IMPORTANT: IF CONNECTING THROUGH THE UK YOU NEED TO DO AN APPLICATION FOR AN ELECTRONIC TRAVEL AUTHORIZATION, HERE IS THE WEBSITE FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS: https://apply-for-an-eta.homeoffice.gov.uk/apply/electronic-travel-authorisation/how-to-apply

Caroline & Clay

Saturday, May 31, 2025 • Funchal, Portugal
58 Days To Go!

IMPORTANT: IF CONNECTING THROUGH THE UK YOU NEED TO DO AN APPLICATION FOR AN ELECTRONIC TRAVEL AUTHORIZATION, HERE IS THE WEBSITE FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS: https://apply-for-an-eta.homeoffice.gov.uk/apply/electronic-travel-authorisation/how-to-apply

Caroline & Clay

Saturday, May 31, 2025 • Funchal, Portugal
58 Days To Go!

Things To Do

HIKE: Vereda da Ponta de São Lourenço

Picture of HIKE: Vereda da Ponta de São Lourenço
ER109, Estr. de São Lourenço, 9200-044 Caniçal, Portugal

The Vereda da Ponta de São Lourenço is a breathtaking coastal hike on Madeira's easternmost point. This trail winds through dramatic cliffs, rugged volcanic landscapes, and offers sweeping views of the Atlantic. Known for its vibrant contrast of red, orange, and green rock formations against the blue sea, it’s a moderately challenging hike with rewarding panoramas at every turn

Website

RIDE: Carros de Cesto da Monte

Picture of RIDE: Carros de Cesto da Monte
Caminho do Monte, Entrada 151, Porta 4, 9050-288 Funchal, Portugal

The Monte Toboggans Sledges first originated in the early 19th century when they were used as first means of "downhill" public transportation by the local residents who wanted to travel quickly from the village of Monte to the city of Funchal.


Presently, the Sledges are used to transport thousands of tourists every year, seeking a ride full of emotions, adrenaline and an unforgettable experience with splendid views over the city and beyond.

GOLF: Palheiro Golf

Picture of GOLF: Palheiro Golf
R. do Balancal 29, 9060-414 São Gonçalo, Portugal
+351 291 790 120

Designed by renowned architect Cabell B. Robinson in 1993, Palheiro Golf is perfectly integrated into the parkland area of Quinta do Palheiro Ferreiro, making the most of the island's typical rugged terrain.

Between valleys and several hillsides, the course is challenging for both first-time golfers and more experienced players.

The landscape also features the outline of Madeira's mountains and the elegance of the Funchal bay.

Finally, the entire course is surrounded by botanical and maritime pine forests.

FISH: Funchal Harbor

Picture of FISH: Funchal Harbor

Madeira is known for its sports fishing qualities, from the many World Record breaking giant Blue Marlin, its calm waters and that most of the fish caught were within 3 miles of the coast, make it a perfect fishing location.

Sport fish range from Blue Marlin, White Marlin, Swordfish, Spearfish, Blue Fin and Big Eye Tuna, Albacore, Skipjacks, Wahoo, Shark down to Red Snappers, Amberjacks, Bluefish, Barracudas and even giant squid fished on night trips

PLAY: Casino da Madeira

Picture of PLAY: Casino da Madeira
Av. do Infante, São Martinho, 9004-513 Funchal, Portugal

Win Money, Lose Money Or See A Show!


Five minutes from the centre of Funchal, Casino Madeira is the ideal place to gamble, enjoy a drink, dance or catch a show.

For those who like the adrenaline, Casino da Madeira has a gaming room that offers a series of options ranging from American Roulette, Poker, Punto y Banca, Black Jack, to Electronic roulette, Keno, Poker, Rolls among others and the possibility to try out about 200 slot machines.

CLIMB: Pico do Areeiro

Picture of CLIMB: Pico do Areeiro
São Roque do Faial, 9230, Portugal

The third-highest point on the island of Madeira, is located at an altitude of 1,818 metres. From this elevated spot, the ample view allows observers to extend their gaze over the unique grandeurs of Madeira's Mountainous Massif, with the Atlantic Ocean in the background.

RIDE: Achadas da Cruz Cable Car

Picture of RIDE: Achadas da Cruz Cable Car
Vereda da Achada do Calhau, Caminho do Teleferico, 9270-015 Porto Moniz, Portugal

Located in the Northeast of the island, 1 hour from Funchal and only a few minutes from the natural pools of Porto Moniz, do not miss taking the cable car from Achadas Da Cruz, the steepest cable car in Europe. It descends nearly 500 meters in less than 5 minutes. Allow 6 euros (round trip) for the cable-car.

EXPLORE: Canyoning Madeira

Picture of EXPLORE: Canyoning Madeira

Canyoning in Madeira is an ideal activity for nature lovers who can't do without a good dose of adventure. Because of the island's rugged outline and the green density of its forest, the watercourses that cross the island's mountains meet the perfect conditions for this sport.

The challenge consists of crossing mountain streams, abundant along canyoning trails in Madeira, overcoming the various obstacles encountered during the descent.

DRINK: Quinta do Barbusano Winery

Picture of DRINK: Quinta do Barbusano Winery
9240, São Vicente, Portugal

Quinta do Barbusano is a scenic winery in Madeira known for its terraced vineyards and sweeping mountain views. Located in São Vicente, it offers tastings of unique island wines and a chance to explore the rich flavors of Madeira's wine culture in a relaxed, picturesque setting

EXPLORE: Cabo Girão Skywalk

Picture of EXPLORE: Cabo Girão Skywalk
Estrada do Cabo Girão, 9300-351 Câmara de Lobos, Portugal

At 580 metres high, Cabo Girão is the highest promontory in Europe, but this is not the only reason it has become increasingly famous all over the world. With its famous suspended glass platform (known as a skywalk) its viewpoint is currently one of the most visited (and certainly the most photographed) tourist attractions in the municipality of Câmara de Lobos and the Madeira archipelago.

EXPLORE: Jardim Monte Palace Madeira

Picture of EXPLORE: Jardim Monte Palace Madeira
Caminho do Monte 174, 9050-288 Funchal, Portugal
291 780 800

Monte Palace is a stunning tropical garden and museum in Funchal, Madeira, Portugal. Set high in the hills, it features lush gardens with exotic plants, koi ponds, intricate tilework, and sculptures. Visitors can explore its diverse flora, Asian-inspired landscapes, and art collections while enjoying panoramic views of Funchal and the Atlantic Ocean.

HIKE: Fanal Forestry Station

Picture of HIKE: Fanal Forestry Station
Fanal, 9270 Porto Moniz, Portugal

The beautiful Fanal forest is perhaps the most well known of the remaining laurisilva forests that once covered 90% of Southern Europe and NW Africa several million years ago.

The Fanal forest is found on the island of Madeira and these pockets of ancient laurisilva forests are now only found within Madeira, the Azores and the Canary islands where just 10% remain.

SPLASH: Porto Moniz Natural Swimming Pools

Picture of SPLASH: Porto Moniz Natural Swimming Pools
Praça Do Lyra Vila De Porto Moniz, 9270-053 Porto Moniz, Portugal

The Porto Moniz Natural Swimming Pools on Madeira’s coast are volcanic saltwater pools filled by the Atlantic Ocean. With crystal-clear water and stunning lava-rock formations, they offer a unique, scenic swimming experience in a safe and beautiful setting.

EXPLORE: Mercado dos Lavradores

Picture of EXPLORE: Mercado dos Lavradores
Largo dos Lavradores, 9060-158 Funchal, Portugal
291 098 756

Madeira is famous for its excellent regional products, largely due to the extraordinary fertility of its soils combined with the subtropical climate it enjoys. The Mercado dos Lavradores, which occupies a prominent place in the centre of Funchal, can be defined as a living museum where the freshness, vivacity and tropicality of the archipelago's flavours take centre stage.

FEAR: The Bust of Madeira's Golden Son

Picture of FEAR: The Bust of Madeira's Golden Son

Tread carefully, dear traveler, as you explore the tributes to Madeira’s prodigal son, Cristiano Ronaldo. Among the accolades and monuments lies a relic that some whisper could be a portal to the underworld: the infamous original bust unveiled at the airport in 2017.

Sculpted by Emanuel Santos, this screaming effigy captures not the man’s legendary prowess, but a tortured visage—its pain and pinched features a tableau of damned souls, frozen in eternal anguish.

Was this an artist’s vision gone awry or a desperate warning of the cost of fame? Though the bust was banished in favor of a more flattering replacement, its image lingers in the collective consciousness like a ghostly echo that haunts us like the thought of our own mortality.