About our team
Our Happiness Abroad team is an international startup deeply connected to Madeira Island, combining expertise with a genuine love for this stunning destination. Our team is made up of expats and regional experts who live and breathe Madeira, and we’re here to share its unique charm while offering you practical guidance. With a network of local knowledge and global perspective, we want to ensure your relocation experience is as smooth and transparent as possible.
Madeira is a place that captures the hearts of everyone who visits—it’s no surprise that many who come here dream of staying for good. This platform was created to empower expats with reliable, firsthand information, helping them navigate the visa process, explore neighborhoods, and find their ideal home without falling prey to misinformation or scams. Your input is invaluable, and together, we can make the transition to living in Madeira as seamless as the island’s tranquil lifestyle.
Even if you aren’t planning to move any time soon, you are invited to come explore HA Madeira and share your thoughts.
CONTACT
Feel free to send us comments, conserns and ideas at Iinfo@haMadeira.com. We want to hear from. you!
Madeirans LOVE a good party (especially those dedicated to saints!)
for the many saints, It proudly boasts the Guinness World Record for the largest fireworks display in the world, achieved in 2006 and again in 2010. The current show lasts approximately eight minutes and features over 30 fire stations around Funchal Bay, creating a breathtaking visual experience that spans 6 kilometers long and 2.7 kilometers wide. The budget for this extravagant display is around one million euros annually, reflecting its significance as a major tourist attraction. It is truly spectacular because you are immersed in the fireworks, quite literally! When I was a child we got to build bonfires in the streets and make little flags to hang around the home.
The origins of the fireworks can be traced back to the seventeenth century when locals lit bonfires to celebrate New Year’s Eve like the Madeiran people still do on the various saint holidays. By the eighteenth century, the English community on Madeira introduced rockets into the festivities, marking a significant evolution in how the New Year was celebrated. In the nineteenth century, banker João José Rodrigues Leitão revived and expanded this tradition, leading to a competitive spirit among wealthy families who began launching their own fireworks displays. This competition eventually transformed into a grand spectacle that illuminated Funchal’s night sky. Even for those unimpressed with loud, bright pyrotechnics, it is truly something to experience!