Lying in the Atlantic ocean nearly 1000 km from Lisbon, Madeira is completely different from the Portuguese mainland. With plenty here for outdoor enthusiasts, wine lovers and foodies to enjoy, plus a year-round mild climate, there's never a bad time to visit this scenic island. We round up 7 reasons you need to make this unique subtropical paradise your next destination.

DK Top 10 Madeira

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The walking and hiking opportunities in Madeira are among the best in Europe. Walking the trails along the levadas, a unique irrigation system, is a popular way to explore here. The village of Ribeiro Frio is the starting point for two of the island’s best walks – one a simple 30-minute stroll to Risco waterfall, the other a more demanding two-to-three-hour walk to Vinte e Cinco Fontes (25 springs). The Levada da Serra also affords incredible views of the undulating Paul da Serra plateau but note that the route can be very wet, even in summer.

Nicknamed “Little Lisbon,” Funchal is the lively capital of Madeira. The city is home to one of Portugal’s oldest and biggest bookstores, Livraria Esperança, housed in an old palace. You’ll also the first restaurant in Madeira to be awarded a Michelin star here, too. Il Gallo d'Oro received a second star in 2017, plus a Green Star for sustainability in gastronomy in 2022. For shopping, the Armazém do Mercado or “Warehouse Market” is filled with pop-up boutiques selling products that are ideal for gifts and souvenirs while the iconic Fábrica Santo António store is the place to go for homemade candies, cookies and jams. Wander the Zona Velha (Old Town) and explore its vibrant bars, cool galleries and authentic dining – seafood lovers should try the locally caught fish at Gavião Novo.

Madeira gives its name to a rich fortified wine that is heated for a period of three months to a year in order to speed up the ageing process. The best wine is “cooked” more gently over a longer period of time, with the finest batches being heated by the sun and maturing slowly in the attics of wine lodges. Blandy’s Wine Lodge, set in a 17th-century friary in Funchal, offers tastings and tours. Justino’s is one of the island’s oldest producers of Madeira wine and its modern premises in Funchal stocks award-winning labels.

The inviting water surrounding Madeira is great for water sports enthusiasts. The natural swimming pools at Porto Moniz are formed by volcanic lava and filled with crystal-clear sea water, ideal for swimming and bathing. The water lapping at Porto Santo beach, fanned by gentle sea breezes, is perfectly suited to windsurfing. An array of beautiful fish and reefs offshore have made Madeira a popular spot for divers of all ages and all abilities – head to Manta Diving Center located on the south coast.

Madeira is full of wonderful gardens that showcase the incredible and varied plant life that thrives in the island’s warm and humid climate. The intriguing Monte Palace Tropical Garden, with its caves, fountains, lakes, fish ponds, Japanese temples and sculptures, is one of the best. The extraordinary Jardim Botânico grows everything from imperial palms to giant Amazonian water lilies, while the Quinta das Cruzes boasts a wonderful orchid garden and pleasure house.

For a truly memorable experience, take a cruise from the Marina do Funchal to encounter dolphins or whales in their natural habitat. Madeira is visited by more than 20 species of dolphins and whales throughout the year. The sperm whale is a permanent resident of the waters around Madeira, and the whale species you are most likely to encounter on whale-watching trips. The best time to see them is from March to September.

Originally developed in the 1850s to transport produce to market, Monte’s toboggans are now a unique way for tourists to travel. Take a thrilling 2-km (1 mile) descent from hilltop Monte to Livramento in a wicker basket steered by carreiros (toboggan drives) who control the speed with their rubber-soled boots.

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