Lonely Planet Pocket Madeira (Travel Guide)

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The waters that surround Madeira have both an otherworldly azure hue and a temperature that’s accessible year-round. Unfortunately, the island’s rugged geography and stone beaches mean that accessing that water isn’t always easy. Thankfully, on a few different spots across the island, locals have taken advantage of lava outcroppings to sculpt oceanside swimming pools. Casa das Escaleiras is a clean, spacious and light modern holiday rental that sleeps 4 in a quiet location above the village yet close to natural swimming pools.The terrace has lovely views of the ocean and the kitchen is well equipped. Access to the house could be a little difficult if someone has mobility issues but there is parking. Hosts are very helpful. See photos and full description If you are more in the market for independent apartments and villas in Funchal, there are plenty to choose from. PLACES TO STAY IN MADEIRA EAST OF FUNCHAL If you’re looking for a luxury stay in Madeira or elsewhere in Portugal, read my best luxury villas in Portugal post for some great ideas. Why Funchal makes a great base

When it comes to mains, meat lovers can sink their teeth into espetadas (beef cubes speared with a bay leaf twig) and wine-marinated pork carne de vinho e alhos, while fish lovers can go for espada, or scabbardfish. The addition of a marina and imported golden sand from Morocco has raised the profile and appeal of Calheta as well as the number of restaurants and cafés. It’s also home to a vintage sugar cane factory and a contemporary arts centre should you be looking for some cultural activities. Unless your accommodation offers regular transfers to Funchal, or you’re happy to stay put, you’ll need a car to get around the rest of Madeira. With a vehicle, you have good access from Calheta to many of the popular walking trails in the west of the island. Special places to stay near Calheta Estalagem Da Ponta Do Sol is 4-star design hotel perched on a cliff facing the Atlantic Ocean and featuring an infinity pool and hot tub with panoramic views. Room décor is totally white and each room has floor to ceiling windows leading onto balconies, some with sea views others with garden views. Customer service is excellent and there is a free shuttle service to the airport if you don’t intend to drive. Get full details and availabilityDK Eyewitness have thought of almost everything in their guide to the Top 10 (gardens, beaches, museums, walks etc.) Top 10 Madeira (Eyewitness Top 10 Travel Guide) The luxurious, 5-star all-inclusive Enotel Lido Madeira Hotel offers an indoor and outdoor pool, spa and sauna and overlooks the Atlantic Ocean with direct access to the oceanfront promenade. Get more details. If you want sand, head to the man-made beaches at Calheta or Machico, or take the ferry to Porto Santo, which has a 7.5km (4.6 miles) fine-sand beach that’s considered one of Europe’s best. Eat an espetada

Many of the resort hotels are clustered around the Lido promenade, which is great for ocean views and swimming pools and handy for restaurants and shopping. It’s a bit of a trek into the old town from here, although there are regular buses and taxis shouldn’t cost much. This is the most ‘touristy’ part of the city, good for families and doesn’t involve many hills.

Ditching the beach for spectacular seaside pool complexes

Madeira’s signature dish is espetada, chunks of beef marinated in garlic and bay leaves, skewered on a laurel branch or metal skewer, and grilled. To serve, the skewers are hung from unique contraptions, and diners pair them with bolo do caco, a type of bread made in part with sweet potato that’s toasted and slathered with garlic butter; milho frito, cubes of deep-fried polenta; and a green salad.

star Hotel do Carmo is also handy for exploring the old town and, as a slightly larger hotel, features a rooftop pool and pleasant outdoor spaces in addition to 1960s themed public areas and spacious rooms. Book your favorite room.Smaller than Machico but even closer to the airport is the coastal village of Santa Cruz. It has a pretty historical centre with a few cafés and restaurants, a market and a delightful promenade. Seafront, Santa Cruz, Madeira Where to stay in Santa Cruz Ponta do Sol is a small, attractive town on the southern coast of Madeira with a pebble beach and could be a possible base if you have a car or stay in a hotel that offers transfers. Ponta do Sol, Madeira Hotels in Madeira – Ponta do Sol Driving in Madeira has its challenges. The island is incredibly hilly, and its roads can be intimidatingly steep and winding. If you don’t feel confident driving in these circumstances, be sure to rent an automatic (more expensive than the standard European manual, but worth it in this case). How long do I need in Madeira? Note: If you are considering renting a car in Madeira, read my tips here. To compare the best prices visit Discovercars.com or Rentalcars.com.

Madeira’s eponymous wine was created when barrels of the stuff spent months on ships baking in the hot sun. This happy accident caused the wines to oxidize, giving them an entirely new and desirable set of flavors and aromas. Today, seven houses on Madeira make fortified wines in this style, nearly all of whom offer tours and tastings. H.M. Borges, in Funchal, was founded over a century ago and is one of the more traditional houses on the island – they offer a visit and tasting with advance notice. Barbeito is one of the more progressive houses and offers a variety of tastings daily.Being surrounded by water, it’s no surprise Madeira hauls in its fair share of seafood. Among the island’s seaborn delicacies are limpets or lapas, which are open shellfish resembling a barnacle. Plates of lapas are typically served with garlic and a squeeze of lemon to create a simple yet tasty starter. I love digging into regional food and the Sunday market in Santo António da Serra, a mountaintop village in the island’s east, is Madeira’s culinary scene in miniature. Vendors assemble in the early morning and bring a huge variety of tropical fruits – bananas, of course, but also passionfruit, guava, papaya, custard apple, pitanga, tamarillo and other fruit generally more associated with South America. Vila Flora has 3 bedrooms, a garden and a private pool. It’s a very tranquil place with great ocean views. The perfect spot to relax. Take a look at these gorgeous photos.