In this category, we will focus on all things the North Coast has to offer. Because we are true affectionados of the North Coast, you will find LOTS of blog posts here. The North Coast is rugged and beautiful.
But is also the best place to stay if you want to discover the Laurisilva or climb the Pico Ruivo. Interestingly, you can swim in lava pools and visit vulcanic grottos. But you can also choose to stroll in charming villages like Sao Vicente or Ponta Delgada.
Or you can…yes you can also…go to the beach. Or take a surfing class.
What is the Solar do Aposento This Solar (Portuguese for manor house) is located at Ponta Delgada. It was just recently opened to the public (spring of 2018) by the municipality of Sao Vicente. Aposento meaning retreat, a visit to this well preserved manor takes us back to the 19th century. At the time Ponta …
Engenhos do Norte Rum distillery In Porto da Cruz, a small village located in the North Eastern part of Madeira, an ancient rum distillery testifies the importance of sugarcane for Madeira. Ancient steam engines set the working pace in this distillery. The original factory workers still maintain and keep the equipment operational. But in spite …
Ribeiro Frio’s Trouts There is a short levada / verada walk (PR11) which offers a great reward and its name is Balcoes. But the easy walk begins in Ribeiro Frio in Madeira’s North. Ribeiro Frio is well known for its trout farm. The Ribeiro Frio trout farm is worth a visit, located in a beautiful park like setting, …
Boaventura Boaventura is a very small village on the North of the Island. It is surrounded by Arco de São Jorge, Ponta Delgada, and São Vicente. So you may wander why we would post about Boaventura. In fact, the village stands out for its unspoiled landscape of intense green and it is no exaggeration when …
Sao Jorge São Jorge is a peaceful village located on the North Coast. It has spectacular views over mountains and sea. Sao Jorge offers plenty of the Laurissilva forest which Madeira is famous for. It also sits on very fertile land, producing sugar cane, Malvasia wine, and many other products. São Jorge was founded in …
Rocha do Navio Rocha do Navio means “Ship Rock” and it is one of four major natural reserves on Madeira. The Nature Reserve called Rocha do Navio is in the parish of Santana on the Madeira’s north coast. It got its name – Ship Rock – for two reasons. First, a Dutch ship sunk in …
Sao Vicente – Just a little bit of history The first human presence in the Municipality of São Vicente (and Ponta Delgada) dates back to the middle of the 15th century. Because steep hillsides and deep valleys made early settlement rather difficult, colonizers and developers came here much later than the south of the island. …
What to expect The Rota da Cal is a cultural heritage site sprawling over a 12.000m2 area. It developed around two ancient limestone quarries. But on the site you will also find many other constructions with Madeiran heritage. The centre is located in a typical rural environment. The museum preserves some buildings and structures typical …
