The 10 Best Historic Sites in Madeira, Madeira Islands

May 28, 2021 Nobuko Falco

Breezy Madeira is an eponymous island in the Madeira Islands, a Portuguese archipelago. The capital city of Funchal was settled in the 15th century and is a colorful collection of gardens, religious sites, and quirky tourist attractions like the thatched-roof Madeira Story Centre. Hike to the summit of Pico Ruivo and you’ll feel like you’ve climbed through the clouds. Unwind over a glass of Madeira wine, an historic fortified beverage that’s musky and subtly sweet.
Restaurants in Madeira

1. Santa Clara Convent

Calcada Santa Clara 15, Funchal, Madeira 9000-036 Portugal +351 291 742 602 http://www.visitmadeira.pt/en-gb/explore/detalhe/santa-clara-convent
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4.5 based on 479 reviews

Santa Clara Convent

Reviewed By marg826 - Coventry, United Kingdom

If you want to step in the footsteps of the first explorers then come here and see the amazing Convent which is still in use today. It is so worth the climb up the hill!

2. Blandy's Wine Lodge

Avenida Arriaga 28, Funchal, Madeira 9000-064 Portugal +351 291 228 978 [email protected] http://www.blandyswinelodge.com
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4.5 based on 3,403 reviews

Blandy's Wine Lodge

Acquired in 1840 by Charles Ridpath Blandy, the Blandy's Wine Lodge has always been and is still an integral part of the production of Blandy's Madeira Wine. Located in the center of Funchal, Blandy's Wine Lodge allows visitors to Madeira an opportunity to experience first hand Madeira Wine in the making. Our tours will guide you through some of the history of the wine, its development and evolution, as well as the opportunity to taste the various styles of Madeira. Blandy's Madeira celebrated its bicentennial in 2011, the Blandy Wine Lodges give you a privileged perspective on 200 years of Madeira Wine. The lodge was bought by Charles Ridpath in the mid-19th century and not only was it an extremely valuable property, but was also very useful due to the fact that it was directly connected to the family's town house. Each one of the Lodge's rooms have their own character and due to the differing temperatures and humidity, the wines all have differing ageing profiles based on their location within the lodge. The eastern warehouse holds wine dating back to 1920 and the family's private vintage collection is held within thick stone walls, below the ground floor. The museum holds artefacts that include letters from Sir. Winston Churchill, coins from Blandy's bank and the island's oldest wooden lagar, dating back to the 17th Century. Murals from the renowned German artist Max Romer decorate the tasting room and references from the company's wide range of vintage wines are held in the sala frasqueira. Today the Lodge is the heart of the family's wine business where over 650 casks, tonnels and vats are stored, ageing the finest of the family's wines in the traditional canteiro method.

Reviewed By wendyanddavid536 - Solihull, United Kingdom

We did the 45 minute tour; brilliant guide, plenty to see, two different styles of Madeira wine to sample at the end of the tour, with the possibility of paying a very reasonable amount to sample many other wines, which we did! If you then buy a bottle of the wine that you sampled, the cost of the sample is deducted from the purchase price (and an additional 10% deducted if you had done the tour, so we ended up with two nice bottles of Madeira for 16.40 euros. Most helpfully, they give you a voucher to pick up the bottles at the airport after you have gone through security.

3. Quinta Vigia

Avenida Infante, Funchal, Madeira 9000-015 Portugal
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4.5 based on 63 reviews

Quinta Vigia

Reviewed By janethW4741PH

This is the President's garden and is generally open on weekdays . It is attached to the Santa Catarinha park and entrance is 1 Euro (bargain) Immaculately kept(well done to the gardeners) and full of interest with lovely views over the port . Not keen on the caged birds,macaws and peacocks which looked sad and bored and needed bigger cages and enrichment or even freedom but the gardens themselves were lovely

4. Colegio dos Jesuitas do Funchal

Rua dos Ferreiros, Funchal, Madeira 9000-082 Portugal +351 291 705 060 [email protected] http://www.colegiodosjesuitas.pt
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4.5 based on 565 reviews

Colegio dos Jesuitas do Funchal

Founded by royal charter of D. Sebastiao in 1569, the Jesuits' College of Funchal marked, throughout the centuries, the lives of the inhabitants of Madeira Island. For more than 400 years of history, it served a number of tenants, from British invaders to the University of Madeira, coming to serve as a military facility and a number of schools. Despite its military applications, it has always kept a close relationship with education. Portrayed as "one of the most remarkable buildings that exist in the island" by historian and professor at the University of Madeira Rui Carita, the Jesuits' College of Funchal is the stage of a cultural and scientific awareness project lead by the Students' Union meant for both local residents and visitors of the region. The inauguration of another Gaudeamus - AAUMa Academic Store at the entrance of the College was the starting point of its opening for the general public. Added to it was a circuit of autonomous tours of the College, as well as monthly gatherings for Coimbra Fado and a service of guided tours, whose circuit includes reserved areas of the University of Madeira Rectory, among others. The Students' Union has also published The Jesuits' College of Funchal - A History, by Rui Carita, a book that narrates the history of the College, its tenants and its transformations throughout the centuries. These are projects that, above all, show the spirit of this institution, which benefits from a precious asset both scarce and undervalued in this country; the volunteer work and the dedication of a solid team. Everyone's contribute will be vital, even if in the form of a simple visit to our store. Only then will we be able to continue financing all of the projects that we have to offer to both our associates and the population, whether free of charge or under a symbolic price.

Reviewed By GeorgesVer - Antwerp, Belgium

The facade is magnificent, so is the typical Jesuit interior of the church. Drop in when you are in the neighborhood, it is worth the effort

5. View Point Design Centre

Estrada da Pontinha Forte de Nossa Senhora da Conceição, Funchal, Madeira 9000-016 Portugal 351648780 [email protected]
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4.5 based on 2 reviews

View Point Design Centre

DESIGN CENTER NINI ANDRADE SILVA is located in the emblematic building of Molhe - Fortaleza Nossa Senhora da Conceição, once the home of Gonçalves Zarco, a former Portuguese navigator and colonizer of the Madeira Archipelago. Acting and dynamic, the Design Center Nini Andrade Silva, intends to assume as a space of experiences, emotions and sharing with the best view of the city of Funchal!

6. Jardim Publico da Ajuda

Rua Nova Vale da Ajuda 14, Funchal, Madeira 9000-720 Portugal http://www.cm-funchal.pt
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4.0 based on 2 reviews

Jardim Publico da Ajuda

7. Sao Joao do Pico Fortress

Calcado de Pico, Funchal, Madeira 9000-037 Portugal https://www.portugaltravel.org/sao-joao-do-pico-fortress-madeira
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4.0 based on 88 reviews

Sao Joao do Pico Fortress

Reviewed By nzkiwi99

Stunning views, fun walk. Handy tip: While you're in the area also visit Universo de Memorias Joao Carlos Abreu and Manor Estate of the Crosses Museum (Quinta das Cruzes)... these are about 5 minutes below the fort, and have tea shops (Quinta has a cafe). This area and Monte Palace are the highlights of Funchal.

8. Santana

Madeira Portugal +351 912 019 982 http://www.madeirabelatours.com
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3.5 based on 857 reviews

Santana

Reviewed By Lottelli - Wirral, United Kingdom

There isn’t too much to see in Santana but I love coming here. There is a free car park just opposite the traditional houses with a free toilet. There are 5 houses each selling things like souvenirs, traditional foods and plants. They are really cute. Opposite (and above the car park) there’s a small market selling fruits. There’s also an Aladdin’s den of a souvenir shop on the corner. A highlight for me was going into the old house which is done up as it would have been with the kitchen, bathroom and beds etc. Manuel greeted us here with a coffee liqueur and a biscuit and took some expert photos of us outside the house. You can find him right at the top of R. Dr. João Abel de Freitas Médico. You’ll see the traditional house. Just go on in! Certainly a highlight!

9. Sao Tiago Fort

Rua Portao de Sao Tiago 21, Funchal, Madeira 9060-250 Portugal +351 291 213 348
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3.5 based on 403 reviews

Sao Tiago Fort

Reviewed By Jackwh1946 - Berkhamsted, United Kingdom

Despite rather mixed TA reviews my wife and I thorougly enjoyed our evening dining at 'the Fort'. We arranged to be picked up from our hotel (Jardins do Lago) in their vintage Austin 10 (cost 15 euros - a taxi would have cost at least 10 euros). The driver drove us through the old town honking his horn all the way - we laughed the whole way to the restaurant. Our meal was first class so no complaints from us - however the next table were extremely unhappy - they were there before us and only received their main course as we were about to leave - they sent it straight back! Not sure what went wrong. Anyway, we would certainly return.

10. Cais do Carvao

Funchal, Madeira 9000-250 Portugal
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3.5 based on 8 reviews

Cais do Carvao

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