Madeira Holiday Planner
Capital: Funchal
Currency: Euro
Language: Portuguese
Climate: Madeira boasts a subtropical, spring-like climate year-round, making it a popular destination, especially May-September for peak sunshine and summer activities, though spring/autumn offer fewer crowds and pleasant temperatures (20-24°C) for hiking its levadas and exploring lush landscapes. Winter brings more rain but also fuller waterfalls, while summer sees higher temperatures (up to 28°C) and busy beaches. The island's volcanic terrain creates microclimates, but generally, it offers warm days and mild nights for exploring its diverse nature and Portuguese culture.
Electricity: Powersockets and plugs of type F -230V at a frequency of 50Hz
Safety: Madeira is generally very safe, with low crime, but requires caution, especially regarding hiking safety (stay on marked trails, check closures due to landslides) and road safety (steep, winding roads; drive cautiously). Petty theft (pickpocketing) exists in tourist areas, so secure belongings.
Transportation: Madeira offers a wide range of transportation options for visitors. Renting a car provides the most flexibility, especially if you want to explore remote viewpoints, hiking areas, and the island’s dramatic landscapes. Buses operated by Horários do Funchal and SIGA are an affordable way to get around both the city and the island, though schedules can be limited for certain hiking routes.For something more unique, Madeira has memorable experiences like the Funchal–Monte cable car and the traditional Carro de Cesto toboggan ride—both iconic parts of the island’s charm. Taxis and ride‑sharing services such as Bolt are also readily available. Within Funchal itself, walking is often the best way to explore, thanks to its compact layout and scenic streets.
Currency: Euro
Language: Portuguese
Climate: Madeira boasts a subtropical, spring-like climate year-round, making it a popular destination, especially May-September for peak sunshine and summer activities, though spring/autumn offer fewer crowds and pleasant temperatures (20-24°C) for hiking its levadas and exploring lush landscapes. Winter brings more rain but also fuller waterfalls, while summer sees higher temperatures (up to 28°C) and busy beaches. The island's volcanic terrain creates microclimates, but generally, it offers warm days and mild nights for exploring its diverse nature and Portuguese culture.
Electricity: Powersockets and plugs of type F -230V at a frequency of 50Hz
Safety: Madeira is generally very safe, with low crime, but requires caution, especially regarding hiking safety (stay on marked trails, check closures due to landslides) and road safety (steep, winding roads; drive cautiously). Petty theft (pickpocketing) exists in tourist areas, so secure belongings.
Transportation: Madeira offers a wide range of transportation options for visitors. Renting a car provides the most flexibility, especially if you want to explore remote viewpoints, hiking areas, and the island’s dramatic landscapes. Buses operated by Horários do Funchal and SIGA are an affordable way to get around both the city and the island, though schedules can be limited for certain hiking routes.For something more unique, Madeira has memorable experiences like the Funchal–Monte cable car and the traditional Carro de Cesto toboggan ride—both iconic parts of the island’s charm. Taxis and ride‑sharing services such as Bolt are also readily available. Within Funchal itself, walking is often the best way to explore, thanks to its compact layout and scenic streets.
Must see & do attractions
Madeira's north coast
Madeira's north coast is rugged, green and wild. The combination of mountains, forests, cliffs and sea delivers breathtaking scenery around every corner. With plenty of viewpoints along the route, there is plenty of opportunity to take some stunning photographs. Also home to the Laurissilva Forest, it's worthwhile visiting the largest surviving area of laurel forest.
Madeira's north coast is rugged, green and wild. The combination of mountains, forests, cliffs and sea delivers breathtaking scenery around every corner. With plenty of viewpoints along the route, there is plenty of opportunity to take some stunning photographs. Also home to the Laurissilva Forest, it's worthwhile visiting the largest surviving area of laurel forest.
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Monte Palace :
The Monte Palace Madeira houses a huge collection of exotic plants. These stunning gardens can be reached by cable car from the centre of Funchal. Within the gardens are numerous exhibitions , one dedicated to sculptures and the other showcasing a huge collections of minerals.
The Monte Palace Madeira houses a huge collection of exotic plants. These stunning gardens can be reached by cable car from the centre of Funchal. Within the gardens are numerous exhibitions , one dedicated to sculptures and the other showcasing a huge collections of minerals.
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Funchal:
Located on a large slope, Funchal is Madeira's largest tourist, commercial and cultural centre. With many tourist attractions within Funchal, it is one of the world's most popular stopovers for cruise ships. For hundreds of years, Funchal has been a thriving economic hub where the likes of sugar and wine made it into a key trading point in the centre of the Atlantic.
You can spend easily a couple of days in Funchal visiting places like the Monte Palace and Botanical gardens, admire the stunning Convent of Santa Clara,....
Located on a large slope, Funchal is Madeira's largest tourist, commercial and cultural centre. With many tourist attractions within Funchal, it is one of the world's most popular stopovers for cruise ships. For hundreds of years, Funchal has been a thriving economic hub where the likes of sugar and wine made it into a key trading point in the centre of the Atlantic.
You can spend easily a couple of days in Funchal visiting places like the Monte Palace and Botanical gardens, admire the stunning Convent of Santa Clara,....
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Porto Moniz
Porto Moniz is known for its natural pools , one of the main attractions of the North Coast of Madeira. Formed by the cooling of lava once it reached the sea, these pools are very popular with locals and tourists. Located between the imposing mountains, Porto Moniz is a charming town located in the extreme north of the island. Where fishing is still an important aspect in the local economy, it's the perfect location to sample of Madeira's delicious seafood.
Porto Moniz is known for its natural pools , one of the main attractions of the North Coast of Madeira. Formed by the cooling of lava once it reached the sea, these pools are very popular with locals and tourists. Located between the imposing mountains, Porto Moniz is a charming town located in the extreme north of the island. Where fishing is still an important aspect in the local economy, it's the perfect location to sample of Madeira's delicious seafood.
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Nuns Valley
Nuns Valley (or Curral das Freiras) is a small parish nestling between the high mountains in the centre of Madeira. The huge cauldron in which the parish is sitting was either formed by erosion, or as some believe by volcanic activity.
In 1566, the nuns from the Santa Clara convent fled from pirates that were raiding Funchal and found seclusion in the inner heart of Madeira's mountains. Until 1959, the only connection to the outer world was a winding footpath along the steep mountain face. This road has now been replaced with a much safer option, a tunnel right through the mountain.
Nuns Valley (or Curral das Freiras) is a small parish nestling between the high mountains in the centre of Madeira. The huge cauldron in which the parish is sitting was either formed by erosion, or as some believe by volcanic activity.
In 1566, the nuns from the Santa Clara convent fled from pirates that were raiding Funchal and found seclusion in the inner heart of Madeira's mountains. Until 1959, the only connection to the outer world was a winding footpath along the steep mountain face. This road has now been replaced with a much safer option, a tunnel right through the mountain.
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Santana
The village of Santana is located along the north coast of Madeira. With its cobble stoned streets, flowers and waterfalls, it's a stunning location. And then you have the famous houses from Santana that are triangular in shape and covered in thatch. Some of these houses are open to the public and can be visited.
The village of Santana is located along the north coast of Madeira. With its cobble stoned streets, flowers and waterfalls, it's a stunning location. And then you have the famous houses from Santana that are triangular in shape and covered in thatch. Some of these houses are open to the public and can be visited.
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Madeira's markets:
Madeira's farmers markets are so worth a visit. The most famous one is Mercado Dos Lavradores in the middle of Funchal. These markets are full of exotic fruit, fresh fish and stunning flowers.
Madeira's farmers markets are so worth a visit. The most famous one is Mercado Dos Lavradores in the middle of Funchal. These markets are full of exotic fruit, fresh fish and stunning flowers.
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Monte Sledge
The unique sledges were created in the 19th century as main transport for the people from Monte to get down to Funchal more quickly. The sledges are hand-made from wicker and wood and are pushed by two carreiros who are dressed in typical white garments and a straw hat.
These highly skilled carreiros wear boots with thick rubber soles allowing to control the vehicle during its journey. Nowadays, the run is much shorter than it used to be bringing you from Monte along a 2 km long track.
The unique sledges were created in the 19th century as main transport for the people from Monte to get down to Funchal more quickly. The sledges are hand-made from wicker and wood and are pushed by two carreiros who are dressed in typical white garments and a straw hat.
These highly skilled carreiros wear boots with thick rubber soles allowing to control the vehicle during its journey. Nowadays, the run is much shorter than it used to be bringing you from Monte along a 2 km long track.
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Most spectacular walk
Madeira is a walkers paradise. With 100s of levadas, there are walks suitable for beginners and advanced walkers.
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Must try dish
Madeira has an abundance of fresh ingredients. From home grown tropical fruit to the freshest fish, it is a paradise for food lovers
Filete de Espada
The most typical fish in Madeira is the scabbard fish is very tasty, especially when it is prepared with passion fruit and banana sauce.
Most restaurants have it on their menu.
Prego No Bolo de Caco
This delicious steak sandwich is served on traditional Madeirean Bolo do caco. It's the perfect lunch to fill you up.
Filete de Espada
The most typical fish in Madeira is the scabbard fish is very tasty, especially when it is prepared with passion fruit and banana sauce.
Most restaurants have it on their menu.
Prego No Bolo de Caco
This delicious steak sandwich is served on traditional Madeirean Bolo do caco. It's the perfect lunch to fill you up.
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Toughest sport event
Madeira Island Ultra Trail
A 115km race starting in the center of Porto Moniz, starting the first part through the night along footpaths and levadas through the central mountins to end the race in Machico.
Website: http://madeiraultratrail.com/en/
A 115km race starting in the center of Porto Moniz, starting the first part through the night along footpaths and levadas through the central mountins to end the race in Machico.
Website: http://madeiraultratrail.com/en/
