Madeira

Madeira Island lies in the heart of the Atlantic, about 500 kilometers west of the Moroccan coast 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, covered in forests, 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, farmers prospered here by exporting them to the mainland. Today, the weather, the island’s captivating scenery, and its capital, Funchal, with its excellent food scene and entertainment, have turned Madeira into a tourism gem.

How much time do you need for a trip to Madeira?
Madeira is a destination in its own right, somewhere you travel to specifically. Although it is not a large island, the rule of thumb is that you should allow at least five days for a trip to Madeira, while more than a week will probably be too much.
What must you see and do on Madeira Island?
Sights: the Old Town of Funchal, Pico do Arieiro rising above the clouds, the thatched-roof houses in Santana, the ancient Laurisilva forest of Fanal, the rocky peninsula of São Lourenço, the little chapel between the mountains in São Vicente, and the small town of Seixal with its waterfall cascading into the sea.

Attractions: the food market and tropical fruit market in Funchal, taking the cable car up to Monte above Funchal and coming down in the wicker toboggans, a whale-watching cruise, “washing” your car under the Anjos waterfalls, a hike along the water channels—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 should you visit Madeira?
Madeira is especially famous as a year-round destination. Because it is an almost tropical island that is still in Europe, it is especially popular with Europeans in winter, when they are looking for an escape from the cold.
How should you plan your route in Madeira?
Any thorough trip around Madeira requires a rental car for driving the narrow roads that pass through many tunnels between the mountains and cliffs. In any case, every trip to Madeira will begin and end in the main city of Funchal.

There are two route options for a trip around Madeira. The first is a hub-and-spoke trip based in the capital, Funchal, heading out each day to the places you want to visit. Almost no site on the island is more than an hour’s drive from Funchal, so this is actually a very good option. The second option is to leave Funchal on a circular route eastward or westward. However, it is better to start in the east and then continue north.