Madeira Tourism And Travel Guide

Most people tend to get Madeira wrong. They travel to the island expecting to see a mass gathering of tourists, intense beach parties and just a lot of commotion and noise. However, they couldn't be more wrong. The island city of Madeira is full of quiet natural beauty on an epic scale, complemented by a fantastic wine scene and a charmign local culture. For many Europeans it is a more chilled out alternative to Ibiza. It is best reached by catching a quick flight to Madeira Airport which is well-connected to the rest of the country.

Tourism here peaks between April to November generally, and the summer and winter seasons in particular. In terms of things to do there are incredible nature walks, hiking and camping, exploring natural lagoons and even sampling some delicious wine, to name a few. This place is a dream for nature lovers and continues to grow in prominence as one of the most beautiful tourist destinations in the world. To learn more, refer to the travel guide below. 

By Air:

The Madeira Airport is focal point for all travel by air, having high flight connectivity to Portugal and other European cities. It is the best way to reach.

By Road:

Travel via road directly to Madeira is not possible due to its geographic location as an island city. However, the local rodways are efficiently constructed, making inter-city travel easy.

By Rail:

There are no rail services to Madeira. It is best reached via ferry instead by landing at the Port of Funchal. 

Spring Season (March - May):

Tourism in Madeira begins to pick up pace as spring sets in. There is a light drizzle here and there, but the overall weather conditions are well-balanced.

Summer Season (June - August):

This is the most popular time for tourism and is also the hottest time of the year. The scorching heat and clear blue skies are ideal for visitors.

Autumn Season (September - November):

Autumn is not the best time to visit Madeira. The uncertain climate, possibility of cloudburst and showers are just some of the reasons why visitors choose to avoid travel here.

Winter Season (December - February):

Wintertime in Madeira is quite charming in its own way. The lack of rainfall and snowfall means the climate is favourable for treks and hikes. 

Ponta de Sao Lourenco:

One of the most popular nature trails in the city, this exquisite point is perfect for hiking and camping during the summer and spring seasons.

Cabo Girao:

A visit to the Cabo Girao is thoroughly enjoyable for its stunning sunrise and sunset views of the surrounding city and natural landscape.

Pico Ruivo:

The highest point in the city, a trek up to Pic Ruivo is a must-do activity for the adventurous at heart. 

Levada Walks:

In a place like Madeira, where natural beauty is present in abundance, nature walks make for some of the best and most engaging activities to enjoy with loved ones.

Madeiran culture has a seriously underrated food scene. All the dishes created here are made using locally sourced produce from the island itself and this extends from herbs and spices to meats, cheese, seafood and even wine. Some of the best dishes to try here include the Tuna Steak, Tomato Onion Soup, Bolo do Caco skewers and Passion Fruit-based pudding. The dishs are humble and affordable, but extremely tasty and fresh. There are both luxury restaurants and beachside shacks for visitors to choose from based on their budget and taste preferences. Meals are best enjoyed outdoors to soak in the surrounding natural beauty of the island. 

Madeira has quite a unique shopping scene and is known for some of its nautral produce, most notably its honey, meats and cheeses and even wine. It is a great spot to explore both boutiques and markets, catering to both the high and low income budgets. Some of the best local spots to pick up good quality natural wines are Blandy's Wine Lodge and Justino's Madeira Wines. A store named Bordal is the best place to pick up exquisitely embroidered products for loved ones in the island city of Funchal. Mercado dos Lavradores is the go-to marketplace for local produce as well as souvenirs and handicrafts.