Madeira > Madeira Attractions

Advantages: Plants and birds in a semi-tropical environment
Disadvantages: A little steep, some paths uneven

~Introduction~ Jardim Botanico or the Botanical Garden is located on a hillside over looking Funchal on the Portuguese island of Madeira. As Madeira has a climate best described as semi-tropical it has a whole host of plants both native and imported. Jardim Botanico is one of many gardens in and around Madeira and is a garden that represents the many differing plants that are on display all over Madeira. It's most famous item or the most photographed ...
...garden. A splendid display of multi-coloured plants all arranged and shaped into diamonds, squares, lines and even lettering. The choreographed garden has been photographed so much that it is present on many of the postcards for sale in and around Madeira. ~Getting there~ By Car - Jardim Botanico is located on the hillside above the dual carriageway or 'Rapide' that twists, turns, tunnels and leaps it way through the hills and valleys above Funchal. ... Read review

Advantages: Beautiful Scenery, Numerous Tour operators
Disadvantages: Best not tackled alone unless experienced walker.

The levada in madeira, are an intregal function in the islands crop production, diverting mountain water all over the island through a series of channels ( levadas). Pretty cool huh? Well along all the levadas are small walk ways as the locals used to use it for transporting goods around the island too... I have been on a couple of these walks and did both extremes, the first walk was one that is widely used by tourists, and is pretty easy going. ...
...constant smell of eucalyptus was a welcome surprise, it also make a kind of bluey haze, well its did when i was there, but it was mid summer. The walk led to a view point, I cant for the life of me remember the name of it ( shame you cant add pics on here) but...wow, even better there was a random local in the middle of nowhere selling sugar cane rum, home made, The second walk, complete opposite. It was very challenging and while the views are amazing ... Read review

Advantages: Architecture, religon, art
Disadvantages: If your not into Architecture, religon or art to will bore you

Cathedral Se is located on the island of Madeira in the capital of Funchal. It has a spire that is easily spotted from some distance and is located close to the port and marina, so it is what I would call a good focal point in the hub of Funchal. Opening times are random and seem subject to change on a daily basis. We were told it was open from 9 to 12am and then open again from 4 - 6pm. We found the reality was different so on finding it closed ...
...in progress. Historically the Cathedral was built in the 15th Century and is one of the oldest buildings on the island, it is best described as looking slightly rustic. From the outside it looks like the cathedral has been made out of dark red/brown blocks. These blocks are made from the locally quarried stone, giving the Cathedral a blockwork patched quilt of sections of blockwork stones with patches of rendered walls washed in brilliant white. ... Read review