7 reasons why adventure seekers should visit Madeira

This time, Marija Pipiraitė-Grumbinė shares seven reasons why Madeira is worth visiting for adventure lovers.

Raised

Perhaps many have not even heard such a word. But in Madeira you will definitely meet it. There are even a couple hundred levees here.

One of the most popular is the levada with 25 waterfalls, which fascinates with unusually lush vegetation and tall waterfalls that tumble down from the mountains, sometimes dragging tourists directly onto the road!

When going to the levadas, it is recommended to look not only at their popularity, but also at their complexity, since some are suitable for a quiet and relaxing walk, others require physical preparation or at least the soul of an adventurer.

For example, a fairly short Leva, only eight kilometers long, is crowned by a one kilometer tunnel at the end of Faja do Rodrigos, which requires a headlight and non-slip shoes.

The capital is Funchal

What could be more beautiful than a city by the sea when the houses on the other side “climb” up the mountain? Funchal has everything the city needs: a walk near the ocean, a mountain and a funicular to a well-kept old town, perhaps the most orderly market in the world, a castle, bars and restaurants, hotels of different levels, delicious coffee and Huge servings of ice cream.

A walk on clouds

Probably the most impressive trail on the island leads between the highest peaks Pico do Arieiro (1818 m) and Pico Ruivo (1862 m). Although the mountains are not high, they are fascinating for their sharp edges, bright colors, and panoramic views of the valley towns and the ocean.

Here every time there is the feeling that the mountain trails lead to the sky and we walk in the clouds.

Tunnels

Do you know why Madeira is sometimes called “Swiss cheese”? And for the long and short, wide and narrow, light and dark tunnels that cross it.

It used to take 8 hours to get from Funchal to Porto Moniz through the mountains. Now is an hour. The compactness of the island and the developed infrastructure of roads, bridges and viaducts allows you to travel from any end of the island quickly and comfortably.

Bumps

One of the most famous and impressive, Cape Sao Lourenco, the easternmost point of the island. The colorful steep cliffs washed away by ocean waves and the winding coastline attract tourists from around the world.

A less visited but no less charming path is the Camino Costero de San Jorge. Part of the trail is a wooden step attached to a rock, and through the gaps between the tables you can see the Atlantic waves flowing towards the shore at the bottom. A path for the brave.

Funchal airport

It is built on the seashore. If that were said about the hotel, we could imagine the most romantic vacation. But with the airport, it’s a bit different, and its location delights more adrenaline seekers.

The airport’s engineering solutions have even been rewarded, but so far only very experienced pilots can land here. The track is designed so that it can only be lowered from one side. And in the event of an unfavorable wind, you must change your plans: fly to the nearby island of Porto Santo and wait for a more favorable weather there, or sail from there to Madeira.

Natural pools

Swimming in the natural lava pools of Porto Moniz is an exclusive pastime. Although it can be cold at the beginning and end of the season, cold water eliminates fatigue even better after exercise.