luis on Nostr: I am not a local but lucky to have been there a couple of times. My tips on #Madeira, ...
I am not a local but lucky to have been there a couple of times. My tips on #Madeira, with the help of some friends:
Madeira
There are webcams all over the island. You can see the weather conditions in real-time: http://www.netmadeira.com/webcams-madeira
Scenic drives and walks:
Starting from Ribeira Brava, start going up in the direction of Encumeada (best Poncha bar as you’re driving to Encumeada). From there drive to Paul da Serra to see the beautiful view and then go to Fanal (wildlife reserve with 1000+ year old trees). From there, walk the Levada do Rabaçal and then Levada 25 Fontes. It roughly takes 3 hours total, ideally in a day without clouds. One of the most beautiful walks to do. Drive down to Porto Moniz (beautiful sunset) and drive back to Funchal through the Ribeira Brava tunnel.
Start at Pico do Arieiro - beautiful mountain with a view point above the clouds - From there drive down to Ribeiro Frio then to Faial. From there drive to Porto da Cruz (pretty seaside village) and then drive through Santo António da Serra to Machico and finish with a walk in Ponta de São Lourenço. Have dinner in Baía de Machico, near the sand Beach.
Start at Miradouro do Cabo Girão (beautiful view point). From there drive to Fajã dos Padres and get the cable car down to the sea - nice spot for a swim and cute restaurant by the sea (must book). In the afternoon you can drive to Curral das Freiras and stop at Eira do Serrado - an incredible view and drive.
Places to visit:
Ponta do Sol - Pretty village
Jardim do mar - Surfers beach (nice restaurant on the beach)
Calheta - Nice coastal village
Câmara de Lobos - beautiful fisherman village - nice Poncha (20 min from Funchal). Estreito de Camara de Lobos has the best ‘Espetada” (most traditional dish) - Restaurant Ginja or Vides
Funchal
To see:
Teatro municipal - café do teatro
Sé Catedral
Mercado dos Lavradores (in the morning)
Igreja do Colégio
To eat:
Zona Velha - rua de santa maria (nice area with small restaurants)
Restaurante “Lá ao Fundo” – amazing food
Gaveão - good fish
Kampo
Akua - amazing fish set menu
Olívia
Venda Velha - Poncha Bar
Barreirinha Bar/café - Nice sunset spot/ afternoon drink (great vibe and music)
Other places
Villa Cipriani
Il Basílico
Loft
O Atlântico (Clube Turismo) – great food and sunset spot
Doca do Cavaco – spot for a swim and lunch
Aconchego (Câmara de Lobos)
Abrigo do Pastor (Camacha)
A gosto (Caniço)
Laranjinha (Caniço)
O Ginja (Estreito de Câmara de Lobos) – great “Espetada”
Vides (Estreito de Câmara de Lobos) – great “Espetada”
Tasquinha do Pescador (Caniçal)
To swim:
Faja dos Padres
Calhau da Lapa
Seixal
Garajau
Porto Moniz
Praia da Calheta
Praia dos Reis Magos
Prainha do Caniçal
Praia de Machico
Lido Bathing Complex - public access to the sea in Funchal
Madeira
There are webcams all over the island. You can see the weather conditions in real-time: http://www.netmadeira.com/webcams-madeira
Scenic drives and walks:
Starting from Ribeira Brava, start going up in the direction of Encumeada (best Poncha bar as you’re driving to Encumeada). From there drive to Paul da Serra to see the beautiful view and then go to Fanal (wildlife reserve with 1000+ year old trees). From there, walk the Levada do Rabaçal and then Levada 25 Fontes. It roughly takes 3 hours total, ideally in a day without clouds. One of the most beautiful walks to do. Drive down to Porto Moniz (beautiful sunset) and drive back to Funchal through the Ribeira Brava tunnel.
Start at Pico do Arieiro - beautiful mountain with a view point above the clouds - From there drive down to Ribeiro Frio then to Faial. From there drive to Porto da Cruz (pretty seaside village) and then drive through Santo António da Serra to Machico and finish with a walk in Ponta de São Lourenço. Have dinner in Baía de Machico, near the sand Beach.
Start at Miradouro do Cabo Girão (beautiful view point). From there drive to Fajã dos Padres and get the cable car down to the sea - nice spot for a swim and cute restaurant by the sea (must book). In the afternoon you can drive to Curral das Freiras and stop at Eira do Serrado - an incredible view and drive.
Places to visit:
Ponta do Sol - Pretty village
Jardim do mar - Surfers beach (nice restaurant on the beach)
Calheta - Nice coastal village
Câmara de Lobos - beautiful fisherman village - nice Poncha (20 min from Funchal). Estreito de Camara de Lobos has the best ‘Espetada” (most traditional dish) - Restaurant Ginja or Vides
Funchal
To see:
Teatro municipal - café do teatro
Sé Catedral
Mercado dos Lavradores (in the morning)
Igreja do Colégio
To eat:
Zona Velha - rua de santa maria (nice area with small restaurants)
Restaurante “Lá ao Fundo” – amazing food
Gaveão - good fish
Kampo
Akua - amazing fish set menu
Olívia
Venda Velha - Poncha Bar
Barreirinha Bar/café - Nice sunset spot/ afternoon drink (great vibe and music)
Other places
Villa Cipriani
Il Basílico
Loft
O Atlântico (Clube Turismo) – great food and sunset spot
Doca do Cavaco – spot for a swim and lunch
Aconchego (Câmara de Lobos)
Abrigo do Pastor (Camacha)
A gosto (Caniço)
Laranjinha (Caniço)
O Ginja (Estreito de Câmara de Lobos) – great “Espetada”
Vides (Estreito de Câmara de Lobos) – great “Espetada”
Tasquinha do Pescador (Caniçal)
To swim:
Faja dos Padres
Calhau da Lapa
Seixal
Garajau
Porto Moniz
Praia da Calheta
Praia dos Reis Magos
Prainha do Caniçal
Praia de Machico
Lido Bathing Complex - public access to the sea in Funchal