| Reviews and photos of Madeira Island attractions posted by real travelers and locals. The best tips for Madeira Island sightseeing. Madeira Island Map |
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 Seixal: charming Madeira
architecture by pikuu
Seixal is also worth visiting because of its sandy (seldom on Madeira) beach. Despite the sand is dark is as pleasent as golden sand from the other world resorts. Beach is located near the centre od Seixal. You just have to go downstairs from hills to the coast.
After bathing you can rest in the restourant Solmar (near the parish church) and drinking cafe to delight in observing the life of Madeira country.
From Funchal (in 2006 bus stop near the big balloon) you can get to Seixal by Rodoeste line buses (direction: Porto Moniz), but check the timatable properly because buses run irregularly, seldom and unfortunately slowly (from 70 to even 140 minutes). So, the best way is to rent a car. Directions: Porto Moniz District
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 Porto Moniz pools: night-time by pikuu
My practice observations: in Septemeber swimming was allowed only up to 1 or 2 pm. After this time pools were flooded by the waves from ocean. And 'nadadores salvadores' (simply life-guard) hung the red flag out. During afternnoon time I don't recommend to take place near the pools edge - for sure waves will wet all your stuff.
Normal ticket (2006) is 1,25 euro. Pools are full equiped: restaurant, wc, changing rooms, baggage room, showers, sunbeds etc. One minus is that you have to put you towel on concrete ground (or on sunbed for additional charge).
On the photo you can see pools and their sea surroundings at the night-time. Camera time shutter was about 1 sec and different lights (street lamps, fluorescent light) created these colors. Directions: Porto Moniz
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 25 Fontes: relaxation in the
heart of nature by pikuu
From Rabacal house the track leads down abruptly and 10 minutes after start you must choose Risco or 25 Fontes levada. When you decide for 25 Fontes you walk sometimes on the sunny slopes and sometimes in the shadow of lush forest. The path is well preserved and unfortunately sometimas too crowdy. But the 1 - 1,5 h walk is worth of all the efforts.
25 Fontes are the rock wall with the thicket of different plants, small blue lake (very cold water) and countless number of streams and waterfalls (many more than 25 ;). Sit down on the big boulder and simply enjoy. This is natural place of totally relaxation.
Unfortunately there is no regular communication. You can rent a car or use the trip offer of some travel agency.
Levada 25 Fontes is located near the road between the Paul do Serra plateau and Ponte do Pargo/Porto Moniz. Directions: Calheta district
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 fisherman's port by willy_wonka
a small fishing town, the colors of the boats, the carnival, the markets and the houses all add to sensory overload. and let's not forget the beautiful rugged cliffs and that glistening atlantic ocean....
camara de lobos is so picturesque, that one of it's most famous holiday residents was sir winston churchill! you will thus find a few pubs and restaurants called "the churchill" or so around the place.
built along a steep hill, the family i stayed with happened to be at the very top of the hill! this resulted in lengthy walks up steep steps. it was quite hilarious, because at the base of the village, us girls would buy our coca cola and get ready for the walk back home. half way up the stairs and alleys, we would stop, sit down, and take a swill of drink. we needed to rest! walking by were 90 year old grandmothers with legs that were so muscly it was scary! they looked like they were on steroids or something! no matter how hard we tried, we just had to stop at least once to catch our breath, the hill was just to steep! but for the people of the town, it was nothing. proves how easy we have it back home, just jumping into a car to drive 5 minutes.... Leave a Comment Directions: about 20 minutes west from funchal centre. very well posted street signs make it easy to drive here.
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 rock formations by willy_wonka
over years of waves battering the coastline, the browny/black volcanic rocks have formed natural rock pools, waterfalls and other beautiful natural features.
in summer the area is very popular, as people swim in these naturally formed pools. be aware, and you will see signs showing this, that clambering over the rocks is doing so at your own risk. the atlantic ocean can get pretty wild, and while i was there, the force of the waves pounding the coast was pretty spectacular, and scary!
the township of porto do moniz has a few shops, a hotel, and tourist informtion.
Leave a Comment Phone: (351 91) 852 594Directions: north-west coast
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 Crystal Lake in the Sao
Vicente cave by pikuu
At the beginning you have 25 min. guided tour (in English and Portugal) along the caves made by lava. This is really impresive and wild place with the small, crystal underground lakes, water dropping from the ceiling and strange rock shapes and formations.
After it you can visit modern science center. Among others attractions you can see the fantastic 3D film about origins of the Madeira and volcanic phenomena. The organizers also prepared many different special presentations and suprises. Undouptedly Sao Vicente 'grutas' are worth you while.
The normal ticket price is 8 Euro. From Funchal (in 2006 bus stop near the big balloon) and Porto Moniz you can get to Sao Vicente by Rodoeste line buses, but check the timatable properly because buses run irregularly and seldom. Directions: Sao Vicente district
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 awesome beach, if not a
bit pebbly! by willy_wonka
while madeira's beaches might be a bit pebbly, they are very pretty, especially as they usually have cliffs all around them. this photo was taken at camara de lobos, and the beach here can be accessed from steps that are located in the town centre. there are a few restaurants and cafes along the beach front which, in summer, are cool places to hang out! Leave a Comment
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 waterfall, tunnel and road! by willy_wonka
in the photo you can see the tunnel of Riberia Joao Delgado, with the waterfall cascading over it. truly awesome!
the crazy thing is, as you pass under the waterfall through the tunnel, your car will get wet, as the water seeps through the rock of the tunnel. kind of weird, hope over years the tunnel doesn't cave under one day!
while the road is extremely narrow, and you must drive with caution, there are a few rest spots created so that you can stop the car legally and take some fabulous shots of this road high above the sea... Leave a Comment Directions: for an awesome drive, start at santana and drive along the coast all the way to porto do moniz. you will see seixal, along with the beautiful area of faial and sao vicente.
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 wonka on a mountain yah! by willy_wonka
the area around here is very rugged, and quite treeless. it is super windy up here, so always have a jacket with you! it was actually so windy, and as you can see, wonka was a bit skinny in those days, that she nearly blew away! hold onto the railings wonka! lol.
arieiro is the second highest peak in all of portugal, and madeira! it just goes to show how beautiful and mountainous this island is! Leave a Comment Directions: north of funchal
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 numerous houses in a
valley... by willy_wonka
huge jagged peaks, lush temperate forests, some tropical forests... madeira has it all!
to view the interior at it's best, you should definitely head out to curral des freiras, also known as 'nun's valley'. it is here, deep down surrounded by jagged peaks, that a small church was built, and where the nun's lived.
a small path from the carpark leads to the most spectacular view of the small town deep down in the valley. for many years, curral des freiras was not navigable by road, but only by donkey! nowadays with modern technology, you can get here, but only after many scary hair pin bends, tunnels and a few close shaves! Leave a Comment
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