When we first started planning our trip to Madeira Island, we had some questions. So many questions. When should we go? Where should we stay? Do we need to rent a car?
Like several other travelers, we had a little bit of angst about how to plan a vacation to the remote Portuguese island in the Atlantic Ocean.
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Since our Madeira trip, we’ve had time to reflect. We were spot on with most of our decisions, but we missed the mark on a few aspects.
Now, with 20/20 hindsight, we are sharing our travel tips for Madeira Island that we gleaned from our personal experiences.
10 Travel Tips for Madeira Island, Portugal
Our top Madeira travel tips are bits of advice that we wish we’d known before going on our trip. We believe they will help make planning your getaway to Madeira simple and fun!
#1 Decide How Long To Stay on Madeira
Deciding how many days to spend on Madeira should be the first thing you do. We went back and forth on this. In the end, we booked a monthlong stay. (All in the name of research, of course.)
Looking back over our top experiences, we feel it’s possible to squeeze the best sights into just 7 days. Our outlined 1-Week Madeira Itinerary shows you exactly what you can see in that timeframe.
That said, we share an outline for a 4-day Madeira trip in our 10 Days in Portugal Itinerary – which also includes the popular destinations of Lisbon and Porto.
#2 Plan What To See on Madeira
As isolated as Madeira is, there is no shortage of things to do! Top activities range from lazy days on the beach to thrilling adventures.
Hiking is a highlight and dolphin-spotting boat tours are not to be missed. In short, the island truly has something for every type of traveler.
We round up our prime picks for a variety of attractions in our post, Things To Do in Madeira Without a Car. Later in this article, we delve deeper into the pros and cons of driving.
As you plan your time in Madeira, don’t skip out on touring Funchal. The capital city hosts historic sights and lush gardens. Read our guide for What To See in Funchal so that you don’t miss a thing!
#3 Create a Madeira Budget
Madeira is surprisingly affordable. Of course, there are many ways to splash out on a luxurious getaway, but budget travelers can easily plan a fun tropical holiday.
During our trip, we discovered low-cost cruises, inexpensive tours and plenty of free attractions, too.
Of course, like on any vacation, costs can start to add up. If you are planning a budget trip, we recommend swapping out some activities to ensure you don’t overspend.
For example, rather than riding the cable car, take the public bus. Instead of paying to get into gardens, visit the ones that are free. Plan your own hiking trips using public transit and book tours, rather than private guides.
Our best budget travel tip for Madeira is to keep track of how much you spend! Grab our Free Budget Planner – and we’ll send you all our money-saving hacks.
#4 Make Madeira Restaurant Reservations
The cuisine on Madeira Island is unique and utterly delicious! Use our guide to the Best Madeira Food for tips on the must-try local dishes – and the top restaurants.
Don’t ignore this Madeira travel tip: Make reservations! Places can get fully booked days in advance – especially during the summer season.
Furthermore, when planning where to dine, it is imperative to pay close attention to opening hours. Many eateries are closed on Sundays. A few of our favorite establishments are only open for lunch and some spots close early in the evening.
Intrigued by the local food? Consider joining a Madeira Foodie Tour to get a better introduction to the regional cuisine.
#5 Choose When To Go to Madeira
As you’re planning a getaway to a tropical destination, you are likely wondering, When is the best time to go to Madeira Island?
In our opinion, there is not a bad time to take a vacation to Madeira, Portugal. The Mediterranean climate is typically mild and you can enjoy fun activities throughout the year.
That said, there are a few significant pros and cons to visiting in every season. The following travel tips for Madeira will hopefully help you decide which season is best for your trip.
Summer
Summer is often touted as the best time to visit Madeira. It is definitely the busiest time of year…and also the hottest.
While it is great for swimming, the heat and humidity can be brutal while exploring Funchal sights and trekking Madeira trails (although, it is cooler in the mountains).
Also bear in mind that summertime sees the most tourists – and prices are at their peak.
Autumn
Autumn is less busy than the summer swell and no less beautiful. However, it can still be quite hot and humid.
We visited Madeira in the autumn, in hopes of enjoying tropical yet moderate weather…but the plan backfired.
An extended heatwave delivered consecutive days of temperatures topping out above 90F, making it incredibly uncomfortable.
That said, when we toured sights in Funchal and hiked trails in the mountains, we were often the sole visitors.
Winter
Winter in Funchal is relatively cool, with high temps in the 60s. On very rare occasions, it is cold enough in the mountains that the peaks get snow. Yet, it remains relatively warm on the coast (you may even still be able to swim in the sea).
With the exception of the holidays, winter is the off-season on Madeira Island. The festiveness commences at the beginning of December and continues through the first week of January.
Full of twinkling lights and a jolly atmosphere, the party culminates in a raucous New Year’s Eve celebration marked with a massive fireworks display along the harbor.
Spring
When we plan our next trip to Madeira, we are fairly certain it will be in the springtime. We’ve heard spring can be quite nice in Funchal – with plenty of sunshine and the flowers in bloom.
In fact, the Funchal Flower Festival takes place in May and marks the start of the peak tourist season.
If you are traveling on a budget, you can probably still find deals on hotels during the spring. Plus, you will get the added benefit of enjoying most spots without massive crowds.
Air Conditioning on Madeira
It’s important to note that while the temperatures in Madeira are warm – and often hot – there is a noticeable lack of air con.
Very few restaurants, bars, museums, shops, taxis or buses had air conditioning – and those that did used it very sparingly (no matter how hot it got).
Furthermore, not all hotels, hostels and holiday rentals in Madeira offer rooms with A/C. We made a big mistake of renting an apartment in Funchal without air con – and it negatively impacted our stay.
Cruise Ships in Funchal
When planning when to go to Madeira, one thing to consider is the number of cruise ships in port. The city can get quite congested when multiple vessels converge in port at one time.
We recommend consulting a Funchal cruise ship calendar prior to booking your vacation to Madeira if you don’t want to contend with the crowds.
#6 Choose Whether to Rent a Car on Madeira
Whether or not your rent a car will have a big impact on your trip planning process – so it’s best to make that decision early on.
After hearing harrowing tales about getting around on Madeira Island – from twisting mountain roads to limited parking lots – we determined straight away that we did not want to drive.
Instead, we joined organized tours and took the public bus to reach the top spots. Viator is our go-to platform for booking excursions.
They offer a multitude of options and reviews to help us better understand what to expect. That said, we toured a lot of Madeira on our own using Funchal buses.
Madeira Car Rental
Those who decide to rent a car on Madeira Island have a few options of where to pick up the vehicle.
There are, of course, car rentals at Madeira Airport. First, consider if you will need a vehicle for the entire trip or just on certain days.
Travelers who only need wheels on certain days can find a car rental in Funchal. Also, check with your accommodation to find out if parking is available and if there is an extra fee.
Finally, automatic transmission is not a standard option on many Madeira rental cars. You will likely pay much more to upgrade (if one is even available).
If you’re considering getting a vehicle, read our Top Tips for Rental Cars to find the lowest rates!
Transportation Tips: Buses in Madeira
The bus service in Funchal is quite extensive and fairly frequent. With a little bit of pre-planning, most attractions and many Madeira hikes can be accessed using public transport.
That said, understanding schedules can be a little tricky – as there are multiple bus companies that operate on Madeira.
The ones we found most useful for tourists are: Horarios do Funchal, CAM (formerly SAM) and Rodeste. All buses accept cash payments directly to the driver.
A new website, SIGA, is combining all the routes into one convenient place. Until it’s fully up and running, however, you may need to look at each individual site for current routes and schedules.
Horarios do Funchal runs bus service in the city and to nearby locales – like Nuns Valley, Monte and the Botanical Gardens.
CAM is responsible for the buses to Funchal Airport and many of the eastern Madeira attractions, such as Ponta de Sao Lourenco. Rodoeste Buses serve the west side of Madeira, including Porto Moniz.
Note that there is not one central Madeira bus station in Funchal. Instead, many buses depart near the waterfront – both along Avenida do Mar and west of the Teleferico Funchal-Monte cable car station.
Otherwise, there is a Funchal Hop On Hop Off Sightseeing Bus. It circles the city in 3 different routes and tickets are available for 2 or 5 days.
#7 Make a Plan for Getting to Funchal
When it comes to how to get to Madeira, it’s pretty simple – as most travelers arrive by plane. That said, it’s also possible to arrive by cruise ship or via ferry from the neighboring island of Porto Santo.
Flights to Madeira
The Funchal Airport Madeira (FNC), also called Cristiano Ronaldo International Airport, is the only one on the island. It is located 8 miles east of Funchal.
Flights to Funchal are operated by most major European airlines, several low-cost carriers and numerous vacation package companies.
Direct flights are available year-round from Porto and Lisbon, as well as other top European destinations.
Additionally, SATA Azores Airlines offers limited direct flights from New York to Funchal and to Ponta Delgada in the Azores.
It should also be noted that Funchal Airport in Madeira is notorious for its wild landings. Swift winds can be a challenge and flights are sometimes diverted to Porto Santo.
When looking for the best fares to FNC, we use Skyscanner to search and compare flight options. Before you get started, read all our Tips for Finding Cheap Flights!
Getting from the Airport to Funchal City Center
You can get from the airport to Funchal by taxi, pre-booked transport or bus. The Aerobus Madeira Airport Bus offers an inexpensive way to get into the city center (it’s even cheaper if you buy the roundtrip).
#8 Book the Best Madeira Hotel
As a thriving tourist destination, there is no shortage of accommodation on Madeira Island. Personally, we believe the best area to stay is in Funchal.
By staying in the city center, it’s easy to reach many attractions and restaurants on foot – and much simpler to catch a bus or join a tour to see the rest of Madeira.
We are highlighting just a few of the best places to stay in Funchal, Madeira. Before you make a reservation, be sure to read our tips for Booking Hotels for Cheap.
Barcelo Hotel
Chic and stylish, Barcelo is one of the newer Funchal hotels and ideally located in the Old Town. Top amenities include air-conditioned rooms, a fun rooftop pool and bar and an exceptional included breakfast.
Hotel Orquidea
Offering a great location at an affordable price, Hotel Orquidea is one of the best hotels in Madeira for budget-conscious travelers. While there’s no pool, rooms are air-conditioned, there’s a nice rooftop terrace and breakfast is included.
29 Madeira Hostel
Perhaps the best place to stay in Funchal on a budget, 29 Madeira Hostel offers private rooms and dorm beds at low rates. Additionally, guests have access to a community kitchen and outdoor garden (but no a/c).
Belmond Reid’s Palace Hotel
While not in the Old Town, Reid’s Palace ranks as the most famous hotel in Funchal, Madeira. (And it’s likely the most expensive, too.)
The stunning resort features elegant rooms overlooking the sea, multiple swimming pools, a spa, gym, tennis courts and several fine dining establishments.
Airbnb Madeira, Portugal
Travelers staying on Madeira for a week or longer might find that the best place to stay in Funchal is a vacation rental.
With additional space and a kitchen, it can make an extended stay more comfortable (as long as there is aircon!).
Before booking a holiday apartment in Funchal, read our Tips for Airbnb Guests. Not a fan of Airbnb? Check out the apartments offered on Booking.com!
#9 What To Pack for Funchal, Madeira
By now, you are probably ready to start packing for your trip to Madeira. Before you do, we have some advice on what you should put inside your backpack or suitcase.
We share more hacks on our dedicated Travel Packing page. For now, grab our FREE Packing Checklist and let’s get you to Portugal!
Durable Shoes
Between the steep hills and mosaic tiled calcada sidewalks, it is imperative to wear shoes that won’t slip during your city sightseeing.
In Funchal, my grippy flip flops were fine – but lightweight sneakers are a better option for longer days of walking.
You will want a solid shoes if you plan on hiking any of the island’s trails. Read our reviews on The Best Shoes for Traveling to decide which might work best for you!
Sunscreen and Insect Repellent
Whoa – the sun in Madeira is strong! We saw way too many sunburnt tourists. Thankfully we never joined the ranks because we carried plenty of high SPF sunscreen.
On the flip side, it can by rainy in the mountains year-round – so packing a lightweight rain jacket is a good idea.
Mosquitos can be a real problem – especially at dawn and dusk. Bring insect repellent (as it’s quite expensive on the island) to protect yourself from getting those annoying and itchy bites.
Travel Camera
There are no two ways about it: Madeira is simply gorgeous. To really capture the true beauty, we recommend upgrading to a real camera.
We use a Canon Rebel with a 18-135mm lens. This set-up takes quality photos, is easy to use and comes with an affordable price tag. It tops our list of Best Cameras for Budget Travelers!
Day Pack
While out adventuring, it is wise to carry a well-stocked day bag. On Madeira, we used small backpacks to stow all of the items we needed during the day – from our refillable water bottles to snacks.
Not sure what type of day bag is right for you? Use our guide to the Best Day Packs for Travelers to help find a style for you!
Travel Insurance
No matter how perfectly you plan your vacation, things can go awry. From canceled flights to lost luggage to getting injured or sick while abroad.
In an unpredictable world, you may want to insure your trip. If you are looking for a policy, consider the great rates and robust coverage with World Nomads.
#10 Organize Your Madeira Trip
Our final tip for traveling to Madeira Island is how to organize your trip. Keep track of all the details of your travels with our Printable Travel Planner.
Containing more than 20 pages of vacation organization, none of those important details will fall through the cracks!
More Portugal Travel Trips
- Planning a complete itinerary? We detail How To Spend 2 Weeks in Portugal.
- Deciding between Madeira and the Azores? Find out what to do on a Trip to the Azores.
- Need travel advice for the Portuguese capital? Read our Top Lisbon Travel Tips.
- Going to Northern Portugal? Get started with our Porto Walking Tour.
- Unsure about the local cuisine? We outline the Best Things To Eat in Portugal.
Start planning your trip to Portugal! Search for the lowest airfares, the best accommodations and fun things to do…then start packing! Want additional tips? Head over to our Travel Planning Page for more advice – and for country-specific information, take a look at our Travel Guides Page!
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