Main countries of origin among tourists in Madeira 2022Overall, almost 470 thousand Portuguese tourists visited the archipelago. Madeira is an autonomous region of Portugal made up of two islands: Madeira and Porto Santo.
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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.
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.
Also Queen Silvia of Sweden Known for the “iron lady”, Margaret Thacher. José Maria Aznar, Dukes of Bragança, writer John le Carré, Stephen Hawking… Madeira received a visit from Carmen Polo de Franco, wife of the Spanish dictator Franco. From Spain too, he visited the island, the Kings, Juan Carlos and his wife Sofia.
Spain accounted for almost 2.2 million overnight visitors in Portugal in 2022 – the highest figure among top countries of origin for international tourism in the European country that year.
Madeira Island is actually home to over 25 miles of secret tunnels built into the cliffs and mountains. Said to be constructed in the 16th century right through until construction ended in the 1940s, they were built to help maintain the hundreds of miles of aqueducts across the island.
Madeira Island is a destination with mild weather all year around, with many different microclimates. It has stunning landscapes with dense verdant forests, volcanic mountains, and flower gardens with exuberant colours.
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.
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.
Most of Madeira's nightlife is found in its capital, Funchal, the only city of any size on the island. Outside of Funchal, Madeira has small towns or villages that are totally unlike tourist resorts. So, if you want to go out partying, Funchal is where you need to be.
For them the island has everything: safe towns and cities, good food, happy people. The locals themselves confirm this. “It's hard to be sad when the sun is shining... very few people in Madeira are depressed,” says Peter, our high-energy canyoning guide from Epic Madeira.
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.
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.
Amazing and stable weather denotes April through November as the best time to visit Madeira. April to mid-June is known for price cuts and moderate crowds. This period can offer you unforgettable hiking among lush green vegetation, and you can join famous Madeira Flower Festival.
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).
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.
Madeira is generally safe for solo female travellers. The island is known for its friendly locals and low crime rate, making it a great destination for solo female travellers.
As an added bonus, the Portuguese people are friendly, welcoming to all visitors regardless of where they come from and a large portion of the population speaks English.