What type of car do you need in Madeira?

?? What kind of car do you need on Madeira? In contrary to other destinations you don't need a 4×4 on Madeira. Honestly, you don't want a car that's too big because a lot of the roads up in the mountains can be very narrow. I do highly recommend you to book a car with an automatic transmission.



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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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If you don't have a rental car and you want to see certain parts of the island you'll depend on taxi's, busses and tours. These are either very expensive options or also pretty unreliable when it comes to the public transportation on Madeira.

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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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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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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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You do need to show your official driver's license from your home country when you pick up the rental car. Some countries like Japan or Italy require an international driver's license to rent a car but this is not the case in Madeira and your regular driver's license will do just fine.

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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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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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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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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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In fact, Madeira was just voted Europe's “Leading Island Destination” in the World Travel Awards again (the sixth time in the last seven years). Less than four hours from London and with almost guaranteed sunshine, Madeira is an ideal winter break, or for that matter, anytime destination.

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Ponta do Sol One of the greatest aspects of life in Madeira are its coastal villages. And Ponta do Sol is arguably the most beautiful.

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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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For those of you just vacationing here and truly just spending seven or so days exploring Madeira, you could certainly move around the island with a couple of nights in each corner. You could go from Funchal to Ponta do Sol to São Vicente to Porto Moniz… Or you could find yourself a home base for the week!

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Madeirans drive on the right-hand side of the road, and all cars have the steering column on the left. Seat belts are required at all times. Children under the age of 12 are not allowed to sit in the front seats.

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Americans are not required by law to obtain an international driving permit to drive a rental car in Portugal.

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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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Calheta Beach is one of the island of Madeira's few yellow sandy beaches. A peaceful swimming experience is guaranteed by two piers, so you can exercise in the sea all year round. Ribeira do Natal Beach enjoys properties that make it one of the best places for swimming. The transparency of its waters is remarkable.

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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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