Is Madeira a tropical island?

The Madeira archipelago is made up of the islands of Madeira, Porto Santo and the uninhabited islands of Selvagens and Desertas. Madeira is a semi-tropical island rising from sea level to 6,000 feet. Its steep pitch gives the island six distinct climate zones.



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Both islands are all about outdoor activities, the sea and have a romantic vibe. Honestly, Madeira is essentially the European version of Hawaii. It's cheaper (WAY cheaper), closer and a lot less touristy.

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Breathtaking Scenery. It may surprise you to hear that Madeira is actually quite often compared to North America's dream destination of Hawaii. We'd have to agree that the Portuguese island does bear many resemblances to the Aloha State, among which include its lush landscapes and awe-inspiring scenery.

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Madeira is boasting some of the most accessible biodiversity. It is known for its lush forests, gardens, and parks, which give the island a tropical feel. As a result of the mild temperatures here all year long, a range of exotic plants and herbs can be found in the gardens.

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The Azores are serene, eco-friendly and have less modern development, and less tourism than the sister islands of Madeira. With secluded locations and a more relaxed, slower pace, the Azores are more of a destination for nature lovers and adventurous tourists.

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I highly recommend going if you love nature, if you enjoy great food, a warm culture and breathtaking views at every turn. I stayed in the main Funchal, away from the tourist area. I didn't go to Madeira to be surrounded by other tourists taking photos of this or that.

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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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The official language spoken in the Madeira archipelago is Portuguese, but a majority of the local population is proficient in English, especially in the more tourist-heavy spots.

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Madeira's unique geographic location and mountainous terrain lend itself to its marvelously mild climate, ranging from 25°C (77°F) in the summer to 17°C (62°F) in the winter, with moderate humidity and mild average temperatures no matter the time of year.

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The favorable climate of the island also contributed to the land thrive, and wheat production has become one of the greatest wealth of the island. This cereal was exported on a large scale for the Portuguese possessions on the African coast, giving thus the first cycle of Madeira economic history.

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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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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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With both rent and restaurant prices being around 25% cheaper than in Lisbon, Funchal allows you to live your island dream without paying the more expensive prices of mainland Portugal.

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Funchal – Madeira Island's capital A family of four estimated monthly costs are 1,943.8€ without rent. A single person estimated monthly costs are 542.5€ without rent. Funchal is 13.1% less expensive than Lisbon. Rent in Funchal is, on average, 32.4% lower than in Lisbon.

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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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There is no ferry service between continental Portugal and the Azores.

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The fastest ferry crossing to Madeira Islands is via the Porto Santo to Funchal ferry, in approximately 2h 30m.

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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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