Monte
On trips to Portugal, from Madeira’s capital, Funchal, you can take the cable car up to the mountain town of Monte, which is the terminus of the jardim Almirante Reis. Here you can, among other things, enjoy an absolutely fantastic view of Funchal and the surrounding bay.
In Monte, on trips to Portugal you can also visit Nossa Senhora do Monte, which is a historically beautiful white two-tower church located above Funchal. The church was hit by an earthquake in 1748, and the current construction is therefore from 1818.
As something very special, you can from Monte try the historical means of transport the basket sled. The stop for the basket sleds can be found below the church, and it takes you down the Caminho do Monte at breakneck speed.
Visit a sugar farm
The volcanic landscape has over time made Madeira popular for cultivating land. Historically, Madeira was known for its sugar, honey and space production, where, among other things, slaves were brought in from Africa to help cultivate the land.
Madeira was particularly known for its sugar production, which attracted many merchants who later settled on the island. To this day, some of these sugar farms still exist and can be found in the cities of Funchal, Calheta and Porto da Cruz, among others. On trips to Portugal you can in Porto da Cruz experience one of the city’s last sugar mills, where they produce the local sugar drink ‘Poncha’.
The freshly squeezed sugar cane juice is also used in the production of rum on the island. When visiting Madeira on trips to Portugal, do not deceive yourself for a visit to one of the local rum distilleries where you can experience the production from start to finish.
Levada do Norte
Levada do Norte is one of Madeira’s most important hiking routes that you can experience on trips to Portugal. The hike is one of the island’s longest, and it winds through most of the region. The route takes you all the way from Cabo Girão to Ribeira Brava.
On the trip you will be taken through open landscapes with fields and cultivated exotic orchards. Here you can also experience a number of smaller villages such as Quinta Grande and Campanario, where you can get a glimpse of the islanders’ everyday life.
The hiking route is relatively easily accessible and comfortable. It can be carried out all year round on trips to Portugal, as it winds in the southern part of the island, where the climate is milder. The route is also a great opportunity to gain insight into the island’s flora and fauna.
Laurisilva of Madeira
Laurisilva of Madeira is a lush forest area on the island of Madeira that belongs to the Unesco Heritage. The area has an incredible biological diversity when it comes to plant and animal life, which is difficult to find similarly elsewhere in Europe.
On trips to Portugal and Madeira, do not deceive yourself for a trip through the Laurisilva of Madeira, which offers adventurous forests with ancient crooked trees and small natural waterfalls.
Along the way, you can make stops at one of the small springs where you can dip your toes while enjoying a variety of animal species that are endemic to Madeira. In the area you can on your trip to Portugal among other things experience ‘long-toed pigeon’ also called Madeira pigeon.
Trekking in Portugal
Hiking may not be the first thing you think of when traveling to Portugal, but it is an absolutely stunning nature experience that you must not deceive yourself about. Experience a natural gem like the island of Madeira on foot, where you will be led past natural springs, lava rocks and fog forests.
Questions and answers
When is the best time of year to visit Portugal?
You can travel to Portugal at any time of the year. The country has a relatively mild climate, which makes an activity like hiking in Madeira possible all year round. In fact, Portugal is one of the hottest countries in Europe with an annual average temperature of between 13 and 18 degrees. So there is plenty of opportunity to get some warmth on holiday in Portugal.
Where is Madeira?
Madeira is a Portuguese island located south of Lisbon in the eastern Atlantic Ocean. To get to the island, you travel to Portugal and from here you take a plane out to the island.
What is the capital of Portugal?
The capital of Portugal is the beautiful coastal city of Lisbon. The city is home to about half a million inhabitants and a growing population of expats. The city is especially known for its steep narrow alleys and the yellow trams that take you safely around the city on trips to Portugal.
Do I have to speak Portuguese to visit Portugal?
You do not need to be able to speak Portuguese to visit Portugal. If you move around in the larger cities such as Lisbon and Porto, which are used to tourists, you can by the way commit yourself in English. However, you always go a long way in learning a few phrases to show your goodwill and interest in the country on trips to Portugal. Do not speak Spanish; even though the languages may sound the same to us, there is a difference.
