Flight to Funchal (Madeira) (FNC) starting at €44.99*

As far as climate is concerned, the island of Madeira is part of Africa. After all, its location in the Atlantic Ocean is only 500 kilometres from the coast of Morocco. From a geological point of view, you are enjoying your holiday on a volcanic island whose peaks jut into an azure sky at 1,800 metres. If you want to get really close to the sun, we suggest a mountain tour to the highest point in Madeira: Pico Ruivo. Funchal itself is right on the ocean and reaches a height of 550 metres. Not far frm the aiport, the capital of Madeira is a port of call that is particularly popular amongst sailors before they head out across the Atlantic, and cruise ships have long been familiar with the charms of the Island of Flowers.

For Portuguese seafarers, Madeira was the point of departure for a voyage across the Atlantic, to the New World or to former colonies all the way down to present-day Mozambique. Even in the pedestrian zone of Funchal, with its souvenir and culinary shops – well worth a visit – you’ll find the first Portuguese cathedral. Dating back to the 15th century, the bold and beautiful structure looks as though it had only been built a few years ago. Everywhere you go in Funchal, you will encounter monuments to the great heroes of Portuguese seafaring. After only a short time you yourself may feel a bit more heroic! Madeira was crucial to early shipbuilders because, hundreds of years ago, it provided a densely forested island offering plenty of building material for the frigates of the proud Portuguese fleet. One of the greatest attractions of Funchal, of course, is the oldest fort on Madeira, Fortaleza de Sao Lourenco, dating back to the 16th century. It is a sight no one should miss.

Spruce gatekeepers and white palace walls reflect the pride of the island even today. If you start a trip into the mountains from Funchal, you’ll discover sprawling vineyards where the grapes for world-famous Madeira wine thrive. Winemakers will gladly invite you to taste their wines. Keep driving and you’ll descend into the Curral das Freiras valley, one of the most imposing landscapes on Madeira. The perfectly circular basin of the valley affords an impressive view across the island’s verdant inland in its entirety. Incidentally, the name Funchal originated with the wild fennel that the first settlers had to pull up in order to make a home in the area. Today, on the other hand, impressive gardens and blooming landscapes await visitors to the island.