There are travelers always on the lookout for a warm and sandy destination. Though plenty of destinations exist for lounging at sunset while the sea swells onto a beach, there is only one Madeira. An island often voted in the top ranks of island destinations, it has been dubbed the Pearl of the Atlantic.
Madeira is located in one of the autonomous regions of Portugal, located in the Atlantic Ocean west of Morocco (320mi) and north of the Canary Islands (250mi). Its sister island is the Azores, which points towards an already great start for an island vacation. These volcanic islands jut out from a remote part of the ocean, a serene tropical getaway far from any distractions.
On the main island of Madeira sits the capital of Funchal, located on the southern coast. As the largest city in Madeira, it has a population of about 100,000 people. Funchal is one of Portugal’s main tourist attractions, and for good reason, as well as the most visited port by cruise lines in Portugal. It looks over the sea at a gentle slope, but the slope beyond it rises to 3,937 ft.
Within Funchal, the Funchal Cathedral, built in the 16th century, is a main historical attraction. The Old Town (Zona Velha) is where the traveler will find most of the city’s restaurants and shops. Then there’s the Monte Cable Car (Teleférico do Funchal), a 15-minute ride of 2 miles that takes the traveler 1,902 ft up to Monte—where the Botanical Gardens of Madeira, Monte Palace Tropical Garden, and the simply elegant Church of Our Lady of the Monte.
The beaches around Funchal, as well as most of the Madeira islands) are top-notch. Praia do Porto do Seixal, about 40 minutes from Funchal, features volcanic beaches with crystal clear water and a full view of the rising heights of the north coast. Also on the main island of Madeira is Machico, the capital in ancient times. This city on the southeast part of the island features sandy beaches and only has a population of about 20,000 people. Calmer than Funchal, it’s a short ride away.
Porto Santo Island, located northeast of the main island, is a scenic two-hour ferry ride from Funchal. This island is known for its long stretches of fine golden sand at beaches like Porto Santo Beach with turquoise waters. For sports lovers, there are also top-tier golf courses.
The dramatic scenery of Madeira is a sight to behold. From black sand beaches to golden sand, and from rising cliffs to pretty waters, these islands are a treat for the traveler. With everything from resorts, nature walks, nightlife, and an atmosphere for the ultimate relaxation—Madeira is a tropical paradise. This is why Azores Airlines offers up cheap flights to Madeira and its sister islands the Azores. Plus, being the only airline flying non-stop flights from the United States (JFK) to the city of Funchal, Azores Airlines is ready to deliver your traveler to Madeira.
Travel Agents: You can use the content above on your own website or newsletter, compliments of the supplier sponsor above who has paid for your use of the materials. All you need to do is to follow the directions in the TRO Licensing Agreement. Also, please take a moment to check out the travel supplier that makes your use of this material possible. To use – Follow the procedure outlined in the TRO Licensing Agreement. Then, right click on this page and choose “View Source”. Copy the HTML and paste the copied HTML into your own webpages or newsletter. You may remove advertising.
