Summary
A serene coastal community in the southeast of Madeira, Caniço boasts many of the island’s finest features. Here, one can encounter steep hills, pebble beaches, and sheer cliffs. At Garajau, a prominent statue of Christ overlooks the waters, a tribute established prior to Rio’s Christ the Redeemer. Furthermore, Caniço is situated within a marine reserve where groupers often approach divers closely.
The capital, Funchal, is just a ten-minute journey away, allowing for a full day of cultural exploration followed by an afternoon of golf on a vast plateau above the Atlantic Ocean. Alternatively, one can traverse the laurel forest, tracing the path of an ancient aqueduct that hugs the hillside.
Let’s examine the top attractions in Caniço:
1. Caniço Promenade
In the hotel district of Caniço de Baixo, you will find a walkway that gracefully curves around hotels, restaurants, and the Madeira Dive Centre along the shoreline.
To the north, dark headlands covered in lush greenery beckon, and since the promenade faces east, it is an excellent spot to witness the sunrise, particularly for early risers.
Each year in early September, this walkway hosts the Noites da Promenade do Caniço festival.
This event features traditional Madeiran music, elaborate costumes, and stalls promoting local delicacies such as poncha, a beverage crafted from distilled sugar cane juice and lemon.
2. Miradouro Cristo Rei do Garajau
This statue, perched on a high promontory, bears a resemblance to Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro; however, Madeira’s Christ statue is actually older, dating back to 1927. Standing at 14 meters, it was sculpted by two French artists, Georges Serraz and the more renowned Pierre Charles Lenoir, whose works are housed in various museums across France.
The monument is situated on a platform above the Garajau Marine Reserve, providing expansive views of the Atlantic Ocean.
The panoramic vista improves significantly as you proceed to the tip of the peninsula, from where you can observe the Bay of Funchal and the picturesque white houses of the capital ascending the hills.
3. Praia de Garajau
Another geographical feature visible from the headland at Miradouro Cristo Rei is this small beach located at the foot of the cliffs.
Remarkably, it is possible to walk or drive down to the beach along a winding road that challenges even the most skilled drivers.
Fortunately, there is also a cable car, and at the lower station, a stylish beach bar with a terrace that becomes idyllic during sunset when the light reflects off the basalt walls.
At the pebble beach below, visitors can either dip their toes in the water or attempt a swim, provided the sea conditions are calm.
4. Palheiro Gardens
Situated on the eastern outskirts of Funchal and just moments from Caniço, this exquisite garden has been under the ownership of the Blandy family since 1885 and is particularly enchanting from October to April when the grand camellias bloom.
However, the gardens are equally captivating during other months, as bougainvillea and hibiscus flourish year-round.
The Palheiro Gardens substantiate that nearly any plant can thrive in Madeira’s rich soil, showcasing an extraordinary array of plant life, including distinctive boxwood topiaries, roses on pergolas, and mature exotic trees introduced from various parts of the world in the 19th century.
Conclude your visit with a delightful slice of cake at the tea room.
5. Funchal
Madeira’s capital lies merely a few minutes west of Caniço, with the two areas blending seamlessly together, thereby making it difficult to delineate where Funchal ends and Caniço begins.
The enchanting old town near the harbor features picturesque Portuguese pavement adorned with vibrant mosaic designs and elegant mansions and churches that boast whitewashed and bare basalt facades.
There are several experiences that are essential, such as the cable car journey to the Monte neighborhood, which served as a summer retreat for Madeira’s nobility.
For an exhilarating return, consider the wicker toboggan ride down the hill, guided by men dressed in white attire and boater hats.
Moreover, Funchal offers botanical gardens, breathtaking belvederes, churches, convents, and even a museum dedicated to Cristiano Ronaldo, the island’s most celebrated native.
6. Aquaparque
While the beaches in Caniço possess their own charm, the unpredictable currents may render them less enjoyable for children.
For a fun-filled afternoon, consider visiting Aquaparque, located a short distance north in Santa Cruz. The water park features several pools, including one open to all ages and another specially designed for younger children, both encircled by a lazy river.
Aquaparque also boasts four high-speed flumes, including the daring black hole, along with five additional calmer slides suitable for visitors of all ages.
Additionally, there is a dedicated “aqualand” for the smallest family members.
7. Praia dos Reis Magos
Adjacent to the promenade, Caniço’s primary beach is a consistent recipient of the prestigious Blue Flag award and attracts numerous bathers during the summer months.
The beach features two distinct sections; one is an unobstructed area typically suitable for swimming due to its easterly orientation.
For extra safety, two lifeguards are on duty throughout the summer season.
Next to this open beach lies a lido, where waters are sheltered by a seawall, allowing for swimming in nearly any weather condition.
The beach itself is relatively modest in size, and on sunny days, nearly every flat surface on the sand or the adjacent terrace will be occupied by sunbathers.
8. Quinta da Boa Vista
On the way to Funchal, the Quinta da Boa Vista is an elegant country estate situated on a steep slope.
The gardens, once a functioning fruit and vegetable farm established in the 1800s, were organized into narrow terraces that have since been thoughtfully landscaped.
Exotic plants from the Americas (bromeliads), Africa (aloes), and Australia (bottlebrush) are now cultivated among the remnants of the farm, including a thatched barn and a wine press.
The main highlight here is the extensive orchid plantation, which hosts hundreds of species of orchids, from cymbidiums to paphiopedilums.
These orchids are in bloom throughout the year, often releasing delightful fragrances.
9. Igreja de São Salvador
Madeira’s second-largest church is located in the nearby town of Santa Cruz.
It was constructed following a decree by King Manuel I in the early 1500s and features a blend of Gothic and Manueline architecture.
The portal showcases key elements of this style, including three ogival archivolts topped by a delicate rose window.
At the side entrance, a charming courtyard invites admiration of its tower and cross-shaped merlons atop the roof from a cozy café terrace.
The interior boasts exquisite frescoes with intricate patterns on the ceiling, alongside a depiction of the Last Supper above the entrance to the central altar.
10. Camacha
Just a ten-minute drive into the hills above Caniço leads you to the idyllic village of Camacha.
This picturesque and rural community is situated at a high elevation.
Camacha prides itself on its wicker craftsmanship, employing over a thousand artisans who create various items for sale at local markets or on-site.
The crafting process can be observed throughout the village, as residents skillfully shape canes into an array of objects, including furniture, hats, ornaments, models, kitchen utensils, and baskets.
Owning a handmade item from Camacha is particularly rewarding, considering the tradition has thrived here for more than 200 years.
11. Levada da Serra do Faial
“Levadas” refer to the unique irrigation system found in Madeira.
These channels extend for great distances, traversing hilly terrain to transport water to agricultural lands.
Accompanying walking trails run parallel to these conduits, providing an immersive experience into Madeira’s scenic countryside, characterized by vibrant greens, mist-laden laurel forests, and breathtaking panoramas.
The Levada da Serra do Faial spans 8.5 kilometers, leading toward Camacha.
As you explore, you’ll venture through ancient forests adorned with blooming wildflowers while enjoying views down toward Funchal and the ocean far below.
12. Diving
Caniço is home to the majority of Madeira’s dive centers, benefiting from relatively sheltered waters, warm average temperatures, excellent visibility, and diverse marine life found in the Garajau reserve.
Dive centers such as Mero, Atalaia, and Madeira Diving Centre offer exceptional experiences.
A distinguishing quality of diving in Caniço is the unusually docile and inquisitive underwater creatures.
Various colorful fish, including rays and groupers, often swim directly above and remain nearby during your dives.
If you are not quite ready for open water diving, Caniço’s centers provide professional training at an affordable rate to help you earn your PADI certifications.
13. Outdoor Adventure
One glance at Madeira’s awe-inspiring landscapes draped in forests will convince you to venture out into nature.
Numerous local businesses, such as Lokoloko and AlbanoAktiv, facilitate a variety of outdoor activities. The island is a haven for mountain biking, featuring exhilarating trails that ascend and descend steep gradients.
If this seems too daunting, milder trails starting from higher elevations and gradually descending toward the coastline also exist.
Moreover, in areas intersected by swift rivers, canyoning allows you to access locations inaccessible by hiking, enabling you to slide down waterfalls and rappel down cascades.
In certain parts of the island, a four-wheel drive is essential, allowing you to reach remote locations before hiking, climbing, or cycling back.
14. Golf
The challenging terrain of Madeira accommodates only three golf courses, two of which are conveniently located within a 20-minute drive of Caniço.
These courses offer extraordinary experiences.
Palheiro Golf and Santo da Serra feature fairways bordered by pines and sub-tropical vegetation.
Additionally, both courses are situated several hundred meters above sea level, granting breathtaking vistas that will distract you from your game.
Palheiro Golf consists of a single 18-hole course with a clubhouse that gazes out over Funchal Bay in the distance.
Santo da Serra includes three nine-hole courses, which were part of the European tour until 2015. Notably, the fourth hole on the “Machico” course features a par-3 hole separated by a ravine between the tee and the green.
15. Food and Drink
Culinary options in Caniço revolve around fish and seafood, showcasing dishes like grilled tuna steak, black scabbard fish fillets, octopus, and various shellfish such as periwinkles and limpets.
For meat enthusiasts, beef kebabs grilled on skewer sticks made from laurel wood provide a unique flavor that is hard to describe.
These dishes are best complemented with bolo do caco, a flat round bread slathered in garlic butter.
It is also worth noting Madeira wine, which comes in a vast array of varieties and has been produced on the island for centuries.
The winemaking process involves the addition of grape spirit during fermentation to enhance its longevity for long ocean voyages.
This wine can be enjoyed as either an aperitif or dessert pairing with a slice of Madeira cake.
