During the winter months, the average temperatures are around 20°C during the day and 14°C during the night. Despite, to some rain on average seven days per month in December and January, the Madeira winter is usually very pleasant.

There’s plenty to explore in the city center, by visiting the well-known botanical garden and by taking a ride back down to the city in a traditional wicker toboggan, an unforgettable experience mixed with adrenaline and breathtaking views over the city.

The “Mercado dos Lavradores”, located in the heart of old town Funchal, was installed 1940 to buy and sell local products to the residents. The main entrance is decorated with hand-painted tiles and women in the traditional national costume are selling flowers. One the first floor you’ll find all kinds of tropical fruits, fresh vegetables, spices and herbs. The second floor has some charming open air cafés. It is worth to visit the traditional market to discover unusual fruits. The tradition market is not only worth a visit to discover unusual fruits, but also to experience the traditional Portuguese flair.

Pure fun: Monte toboggan run appeared around 1850. The toboggan sledges originally served to transport down the inhabitants who lived in the Monte down to the city of Funchal.

Today, the “toboggan ride” is an attraction for thousands of tourists every year, who want to make this unforgettable experience mixed with adrenaline and breathtaking views over the city. The two-seater wicker baskets glide on wooden runners, pushed and conducted by two men traditionally dressed in white cotton clothes and a straw hat, using their rubber-soled boots as brakes. The ride takes about ten minutes and can reach a speed of 48 km/hour.

Also surfers can benefit from waves, which are usually better during the wintertime and the beach is less crowded than in the summer. Even in January, the coldest month in Madeira, the sea has an average temperature of 18C.

One top of that, the capital of the island of Madeira, is also a popular New Year’s Eve destination with the biggest firework displayed in the world.

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