Article Shopping in Portugal

When you take a trip or discover a new place, taking home a souvenir and buying unique gifts to surprise your family and friends is fun – and easy to do when you visit the Madeira islands.

After appreciating its fascinating nature and unforgettable landscapes, and in between visits to the typical, colorful villages of Madeira, walk along the beautiful, cobbled streets of Funchal to find a great variety of shops with local items that you will want to take home with you.

Visit the Madeira Embroidery Museum and marvel at this traditional needlework that dates back hundreds of years and is one of Europe’s finest luxury products. It´s a unique handicraft inspired by exuberant island landscapes and produced entirely by hand. Each piece is carefully certified with the guaranteed seal of the Madeira Wine, Embroidery, and Handicrafts Institute, so don’t miss the opportunity to buy a piece. From small handkerchiefs to beautiful, traditional tablecloths, every piece is truly a work of art.

Continuing your stroll, taste delicious and world-renowned Madeira wine in one of the many wine cellars and shops scattered around town. There are four main versions of Madeira wine, each named after its variety: Malvasia, Boal, Verdelho, and Sercial. Prices vary depending on the year and variety. Regardless, you won’t be able to resist buying at least one bottle to take home with you.

Wicker items are available in Funchal and all over the Island, but they are produced in Camacha, where you’ll find the widest selection of wicker articles in all shapes and sizes, like handbags, boxes, baskets, and furniture.

Madeira’s flowers, such as orchids, strelitzias, proteas and flamingo flowers are the souvenir of choice for many tourists. They can be purchased in florist shops but buying them at the Farmers’ Market is a must. Situated in the center of Funchal, it’s one of Madeira’s landmarks where colors, aromas and tradition combine to enchant and delight anyone visiting it.

Inaugurated in 1949, the Farmers’ Market is a graceful combination of Art Deco and modernism, with a covered area of two floors decorated by several panels of tiles. On the ground floor, you will find fish and meat stalls, while upstairs tropical fruits, vegetables and a multitude of spices fill the entire space with intriguing aromas.

Another charming feature of the Farmers’ Market is the opportunity to find many of the saleswomen dressed in the typical, joyful Madeiran costume of bright colors and the famous botas de vilão (traditional handmade boots). In the area surrounding the market, there are several shops and cafés where you will also find typical delicacies such as wine and garlic meat sandwiches, the traditional Madeiran alcoholic beverage called Poncha, bolo do caco, and various sweets such as queijadas or honey cake.

With so many good suggestions, we are sure that you can take the holiday spirit from the Madeira Islands back home with you.