Under the Glow of a Summer Sun
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Top 5: Summer in Madeira
In the summer months, this vibrant island paradise is set to sizzle as the season heats up with thrilling events and unique adventures. Here’s our top-five guide to spending your summer days in Madeira.
Dive In
On the summer’s warmest days, the sparkling waves of the Atlantic Ocean beckon you to dive-in and discover a vibrant watery world. Scuba diving is popular throughout the year, but from June to September, expect to glimpse rays, barracudas and shimmering shoals of mackerel among sunken shipwrecks. Above the surface, conditions are perfect for wind-surfing and deep sea fishing. Head out to catch big-game fish like marlin and tuna. Or take your place with the pro’s for Madeira’s big-game fishing competition on 4 July.
Go Zen
The long, sun-soaked days simmer with a sense of wellbeing. In Edwardian times, Madeira was a popular retreat for visitors looking to convalesce in the balmy weather. Today, the island is a contemporary wellness haven. Make the most of the gentle pace of life here with sunrise yoga sessions, sumptuous spa treatments and nourishing local ingredients. Towards the end of each summer, Belmond Reid’s Palace hosts a whole weekend dedicated to wellness. Over three blissful days, aromatherapy experts, spa therapists and a yoga guru team-up to help you achieve total relaxation. Enjoy a host of zen-centred events among the hotel’s lush subtropical gardens.
Botanical Bliss
On the topic of gardens, this small island is brimming with beautiful botanicals. Due to its temperate climate, the many parks here are a stunning sight throughout the year, but nothing beats the summer blooms. Catch a gondola from central Funchal and drift up to the peaks of Madeira where the air is cooler and the gardens are magnificent. At Monte Palace, an impressive collection of exotic plants unfurl along rolling paths carved into the mountainside. Next, head to Madeira Botanical Gardens. Created on the former Reid family estate (founders of Belmond Reid’s Palace), this colourful eden has the finest displays of local plant species and is renowned for its conservation and research efforts. Lesser known but equally charming are the gardens at Palheiro. Here in the island’s eastern hills, escape the crowds and lose yourself among the fragrant hibiscus and bougainvillea.
Island Ingredients
It’s no secret that Madeira is famous for its flavours. The early sugar cane industry excelled the production of sweet treats like Madeira cake, while today the Pearl of the Atlantic is celebrated as a centre of gastronomic excellence. In the summer months, the most popular dishes are designed around fresh daily catches plucked from the Atlantic. In particular, seabass, lobster and tuna serve a craving for lighter bites in the warm weather. But there’s no island ingredient more popular than Madeira wine. The yearly grape harvest takes place around the end of the summer, while the whole island celebrates with the Madeira Wine Festival. Delve into the festivities with an unmissable street parade, grape pressing events and vineyard visits.
Summer Celebrations
There’s so much to celebrate in Madeira that festivals and events run all through the year. In the summer, the island’s social calendar comes alive with spectacular variety. From 11-13 of July an afternoon stroll through Santa Catarina Park becomes the perfect excuse to linger later and hear the best local and international artists play for Madeira Jazz Festival. After, Funchal’s buzzing bars and clubs continue the musical festivities late into the night. On 7 and 8 September, join crowds lining the island’s winding roads to capture stunning vintage vehicles in a competitive race. The atmosphere is electric, while the sense of nostalgia is simply irresistible.
Exclusive Offer
Make your base at the timeless Belmond Reid’s Palace, perched between subtropical gardens and the endless blue of the Atlantic Ocean. With our exclusive Discover Madeira package you can see Madeira like never before. Enjoy a tour of Funchal, your choice of half-day levada walk and a catamaran sea excursion. Make the most of your summer break in Madeira—magical memories are guaranteed.
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