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Madeira Island was just named the best island in Europe for the second year in a row by the World Travel Awards.
Madeira, which is part of Portugal, is an archipelago of small islands located in the Atlantic Ocean about 350 miles from Morocco. It is made up of the islands of Madeira, Porto Santo, and the Desertas.
With incredible natural pools carved out of lava rocks, gorgeous cliffs overlooking the ocean, and charming towns, it's no wonder that Madeira is considered the top European island.
Located in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, Madeira is a series of Portuguese islands that are about 250 miles north of the Canary Islands and about 350 miles from Morocco. You can get there by plane.
The islands have gorgeous cliffs that jut out into the Atlantic Ocean. The scenery is spectacular.
The average temperature in Madeira ranges from about 72 degrees F in the summer to 61 degrees F in the winter. In other words, it always feels like a balmy spring day.
There are natural lava pools all over Madeira Island. The baths at Porto Moniz are a series of gorgeous natural pools that seem to blend right into the ocean.
There are also beautiful beaches, like Calheta in Madeira Island. The nearby island of Porto Santo is world-famous for its beaches.
The waters are clear and warm—perfect for swimming.
Or, explore the marine life off the coast by swimming, snorkeling, or diving.
Windsurfing is also popular here.
As is paragliding.
Madeira is full of levadas, a system of stone irrigation channels that criss-cross the island and transport water. These levadas also make for great hiking trails.
Some of the levadas, like Levada do Caldeirão Verde, pass under waterfalls.
One of the best ways to get around the islands is by boat.