diving7seas
Suggestions for your time on land
You should allow at least two days for a few excursions by hire car( e. g. www. insularcar. com). Bus services on the island are good; it takes about 30 min. to Funchal and about 15 min. to the airport. For walkers, there is a very well-developed network of paths along the levadas, the man-made water channels. Full-scale highmountain hikes are also possible.
Must-sees On the eastern loop from Caniço, where the Galo resorts are located, to Santa Cruz( village and its church dating from 1533), then on to Machico( fishing port, fort, valley with fruit and wine growing, beautiful farmsteads).
A winding drive takes you to Caniçal( whaling museum and marina). Then move on to the easternmost point, Ponta de São Lourenço: the nature experience walking along the three-kilometre-long hiking trail is only for those with a head for heights( stunning vegetation with views of the rock formations in the Atlantic).
Continue along the north coast to Porto da Cruz( Eagle Rock), Praia de Lagoa beach, and a detour via the Paso de Portela into the wild and romantic interior of the island. Faial is situated more to the west( church square, panoramic view above the village) and Penha de Águia. A few kilometres further on, in Santana, stand the colourful,
On the west coast of Madeira, the sea is usually relatively calm
Fotos: Paul Munzinger
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