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Useful information |
Other opinions
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Sightseeing
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The island is small, but provides different landscapes. The best way to see them is to rent a car, as we did, but taxis are prepared to negotiate daily and well planned trips, acting as guides. The changes in the weather and landscape in minutes, as we climb moving between northern and southern sides, always surrounded by flowers, are spectacular. |
Hiking
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Hiking is one of the favorite sports for the adventurers that visit Madeira. "Levadas" are a must, but the trail between the two greatest peaks - Areeiro and Ruivo is also a big challenge. It takes time, something that we hadn't. ... And if we had there is much more to see and do before that, I must confess! |
Sliding Baskets
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The ascent to Monte is mandatory - great views, great gardens, and... the chance to descend in a sliding basket. All day long, a truck carries uphill the baskets that two men will control descending almost two kilometers in ten minutes, with two tourists bouncing between pleasure and fear. To go up there's a funicular, and the descent costs 25€. |
Anadia shopping center
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Saved from flooding
Located close to the Farmer's market, this mall was severely hit by the dramatic flooding a few weeks before our visit. It was nice to see that it was almost completely recovered and back to work, but I didn't enter. Of course, Fernanda did it, and left quickly. Bad signal - small place, or still many shops to reopen? I checked internet and it seems to be working normally again (please, don't tell anything to Fernanda...) |
Farmer´s market
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Though hardly promoted as a tourist attraction, this market still pulses as a vital hub for food supply. The touristy cares are revealed by the flower stalls at the entrance, with sellers in regional costume, but inside it's interesting to notice the main local productions. |
Cable car
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With a length of 3200 meters, this cable car links the historic zone of Funchal (Almirante Reis avenue) to Monte.
It is not cheap (13 € return ticket for adult), but, for sure (we didn't try it), it provides some of the best views of the city. It is a good solution to combine with the descent in sliding baskets, and that may be the reason why the one way ticket costs almost the same as the return one - 11 € http://www.madeiracablecar.com/ |