Madeira tourist information.
Madeira is semi-tropical and located in the Atlantic Ocean, 600km off Morocco. This autonomous part of Portugal is lapped by the waters of the Gulf Stream and was discovered in the 15th century by explorers in the service of Prince Henry the Navigator. The captivating landscape of Madeira is the primary reason why this attracts a lot of visitors all year round. Known as the ‘floating flower garden’ it is surrounded by lush green mountains which cascades gently into valleys and seamlessly runs through vineyards. Because it is also a volcanic island, the landscape is made even more interesting because of the volcanic sea pools, scenic trails and caves.
Madeira’s capital is compact enough to see in a day and has amazing architecture, a colourful market in the old town where locals buy fresh fruit and fish, thrill-seeking activities such as the toboggan ride, and some great restaurants. A highlight is the interesting street art in Rua de Santa Maria. The doors along this street have been given to local artists to paint and some display sculputres too.