Holidays to Madeira
Madeira highlights
A varied landscape
Pull on your hiking boots and head for Madeira’s interior to walk alongside centuries-old irrigation channels called ‘levadas’. Choose from a variety of different routes that pass through forests, by waterfalls and over rocky mountains. Many are remote, and some are quite challenging. Make sure you’re fully equipped, or consider hiring a guide.
Hair-raising adventures
No holiday to Madeira is complete without an adrenaline-pumping ride on a Monte toboggan sledge. Strapped to a wheeled wicker basket, you’ll race down a steep slope from Monte village into Funchal, pushed by two men known as ‘carreiros’. They use their rubber soled boots as brakes, keeping speeds down to an acceptable level.
Native spirits
Madeira is famous for its fortified Madeira wine, but the island is also a major rum producer. Make time during your Madeira holiday to tour a distillery and learn about its centuries-old history. Then try the goods in a ‘poncha’, a potent traditional drink made from rum, citrus juice and honey.
Madeira: Know before you go
| Language | Portuguese |
|---|---|
| Currency | Euro (€) |
| Time zone | UTC+0 (WET) and UTC+1 (WEST) |
| High season | May – September |
| Low season | October – April |
Find the best time to go to Madeira
Weather in Madeira
March – May: Madeira has earned the nickname the ‘Island of Eternal Spring’ because of its year-round pleasant weather. Don’t miss the brightly coloured flowers blanketing the island.
June – September: Summer is long and late, with temperatures peaking towards the end of August. But the sea breezes keep things cool.
October – November: You’ll get some warm days into October when the water temperature is still comfortable for swimming. Expect the occasional rain shower.
December – February: Winters are rainy, with short, heavy downpours. Because of Madeira’s microclimates, you can enjoy mild temps in Funchal while looking up at snow on the mountaintops.
Events in Madeira
Carnival (February to March): Join two weeks of themed parties and parades on the island. The main event is the ‘Allegoric Parade’, where costumed revellers dance in the streets of Funchal to the sound of samba.
Flower Festival (May): Funchal welcomes the arrival of spring’s colourful blooms with nearly a month of celebrations. Highlights include local children constructing the ‘Wall of Hope’ one flower at a time and the vibrant Flower Parade.
Wine Festival (August to September): There’s more to this wine festival than swirling and sipping. Celebrate five centuries of winemaking tradition with singing, parades, grape picking and more.
The best neighbourhoods in Madeira
Funchal
If you want to be at the heart of the action, the 500-year-old city of Funchal is the best area to stay in Madeira. Wander cobbled lanes, visit galleries and churches, and check out the latest street art. Then head to the Madeira Botanical Garden, which is full of wild and wonderful flora, some native to the archipelago.
Good for: History, gardens, art galleries
Sao Vicente
Nature lovers wondering where to stay in Madeira should look no further. Sao Vicente sits at the heart of the Laurissilva, an ancient subtropical rainforest where hiking, biking and climbing are first class. Make time to visit picturesque hilltop villages and walk through an underground network of lava tunnels known as the Sao Vicente Caves.
Good for: Walking, hilltop villages, nature
Ponta do Sol
If you’re looking for a heavy dose of sun, sand and sea, head for Ponta do Sol on Madeira’s west coast. The sunniest, warmest part of the island, it’s ideal for lazy days on the beach and active days on the ocean. Can’t resist a hike? Get up to Paul da Serra, a vast plateau of hiking trails and panoramic views.
Good for: Beaches, watersports, hiking
Things to do in Madeira
Shopping
The only serious place for shopping in Madeira is Funchal. For international brands, try the city’s shopping malls. Or stroll along Rua Dr Fernao de Ornelas, the city’s main shopping street, for everything from chic boutiques to vintage stores. In search of traditional embroidery or Madeiran honey cake? Try the pedestrian streets around the cathedral.
Places to eat
Restaurants in Madeira range from family-run bistros to Michelin-starred institutions. Many of the best ones share a love for local ingredients. Try ‘espada com banana’, a battered black scabbard fish served with fried bananas. Or go for ‘espetada’, which is beef marinated in garlic and bay leaves, traditionally served skewered onto bay wood.
Take in the culture
Museums in Madeira can give you the lowdown on everything from wine production to whaling and military history. Highlights include the Sacred Art Museum of Funchal, which is set in a stunning 16th-century palace, and the CR7 Museum, a veritable shrine to Madeiran-born living football legend Cristiano Ronaldo.
Beaches
Most beaches in Madeira are rocky and pebbled, so you’ll need a good pair of water shoes. If you’d rather go barefoot, Praia do Porto do Seixal has a dramatic sweep of volcanic black sand. Madeira’s tidal pools, formed from volcanic rock, are magical places for swimming. The most dramatic are the Seixal Natural Pools on the island’s north coast.
Nightlife
You’ll find the best nightlife in Madeira in Funchal. The Old Town is full of pubs, cocktail bars and clubs, but things don’t get going until midnight, when the locals begin their nights. Banana’s Pub is a longstanding favourite, while the luxury Savoy Palace hotel wows visitors with its elegant rooftop Galaxia Skybar.
Family friendly things to do
Yes, there are water parks and man-made beaches here, but the best things to do with the family in Madeira involve the island’s wildlife. For a magical marine experience, book a catamaran trip to see whales, dolphins and sea birds in the wild. You’ll find plenty of responsible operators to choose from.
Get ready for Madeira
Budget
A cheap holiday to Madeira is easy, even in the more densely populated areas of the island. In Funchal, find a meal in an inexpensive restaurant for less than nine euros (€). Wash it down with a local beer for under €3 or a cappuccino for less than €2. If you need to catch a taxi, a short trip will cost just over €6.
Day Trips from Madeira
Don’t miss the UNESCO-listed Laurissilva Forest, a 20-million-year-old ‘living fossil’. Walking its mossy, fern-lined paths feels like stepping back in time. You can also explore Madeira’s wine routes in Câmara de Lobos. Or visit the picturesque village of Santana in the north, known for its iconic triangular, thatched-roof houses.
Getting Around Madeira
Public buses are cheap and run frequently — a great budget-friendly way to get around. But hire a car if you want more flexibility or plan to explore the whole island. Just be aware that the narrow, winding roads can be challenging. And be extra cautious if you’re driving to the mountains, where roads are steep, with some areas in poor condition.
