Madeira

Madeira flourished as a tourist attraction throughout the 19th and 20th centuries. Since then, it has been characterized as a refuge of natural beauty in the middle of the Atlantic. The blue of the sea, the green of the vegetation and the colorful flowers converge in an archipelago in which two thirds of its surface is a protected area. At hotels in Madeira travelers will find calm and tranquility and will be able to enjoy the breathtaking climate that this destination offers.

One of the main tourist attractions of Madeira, both as an island and as an archipelago, lies in the exuberance of its landscape, which combines tropical and Mediterranean climate characteristics, creating a spectacular mosaic of vegetation. 

Among the most emblematic places of its lush vegetation is the fascinating native forest of Laurisilva, recognized by UNESCO in 1999 as a Natural Heritage of Humanity. The Laurisilva Forest is considered a great natural treasure and almost the entire area it covers is included in the Madeira Natural Park. 

One of the best ways to discover this environmental paradise is to walk along the trails and "levadas" that run through the soul of this forest, enjoying direct contact with the endemic species of flora and fauna. 

Next to the Madeira Natural Park, the destination offers the opportunity to visit nature reserves such as the Santana Biosphere Reserve, recognized in June 2011 by UNESCO with the distinction of "Biosphere Reserve"; the Desertas Islands Nature Reserve, the last Atlantic refuge for the monk seal; the Wild Islands Nature Reserve, one of the oldest nature reserves in Portugal; the Garajau Partial Nature Reserve, a fantastic marine reserve created in 1986; and the Rocha do Navio Nature Reserve.

Despite its small size, Madeira is rich in breathtaking landscapes and charming villages. The archipelago is ideal for discovering extraordinary corners surrounded by exuberant nature. 

The hotel Allegro Madeira offers the perfect opportunity to discover Funchal, the capital of the archipelago an ideal destination for a vacation with a pleasant climate and many places to visit: the Sé, the Collegiate Church, Largo do Município (Municipal Square) or the Farmers Market (Mercado dos Lavradores), among many others.

To continue the tour, the visitor can opt for points of interest as Cabo Girão, the second highest cliff in the world; Curral das Freiras, with one of the most impressive landscapes of the island; Paul da Serra, the largest plateau of Madeira; the Encumeada pass, where it is mandatory to stop to observe the spectacular vegetation of the Laurissilva forest; or Ponta de São Lourenço, the easternmost point of the island. 

In addition, if Madeira Island has a peculiarity, it is its volcanic beaches. Madeira's beaches are black because their sand is of volcanic origin and this is precisely what makes them so special. Porto Santo beach, Ribeira Brava, Praia Formosa or Praia da Fajã dos Padres are some of the best black sand beaches in the Atlantic.