Your Guide to … Madeira
Where to eat
Without a doubt, you have to try the local delicacies.
Madeira has 2 main dishes that I found incredible. Scabbard and Espetada.
Don’t google what scabbard is because if you see what it looks like before you eat it, you might not want to eat it, but it’s quite tasty and I didn’t expect that. Traditionally served with banana. Here is a very poor shot of it (I’m going to step up my food picture game from now on. I promise.
The second thing I highly recommend for you to eat is espetada. The skewers are made from laurel branches. You must be thinking what will this taste like …. Just imagine marinating your food in bay leaves :) That’s exactly what the laurel plant is.
Here are some other places to eat in Madeira
1. Venda da Donna Maria
2. Boho Bistro
3. Vila Ventura (Caniço)
4. Atlantis (Caniço) - probably the best views in town
5. Design Centre Nini Andrade
Scabbard with banana
What to see
Madeira is a great place to be active because it’s so beautiful. You will want to get out and explore and it’s great that there is so much to go out and do.
1. Explore the town and the promenade
2. Visit Cristiano Ronaldo Museum - all the football fans here please :)
3. Design Centre Nini Andrade - great place to learn about the designer and her inspiration
4. Visit Monte - go on the tobbogan (please be safe) and visit the botanic gardens
5. Visit Quinta Vigia - a beautiful garden owned by the Mayor. I know I thought the same when I saw it.
6. Go and explore :)
Where to stay
J decided that he wanted to stay at the Galomar Hotel which is part of Galo Resorts. Although it was not in Funchal, I loved that it allowed us to explore more of the island. Being in Caniço was peaceful and less expensive but given the chance to do it over, I would stay in Funchal. That being said, I have fond memories about Galomar Hotel
There is always time for some yoga
What to drink
Due to the geographic location, Madeira is an excellent place to grow grapes for their sweet Madeira wine which is used as a dessert wine and to sugar cane for rum. The sugarcane that was produced here was exported, but now it is only used to make aguardente de cana (rum) and this is an essential ingredient in Poncha - the nations drink. Traditionally Poncha is made from aguardente de cana, honey, sugar and lemon/orange juice and is probably the most potent drink you will have on the island. It’s served - everywhere but try and have it from a factory.
Beerhouse is a great place to go and explore the local beer. If you are not a beer fan, try the beer sangria. It’s quite refreshing. I’m sure you will like it.
Do you have recommendations from your time in Madeira, feel free to add them to the comments section below
Till the next adventure X