If you love flowers, but regret that you can only enjoy them in the Spring, I have a great suggestion for you: move to Madeira. If you can’t actually move there, at least be sure to visit when you’re experiencing flower withdrawal. Madeira’s flowers are known all over the world for being some of the most spectacular. The best part is they bloom all year round.
Walking around Funchal, Madeira’s capital, flowers are the only thing you’ll see more often than Cristiano Ronaldo references. And there are a lot of Ronaldo references… I’ve included here photos of some flowers I stumbled across during my walks, but these don’t do justice to the myriad colors, shapes and sizes of the flowers that can be found in Madeira.
Flowers are, in fact, such a part of the culture of the island that they celebrate them every year with the Festa da Flor (Flower Fest). Sadly, I’ve never seen it myself, but because I added some photos here just so you get an inkling of how impressive it is. At the Festa da Flor, everything is made of flowers. The floats in the parade are covered in flowers, streets are lined in flower carpets and even the people wear flowers from top to bottom! It’s basically a blossoming garden of Eden, but with more music and beer. Never has the term “flower power” seemed more fitting. The Festa da Flor takes place each year in the springtime.
But what if you miss the celebrations? Have no fear! Funchal is also home to a stunning botanical garden. The Jardim Botânico da Madeira is set over 5 acres and is home to about 3000 different plant species. Despite the gorgeous gardens for visitors, the botanical gardens’ main purpose is educational and scientific. As such, it is also home to a huge seed bank to ensure protection and continuation of plant species.
You don’t have to be a botanist to get pretty excited about Madeira’s flowers. They add color and life to the entire island, not just Funchal. They make your vacation extra colorful and fragrant. If you haven’t been to Madeira and experienced its gorgeous flowers, what on Earth are you waiting for?
