Madeira Pictures And Photos With Holiday Information

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Facts & Information About Madeira

Madeira Pictures, an introduction to this wonderful holiday island. Sitting in the eastern Atlantic, occupying the same latitude as Casablanca, this archipelago is an ideal holiday location. View our Funchal pictures gallery, the capital, is just a few hours flight from the heart of Europe. As our photos show, the quaint architecture of Funchal Old Town blends easily with the ever-changing developments that are constantly upgrading the city. Tourist attractions and extensive shopping facilities offer a contrast to cater for everyone. With over 400 photos, you will understand why the visitors who flock to the island that is known as the floating garden treasure their holiday memories.

Enjoying a sub-tropical climate, this group of islands owes it's heritage to it's volcanic origins. The scenery is stunning - check out the pictures in our scenic views pictures photo gallery. The diversity is astounding, from the modern capital of Funchal to the remoteness of the interior, our pictures take you on a journey that is often breathtaking. So, if this Portuguese outpost is your holiday choice and you want to sample the delights before your arrival, or, if you just want to re-live a previous vacation, feel free to browse through our Madeira photos galleries. Don't forget to bookmark this page as we are constantly adding to photos and holiday information.

Madeira island is some 741 sq km in area, measuring just 54km by 23km. The first historical reference to the archipelago is thought to have been made by Pliny, the Roman natural philosopher, in his Naturalis Historia dating from 77AD. The islands were believed to have been uninhabited until they were rediscovered and settled by João Gonçalves Zarco in 1418. A statue of Zarco stands on the Avenida Arriaga in the capital Funchal. Check out the pictures in our historic pictures photo gallery. Today, this compact volcanic outpost is an autonomous region of Portugal and home to a population of over 300,000, half of which reside in and around Funchal. The main foreign exchange earner is tourism and Madeiran wine.

Madeira Holiday Information

Those on holiday are always welcome in Madeira. But, that vital information can be hard to find. So, Madeira Pictures is not just about pictures, we include useful tourist information as well. Portuguese is the main language. The Euro is the local currency. ATM machines are widely available 24 hours a day in Funchal and other large towns of Madeira. The tap water is safe to drink although the tourist is advised to drink bottled water. The mains electricity supply is 220 volts AC and plugs are the two-pronged continental type. Most supermarkets in Funchal are open all day, including Sunday. Crime is rare but take commonsense precautions and you should be perfectly safe.

Flora and Fauna of Madeira

Madeira is renown for its unique flora. The climatic conditions make this island the ideal location for plant species from around the world. As the pictures in our Flora and Fauna pictures gallery show, flowers flourish in the fertile volcanic soil. The diversity and colour of the wild growing flowers here is astounding to many tourists. Walk down any roadside with your eyes open and you will be sure to find an otherwise unnoticed treasured gem. Flowers are also grown commercially for the tourist trade. There is a flower market outside the main Fruit and Veg market in Funchal where traditionally dressed flower sellers serve the holiday market.

Funchal at Christmas

Funchal is perhaps the ideal holiday destination at Christmas time. During the festivities of December, through to Twelfth Night, the capital of Madeira is a bustling city of celebration. As the pictures in our Funchal at Christmas pictures gallery show, the locals don't believe in doing anything by halves at Christmas time. The streets are decorated with the most intricate Christmas lights. Stylised Christmas trees are everywhere in an assortment of colours. And, Funchal itself puts on a programme of free street entertainment and traditional celebration events. Then on the coming of the New Year, perhaps the best fireworks display in the world is centered in and around Funchal harbour.

Scenic Pictures of Madeira

It is immediately obvious to any visitor that this holiday island has some stunning scenery. To view some photos of the dramatic contrasts of the island visit our Scenic Madeira pictures gallery. Sample the sheer beauty of the volcanic Nun's Valley, that is known by the local inhabitants as Curral das Freiras. Until the 1950's, this isolated village was largely cut off from the rest of the world. Then there is the rugged height of Pico Grande that reaches over 1650 metres in altitude and is a popular tourist excursion. Whilst the coast always offers something a little different. Take, for instance, Eagle Rock towering above Porto Da Cruz. There is always something new to discover.

Tourist Photos Guides - Information in Pictures

They say a picture is worth a thousand words. So, lots of pictures must be worth an awful lot of words. That is why we have created our pictures guide for the tourist to Madeira. Being on holiday in a foreign land can be confusing in itself. But, when there are 6 separate bus companies, some even using the same number for completely different routes, you soon realise that things have not been designed with the tourist in mind. Then, when every tourist gardens attraction wants to call itself the best on the island, how do you start to decide which one to visit? A tourist guide in pictures was obviously called for. So, click now to see the Pictures Guide for the Tourist galleries.

Porto Santo

Don't expect miles of unspoilt golden sand, unless you plan to holiday on Porto Santo. On this small neighbouring outcrop, there is little else except a clear blue, clean sea; miles of uncrowded, undeveloped almost pristine beaches; and, of course, an almost all-year round helping of sun. The photo on the left shows a typical beach. The island is small, measuring just 5km at its widest point and no more than 12km in length. However, it is also almost entirely flat and therefore it does seem to always have a sea breeze blowing, no matter where you are. In the last few years, Porto Santo has been constantly upgraded to further develop its tourism status. But, this is not the holiday destination for young, lively singles.

Porto Santo is just a 15 minute flight from Funchal airport. Alternatively, you could cross the 37km stretch of sea from Funchal by boat. The ferry will take around 2 hours and 40 minutes and the journey can be a bit choppy at times. Once there, you will find the local population welcoming. The sleepy island is more barren than its larger neighbour, but do not let first impressions misled you. There are many restaurants in the resorts specialising in grilled fish. The road network is modern and just perfect for cycling. Or, if you prefer, hire a quad bike for a few days to explore the island. If you want a leisurely, quiet holiday (see the photo) then this could be the perfect destination for you.