Soccer, the number one sport in the land of Cristiano Ronaldo
In Madeira, as in Portugal, football is the number one sport, far ahead of all others! Just turn on the TV (there's always a match!), watch the excitement in the bars broadcasting the matches or buy one of the Portuguese dailies dedicated to the subject (A Bola, Record or O Jogo).
It's also a good place to start a conversation, but beware: in Madeira, never speak ill of Nacional... except to Marítimo fans. In Funchal, Clube Deportivo Nacional (founded in 1910) wears black and white and Club Sport Marítimo (also founded in 1910) wears red and green. We are for one or the other... and forever! Derbies and the arrival of Lisbon clubs (Benfica or Sporting) and FC Porto always draw crowds
... And we are close to collective hysteria when the child of the country, the idol of an entire people, Cristiano Ronaldo is back on his island. The five-time Golden Ball winner (2008, 2013, 2014, 2016 and 2017), one of the greatest players of all time, was born in Funchal on 5 February 1985. A five-time Champions League winner, champion of England, Spain and Italy, as well as winner of Euro 2016 against France with the Portuguese national team, the Madeira native has a record of achievements as long as his arm. And he regularly returns to the island, often to a beautiful home in the hills above Funchal that he bought for his mother. His sister has opened a CR7 (as Cristiano is known) fashion boutique in São Martinho, west of Funchal, and the footballer's footsteps are everywhere: the CR7 Museum which houses the star's many trophies, the 49-room Pestana CR7 Funchal Hotel and of course the airport, renamed Cristiano-Ronaldo in 2017.Nice swims in perspective
Although the island doesn't naturally have attractive beaches, new facilities make it possible today to enjoy a pleasant seaside holiday. Those who knew Madeira in the 1980's will not recognize the coastline: the small fishing villages have become small seaside resorts. For the time being, there is no forced urbanisation and large structures spoiling the landscape.
On the beach side, Porto Santo is the most popular destination, but some spots on Madeira itself can hold you for a few hours: Santa Cruz (pebbles, popular, pleasant, especially to watch the planes land and the village is really charming), Machico, Prainha, near Caniçal, east of Funchal, Porto da Cruz, near São Jorge, west of Santana, Seixal (a very small cove at the exit of the village, the best spot in our opinion !) and Calheta, west of Funchal (where how Madeira "canarises" itself, white sand having been imported from Morocco to ensure the happiness of the guests of the Calheta Beach Hotel!)
As for the natural swimming pools, we take a dip in Funchal, Porto da Cruz (perhaps our favourite spot), Faial, Seixal and Porto Moniz.
On the water and underwater, relaxation and thrills
Pleasure. More and more numerous to stop over in Madeira on the way to the South and the West Indies, yachtsmen will find almost everything to equip and repair their boats, but at higher prices than in the Canary Islands it must be said. The stay at the marina is quite expensive and the comfort sometimes relative (usually 5 to 6 boats in couple), but it is well supervised. Some moor outside, it's free but more hectic. A marina has been built after Caniçal, near the Ponta de São Lourenço, east of Madeira, in order to relieve the one in Funchal: the Quinta do Lorde marina. There are also possibilities in the marinas of Calheta, Ponta do Sol or Porto Santo.
Sport fishing. Madeira has acquired a certain reputation in this discipline. Tuna, swordfish, grouper, barracuda, bonito and marlin are fished here. The main providers are located in the marinas of Funchal and Calheta.
Surfing. Madeira Island has almost no beaches, but surfing is possible and even quite popular. The island has some good spots with waves that according to the locals are up to 9m high! In these conditions, surfing in Madeira is for the most experienced surfers. No need to imagine making your first take-off here... As far as structures are concerned, we can mention Madeira Surf Camp or Calhau Surf School.
Scuba Diving. With mild temperatures all year round and transparent waters with very good visibility, Madeira is not lacking in assets to observe its rich ocean life, populated by a great diversity of species. Along its coastline there are many renowned dive sites, including the Garajau Nature Reserve. Several diving schools, for all levels, await you in Funchal, Caniço or Porto Santo
On the ground and in the air too, plenty to do
If it is obviously the hiking that holds the top of the bill on the Portuguese archipelago, there are a few other options to enjoy a blazing nature.
Canyoning. Initiated by the French in 1989, canyoning is practiced by abseiling in Madeira's rivers, such as the Ribeiro Frio and Ribeiro das Cales, or in the levadas, such as in the Rochão area in Camacha.
Horseback riding. Discovering the landscape on horseback is possible in some parts of the archipelago. We recommend the Quinta do Riacho, near the village of Santo da Serra, for superb rides in the middle of nature.
Tennis and golf. Lovers of small yellow or white balls can practice on the Portuguese archipelago. Three golf courses are located in Madeira (Santo da Serra Golf and Palheiro Golf) and on Porto Santo Island. With its quality courses and its eternal spring, Madeira was in fact voted "Best Emerging Golf Destination" by the World Golf Awards in 2019.
For fans of Novak Djokovic or Rafael Nadal, head to the tennis courts at almost any luxury hotel
Paragliding. Finally, Madeira can be admired from the sky thanks to a few providers offering paragliding. It is advisable to inquire at the Aero Club of Madeira.
