Continuing our little exploratory travel, from the previous article: Popular Madeiran Food & Beverages: Part 1 we found ourselves in the word of Madeiran Beverages.
And they are plenty!
Suffice to say we will stick with some of the most popular ones but you can always count on us to uncover more of these wonderful beverages during our exquisite Tours!
As such with Madeira Exquisite Food on Foot Tours you can rest assured we will accompany you every step of the way!
So please check our availability: https://www.madeirafoodonfoot.com/our-tours.html
Last weekend – May 23, 24, and 25 – Funchal hosted the 12th edition of the Madeira Classic Car Revival (MCCR), an iconic event held as part of the 2025 Flower Festival. Organized by the Madeira Classic Car Club (CACM), this much-anticipated gathering brought together classic car enthusiasts, families, and curious visitors for a nostalgic journey through automotive history.
According to the Regional Secretariat for Tourism, Environment, and Culture, the 2025 edition featured 567 registered vehicles, including cars, motorbikes, bicycles, off-roaders, and official vehicles – a number that increased since the event’s public presentation. Fiat was the most represented brand, with 50 vehicles.
Featured Guest Vehicles
Three special guest vehicles were on display during the event:
Bugatti Type 57 Stelvio Gangloff (1936) – from the Caramulo Museum.
Benz Dreirad (1886) – a replica of the world’s first car, also from the Caramulo Museum.
Olda 1954 – a rare Portuguese-built car owned by collector Pedro Filipe.
Benz Dreirad (1886) – This iconic three-wheeled vehicle is a replica of the world’s first automobile, originally invented by Karl Benz in 1886. Powered by a single-cylinder four-stroke engine, the Benz Dreirad marked the beginning of the modern automotive era. The version displayed at the MCCR was kindly provided by the Caramulo Museum, allowing visitors to admire this historic milestone up close.
This year’s edition introduced several exciting updates:
The south lane of Avenida do Mar (between Praça da Autonomia and the Sá Carneiro Roundabout) was closed to traffic so classic cars could circulate.
A new main stage for contestswas set up in front of the Regional Legislative Assembly.
The entire city pierwas transformed into an exhibition area, which also featured 14 supercars.
Pedal-powered kartcross trackswere available for children at Cais 8.
Classic car rideswere offered to 60 lucky participants, with free vouchers distributed at the CACM stand
The event also included a vintage market, period-costumed actors, and the ever-popular "Dress in Period Style" Contest.
A unique opportunity was given to 60 visitors to enjoy a classic car ride as passengers, often referred to as a "baptism of classics." Free vouchers for this experience were made available at the CACM stand located at the exhibition site.
The event also once again featured a vintage automobilia market, costumed performers who added to the ambiance, and the popular "Dress in Period Style" Contest. To participate, guests were invited to dress in vintage-style clothing or wear an accessory that evoked a different era. Registrations were carried out on-site, adding a fun and nostalgic element to the overall experience.
The Madeira Classic Car Revival was a wonderful event, organized by the Clube de Automóveis Clássicos da Madeira. It reflected the extraordinary work behind some of the best classic car collections in Portugal.
As expected the Madeiran gastronomy has something to offer everyone, including: tourists, locals and naturally foodies!
During the first part of this article, we'll uncover a few of the most popular delicacies off the Island in terms of Food.
Part two will then include popular Beverages of the island. Also please note that we will be maintaining their traditional names troughout the article, for cultural & gastronomical purposes.
And don't forget, you can mix and taste all of these fabulous dishes as you please!
Naturally you can count on us to help you find out that special meal (Food & Beverages) during our various exquisite Tours:
https://www.madeirafoodonfoot.com/our-tours.html
Here are some of the most popular:
(Jaqueline Freitas - MEFFT General Manager)
We are proud to launch our newest endeavour! Welcome to the Madeira Food on Foot Tours Central!
Our rendez-vous for:
- Bookings!
- Tour information!
- And meeting point for our tours just for you along our lovely guides!
Located in Funchal at Rua do Sabão nº 65 it's time for you to take a look.
Also enjoy photos from our opening party!
The Festas dos Santos Populares (Popular Saints Festivities) are among the most vibrant and cherished celebrations in Madeira. Dedicated to three beloved saints—St. Anthony, St. John, and St. Peter—these festivities fill towns and villages with music, dancing, traditional food, colorful decorations, and a joyful community spirit.
Our saints:
8th-13rd June - Santo António - St. Anthony : patron sanit of three parishes in the Diocese of Funchal: Santo António, Santo António da Serra, Faã da Ovelha (Raposeira)
14th-24th June - São João- St. John: patron saint of four parishes: Fajã da Ovelha, Álamos, São João (Ribeira Brava) and Atouguia (Calheta)
27th June - 1st July - São Pedro- St. Peter: patron of the parish bearing this name in Funchal, as well as of Ponta do Pargo
Popular Saints Festivities in Madeira
Santo António - St. Anthony : Known as the "matchmaking saint," St. Anthony is celebrated with great enthusiasm, particularly in the parish of Santo António in Funchal. The highlight is the Popular Marches on the night of June 12, featuring lively parades, music, and traditional costumes. Bonfires light up the streets, and tradition says that jumping over the flames brings luck in love. It's also a popular time for weddings.
Also honored in chapels dedicated to him in Santana and in Estreito de Câmara de Lobos. Raposeira (Fajã da Ovelha), Ponta do Sol, and Santo António da Serra, also hold events in honor of the saint, with festive parades, food, and music.
São João - St. John: Is the most widely celebrated saint across the island. In Funchal, the festivities reach their peak between June 19 and 24 with the famous Altars of St. John, where shops and homes decorate their windows and facades with vibrant shrines in his honor.
In towns such as Calheta, Ribeira Brava, and Santa Cruz, the celebrations include traditional marches, folk music, dancing, and an abundance of local delicacies.
On the island of Porto Santo, the festivities from June 19 to 29 are a major tourist attraction. They feature colorful parades, beach bonfires, and the magical sight of paper balloons floating into the night sky.
São Pedro - St. Peter:
St. Peter, the patron saint of fishermen, is celebrated with special devotion in the fishing towns of Câmara de Lobos and Ribeira Brava.
In Câmara de Lobos, the celebrations take place from June 28 to July 2, combining the St. Peter Festival with the Black Scabbardfish Festival (Festa da Espada Preta), a tribute to one of Madeira’s most iconic fish. The harbor becomes the epicenter of the festivities, with live music, dancing, fireworks, and food stalls serving local specialties.
In Ribeira Brava, the festivities on June 28 and 29 fill the town with music, folk dances (bailinho), and lively food and drink stalls along the seafront. The streets bloom with colorful flower decorations, and a boat procession at sea is followed by a spectacular midnight fireworks display. Special night transportation is available from Funchal for those wishing to join the celebration.
These festivals are more than just parties — they are a cultural cornerstone of Madeiran life, blending religious devotion with joyful celebration in one of the island’s most social and festive times of the year.
Spring is already here!
From the beautiful landscapes to the suculent food! Madeira is an ideal place to visit this season!
So before Summer take a chance and visit our beloved Island!
From:
Easter Festivities;
To Tours;
To the Rum Festival;
To the Flower Festival!
The Cherry Festival is a long-standing event held in the parish of Jardim da Serra, Madeira, since 1954. Known originally as the “Cherry Day,” it is one of the island’s oldest fruit-themed celebrations.
Typically taking place in June—when cherries are ripe for harvest—the festival is dedicated to promoting and showcasing this prized fruit, a symbol of local agriculture. Alongside fresh cherries, visitors can explore a wide range of cherry-based products and derivatives.
More than just a fruit fair, the event is a vibrant cultural showcase. It highlights local traditions, customs, and craftsmanship, offering an authentic experience of the region’s identity.
The main highlight of the Cherry Festival is the Allegorical and Ethnographic Parade, which captures the spirit of the community, bringing to life the rich heritage and daily life of Jardim da Serra through colorful displays and traditional costumes.
For local farmers, the festival plays a key role in encouraging both the quality and quantity of cherry production. It’s not only a celebration but also a motivation for continued excellence in farming.
Throughout the celebration, visitors can enjoy cherry exhibitions, culinary demonstrations (showcookings), and talks focused on the fruit’s importance. Entertainment is a constant, with traditional folk groups, live music, and spirited musical duels known as despiques. Regional artists also take the stage, adding a modern twist to the festivities.
The Cherry Festival is a joyful fusion of flavor, culture, and community spirit—an experience not to be missed in Madeira.
Come and enjoy a diverse program of events celebrating the rich heritage, traditions, and culinary delights of Santo da Serra.
Program:
10:30 am - Cherry pie tasting
12:30pm - Theme Lunch
2:30pm - Festival and the Parish of jardim da Serra
2:50pm - Local ciders and cherry drinks tasting
4:30pm - Ethographic parade
**Price: 100€ por person**
Bring your appetite and come on!
Contact us:
Tel: +351 963 558 287
In this season of hope there is much to do and much to feel.
It's a season of magic & love. Be it Christmas or New Year's Eve!
And as a popular destination, what better place to be than Madeira for the Holidays?
So come along with us: Madeira Exquisite Food on Foot Tours and take note.
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