Property in Madeira

The Island

"Of all islands, the most beautiful and free" – Madeira’s Motto.

Madeira is an Island in the North Atlantic Ocean.

30 minutes closer to England than the Canaries, Madeira is blessed with incredible views wherever you look.

The climate is ideal for fruit such as bananas, which grow distinctly below the “banana line”, a marker between the cooler higher ground of the mountains and the hot lower level.

The main airport, located in the capital Funchal, is a wonderfully efficient and modern facility with access, to and from, being swift. The road links between villages have been greatly improved in recent years and you can now move between the busy city life of Funchal and the villages on the other side of the island with ease.

The total population is a little over 250,000.

Ready to move? Register your details with us.

World Map showing Madeira in relation to the Canary Islands, Portugal and the UK

History

In 1418, Prince Henry the navigator's Portuguese captain, João Gonçalves Zarco commanded a ship headed for Africa when it was sent off course by a violent storm.
Thankfully the ship encountered an Island where they could safely harbour and João Gonçalves Zarco named the Island Porto Santo, meaning Holy Port. The island was claimed for Portugal.

1420 João Gonçalves Zarco returned to Porto Santo and discovered a larger island, choosing the name of Ilha da Madeira, or Wood Island.

1425 the first inhabitants arrived and set fire to the forest in areas ideal for sugar cane.

1566 French corsairs attack Funchal and assasinate the governor.

1580 King Phillip II of Spain takes the thrown of Portugal and with it Madeira.

1640 Madeira becomes Portuguese again under King John VI.

1807 - 1813 British troops land on island to protect against Napoleon's armies.

1964 Santa Catarina Airport allows the introduction of commercial flights.

1986 Madeira joins the European Economic Community.