Madeira
A Portuguese island in the Atlantic: a runway partly on columns above the shore, levada trails through laurel forest and several climates in a day.
What it is
Madeira is a volcanic Portuguese island in the Atlantic, about 1,000 km from Lisbon. Its mountains create sharp microclimates: in one day you can drive from the sunny south coast at Funchal through misty laurel forest to cold wind on peaks above 1,800 m. The Laurisilva, its ancient laurel forest, is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
The airport
The airport near Funchal is known as one of the trickiest in Europe, with mountains, gusty winds and a runway squeezed between slopes and sea. Once only 1,600 m long, it was extended in 2000 to about 2,780 m, partly on a platform resting on 180 columns. Pilots need special training to land here, and passengers often applaud on touchdown. In strong winds, flights divert.
Season and a tip
The mild climate makes Madeira a year-round destination. The main draw is walking along the levadas, old irrigation channels, and between Pico do Arieiro and Pico Ruivo. Official trails now charge visitors and use timed slots: book online and check for closures after storms.
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