Top 10 Madeira (Eyewitness Top 10 Travel Guides)

Madeira’s Top 10
48
Left Diving Right Golf
Outdoor Activities
! Helicopter Ride
A 15-minute helicopter trip
around Madeira’s valleys and
canyons will give you that James
Bond feeling and show you the
island from a different point of
view. It isn’t cheap, but it’s certainly
memorable. d HeliAtlântis,
Estrada da Pontinha, Funchal Container
Port • Map Q2 • 291 232 882
Panoramic Balloon
Panoramic Balloon @ Another way to gain an aerial
perspective on Funchal is to float
above the city in a basket dangling
from the underside of the
world’s largest gas-filled balloon.
The globe, 20 m (66ft) high,
takes up to 30 passengers 150
m (492 ft) into the sky, descending
to the beach again by means
of an electric winch. d The Madeira
Balloon, Avenida do Mar • Map Q3 • 291
282 700 • Trips every 15 minutes from
9am–10:30pm daily • Adm charge
£ Boat Trips
Booths located around Funchal’s
marina have details of all
the cruising options available,
from day-long trips to Ilhas Desertas
(see p88) and half-day whaleand
dolphin-watching tours, to
shorter sunset cruises. d Funchal
Marina • Map Q3 • Albatroz: 291 223 366
• Bonita da Madeira: 291 762 218
$ Deep-sea Fishing
Fishing trips can be booked
around the marina. A tag-andrelease
policy ensures fish are
released into the wild once caught
(see p106). d Funchal Marina • Map
Q3 • Turipesca: 291 231 063 • Balancal:
291 794 901 • Nautisantos: 291 231 312
% Walking
With more than 1,600 km
(994 miles) of rural footpaths to
choose from, it’s no wonder that
thousands of people visit every
year just to walk in the island’s
mountains and forests (see p50).
^ Tennis
Madeira’s five-star hotels
have their own courts, but you
can also play on the public courts
in the Quinta Magnólia. Bookings
are made at the gatekeeper’s
lodge at the entrance. d Rua do Dr
Pita • Map G6
& Golf
Two of Europe’s most scenic
courses are located in the east
of the island at Santo da Serra
and Palheiro Ferreira. Transport
can be arranged from Funchal,
and equipment hired. d Clube de
Golfe de Santo da Serra: Map K4. 550 100
• Palheiro Golf: Sítio do Balancal, São
Gonçalo. Map J5. 291 790 120