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Discover Madeira - all the shades of green in the Atlantic 

Madeira is a vibrant green island set in the Atlantic Ocean. 
It has a year-round temperate climate, great food, locally grown wine and breathtaking sceneries with beautiful landscapes with all the shades of green and blue. 
A small island with a great history dating back to the 15th century that has been attracting travellers for more than 100 years. 

Unique landscapes and nature

When it comes to nature you will find plenty of landscapes on the Island that will take your breath away. From the Levadas, to the Laurissilva Forest - classified as a World Natural Heritage Site by UNESCO due to the biodiversity of endemic Fauna and Flora - going through the Natural Pools of Porto Moniz, the incredible Porto Santo beach or the amazing blue sea for a swim. There is a lot to see and discover!

The Levada Walks are one of the most popular things to do in Madeira and for a good reason. They will take you through the Island's most luxurious vegetation and views. As these walks are so popular an effort has been made to classify the various paths, from  accessible to beginners to the most difficult with all the details included (length, transportation to the beginning point, difficulty level, etc. 

With more than 2000km of tracks to choose from, there is something for all tastes. Balcões is an easy one, great for all families with striking views of forest-covered hillsides and a breathtaking  view point at the end. For a longer-hike the 25 Fontes is perfect for a longer walk through high forests that culminates with a beautiful lagoon surrounded by waterfalls. 

One of our go to sites to check which walk to do is this one (walkmeguide.com)

Funchal Harbour in Madeira

Funchal Harbour

Barreirinha Pool Complex

Barreirinha Pool Complex

Funchal Old Town Restaurants

Old Town Restaurants

Eat & Drink

The Villas are located in the beautiful Old Town Area (known as Zona Velha) away from the noise but close to most restaurants and bars which are on a nice 3-5 minutes walking distance. While you are there take a look at the painted doors and enjoy the hospitality. 

Madeira cuisine has many flavors worth discovering. Fresh tuna for example or black scabbard, a fish that's caught in the deep sea and is usually served with a regional banana. Don´t miss the Lapas that are like a true taste of the ocean or the traditional Espetada that is cooked on long skewers over hot coals and ask for Milho Frito to go along with it. All this of course, along with the traditional bread Bolo do Caco.

Madeira is also known for its variety of fresh fruit. One of the best places to see it is Mercado dos Lavradores (7-10 minutes walking distance). If you visit on Fridays and Saturdays you will also find many local farmers from across the Island selling their small productions. Try the passion fruits, the papayas, the wonderful bananas de prata among many others that you will see growing around the island. The building itself is worth the visit. It was built in 1940 and represents the architecture of Estado Novo. 

Barreirinha Bar Café (down the street 3-5 minutes walking)
The best homemade hamburgers in town, together with some really great cocktails. You will also find several other options such as wraps, tacos, salads or hotdogs. 

Lá ao Fundo (5-7 minutes walking ) 
In the heart of the Old Town right near the Fort of Santiago. Mediterranean cuisine.  

Threehouse Hotel rooftop (Edificio Oudinout 10-15 minutes walking)
A fantastic 360º view rooftop where you can relax and find some perfect delights such as the crab croquet or the shrimp Pad Thai. Also great brunch options (all you can imagine) and cocktails. Also a great choice for an afternoon drink.

Gavião Novo (7-10 minutes walking)
One of our must go places when we are looking for fresh fish.

Marisqueira Tropicana ( 7 - 10  minutes walking)
Another great place for fish with a lot of diversity. A favorite amongst locals.

A Confeitaria  (10-15 minutes walking)
For breakfast, afternoon snack or to buy some bread and cakes to bring back home. At Mercado dos Lavradores (but you´ll find a few across the city in other locations).

Kampo (20-25 minutes walking ) 
Featured on Monocle guide this is an experience you should not miss. Using regional flavors and products with an international twist Chef Julio Pereira really knows how to surprise in the very best way. On the ground floor you will find his Bakery Kodea where you can buy some great sourdough bread.

Akua ( 20-25 minutos walking) 
Near the Cathedral you will find Akua also from Chef Julio Pereira. The menu is more into seafood but you can also find some vegetarian and meat dishes.

Beer House (25-30 minutes walking )
You can´t miss it. It is the big with tent near the harbor. They have homemade beer and regional traditional food as Açorda de Lagosta (bread and lobster) one of my favorites. 

Prima Caju (30-35 minutes) 
Prima Caju is a family managed restaurant with a trendy deco and many vegetarian, healthy and some vegan options. A nice healthy option for one of your meals.

Avista Restaurant (45-50 minutes walking - 10 minutes driving) 
Avista is one of the finest restaurants in Funchal with amazing food and great view from the terrace.. 

The Atlantic (50 -60 minutes - 10 minutes driving ) 
A great terrace overlooking the Ocean with great food. Try the Tuna or the Bife à Café de Paris. 

 Re-canto Food Experience (10 minutes driving)
A 3 course menu with beverages included where Chef Andre intends to create memorable moments with his guests. You´ll try locally grown products from the season, always having the traditional Espetada (vegetarian options available).

 Gazebo experience
Chef Filipe Janeiro started as a private chef and now has it´s own space. Definitely worth trying. 

https://www.gazeboexperience.com/

A Chef at the Villa for you! 

Chef Duarte Oliveira comes to the Villa to cook your meal while he introduces you to the regional gastronomy and its history.

You can choose from several options. Prices start at 35€ per person.

If you are interested in learning regional gastronomy he also has the option for workshops on Saturdays that include a visit to Mercado dos Lavradores!

Just get in touch with Chef Duarte or ask us to book it for you (mobile:  +351 964 428 925 email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.)

Chef Filipe Janeiro 
Everything, from brunches to finger food or tasting menus served at your private terrace by a private chef.

Check all the information at https://www.gazeboexperience.com/copy-of-gazebo

Fort São Tiago Funchal

Fort São Tiago

Fort Sunrise

Fort Sunrise

Funchal Municipal Market

Municipal Market

Funchal Municipal Fish Market

Municipal Fish Market

Around the Island:

Sled Ride
Riding a wicker basket set on greased wooden runners t’s a local tradition in Funchal, where the carros de cestotoboggans have been transporting people and goods from Monte to the town below since the mid 19th century.

You have to trust the Carreiros and they will lead the way and be the engine and brakes of the "Carro de Cesto". 

Calheta: 
Don´t miss a visit to Casa das Mudas which is an art museum that has won several international prizes for it´s architecture project by Paulo David.  When you are there try a meal at Socalco Hotel by Chef Ocatvio Freitas.

Ponta do Sol:
Have afternoon tea at the Design Hotel  after lunch at the Old Pharmacy. 

Câmara de Lobos: 
Câmara de Lobos has a beautiful bay worth visiting. You will definitely feel among the locals. Try a Poncha (the traditional beverage). When we are there we enjoy going to the traditional Vila do Peixe, Vila da Carne or Praia do Vigário restaurants. Up the hill you also have the famous espetada restaurants like O Viola, As Vides or O Lagar.

Fajã dos Padres:
Take the cable car down to Fajã dos Padres for a one day experience. Spend the day swimming and have lunch at the restaurant where they served the fish from local fishermen and the products grown at the Fajã. Don´t forget to make a reservation (www.fajadospadres.com)

Jardim do Mar and Paul do Mar 
Surfers should head to pretty Jardim do Mar, named among the best big-wave point breaks in the world but these localities are much more than the sea. You can go through Jardim do Mar small streets to see the houses and the flowers and visit  the Igreja Paroquial de Nossa Senhora do Rosário and the  Capela de Nossa Senhora da Piedade. 

At Paul do Mar don´t miss Maktub restaurant for a meal after a swim or for a cocktail while you enjoy the sunset.

Porto Moniz:
Don´t skip a visit to Porto Moniz and a swim at the natural pools. The north side landscape and old roads for itself are worth the visit.

Seixal:
Go for a swim or at least for a photo at the Seixal Beach. Seixal is one of the most beautiful beaches, its fine black sand framed by mountains and jagged cliffs. 

Once there you can have lunch at Sol Mar a typical restaurant. Don´t miss the Limpets rice. 

São Vicente/Ponta Delgada:
If you are on this side go for lunch at Many. Traditional regional food with a very nice exterior place.

Machico: 
The small harbor and downtown Machico is worth the visit followed by lunch/dinner at Maré Alta, one of our favorite fish restaurants on the Island. 

Caniçal: 
Don´t miss a visit to the extreme point of the island where you can see the north and south sea on the same viewpoint. 

You have several small and nice restaurants at the Villa such as O Amarelo, Muralhas or o Pescador  all very typical

You can also visit the most East point of the Island and have a snack at Casa .do Sardinha (the surroundings are amazing) but you can only go either by foot or boat www.madeiraseaemotions.com (among others). 


Porto Santo
With its golden sandy beaches and gently lapping turquoise sea, it's only 2h30 hours away by ferry or 20 minutes by plane. Porto Santo Line (www.portosantoline.pt) offers one day trips. 

Madeira Cable Car

Cable Car

Funchal Cais

View to the Cais

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