Everyone has heard of Spain's picturesque Canary Islands - these are known as one of the great party destinations of Europe and home to some other-worldly landscapes (including those seen in the 1966 movie One Million Years BC). But Portugal has its Atlantic island destinations as well - most notably the stunning Azores. The Azores are one of two autonomous Portuguese regions - the second is Madeira.

Madeira is an archipelago found just under 250 miles north of the Canary Islands and 320 miles off the coast of mainland Africa. Madeira is a popular year-round resort and a great alternative to visiting the Canary Islands. The islands are known for their beaches, volcanic landscapes, flora, fauna, and pre-historic laurel forest.

What To Know Of Madeira: Portugal's Answer To The Canary Islands

The population of Madeira is around 250,000, with most of the people being of Portuguese extraction. The capital of the autonomous region is Funchal and is home to around half of the population of the island group. The main islands are Madeira, Porto Santo, and the Desertas.

• Discovered: 1419

When the Portuguese discovered the islands in 1419, they found them uninhabited (although it's possible they were visited by the Romans, Vikings, and others). The islands are considered the first territorial discovery as the European Age of Discovery dawned. At the start of the period, it was the Portuguese who led the way with their exploration of the African coast. The Spanish and Christopher Columbus joined in later sailing the other way across the Atlantic to discover the Americas. Later the Dutch, French, and English joined in the Age of Discovery.

Like the Canary Islands and some offshore departments of France, Madeira is part of the European Union. They enjoy a mild and moderate subtropical climate together with Mediterranean summer droughts and winter rain.

They boast breathtaking natural settings complete with crystal-clear waters and a laid-back atmosphere where everyone can relax and unwind.

Islands & Island Groups of Madeira:

• Maderia: Pop. 262,000, The Main Island 740.7 km2 or 286 sq mi
• Porto Santo: Pop. 5,500, The Second Island 42.5 km2 or 16.4 sq mi
• Desertas Islands: Pop. 0, Three Uninhabited Islands - Desertas Grande Island, Bugio Island, and Ilheu de Chao, 14.2 km2 or 5.5 sq mi
• Savage Islands: Pop. 0, A Series of Small Uninhabited Islands (3.6 km2 or 1.4 sq mi)

Another island to discover for those exploring the North Atlantic is the British island of St. Helena, where Napoleon was exiled to.

Related: The Best Cities In Portugal Could Be Described As ‘Heaven On Earth’

Madeira Island: The Main Island Of The Group

With a population of around a quarter of a million, Madeira is by far the main island. It is formed from the top of a massive, mostly submerged shield volcano (which rises around 3.7 miles from the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean floor). Extensive erosion over the eons has produced two large natural amphitheaters in the central part of the island. Volcanic activities also produced scoria cones and lava flows, with the most recent eruptions occurring around 6,500 years ago.

The island has impressive reefs, forests, beaches, and some out-of-this-world volcanic landscapes that remind visitors of the Canary Islands or the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Despite the small size of the island, much of the interior is generally inaccessible.

• Size: 36 miles long and 14 miles wide
• Highest Point: Pico Ruivo at 1,862 meters or 6,109 feet

The island has plenty of activities both in and out of the waters. In the sea, visitors can go swimming, whale watching, kayaking, surfing, boating, and diving. On land, they can choose from activities like canyoning, hiking, bird watching, paragliding, coasteering, exploration tours, and more. Start planning one's trip on Visit Madeira and select from the destination's full range of accommodation options.

Related: Here's What You Need To Know Before Booking A Vacation To The Remote Faroe Islands

Porto Santo Island - The Golden Island Of The Atlantic

The second and only other populated island of the Maderia group is Porto Santo Island. It is located 27 miles northeast of the main Madeira Island. The population of the island is only around 5,500, and its main settlement is Vila Baleira. The island offers a stunning retreat far from the hustle and bustle of more popular destinations and is something of a secret of Portugal.

Porto Santo is famous for its 9-kilometer (5-mile) long sandy paradisaical beach. It is famous for its hospitable population and turquoise waters lapping on its golden sandy beaches. The best was elected the best beach in Europe by the European Best Destinations in 2022 according to its official tourism website.

The island is serviced by the Porto Santo Airport, which has connections with the Madeira Airport and to Lisbon and Porto on the Portuguese mainland. There are also seasonal flights to other European countries.