Do I need cash in Madeira?

Cards. Credit and debit cards are widely accepted in Madeira, especially in hotels, larger restaurants, and stores. Visa and MasterCard are the most commonly accepted, but you'll also find establishments that take American Express.



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Madeira uses the Euro, though major credit cards will work and ATMs are widely available. If you're flying direct to Madeira, currency can be exchanged at airports, banks, and hotels.

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Madeira's currency is the Euro. Credit cards and contactless payments are accepted in many places, especially in tourist areas and larger establishments, but not everywhere so it's worth always carrying some cash.

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Past travelers have spent, on average, €33 ($35) on meals for one day and €9.87 ($10) on local transportation. Also, the average hotel price in Madeira Islands for a couple is €103 ($109). So, a trip to Madeira Islands for two people for one week costs on average €1,334 ($1,410).

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Madeira in general isn't an expensive place to live. Housing, transport, and food are quite affordable for expats staying in Madeira longer term.

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Is eating out in Madeira expensive? It's not expensive to eat out in Madeira unless you go to gourmet or Michelin-starred restaurant. You'll find bars by the road, in small villages and even the capital that have very reasonable menus of the day. Start your meal with a soup if you're trying to save the pennies.

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ELECTRICITY AND WATER The electric current in the archipelago is 220 volts. There is plenty of water in Madeira and it is all drinkable and of excellent quality.

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Tickets can be bought on-board the bus and at Horarios do Funchal shops and vending machines.

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You will need a valid passport or national identity card during your stay in Madeira. Although not mandatory, possessing a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) or equivalent health insurance coverage is recommended.

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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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Funchal is the most expensive place to buy property on the islands – given its higher demand and abundance of services.

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Most places in Madeira do take cards, but you'll need some cash for buses, and I've heard that some of the cable cars only take cash too (the cable car from the promenade in Funchal does take cards). The small shops and cafes I visited all took cards but it's best to have some money just in case.

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Poncha is a traditional alcoholic drink from the island of Madeira, made with aguardente de cana (distilled alcohol made from sugar cane juice), honey, sugar, and either orange juice or lemon juice. Some varieties include other fruit juices.

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ELECTRICITY AND WATER The electric current in the archipelago is 220 volts. There is plenty of water in Madeira and it is all drinkable and of excellent quality. Porto Santo uses desalinated water, which is perfectly safe to drink.

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Buy currency before you travel.
Doing so gives you time to shop around for the best rate. Plus, when you arrive, you won't have to immediately find a bank or currency exchange. Do some research ahead of time to see if US dollars are widely accepted at places you plan to go to.

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Currency exchange shops and kiosks in airports are not the best places to exchange money. For the best rates, try a local bank or a bank ATM to make your currency exchanges. Check to see if your U.S. bank offers foreign ATM fee refunds for using a foreign ATM.

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Once you've reached your destination, avoid airport kiosks or other exchange houses. Your bank's ATM network is likely the best option. You may be able to withdraw cash in the local currency with competitive exchange rates and low fees (1% to 3%). Use your institution's app to find an ATM near you.

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