Here in the Atlantic Ocean, not too far from the centre of Europe, we find the islands of Madeira and Porto Santo.
The archipelago is famous for its friendly people, exceptional natural beauty and mild climate.
Madeira Islands are just a short trip from Europe, to a destination where you can combine holidays on the beach, in the mountains or in the city.
Madeira and Porto Santo are the ideal places to relax and restore the balance of mind and body that you need to face the stress of daily life. 

Madeira is also very famous for its natural environment, where the most important feature is the Laurissilva Forest, a relic of the Tertiary Age, which has been classified by UNESCO as a World Natural Heritage Site. It is no less well known for its year-round outdoor sports.
The island’s mild climate and a water temperature that never goes below 17ºC mean that you can be on the go all the time. Its traditions and customs, visible in its old buildings, museums and churches and even in regional products like its wine and embroidery, have lasted for centuries and deserve your very special attention.

Porto Santo is 40 km from Madeira and is quite simply heaven on earth! This island, with a 9‑kilometre beach of golden sand washed by warm, crystalline waters is the ideal refuge for a quiet, relaxing holiday.
As for the uninhabited Desertas and Selvagens Islands, take a trip there and, in a few hours, you will get to know some of the rarest fauna and flora on the planet.
The Desertas Islands are about 22 miles southwest of Funchal and have been made a biogenetic reserve, which, today, is that last Atlantic refuge of the Mediterranean monk seal (Monachus monachus), the rarest seal in the world.
The Selvagens Islands are made up of two groups of small islands, Selvagem Grande and Selvagem Pequena, and are about 180 miles from Madeira.
These islands also have a nature reserve, where we can find some of the rarest flora on the planet. They are also considered a bird sanctuary because of their ideal nesting conditions for sea birds.

Tours, What to do in Madeira

This is a fascinating landscape, with its high mountains and deep valleys covered by exotic vegetation and colourful flowers. Add to these attractions the charm of the small villages and the cosmopolitan rhythm of the capital, Madeira, and you have plenty of good reasons to set off and explore every corner of the island.The Transport system is top quality and varied. So choosing exactly how you will explore the island is up to you!

Eira do Serrado - Monte
Duration: Half day

Leave Funchal on the road to Pico dos Barcelos. When this panoramic viewpoint is reached, don’t rush past. Instead, enjoy the view over the town of Funchal, with the Deserted Islands in the background. Follow signs onward to Eira do Serrado. Along this winding road, make the best of a small detour affording spectacular views over the Valley of Ribeira dos Socorridos. To reach the Eira do Serrado viewpoint, you will have to walk for 15 minutes. Once you are there, let yourself bathe in a sensation of plenitude, as you look out over fantastic scenery. Deep in the ample valley is the small town of Curral das Freiras.
To return to Funchal, follow the signs to the district of Monte. At the Largo da Fonte sit in the shade of its big sycamores, or walk through the gardens that have flowers all year round. And finally, climb the long stairs to the Church of Our Lady of the Monte. Emperor Karl I, the last monarch of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, was exiled in Madeira in 1921, and is buried in the chapel beside this church.
Strong sensations await you at the end of the day. The best way to get back down to Funchal is by taking one of the carros de cestos (basket cars), which make their way down the sharply winding the curves. You must trust the skills of the drivers (carreiros), and their braking system, which depends upon their boots. But after all, this is a traditional means of transport.

Santana - Machico
Duration: Full day

Leave Funchal on the road to Poiso. Arriving in Poiso, you can choose to take a detour to Pico do Areeiro, the third highest point in the Island, at 1810 m. On a clear day the view over the island’s hinterland is remarkable. Back toward Poiso, head through the Laurissilva, or primitive forest of Madeira, toward Ribeiro Frio. This is a place blessed by especially rich vegetation, with plants unique to the island. There is also a small trout farm that has become an obligatory stop for any visitor. You might want to take a short walk of 30 mins through the Levada dos Balcões. This will offer you views of the fascinating scenery of a beautiful valley.
The next stop is Faial. From its small fort you can admire the imposing rock of Penha d’Águia. At the bottom of it, because of erosion, the Island appears to have advanced over the sea. This type of geographical formation is called, in Madeira, a fajã.
Go back to the main road and follow it towards Santana. Here triangular houses, with thatched roofs and picturesque gardens, compose one of this island’s traditional picture postcard images. Have lunch in one of the village’s traditional restaurants and then follow the road to Queimadas. This is a forest park, with luxurious vegetation, where you can take a lengthy walk beside lakes and over little bridges. Go back to Santana, crossing Faial again, but now head towards Porto da Cruz. Go up to Portela and admire this fascinating view. Following this road, continue to the town of Machico. Continue this pleasant promenade along the sea and you will get to the S. Roque chapel. Now it’s time to go back to Funchal. The day is ending, but the night still has many mysteries in store.

Encumeada - Porto Moniz - Paul da Serra
Duration: Full day

Depart Funchal along the motorway towards Ribeira Brava. Make a detour and visit the Cabo Girão, the highest promontory in Europe and the second highest in the world (580m). Go back to the main road and continue to Ribeira Brava. You can visit this pleasant seaside village before going up to Serra da Águia as far as Encumeada, where, on a clear day, you can enjoy a beautiful view over both the North and the South coast. Proceed to S. Vicente, where you can visit volcanic caves and, on the way, view the rich and unique vegetation of the laurissilva forest. Arriving at the coast, head towards Porto Moniz along the road built beside the levadas: this is a route that has been carved through rocks and is a testament to human persistence and will to conquer the land.
Once in Porto Moniz, recharge your batteries with a pleasant plunge in the natural pools. On the way back to Funchal, go up to Santa do Porto Moniz and head toward Paúl da Serra, a 1400m high plateau. From the plateau proceed to Bica da Cana, along a road that will take you again to the entrance of the Encumeada. Once there, take the same road homeward to Funchal.

Porto Santo
Duration: Full day

Depart Funchal for the neighbouring island of Porto Santo. Admire the view from the sea towards the east coast of Madeira as far as S.Lourenço Point. The anchorage at Porto Santo is in a bay protected by two small islands, called Farol and Cal.
The main attraction here is the long beach. Do, however, spare time for a quick tour of the island. Go up to Portela and admire its fantastic view over the South Coast. Follow the Serras (mountain range) to Camacha. Close to this village is Fonte da Areia, an obligatory stop.
Finally, visit the panoramic viewpoint at Pico das Flores and proceed to Moreno, where human persistence has helped create vast green carpet of trees, contributing significantly to the island’s reforestation. After a light lunch in the town of Vila Baleira, enjoy a whole afternoon on its beach of the finest golden sand. Known for its therapeutic qualities, this 9 km long beach and its warm and clean waters can leave no visitor indifferent to its charms. And if a one-day visit has already caused you to succumb to the charms of this golden island, then postpone your departure and stay longer in one of the many hotels and inns. Otherwise, return to Funchal at the end of the day.