Madeira Island

Madeira lies in the heart of the Atlantic, about 500 kilometers west of the coast of Morocco and roughly 1,000 kilometers southwest of Lisbon as the crow flies.
It is a volcanic island with high peaks at its center and an almost tropical climate. Madeira was, and still is, heavily forested, which is also the source of its name — madeira means wood in Portuguese.
Tropical fruits and other crops that can only be grown in warm weather thrive on the island. In the past, that allowed local farmers to prosper by exporting them to the mainland.
Today, the weather, the island’s captivating scenery, and its capital, Funchal, with its excellent culinary scene and entertainment options, have turned Madeira into a true tourism gem.

Braga - Portugal - Bom Jesus do Monte stairs GREEN

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Guides and information for traveling in Madeira

Everything you need to plan a trip to Madeira

How much time do you need for a trip to Madeira?

Madeira is a destination in its own right — the kind of place you travel to specifically for the island itself. Even though it is not a large island, the general rule is that you should allow at least five days for a trip to Madeira, while anything beyond a week will probably feel like too much.

What should you absolutely see and do on Madeira?

Sights: the old town of Funchal, Pico do Arieiro rising above the clouds, the thatched-roof houses in Santana, the ancient Fanal Forest, the rocky peninsula of São Lourenço, the little chapel tucked between the mountains in São Vicente, and the town of Seixal with its waterfall plunging into the sea.

Attractions: the food market and tropical fruit market in Funchal, taking the cable car up to Monte above Funchal and coming back down in the wicker toboggans, a whale-watching cruise, “washing” the car under the Anjos Waterfall, a hike along the water channels known as the levadas, the natural sea pools of Porto Moniz, the glass skywalk at Cabo Girão, and the sunny island with sandy beaches near Madeira – Porto Santo.

When is the best time to visit Madeira?

Madeira is especially well known as a year-round destination. Since it is an almost tropical island that is still part of Europe, it is particularly popular with Europeans in winter, when they are looking for an escape from the cold.

How should you plan an itinerary in Madeira?

Any thorough trip around Madeira requires a rental car for driving the narrow roads that pass through countless tunnels between the mountains and cliffs. In any case, every trip to Madeira begins and ends in the island’s main city, Funchal.

There are two options for a Madeira itinerary. The first is to base yourself in the capital, Funchal, and head out each day to the places you want to visit. Almost no attraction on the island is more than an hour’s drive from Funchal, so this is actually a very solid option. The second is to leave Funchal and follow a circular route, either eastward or westward. Still, it is better to start in the east and then continue north.

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