Meilleure Période pour Visiter
April to October
Devise
Euro (€)
Langue
Portuguese
Fuseau Horaire
WET (UTC+0)
Discover Madeira
Madeira rises straight out of the Atlantic, closer to Morocco than to mainland Portugal, a volcanic island of knife-edge ridges, laurel cloud forest and terraces that tumble down to the sea. Its capital, Funchal, climbs an amphitheatre of hills above the harbour, a city of flower markets, black-and-white cobbled streets and old wine lodges where Madeira wine has aged in wooden casks for centuries.
What makes Madeira special is how much wild landscape sits within an hour of your hotel. Hundreds of kilometres of levadas, the narrow irrigation channels carved into the mountainsides since the 15th century, double as gently graded footpaths into mossy valleys and past waterfalls. Above them, the paved trail between Pico do Arieiro and Pico Ruivo crosses the island's roof above a sea of clouds.
The island's climate is its other gift: the sea tempers the temperature to the high teens in winter and mid-twenties in summer, which is why Madeira is nicknamed the island of eternal spring. It is a destination for walkers, gardeners, food lovers and anyone who wants nature at full volume without giving up good restaurants and comfortable hotels.
Why Visit Madeira?
Walk the levadas, centuries-old irrigation channels that turn into gentle trails through UNESCO-listed laurel forest, with waterfalls and viewpoints along the way.
Hike above the clouds on the ridge between Pico do Arieiro and Pico Ruivo, one of the most spectacular day hikes in Europe.
Enjoy a mild climate all year, with winter days that are usually warm enough to sit outside and swim in sheltered lava pools.
Taste Madeira wine in historic lodges in Funchal and learn why this fortified wine can age for more than a century.
Ride the wicker toboggans down from Monte, a tradition dating back to the 1850s, after exploring its tropical gardens.
Explore a dramatic coastline of sea cliffs, natural lava pools and fishing villages, all reachable on day trips from Funchal.
Madeira est Connue Pour
Prêt à explorer Madeira?
Madeira Neighborhoods
Zona Velha
Funchal's old quarter along Rua de Santa Maria is the city's most atmospheric corner. Its painted doors art project turned faded house fronts into an open-air gallery, and the narrow lanes are lined with small restaurants that fill up every evening.
Highlights:
Best for:
Sé and Downtown Funchal
The historic centre around the 16th-century cathedral mixes government buildings, wine lodges, cafés and shopping streets. It is compact and walkable, with the marina and the Santa Catarina gardens on its edge.
Highlights:
Best for:
Lido and the Hotel Zone
West of the centre, the Lido area is where most of Funchal's larger hotels sit on the cliffs above the sea. A long seafront promenade links it to the centre, and the public Lido complex offers seawater pools and sea access.
Highlights:
Best for:
Monte
High above Funchal, the hillside parish of Monte was once a fashionable retreat for wealthy families. Today it is visited for its tropical gardens, its church and the famous wicker toboggan ride back down towards the city.
Highlights:
Best for:
Principales Attractions
Local Tips & Insider Knowledge
- •Rent a car if you plan to hike: many trailheads are poorly served by buses, and the island's tunnels make driving between coasts quick.
- •Start the Pico do Arieiro hike early in the morning; clouds often roll in by late morning and the car park fills quickly.
- •Check the regional government's trail status page before any levada walk, as paths close after storms or rockfalls.
- •Carry a headlamp for levada walks with tunnels, such as the Caldeirão Verde route.
- •Weather changes fast between the north and south coasts; if it is cloudy in Funchal, it may be sunny in Ponta do Sol, and vice versa.
- •Some popular trails now charge a small conservation fee for non-residents; buy it online in advance to avoid problems at the trailhead.
- •Visit Mercado dos Lavradores in the morning, and taste fruit before buying, as tourist prices for exotic fruit can be high.
- •Book a table for dinner in Zona Velha on weekends, when the best small restaurants fill up quickly.
- •Bring layers: it can be 25°C at sea level and close to freezing on the highest peaks on the same day.
- •Madeira's airport is known for strong winds; allow some flexibility in your plans on arrival and departure days.
Madeira Food Scene
Madeiran food is rooted in fishing, farming on steep terraces and centuries of trade. Expect grilled fish and seafood, meat cooked on bay-leaf skewers, sweet potatoes, tropical fruit and bread baked on stone, all washed down with poncha or a glass of Madeira wine.
Must-Try Dishes
Traditional Madeiran
- • Espetada houses in the hills around Estreito de Câmara de Lobos
- • Fish restaurants in Câmara de Lobos
- • Village taverns near Santana
Espetada is best in the rural restaurants in the hills, where it is served hanging from a hook at your table.
Markets and Snacks
- • Mercado dos Lavradores fish and fruit halls
- • Bolo do caco sandwiches
- • Fresh passion fruit and custard apples
Watch the fish market in the morning for the long, black scabbardfish that is caught at great depth off the island.
Wine and Poncha
- • Madeira wine tastings in Funchal lodges
- • Poncha bars in Serra de Água
- • Regional liqueurs
Poncha is strong and sweet; locals drink it in small glasses, so pace yourself.
Seafront Dining
- • Grilled fish in Zona Velha
- • Seafood in Porto Moniz
- • Tuna steak with milho frito (fried cornmeal)
Ask for the catch of the day and whether it is local; tuna and scabbardfish are the island specialities.
Populaire Auprès
Best Time to Visit Madeira
Spring
Spring is peak flower season, with the Flower Festival in Funchal and gardens in full bloom. Trails are green and temperatures are ideal for hiking.
Pros:
- + Flower Festival
- + Excellent hiking weather
- + Lush landscapes
Cons:
- - Festival weeks book up early
- - Some rain in the north
- - Sea still cool
Summer
Summer brings the warmest sea and the driest weather, along with festivals and the busiest hotels. The high mountains are at their clearest.
Pros:
- + Warmest sea for swimming
- + Long days
- + Wine Festival in late summer
Cons:
- - Higher prices
- - Busy trailheads
- - Occasional wildfire risk
Autumn
Autumn stays warm with a still-warm sea, while crowds thin out after August. The grape harvest and Wine Festival mark the start of the season.
Pros:
- + Warm sea
- + Fewer crowds
- + Harvest festivities
Cons:
- - More showers from October
- - Shorter days
- - Some trail closures after storms
Winter
Winter is mild on the coast, making Madeira a classic winter-sun destination. Christmas lights and the New Year's Eve fireworks over Funchal are famous.
Pros:
- + Mild temperatures
- + Spectacular New Year's fireworks
- + Good value outside the holidays
Cons:
- - Rain and wind on higher trails
- - Cold at the peaks
- - Holiday periods book out
Trouvez un transport pas cher vers Madeira
Comparez les prix des trains, bus et vols vers Madeira
Entrez votre ville de départ pour voir les prix
Réserver des Activités à Madeira
Évitez la file avec des visites et attractions pré-réservées
Day Trips from Madeira
Porto Moniz and Seixal
About 1 hour by car
The island's northwest corner combines natural lava rock pools filled by the Atlantic with Seixal's black sand beach framed by green cliffs. The coastal road there passes waterfalls and viewpoints.
Ponta de São Lourenço
About 40 minutes by car
Madeira's arid eastern tip is completely different from the rest of the island: a narrow peninsula of red and ochre volcanic rock with sea views on both sides and a popular out-and-back trail.
Porto Santo
About 2.5 hours by ferry
Madeira's small sister island has what Madeira lacks: a 9 km golden sand beach. Day trips are possible on the morning ferry, but an overnight stay is more relaxed.
Madeira Budget Guide
Madeira is moderately priced by Western European standards, cheaper than many mainland resorts for food and drink but with car hire and hotels that rise in peak season.
Budget
€50-80 for budget travelers (hostel or guesthouse, markets, buses, free hikes)
per day
Mid-Range
€100-180 for mid-range (3-4 star hotel, restaurant meals, car hire, some tours)
per day
Luxury
€280+ for luxury (quinta or 5-star hotel, fine dining, private tours)
per day
Money-Saving Tips
- •Hiking is free apart from small trail fees on a few routes, so it keeps daily costs low.
- •Lunch menus of the day in local restaurants are much cheaper than dinner.
- •Split car hire between a group; it is often cheaper than several organised tours.
- •Buy fruit at supermarkets rather than tourist stalls at the market.
- •Travel in late autumn or late winter for lower hotel prices outside the holidays.
Madeira Hidden Gems
Fanal Forest
An upland plateau of ancient, twisted laurel trees that often sits in drifting fog, giving it an eerie, enchanted feel.
It is one of the most atmospheric places in the laurel forest and feels completely different from the coast.
Curral das Freiras
A village at the bottom of a deep volcanic valley, once a hiding place for nuns fleeing pirate raids, surrounded by sheer mountain walls.
The views from the Eira do Serrado lookout above it are among the best on the island, and the village is known for chestnut dishes.
Câmara de Lobos
A colourful fishing village just west of Funchal where boats are pulled up on the pebble beach and fishermen play cards by the harbour.
It is an authentic slice of island life, with good fish restaurants and poncha bars minutes from the capital.
Achadas da Cruz Cable Car
One of the steepest cable cars in Europe drops down a cliff face to a fajã, a strip of farmland at the foot of the cliffs by the sea.
The ride is thrilling, and the fajã below is a quiet place of stone cottages and terraced plots few visitors see.
Ribeiro Frio
A small forest settlement with a trout hatchery and the start of two short levada walks, including the easy path to the Balcões viewpoint.
The Balcões walk is short and easy but delivers a huge view over the central mountains and valleys.
Madeira Culture & Customs
Madeirans are warm, family-oriented and proud of their island's distinct identity within Portugal. Life follows the Catholic calendar and the farming seasons, with festivals for flowers, wine and saints, and a strong tradition of embroidery, wicker work and folk music.
Cultural Etiquette
- •Greet shopkeepers with 'bom dia' or 'boa tarde' when entering.
- •Dress modestly when visiting churches.
- •Tipping is appreciated but not obligatory; rounding up or leaving 5-10% is common.
- •Stay on marked trails and respect private farmland and terraces.
- •Meals are unhurried; ask for the bill when you are ready to leave.
Useful Phrases
Frequently Asked Questions about Madeira
How many days do you need in Madeira?
Five to seven days is ideal to combine Funchal with several hikes and a loop of the coast. With three days you can see Funchal, Monte and one or two highlights, but you will need to choose between the mountains and the coast.
Do I need a car in Madeira?
Not for Funchal itself, but a car makes the rest of the island much easier to explore, especially trailheads and the north coast. Organised tours and taxis are good alternatives if you prefer not to drive.
Does Madeira have beaches?
Madeira has few sandy beaches; most are pebble or black sand, and many visitors swim in natural lava pools or seafront lido complexes. For a long golden beach, take the ferry or a short flight to Porto Santo.
Are the levada walks difficult?
Many levada walks are almost flat and suitable for most people, but some have narrow paths with drops, tunnels or slippery sections. Check the difficulty and current status of each route before you go.
What is the weather like in Madeira in winter?
Winter is mild on the coast, often reaching around 19-20°C in the day, but it is wetter than summer and much colder in the mountains. It is a popular time for walking and winter sun.
Is Madeira expensive?
It is moderately priced: cheaper than many Western European destinations for food and drink, with hotel prices that depend heavily on season. Hiking, which is the main attraction, is almost free.
Is Madeira good for families?
Yes. The toboggan ride, cable cars, gardens, natural pools and easy levada walks all work well for children, and the island is very safe.
When is the best time to see the Flower Festival?
The Flower Festival takes place in Funchal in spring, usually a few weeks after Easter, with parades of floral floats and a wall of flowers in the city centre.
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