Villas and holiday homes in Madeira | Italiavillas

History: The Forest Island

Discovered by chance in 1419 by Portuguese explorers João Gonçalves Zarco, Tristão Vaz Teixeira and Bartolomeu Perestrelo, the island was completely covered in dense forest. They appropriately named it Madeira (the Portuguese word for wood). Early settlers cultivated the volcanic soil and created an empire built on “white gold” (sugar cane) in the 15th and 16th centuries, before moving on to its world-famous fortified Madeira wine industry. To support agriculture, settlers hand-carved levadas – an incredible network of narrow irrigation canals that transport water from the wet north to the dry south.

Description: A premier holiday paradise

Madeira is the ultimate year-round holiday experience, with a subtropical climate of eternal spring. It has developed into a premier destination for travellers seeking independence and luxury. Instead of generic resorts, visitors are increasingly choosing to book a private villa perched on the terraced cliffs of Ponta do Sol or Calheta, complete with infinity pools overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. For a more urban twist, renting a stylish apartment in Funchal’s historic center offers instant access to cobblestone streets, botanical gardens, and the bustling coast. Whether you book a luxury coastal property for an extended vacation or a mountain lodge, the island’s accommodation scene perfectly complements its outdoor lifestyle.

Typical Foods: Bold & Traditional

Madeira’s cuisine is simple, hearty, and deeply connected to the land and sea. The most iconic flavors include:

Bolo do Caco: A soft, circular flatbread made with sweet potato, cooked on a hot stone tile and slathered with garlic butter.

Espetada: Tender pieces of beef rubbed with garlic and bay leaves, skewered on bay branches and grilled over open embers.

Espada com Banana: Black swordfish – a deep-sea fish that tastes incredibly delicate – traditionally fried and served with pan-fried bananas and passion fruit sauce.

Poncha: The island’s signature drink, aggressively mixed with aguardente (sugarcane herring water), honey, sugar and fresh lemon or passion fruit juice.

Activities: From peaks to depths

Madeira is an outdoor playground that rewards active exploration. The most popular activities include:

Levada & Peak Hiking

Walk along the historic levadas that wind through misty forests. For thrill seekers, the sunrise hike connecting Pico do Arieiro to Pico Ruivo offers panoramic views of the clouds.

Funchal Toboggan Ride

Sit in a traditional wicker sledge guided by two straw-hatted carreiros (drivers) as they glide you down the steep asphalt roads from Monte to Funchal.

Marine Adventures

The deep Atlantic Ocean just off the coast is prime corridors for whale and dolphin watching year-round.

Festivals: A year of parties

Life in Madeira is marked by massive, colorful street performances.

Flower Festival (Spring): Funchal’s streets are covered in intricate, handmade flower carpets, along with massive flower parades celebrating the island’s biodiversity.

Carnival (February): One of Europe’s largest street parties, with spectacular samba parades, vibrant costumes, and energetic music.

Madeira Wine Festival (September): Celebrates the grape harvest with live grape stomping, traditional folk music, and endless public wine tastings.

Nature: The Ancient Laurel Forest

Madeira’s landscape is defined by its steep, breathtakingly green topography. The crown jewel is the Laurisilva (Laurent) forest, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and an ancient ecosystem that survived the last ice age. Specifically, the Fanal forest area is world-renowned for its centuries-old, twisted laurel trees that look like something straight out of a fantasy novel when the mountain mist rolls in.

Note to travelers in 2026: To protect this fragile ecosystem from overcrowding, Madeira has introduced a small booking fee (€4.50) to hike specific trails like the Fanal, helping to keep the island’s wilderness untouched for future generations.

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