Madeira holidays

Madeira’s beaches are a bit different to the usual – pebbles and volcanic sand are lapped by the clear waters of the Atlantic Ocean, and backed by dramatic rock formations like those at Ponta de São Lourenço. For sea swimming, make a beeline for Porto Moniz natural pools. Formed out of cooled lava, the pools are some of the cleanest around thanks to the constant natural replenishment of the sea water. If you’d rather stay away from the waves, there are lido bathing complexes to swim in, as well.

If you need to see a sweep of golden sand to feel like you’re actually at the beach, head to Praia de Calheta, near the Saccharum resort area. This spot’s made with sand imported straight from the Sahara. And thanks to its two breakwaters, the water’s nice and calm, making it the ideal place for family-friendly swimming.

Dubbed Madeira’s hidden gem, Calhau da Lapa is a secluded beach with crystal-clear water surrounded by volcanic cliffs with local fishermen’s cottages built into them. To get there, you’ll need to tackle a steep cliff descent with around 700 steps, or take a water taxi.

Funchal’s Farmer’s Market – or Mercado dos Lavradores – is packed with stalls selling all sorts of unique souvenirs and snacks. Among it all, you’ll find fresh flowers, exotic snacks like passionfruit and custard apples, cork products, and linen finished with traditional Madeira embroidery. If you fancy getting your hands on a basket made with famous Madeira wicker, head to Camacha, where it originates from.

Madeira Shopping, in Santo Quiteria, is the island’s biggest mall. It’s where you’ll find all your high-street brands, as well as 20 restaurants and sprinkling of coffee shops. For something a little different, mooch around Funchal’s boutiques, many of which you can find in or around Rua Fernão de Ornelas – the city’s most famous shopping street. Here you can grab everything from beachwear to Portuguese leather shoes.

Madeira doesn’t host much of a designer shopping scene. That doesn't mean it scrimps when it comes to style though – La Vie Shopping Centre in the centre of Funchal hosts more than 70 stores, including a list of Portuguese fashion designers. There’s also a handful of spots in Funchal where you can have luxury bespoke jewellery made. If you’re more into art than fashion, you can mosey around contemporary galleries, or shop for designer paintings at the Nini Andrade Silva Design Centre.

Funchal Old Town – or Zona Velha – was made for exploring. Delve into its maze of cobbled streets, and you’ll stumble upon authentic Poncha bars where you can sample the local cocktail of sugar cane spirit, honey and lemon juice, and music venues dedicated to traditional Portuguese genre, Fado. Down by the waterfront, al fresco tables freckle the promenade, and live bands come out to entertain you while you sip sunset drinks by the marina. And if you want even better sunset views, head to one of the area’s rooftop terraces.

Funchal’s the marker for Madeira’s nightlife scene. Most of the action’s centred around Avenida Do Mar, the coastal road that runs from the city’s main port. The bars that snake off the main road are well worth a look in for night owls, too – here, you’ve got late-night venues and bars hosting happy hours. And if you fancy a flutter, you can try your luck at Madeira Casino, which is famous for its imposing exterior designed by architect Oscar Niemeyer.

Bolo do caco is a chewy, stone-baked sweet potato bread spread with garlic butter and parsley. It’s often served as a warm starter or to accompany soup in restaurants, and you can pick it up from a street food stall as a tasty snack, as well.

Carne de vinho translates to ‘meat of wine’, and is a traditional Christmas dish in Madeira. Pork is marinated for up to three days, then cooked in a garlic and white wine sauce with vinegar, bay leaves and salt. Look out for it on the menus of local tavernas, especially if you’re here over the festive season.

If you fancy trying some traditional Madeiran cuisine, look no further than black scabbard – a deep-sea fish unique to the archipelago, known for its mild white meat. There are lots of ways to eat it, but the most popular is espada com banana, where the fish is battered and fried, then served with caramelised bananas.

Chefs prepare this dish by rubbing large grilled beef chunks with rock salt and garlic, then stacking them onto bay leaf skewers made from laurel wood, and hanging them over smouldering coals to cook. The skewers are traditionally served with fried maize, or milho frito.

The rich, sherry-like Madeira wine is a must-have aperitif when you’re here. It comes in different variations, like Malvasia – a sweet variety – and Sercial – a dry version. The dessert wine’s the most popular, though, thanks to its crisp, woody flavours that perfectly complement puddings. You can sample some for yourself on a wine-tasting tour at Blandy’s Wine Lodge, in the centre of Funchal.