A to Z Guide: 101 Things to Do and See on The Island of Madeira: The Perfect Vacation in Europe

The beauty on this volcanic rock will capture and embrace the heart of the true nature lover. Madeira is a haven of majestic scenery and un-spoilt landscape.

Surrounded by the vast Atlantic ocean, the Island measures a meager 57km x 22km. A 90 minute flight from Lisbon; Madeira is actually closer to Africa than Portugal.

Madeira is famously known as 'The Jewel In The Atlantic' mainly due to her magnificent floral culture and pretty terrain.

Imagine the delight of Zarco discovering the wonders of this beautiful Island for the very first time in 1420. My own delight arriving in Madeira was like an arrow to the heart straight from Cupids bow more than a decade ago.

The floating garden of Madeira has something for everyone to do and see. And to prove it; read my list below. Dream a little; live a little; visit Madeira.

Top 101

1. AGUARDENTE
2. ART
3. A-FRAMED HOUSES
4. ATLANTIC FESTIVAL
5. BANANAS
6. BAMBOO
7. BALLROOM
8. CABO GIRAO
9. CABLE CAR
10. CAMPING
11. CARNIVAL
12. CAVES
13. CAMRA DE LOBOS
14. CHURCHES
15. CHURCHILL
16. CIDER
17. COLUMBUS
18. CRAFT
19. CRUISE
20. DANCE
21. DRINK
22. ENTERTAINMENT
23. ESCAPE
24. ECOLOGICAL
25. EMBROIDERY
26. FADO
27. FACTORIES
28. FIREWORKS
29. FISH
30. FORTE
31. FOOD
32. FUN
33. FLOWERS
34. FLOWER FESTIVAL
35. FLOWER ARRANGING
36. FOOTBALL
37. GARDENS
38. GRAPES
39. GO- KARTING
40. GOURMET
41. GOLF
42. HARVEST
43. HISTORY
44. HIKING
45. HOLIDAY
46. INVEST
47. INHALE
48. JEEP
49. KAYACK
50. LAKES
51. LEVADA WALKING
52. LANGUAGE
53. MADEIRA WINE
54. MARISCOS
55. MARKET
56. MARINA
57. MASSAGE
58. MONTE
59. MOUNTAINS
60. MUSEUMS
61. MUSIC
62. NEW YEAR
63. NATURE
64. NAVIGATE
65. ORCHIDS
66. PARA-GLIDE
67. PAINT
68. PLATEAU
69. PONCHA
70. PORTO SANTO
71. QUINTA
72. RAMBLE
73. REAL ESTATE
74. REIDS
75. RUM
76. SELVAGENS
77. SHOPPING
78. SPA
79. SPRINGS
80. SUGAR CANE
81. SUNTAN
82. SUNBATH
83. SWIM
84. SUNSET
85. STROLL
86. TRADITION
87. TOBOGGAN
88. TASTE
89. TOUR
90. TRAVEL
91. TENNIS
92. THEATRE
93. THEME PARK
94. UNDISCOVERED
95. VAGRANT
96. VIEWS
97. WICKER
98. WINES
99. XPLORE
100. YACHTING
101. ZARCO

A to Z

• Aqua Madeira is at your beckoning service. Visit the harbor of Funchal and relish in the activities that await you.

1. Aqua park it for a fun day
2. Bring a bucket for your limpets
3. Catch a tuna out at sea
4. Dive deep in the ocean
5. Enjoy a day shore fishing
6. Fish with a spear
7. Go snorkeling
8. Have a day at the beach
9. Imagine surfing
10. Jet ski along the coastline
11. Kick the pool habit, swim in the deep
12. Look for dolphins
13. Migrating wales cross your path
14. Navigate the seas
15. Organize a ferry to the sister isle
16. Pools of rock lava, good for a dip
17. Quit the swimming, go wind surfing
18. Ride the waves, water ski
19. Spot the cruise ships
20. Take a trip to the desertas
21. Under the sea in Porto Moniz
22. View the isle from the ocean

• Boating joys on the Atlantic include daily excursions; embark from the marina and have a whale of a time.

1. Banana boating at your peril
2. Catamaran along the coast
3. Delight in bottom boating
4. Eager to show some skill, kayaking for you
5. Failing the above, stick to sailing
6. Grab a lift on a speed boat

• Culinary skills on Madeira are next to none; enjoy fabulous local dishes to your hearts content.

1. Chew on a little Espetada
2. Devour a Picada
3. Enjoy the Bolo de Caco
4. Fish of the day, the Scabbard of course
5. Goat stew is a local favorite
6. Have a taste of crispy Squid
7. Ideally have a roll with Porco com Alho
8. Jump for joy when you slurp the Ganja
9. Kill for Cod, salted it is
10. Love the Bolo de Mel
11. Maize deep fried is on the menu
12. Nibble on a little Octopus

• Drinks on Madeira won't fail to impress your taste buds or encourage your dancing feet.

1. Drink a Caipirinha
2. Enjoy a passion fruit juice
3. Fed up of the norm try a Nikita
4. Gargle some vinho verde
5. Have a Pe de Cabra
6. Ignore them all, another Poncha please
7. Joy to the world Madeira wine for me
8. Keeling over, a little Portuguese vino
9. Lemon tea straight, cheers
10. Mull over a local beer

• Energize yourself and walk the cobbled streets of Funchal: The beautiful city of Madeira.

1. Explore the old town
2. Forward it is, on the open top bus
3. Get to grips with the historic buildings
4. Haggle for some fruit and veg at the farmers market
5. Idol through the Santa Catharina park
6. Jolly along the promenade to Praia Formosa
7. Keep the spring in your step down at the marina
8. Light foot it on the cobbled streets
9. Moise along to the Municipal Gardens
10. Nose through the ole embroidery shops
11. Opt for a swim with dolphins
12. Put yourself out, have a walk about

• Favorite places; take in some sightseeing and visit the Island villages and mountain terrain.

1. Fantastic views from Eira do Serrado
2. Great heights from Cabo Girao
3. Have a day out to the west
4. Improve your sights on the east
5. Jeep it down to Nuns Valley
6. Knock yourself out, go rock climbing
7. Levada trails to stroll along
8. Mountain walks to make your legs strong
9. Nobody goes to the highest peek without a guide
10. Obvious choice for hikers, walk the peninsula
11. Para-glide off a mountain top
12. Questions answered at the Madeira history centre

• Great entertainment will keep you busy all night long.

1. Go dancing, have a little fun
2. Hit the casino and play your cards right
3. Inspired, see a little theatre
4. Jingle along and see a show
5. Keep in tune with a string quartet
6. Listen to the music at the cabaret
7. Meet the local fado singers
8. Night out the typical Madeira way

• Heaps of more excitement to come.

1. Helicopter around the island
2. Indulge in a little bird watching
3. Jeep it to the caves
4. Kneel in a beautiful Cathedral
5. Learn some Portuguese
6. Meet Columbus the giant turtle
7. Nip to Goodies
8. Ole; see a football game
9. Play a little golf
10. Quick game of tennis
11. Run the city marathon
12. Sip a selection of tea at Reid's
13. Taste the flavour of the Tropical gardens
14. Unleash yourself jump in a cable car
15. Visit the botanical gardens
16. Wear yourself out stroll up to Monte
17. Xtra delight at the Orchid Gardens
18. Yield to the local market stalls
19. Zap some photos for your holiday album