Silversea Cruises Silversea Funchal Portugal

Shopping
Madeira’s most obvious souvenir is the wine that bears its name. Embroidery, wickerwork and ceramics are equally popular buys. A folk percussion instrument, called the quinho and decorated with traditional dolls, is also nice souvenir. Many shops observe siesta time between 12:30  3:30 June 3 is a  holiday and most shops will be closed.

Cuisine
Espetada is beef grilled over a fire of laurel twigs. Fish is the mainstay of the local diet, with the espada (scabbard fish) considered the best. Afternoon tea at Reid’s Hotel is still a fashionable thing to do. Taste some of the famous Madeira wine that comes in four varieties: Sercial, golden and dry; Verdelho, slightly sweeter; Boal, a semi-sweet dessert wine; and Malvasia (Malmsey), a sweet after-dinner drink.

Other Sights
Quinta das Cruzes. Madeira’s discoverer, Zarco, is believed to have lived in this house. Now a museum, it displays furniture and paintings and is surrounded by fabulous gardens with magnificent orchids.
Sé Cathedral. The cathedral's stunning design features white stucco with contrasting black basalt and red tufa rock; the ceiling is inlaid with ivory.
Mercado dos Lavradores. Visit this colorful market during the morning to see the flower vendors and fish and produce stands.