Portugal

Owned by the Blandy family since the 19th century, the Palheiro Gardens is an English-style park set within a complex that includes the former mansion, now a luxury hotel, and the golf course. The thousands of plant species are organized according to a highly varied plan: a small grove for the redwoods, square formal gardens […]

The city of Funchal in Madeira is dotted with numerous churches and chapels, each with its own style and specificity. The Sé Cathedral, built at the request of the King of Portugal, D. Manuel I, in the late 15th century, is a listed National Monument. Its grandiose 16th-century altarpiece is an important work of religious […]

Renowned for its exceptional, colorful, thatched-roof, triangular stone houses known as palheiros, Santana is a small village in the north of Madeira. Dating back to the 16th century, most of these little houses have been preserved to attract tourists. One of the biggest festivals of traditional folklore is held in Santana every July. Numerous folk […]

Ribeira Brava is a small, charming seaside resort in the south of Madeira Island. It takes its name (“Wild River”) from the river that runs through it. When the rains are heavy, the river rushes down to the sea. Nestled in a landscape of banana plantations and, higher up, vineyards, the town with its dapper […]

The natural pools of Porto Moniz are the town’s great “symbol”: they were formed by volcanic lava where the sea naturally enters, providing crystal-clear water. The Santa belvedere overlooking the town on the Santa road offers an exceptional panorama of green vegetation, red roofs and blue ocean. Porto Moniz is the only sheltered port on […]

Cumulative ascent: 350 meters Duration: 4 hours Low point: The 25 fountains (986 m) / High point: Rabaçal parking lot (1276 m) Difficulty: 1/5 / Technique: 1/5 The levada of the 25 fountains (levada das 25 fontes e Risco) is one of Madeira’s best-known and, above all, most popular. Its name derives from the plethora […]

Cumulative elevation gain: 200 meters Duration: 4 hours Low point: Car park above Santana (877 m) / High point: Caldeirão Verde (1089 m) Difficulty: 1/5 / Technique: 1/5 In the heart of the Queimadas Natural Forest Park, at an altitude of 980 m, just above the small town of Santana, lies the start of the […]

Cumulative ascent: 430 meters Duration: 3 hours Low point: Praia do Prainha (6 m) / High point: Ponta do Furado (110 m) Difficulty: 1/5 / Technique: 1/5 At the very eastern end of Madeira Island lies the magnificent Ponta di São Lourenço (Saint Lawrence Point), distinguished from the rest of the island by its semi-desert […]