Portugal

AI may have contributed to this destination’s text and activity data. Confirm opening days, transport, prices and entry conditions with the relevant operator or authority; automatic live-data updates do not verify these descriptions.

Madeira

Atlantic island of gardens and levadas

Visa & entry checker Plan a trip to Madeira Plan a trip around Portugal

Best time to visit: Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct
Currency: EUR
Time zone: UTC+0
Country: Portugal

Photo: Paul Mannix, CC BY 2.0

Madeira is a Portuguese archipelago in the Atlantic, known for its mild year-round climate, dramatic mountains and the levada walking trails that follow historic irrigation channels. Visitors come for coastal towns, high peaks, gardens and a long tradition of wine and hospitality.

Largest cities

Lisbon
Porto
Vila Nova de Gaia
Braga
Coimbra

Quick facts

Figures are rounded recent official estimates.

Country: Portugal
Capital: Lisbon
Region population: 250,769
Population of Portugal: 10.3M
Country area: 92,225 km²
Official language: Portuguese
Currency: Euro (EUR) · 1 USD ≈ 0.8934 EUR
Time zone: UTC+0
Calling code: +351
Drives on the: Right
Elevation: 1,028 m
Plugs: C / F · 230V
Emergency numbers: 112
Best time to visit: Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct

Temperatures through the year

Average daily high and low for each month in °C. Months marked with a drop are often rainy.

Temperatures through the year

Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
High	13°	13°	13°	15°	16°	17°	21°	22°	20°	19°	16°	13°
Low	6°	5°	6°	7°	8°	10°	11°	12°	12°	11°	8°	7°

Best time to visitOther months

Approximate daily cost

Per adult per day: food, local transport and half a double room, without activities or flights.

ConservativeSimple stays, free and low-cost sights first.$61
HighComfortable hotels, a balanced mix of sights and trips.$130
LuxuryLuxury hotels, more paid experiences and day trips.$330

Plan a trip to Madeira

Top things to do

≈ $15
Monte Palace Tropical Garden
Wander terraced gardens with exotic plants, koi ponds and tile panels above Funchal; take the cable car up and allow two to three hours.
- Half day
- Funchal
- Good for kids
Free
Funchal Old Town and Market
Explore painted doors, the Mercado dos Lavradores and seafront promenade; go in the morning for the market and stay for dinner in the old town.
- Half day
- Funchal
- Good for kids
- Good in the evening
≈ $3
Cabo Girão Skywalk
Stand on a glass platform above one of the world's highest ocean cliffs; combine it with a stop in Câmara de Lobos for lunch.
- Half day
- Câmara de Lobos
- Good for kids
≈ $4
Porto Moniz Natural Pools
Swim in volcanic rock pools filled by the Atlantic on the north-west coast; check sea conditions before entering and bring water shoes.
- Half day
- Porto Moniz
- Good for kids
≈ $10
São Vicente Caves
Walk through lava tubes formed by volcanic activity, with a small visitor centre explaining the island's geology; a good rainy-day option.
- Half day
- Santana
- Good for kids
- Indoors
Free
Santana Thatched Houses
See the colourful A-frame houses with straw roofs that are a symbol of the north coast; pair with a walk along the nearby coast.
- Half day
- Santana
- Good for kids
≈ $30
Pico do Arieiro to Pico Ruivo Hike
Trek between Madeira's second and third highest peaks on a dramatic ridge path; arrange a one-way transfer or guided tour as public transport does not reach the trailheads.
- Full day
- Funchal
≈ $30
Levada das 25 Fontes
Follow a levada through laurel forest to a waterfall and pool in the Rabaçal area; go early, wear sturdy shoes and expect tunnels and wet paths.
- Full day
- Calheta

Before you go

Entry and visas

Portugal is in the Schengen area, so many visitors from the Gulf, India and Latin America can enter visa-free for short tourist stays of up to 90 days in any 180-day period, while some nationalities need a Schengen visa applied for in advance; check your own nationality before booking. British citizens can travel visa-free for up to 90 days in any 180 days and may be asked for a return ticket and proof of funds. The EU Entry/Exit System now registers fingerprints and a photo at the border for short stays, at no cost, and can add time at immigration.

Official website

From the airport

Most visitors fly into Cristiano Ronaldo Madeira International Airport (FNC) at Santa Cruz, about 30 minutes by car or bus from Funchal. Porto Santo has its own small airport with a 15-minute flight from Madeira.

Getting around

Buses, taxis, ride-hailing and organised tours cover the island, but services are split between three operators and mountain roads are narrow and steep, so many visitors base themselves in Funchal and join day tours.

Local tips

English is widely spoken, but a few words of Portuguese are appreciated; the local accent is strong.
Carry some cash for small cafes and rural buses, though cards are accepted almost everywhere in towns.
Weather changes fast with altitude: bring a light rain jacket and layers even in summer.
Winter months are wetter and the north coast is rainier than the south, so plan outdoor days flexibly.