Girassol.rent welcomes you to Madeira Island, where July 2024 promises a vibrant tapestry of events and festivities. As the premier car rental company on Madeira Island, we are dedicated to providing a seamless and enjoyable travel experience for visitors from across Europe who come to Portugal on holiday. Our new fleet of cars, all equipped with automatic transmission, ensures that your exploration of the island is convenient and stress-free. With popular brands such as SEAT IBIZA, SEAT ARONA, NISSAN MICRA, RENAULT CLIO, SMART FORFOUR, as well as higher and premium class BMW vehicles, Girassol.rent offers a wide range of options to cater to your specific needs.
Madeira Day 1 July
Madeira Day is a national holiday celebrating the anniversary of the archipelago’s independence from mainland Portugal, granted in 1976 in the Portuguese Constitution. Official ceremonies are held throughout the Autonomous Region of Madeira, while families and friends enjoy picnics and plenty of lively local events.
100 Mile – Historic Rally
The “100-Mile” Historic Rally is being promoted by the Madeira Classic Car Club and will take place on the winding roads of Santa Cruz and Machico. This circuit covers approximately 160 kilometres (100 miles) and features a diverse range of vehicles, the oldest of which date back to 1952 and the most recent from 1988.
24 hours Dancing Folklore Festival Santana
Experience a taste of authentic Madeiran culture at 24 Horas a Bailar, in the town of Santana. Local troupes perform traditional folk dances in colorful costumes, accompanied by musicians playing Portuguese instruments. Special groups from different parts of the island are invited to perform, while stalls selling local culinary specialties, drinks and crafts line the streets for this festival.
Funchal Jazz Festival (Municipal Gardens) and (Parque de Santa Catarina)
Funchal Jazz Festival has grown into one of Madeira’s most popular cultural events. Visitors flock to the island to enjoy performances by renowned jazz artists from across the globe, as well as local bands and musicians. The festival is held annually in Santa Catarina Park, which offers splendid views of the city’s mountainous backdrop and Funchal Bay. There will also be free admission concerts at the Municipal Garden (Jardim Municipal).
Madeira Big Game Fishing 4th July
Madeira’s warm waters are teeming with fish, and this and its steep continental shelf means that the waters attract sport fish such as Blue Marlin, White Marlin, Albacore, Big Eyed Tuna, Wahoo, Dorada, and Bonito. With such an abundance of fish, Madeira is an all year-round big game fishing experience, especially as line-caught Blue Marlin regularly weigh in the region of 700lb making the waters around the island one of the best places in the world for big game fishing. Of course, the ultimate experience is taking part in the Big Game Fishing Championship held on the 4th of July where competitors are challenged to catch the largest Blue Marlin. Madeira’s competitors have won this award on several occasions.
Banana Exhibit Madalena do Mar
Festa da Banana is a tribute to one of Madeira’s most important local products, which flourishes in huge bunches thanks to Madeira’s pleasant subtropical climate. Held in the town of Madalena do Mar home to the largest banana plantations on the island visitors can enjoy the spectacular displays of fruit and flowers, as well as local food and entertainment.
Tuna, Skipjack, and Seafood Festival Canial
The Tuna, Skipjack, and Seafood Festival is a gastronomic event held in the heart of Canial Parish and organised by local entities to honour the hard work of fishermen. Canial, a fishing village and regional tuna hub, celebrates Skipjack Tuna (Gaiado), a small type of tuna caught in Madeira that is delectable after being salted and sun-dried. Indulge in the village’s beloved seafood delights, as well as lively entertainment and musical shows, during this three-day festival of flavours.
Expomadeira
Expomadeira is Madeira’s oldest and largest business exhibition, organized by the Funchal Commercial and Industrial Association (ACIF).
Over 100 companies from various RAM sectors are represented. This business-and-pleasure event promotes the introduction of new products and services while also encouraging business partnerships.
OCR Sao Vicente Challenge 2024
Sao Vicente Challenge 2023 Obstacle Race at Juncos Football Stadium from 9:00 to 14:00, participants can compete in individual or team categories with the goal of inspiring and rewarding their hard work, determination, devotion, teamwork, and athleticism. As you overcome barriers, prepare to experience thrilling jumps, throws, climbs, and descents.
Regatta of Traditional Canoes of Madalena do Mar
The XI Regatta of Traditional Canoes of Madalena do Mar is a race event held in July to commemorate and revive Madeira’s historic sea and fishing tradition. The event also raises awareness about the importance of preserving these traditional fishing canoes, which are an important part of the region’s cultural heritage.
Madeira Uphill 2000
For the last several years running has become an ever increasingly popular sport in Madeira. Whether its road running or battling against the topography of the island, it attracts runners locally, nationally and internationally. The Madeira Uphill 2000 is no different, and It’s uphill all the way! Considered to be one of Europe’s toughest races, competitors battle it out from Avenida do Mar, Funchal to Pico do Aeerio, against the backdrop of some of Madeiras most beautiful scenery and toughest terrain. The half marathon not only traverses some 21km, it demands runners to race steadily to the summit of Pico do Aeerio, some 1,821m above sea level. For those a little intimidated by the route, the organisers also hold a 10km mini-marathon, and a 21 km relay race of teams comprising of four athletes.
Agriculture Fair – Santa – Porto Moniz
The agriculture fair was originally created in 1955 as a way of bringing local farmers together, especially as they were scattered far and wide and with limited transportation, relatively isolated. Nowadays the fair is not only a chance for farmers to get together the fair has become a major tourist attraction with its variety of livestock, exhibitions, stalls, including plant stalls and of course a wide variety of food and beverages on offer, all set off against the backdrop of Porto Moniz’s stunning countryside
Festa da Lapa (Limpet Festival) – Paul do Mar
For three days in July, Festa da Lapa is a tribute to the limpets harvested in the rocky shores around Paul do Mar, which are an important part of the local economy. Visitors can admire picturesque ocean views while enjoying one of the favorite local dishes – grilled lapas with garlic butter and lemon. Simply delicious! Entertainment includes traditional dancing, DJs, and live music.
Madeira Summer Opening 2024 – Parque de Santa Catarina
Madeira Summer Opening is a music festival taking place at Parque de Santa Catarina, overlooking the stunning scenery of Funchal and the Atlantic.
Madeira SABOREA, a Journey Through Taste Gastronomic Festival
Madeira SABOREA, a Journey Through Taste” is a one-of-a-kind Gastronomic Festival that aims to strengthen gastronomic and cultural ties while also promoting Macaronesia as a global culinary destination. Visitors can enjoy live music performances and other forms of entertainment, such as SABOREA talks and culinary experiences, while sampling a variety of foods and drinks.
Regatta of Traditional Canoes Funchal
Sponsored by the Town Hall of Funchal, the Madeira Regional Canoeing Association, and the Madeira Sport for ALL Association, the Regatta of Traditional canoes refers to the traditional fishermen’s rowboats. This hotly contested competition was created to retain and revive Madeira’s connection with the sea and fishing as well as stimulate an interest in the traditional sailing canoes. Competitors battle it out over a 2.5km open watercourse in the bay of Funchal, providing an entertaining spectator event.
Harvey Foster Classic New Road – Funchal/Câmara de Lobos
The “Harvey Foster Classic New Road” race is organized by the Clube de Automóveis Clássicos da Madeira as a tribute to Mr. Harvey Foster, who brought the first automobile to Madeira in 1904. The Avenida do Mar in Funchal will be the focal point of a gathering of antique cars built before the end of 1955. The route will then run between Câmara de Lobos and the city center. The participating vehicles will be on display in both cities, specifically in Funchal, near the Regional Assembly, and in Câmara de Lobos.
Porto da Cruz Trail Natura – Porto da Cruz – 21 July 2024
Described as Nature, Sea, Mountain, and Fun, the Porto da Cruz Trail Natura has it all. The event starts as a night race, giving runners the opportunity to see the dawn rise over Pico do Areerio as they make their way along roads, through villages, mountain paths, serras, and even steps as the competitors battle it out through the three different competitions to the finish line. The competition comprises the Ultra 50km competition with athletes climbing altitudes of 1416m above sea level. The Long Trail 25km event, which is seen as excellent preparation for those wanting to move up to Ultra Trail running. The Short 11km race again is excellent for those new to trail running or those who want to find out what it is all about as this event has a little of everything including running along steep footpaths (veredas) and technical descents. The event is organized by volunteers, Friends of the Land, and the Parish Council of Porto da Cruz, proving once again that Madeira is an ideal trail running holiday destination.
Regional Vetch Exhibit
The Regional Chickling Vetch exhibit is a cultural event aimed at promoting the region’s gastronomic traditions, hosted by the Casa do Povo da Quinta Grande community center. The event will include great entertainment as well as traditional food and drink.
Madeira Round the Island by Bicycle
Organised by the Madeira Cycling Association, the Madeira Round the Island by Bicycle event not only attracts cyclists from all over the world, its routes and conditions encourage young, amateur, and professional bikers to take part. This three-day race takes competitors all over the island from Machico to São Vicente, São Vicente to Prazeres, while the Funchal race is held on the final day.
Madeira Island Open (PGA European Tour) – Santo da Serra
Madeira Island Open is one of two Portuguese golfing events on the official PGA European Tour for men. All three golf courses in the archipelago have hosted the event since 1993, including Santo da Serra Golf Club and Porto Santo Golf Club in recent years. Each course is set in a serene natural landscape with spectacular ocean views and lush greens – perfect for championship golf!
Sea Week Porto Moniz
If you don’t manage to get to any other events, you must visit Sea Week at Porto Moniz. The village, famous for its natural lava rock pools and dramatic seascape, transforms itself into a fulfilled week of competitions, sea games (think ‘It’s a Knock Out), open water raft and barrel races, and other competitions with teams of entrants coming from all over the island, making it a fantastic spectator event. Other attractions include the canoe regatta and cultural activities including live music from regional and philharmonic bands. Hungry? Well, there are plenty of stalls selling a wide selection of food from snacks to sit-down meals. Sea Week is a nautical adventure.
Concertos L Estalagem da Ponta do Sol
Madeira is no stranger to experimenting with music and with a musical history that has been influenced by European, Arabic, and slaves from Guinea, Morocco, and Mauritania there is little doubt that Madeira’s tastes are as diverse as music itself. As such Concertos L provides the perfect platform for music lovers as the genres are eclectic, ranging from rock, jazz, indie, and traditional, performed by local, national, and international artists. Held in the grounds of Estalagem da Ponta do Sol and within earshot of the Atlantic Ocean, what better way to experience new music by artists as passionate about their art as we are about listening to it.
Machico Gastronomic Week (Semana Gastronómica de Machico)
Held in the summertime by the sea, Machico Food Festival Week showcases the unique flavours of Madeira’s wonderful cuisine for over 10 days. A wide range of restaurants and bars is set around a stage in Largo da Praça in Machico, where visitors can order a mouthwatering selection of traditional local delicacies, including fish, limpets, crabs, and espetadas (a kind of kebab), accompanied by Madeira’s finest wines. Music and entertainment are provided throughout the week and the event includes a cocktail festival on the final day.
Classics at Magnolia
Another “Classics at Magnolia” event will be held at the lovely Quinta Magnolia Garden, showcasing a variety of well-preserved classic vehicles and motorcycles from local collectors, along with figurants dressed for the occasion. Madeira Island has over 2,000 meticulously preserved classic cars, many of which are displayed at special events.
As you prepare for your visit to Madeira Island in July 2024, Girassol.rent is dedicated to ensuring that your travel experience is seamless and stress-free. Book your car rental with Girassol.rent and embark on an unforgettable journey across the enchanting landscapes of Madeira.
