Madeira - Kart Racing

November 24^th, 2025 

After three lovely nights at Quinta da Furao, it was time to relocate to the south of the island for our last night on Madeira.  Naomi planned this so we wouldn’t have a long drive to get to the airport the following morning for our flight back to Lisbon.

Another beautiful morning on the north coast of Madeira...unfortunately our last one.

Can you tell Naomi is sad to leave the place?

By Quinta do Furao.

It is a lovely place.

On our arrival to Santana three days ago, we passed over a bridge that had a great view of a karting track down below.  We drove down to the track, but it was wet and there was no one racing.  The track looked incredible, and it wasn’t too far from where we were staying so I knew we’d have to return.  Well, today’s the day!

Whoa...check that out...

What a good looking track!

Again, there was no one racing on the track, just some workers painting some blue on a few corners of the track.  At the office, we were met by a young guy who explained the situation.  They were open, but it was just going to be me racing.  The cost was 25 Euros for 15 minutes.  That sounded perfect.

Pick a kart...any kart.

Oh, and a helmet.

Getting my race briefing.

Someone's excited!

My steed.

Heading out on the track after my briefing.

Getting warmed up.  I was a bit tentative at first as the young guy told me in my briefing that if I hit the protective tires on turn 2 or 6, my race was over.

These cars can reach a whopping 61 km/h.  Sure, that doesn’t sound like much, but when you are that close to the ground…it is!  I never even reached top speed during my session, sadly only 51 km/h.

Passing by Naomi by the starting/finishing line.

Feeling like I'm in real life Mario Kart!

Getting faster with growing confidence...

More action photos.

Receiving the checkered flag.

Entering pit lane.

It would have been more fun to have other racers on the track, but it was still a blast.  It definitely gave me newfound respect for Formula 1 drivers!

Shockingly, I placed 1st!

The podium celebration!

What a blast!  Afterwards, we drove to our hotel, a historic one that was at least 90 years old, settled in and then went for a walk to the nearby golf course to check out the views…and they did not disappoint. 

 

Our new accommodation for our last night on Madeira Island.

An old hotel, which Naomi thought smelled and looked more like a motel.  I didn't think it was that bad, although lots of things seemed to be under repair.

Checking out some historic photos.

These are from the late 30s.

The posh dining room.

There's a golf course nearby, that I think it used to be associated with, hence some putters and balls in the hallway.  Don't mind if I do.

We walked down to the golf course.  It was a nice looking course and the views were spectacular!

Hard to see, but we could make out the radar dome from our sunrise hike at Pico de Areeiro four days ago.

Time for high tea.

Note the extended pinky finger...oh yeah, I know how to be classy!

It was a nice, relatively chill day for our last one on Madeira.  It’s a fantastic place which I highly recommend visiting.