WHY MADEIRA?

When it comes to choosing a destination for your special celebration, Madeira ticks every conceivable box.

Whether it’s natural beauty that moves you, or you get excited by history and tradition, Madeira offers it all.

Scenery, weather, beaches and enough activities to keep you and your guests entertained no matter how long you stay, Madeira could have been made to host events that celebrate life’s most important moments.

You’ll love the warmth of the sun and of the welcome you receive everywhere you go, while the forest, mountain, beach and architectural settings will add unique backdrops and ambience to the photographic or video record of your big day.

Choosing Madeira will give your guests the opportunity to enjoy a supremely relaxing holiday, and discover an island paradise they may not otherwise have had the chance to visit.

Madeira bills itself as the island that “belongs to all”, and that sentiment rings true when you experience the blend of cultures that infuse Madeiran cuisine and lifestyles, and the feeling of belonging that you’ll have from the very first moment that you set foot on our islands.

Madeira is our home, and we cannot wait to welcome you here as we plan and create an environment as special as the occasion you’re celebrating.

PERFECT PLACES

Madeira has been captivating visitors for over six centuries, and today you can choose from historic cities rich in culture, traditional coastal villages and mountains with spectacular views as the setting for your event.

Let us guide you around our island home – we’re sure you’ll soon feel at home, too.

Funchal

Nestled between the Atlantic Ocean and spectacular mountains, Madeira’s capital has been compared to Cape Town. It’s one of Europe’s most attractive cities, with a relaxed daytime vibe paired with pulsating nightlife. The city has a rich and varied history, with a cast of characters including pirates, explorers and spice traders – all of whom have contributed to Funchal’s special ambience.

Câmara de Lobos

This fishing village, best seen from the mountains above it, is centred on its perfect natural bay – a feature which has attracted sailors and adventurers for generations and inspired artists and writers. Former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill visited Madeira in 1950. Whilst on the island, he was inspired to paint the bay and today, there are many places in local villages that named after him.

Banana palms, cherry orchards and vineyards speak to Madeira’s combination of European heritage and African influences.

Ribeira Brava

Located on the western coast of Madeira, this town is known for its long hours of sunshine, annual festivals and street stalls and cafés. All of which make it the perfect place to while away a few hours, soaking up some rays alongside the sights and sounds of an island that feels a world away, and yet closer to home.

Ponta do Sol

Renowned as the singled sunniest spot in Madeira, Ponta do Sol is blessed with towering peaks, lush forests and beaches of smooth pebbles that lead to the crystal-clear blue waters of the Atlantic Ocean. This is the perfect location to immerse yourself in the natural beauty and culture of Madeira, a point on the map that’s as much a celebration as a destination.

Calheta

Calheta has been abundantly blessed with landscapes including mountains, hidden valleys and pristine beaches – all of which could explain why the local people here have a definite taste for life. Many of the events that take place here each year are focused on food, while it’s almost impossible to resist running hand-in-hand down one of the perfect beaches and into the waves.

Porto Moniz

Take a dip in the natural pools along the coastline of this most beautiful region of Madeira, then stroll into town to enjoy simple yet delicious local cuisine based on the fish and seafood for which the area is justly famed. Away from the sea, a romantic picnic in the Laurel Forest of Chão da Ribeira or hiking to the Véu da Noiva waterfall make for wonderful diversions.

São Vincente

Explore the impressive mansions of São Vincente with their distinctive terracotta roof tiles and whitewashed walls, or visit the historic chapel built on a giant boulder at the very edge of the ocean. You can feel the history in this coastal village – it’s a place where the past coexists peacefully with the present.

Santana

A must-visit destination, Santana features charming thatched-roof houses and easy access to one of Madeira’s greatest natural treasures: the dense green Laurissilva Forest. Folk traditions are kept alive here through annual celebrations of music and dance, so let loose and start living life according to Madeira’s unique rhythms.

Machico

The serene town of Machico is named for the eloping lovers in a mediaeval legend, making it the ideal place to get away from it all and spend quality time with your special someone. The combination of riverside walks, blissful beach and nearby mountains offers many opportunities for you to lose yourself in each other and ignore the outside world for a while.

Santa Cruz

This region is known for both the beauty of its beaches, and the quality and creativity of its traditional, artisanal crafts. Here, you can be as active or as relaxed as you wish – this is your time and your chance to celebrate life your own way, whilst benefitting from the ancient wisdom of the people of Madeira.

Porto Santo

The “Golden Island” of Porto Santo was the first part of the Madeira archipelago to be discovered, and was named in gratitude by sea captains who found sanctuary from a storm. Today, you can feel the same sense of thankfulness as you enjoy finding a haven from the stresses and strains of everyday life, and enjoy moments that you’ll never forget.

PROTECTED AREAS

Madeira’s unique maritime climate and volcanic history have combined to create remarkable landscapes ranging from rocky shores to craggy mountain peaks. In recognition of their ecological importance, many parts of the Madeira archipelago have been gazetted as protected areas, helping to ensure that the beautiful ecosystems of the islands are preserved for future generations to enjoy.

Madeira Natural Park protects the island’s indigenous Laurissilva forest (recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site), while other protected areas include the Garajau and Rocha do Navio nature reserves, plus protected areas on the islands of Desertas and Selvagen.

This approach to conserving the best of Madeira’s wild places means that you will be spoiled for choice when it comes to choosing backdrops for photo shoots to commemorate your big day.

To learn more about the island of celebrations, and Madeira’s best destinations

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