The main architectural style in Madeira is Manueline, although there are also some buildings in baroque style. The most important handicrafts in Madeira are the embroidery and tapestry (known all over the world), the wickerwork, the Panama hats, straw hats, hand painted tiles, woollen hats, ear hats and “brinquinho”.
Madeira is also known by its coloured folkloric shows, dance and music and by its festivals, such as “Flower Festival”, “Atlantic Festival”, Carnival and its annual New Year celebration with the largest fireworks show in the world.
The traditional gastronomy in Madeira is very rich and varied. Some of the most popular gastronomic specialities are “espetada” made of large chunks of beef, tuna “meat of wine garlic” (carne de vitela e alho) and “milho frito” similar to the Italian Polenta. In the traditional pastry the most common is a cake called “bolo de mel” (Honey Cake), fennel sweets and “queijadas”. The most popular beverage is THE Madeira wine and “poncha”.