Madeira [1] is a tropical archipelago located in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Africa, but technically part of Portugal. The archipelago is made up of two populated islands, Madeira and Porto Santo, and several unpopulated rocks.

Cities

• Funchal -- capital city of Madeira and home to tourist resorts and local color.
• Santa Cruz
• Machico
• Santana
• Camara de Lobos
• Porto Santo
• Ribeira Brava

Understand

Get in

By plane

Flights arrive in Madeira International Airport (formerly know as Santa Catarina Airport), about 30 minutes from Funchal. The island of Porto Santo's airport is just a 15 minute flight from Madeira International Airport.

Madeira International Airport Codes: LPMA or FNC

By boat

There is a car ferry between Porto Santo and Madeira, two hours one way.

• Ferry Service Funchal-Porto Santo

Get around

• Buses Recommended to get a 7 days bus ticket, access to all Funchal City routes, 15.00 EUR
• Taxis
• Car rental Renting a car is a great way to see the island. All European rules of the road apply in Madeira. Roads outside of Funchal can be windy and steep and gas stations rare.

Talk

While English is more common than in Portugal, people will always appreciate it if you try and learn a few words of Portuguese.

See

• Levadas -- An impressive system of aqueducts built in the 1900s to bring water from the mountains to cropland.
• Jardim Botânico -- Funchal Botanical garden
• Jardim do Monte Palace -- Magnificent gardens of the former Monte Palace hotel
• Jardim Orquídea - Orchid garden
• Madeira Story Centre -- The best way to learn about Madeira's history and culture [2]

Do

• Sailing

• Snorkeling -- Porto Santo Sub

• Scuba diving

• Ecotours -- Madeira Ecotours

• Hiking -- Nature Meetings

• Surfing -- The Atlantic offers waves for moderate to experienced surfers.

• Bird Watching -- Madeira Wind Birds

Learn

Work

Buy

Eat

Budget

Mid-range

Splurge

Drink

Sleep

Budget

During low season (winter) prices may drop significantly, e.g., from 50€ to 35€. Time around Christmas is high-season.

For budget sleeping use Madeira Villas 30-100 Euros

• Residencial Melba (Melba Pension), Azinhaga da Casa Branca 8, Funchal, Madeira 9000, Portugal. Lies in Western Funchal. 12 rooms.

Mid-range

• Quinta Perestrello Heritage House, Rua Drº Pita nº 3, Funchal, [3], a small hotel, One adult 33€ per night and breakfast (special offer low season), 37 double rooms, located near Reid's Palace. 24 hour reception.
• Estalagem do Mar, just outside in waking distance from São Vicente at the north coast. Rooms with private bathroom and tub and view to the Atlantic Ocean. Indoor and outdoor pool, jacuzzi and not necessarily working sauna, lots of parking space. Double low-season at 50€.
• Crowne Plaza, [4] Some English spoken here, wireless access in lobby. All rooms have ocean front views facing east. Several options for day trips and guided activities.
• Quinta da Quebrada, [5] Quinta da Quebrada is located in the North Coast of Madeira, more precisely in Arco de São Jorge. The place has a very pleasant weather, with sun all over the year. Very worm and dry on summer, gentle temperature and very few rainy days on winter.The unit offers you 7 Bungalows all with a very beautiful view over the Atlantic Ocean, TV and Telephone. Each one is composed by a double room,a private bath-room, and a kitchenette/living-room.

Splurge

• Reid's Palace - lovely old five-star where Winston Churchill used to stay!
• Savoy & Royal Savoy - Reid's rival hotel complex, consists of the old Savoy hotel and new, contemporary Royal Savoy

Contact

Stay safe

Emergency Service telephone number is 112