Português
Español
Français
Deutsch
ItalianoMadalena is a town and the seat of the municipality on Pico Island. It is subdivided into six parishes and is the most recent municipality on the island, created in 1723.
In front of the town, the Madalena islets, Ilhéu Deitado and Ilhéu em Pé, stand as geological formations resulting from an ancient volcanic cone. These islets are popular resting and nesting spots for seabirds.
One of Madalena’s highlights is its historic center, home to the Church of Santa Maria Madalena, the French-style town hall, and picturesque streets. Its fertile lands produce high-quality wines, offering visitors opportunities to explore vineyards, museums, and wineries celebrating viticulture.
Without a doubt, one of the main attractions is Pico Mountain, the highest peak in Portugal, offering an incredible view of the surrounding islands.
Here are some must-see places during your stay:
Church of Santa Maria Madalena
The Church of Santa Maria Madalena is located in the historic center of Madalena and is the largest church on Pico Island. Built in the 17th century, its Baroque interior displays beautiful illustrated tiles, a gilded chapel, religious statues, and two side altars.
Its exterior, featuring two bell towers and a decorative 19th-century clock, was renovated in the 19th century. In July, the town hosts traditional festivities in honor of Santa Maria Madalena, one of the most lively celebrations in the area.
Pico Wine Museum
The Pico Wine Museum, inaugurated in 1999 near Madalena’s center, is part of the Regional Museum Network and an extension of the Pico Museum. The Pico Island Vineyard Culture Landscape was classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2004.
Located in a former Carmelite convent, the museum presents the history of wine production, featuring presses, barrels, and other winemaking tools. Visitors can also tour the vineyards and sample the delightful local wine.
The museum offers a scenic viewpoint over the traditional vineyards. The garden also includes a 400-year-old dragon tree among other younger specimens.
See also: Museums in the Azores
Vineyard Culture Landscape / Interpretation Center
The Pico Island Vineyard Culture Landscape covers an area of 987 hectares and was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2004. Over centuries, a unique landscape has emerged, with stone walls in parallel patterns over black lava rocks where the vineyards grow.
The fauna and flora are rich, featuring endemic species from the laurel forests typical of Macaronesia. The Vineyard Culture Landscape Interpretation Center (CIPCVIP) is a space for learning about wine culture and the Vineyard Culture Landscape.
Visitors can explore the vineyard enclosures, a permanent exhibit, the traditional warehouse, and distillery. The highlight is the “lajidos,” paths created by ancient lava flows that shaped unique landscapes now filled with endemic flora.
