Is Madeira a good place to go?

Back in 2020, Madeira was named'Europe's Leading Island Destination 2020' at the World Travel Awards for its outdoor adventures. With this in mind, I'm not expecting a beach holiday. In fact, there aren't many beaches at all due to the mountainous topography, but the cliffs are even more impressive.



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Back in 2020, Madeira was named'Europe's Leading Island Destination 2020' at the World Travel Awards for its outdoor adventures. With this in mind, I'm not expecting a beach holiday. In fact, there aren't many beaches at all due to the mountainous topography, but the cliffs are even more impressive.

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Madeira is renowned for its landscapes, lore—and its legendary wine, which graced the tables of America's Founding Fathers.

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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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Yes, Madeira is a popular destination and indeed some of the main tourist attractions can get quite busy. But for the biggest part, Madeira is still very quiet and undiscovered.

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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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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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Madeira is a super easy island to get around – with or without a car! There are buses that can take you almost everywhere and anywhere on the island. There are also lots of awesome tours to all the Levada hikes that pick you up and drop you off at your accommodation (especially if you're staying in Funchal).

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Find the best deals Airfare to Madeira Island (FNC) varies throughout the year based on seasonal demand. You'll see the lowest rates for roundtrips to FNC in December and in December for one-ways.

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Food and drink prices at restaurants in Madeira In Funchal, you can go to a small local place and pay €5-12 for some food and a drink but then you can also go across the street to a fancier place and pay over €25 for food and a drink.

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Portuguese is the official language in Madeira. It is worth picking up a few key phrases if you want to be polite, such as 'please', 'thank you,' etcetera, although English is widely spoken in tourist areas. People who have visited the Portuguese mainland may notice a thicker accent in Madeira.

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Delicious dishes in Madeira include espetada, a beef brochette; battered black scabbard fish, which is similar to sword fish; bolo do caco, bread with butter and garlic; grilled limpets; and bolo de mel, a dense sponge cake with nuts and spices.

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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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Considered one of the best beaches in Europe and enjoying the unique characteristics of the north coast, Seixal Beach is a paradise for all kinds of swimmers: from beginners to the most experienced ones. Calheta Beach is one of the island of Madeira's few yellow sandy beaches.

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Madeira, Portugal Welcomes Direct Flight Service From New York City. Madeira Promotion Bureau and SATA Group have announced the relaunch of the direct flight between New York (JFK) to Funchal (FNC). The non-stop flight will operate via Azores Airlines year-round, starting November 3, 2022.

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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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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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7 days are certainly enough time to get a good taste of the island and enjoy some of its most popular sights and experiences. During a seven-day itinerary, you can explore Madeira's stunning landscapes, from its rugged coastlines and lush forests to its towering peaks and charming villages.

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Do I Need a Visa or Passport for Madeira? No tourist visa is required for U.S. citizens if your stay is under 90 days. But, you do need a valid passport for entry. Your passport should be valid for at least three months after your intended stay and must have two blank pages for stamps.

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On the island of Madeira there are some golden sand beaches, such as Calheta and Machico on the south coast, created artificially and now very popular recreational areas. Although uncommon, the dark sandy beaches of volcanic origin are natural to the island.

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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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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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