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Latest update: 12 August 2023
Madeira is a Portuguese island, but it definitely has its own culture and taste. I always enjoy trying out local activities and foods in new destinations. So I am happy to give you some tips for typical Madeira to-do’s and local food and drink.
Madeira ≠ Portugal
I talk briefly with a man born and raised in Madeira. He says he studied abroad… He means Lisbon. I can’t help but laugh: that is not a foreign country at all?! But to a Madeiran, mainland Portugal feels like a foreign country. The islanders are proud of their unique piece of Portugal – and I totally get it. It is crazy beautiful, and it is fun to immerse yourself in local customs, unique activities, and the typical cuisine of Madeira.
So do you want something different? Something special? Something more local? I’ve got you! Perhaps one of the following activities or dishes is exactly what you need in Madeira.
Levada walks in Madeira
If Madeira is known for anything, it’s the beautiful nature and amazing hikes. Famous are the levada walks. Levadas are ancient irrigation canals that people cut out of rocks or built with stones. The water was transported and distributed across the island via this intelligent system. A narrow path was laid next to it to make the maintenance of the levadas easier. Those paths are now beloved hiking trails.
It is not entirely clear to me how many kilometers of levadas there are on Madeira. Some sources speak of 3000 km, others of 5000. But it’s safe to say it’s too much to fit into one visit to Madeira. So make choices! On the Visit Madeira website, you will find different levada trails, from easy and short to difficult and long.
You can do many levada walks yourself, but sometimes it is more convenient to join a tour. Especially when the starting point and the endpoint are far apart. Some tours simply drop you off at the starting point and pick you up later. Others send you on your way with a guide. So check your options carefully and choose what suits you.
PR11 Vereda dos Balcões is a very easy levada walk of 1.5 kilometers one-way, and it’s the same way back. Because it’s so easy and easily accessible, it is often busy on the path. Still, you have a beautiful view over the green valley from the Balcões viewpoint.
By the way, you will see that most hiking trails start with the letters PR and a number. That’s how you know it’s an official trail. PR stands for “pequenas rotas” – meaning little trails. The number is simply the count and has no further meaning.
The traditional houses of Madeira
In the north of Madeira, you will find the triangular houses. These are the Casas de Colmo, typical of Madeira. They have a thick roof of straw (colmo) and are usually painted with the same white, red, and blue colors. In the past, primarily people experiencing poverty lived here. Now the houses are tourist attractions. Find them in the village of Santana (combine a visit with other regional activities). Incidentally, some houses are still inhabited; those have, of course, been completely upgraded.
Madeira Toboggan Ride (The Typical Sleigh)
In Monte, a village near Funchal, you can sled through the streets with a toboggan. You sit down in a wicker basket on a wooden sled, and two gentlemen dressed in white ensure that you speed down the roads quickly and safely.
The toboggan used to be part of Madeira’s public transport. The sleigh took you from Monte to Funchal. The carreiros (drivers) are still wholly traditionally dressed: white suits, straw hats, and boots with soles made of car tires. A ride is certainly not cheap, but it is unique. You can go to the starting point and arrange a ride there.
Try Madeira wine
The typical wine of Madeira is simply called Madeira. It is a sweet, dark wine made from Bual, Sercial, Verdelho, and Malmsey grapes. Small vineyards can be found all over the island. Most winegrowers sell their grapes to the major Madeira wine producers and keep a small part to make their own Madeira wine.
You can do a tour or tasting at various winemakers. For example, try:
You can easily visit these Madeira wineries on your own. In addition, there are plenty of small vineyards that make table wines. Seeing those with a tour is easiest; it saves a lot of hassle. At GetYourGuide, you have many options.
Tip! Did you know that you can also sleep in a vineyard in Madeira?
Tasting poncha in Madeira
Poncha is the traditional drink of Madeira. It is very strong, so it is often mixed with fruit juice (passion fruit is super tasty!). Poncha is made from sugar cane rum, honey, sugar, and orange juice or lemon juice. You can order it at almost any bar, but the best thing is to go to a typical poncheria. Try Rei da Poncha in Funchal (Google Maps location) or Bar Filhos D’ Mar in Câmara de Lobos (Google Maps location).
Poncha is said to have been born in the fishing village of Câmara de Lobos. There are two stories about that. Poncha was very popular among fishermen because it allowed them to preserve the vitamins of lemons and oranges for a long time at sea. According to the other story, the drink was mainly intended to keep the sailors nice and warm.
The traditional poncha of Madeira is therefore called Poncha à Pescador (pescador means fisherman). This is made with local rum, honey, sugar, and lemon. Drink slowly, or they can fish you out from under the table.
Try the Nikita cocktail in Madeira
Nikita. Less known than poncha, but if you ask me: much tastier! So good that it is gone before I can take a picture. This tropical cocktail is made from a unique mix of ingredients. Vanilla ice cream, sugar, pineapple, and pineapple juice. So far, so good… But they also add beer or wine. That makes me doubt the flavor, but it turns out to be a golden combination. Nikita is nice, creamy, refreshing, and named after the Elton John hit. What else could you want?!
Order local shells: lapas or limpets
If you see lapas or limpets on the menu in a restaurant in Madeira, take a chance and order a portion. Lapas and limpets are different names for the same shellfish. They are served with lots of garlic and butter. They are pretty salty but very tasty. Order them as a starter or snack to share.
Milho frito on your plate
There is a good chance they’ll put some milho frito on your plate when you order a dish at a restaurant in Madeira. They are cubes of polenta or sometimes corn. This typical Madeira food is crispy fried and seasoned with garlic, thyme, or other herbs. Milho frito is not my favorite side dish because I’m not too fond of the taste. But with a bit of mayonnaise, it tastes great!
Honey cake from Madeira: Bolo de Mel
Actually, the honey cake Bolo de Mel is a typical Christmas cake. But it is so good that the Bolo de Mel is sold all year round in Madeira. In the past, the cake was made from sugar cane molasses, now often from sugar cane honey or even regular honey. It is spiced with cinnamon, anise, and cloves. At Fábrica Santo Antonio in Funchal (Google Maps location), you can buy the traditional honey cake of Madeira in different sizes. They have a long shelf life, so the honey cake is perfect as a typical Madeira souvenir.
Black scabbard fish with banana and passion fruit
It takes me a while before I dare to order it. I’ve seen the black scabbar fish (espada) on the menu a few times, and I’m certainly curious but not completely convinced yet. I just don’t know if fish with fruit is a good combination.
But actually, it’s quite nice. I don’t want to eat it daily, but the white fish with the sweet sauce and soft banana is a local surprise. The scabbard fish is a local fish, and bananas are grown on the island. So this is definitely a local traditional dish of Madeira!
More Madeira inspiration?
Useful links for your Madeira trip
- Accommodation. The most popular option is Booking.com. Or try Campspace. Would you rather stay in a hostel? Check Hostelworld.
- Activities. You book the best tours and activities with GetYourGuide and Viator. Book ‘free’ walking tours at Freetour.com or GuruWalks and try Baja Bikes for bike tours. WithLocals offers themed tours with local guides.
- Attractions and museums. Interested in a 5% discount on museums and other attractions? Use this discount code at Tiqets: KIMOPREIS22
- Car rental. Compare your options at Discover Cars and Rentalcars.
- Flights. Compare all your options! Be sure to check out Skyscanner, and Kiwi.
- Package deals. Rather go on a catered trip? You could try Expedia or CheapOair.
- SIM card. Beware of unexpectedly high calling and internet costs. Buy a local SIM card when you arrive, or arrange one online via Airalo.
- Travel guides. I like paper travel guides to browse through, for sale at Amazon, among others.
- Yoga retreat. Or treat yourself to a yoga retreat in Madeira.
Some of the links on this site are affiliate links. If you buy something through these links, I might receive a small commission.
I was invited to Madeira by Visit Madeira and Interface Tourism Netherlands.
