Desertas Islands are 3 small islands Southeast of Funchal which were classified as a Biogenetic Reserve by the European Council in 1992 and are a Nature Reserve since 1995. This small volcanic archipelago that belongs to Santa Cruz council, in Madeira Island, comprises the Islands of Deserta Grande, Bugio and Ilhéu Chão.

As an important habitat for the 30 Monk Seals which live there and for many seabirds that breed on its cliffs, the Natural Park of Madeira charges an eco-tax of 2 euros per person visiting the Desertas Islands, usually included on the Desertas sea trips price.

The Natural Park has wardens living in Deserta Grande for periods of 2 weeks to prevent any harmful activity to protected species, like illegal fishing or hunting.

Situated at the bottom of a volcano’s crater, the Nun’s Valley has its only communication with the parish of Santo António.

These lands were once owned by the land’s captain João Gonçalves da Câmara who left it for their daughters, sisters of Santa Clara Convent endowed by him. In 1566, when corsairs attacked Madeira, these sisters run away to their lands and only came back when they were sure that pirates were gone.

The high cliffs are an excellent habitat for some rare vegetation where different types of green mix with the brownish rocks or, on the right season, with the brown of the sweet chestnuts trees. Actually this fruit is so abundant here that local people usually substitute the potatoes by sweet chestnuts on their cuisine.

Curral das Freiras is the only part in Madeira Island where one can not see the blue of Madeira sea.

The botanical garden was planted in 1960 in Quinta do Bom Sucesso. Situated between 200 and 300 meters of altitude, 3 km far from Funchal downtown, it is not only a scientific study centre of Madeira flora but also a nice place to rest and sightseeing Funchal. The entrance on this garden is paid and includes a visit to the Natural History Museum inside it. Here one may observe most of the endemic, indigenous and exotic species of Madeira Nature.

Madalena do Mar is a beautiful and large terrace between Ponta do Sol and Calheta. It was named like this because it is said that, in the 15th century, a Polish prince – Henrique Alemão has risen a farm and built a chapel in honour of Saint Mary Madeleine on lands donated by João Gonçalves Zarco, one of Madeira discoverers.

Its geographical position, sheltered from the North winds and from the heat of the steep cliffs are the perfect conditions for tropical cultures. This is why Madalena do Mar is considered to be the best area for banana production and so, almost all lands between the sea promenade and the cliffs at North are covered by banana trees.

On the 15th century, on Henrique Alemão farm, the dominant culture was sugar cane and from its refinery many tons of sugar and rum where exported.

On this welcoming place in Funchal the shapes and volumes are in harmony. The fountain topped with a basalt sphere in the centre of the square, the church and old Jesuitical college on the north, the city hall on the east and the Sacred Art museum on south play a mystic game between the different periods of Funchal history.