Located in the Atlantic Ocean is a collection of archipelagos belonging to Portugal. Medeira's main island, often referred to as “The Pearl of the Atlantic,” is known for its dramatic landscapes and tropical temperatures, making it a popular holiday destination throughout the year.
But what the island has to offer is not just the sunlight, but the incredible scenery of the Atlantic Ocean. A recent survey by Holiday Provider Travel Republic lists Madeira as one of the best destinations for cheap pints, with local coral beer in the capital of Funchal costing just £2.28.
Fed up with the pessimistic British winter, I visited Madeira last November, only a flight less than four hours from London, but a world away from much of Europe I have traveled to.
We were driving around the volcanic islands and driving through waterfalls and tunnels opening to sturdy peaks, so temperatures rarely fell below 20c that day, leaving plenty of time along the various beaches.
From Pebrene Praia Formosa, the island's largest public beach, to Black Sand Praia, the Black Sand Praia, to Saebasal, is comparable to beaches that rival turquoise waters and lush green cliffs.
There's nothing better than spending a day exploring country beaches, natural rock pools and greeting the sunset from secluded cliffs, then sitting with a cold beer. Staying near the capital Fanchar meant this was not too far away and made even more enjoyable by how affordable it was.
Given that some of it felt like they could be on Asian beaches or through New Zealand, the entire trip was very affordable, with the return flight from Gatwick Airport being £110.
Staying near the centre, Funchal was a great place to explore the island (and meant I wasn't far from the pint). I highly recommend renting a car. I recommend doing the same thing.
The bus was fast and quite reliable, but I needed cash to buy tickets. Having a car means it was not easily accessible from public transport and allowed us to reach a distance from the crowd. But be careful, some roads are incredibly steep and not for the faint of heart.
I realized I had to close my eyes at a few bends, especially to see the sunrise at Pico do Areiro. The view, the third highest peak on the island, was worth a slightly terrifying drive. But that's not all scary. In fact, Madeira's holidays can be much slower if you simply want to take the sun.
In addition to endless hiking trails and dives in the ocean, the enchanting island has many hotels to relax. We visited the hotel Saejima, named after Winston Churchill. Pestana Churchill Bay is located in Camala de Robos, overlooking the picturesque fishing bay that the former Prime Minister famously painted on one of his trips.
With so many islands to explore, I will definitely be back in Madeira.
I definitely take advantage of my adventurous side, but I am also tempted to stay leisurely on the island.
