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Home » Europe » Top 5 Charming Villages in Madeira
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Top 5 Charming Villages in Madeira

BonBon June 3, 2015 11 Comments

Madeira Island is an exciting destination for all types of travelers. For the venturers who want to discover the unknown, for the dependables who require travel with comfort and for the centrics who can either go for a good challenging adventure or go for anything fun and comfortable. Madeira offers varied activities for everyone. Well, as I mentioned in my previous blog, one of my favorite things to do in Madeira is to go around the island. So many things to see and do… and heeeey…. you can tour the entire island for a day or 2.

Here are my top 5 charming villages in Madeira:

São Vicente

Located north of the island lies this cute little village of São Vicente. You will find the chapel bridge (Capela da Ponte) or saint chapel (Capela do Santo) down the valley by the sea. Built in 1694 constructed right on the very spot where it is believed that Saint Vicente appeared.

Teixeira family - background view is the Sao Vicente chapel by the bridge
Teixeira family – background view is the Sao Vicente chapel by the bridge

Tip: My family loves the park in front of the chapel. This is a perfect place to walk and let the kids run loose after you grab your meal/ snacks from some of the restaurants by the seaside.

Park by the seaside had some workout machines... cool... everyone had fun:)
This park near the chapel have workout equipment… pretty cool huh…. everyone had fun:)
Some of the restaurants by the seaside...
Restaurants by the seaside…

Tip: If you’re hungry then eat here. This is the only area where you’ll find restaurants in this village. Most small villages in Madeira have few options of place to have food, but this one here is by the beach, where you can relax and enjoy the beautiful sea views while eating.

Nice seaside view from the highway
Nice seaside view… kids are waiting for their snacks🙂
We had Portuguese Tart, everyone's favorite:)
We had Portuguese Tart, everyone’s favorite:)

Jardim do Mar (Garden of the Sea)

Oooooh…. I so love this charming village. I should say the prettiest of them all!!! Surrounded with beautiful flowers, trees, vineyards and my gosh…stunning view of the  cliffs and the ocean. It has 3 pebble beaches which are famous for locals and tourists alike because of its natural and breathtaking beauty.

This known as the surfer’s paradise; where surfers get a good challenge with extremely high waves, considered by many to be the best in Europe.

My boy and Avo... those flowers by the cliff... gorgeous!!!
Avo (grandma) and my boy… and those beautiful  flowers by the cliff 🙂
My beautiful girl and those beautiful flowers!!!
My beautiful girl resting:) I love the bright colored door!!!
Small playground where kids can burn some of their overflowing energy:)
Small playground where kids can burn some of their overflowing energy:)
Levadas winding down to the sea... so cool;)
Levadas winding down to the sea… so cool;)
narrow cobblestoned streets - LOVE IT!!!
Narrow cobblestoned streets – LOVE IT!!!

Ocean and mountain view from the beach...

 Tip: When you decide to grab lunch or dinner here; consider Joe’s bar. Their chicken piri piri is a must-try; really tasty and very affordable.

Yummy Chicken piri-piri
Yummy Chicken piri-piri

Santana

Where you will find those pretty small thatched triangular houses. The house is one of the symbols of Madeira, you’ll see it in every souvenir shops. It is built of stone covered with a roof of straw thatch, painted with white walls, red doors and windows with blue trim. Really cute!!! Originating from the 16th century but nowadays most of them are kept as a tourist attraction. Madeira tourism should consider the idea of building more of these triangular houses for tourist accommodation; I will definitely stay:)

There are a lot of things to do around Santana – from the theme park, vineyards to levada walks. It’s a must-see village.

Me in front of Santana's famous triangular house:)
In front of Santana’s famous triangular house:) #selfie
Pincushion Protea, so pretty... My kids are curious and learning:)
Pincushion Protea, so pretty… kids appreciating the beauty and learning:)
Just one of the vineyards along the highway
Just one of the vineyards along the highway

Porto Moniz

This village is famous with its volcanic natural swimming pools. Yes, volcanic and it’s very cool!!! I would love to swim here someday. It’s not your typical beach pools but the scenery is pure bliss. Huge lava rocks, deep blue crystal clear water and the big waves which actually gives you this calming emotion; is definitely one of the reasons tourists and locals visit Porto Moniz.

Natural swimming Pool
Natural swimming Pool
Lava rocks, deep blue crystal clear water and the waves makes this place not your ordinary chill location.
Lava rocks, deep blue crystal clear water and the waves makes this place not your ordinary chill location.
Beautiful scenery
Beautiful scenery… see the waterfalls?!

Tip: What’s so cool is that they have children’s swimming pool and play area. FUN!!!

 

My boy having a great time
My boy … jumping for joy:)
Porto Moniz from the top of the mountain
That’s Porto Moniz down there

Canical

This is a little fishing village easterly most part of Madeira. I am a small town girl who grew up by the beach and now that we lived in Dallas, TX; I always have this longing of a simple and peaceful life by the beach. This place feels like my home back in the Philippines… laid back, quiet and peaceful. It also looks so cute and I love those colorful wooden old boats by the pier.

Fun fact: The whaling scenes from John Houston’s film version of Moby Dick were shot in this village, which also was once the center of Madeira’s whaling industry

My kids spending quality time with Avô  (grandpa)
My kids spending quality time with Avô (grandpa)… LOOK at that view!!!
A good restaurant in the middle of town.
A good restaurant in the middle of town.
Bye... 'Til our next adventure :)
Bye… ‘Til our next adventure 🙂 Thank You!!!
Previous Article Beautiful Island of Madeira
Next Article Venice with Kids: Know Before You Go

About Author

BonBon

Call me BonBon!!! I am here to help you with your family travel plans and to inspire you to get out of your comfort zone. GO and explore the world. Travel. Learn. Evolve.

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11 Comments

  1. GARYCOWELL Reply
    October 10, 2022 at 6:35 am

    WE ARE GOINGING THERE END OF OCTOBER FOR 2 WEEKS

  2. Monique Reply
    November 10, 2015 at 9:58 am

    Being Brazilian makes me want to Madeira! Many of the portuguese people that came to Brazil, came from Madeira and Azores, and I alway felt a connection through the pictures I’ve seen.

    Great post!

    • BonBon Reply
      November 10, 2015 at 1:25 pm

      Tudo Bem:) You definitely need to visit this beautiful Island!!! Thanks for reading… Happy travels… xoxo

  3. Corinne Reply
    September 23, 2015 at 10:15 am

    Madeira is definitely on my list! I’m trying to figure out how long it will take to do all of the islands. What do you think, one week?

    • BonBon Reply
      September 23, 2015 at 4:33 pm

      Madeira is small; you can go around in a day:) BUT a week stay is great – you’ve got enough time to immerse yourself. Porto Santo island is just a boat ride away, so you can add it in your itinerary:) Happy travels:)

  4. Kaylah Burton Reply
    August 5, 2015 at 2:32 pm

    these photos are absolutely gorgeous! The food looks amazing! Thanks so much for the tips! i would love to visit one day!

    • BonBon Reply
      August 5, 2015 at 8:40 pm

      yeah, one of the most beautiful islands I have been:) Thanks for leaving a comment… stay tune. xoxo

  5. Madelaine Reply
    August 5, 2015 at 7:32 am

    Beautiful!! I commend you for traveling to so many different places with kids…not easy. Thanks for sharing.

    • BonBon Reply
      August 5, 2015 at 8:44 pm

      Thanks… yeah.. definitely challenging but it’s all worth it. We will keep exploring. xoxo

  6. Jasmine Crockett Reply
    August 4, 2015 at 9:19 pm

    love this post! Definitely another adventure to add to my wish list of travels. Love the fun facts also.

    • BonBon Reply
      August 5, 2015 at 8:43 pm

      Thank you… yeah… visit this small and pretty island. So much adventure awaits to those who dare:)

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Call me BonBon... I am a mom of 2 beautiful toddlers. My family loves to discover new things near and far... So, I am here to inspire your whole family to travel, to get out of your comfort zone and to explore this wonderful world. And, I am here to help you get started:) Stay in touch!!!

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