What Is Madeira Known For?

Madeira is a Portuguese archipelago situated in the North Atlantic Ocean, across from the African coast and northwest of Morocco. It is one of the most beautiful, culturally rich and biodiverse destinations in the world, and is also known for its exquisite cuisine, picture-perfect sceneries,whale and dolphin watching excursions, wine production and more.

In this article, we’re taking a closer look at the things that make Madeira so unique. Read on to learn more about the unique culture, history, attractions and activities the destination has to offer.

History of Madeira

Madeira was first discovered by Portuguese explorer João Gonçalves Zarco in 1419, who was travelling with a fleet of ships. At that time, the archipelago was covered with a thick layer of trees and high mountains and was ruled by Morocco. As Zarco continued his journey southwards, the archipelago became an important fishing and whaling destination for the Portuguese, giving it the name Ilha da Madeira which means “Island of Madeira”.

The Portuguese eventually made their way to the tropical southern islands of Madeira by the 15th century. Portugal quickly claimed them as a colony, as they offered an ideal spot for growing sugar cane and other crops due to its well-suited climate. As they started to colonize the islands, Madeira began rapidly developing as a major trans-Atlantic trading hub. By the 18th century, it was dubbed as “The Garden of Europe” due its abundance of crops, including sugar cane, bananas, and tobacco.

Today, Madeira keeps that reputation of natural beauty, with even more attractions to keep visitors enthralled.

Natural Beauty of Madeira

If we had to name one thing that Madeira is most known for, it would be its utterly stunning natural beauty. The island is covered by terraced hillsides of natural greenery, dramatic mountainous backdrops and panoramic views of sparkling blue ocean stretching as far as the eye can see. You can find peaceful valleys, turquoise waterfalls and vibrant palm trees coexisting peacefully together with cedar trees and cactuses while exploring all around the islands. The archipelago is home to one of the world’s seven National Parks, which showcases the diverse array of flora and fauna and offers plenty of opportunities for trekking and exploring.

The waters around Madeira are also highly praised for their biological diversity, with coral reefs and frequent sightings of whale pods and dolphins year-round. Whether you’re soaking up the sun on a local beach or setting out on a kayaking adventure in search of marine life, you’re sure to be mesmerised by everything you encounter along the way.

Cultural Settings

As an autonomous region in Portugal, Madeira proudly showcases its own way of life which is reflective in its many cultural attractions. The colourful carnival parades, lively music and expressive folk dancing never fail to put a sparkle in everyone’s eyes, particularly during festival times such as Festa do Santo António (Saint Anthony’s festival). The cityscape also reveals traditional cobbled streets, musical monuments and churches – visit Sé Cathedral to experience the most majestic example overlooking Funchal’s old harbour – plenty of which showcase beautiful Baroque-style architecture from centuries ago.

A variety of traditional dishes also capture the essence of Madeiran culture, with full-flavoured local wines served alongside fresh seafood dishes as well as posta de mamão (pumpkin marinated with garlic, pepper and oil). Sweet pastries and honey cakes such as bolo de mel (a traditional honey cake) are also reminiscent of heritage traditions and prove just how much culture goes into cooking this delicious cuisine. Whether you’re touring around the mainland or exploring remote islands, there’s no shortage of cultural experiences here.

Things to Do In Madeira

On top of its gorgeous natural beauty and cultural attractions, Madeira also abounds with activities for travellers to enjoy. Whether you’re looking for a relaxing spa retreat or an adrenaline rush – you have plenty of choices here! Here are just some that we recommend doing while visiting this picturesque destination:

• Explore the outdoors: There’s no shortage of stunning landscape spots in Madeira that are worth including in any itinerary. Pay a visit to Levada dos Tálagas walk for a captivating view over Porto da Cruz town or make your way up to Eira do Serrado viewpoint for an incredible natural panorama from 1 000 metres above sea level.
• Visit the botanical garden: Discover over 1 000 species from across the globe in the Jardim Botanico da Madeira in Funchal – from exotic plants to birds and animals, it boasts one of Europe’s most detailed collections.
• Take a cruise: For a dose of traditional entertainment in style, hop aboard a catamaran or schooner cruise in Funchal harbour – many include whale watching with visits to nearby caves and beaches along the way.
• Go wine tasting: With world-famous wines produced onsite including Malmsey wine and Verdelho – there’s no shortage of tasting tours available in Madeira. How much better are tours with a visit to a real winery where you can learn all about production?
• Go on an Island Adventure: Book an adventure tour with Quad Safari Tours in Porto Moniz or get your adrenaline pumping with extreme 4×4 Island Adventure Tours. Both are great ways to get off-the-beaten track for adventurers.
• Private Poncha & Nikita Rum Tour: Set sail in private boat on this day cruise in search of Funchal bay dolphin pods whilst sipping on poncha — a traditional drink made from sugar cane rum — plus sampling local flavours along the way. Try out our Private Poncha & Nikita Rum Tour; it’s a great way to explore Funchal bay whilst sampling delicious local flavours and taking in its incredible scenery!

As you can see there’s plenty to enjoy while visiting this unique destination – so make sure to include some on your next trip! Whether you’re looking for traditional attractions, heart-pumping activities or fine dining experiences – there’s something here to suit everyone’s preferences. Highly recommended!

No trip to Madeira could be complete without taking some time to enjoy its many unique attractions that make this stunning destination so special – from its colourful culture steeped in history,to its natural beauty that never fails to captivate visitors – there’s simply so much explore here! So if you’re planning a trip – why not start planning today? And don’t forget to book your Private Poncha & Nikita Rum Tour ahead – it’s sure to be a hit for all who join!