Acknowledgments
The islands of Madeira and Porto Santo are recognized nationally and internationally as a very special place to spend a memorable vacation. Its tourist potential and qualities are reinforced by renowned awards attributed to Madeira over the years.
Madeira and Porto Santo Islands have received several awards over the years, both nationally and internationally, a testimony of the islands excellence ranked in the top of world tourist destinations.
Madeira voted the Best Island Destination in the World
Madeira was elected "World's Leading Island Destination" in 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021 by the World Travel Awards.
In 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021 won the "Europe’s Leading Island Destination" award, having competed in this category alongside major tourist destinations such as the Canary Islands, Balearic Islands, Sardinia, Malta, Cyprus, among others.
New Year’s Eve in Madeira in the Guinness World RecordsGuinness World Records™, an organization that certifies the records achieved worldwide, attributed to the 8-minute fireworks show that marked the passing of the year in Madeira, from 2006 to 2007, the title of “Greatest Fireworks Show in the World”.
Madeira is ... World HeritageThe spectacular landscape boasts one of the biggest tourist attractions of Madeira. Its lush vegetation hides the fascinating indigenous laurel forest, recognized by UNESCO in 1999 as Natural Heritage of Humanity.
Madeira is ... Destination of Excellence since 2009The World Centre of Excellence for Destinations (CED), a body overseen by the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), attributed to Destination Madeira, in November 2009, the title of Quality Excellence.
Madeira one of TripAdvisor’s “Top Best Islands in the World” 
place as one of the best islands in the world for spending a holiday in 2015, in a voting process organised by the largest travel website in the world – TripAdvisor - Travellers'’ Choice Awards; this result is based on the opinions of thousands of tourists from all over the world.
Two islands among the 7 Wonders of PortugalThe islands of Madeira and Porto Santo received two awards from the organization of the 7 Wonders of Portugal: “Forests and Woodlands” in 2010 and “Dune Beaches” in 2012, respectively.
Funchal in TripAdvisor’s Top 10The largest travel website in the world, TripAdvisor, has singled out Funchal as one of the best cities in Europe, putting it in 6th place in the top 10 “Top destinations on the rise - Europe” in the Travellers’ Choice™ 2015 category.
Funchal distinguished by “Civitas Awards”The city of Funchal was the winner of the “Civitas Awards”, which distinguish European cities that stand out in promoting sustainable mobility.
World Biosphere Reserves- Madeira and Porto Santo
The municipality of Santana, located on the northern side of the island of Madeira, was honoured by UNESCO in June 2011 with the distinction of “Biosphere Reserve”, recognizing the richness of an ecosystem where the conservation of biodiversity and its sustainable use are brought together.
Desertas Islands: European Protected Area
A Natural Reserve since 1995, in early September the Desertas islands received the European Certificate of Protected Areas from the Council of Europe, an award that attests to the recovery and protection work in the area over the past few decades.
A Natural Reserve since 1995, in early September the Desertas islands received the European Certificate of Protected Areas from the Council of Europe, an award that attests to the recovery and protection work in the area over the past few decades.
