About Madeira
Madeira, officially the Autonomous Region of Madeira, is an autonomous region of Portugal, in the Atlantic Ocean about 805 km southwest of mainland Portugal. Together with the Azores, it is one of the two autonomous regions of Portugal and a special territory of the European Union. It is the southernmost point and region of Portugal.
Places to visit in Madeira
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Pico do Arieiro
Viewpoint · 4 mi from centreMadeira's third-highest peak, reachable by road, offering views over a sea of clouds. Arrive before sunrise for a memorable view, and bring warm layers for the cold summit.
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Cabo Girão
Viewpoint · 6 mi from centreOne of Europe's highest sea cliffs, with a glass skywalk over a sheer drop to the ocean. Go early in the day, before the clouds and tour groups arrive.
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Monte
Neighborhood · 7 mi from centreA hillside parish above Funchal with tropical gardens, a pilgrimage church and the famous wicker toboggan rides. Ride the cable car up and the toboggan partway down.
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Mercado dos Lavradores
Market · 9 mi from centreFunchal's main market, with tropical fruit, flowers and a busy fish hall. Taste before buying fruit, and compare prices, as some stalls charge tourists high rates.
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Levada Walks
NatureA network of old irrigation channels with walking trails through laurel forest and mountain scenery. Pick a trail suited to your fitness, and bring a flashlight for tunnels.
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Porto Moniz
Beach · 10 mi from centreA northwest coastal village known for natural volcanic rock pools filled by the ocean. Bring water shoes, and check sea conditions before swimming in the pools.
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Ponta de São Lourenço
Nature · 17 mi from centreA narrow, rugged peninsula at the island's eastern tip with colorful cliffs and a popular hiking trail. Start early in the morning, as there is very little shade along the path.
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Câmara de Lobos
Neighborhood · 4 mi from centreA colorful fishing village west of Funchal, once painted by Winston Churchill. Try a poncha, a local drink, at one of the small bars near the harbor.
Things to do in Madeira by type
11 tours, tickets and experiences across 3 categories. Pick a type to see what is available for your dates.
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Day Trips & Excursions 5 experiences East Side of the Island - Private Tour -
City tours 5 experiences City Sightseeing Funchal / Madeira Hop on-Hop off and Optional CR7 Museum - Ticket -
Outdoor activities & Adventure 2 experiences Explore Eira do Serrado and Cristo Rei - Half-Day Tour
- Flexible 1
- Couples 7
- Youth 7
- Senior 7
- Families 5
- Private 4
Top experiences in Madeira
Tours, tickets and experiences you can book with Destina Holidays, from 11 available.
West Side of the Island - Private Tour
From $249 per adult
Island Tour - Private Half-Day Tour
From $145 per adult
East Side of the Island - Private Tour
From $249 per adult
City Sightseeing Funchal / Madeira Hop on-Hop off and Optional CR7 Museum - Ticket
From $25 per adult
Funchal Private Walking Tour
From $263 per adult
European eSim Data Card
From $12 per adult
Where to stay in Madeira
Popular hotels in Madeira, out of 256 properties you can book.
Se Boutique Hotel
From $131 per night
Muthu Raga Madeira Hotel
From $105 per night
Pestana Casino Studios
From $134 per night
The Editory Garden Carmo Funchal
From $132 per night
The Cliff Bay Resort
From $497 per night
PESTANA CARLTON MADEIRA PREMIUM OCEAN RESORT
From $155 per night
Pestana Casino Park Premium Ocean & Spa Hotel
From $141 per night
Porto Mare
From $245 per night
(Madeira) Turim Santa Maria Hotel
From $169 per night
Inatel Porto Santo Hotel
From $62 per night
Vila Baleira Funchal
From $106 per night
PortoBay Santa Maria
From $276 per night
Best time to visit Madeira
Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit Madeira is July to August, when average daytime highs are around 71–73°F and rain falls on about 4 days a month.
Average daily low and high temperatures and days with at least 1 mm of rain, from recent weather records. Highlighted months are the most comfortable for sightseeing.
Madeira weather forecast
- Wed 21 Oct 60° 52° 3%
- Thu 22 Oct 63° 53° 3%
- Fri 23 Oct 62° 53° 0%
- Sat 24 Oct 60° 52° 0%
- Sun 25 Oct 64° 52° 0%
- Mon 26 Oct 65° 52° 0%
Know before you go
- Currency
- Euro (EUR)1 US dollar ≈ €0.89
- Language
- Portuguese
- Calling code
- +351
- Driving
- On the right
- Time zone
- Atlantic/MadeiraUTC+1
- Capital
- Lisbon
Upcoming public holidays in Portugal
- All Saints DayDia de Todos-os-Santos
- Restoration of IndependenceRestauração da Independência
- Immaculate ConceptionImaculada Conceição
- Christmas DayNatal
- New Year's DayAno Novo
- Good FridaySexta-feira Santa
Banks, offices and some attractions may close on public holidays, and flights and hotels often fill up early around them.
Getting to Madeira
These are the airports closest to central Madeira. Compare fares into each one, as a slightly longer transfer can sometimes mean a much cheaper flight.
- FNC Madeira Cristiano-Ronaldo Airport13 mi (22 km) from the city centre
Getting around Madeira
Bus timetables are very confusing as they do not include clear route details. Pay special attention to any footnotes for your route listed on the schedule, as holidays or school days can change the presence of the route.
By taxi
Lots of taxis are available in Madeira offering all sights and locations in a round trip for fixed prices.
By car
Driving in Madeira is not for the faint-hearted. A few main routes marked "Via Expresso" or "Via Rapida" (VE and VR on maps) are well-maintained, reasonably straight and level, thanks to a large number of tunnels, bridges and viaducts. All other roads are narrow and often steep.
By tour
Some of the popular hikes, like Pico Ruivo, Levada das 25 Fontes and Levada do Caldeirão Verde are not reachable by public transport, but served by various tour companies, although that often includes a guide for the walk, adding to the cost of transport. Apart from being safer than self-driving, this might still turn out cheaper than car rental, at least for solo travellers. The company Picotransfers offers transport-only tours at about €30 per destination, mostly for the Pico Ruivo hike.
Madeira travel FAQ
When is the best time to visit Madeira?
Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit Madeira is July to August, when average daytime highs are around 71–73°F and rain falls on about 4 days a month.
What is the weather like in Madeira?
August is usually the warmest month in Madeira, with average highs of 73°F (23°C). March is the coolest, with average lows of 41°F (5°C). The wettest month is typically March, with about 279 mm of rain.
Which airport is closest to Madeira?
Madeira Cristiano-Ronaldo Airport (FNC) is the closest airport, about 13 miles (22 km) from the centre of Madeira.
What currency is used in Madeira?
Madeira uses the Euro (EUR). At the latest exchange rate, 1 US dollar ≈ €0.89.
What time zone is Madeira in?
Madeira uses the Atlantic/Madeira time zone (currently UTC+1). Remember to check for daylight saving changes when planning connecting flights.
How do I get around Madeira?
Bus timetables are very confusing as they do not include clear route details. Pay special attention to any footnotes for your route listed on the schedule, as holidays or school days can change the presence of the route.
What are the best places to visit in Madeira?
Top sights in Madeira include Pico do Arieiro, Cabo Girão, Monte and Mercado dos Lavradores. Madeira's third-highest peak, reachable by road, offering views over a sea of clouds. Arrive before sunrise for a memorable view, and bring warm layers for the cold summit.
What are the top things to do in Madeira?
Popular experiences you can book in Madeira include West Side of the Island - Private Tour, Island Tour - Private Half-Day Tour and East Side of the Island - Private Tour. Destina Holidays offers 11 tours and activities here.
What kinds of tours and activities can I book in Madeira?
The most popular types of experiences in Madeira are day trips & excursions (5), city tours (5), outdoor activities & adventure (2) and travel services (1). Filter by type when you search to compare prices and availability for your dates.
Where should I stay in Madeira?
Popular areas for hotels in Madeira include Funchal and Porto Santo. Well-reviewed options include Se Boutique Hotel and Muthu Raga Madeira Hotel.
How many hotels can I book in Madeira?
Destina Holidays currently lists 256 properties in and around Madeira, from budget stays to luxury hotels. Search your dates to see live prices and availability.
