Travel Guide
Stunning Nature & 70 Degree Temps: Why You Should Visit The Hawaii Of Europe
Feb
Last Updated
Europe is not everyone’s first pick for a sunny vacation in winter, and we can understand why: it’s primarily sought-after for the snowy landscapes, fairytale cobbled villages, and vibrant Christmas markets, but this is a continent with more geographical diversity than it gets credit for.
Would you believe us if we told you there’s a European island home to verdant forests and volcanos and boasting 70-degree temperatures as late as December?
No, it’s not somewhere in Greece, and this is definitely not another regurgitated article on tried-and-true Sicily.
This season, if you’re looking to get your mind blown by otherworldly nature and have dinner alfresco in shorts––even though it’s Christmas!––you should be booking the first flight out to Madeira, or as we like to call it, the Hawaii of Europe:
Is This Europe Or… Africa?
Madeira is a Portuguese island in the Atlantic Ocean, closer in fact to Africa than it is to mainland Europe by some 180 miles, and a year-round destination highly sought-after among Europeans for its mild winters and coastal scenery.
Despite being an integral part of Portugal and culturally being predominantly Southern European, it is technically not part of the European continent––at least geographically––so it doesn’t really have well-defined seasons.
Called Land of Eternal Spring, it can be as warm as 70°F in January, with lows of 59.0 °F at night, and that’s the average temperature you get regardless of season, with occasional heatwaves in July and very limited precipitation.
Though Madeira’s incredible weather is undoubtedly one of its biggest draws, it’s not the primary reason why you should add it to your bucket list––this is the Hawaii of Europe, remember?
Nature here reigns supreme, while Old World culture takes a backseat:
Beautiful Hikes All-Around
Madeira comprises some of the most unique natural landscapes anywhere across the pond: for starters, it is a volcanic island, and it’s dotted with jagged peaks, forested valleys in between dormant volcanos, and ancient forests undisturbed by man.
The long and strenuous but very rewarding sunset hike from Pico do Areeiro to Pico Ruivo visits the island’s most popular viewpoints, overlooking mountains and sea, and it’s the most popular outdoor activity on the island, with pick-up and drop-off costing only $34.75.
If you’re scared of heights and you’re not feeling your most athletic self, there are countless more gentle ‘levadas‘, nature trails that follow the course of crystal-clear streams and lead to towering waterfalls, with this guided walk through the heart of Rabaçal Valley starting at $41 per person.
In total, there are over 20 hiking trails and a whopping 200 levadas around Madeira, so if you’re a nature enthusiast, you’ll definitely be spoiled for choice.
It’s Very Easy To Travel Around Madeira With Guided Tours!
Don’t really feel like renting a car? No worries!
Madeira is very tourist-friendly, and there are countless tour companies in operation serving (nearly) all destinations on the island.
This $61 small-group jeep tour of Northern Madeira is a must-do: it includes a visit to the Cabo Girão Skywalk, an observation deck over the tallest sea cliff in Europe, exploring Fanal, an ancient laurel forest protected by UNESCO, bathing in the volcanic pools of Porto Moniz, and some beach time.
Definitely do not expect long strips of golden-sand beaches, as most of the coastline is rugged, and swimming sites tend to be covered with gravel and shingles, but Seixal Beach, which is part of this tour, is made of warm, black volcanic sand.
Alternatively, this $29.49 tour of Eastern Madeira starts in the Areeiro Mountains––no climbing, just a photo spot––before driving towards Ponta de São Lourenço, the easternmost point in Madeira, an area rich in fauna and flora.
On the way, you’ll tick off the Instagrammable thatch-roofed houses of Santana and the laid-back coastal village of Porto da Cruz, where you’ll sample traditional spirits––go easy on the poncha––as well as walk a sheltered bay backed by imposing sea cliffs.
A Culture-Rich Colonial Capital
Though its lush nature is Madeira’s biggest asset, it shouldn’t be overlooked as a cultural getaway, either: Funchal, the bustling city serving as its capital, was settled in the 15th century, and it’s a typical Portuguese colonial port littered with Baroque churches and whitewashed buildings.
Its best-known landmark is Funchal Cathedral, a centuries-old religious monument mixing elements of Gothic and Romanesque, with a carved wooden ceiling, and if you’re into soccer, visiting the CR7 Museum might be of interest––in case you weren’t aware, Cristiano Ronaldo was born here.
The historic center as a whole is traversed by pedestrianized streets paved with wave patterns, evocative of Portugal’s past as a maritime power, and there are countless street markets and delicious seafood restaurants to be discovered.
For home-cooked Portuguese meals in a no-frills environment, we warmly recommend Restaurant Alta Vista: the fish is freshly-caught, the staff is friendly, and their passionfruit poncha is divine––have we mentioned the great prices?
Madeira Isn’t As Expensive A Getaway As You Might Expect!
Despite its remoteness, surrounded by a vast ocean and situated hundreds of miles away from the Portuguese mainland, Madeira is not as expensive a destination as you might expect:
In fact, it’s not expensive at all!
From the surprisingly affordable Transatlantic flights––did you know you can fly nonstop to Madeira from New York-JFK this winter for only $266 with Azores Airlines?––to the reasonable cost of food and accommodation, it’s not somewhere known to break the bank.
On average, tourists spend $413 on food during a 7-night stay in Madeira, on top of an average $791 on hotels, bringing the total cost of a Madeira vacation, flights excluded, to $1,204: not exactly dirt cheap, but not expensive, either.
That’s only an estimate: it can be much cheaper, even!
A one-week stay at Pensao Residential Vila Teresinha, in the Sao Pedro suburbs near Funchal, costs $347 per adult, while renting a studio with two single beds in Aparthotel Imperatriz, within walking distance of the beachfront will set you back by $400.
This dreamy island may be called the Hawaii of Europe, but they’re definitely not comparable in terms of pricing!
It’s no wonder it’s just been named the best island in Europe for the 10th time at the World Travel Awards.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
