Madeira, the Pearl of the Atlantic

Legend has it that the island was part of the great kingdom of Atlantis.

Madeira (in Portuguese Madeira) is an archipelago of islands of volcanic origin located in the Atlantic Ocean, 545 km north-west of the African coast, belonging to Portugal.

Nicknamed the garden island and the pearl of the Atlantic, Madeira is clearly an island with great appeal. Located in the Atlantic, Madeira became a Portuguese colony in the 15th century, and quickly became known for its local Madeira wine.

Today, Madeira is a destination that combines history with fun. If you visit it, you can see the Levadas aqueducts dating back to the 15th century or admire the incredible 15th-century wooden church called Funchal Cathedral in the city of the same name.

Madeira's main attraction is its wealth of verdant landscapes ranging from lush colourful gardens, enchanting forests and nature reserves to high mountains and pebble beaches lapped by the ocean's blue waves.