Newly elected the best island destination in the world by the WTA, the Madeira Archipelago has impressive landscapes, excellent attractions for its tourists and unique cuisine. But if you believe that it is only in your nice capital, Funchal, that you can enjoy all this tourist offer.

With more than 740 square kilometers, Madeira Island has small counties filled with stories and surrounded by incredible natural beauties. Check below some of the places you can not miss during your stay on the island.

Ponta do Sol

A paradise on the south coast of Madeira, Ponta do Sol has this name for being considered the warmest place on the island and is perfect to enjoy a beautiful sunny day. This is where the plateau of Paul da Serra is located, which provides a fascinating view of the municipality. Be sure to explore the historical buildings of the place, such as the Palace of the Place de Baixo, the Ponte do Caminho Real, the John de Passos Cultural Center and the Church of Nossa Senhora da Luz, the city’s headquarters.

Câmara de Lobos

It offers great attractions for its visitors, such as the Ilhéu de Câmara de Lobos, a spare cliff to the sea that has a beautiful garden, and a breathtaking view. The Church of São Sebastião, the Chapel of Nossa Senhora da Conceição and the former Convent of São Bernardino are obligatory stops to appreciate the rich local history. Also visit the charming village of Curral das Freiras, the only point on the island where you can not see the sea, besides the Strait of Câmara de Lobos, where the main delicacy of Madeira is produced. Therefore, every year it receives the Live Wine Festival, which provides musical entertainment and parades to visitors, who can also participate in the harvest and the treading of the grapes.

Santana

With impressive green landscapes cut by the Levadas, Santana is the perfect place to enjoy the natural beauty of Madeira Island, since it is considered a “Biosphere Reserve” by UNESCO and for having the Madeira Theme Park and the Rocha Nature Reserve of the ship in its territory. For adventurers, the highest points of the Portuguese region are here: Pico Ruivo, Pico das Torres and Pico do Areeiro, all with land routes. Already in the city, the curious typical houses attract the attention of tourists. With a triangular shape, they are covered with a stem and originally have an attic for storage of agricultural products and a ground floor for housing.

Machico

The small town of Machico has great historical value for the Portuguese archipelago, as it was here that the discoverers Gonçalves Zarco and Tristão Vaz Teixeira landed in 1419. Its enchanting scenery with lush vegetation and open sea invite a stroll through the viewpoints such as Pico of the Facho, from which one has an incredible panorama of the valley and the bay of Machico, the village of Caniçal and Ponta de São Lourenço. For golf lovers, Santo da Serra Golf Club is considered one of the most spectacular courses in Europe, with unbelievable views of the mountains and the ocean. Visit the Whale Museum, the Zona Franca and spend some time relaxing on one of the island’s only sandy beaches known as Prainha.

About Madeira Island

Considered the best island destination in the world, Madeira Island is a small Portuguese paradise nestled amidst the vastness of the Atlantic Ocean. Of volcanic origin, its privileged location provides mild climate and sea with pleasant temperature all year long, as well as impressive scenery of mountains, valleys and cliffs, all covered by the lush vegetation Laurissilva, named Unesco’s Natural Patrimony of Humanity. The archipelago is formed by a group of islands, being the main and only inhabited Madeira and Porto Santo. There are excellent options in spas, historical monuments and great hotels and restaurants, where you can taste delicious gastronomy and award-winning Madeiran wines.

Photos: Madeira Tourism