Located on the island of Madeira’s south-east coast, Funchal is a unique historic town. Set in a deep natural harbour with an amazing backdrop of mountains and vibrant green hills, Funchal revels in some of the best weather on the island. The town is steeped in history which dates back over 500 years which is shown in the steep cobbled streets which date back to the 16th century, exquisite colonial buildings and the elegant

Funchal

squares. Now a vibrant, bustling town, Funchal is home to nearly two-thirds of the islands inhabitants who share the areas natural beauty, exotic tropical vegetation and beautiful gardens with the people who choose one of the many cheap package holidays to this amazing island of Madeira. The town’s hotels offer a high standard of accommodation along with small quintas (country houses) and guest houses. Read more »

Nuns Valley (Curral Des Freiras) is a small village located on the island of Madeira. Nestled at the foot of a deep basin in the heart of Madeira, the village is surrounded by almost perpendicular mountains. This isolated village was once only accessible by foot or by donkey but can now be reached by road. It is believed that the deep ravine in which Nuns Valley sits was formed as a result of volcanic activity or gradual erosion which has taken place over hundreds of years.

Nuns Valley Madeira

Nuns Valley is the central point for many of the islands scenic walks and hikes thus attracting visitors looking for a quiet relaxing retreat set in beautiful rural scenery of lush green forests and jagged mountain peaks. The hotels and guesthouses in the valley offer amazing views and a tranquil atmosphere. The many walking and hiking trails that criss-cross the surrounding countryside take walkers through some beautiful scenery.

It is believed that the village was formed in the 16th century by nuns from the Santa Clara convent in Funchal who were seeking refuge from attacking pirates. The fertile soil in the valley enabled the nuns to be self-sufficient, even today the valley is still known for  it’s cherries and chestnuts which are used in many local dishes and drinks. On November 1st every year the ‘Chestnut Festival’, which dates back to the time when the nuns had a surplus of chestnuts, is still celebrated in Nuns Valley.

When you want a change of pace the capital city of Funchal is just 20 minutes from Nuns Valley. Here you will find restaurants, shops, museums and botanical gardens. A trip to Funchal Beach during the summer months

Funchal Beach

 will see warm waters of 22C, even out of the peak season the water is still around 17C making holiday packages to Madeira a perfect choice at any time of the year.

Nuns Valley enjoys long hot summers and short mild winters. The sheltering mountains make the valley a sun trap with summer temperatures often exceeding 30C with 300 dry sunny days a year. The average annual temperature is around 20C with July and August seeing temperatures above 25C and around eight hours of sunshine a day. Spring and autumn are ideal times for package holidays to Madeira as the weather is comfortable with temperatures around 20C. At this time of the year the islands countryside is in full bloom and the warm breeze makes walking or hiking easier than in the hot summer months. If you are looking for a quiet, relaxing holiday in an isolated location then Nuns Valley is just the place for you.

Situated on the north-west coast in the north of Madeira, Sao Vincente is regarded as one of the most picturesque villages on the island. Located between Porto Moniz and Santana this authentic agricultural town is

Sao Vincente

attracting more and more visitors to the region. Visitors to Sao Vincente are treated to some of the best and most dramatic views of the island of Madeira. This peaceful village has just a handful of restaurants and bars where you can relax and take in the beautiful surroundings.

Most of the town was buried in a huge landslide in 1928 but an award winning restoration programme has re-built and developed the town into the the tourist attraction it is today. Many of the elegant 18th century manor houses where madeira wine was produced have now been converted into hotels and bed & breakfast accommodation. The town of Sao Vincente and it’s neighbouring villages in the north-west can only be reached by a notorious narrow road which is built into the steep cliff face. Known as the ‘Gold Road’, this twisting road gives motorists spectacular views of the islands rugged cliffs, sweeping valleys and cascading waterfalls.

The Sao Vincente Caves offer an insight into volcanic eruptions. A walk through the caves network of volcanic tunnels gives visitors the opportunity to see the stalactites and ‘lava cakes’ which were formed over 400,000 years ago. The cave complex has a pavilion where you can take in an audiovisual show which recreates the cave’s

Sao Vincente Caves

volcanic geological origins.
Sitting inside a large basalt rock at the mouth of the river that runs through the town is the unique Capela de Sao Roque (Chapel) which was built by Inacio de Sousa in 1692.

The pebble beach at Sao Vincente is popular with surfers because of its big waves. Families are best to use safe natural lido at Porto Moniz or use the swimming pool at Ponta Delgada.
If you are looking for some adventure then the area surrounding Sao Vincente offers excellent hang gliding and paragliding terrain. If you still need more of an adrenaline rush then you can try mountain climbing, rock climbing and mountain biking or try white water canoeing down the mountain streams.

Sao Vincente beach

Sao Vincente enjoys dry summers with temperatures averaging between 25C and 29C very little rain. Sea temperatures average between 21C and 25C during the summer months making Sao Vincente an ideal choice for your summer package holidays. December and January are the coldest months when temperatures drop to around 14C.

Holiday deals to Sao Vincente and Madeira are always available throughout the internet. With 9 to 11 hours of sunshine during the day in the summer and up to 5 hours of sunshine a day in the winter months, weather conditions are ideal for a relaxing break on the beautiful island of Madeira.

The beautiful island of Madeira is part of a group of Portuguese islands, that also includes Porto Santo, that are situated 545 kms from the North West coast of Africa (Morocco) and 990 kms from Lisbon, Portugal in the Atlantic Ocean. Because of it’s lush river valleys, terraced hillsides, planted with vines and bananas, and dense primeval forest, Madeira is often referred to as the ‘Pearl of the Atlantic’.

Madeira

Walking is a popular pastime for visitors to Madeira. The Levadas (irrigation channels) that criss cross the island form a network of trails that take you through spectacular volcanic landscapes.

KEY FACTS

Location – Atlantic Ocean, 990km southwest of Lisbon.
Time – GMT (GMT + 1 from last Sunday in March to last Sunday in October).
Area – 741 sq km.
Capital – Funchal.

CLIMATE

The climate in Madeira is exceptionally mild, with average temperatures varying between 24C in the summer and 19C in the winter.
The sea temperature is pleasant all year round, varying between 18C in the winter and 22C in the summer.

Ribeira Brava

BEACHES
Most of the beaches on Madeira are either pebbly or man-made. The closest to a Mediterranean-style beach is probably Ribeira Brava and there’s a manmade stretch of golden sand at Calheta. The nearest beach to Funchal is Praia Formosa, which has three small sandy bits and a larger sweep of pebbles. One of the most spectacular beaches is Prainha (Ponta de Sao Lourenco), a sheltered cove of black volcanic sand, on the island’s north east tip. There are several bathing complexes and lidos around the island, including the lido in Funchal and Sao Vincente in the north of the island. Just a 9 km ferry ride away is the soft golden sand of Porto Santo.

THINGS TO SEE

Funchal

Funchal
Funchal, the capital of Madeira, is home to an amazing 16th century cathedral and the Museum of Sacred Art. The Botanical Gardens here cover 12 acres of terraced hillside, planted with species from around the world.

Machico
Here in Machico you will find a 15th-century parish church, the Chapel of Miracles, and a pretty 18th-century fort.

Nossa Senhora de Monte

Nossa Senhora de Monte
The cable car from Funchal to Monte leads to the Nossa Senhora de Monte church. In August it becomes a centre of pilgrimage when worshippers climb the 74 steps on their hands and knees.

Pico Ruivo
Standing at 6,106 feet, the top of the island’s highest peak, Pico Ruivo offers spectacular views. There are also glorious views to be had from the not so high Pico do Arieiro (5,965ft). 

Santana
Santana is the most visited village on the island, known for its fairytale triangular-shaped houses or palheiros.

 
THINGS TO DO

Deep-sea fishing
Madeira is famous for its blue marlin. There are a number of companies on the island who offer fishing tours.

Madeira wine
There are many distinct varieties of the world-famous Madeira wine to be sampled. The grapes are pressed where they are grown and carried down the hills in goatskin bags by porters. The famous Madeira Wine Festival takes place annually in September.

Campo de Golfe do Santo da Serra

Golf
The 27-hole Campo de Golfe do Santo da Serra and the 18-hole Palheiro offer breathe taking views from their cliff top positions.

The levadas
The levadas are a network of ancient irrigation channels stretching for 1,333 miles across the island’s slopes. The coastal path offers great hiking oportunities with dramatic views, while the terraced valleys further inland offer a more tranquil setting.

Tobogganing
Toboggans carry tourists with two men using ropes to control the wide carro, a large wicker basket mounted on wooden runners. Runs to Funchal are located in Monte and Terreiro da Luta.

Great holiday deals to Portugal and Madeira are always available on the internet.

For more information on Portugal and to view my latest articles please visit my Portugal Blog.