Madeira is a Portuguese island in the Atlantic Ocean. It enjoys a temperate year round climate and some dramatic mountain scenery, as well as being home to a couple of Europe's most famous resorts: Funchal and Santa Cruz. Curiously, the island is also home to the world's largest fireworks display, which brings in each New Year.
Most of Madeira's landmarks are natural; the Cabo Girão cliffs in Funchal look out over the Atlantic, providing some gigantic views, along with the similarly enormous cliff faces of Ponta de Sao Lourenco. Car hire in Madeira is hugely popular due to the island's stunning roads, and if you're hiring a car in Madeira, consider heading to the Pico Ruivo mountain peaks, in the north of the island.
Most visitors to Madeira will be based in Funchal, exploring the island by car. Hiring a car in Madeira means you can seek out some of the most dramatic cliff top views in Europe; especially at Ponta de Sao Lourenco in Funchal, where the shoreline really makes you feel like you're in the middle of the ocean. A trip to nearby Monte is essential, and once there, you might want to experience the renowned Monte Cable Cars. The Monte Palace Tropical Gardens are also unmissable.
Porto Moniz in the far North West is about as far as you can travel if you rent a car in Madeira, but the lava pools and impressive scenery make it a worthwhile trip.
