• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Time Travel Turtle

A travel blog with stories beyond the brochure

  • HOME
  • ABOUT ME
  • CONTACT ME
  • BY COUNTRY
    • WEST EUROPE
      • Belgium
      • England
      • France
      • Germany
      • Ireland
      • Liechtenstein
      • Luxembourg
      • Monaco
      • Netherlands
      • Northern Ireland
      • Scotland
      • Switzerland
      • Wales
    • NORTH EUROPE
      • Estonia
      • Finland
      • Latvia
      • Lithuania
      • Norway
      • Sweden
    • SOUTH EUROPE
      • Cyprus
      • Gibraltar
      • Greece
      • Holy See
      • Italy
      • Malta
      • Portugal
      • San Marino
      • Spain
    • EAST EUROPE
      • Austria
      • Belarus
      • Croatia
      • Czech Republic
      • Hungary
      • Montenegro
      • Poland
      • Serbia
    • NORTH ASIA
      • China
      • Japan
      • Kazakhstan
      • Kyrgyzstan
      • Mongolia
      • North Korea
      • Tajikistan
      • Uzbekistan
    • SOUTH ASIA
      • Cambodia
      • India
      • Indonesia
      • Myanmar
      • Malaysia
      • Nepal
      • Philippines
      • Singapore
      • Sri Lanka
      • Thailand
      • Vietnam
    • NORTH AMERICA
      • Antigua & Barbuda
      • Belize
      • Canada
      • Costa Rica
      • Guatemala
      • Mexico
      • USA
    • SOUTH AMERICA
      • Argentina
      • Brazil
      • Chile
      • Paraguay
      • Peru
      • Uruguay
    • AFRICA
      • Egypt
      • Morocco
      • Namibia
      • South Africa
    • OCEANIA
      • Australia
      • New Zealand
    • MIDDLE EAST
      • Jordan
      • Turkey
  • MOST POPULAR
    • The world’s oldest backpacker
    • Orangutans in Borneo
    • The need for speed
    • Trying to get out of the slum
    • The lake swamped with tourism
    • Journey into Dreamland
    • The village where life begins again
    • Is Cambodia safe for travellers?
    • Making the perfect gin and tonic
  • UNESCO

Exploring the island of Madeira

May 2, 2020 | Michael Turtle | 11 Comments

PHOTO ESSAY

Driving around Madeira

The small island of Madeira has, at its heart, a passionate Portuguese community. Forget the fact that more Madeirans actually live in other parts of the world than on the island itself – that’s to do with economics rather than desire. The people from here love their home.

It’s easy to see why.

Physically, it is further south than the Portuguese mainland – off the coast of Morocco. The waters of the Atlantic Ocean surround it and they help keep a consistent and pleasant temperature across the seasons. Over the longer term – thousands and thousands of years – those same waters have cut away at the cliffs to produce dramatic shorelines.

Mountains become valleys which become other mountains as the land undulates constantly with barely a flat surface in sight. One moment you can be by the crashing waves of the ocean and the next climbing through the mountains, through fog, to views where those waves seem insignificant in context.

The main city of Funchal on the south coast is where the majority of the 280,000 residents live. It is spread out and never feels crowded, stretching up into the hills as much as along the coast. It’s a beautiful place and a wonderful introduction to the island – however, a trip away from the urban area opens up the beauty of the island.

My good friends Kash Bhattacharya and Sofia Vasconcelos live in Madeira and have offered to show me some of the local sights – the places which become much more accessible with a car-owning redsident.

We start by driving away from the coast, through one of the many valleys that make their way down to the water. Steep inclines on either side dictate the path of the road which follows a riverbed for much of the way.

Madeira Photography, Portugal

We make our first stop at a small bar which serves the traditional refreshment ‘poncha’. It’s a rum-based drink that’s mixed with honey, sugar, lemon rind and fruit juice. The sweetness masks the potency and after more than one or two you start to feel the effects. We stop after the first one and make the most of the free peanuts on offer. The floor is apparently the best place to put the shells from the nuts and we do as the locals do.

Madeira Photography, Portugal
Madeira Photography, Portugal

To get anywhere in Madeira you need to drive through tunnels…

Madeira Photography, Portugal

…and across bridges. Rather than driving over mountains or around valleys, the local authorities decided long ago it would be better just to let people go through them or across them.

Madeira Photography, Portugal

We arrive at St Vincent on the north coast of Madeira. It’s home to just 6,000 people and feels even more laidback than the already-relaxed Funchal. Old men sit at cafes in the square, couples stroll through the church’s garden, a shop sells cassette tapes and toys in boxes faded from years of sunlight.

Madeira Photography, Portugal
Madeira Photography, Portugal
Madeira Photography, Portugal

Buildings are constructed in harmony with the natural structures here and some seem to be a part of the rocky outcrops near the shore. The beachfront resembles the harshness of the landscapes you see across the whole island, which large rocks taking the place where you might expect sand.

Madeira Photography, Portugal
Madeira Photography, Portugal

As we drive further along the coast, heading west, the vivid cliffs provide the setting for the journey. The road again cuts through tunnels and the sheer drop on one side contrasts with the high mountains on the other.

There isn’t much settlement here and small houses dot the land. We stop a couple of time to look at the views and I see towns huddled together near the water.

Madeira Photography, Portugal
Madeira Photography, Portugal

We drive down to stop at one of the towns. A few fishermen stand on the rocks as the waves crash around them.

It’s a quiet community and most of the noise comes from the ocean. It rumbles across the small square and over to the houses and bars nearby.

There are no other tourists here and, although it’s not far from the centre of Funchal, it feels much further.

Madeira Photography, Portugal
Madeira Photography, Portugal

Finally, as the sun begins to dip behind the mountains, we decide to chase it and not let the mountains hide those final rays.

We drive back to the south of the island and then again head towards the west. At the end of the road is a place called Jardim do Mar and it’s here we settle into a table at the bar of a guesthouse called Maktub.

The Portuguese cocktails seem fitting as we watch the sunset over the water. Other people have gathered here for the daily ritual of drinks and orange sky. Limpets are being cooked in one corner and offered around to the guests.

Madeira Photography, Portugal
Madeira Photography, Portugal

The day has gone quickly and as it gets darker I wish there was even more time to explore. There is so much to see here on the island.

I think it would be unfair to say I’ve fallen in love with the place already – other than being a bit of a cliché, it’s also probably just more of a crush right at the moment. But I can certainly see why there is such passion from those who call it home.

THE BEST ACCOMMODATION IN MADEIRA

Although there are a few areas you could stay in Madeira, I think it makes sense to base yourself in the capital Funchal and do trips from here.

BACKPACKER

For a backpacker option, I recommend Santa Maria Hostel, which is in an old renovated school.

BUDGET

If you would like something affordable, Vitorina Corte Guesthouse has lovely rooms right by the water.

BOUTIQUE

With an amazing pool, Castanheiro Boutique Hotel is a great choice for something with style.

LUXURY

And when it comes to luxury, Les Suites at Cliff Bay is an incredible property!

Time Travel Turtle was a guest of Porto Bay Hotels and Resorts and Madeira Promotion Bureau but the opinions, over-written descriptions and bad jokes are his own.

Reader Interactions

    Comments Cancel reply

  1. Jen |

    April 9, 2014 at 5:56 pm

    Reply

    Great post Michael. I have a very good friend who is from Madeira and she can’t speak more highly of it. For that fact I really would love to visit myself someday. Especially for those stunning sunsets!

    • Michael Turtle |

      April 23, 2014 at 11:12 pm

      Reply

      You’re right- I think people from Madeira are the biggest ambassadors for the island. They all are so proud and I can completely see why!

  2. Bridget @ GreenGlobalTravel |

    April 13, 2014 at 1:26 am

    Reply

    Beautiful photos! Maderia looks like paradise- would love to travel there someday. Thanks for sharing!

    • Michael Turtle |

      April 23, 2014 at 11:22 pm

      Reply

      I’m sure you would love it there. It really surprised me for how beautiful it was. Not because I didn’t think it would be nice… but because I didn’t realise how stunning it is when you actually see it all in person!

  3. Frank |

    April 13, 2014 at 3:33 am

    Reply

    Wow, great photos!! I’ve had some great Madeira wine, guess the rugged geography ideal for good grapes.
    Nice post,
    Frank (bbqboy)

    • Michael Turtle |

      April 23, 2014 at 11:23 pm

      Reply

      Oh, they love their wine in Maderia, that’s for sure!! I actually find it a bit too sweet and can’t drink lots of it. But it’s a good little pick-me-up when you’re busy exploring the island! 🙂

  4. Devlin @ Marginal Boundaries |

    April 22, 2014 at 4:56 am

    Reply

    Looks like a beautiful place to escape for a couple days or week.

    • Michael Turtle |

      April 23, 2014 at 11:46 pm

      Reply

      I would go for the week option, if I was you! 😉

  5. Jennifer |

    May 8, 2014 at 9:11 pm

    Reply

    Madiera looks gorgeous! I love cooking with Madiera wine, so I’d love to visit some of the vineyards.

  6. noel |

    June 23, 2014 at 4:33 am

    Reply

    What a stunning area, i would love to visit this place, gorgeous images

    • Michael Turtle |

      July 12, 2014 at 5:43 am

      Reply

      Thanks, Noel. I really didn’t know much about the area at all until I visited and was completely blown away by how pretty it all is!

Primary Sidebar

This is the website of travel writer, Michael Turtle. After working in broadcast journalism for a decade in Australia, Michael left Sydney to travel the world indefinitely and write about the places, people and experiences he discovers. This isn't a diary - these are real stories from the world.

Want Occasional Updates?

Sign up to be the first to hear the latest about the adventures of Time Travel Turtle. You'll also get access to special offers and exclusive news.
Thank you! You have successfully subscribed to our newsletter.

Search

  • PRIVACY POLICY