Madeira
Temperature
14°
Time
5:57 PM
Madeira
With exceptional natural beauty, a mild climate throughout the year, a friendly population, and a top-quality hotel network, Madeira and Porto Santo, the two inhabited islands of the Madeira archipelago, are the perfect islands for those seeking stress-free holidays. Here you can enjoy your holiday on the beach or at sea, in the mountains, in the countryside or in the city–the perfect spot for a getaway to experience unique moments like nowhere else.Find your trip
Now the town's biggest tourist attraction, these quaint straw houses were originally used by farmers during the settlement of the island. While in town, you should not miss the Archipelago's history and folk culture theme park.
The sparsely populated island of Porto Santo lies 40 km northeast of Madeira island. Quiet during most of the year, it is the perfect place for those seeking an escape from the busy Funchal. The island offers a wide variety of outdoor activities, such as diving, fishing, sailing, canoeing, and windsurfing. Much less hilly than Madeira, the island of Porto Santo is also perfect for bike rides. You can rent bikes at hotels or downtown.
This tiny, mesmerising golden sand beach lies on the edge of the small town of Machico, the easternmost municipality on the island. With a picturesque valley as a backdrop and crystal clear Atlantic waters, this is the perfect landscape for a revitalising, relaxing day at the beach.
Undoubtedly one of the most beautiful views on the north coast of the Island, Seixal has natural ocean-fed pools perfect for diving. Also found here is one of the few black sand beaches on the island.
At the north of the island, across the central ridge, lies São Vicente. This town has spectacular volcanic caves, where you can explore otherworldly geological wonders, including lava tubes.
A drive to Pico do Areeiro, the island's third highest point, will reward visitors with a magnificent landscape of the central ridge and its peaks. The trail connecting Pico do Areeiro to Pico Ruivo is one of the most scenic but also very challenging. For a less strenuous hike, follow the footpath starting at Achada do Teixeira, Santana.
Just a mere 9 km away from Funchal, Câmara de Lobos is a historic fishing town, known for its abundant fur seals, and also as the subject of many paintings by Winston Churchill.
Halfway between Funchal and Santa Cruz, in Caniço de Baixo, you will find one of the island's beautiful black sand beaches. Travel by cable car or venture on foot.
Now the town's biggest tourist attraction, these quaint straw houses were originally used by farmers during the settlement of the island. While in town, you should not miss the Archipelago's history and folk culture theme park.
The sparsely populated island of Porto Santo lies 40 km northeast of Madeira island. Quiet during most of the year, it is the perfect place for those seeking an escape from the busy Funchal. The island offers a wide variety of outdoor activities, such as diving, fishing, sailing, canoeing, and windsurfing. Much less hilly than Madeira, the island of Porto Santo is also perfect for bike rides. You can rent bikes at hotels or downtown.
As Vides is a restaurant praised by locals as one of the best traditional restaurants in Madeira. Forget your diet for one day and prepare yourself to try the island's characteristically long, flavourful beef skewers and the most iconic Madeiran delicacy, the buttery bolo do caco.
If you want to see what comfort food tastes like in Madeira, O Casco is definitely the place to go. Lunch, dinner – or simply a snack – everything will be cooked to order at any time of the day. Be sure to try one of the many varieties of the famous bolo do caco.
Located just across Mercado dos Lavradores, you'll find this typically tiny, dimly lit Portuguese restaurant. The fish sandwiches and dishes, along with the hospitality, will leave you wishing to come back more than once. Do not forget to try the locally crafted cider.
O Polar is living proof that an extensive and expensive menu is not needed in order to achieve excellence. With a short, affordable selection, the restaurant will not leave you disappointed with any of the Madeira-style barbecue dishes.
Casa d'Avó is known for serving local ingredients and dishes with an international cuisine twist. The menu varies with the day's fish haul, and the attentive staff will certainly serve you a dish that will make you want to come back to this tiny, remote island.
Centrally located, Mercado Velho will serve you food from early morning to late evening. Not only do they have the freshest tuna and sardine dishes, but also the traditional alcohol-flambéed Portuguese chorizo. A favourite among locals, this hidden gem is yet to be found by most visitors to Porto Santo.
As Vides is a restaurant praised by locals as one of the best traditional restaurants in Madeira. Forget your diet for one day and prepare yourself to try the island's characteristically long, flavourful beef skewers and the most iconic Madeiran delicacy, the buttery bolo do caco.
If you want to see what comfort food tastes like in Madeira, O Casco is definitely the place to go. Lunch, dinner – or simply a snack – everything will be cooked to order at any time of the day. Be sure to try one of the many varieties of the famous bolo do caco.
Madeira's unique soil and climate make the production of an even more unique wine possible. Praised by Shakespeare in his plays and admired by monarchs, princes, generals, and explorers, this nectar is definitely one of Madeira's finest achievements. Multiple wineries offer guided tours and tastings (e.g. Blandy's Wine Lodge, one of the island's most reputable and longest-standing).
This Farmers' Market, inaugurated in 1940, still carries out the functions for which it was created. All sorts of local produce (fruit, vegetable, flower, and fish) are sold in a blend of colours, sounds, smells, and visiting nationalities.
Madeira's weather is known for its unpredictability, but don't let that put you out. Madeira Shopping is the perfect family destination for a rainy day. Once you enter this retail heaven, you will find plenty of stores and sellers more than happy to assist you.
If filling your bags with new clothes is one of your vacation goals, then Forum Madeira is the place to go. This modern indoor-outdoor mall features 80 stores on three levels–it will be difficult not to go over your bag's capacity.
The hand embroidery of Madeira is generally claimed to be one of the finest of its kind. Part of the history and culture of Madeira, its distinctive style is the result of the mix of many influences from all across Europe throughout the years, making it impossible to find such a unique handcraft anywhere else in the world.
Madeira's unique soil and climate make the production of an even more unique wine possible. Praised by Shakespeare in his plays and admired by monarchs, princes, generals, and explorers, this nectar is definitely one of Madeira's finest achievements. Multiple wineries offer guided tours and tastings (e.g. Blandy's Wine Lodge, one of the island's most reputable and longest-standing).
This Farmers' Market, inaugurated in 1940, still carries out the functions for which it was created. All sorts of local produce (fruit, vegetable, flower, and fish) are sold in a blend of colours, sounds, smells, and visiting nationalities.
Madeira International Airport has a modern infrastructure that welcomes its passengers with the highest levels of safety and comfort. Located 20 minutes away from the capital city of Funchal, the airport has all the essential transportation services. A bus shuttle service runs to the city approximately every one or two hours.
One of the main public bus companies that operates on Madeira is Horários do Funchal, operating both city and inter-city services on the south, central, and north parts of the island. A limited amount of the island's attractions can be reached by bus, while certain areas (such as the popular hiking route between Madeira's two highest peaks) are only accessible by private transfer or as part of a guided tour.
Madeira's characteristic climate makes for pleasant weather all year long. Paired with the multiple festivals, a visit at any time of the year will be worth it. Madeira is also known for its New Year's Eve and Carnival celebrations, making these seasons a must-go for those who cannot miss a festive event.
Portugal can be visited visa-free for up to 90 days by citizens of Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Malaysia, Israel, UAE and most countries in America. If you are unsure whether or not you need to apply for a visa, we recommend contacting the embassy or consulate in your country. International (non-Schengen) travellers need a passport that is valid for at least 3 months after the end of their intended trip in order to enter the Schengen zone. Citizens of Schengen countries can travel without a passport but must have a valid ID with them during their stay.
All trips by taxi are metered, although there are some fixed charges for certain trips. There are also some surcharges for extra luggage. You can find taxis in taxi ranks, circulating around the city, or you can also call one taxi to your location. Taxis will often wait at locations frequented by tourists, such as starting/finishing points of levada walks. Teaming up with other travellers is a common practice - a cab will often fit in 4+ passengers and drop each one off at their requested location. Or you can request a ride in the Uber app.
Post offices or Correios de Portugal (CTT) are usually open Mon–Fri 8:30am–8pm and Sat 9am–12:30pm. You can find them in different locations around the island, but the main offices are located in Funchal.
Prescription and non-prescription drugs are available from pharmacies (farmácia), but if you need regular medication it is better to take supplies with you. Pharmacies are usually open Mon–Fri (9am–1pm and 3pm–7pm). There are some pharmacies that are open beyond this schedule but in only some specific points. To find out which pharmacies are open all day, you can check the information posted in every pharmacy.
Country code: +351 Area code: 291
Madeira International Airport has a modern infrastructure that welcomes its passengers with the highest levels of safety and comfort. Located 20 minutes away from the capital city of Funchal, the airport has all the essential transportation services. A bus shuttle service runs to the city approximately every one or two hours.
One of the main public bus companies that operates on Madeira is Horários do Funchal, operating both city and inter-city services on the south, central, and north parts of the island. A limited amount of the island's attractions can be reached by bus, while certain areas (such as the popular hiking route between Madeira's two highest peaks) are only accessible by private transfer or as part of a guided tour.
