Madeira Cruise Holidays

A Madeira cruise offers a chance to discover the charm of this small and unique mountainous Portuguese island, known for its year-round climate, dramatic scenery and subtropical flora. Situated in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of both Portugal and Africa, Madeira, known as 'The Floating Island', boasts a rich natural beauty and fascinating landscapes, with a Madeira cruise a popular stop on both Western Mediterranean and TransAtlantic itineraries.

 

Cruises to Madeira - Shop in stylish Funchal, hike the scenic 'levadas' 

A Madeira cruise docks at the main port of Funchal, the capital city, with most liners providing shuttles to the centre of town. The stylish Funchal juts out dramatically from the sea, and has a lovely old town with a distinct Colonial-feel, offering an excellent opportunity for strolling, shopping and dining, as well as visiting tropical gardens and museums. Hiking is a very popular pastime on a Madeira cruise, with the famous criss-cross 'levadas', originally used as irrigation ditches, now serving as scenic walking trails. The coastline is rugged and dramatic on a Madeira cruise, and the island has beaches ranging from pebble and shingle to volcanic black sand, with visitors able to relax on the many lidos and bathing complexes around. Other activities on a Madeira cruise include a boat trip to the island of Porto Santos, with its lovely sandy beach, a cable car ride to the old town of Monte or a drink or high tea at the famous Reids' Palace Hotel. Adventure trips on a Madeira cruise include jeep safaris through the valleys, mountain climbing and tobogganing from the town of Monte back down to Funchal.

 

The cuisine of the island has a heavy Portuguese influence, and eating and drinking on a Madeira cruise generally features a great choice of fish and seafood, beef kebabs and goat, with plenty of honey-soaked cakes and pastries, including the delicious Madeira cake itself. No Madeira cruise is complete without sampling some of the islands' famous sweet wine, and there are many wine lodges to visit for Madeira tastings. Souvenirs on a Madeira cruise also include local folk art and handicrafts, leather, wicker goods, embroidery and exotic flowers, and shops range from traditional local stores to international malls. Other ports of call found on a Madeira cruise often include Barcelona, Tenerife, Lisbon, Casablanca, Tangiers and Porto Santo.

Porto Santo