Welcome to Madeira
Geologically dramatic, bursting with exotic colour and warmed year-round by the Atlantic sun, Portugals most enchanting island is a place that keeps all its subtropical holiday promises. Pearl of the Atlantic, island of eternal springMadeira well deserves its fanciful nicknames and the affection that visitors and locals alike feel for this tiny volcanic island that offers so much.
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Madeira Top Experiences
Madeiras best-preserved mansion house.
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Madeira Top Experiences
Madeiras sand-hemmed sister island.
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Madeira Top Experiences
Amazing tropical botanical gardens.
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Madeira Top Experiences
Funchals high-altitude villa quarter.
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Madeira Top Experiences
Characterful old quarter.
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Madeira Top Experiences
Funchals colourful main market.
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Madeira Top Experiences
Madeiras most dramatically located village.
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Madeira Top Experiences
Traditional wicker workshop.
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Madeira Top Experiences
Main place of worship.
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Madeira Top Experiences
Madeiras finest art collection.
IMAGE COURTESY OF MUSEU DE ARTE SACRA DO FUNCHAL
Eating
Eating is one of the joys of visiting Madeira and most will admit the islands fare is tastebud-friendly. Variety was once an issue, but innovative chefs are introducing a touch of imagination in line with mainland trends. Restaurants are of a good standard everywhere; for quick bites, countless owner-run cafes are cheap as chips.
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Seafood
Seafood is the big draw, though some restaurants do feature salmon, fruits de mer, prawns and other creatures not from Madeiras waters. Limpets are about the only shellfish native to Madeira.
Espada vs Espetada
The espada (scabbard fish) is the eel-like monster that will catch your eye at the Mercado dos Lavradores. Caught at night deep in the Atlantic, this spiky-toothed, jelly-eyed beast tastes better than it looks. Youll only find it on Madeira and some expensive restaurants in Lisbon. Espetada is chunks of beef, smothered in garlic-and-laurel-leaf-infused butter, skewered on a laurel wand and grilled over acacia embers. Many confuse the two!
Fancy Fruits
On a trip around the island, youll see many odd fruits dangling. These are most likely the anona (custard apple), the pineapple banana, papaya or the tomate ingls (tamarillo). Madeiras own sweet miniature bananas are instantly recognisable.
Sugar & Spice
Bolo de mel (sugar syrup cake) tastes a bit like British Christmas pudding and is eaten around that time. Sugarcane biscuits, eucalyptus-infused sweets and custardy Portuguese creations are also widely consumed.
Best Seafood
One of Funchals best restaurants buried deep in the Zona Velha.
Head to Machicos seafront to enjoy great grilled fish.
Superb seafood at the end of Praia Formosa.
Best Hip
Cool eatery in the Armazm do Mercado with weekend DJ nights.
Petite bistro in a busy location in downtown Funchal.
Funchals hippest bakery chain, serving excellent Portuguese pastries and coffee.
Best Traditional
Relative newcomer to the scene serving the most authentic of Madeiran food.
Food like granny used to make in an imaginative Zona Velha dining space.
Honestly made traditional food in a rural location near the north-coast village of Santana.
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