Machico town in Madeira island
The East side of Madeira island is an excellent introduction to the island’s diverse array of landscapes; from coastal resorts full of activity and the majestic green highlands, to the stark landscape unable to produce fruits or vegetation. However, this does not mean there is nothing to see in this wonderful part of the island! On the contrary…
Our journey starts to drive towards Camacha village, up the hills of Funchal city and on the way there is some aromatic stands of Eucalyptus and Pines. The terraces are thickly planted with fruits and vegetables.
When you are near to Camacha village, you shall notice small white willow bushes growing along side the road. Camacha is very well known for the wicker trade and many families in this region earn their living planting these trees.
In the municipal square there is a plaque stating that the first football match on Portuguese soil took place in Camacha in the year 1875. On the South side of the square next to the most famous building in the village so called Café Relógio there is a sightseeing point allowing terrific views overlooking forests and terraced fields with the sea at the far distance.
From Camacha, one shall lead you high into the mountains to reach our second break of the day!
In Pico do Arieiro, our third highest mountain at 1818 meters (5965 feet), the landscape offers dramatic changes of scenery to our guests. One is able to see huge areas of landscape left clear by the lack of trees.
The views of its volcanic mountains surrounding us are one of the most impressive ones in the island. Specially, the ravines, streaked at odd angles by green heathers and though grasses. A ridge of barren mountains forced up out of the earth by volcanic explosions and carved intro strange serrated shapes by nature.
We continue our driving back to Poiso into a steep descent to the farming hamlet of Ribeiro Frio, where the luxurious indigenous forest Laurissilva is a trademark of Northern Madeira. Observant explorers may have the opportunity to see Mahoganies, Laurel-trees, Geramiums, Foxgloves and Ferns.
Across the road is a state-owned Trout Hatchery, where fish of all sizes mill about in troughs.
Take your time for a coffee break or experience a short a short walk along the Levadas before one continues the route towards Santana village.
Back to the road, the temperature warms slightly as the road descends towards sea level. Contless small terraces is luscious shades of green line up the road. The crops in this area are much more diverse than those grown in the South side of the island. One is able to see sugar-cane, medlars, papayas, mangoes, passion-fruit, etc.
Just a few kilometers away, passing São Roque do Faial, the landscape is dominated by the massive hill known as “Eagle Rock” (Penha D’Aguia) that lies between Faial and Porto da Cruz. It is a stunning location above sea level. We make a break in a viewpoint just above Faial to admire the wonderful views down over “Eagle Rock’s” and the dragon’s tail of Ponta de São Lourenço peninsula far beyond.
Santana is set among some of the most beautiful and unspoilt countryside in Madeira. It has become a highlight on all of our mini-bus-party itineraries, due to its unique architectural peculiarity; some old fashioned cottages (palheiros) with a single style without parallel in the area. These houses of Santana with their pointed gables and thatched roofs reaching nearly to the ground are still possible to find inhabited. Nonetheless, many have been converted into storehouses.
Usually, our lunch break is done in Santana and our guests have approximately one hour thirty minutes to choose whatever they wish to eat. It is entirely up to you to decide if you would like to have something to eat or not.
After lunch time, one shall follow the road to Portela belvedere to admire the fabulous views overlooking the Northeast coast and the villages of Porto da Cruz and Faial. You shall notice a drop in the temperature as soon as you step out of the mini bus and by then you will understand why the traditional woolen hat with earmuffs (barrete de lã) is still so popular among the locals. From Portela, the road continues Eastwards to the valley of Machico and we drive you past a rugged landscape where volcanic boulders striped with coloured lava poke through dry, scrubby grass. Shortly, the land narrows to a jagged line of cliffs. We arrive in Ponta de São Lourenço, Madeira’s most Easterly point.
Once this peninsula was covered in thick indigenous forest, but, that was all chopped down so that the area could be used as pasture land for goats. Nowdays, it is a nature reserve. Although it looks starkly barren for most of the year, in early Spring you will find this harsh, bare region covered in a fine mist of flowers.
We retrace our route back towards Machico town for the last break of our journey. It is the second biggest town in Madeira island, the oldest setlement from the discovery of the island.
In recent years, Machico has developed into a bustling city with new tourism hotels built, new restaurants, bars and stylish buildings. There is a beautiful promenade by the sea, which embraces the new marina and the man made sand beach until the other end of the bay.
Enjoy it before we return to Funchal city!
We really hope to see you in Madeira Happy Tours to join us for the best of the East tour.
Thank you very much.
Traditional Santana houses in Madeira island.
Happy greetings.
Marco Ferreira