The Top Places To See When Visiting Funchal In Madeira

The small island of Madeira is a tourist destination that most US based travellers only visit during a short stop. This is because most US based visitors to Madeira travel courtesy of one of the frequent ocean going cruise liners. As is the norm when travelling on cruise ships, these liners only anchor for a few hours before setting out again for another destination. That the timetable of these cruise ships does not allow for a longer stay is a shame since Madeira has a vast selection of attractions to offer it’s guests.

As I am involved in the sphere of assisting travellers to Madeira Island and the owner of the http://www.love-madeira.com website, I frequently get approached to suggest an itinerary to see everything the island has to offer in just a day. It is not unreasonable to find people who believe that this is a sensible request. After all, if you pick up a map of Madeira, you will find that the island is barely thirty three miles long by fourteen miles wide.

Not long ago, the steep volcanic terrain meant that travelling any distance by car was usually an extremely difficult and slow adventure. Up until 20 years ago, the only way to drive from one end of the island to the other was by using old, narrow, mountainside roads that twisted and turned. Certainly not a choice past-time if you suffered from travel sickness or vertigo!

For the benefit of both locals and tourists alike, nowadays, Madeira boasts a highway network that makes quick, easy travel the norm. However, touring the whole of Madeira in a just a few hours would mean that you would miss the variety of scenery, points of interest and tourist attractions that Madeira has to offer. For this reason, the best thing to do is to book tour that has few stops but greatest diversity.

Hence, for cruise ship passengers with limited on-shore time available, what is the best tour option?

Well, for those cruise ship liner passengers who have yet to sample the delights of Madeira island, I would recommend a whistle-stop tour taking in the main attractions of Funchal, the island’s capital. As all cruise ships drop anchor in Funchal harbour, this choice will consists of minimum travelling mileage.

Funchal and its immediate mountainous vicinity has plenty of interesting places to visit that cater for almost everyone, no matter what their own individual likes and dislikes. A top 5 selection would certainly hold these choices:

Just turn up a get a ticket for the cable car. This will take you from the Zona Velha in Funchal up to the famous mountainside destination of Monte As you journey on forever upward, passing over the cityscape, you will get some fantastic views. You will also gain an aerial view of your luxury cruise ship at anchor in the harbour – just right if you want to take that special photograph of it.

Upon exiting the cable car, the first place of interest to head for is Monte church. This church, regarded with profound respect by the islanders, marks the very same spot where the first chapel on Madeira Island stood. This chapel, if Portuguese folklore is trustworthy, was constructed by the first people to be born on the island, twins aptly named Adam and Eve. In a small, gated side chapel of Monte Church, you will find the tomb of the last Habsburg Holy Roman Emperor.

If you delight in things botanical, then before you leave Monte, ensure you visit the Monte Palace Tropical Gardens. These gardens, built into the mountainside, have intricate displays of trees, shrubs and flowers from around the globe along with a variety of cultural objects that are housed in and around the grounds. In particular, look out for the formal Oriental Garden and the assortment of ceramic tiles that features examples from a period range of one hundred and fifty years.

Having sampled nature’s abundance at the Monte Palace Tropical Gardens, there is perhaps the most famous of all Monte’s attractions still demanding attention. Make your way to the start of the unique Monte Toboggans ride. These examples of a primitive form of transport are made from chair sized, flimsy, wicker baskets secured to ski-like wooden runners. Once you have seated yourself in position, a couple of skilled steering side-runners will guide your ancient form of transport down the sharply descending hills. Ernest Hemmingway once described this ride as the most exhilarating experience of his life. Today, health and safety regulations mean that, it now takes a form that is not so breathtaking, but you will still enjoy an experience that is unlike any other in the world.

When you alight from your Monte Toboggan, you will be looking for a more relaxing experience to follow. It is now just about time to head back to the center of Funchal and choose from the many restaurants and cafes that are available.

Overlooking the yacht Marina there are some excellent fish restaurants. At these, you will be guaranteed that each and every dish offered will have been bought in the local fresh fish market earlier that morning.

Alternatively, head for the back streets where some of the smaller cafes have a selection of typical Madeiran meals at very affordable prices. You could find yourself celebrating with a post meal glass of Madeira wine in a converted old wine cellar. Or, perhaps, enjoying an espetada, a local speciality consisted of dices of beef roasted on a wooden skewer, whilst being entertained by a traditional Madeiran folk troupe.

Whatever you choose, I can guarantee that, as your cruise liner sails out into the Atlantic ocean and the mountain tops of Madeira are fading into the distance, you will be drawing up fresh plans to visit this charming Portuguese island once again.

For the enjoyment of your journey ensure you get your free street plan map of Funchal.