Can you drive around Madeira in a day?

Can you drive around Madeira in a day? Yes, with the tunnels and fast roads you can easily drive around the island in a day. Most destinations are under 1h drive from Funchal. But if you want to see most of the island's wonders, I recommend a stay of at least 10 days.



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Madeira is a tiny island, approximately 35 miles at the longest point and maximum width of 14 miles, and the entire island can be driven in less than 4 hours without stopping.

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Madeira Island, the largest of the group, is 34 miles (55 km) long, has a maximum width of 14 miles (22 km) and a coastline of about 90 miles (144 km), and rises in the centre to Ruivo Peak (6,106 feet [1,861 metres] above sea level).

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Walking Tours in Funchal, Portugal Creating your own self-guided walk in Funchal is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.

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Driving in Funchal Parking in the city is ample, but be aware that parking spaces marked in blue are pay parking, and if you fail to pay, then you could end up with a hefty ticket.

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Overall, the roads are really good. The only challenging part about driving in Madeira is when you go to some of the hikes. The incline on some of the smaller roads can be pretty crazy and something you may not be used to. It's a volcanic island so steep inclines are to be expected!

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Madeira is a pretty small island, and so luckily you don't need very long to see all of the incredible things that this destination has to offer. If you're looking to experience the must-dos then a short four-day break would be fine. However, a week is the perfect amount of time to really make the most of the island.

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How Long Do You Need To Visit Madeira? Madeira is a pretty small island, and so luckily you don't need very long to see all of the incredible things that this destination has to offer. If you're looking to experience the must-dos then a short four-day break would be fine.

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By Bus -- The cheapest, albeit slowest, way to get around Madeira is by bus. If you want to tour on your own, you can make excursions on local buses that go all over the island at a fraction of the cost the tour companies charge, but you will miss the commentary of an organized tour, of course.

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Visiting Madeira For those who want a fully autonomous and comfortable experience, renting a car or a motorcycle in Madeira is the best option. Find available car hire companies here. However, there are other means of transport available such as buses, taxis, tuk-tuks, bicycles and scooters.

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We recommend spending at least a week, but if you have just a couple of days, you can still cover some of the best highlights of Madeira.

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Well-marked walking routes and trails are located all over the island. From short, easy trails on flat terrain to advanced walks that can take half a day or more, there's a path for just about anyone who wants to experience the natural beauty of Madeira on foot.

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The average standard of living tends to be a bit lower than in mainland Portugal, and the local autonomous government gives generous subsidies coming from the tourist industry revenues and from the Portuguese national budget. Go where the locals go and everything will be cheap.

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Average monthly temperatures For the highest temperatures the best time to visit Madeira is between August and September although the sub tropical climate offers sunshine throughout the year and winter months are equally popular with visitors.

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The rainy season is between November and February, during which time rolling clouds and frequent rainstorms are typical. Most days during this time will have at least one rainstorm passing through. The months between May and August are the driest of the year.

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Different locations on the island tend to experience varied climates. However, the island's southern part where Funchal is located is privileged with some of the best weather on the island making it one of Madeira's best all-year-round destinations.

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Violent crime involving tourists is extremely rare in Madeira and so you have little to worry about with regard to personal safety. But as with any travel destination, it's important to take basic travel safety precautions such as keeping your valuables close by and/or hidden, especially at night.

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Yes, you can legally drive in Portugal with your UK-issued driving licence without the need to apply for an International Driving Permit.

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Tap water is absolutely fine to drink in Madeira, and we often don't even bother with bottled water in restaurants and just ask for a jug or glass of tap water. I think your husband may be in for quite a big surprise when he returns to the island after 35 years - mostly changes for the better but not all.

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Moderate / high difficulty if you walking down (some walk the other way!). We took funicular (one-way 11 euro) to the top (Monte) and then walked the trail all the way down to Funchal. The first 1 km is a stone road. Then approximately 2km of steps in clay, often very steep.

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A rental car is by far the best option to explore not only Funchal, but the whole of the Madeira island, as you will have the freedom to go anywhere you want and make as many scenic stops along the way as you please.

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