Travel Talk with Ed Finn

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Saturday, 19 September 2026 - 15 minutes

On Travel Talk today, Ed tells us all about his first visit to Madeira – the Island of Eternal Spring 

Our intrepid traveller Ed Finn has just returned from his first visit to Madeira and joins Robbie Fogarty on Travel Talk to share his experience of an island that surprised him at every turn.

Madeira is often described as the Island of Eternal Spring, and after exploring the island for the first time, Ed explains exactly why. From spectacular volcanic landscapes and dramatic mountain roads to lush forests, beautiful gardens, charming coastal towns, incredible food and some of the finest wine in the Atlantic, Madeira offers an extraordinary variety of experiences in a relatively small island.

Ed headed out on the water with Rota dos Cetáceos for a whale and dolphin watching experience, encountering short-finned pilot whales and experiencing Madeira from another perspective. The waters around the island are home to an extraordinary variety of marine life, making a boat trip one of the experiences Ed would particularly recommend.

The next day Ed discovered just some of the spectacular scenery and landscapes that make Madeira so distinctive. He took a Jeep tour with Victor from Discovery Tours, heading deep into the island and into the extraordinary Fanal Forest, part of Madeira's ancient Laurisilva forest. With its huge, twisted trees, misty atmosphere and otherworldly landscape, Fanal is one of the most magical places Ed visited.

The journey also took him through some of Madeira's beautiful mountain and coastal landscapes, with stops and drives through picturesque towns and villages including Ponta do Sol, one of the island's prettiest coastal villages, and Ponta do Pargo and Porto Moniz, famous for its spectacular natural volcanic swimming pools. Along the way, Ed discovered the very different character of Madeira's towns, from colourful fishing villages and traditional communities to the lively streets of Funchal.

He also explored some of Madeira's extraordinary gardens. At Monte Palace Tropical Garden, high above Funchal, Ed discovered an incredible collection of exotic plants, tropical landscapes, sculptures, water features and cultural treasures from around the world. The gardens are reached by taking the famous cable car up from Funchal, making the journey itself part of the experience.

Ed also visited the magnificent Palheiro Gardens, a beautiful estate overlooking Funchal which has been cultivated for generations. The combination of formal gardens, exotic plants, mature trees and spectacular views makes it one of the island's most memorable garden experiences.

There was also time to discover Madeira's famous wine heritage at Blandy's Wine Lodge, where Ed learned more about the history and production of Madeira Wine and, of course, enjoyed a tasting. Madeira's relationship with wine stretches back centuries and remains an important part of the island's identity.

The Trolley Ride — one of the most unique and genuinely fun experiences in Madeira! Originally covering around 9 kilometres, the famous Monte to Funchal route is now a much shorter journey of around 2 kilometres, but it’s still enormous fun.

The experience dates back to the traditional transport used to bring people down from Monte into Funchal, with the distinctive wicker toboggan-style trolley and, of course, the brilliantly dressed carreiros who guide it down the streets. These guys are absolute legends — part of the character and theatre of the experience and something you simply don't find anywhere else.

It's quirky, exciting, a little bit mad and completely unique to Madeira — exactly the kind of experience that makes a trip to the island so memorable! 🇵🇹🛷

Madeira's food scene

One of the real surprises of Ed's first trip to Madeira was just how exciting and sophisticated the food scene is. He experienced three standout dining experiences that really showed the breadth of what Madeira has to offer.

The Tree House — a wonderful experience with Mauricio and Federico, where the food, creativity and atmosphere come together beautifully. Maurício Faria’s vision transforms local ingredients into imaginative creations that truly delight, making this one of the standout dining experiences of the trip.  But The Tree House is much more than a restaurant. There’s a rooftop music bar with a fantastic atmosphere, and you can even book one of the rooms and stay here, turning dinner into a complete experience.

Quite honestly, Ed would recommend flying to Madeira just to have dinner at The Tree House! 

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Ákua — right in the heart of Funchal, this restaurant from Chef Júlio Pereira celebrates the flavours of the Atlantic, with a real focus on fresh fish and seafood and creative combinations of land and sea.
Ákua – Visit Madeira

Nini Design Centre Restaurant — an extraordinary setting with spectacular views over the Atlantic. The cuisine brings together Madeira's culinary traditions with contemporary Atlantic influences, creating a really distinctive dining experience.
Nini Design Centre Restaurant

Together, these three experiences gave Ed a real appreciation of Madeira's world-class food scene — something he believes deserves much more attention from Irish travellers.

Ed also talks about the atmosphere of Funchal, Madeira's beautiful capital, from its historic streets and colourful doors to its restaurants, markets, gardens and waterfront. He discovers how easy it is to combine a city break in Funchal with adventures around the rest of the island.

From the dramatic cliffs and ocean views to the winding mountain roads, ancient forests, tropical gardens and charming villages, Ed found Madeira to be a destination where there is something different around almost every corner.

And, of course, there is the weather. With its mild climate, lush landscapes and year-round appeal, Madeira really does live up to its nickname as the Island of Eternal Spring.

Staying in the heart of Funchal

Ed was based at Sé Boutique Hotel, right in the historic heart of Funchal, beside the iconic Sé Cathedral. The central location made it an ideal base for exploring the capital on foot, with restaurants, cafés, shops and many of Funchal's main attractions right on the doorstep.

From Funchal, Ed was able to explore the city before heading out to discover the very different landscapes and communities around the island.

Madeira is a very special places that really impressed Ed, the food and wine, the people he met and why this Portuguese island has left such a lasting impression after his first visit. 

Getting to Madeira 

Getting to Madeira from Ireland is surprisingly easy. Ryanair operates direct flights from Dublin to Funchal (Madeira Airport), with a flight time of around 3 hours 45 minutes.  Madeira is in the same time zone as Ireland, so there’s no time difference to worry about.  The current schedule shows around 3 direct Dublin–Funchal flights per week, with additional seasonal variations.  Ryanair is currently advertising Dublin–Funchal fares from €14.99 one way on selected dates, although fares naturally vary considerably depending on the date, availability and extras. ryanair.com

So Madeira really is within easy reach of Ireland — less than four hours from Dublin and you arrive straight into Funchal, ready to start exploring the Island of Eternal Spring.

For info on visiting Madrid - www.visitmadeira.com 

A huge thanks to Marisa and Carlos from Visit Madeira and Visit Portugal for putting together such a fantastic four-day trip and for showcasing the very best of Madeira — from its spectacular scenery and gardens to its incredible food, wine, culture and wonderful people. It was my first visit to the island, and I absolutely loved it! 🇵🇹❤️

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