10 best resorts in Madeira – which one to choose for recreation, photo, description, map
An enchanting piece of land in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, a piece of paradise – Madeira Island, which has long been an elite resort, is becoming increasingly popular. The irresistible beauty of the tropics, sandy and pebbly beaches, unique natural attractions, authentic historical sites, an abundance of fruits and seafood make staying here interesting and rewarding. An attractive factor for holidaymakers is the absence of intense heat on the island even in the summer months. But at the same time, the water in the ocean is characterized by comfortable temperatures. Those who suffer from high blood pressure or heart problems can safely come here. Everyone here will find a suitable beach for themselves – their choice is quite large. There are no problems with accommodation on the fabulous island: modern hotels of different levels will ensure a comfortable stay.
Funchal
The main port and administrative center of the island is a city with an ancient history, beautiful old palaces, authentic streets and picturesque gardens. Luxurious 4 and 5 star European class hotels are concentrated in the western part of Funchal. Not far away, in the Santa Cruz district, there is an exclusive airport, considered the most dangerous to land in the mountainous landscape until 2000. The difficult task for the pilots was facilitated by the runway in the form of an overpass. Funchal as a resort is good for any type of recreation: beach, sightseeing, wellness.
Excellent infrastructure, clear water await tourists on the large public beach of Praia Formosa, which includes 4 sand and pebble sections. All of them are marked by the “Blue Flag” for cleanliness, equipped to the highest standard. A little further there is a complex of pools with sea water – Lido, which is very popular. 2 adults and 1 children‘s pools are part of the Ponta Gorda complex. Exotic lovers tend to visit Doca do Cavacas with pools formed by volcanic lava that go straight to the sea. There is all the necessary infrastructure and there are always a lot of people.
Book a private transfer from the airport to your hotel for 1 830 RUB
A quiet secluded vacation is provided by the b / n pebble beaches of Praia do Gorgullo and Praia de Sant Tiago. Of the amenities, they have only a shower and a toilet, but everyday minimalism does not spoil the stay. Shopaholics will enjoy visiting souvenir shops, where they offer products made of cork, leather, wood, various things with embroidery and the famous wine. An indispensable entertainment for vacationers is a visit to the enchanting gardens of Funchal. Everyone must visit the Botanical Garden – the pride of Funchal.
More than 2 thousand plants grow along the picturesque slopes, and fantastic parrots of various species live on the branches of trees. There is a paid Palheiro park, consisting of thematic gardens: French, Sunken, Lady, Rosary. Each of them basically represents the flora of the tropics, supplemented by representatives of various natural zones of the world. Tourists like to stroll through the Mercado dos Lavradores market, see the Cathedral of Se, the monastery of St. Clara, the fortress palace of St. Lorenzo.
Santa Cruz
The oldest settlement on the island, whose name translates as “holy cross”, was founded in the first decades of the 16th century. The first navigators who landed on this shore erected a wooden cross on a tree. It was later replaced by a stone structure, which was later destroyed in the 19th century. But the name has forever been attached to a pretty town, which has recently become an attractive resort. An important role in this was played by the appearance in the vicinity of the only airport bearing the name of Cristiano Ronaldo.
The local coast is distinguished by high rocky coasts and pebble beaches, with good infrastructure. There are water sports equipment rentals everywhere. There is a diving center on the central beach where you can learn the basics of deep diving. The advantage of Santa Cruz as a resort is the opportunity to enjoy peace and quiet, to take a break from life in the metropolis.
A lot of relatively inexpensive hotels, restaurants, bars, the presence of ancient sights make staying here interesting. The beautifully decorated embankment, lined with palm trees, is filled with strolling holidaymakers and townspeople in the evenings. A must visit here is the church Iqreja Matriz de Santa Cruz. It was erected in 1533 almost simultaneously with the foundation of the town. Fans of sandy beaches and noisy entertainment can visit them in Funchal (15 min drive).
Calheta
Who will visit this wonderful town once, he will no longer choose another resort. Calhete (narrow strait) is the embodiment of all the beauties and delights of Madeira. It arose in the form of a small village in 1430, in an unusually picturesque place of the island. High cliffs covered with green velvet forests, bulky sandy beaches, a cozy bay, and unique sights have made Calheta the most popular resort. Even a small number of good beaches do not stop tourists.
Two bulk sandy beaches are always filled with vacationers, especially during the high season. Golden sand brought from Morocco, high comfort of the coastal strip, good equipment made them famous. In addition to a beach holiday, guests are given the opportunity of intoxicating walks along the picturesque levadas and vereds. A visit to many medieval churches is included in the cultural tourist program.
The local art center, located at the edge of the cliff, brings variety to the leisure time of vacationers. It hosts regular exhibitions of paintings, concerts of modern and classical music, interesting meetings, etc. The main street of Calheta is filled with restaurants and cafes, the menu of which includes national seafood and fish dishes. They offer the famous Poncha cocktail with the addition of branded white rum. Many make excursions to the factory where this drink is produced.
The machine
A truly historical place – the town of Machico is considered the most popular among tourists. It was named after the discoverer Robert Machico, who allegedly discovered the island even before the Portuguese. Confirmation of the legend is the presence of ancient architectural monuments and forts in Machico. The cult religious object of Madeira – the Church of the Annunciation of the 15th century, is located here. In the 18th century, a chapel of the Virgin was built on the rock. According to legend, it was built by sailors who escaped death from a ship collision with coastal rocks.
It has become a tradition for local fishermen every year on the third Sunday of September to make a sea procession in the bay on decorated boats. At the head of the boat procession is a ship with a statue of the Virgin. Tourists here have something to see among the architectural sights. Historic forts of the 17th and 18th centuries, various buildings, fish shops are of interest to tourists. The surrounding nature gives vivid impressions. An interesting visit to the former center of whaling – the town of Canisal or the rocky island of Ponto de San Lourenço.
Local beaches can satisfy different tastes of holidaymakers – among the rocky and pebbly areas there is a beautiful sandy strip. All beach pleasures are at the service of holidaymakers. For divers, there is a great place – a marine reserve, where a rich variety of ocean fauna is represented.
Ponta do Sol
A charming town in the south-west of the island, founded in the 15th century, is rightly considered the “point of the sun” (this is how its name is literally translated). There is an opinion that the pioneer Zarku, who sailed here, called this place, blinded by the radiance of the rocks illuminated by the sun. Here, indeed, the sun almost always shines, there are practically no cloudy days. Thanks to this, Ponta do Sol today is a popular beach resort.
Pebble beaches are distinguished by the cleanliness of the coastal strip and the transparency of the water, which attracts divers. Excursions to the Bowbelle ship that sank during a storm near the shore are popular here. White, yellow buildings with bright roofs against the background of green massifs of rocks look very picturesque. Holidaymakers are delighted with the surrounding landscapes, from the streets, immersed in flowers. They visit the main attraction of the settlement – the ancient church of Our Lady Matrizh of the late 15th century.
The interiors of the temple, decorated with green ceramic tiles, delight visitors. The surrounding lands with fertile soil allow the development of agriculture – to grow sugar cane, grapes and bananas. Local enterprises make excellent wine, which is exported to different countries. A wonderful drink can be tasted during an excursion to one of the factories.
Ponta Delgada
Irresistible mountain and sea landscapes, natural pools with sea water, excellent hotels await tourists in the small picturesque village of Ponta Delgada on the northern coast of Maderia. Charming houses with tiled roofs are located on the slopes of sheer cliffs. Some of them come right up to the ocean blue, including the local Church of the Immaculate Heart of the Virgin Mary.
In her honor, an annual feast is held here in the first week of September with a large gathering of believers and guests of Ponta Delgada. The village is famous for its sea pools, protected from the tide from the ocean by an artificial dam. One of them is intended for adults, the second, smaller – for children. Entrance to them is paid during the high season, from May to October.
The territory of the complex is comfortably equipped: beautiful sunbeds are installed, there are showers, changing room toilets, parking, a bar is open. Tourists visit the house-museum of the famous writer, journalist, teacher Horacio de Gouvey, examine rarities, journalism. Local food establishments offer delicious dishes from fresh seafood, vegetables, fruits grown here. In souvenir shops you can buy products of traditional crafts: embroidery, weaving from willow twigs.
Ponta do Pargo
The most charming place of the island, located in the northwest of Madeira, Ponta do Pargo, captivates the imagination with majestic cliffs and valleys covered with a flower carpet. A calm, cozy town is ideal for a leisurely, measured rest. There are many viewing platforms from which breathtaking landscapes open up.
Here, on one of the high (350 m) steep cliffs, there is a lighthouse built in 1922. Despite the low (14 m) tower of the lighthouse, the projected light extends 317 meters above the surface of the Atlantic at a distance of 48 km. Not a single ship, due to the height of the cliff, suffered a wreck in this region. Tourists have been allowed to visit the lighthouse since 2001, more precisely, its museum with a small but rich exposition illustrating the history of the lighthouse.
From here you can see the blue expanse of the ocean, it seems that you are standing at the end of the world. Vacationers stroll along the picturesque coast, watch birds of unusual species. Tourists visiting ancient architectural monuments. Many people visit the Iqreja Ponta do Parqo church, get acquainted with the history of the temple, admire the interior design. The town is connected to Funchal by a motorway and is easily found by the signs pointing to the lighthouse.
Arch of San Jorge
A small rural settlement (500 inhabitants) in the northeast of the island was originally part of the town of Sao Jorge. In the 17th century, having gained independence, it became known as Arcu di San Jorge. The first part of the name was given to the village by the local mountains with many arches. Due to the shape of the mountains, a special microclimate has been formed here, which has a beneficial effect on the growth of various plants: grapes, fruit trees, flowers. The flow of tourists vacationing in Madeira does not dry out here. They are attracted by the beauty of the surrounding landscapes, the ocean coast, a peaceful atmosphere. 18 cozy separate houses are offered for accommodation.
Many people come here from April to December to visit Madeira's “calling card” – a delightful rose garden where marvelous roses bloom. 17 thousand bushes of more than 20 types of roses are planted in it. Delighted holidaymakers are greeted by a flower symphony woven from a kaleidoscope of various shades: red, yellow, cream, purple, lilac, etc. There are the rarest roses here, ranging from old varieties to recently bred varieties. The “pink” garden was laid by the former mayor of Funchal Albuquerque, who was fond of breeding the “queen of flowers” and constantly replenishing his collection with new varieties. In 2003, the 4th rose garden in Europe in terms of area and richness of the collection became a public place.
Kanisu
The picturesque area, which is part of the municipality of Santa Cruz, is extremely popular among holidaymakers. A riot of greenery, a favorable climate, and excellent infrastructure make your stay in Caniço extremely comfortable. Cool summers, mild winters, without strong winds attract holidaymakers. It is no coincidence that out of the 5 districts of Santa Cruz, almost half of the population lives in Caniço.
Guests like the streets immersed in green spaces, lovely restaurants and cafes. Cozy private villas and 20 hotels hospitably await tourists. The dense population of Kanisu does not affect the daytime atmosphere of peace, silence and regularity. Fans of active pastime will also find a lot of entertainment for themselves. There are night clubs with a good entertainment program. Excursions in the picturesque surroundings perfectly complement leisure.
Porto Moniz
The tiny town, located on a small piece of land, sandwiched between a mountain and the ocean, is famous for its natural lava pools. Here everything is subordinated to the resort rest: the main part of the buildings are hotels and souvenir shops. The road to Porto Moniz from the center of the island is a steep serpentine down 1.5 km long. This is quite an extreme trip like thrill-seekers. Motor transport stops several times at special sites equipped along the road. Tourists at these moments can take pictures of stunning landscapes.
Holidaymakers are given the opportunity to admire the stunning views of the ocean, with white foam of the surf, with a special blue water. In the eastern part of Porto Moniz there is a port, a heliport, between the rocks – the Kachalot restaurant and a large lava pool. Just in it, vacationers tend to get in the bathing season. The Kashalot restaurant, located on the rocks, with inexpensive cuisine is a must-see for tourists. A magical panorama of waves breaking against the rocks opens up before their eyes. Pleasure is delivered by walks along the embankment, organically integrated into the incredible natural environment. Fruit trees are grown on terraces equipped along the slopes of the mountains.