and a symbol of the island’s heritage. Built by early settlers in the 16th century, their steep thatched roofs were designed to shed heavy rain, while thick straw provided insulation against the elements. Constructed from local wood and painted in vivid white, blue, and red, these small homes typically featured a main living space below and a loft above, with separate kitchens often built nearby to reduce fire risk.
This nickname honors the sheer density and diversity of exotic flora found across the landscape. Between the ancient, prehistoric [Laurissilva rainforest] and the terraced botanical gardens filled with orchids, hydrangeas, and birds of paradise brought by global traders, the entire island feels like a meticulously curated park.
In conclusion, my time in Madeira was nothing short of unforgettable. In just one week, I experienced a destination that seamlessly blends dramatic natural beauty, rich history, vibrant culture, and exceptional cuisine. From exploring Funchal’s lively streets to witnessing breathtaking landscapes like the Laurissilva Forest and Porto Moniz lava pools, every moment highlighted how diverse and unique this island truly is. While this trip only scratched the surface, it left a lasting impression and a strong desire to return. Madeira is a destination I would confidently recommend to anyone—whether they are seeking adventure, relaxation, culinary experiences, or all three in one remarkable place.
Reach out to me to plan your dream vacation to Madeira!