Where to live in Madeira, PORTUGAL

Summary

In this video, Nick Robinson takes viewers on a tour of the stunning island of Madeira, highlighting its breathtaking ocean views, mild climate, rich cultural heritage, and modern infrastructure. Using Google Earth and drone footage, he explores the island's ten councils, showcasing scenic towns, natural beauty, and local attractions like Funchal's botanical gardens, glass skywalks, and natural lava pools. He also touches on Madeira's expat community, favorable tax benefits, and growing popularity for relocation, offering insights into housing, real estate, and support services for those interested in moving to the island.

Takeaways

• 🌅 Meda offers breathtaking ocean views from almost anywhere, including small apartments.
• 🌍 Nick Robinson is known for videos on various topics but was captivated by the beauty of Madera.
• 🏞️ Madera is known for its mild climate, stunning natural beauty, high quality of life, and rich cultural heritage.
• 💻 The island has modern infrastructure with great internet and well-connected roads through 150 tunnels.
• 💰 Madera provides favorable tax benefits, notably a 5% corporate tax, compared to 21% on mainland Portugal.
• 🚢 Funchal, the capital of Madera, is a major cruise port, famous for its botanical gardens and cultural landmarks.
• 🏞️ Câmara de Lobos, a scenic fishing village, is known for its views, fishing boats, and a glass skywalk on one of the highest cliffs in Europe.
• 🏡 Madera's real estate market is rising, with certain towns like Ponta do Sol being popular among expats.
• 🏊 Maderan towns like Porto Moniz are known for their natural lava rock pools and rich hiking trails through UNESCO forests.
• 🚁 The video showcases a tour of Madera's towns and councils, highlighting the unique appeal and livability of the island.

Q & A

What makes Madera an appealing place to live?

Madera offers breathtaking ocean views, a mild climate, stunning natural beauty, high quality of life, safety, relatively affordable cost of living, modern infrastructure, rich cultural heritage, a friendly local and expat community, and favorable tax benefits, including a 5% corporate tax rate compared to 21% on the mainland.

What is significant about the city of Funchal in Madera?

Funchal is the capital of Madera, home to about 100,000 people. It's easy to get around via public transport and is walkable, except for the steep hills. It's famous for its botanical gardens, cruise ship port, and vibrant cultural attractions like museums and cable cars.

Why is Funchal a popular destination for tourists and expats?

Funchal attracts tourists and expats for its mild climate, beautiful botanical gardens, rich culture, vibrant restaurant scene, and the fact that it serves as a major cruise liner port. Its proximity to the ocean and historical significance further enhance its appeal.

What is the history behind the name Câmara de Lobos?

Câmara de Lobos means 'Chamber of Wolves,' named not after land wolves but after monk seals, known as 'lobo marinho' in Portuguese. It's a quaint fishing village known for its colorful fishing boats and glass skywalk with spectacular sea views.

What is the appeal of Ribera Brava?

Ribera Brava, named after its 'wild river' that cuts through a canyon, offers a stunning natural landscape. Its close proximity to Funchal makes it a popular spot for foreigners looking to settle in Madera. It's also notable for its ease of access to the rest of the island via major roads.

Where can you see one of the best sunsets in Madera?

The best sunsets in Madera can be seen in Ponta do Sol, a popular spot with expats. It's located on the island's south coast and offers breathtaking ocean views from various vantage points.

What makes Porto Moniz a unique destination on Madera?

Porto Moniz is famous for its natural lava rock pools filled with clear seawater, offering a unique and safe swimming experience. It’s a picturesque village with a rich history in agriculture and fishing, and also offers great hiking through UNESCO-protected forests.

Why is the town of São Vicente significant in Madera?

São Vicente is known for its caves and volcanism center. Legend has it that a statue of Saint Vincent washed up on the shore here, giving the town its name. It's a small but scenic location with good transport links to the rest of the island.

What is Machico’s historical significance?

Machico is the third largest town on Madera and was the landing site of the island's first explorers in 1419. It has a lovely beach and modern amenities, and offers a combination of historical importance and natural beauty.

What services does the video creator’s company provide for people relocating to Madera?

The company offers a range of relocation services, including real estate assistance, scouting tours, finding long-term rentals, selling homes, and providing support through a team of lawyers, accountants, and financial advisers. They specialize in helping expats settle in Madera with ease.

Outlines

00:00

🌅 Exploring Ocean Views in Madeira

Nick Robinson introduces Madeira, highlighting its stunning ocean views and pleasant climate. He mentions how even the smallest apartments offer breathtaking views. Although Nick primarily makes videos about another location (likely Algarve), he finds Madeira so beautiful that he dedicates this video to showcasing the island. Using Google Earth and drone footage, Nick aims to take viewers on a tour, covering the island by towns and councils. He touches on key aspects of Madeira, including safety, affordability, infrastructure, and a welcoming community. The island also offers tax benefits, such as a 5% corporate tax rate compared to 21% on mainland Portugal.

05:00

🏙️ Discovering Funchal: The Capital of Madeira

Nick dives into Funchal, the capital city of Madeira, which is home to 100,000 people and is easily accessible with public transportation. Founded in 1424, it is the largest city on the island and known for its popular harbor, which hosts around 290 cruise liners annually. The city is rich in botanical gardens and offers a wide range of attractions, from museums to unique experiences like sled rides. Nick also highlights the famous Pestana Hotel chain, owned by a South African-Portuguese businessman, and mentions the variety of dining options in Funchal, from traditional local dishes to British-style pubs.

10:22

🌊 Câmara de Lobos: A Quaint Fishing Village

The tour moves to Câmara de Lobos, one of the oldest settlements in Madeira. The town's name, meaning 'chamber of wolves,' refers to monk seals (not actual wolves) once abundant in the area. This fishing village is charming, with its colorful boats and harborside restaurants. Notable attractions include the glass skywalk at Cabo Girão, one of Europe’s highest sea cliffs, and the town’s connection to Winston Churchill, who visited in 1950.

🏞️ Ribeira Brava: A Town Divided by Nature

Ribeira Brava, named after its wild river, sits in a canyon that almost splits Madeira in two. This geographical feature has been turned into an advantage, with a major road running through it. Nick notes that the town has become a popular spot for expats due to its mild climate and proximity to Funchal. However, building on the steep hillsides can be costly, with double the usual foundation expenses. Ribeira Brava also serves as a link to the northern parts of Madeira.

🌅 Ponta do Sol: The Best Sunset Spot in Madeira

Ponta do Sol, located on the southern coast, is renowned for having the best sunsets on the island. It’s a popular spot among expats, but rising property prices have made it difficult to find affordable homes. Despite this, the area remains attractive, with real estate agents offering excellent support. The video teases more content on this topic in future episodes.

🚤 Calheta: Weekend Getaway for the Wealthy

Calheta, a large council on the southern coast, is known for its marina and being a favorite weekend retreat for the wealthy. The town name translates to 'little cove or bay,' and its marina is a hub for water sports and sailing. Restaurants in the area offer great seafood dishes like prego sandwiches. Nick also mentions Jardim do Mar, a famous spot for surfers and a local legend for big waves.

🏊 Porto Moniz: The Legendary Lava Pools

Porto Moniz is famous for its natural lava rock pools, which offer a safe and scenic place to swim in clear seawater. The town has a rich history in agriculture and fishing, with the community divided between the lower village and a higher settlement atop the hill. Nearby, visitors can hike through the UNESCO-protected Laurisilva forest, known for its lavadas (irrigation channels) and breathtaking views.

🏄 São Vicente: Hiking and Surfing

São Vicente, named after the 4th-century Christian martyr St. Vincent, is a small but scenic town on the northern coast of Madeira. Legend has it that a statue of St. Vincent washed up on the shore, giving the town its name. The area offers volcanic caves, a volcanism center, and easy access to public transportation. It’s a popular hiking spot, with trails running along waterfalls and the northern coast’s stunning cliffs.

🌿 Ponta de São Lourenço: Madeira’s Rugged Eastern Point

Nick describes Ponta de São Lourenço as a rugged and biodiverse location at the easternmost point of Madeira. This area is a haven for hikers and nature lovers, offering dramatic landscapes and rich wildlife. Nick advises getting there early to fully enjoy the experience, as it can get crowded later in the day.

🏝️ Machico: Where Madeira’s History Began

Machico, the third-largest town in Madeira, is where explorers first landed in 1419. The town offers a sandy beach and essential amenities. Close by is the town of Caniçal, home to Portugal's first statue of Christ the King, built in 1927. This historical and religious landmark is part of a global network of similar statues in places like Lisbon and Rio de Janeiro.

🔁 Recap: The 10 Councils of Madeira

Nick wraps up the tour by summarizing the 10 councils of Madeira: Funchal, Câmara de Lobos, Ribeira Brava, Ponta do Sol, Calheta, Porto Moniz, São Vicente, Santana, Machico, and Santa Cruz. He encourages viewers to remember these names for future reference and hints at upcoming videos that will take a deeper dive into Madeira’s heart.

📢 Relocation Services Announcement

In the final segment, Nick shifts focus to his relocation support business. He highlights the services his team offers, including real estate help, daily scouting tours, and assistance with long-term rentals. They also provide legal, financial, and logistical support to expats moving to Portugal. Nick encourages viewers to reach out if they need help with relocating to Madeira.

Keywords

💡Madeira

Madeira is a beautiful island known for its stunning ocean views, rich cultural heritage, and mild climate. The video focuses on showcasing the island's appeal for living, including its safe environment, affordable cost of living, and modern infrastructure. It's also popular for its unique landscapes, rich biodiversity, and expat-friendly communities.

💡Funchal

Funchal is the capital of Madeira and the largest city on the island. The video highlights it as a hub of activity with public transport, walkability, lush botanical gardens, and a popular harbor visited by many cruise liners. Funchal is known for its cultural landmarks, including cable cars, sled rides, and restaurants, making it a central location for residents and tourists.

💡Cost of Living

The video mentions Madeira's relatively affordable cost of living, though it is gradually increasing. This is an important point for people considering relocation. The combination of low living costs, particularly in comparison to mainland Europe, and a high quality of life makes Madeira attractive for expatriates.

💡Corporate Tax Benefits

Madeira offers favorable tax benefits, including a reduced corporate tax rate of 5%, compared to 21% on mainland Portugal. This is a significant incentive for businesses and individuals looking to relocate to Madeira. It is part of the broader appeal for expats and companies alike.

💡Monk Seals

Monk seals, referred to as 'lobo marinho' in Portuguese, are a key feature of the region’s natural heritage. The village of Câmara de Lobos is named after these seals, which are sometimes referred to as 'wolves of the sea.' This historical and ecological connection underscores Madeira's rich wildlife.

💡Natural Lava Rock Pools

Natural lava rock pools, found in locations like Porto Moniz, are a famous attraction in Madeira. These pools are filled with seawater and provide a unique and safe swimming experience for locals and tourists alike. The natural beauty and geological features of these pools are central to Madeira’s appeal.

💡Botanical Gardens

Funchal’s botanical gardens are a key attraction mentioned in the video, housing a diverse range of plants from around the world. They reflect Madeira’s reputation as a haven for nature enthusiasts and play an important role in attracting visitors interested in the island's lush, natural environment.

💡Expat Community

Madeira has a strong and welcoming expat community, making it an ideal location for those looking to relocate. The video emphasizes that both the locals and expatriates have fostered a friendly and integrated community, enhancing the island’s appeal as a comfortable and supportive place to live.

💡Levadas

Levadas are small irrigation channels that crisscross Madeira and are part of the island's UNESCO-listed Laurisilva forest. These channels are also popular for hiking, providing access to scenic mountain views and unique natural landscapes. They represent a blend of nature and historical utility on the island.

💡Ribeira Brava

Ribeira Brava is a town named after its wild river, which runs through a dramatic canyon. The video describes it as a strategic location for road connections and a popular place for foreigners to settle, thanks to its proximity to Funchal and its mild climate. It is an important part of Madeira’s residential landscape.

Highlights

Breathtaking ocean views available from virtually every location in Meda.

The island features a mild climate, stunning natural beauty, high quality of life, and modern infrastructure, making it a desirable place to live.

Meda offers favorable tax benefits, including a 5% corporate tax compared to 21% on mainland Portugal.

Funchal, the capital of Meda, is the largest city on the island, home to 100,000 people and known for its popular harbor, visited by nearly 290 cruise liners annually.

Funchal is famous for its lush botanical gardens, attracting nature enthusiasts from around the world.

Meda has over 150 tunnels and well-maintained roads that offer scenic drives across the island.

Câmara de Lobos, a historic fishing village, is known for its traditional bars, restaurants, and the glass skywalk at Cabo Girão, one of the highest sea cliffs in Europe.

Ribeira Brava is named after its wild river and offers easy access to both the north and south of the island.

Ponta do Sol is a favorite spot for sunsets and popular among expats, though real estate prices have increased significantly.

Porto Moniz is home to famous natural lava rock pools, offering a unique swimming experience.

Santana, part of UNESCO's Laurisilva forest, is a top destination for hiking enthusiasts.

São Vicente is a quaint town known for its caves and volcanism center, named after a 4th-century saint.

Caniço is a notable expat area, home to a statue of Christ the King, one of the first in the world.

Meda’s Relocation Support Team offers a full suite of services, including real estate, legal, and financial support for expats.

The island offers a rich cultural heritage, including numerous festivals, delicious local cuisine, and a friendly expat community.

Transcripts

[Music]

imagine waking up to breathtaking ocean

views every day cuz that's one thing

that you can do in Meda everywhere you

look there are ocean views even from the

smallest crappiest

[Music]

apartment hi my name is Nick Robinson

and I normally make videos about the

alar but I couldn't resist Madera it's

so gorgeous so what what I'm going to do

is I'm going to take you around the

whole island by Google Earth and also

the Drone stuff that I took over 2 days

just touring the island so it's designed

to show you exactly where you could

could possibly live in

[Music]

Meda so we're doing it by town and by

conel and now the first consel is by far

the most notable but the appeal of

living in Meda is Broad I mean I've

covered many of these in my previous

video so check it out quickly here you

go mild climate stunning natural beauty

high quality of life it's safe it's

really safe relatively affordable cost

of living it's going up all the time

sadly enough and there's modern

infrastructure which is great internet

and even greater roads they've

apparently got about 150 tunnels and

these uh via rapidas just go cruising

around the island there's a rich

cultural heritage of festivals and food

there's a friendly Community with

welcoming locals and a solid expat

Community now one you've all been

waiting for the favorable tax benefits

most notably the 5% corporate tax as

opposed to 21% on the mainland

hm all right so let's look at the

physical lay of the land there's 10

councils starting with f this is the

capital and the seat of local government

100,000 people live and work here and

it's really easy to get around in public

transport and it's pretty walkable if

you don't go up any of those

Hills funcho was founded in 1424 5 years

after the landing on masiku which we'll

get to in a bit it's clearly the largest

city on the island almost twice the size

of far p m and it's known for its

popular Harbor almost 290 cruise liners

visited every year making it one of the

more popular Cruise ports in the

Atlantic the city is famous for its Lush

botanical gardens which hous a diverse

range of plants from all over the world

making it a must visit for nature

enthusiasts and not just this one we're

flying over there are many scattered

about the capital if you're staying at a

Pana Hotel don't say you're staying at

the pestana as there are 15 of them on

Madera Diana is a South African

Portuguese businessman who has built on

his father's Hotel business and created

91 hotels around the world that's an

incredible Empire so it's phenomenal to

see

that there are some fun things to do in

fch like the story Museum the cable car

up to even more Gardens and a unique

sled ride back down apart from the usual

hotels and fantastic restaurants have a

look at the mini restaurant District

near the new SEO hotel which is complete

with a few old school British sty pubs

which is always good fun to get a proper

beer then you can head down to the Zona

or the old zone for a different style of

eating right in the center of funa um

but if you want traditional madin

classic isas or meat skewers head to the

next consider to the West I'll tell you

all about it in a second however there's

a lot more to funall which we should

rarely cover in a separate video let's

move

on fun fact these are the top 10 towns

in Madera by population funa being the

top PTO being the bottom and they

correspond with a 10 conel so that's

handy let's head over to CAD

Lush one of the oldest settlements on

Meda CAD lush means chamber of wolves so

named because of the abundance of monk

seals or l marinu in Portuguese not

traditional land wolves roaming the

forest it's a lovely little fishing

village with some great bars and

restaurants lining the harbor where

chage or colorful fishing boats Bob in

the water two reasons for coming here

great eSATA at restaurant Aid and other

restaurants further in land and the

glass Skywalk at Kabir said to be one of

the highest sea cliffs in

Europe look out for signs of Winston

Churchill's visit to CAD Lush in

[Music]

1950 all right onto the Wild River

number three Ribera Brava is named after

its Wild River that as you can see

slices through a radical Canyon almost

splitting Madera completely in two the

smart Island Planters have used it as

the main south to North Road connection

as well I turned West off this road and

went rapidly high up into the clouds and

within minutes I went from sea level to

18800 M

phenomenal while Ronaldo grew up in FAL

his family's Origins were here and not

as a result but it has become a popular

location for foreigners to settle due to

the mild climate on the south side of

the island and the proximity to funa

it's only 15 minutes away there is only

one real snag was building a house here

in Meda you need to spend almost twice

as much securing the foundations due to

the Steep

hillsides the next consu has the best

sunset on the island

[Music]

that right there is the best Sunset spot

on the island actually I'm sure you'll

find some pretty awesome Mountaintop

spots too but this one is good as well P

soul is quite a smart spot and also

popular with experts the house prices

have risen radically hasn't everywhere

and it's tough to find a good deal I

spent some time with a good crew of real

estate agents here and they were amazing

they were really really wonderful and

they showed me a lot around and

hopefully I'm going to put that in

another video in a different format all

right let's get the rest of the South

Coast done some beautiful little towns

coming

up as you can see it's just over5 square

kilometers cetta is the biggest consu on

Madera Island and it has a few

interesting towns Paar Jardin Dumar Keta

obviously and Melena Dumar if you can

get along to all of those cuz they

gorgeous little spots but apparently

ketta is the place for the world to do

from funall to have their weekend homes

but that was a fun discussion at dinner

in fun I'm not sure if that actually

happens the name itself actually means

little Cove or Bay when translated from

Portuguese and as you can see ketta is

home to a marina making it a hub for

nautical activities the Marina has a

smattering of good restaurants and I

enjoyed a fantastic prgo sandwich at

Jardin Dumar which which is also a

legendary service poot and it's often

pretty big

[Music]

let's head around the corner to the most

legendary rock pools in the whole island

BM was named after a wealthy land owner

called monish and its natural lava rock

pools are legendary they're filled with

clear sea water and offer a unique and

safe swimming experience the main

village was founded on agriculture and

fishing and it split between the lower

town and the one on top of the hill

getting up there would have been a long

hard walk back in the day nearby they're

incred hikes through the UNESCO Laura

Sil Forest along lavadas and VES two

words you'll get to know quickly if you

like to hike in Meda another little town

just to the east is sea where people

surf and you can learn to surf there and

also some Natural Pools and tidle things

fantastic spot really is beautiful and

super impressive with waterfalls

cascading down from the mountain into

the

[Music]

ocean the this guy was a legend all

around Europe back in the 4th Century St

Vincent was a proper Mar and Cape St

Vincent near sag alav is actually named

after him back in the 4th Century

eventually in Valencia and Spain the

Romans persecuted him terribly but his

name lives on this town here in Meda was

named after him as Legend has it a

statue of St Vincent washed up on the

shore here and so the town was named

salent after him there are caves and a

volcanism Center here and it's an idolic

little spot although

small interesting fact though is that

it's very very easy to get to F because

it's at the end of that Row the V4 goes

from rerto Bravo All the Way North

across the island just slices in two so

it's pretty well for the northern side

of the island it's pretty well serviced

by transport links

[Music]

I went for a hike with Yan from State

classy YouTube channel and it was so

much fun I loved it PTO the Solen is in

the maiku con and offers a unique and

breathtaking experience for nature

lovers hikers and anyone looking to

explore the rugged beauty of meda's

easternmost Point its distinctive

Landscapes and Rich biodiversity make it

a must visit destination on the island

so just be sure to get there early

[Music]

heading back from the eastern most point

you can see Kint Lord development and

the marina down here and then kisal in

the distance it's actually raining in

meshiko itself which is the third

largest town in the island and that's

where the original explorers made their

first landfall in

1419 it has a lovely Beach and all the

amenities you need but here's a classic

example just around the corner in kisu

part of the Santa Cruz conel it's hot

Sunshine as we Glide over the chist the

same day this was the first of quite a

few statues of Jesus around the world

being built in

1927 other kist statues are in Lisbon

Rio de Janeiro East Tour Poland and

Angola so that's it we've done a whole

tour of the entire Island and naturally

there's tons more to see I just wanted

you to understand the 10 different consu

so just in case you need help here we go

again one last time so clockwise from

Fel Kamar Lush Ribera Bravo Ponto

ketta PTO mon Sal vent Santana masiku

and Santa Cruz I hope you remembered

them excellent anyway next week we may

just take a deeper dive into the

exciting heart of

Meda thanks for watching and I'll see

you next

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