Is Funchal airport safe?

Is it safe? Despite the occasionally hairy-looking landings, Funchal Airport is actually a very safe place to fly. The last major weather-related incident there was the crash of TAP flight 425 in 1977. The 727 overran the runway, killing 131 out of 164 people onboard.



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A smoke alert in the cargo area of Ryanair, during the time that the aircraft was preparing to take off for Lisbon, led to the closure of the Madeira Airport.

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The problem is that Madeira is very steep and mountainous. Building an airport at all was quite an operation, and as planes have got bigger, they have extended the runway out to sea, more than once. Expensive. What's more challenging, landing or take off?

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It was dark and rainy on the night of November 19, 1977. Transportes Aéreos Portugueses, also known as TAP Air Portugal, was flying from Brussels, Belgium, to the island of Madeira, Portugal – there were 156 passengers and 8 crew members on board. Of these, only 33 would ever make it to see their destination.

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Funchal is generally considered safe for female travelers. The city is known for its friendly locals and low crime rate. Women should still take the usual precautions when traveling, such as avoiding walking alone at night and keeping valuables out of sight.

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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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It is a busy airport but often with not enough staff to deal with huge numbers and if you chose to leave it till the last minute, you could also get held up on the motorway and miss your flight.

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Madeira Airport (IATA: FNC) is located 16 kilometers northeast of the capital Funchal, just further the touristic city of Santa Catarina. Built on piles and perched on the high cliffs and mountains of the eastern coast of the island, the airport features only one terminal with 16 boarding gates and 40 check-in desks.

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The airport has a single terminal, which opened in 1973. The terminal has 40 check-in desks, 16 boarding gates, and 7 baggage belts.

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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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“Madeira Safe to Discover” As we mentioned above, among the main reasons Madeira was included in the European Best Destination's list of the safest 2021 travel destinations in Europe is the impressive effectiveness of the strict sanitary measures the islands has adopted.

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The convenience it offers, combined with the well-known hospitality of the people of Madeira, makes this service highly recommended for those wishing to travel in the region. Whether for short trips or longer distances, Funchal's taxis ensure a safe and fast service.

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Located in Funchal, the Complexo Balnear do Lido, open year round, is a place for swimming enthusiasts, either in the sea or in a saltwater pool. Formosa Beach - A long beach that combines pebble and sandy areas, offering a complete swimming experience along the coast of Funchal.

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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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The warmest water temperature is in September with an average around 74.7°F / 23.7°C. The coldest month is March with an average water temperature of 64°F / 17.8°C.

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Madeira is really safe for solo female travellers, that's why I've given it 5 out of 5 stars. Even the locals are proud of how clean and safe their island is. You can walk around Funchal (the capital) at night and I also walked home at the early hours of the morning in Ponta do Sol.

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The Portuguese have three meals a day, between 7:30 and 10 a.m. we have breakfast, consisting of drinking coffee or fruit juice with toast or a sandwich. The main meals are lunch, between 12:00 and 2:30 p.m., and dinner between 7:30 and 10:30 p.m.

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