[Travel](https://tripguroo.com/en/travel/) › [Guides](https://tripguroo.com/en/travel/) › [Madeira](https://tripguroo.com/en/guides/madeira/) # Guide to Madeira To visit Madeira, check entry requirements, connectivity and this guide’s local references. Madeira brings together steep mountains, laurel forest and villages above the sea. Funchal opens onto an island that rewards a slower stay. [Places in Madeira · 2 catalog places →](https://tripguroo.com/en/places/madeira/) ## Visa for your trip Your passport countrySelect countryAfghanistanAlbaniaAlgeriaAndorraAngolaAntigua & BarbudaArgentinaArmeniaAustraliaAustriaAzerbaijanBahamasBahrainBangladeshBarbadosBelarusBelgiumBelizeBeninBhutanBoliviaBosnia & HerzegovinaBotswanaBrazilBruneiBulgariaBurkina FasoBurundiCambodiaCameroonCanadaCape VerdeCentral African RepublicChadChileChinaColombiaComorosCongo - BrazzavilleCongo - KinshasaCosta RicaCôte d’IvoireCroatiaCubaCyprusCzechiaDenmarkDjiboutiDominicaDominican RepublicEcuadorEgyptEl SalvadorEquatorial GuineaEritreaEstoniaEswatiniEthiopiaFijiFinlandFranceGabonGambiaGeorgiaGermanyGhanaGreeceGrenadaGuatemalaGuineaGuinea-BissauGuyanaHaitiHondurasHong Kong SAR ChinaHungaryIcelandIndiaIndonesiaIranIraqIrelandIsraelItalyJamaicaJapanJordanKazakhstanKenyaKiribatiKosovoKuwaitKyrgyzstanLaosLatviaLebanonLesothoLiberiaLibyaLiechtensteinLithuaniaLuxembourgMacao SAR ChinaMadagascarMalawiMalaysiaMaldivesMaliMaltaMarshall IslandsMauritaniaMauritiusMexicoMicronesiaMoldovaMonacoMongoliaMontenegroMoroccoMozambiqueMyanmar (Burma)NamibiaNauruNepalNetherlandsNew ZealandNicaraguaNigerNigeriaNorth KoreaNorth MacedoniaNorwayOmanPakistanPalauPalestinian TerritoriesPanamaPapua New GuineaParaguayPeruPhilippinesPolandPortugalQatarRomaniaRussiaRwandaSamoaSan MarinoSão Tomé & PríncipeSaudi ArabiaSenegalSerbiaSeychellesSierra LeoneSingaporeSlovakiaSloveniaSolomon IslandsSomaliaSouth AfricaSouth KoreaSouth SudanSpainSri LankaSt. Kitts & NevisSt. LuciaSt. Vincent & GrenadinesSudanSurinameSwedenSwitzerlandSyriaTaiwanTajikistanTanzaniaThailandTimor-LesteTogoTongaTrinidad & TobagoTunisiaTürkiyeTurkmenistanTuvaluUgandaUkraineUnited Arab EmiratesUnited KingdomUnited StatesUruguayUzbekistanVanuatuVatican CityVenezuelaVietnamYemenZambiaZimbabweChoose the passport you travel with. The lookup adapts automatically. Conditions and other situationsShort tourist stays with an ordinary passport. Residence, other visas, stay length and transit can change the requirement. Check with the authority before booking or travelling. [Destination source](https://vistos.mne.gov.pt/) · [Check itinerary with IATA](https://www.iatatravelcentre.com/passport-visa-health-travel-document-requirements.htm) Enable JavaScript to adapt this lookup to your passport. You can also check the destination source. ## eSIM and connectivity Compare Saily and Airalo plans. Check destination coverage and phone compatibility on the provider’s website. [Saily ↗](https://tripguroo.com/api/affiliate/go/esim?source=guide&lang=en)[Airalo ↗](https://tripguroo.com/api/affiliate/go/esim-airalo?source=guide&lang=en) Affiliate links: we may earn a commission on purchases. ## Currency and payments Euro (EUR) · Euro (EUR) · Euro (EUR) ## Embassy Missions are filtered by your passport country. Confirm services, opening hours and appointments with the mission. View 95 missions and contacts ### [Embassy of Andorra, Lisbon](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q102536379) Lisbon Rua do Possolo 76, 2ª, 1350-251 Lisboa[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q102536379) ### [Embassy of the United Arab Emirates, Lisbon](https://www.mofa.gov.ae/en/missions/uae-missions-abroad/uae-missions-abroad-details?countryId=a46be18c-e0d5-486f-a9e7-a6148e3a45fa) Lisbon Praça do Principe Real 15–17, 1269-127 Lisboa[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q894833) ### [embassy of Angola in Portugal](http://www.embaixadadeangola.pt/) Lisbon Avenida da República 68[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105368218) ### [embassy of Argentina in Portugal](https://eport.cancilleria.gob.ar/) Lisbon [Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105369121) ### [embassy of Austria in Portugal](https://www.bmeia.gv.at/oeb-lissabon) Lisbon Avenida Infante Santo 43[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q102429675) ### [Embassy of Australia, Lisbon](https://portugal.embassy.gov.au/) Lisbon [Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q782854) ### [Embassy of Bangladesh, Lisbon](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q83584263) Lisbon Rua António Saldanha, 30[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q83584263) ### [Embassy of Belgium, Lisbon](http://portugal.diplomatie.belgium.be/) Lisbon Rua Castilho 75[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q104586981) ### [embassy of Bulgaria in Portugal](https://www.mfa.bg/embassies/portugal) Lisbon [Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105373358) ### [Embassy of Brazil, Lisbon](http://lisboa.itamaraty.gov.br/) [Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q56338849) ### [embassy of Canada in Portugal](https://www.canadainternational.gc.ca/portugal/index.aspx) Lisbon Avenida da Liberdade, 196-200[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q104414224) ### [embassy of Democratic Republic of the Congo in Portugal](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105395492) Lisbon Rua Fernão Gomes, 14[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105395492) ### [embassy of Switzerland in Portugal](https://www.eda.admin.ch/lisbon) Lisbon Travessa do Jardim 15, 1350-229 Lisboa[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q101442755) ### [embassy of Ivory Coast in Portugal](http://www.portugal.diplomatie.gouv.ci/) Lisbon Avenida Dom Vasco da Gama, 36[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105395673) ### [embassy of Chile in Portugal](https://chile.gob.cl/portugal/) Lisbon Avenida Miguel Bombarda 5[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105376367) ### [Embassy of the People's Republic of China, Lisbon](http://pt.china-embassy.org/) Lisbon Rua do Pau de Bandeira 11-13[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105395038) ### [Embassy of Colombia in Portugal](http://portugal.embajada.gov.co/) Lisbon Avenida Fontes Pereira de Melo, 16[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q103555919) ### [embassy of Cuba in Portugal](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105413712) Lisbon Rua Pêro da Covilhã 14[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105413712) ### [Embassy of Cape Verde in Portugal](https://embaixadadecaboverde.pt/) Lisbon Avenida do Restelo 33[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q104040129) ### [embassy of Cyprus in Portugal](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q109795525) Lisbon Avenida da Liberdade 229[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q109795525) ### [embassy of the Czech Republic in Portugal](https://www.mzv.cz/lisbon) Lisbon Rua Pêro de Alenquer 14[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105375781) ### [Embassy of Germany, Lisbon](https://lissabon.diplo.de/) Lisbon [Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105364823) ### [embassy of Denmark in Portugal](https://portugal.um.dk/) Campo de Ourique Rua Castilho 14C[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105414511) ### [embassy of the Dominican Republic in Portugal](http://www.embajadadominicana.pt/) Lisbon [Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105414927) ### [Embassy of Algeria, Lisbon](https://www.emb-argelia.pt/) Lisbon Rua Duarte Pacheco Pereira 58[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q100146805) ### [embassy of Estonia in Lisbon](https://lisbon.mfa.ee/) Lisbon Rua Filipe Folque 10J[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q65261886) ### [embassy of Egypt in Portugal](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105415307) Lisbon Avenida Dom Vasco da Gama 8[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105415307) ### [embassy of Spain in Portugal](http://www.exteriores.gob.es/Embajadas/LISBOA) Lisbon [Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105137037) ### [Consulate General of Spain in Lisbon](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q110854971) Lisbon / Palacete Mayer [Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q110854971) ### [Consulate General of Spain in Porto](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q110854959) Porto [Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q110854959) ### [embassy of Finland in Portugal](https://finlandabroad.fi/web/prt) Lisbon Rua do Possolo 76, 1ª, 1350-251 Lisboa[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105440974) ### [Embassy of France, Lisbon](http://www.ambafrance-pt.org/) Lisbon Rua Santos-o-Velho, 5[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q2841675) ### [British Embassy Lisbon](https://www.gov.uk/world/organisations/british-embassy-lisbon) Lisbon Rua de São Bernardo, 33[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q59290288) ### [British Vice Consulate Portimão](https://www.gov.uk/world/organisations/british-vice-consulate-portimao) Portimão [Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q59290290) ### [embassy of Georgia in Portugal](http://portugal.mfa.gov.ge/) Lisbon Rua Fernão Soares, 6A[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105441850) ### [Embassy of Guinea in Portugal](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q107050310) [Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q107050310) ### [embassy of Equatorial Guinea in Portugal](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105443341) Lisbon [Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105443341) ### [embassy of Greece in Portugal](https://www.mfa.gr/missionsabroad/portugal.html) Lisbon Rua Alto Do Duque 13[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105442190) ### [Embassy of Guinea-Bissau in Portugal](http://embaixadaguinebissau.pt/) Lisbon Rua de Alcolena, 17-A[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q103831175) ### [embassy of Croatia in Portugal](http://pt.mvep.hr/) Lisbon Rua Dom Lourenço de Almeida, 24[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105395972) ### [Hungarian embassy, Lisbon](https://lisszabon.mfa.gov.hu/) Lisbon Calcada de Santo Amaro, 85.[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q66012252) ### [embassy of Indonesia, Lisbon](https://kemlu.go.id/lisbon) Lisbon Avenida Dom Vasco da Gama no. 40, 1449-039, Belém, Lisboa, Portugal[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q104649271) ### [embassy of Ireland in Portugal](https://www.ireland.ie/en/portugal/lisbon/) Lisbon Avenida da Liberdade, 200[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q104792936) ### [embassy of Israel in Portugal](https://embassies.gov.il/lisboa) Lisbon Rua António Enes, 16[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105443835) ### [Embassy of India, Lisbon](https://www.eoilisbon.gov.in/) Lisbon Rua Pêro da Covilhã 16[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105443561) ### [embassy of Iraq in Portugal](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105443782) Lisbon Rua do Arriaga, 9[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105443782) ### [embassy of Iran in Portugal](https://lisbon.mfa.ir/) Lisbon Rua do Alto do Duque 49[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105395887) ### [Embassy of Italy in Portugal](https://amblisbona.esteri.it/) Lisbon Largo Conde Pombeiro, 6[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105061863) ### [Embassy of Japan, Lisbon](https://www.pt.emb-japan.go.jp/) Lisbon [Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q100700837) ### [embassy of South Korea in Portugal](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105395604) Lisbon Avenida Miguel Bombarda, 36[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105395604) ### [embassy of Kuwait in Portugal](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105451611) Lisbon Rua de Alcolena, 28[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105451611) ### [embassy of Kazakhstan in Portugal](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105374847) Lisbon Rua Pêro da Covilhã 20[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105374847) ### [embassy of Luxembourg in Portugal](https://lisbonne.mae.lu/) Lisbon Rua das Janelas Verdes, 43[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q104905674) ### [embassy of Libya in Portugal](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105451706) Lisbon Avenida das Descobertas, 24[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105451706) ### [Embassy of Morocco in Portugal](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105455852) Lisbon Rua do Alto do Duque, 21[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105455852) ### [embassy of Monaco in Portugal](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q104251760) Lisbon Rua Domingos Sequeira, nº 27[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q104251760) ### [embassy of Moldova in Portugal](https://portugalia.mfa.gov.md/) Lisbon Rua Gonçalo Velho Cabral, 31[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105444169) ### [embassy of Malta in Portugal](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105455479) Lisbon [Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105455479) ### [embassy of Mozambique, Portugal](http://www.embamoc-lisboa.gov.mz/) Lisbon Rua Filipe Folque 10J[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105456487) ### [embassy of Nigeria in Portugal](http://www.nigeriaemblisbon.org/) Lisbon Avenida Dom Vasco da Gama, 3[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105456451) ### [embassy of the Netherlands in Portugal](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q102429586) Lisbon Avenida Infante Santo 43[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q102429586) ### [Embassy of Norway, Lisbon](https://www.norway.no/pt/portugal) Lisbon Avenida Dom Vasco da Gama, 1[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q19383581) ### [embassy of Panama in Portugal](http://www.embaixadadopanama.pt/) Lisbon Rua Pêro de Alenquer, 5[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105459827) ### [embassy of Peru in Portugal](http://www.embaixadaperu.pt/) Lisbon [Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105460744) ### [Embassy of the Philippines in Portugal](https://lisbonpe.dfa.gov.ph/) Lisbon Rua Barata Salgueiro 30[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105428841) ### [embassy of Pakistan in Portugal](http://mofa.gov.pk/lisbon-portugal/) Lisbon Rua António Saldanha, 46[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105451926) ### [Embassy of Poland, Lisbon](http://lizbona.msz.gov.pl/pl/) Lisbon Av das Descobertas 2, 1400-092 Lisboa[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q16528160) ### [diplomatic mission of the State of Palestine in Portugal](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q29448141) Lisbon Rua Pero de Alenquer, 25[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q29448141) ### [embassy of Paraguay in Portugal](http://embaixadadoparaguai.pt/) Lisbon Rua Alexandre Herculano, 17[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105460339) ### [embassy of Qatar in Portugal](https://lisbon.embassy.qa/) Lisbon Avenida do Restelo, 34[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105461235) ### [Embassy of Romania, Lisbon](http://lisabona.mae.ro/) Lisbon Rua de São Caetano 5[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q89189227) ### [embassy of Serbia in Portugal](http://www.lisbon.mfa.gov.rs/) Lisbon Rua de Alcolena, 11[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105463795) ### [Embassy of Russia, Lisbon](https://portugal.mid.ru/) Lisbon Rua Visconde de Santarém, 57[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q4374044) ### [Embassy of Saudi Arabia, Lisbon](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q54857161) Lisbon Avenida do Restelo, 42[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q54857161) ### [Embassy of Sweden, Lisbon](http://www.swedenabroad.com/portugal) Lisbon Rua Miguel Lupi 12[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q18333524) ### [Caniço](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q19934377) Caniço [Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q19934377) ### [Porto](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q12794050) Porto [Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q12794050) ### [embassy of Slovakia in Portugal](https://www.mzv.sk/web/lisabon) Lisbon Avenida da Liberdade, 200[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105428401) ### [embassy of Senegal in Portugal](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105462914) Lisbon [Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105462914) ### [Embassy of São Tomé and Príncipe, Lisbon](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105339594) Lisbon [Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105339594) ### [embassy of Thailand in Portugal](https://lisbon.thaiembassy.org/) Lisbon Rua de Alcolena 12[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105464033) ### [embassy of East Timor in Portugal](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105344740) Lisbon Largo dos Jerónimos, nº 3[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105344740) ### [Embassy of Tunisia, Lisbon](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q68170984) Lisbon Rua Rodrigo Rebelo, 16[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q68170984) ### [Embassy of Turkey in Lisbon](https://lizbon-be.mfa.gov.tr/) Lisbon Avenida das Descobertas, 22[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q57198483) ### [Taipei Economic and Cultural Center, Lisbon](http://web.roc-taiwan.org/pt_pt/index.html) Lisbon [Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q25059458) ### [Embassy of Ukraine, Lisbon](http://portugal.mfa.gov.ua/) Lisbon Avenida das Descobertas, nº18 - Restelo[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q4374070) ### [Embassy of the United States, Lisbon](https://pt.usembassy.gov/) Lisbon Avenida das Forças Armadas 133[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q55610802) ### [Consulate of the United States, Ponta Delgada](https://pt.usembassy.gov/u-s-consulate-ponta-delgada/) Ponta Delgada [Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q136474154) ### [embassy of Uruguay in Portugal](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105464545) Lisbon Rua Marquês de Fronteira, 111[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105464545) ### [Apostolic Nunciature to Portugal](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q620164) Lisbon Avenida Luís Bivar 18, 1069-147 Lisboa[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q620164) ### [embassy of Venezuela in Portugal](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105464880) Lisbon Avenida Duque de Loulé, 47[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105464880) ### [Embassy of Vietnam in Lisbon](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q138023197) Lisbon [Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q138023197) ### [Embassy of Kosovo, Lisbon](https://ambasadat.net/Portugali/) Lisbon Rua Gonçalo Velho Cabral, 33[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105444046) ### [embassy of South Africa in Portugal](https://www.embaixada-africadosul.pt/) Lisbon Avenida Luís Bívar 10[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105363881) ### [Embajada de México en Portugal](https://embamex.sre.gob.mx/portugal) Lisbon [Source](https://portales.sre.gob.mx/directorio/embajadas-de-mexico-en-el-exterior) ## Highlights ### [Laurisilva of Madeira](https://tripguroo.com/en/places/unesco-934/) UNESCO natural World Heritage, inscribed in 1999. ### [Funchal](https://tripguroo.com/en/places/ciudad-funchal/) A market, gardens and historic neighborhoods on the island of Madeira. ## Complete guide · chapter reading [Introduction](https://tripguroo.com/en/guides/madeira/#full-chapter-0) · [Cities](https://tripguroo.com/en/guides/madeira/#full-chapter-1) · [Other destinations](https://tripguroo.com/en/guides/madeira/#full-chapter-2) · [Understand](https://tripguroo.com/en/guides/madeira/#full-chapter-3) · [Get in](https://tripguroo.com/en/guides/madeira/#full-chapter-4) · [Get around](https://tripguroo.com/en/guides/madeira/#full-chapter-5) · [Talk](https://tripguroo.com/en/guides/madeira/#full-chapter-6) · [See](https://tripguroo.com/en/guides/madeira/#full-chapter-7) · [Do](https://tripguroo.com/en/guides/madeira/#full-chapter-8) · [Work](https://tripguroo.com/en/guides/madeira/#full-chapter-9) · [Buy](https://tripguroo.com/en/guides/madeira/#full-chapter-10) · [Eat](https://tripguroo.com/en/guides/madeira/#full-chapter-11) · [Drink](https://tripguroo.com/en/guides/madeira/#full-chapter-12) · [Sleep](https://tripguroo.com/en/guides/madeira/#full-chapter-13) · [Stay safe](https://tripguroo.com/en/guides/madeira/#full-chapter-14) · [Connect](https://tripguroo.com/en/guides/madeira/#full-chapter-15) ## Introduction Madeira is a sub-tropical archipelago in the Atlantic Ocean and is an autonomous region of . The archipelago is made up of two populated islands, Madeira and , and two groups of unpopulated islands called the Desertas and Selvagens Islands. Geographically in , it is an ultra-peripheral region of the . It is perhaps best known as the hometown of the Portuguese football (soccer) player Cristiano Ronaldo. Known worldwide as the Islands of eternal spring, Madeira, "Ilha Jardim" (Garden Island) or "Pearl of the Atlantic", has a mild climate throughout the entire year. Madeira is 500 km from the African coast and 1,000 km from the European continent, a 1½-hr flight from mainland Portugal and about 4 hours from central Europe. ## Cities – Island capital and largest city in Madeira, home to tourist resorts, gorgeous panoramas, and local color. — town, home to one of the only working sugarcane mills / rum distilleries on Madeira. — The "chamber of the sea lions" is a town near Funchal. — second biggest city on Madeira. Includes: — beach village in the northeastern corner of the island Ponta do Sol Porto Moniz — a separate island to the northeast Ribeira Brava — town — city and home of the Madeira airport — town, home to its colorful historic thatched houses São Vicente ## Other destinations Ilhas Selvagens — The "Wild Islands", part of the Madeira autonomous region, make up an archipelago near 's . The islands are a natural reserve populated only by scientists, and normally off limits for visitors. ## Understand The Madeira (, /mɐ.ˈdɐj.ɾɐ/) Islands are just a short trip from Europe (more or less 4 hours from UK), to a destination where you can combine holidays by the sea, in the mountains or in the city. Discovered early in the 15th century by the Portuguese navigators João Gonçalves Zarco, Tristão Vaz Teixeira and Bartolomeu Perestrelo, Madeira was an important waypoint on the , and is today an autonomous region of . Madeira is a popular destination for tourists of all ages. Its constant mild climate – temperatures 20-27 °C – keeps the spring on Madeira all year round. The levadas, an ingenious system of stone- and concrete-lined watercourses distributing water from the rainy north to the dry south, help flowers and crops flourish all year. That's why this island is called the Garden in the Atlantic. The maintenance pathways for these water canals provide wonderful level trails for hiking in the mountains—up to 1861 m—and through the tremendous landscape. Tourist information [Madeira Tourism](http://www.madeiratourism.org/) website ## Get in Madeira has the same immigration laws as the rest of Portugal, and is therefore part of the . By plane Cristiano Ronaldo Madeira International AirportThe following airlines fly regularly to Madeira International Airport: TAP Portugal, Portugália, SATA, British Airways, Norwegian Airlines, Lufthansa, Austrian Airlines, Air France, easyJet, Finnair, First Choice Airways, Thomson, LTU, Condor, SAS, Transavia, My Travel, Wizz air, Binter Canarias and Jet2.com. Directionsabout 30 minutes from , in Santa Cruz municipality Phone+351 291 520 700 Local nameFNC formerly known as Santa Catarina Airport/Funchal Airport [Official website](http://www.ana.pt/en-US/Aeroportos/Madeira/Funchal/Pages/default.aspx) [View location on map](https://www.openstreetmap.org/?mlat=32.694167&mlon=-16.778056#map=16/32.694167/-16.778056) Porto Santo AirportA 15-minute flight from Madeira. Listing reviewed2021-07-10 Local nameAeroporto de Porto Santo, PXO [Official website](https://www.aeroportoportosanto.pt/) [View location on map](https://www.openstreetmap.org/?mlat=33.070833&mlon=-16.349722#map=16/33.070833/-16.349722) If you drive to the airport, ask for directions to the parking area you need; there are seven, and they are badly signposted. Some smaller car rental companies operate from sites near but not at the airport, and provide transport between terminal and depot. By boat There are no ferries from any mainland, the only way to transport cargo is by booking containers. port here. ## Get around By bus Bus timetables are very confusing as they do not include clear route details. Pay special attention to any footnotes for your route listed on the schedule, as holidays or school days can change the presence of the route. Tickets can be bought from the driver, who can provide change. For extra-urban buses, fare varies by distance travelled so tell the driver your destination and he'll give you a transfer if necessary. If you'll be taking the bus often, multi-day bus passes are available from most bus companies, but they are limited to one operator, so only useful if you'll by staying in the same general part of Madeira. There are three bus companies on Madeira. Within the city of Funchal, [Horarios do Funchal](http://www.horariosdofunchal.pt/) (yellow buses) operates lines no 20/21 Funchal - Monte, line no 29 Funchal - Camacha, no 56 Funchal - Santana (via Ribeiro Frio), no 77 Funchal - Santo Antonio da Serra (via Camacha and Sitio Quarto Estradas), no 81 Funchal - Curral de Freiras and no 103 (Funchal - Arco de Sao Jorge (via Faial, Santana and Sao Horge). Connecting the west side of Madeira, [Rodoeste](http://www.rodoeste.pt/) (grey/white with red stripe) operates lines no 3 Funchal - Estreito de Camara de Lobos, no 6 Funchal - Arco de Sao Jorge (via Encumeada), no 7 Funchal - Ribeira Brava, no 80 Funchal - Porto Montiz (via Calheta and Prazeres), no 96 Funchal - Jadrim da Serra (Corticeirias), no 139 Funchal - Porto Moniz, no 142 Funchal - Ponta da Pago (via Prazeres) and no 148 Funchal - Boa Morte. Connecting the east side of Madeira, [S.A.M.](http://www.sam.pt/en/) (green or white buses) operates lines no 23 Funchal - Machico (Espressbus), no 53 Funchal - Faial (via Airport), no 113 Funchal - Canical (via Airport) and no 156 Funchal - Marocos (via Machico, changes bus at Machico). All Rodoeste and S.A.M. buses converge in the center of . By taxi Lots of taxis are available in Madeira offering all sights and locations in a round trip for fixed prices. The ride-hailing app Bolt works in Madeira. By boat There is a car ferry between the main island and the island Porto Santo in the north-east of Madeira, two hours one way, about €25 for an adult per journey: [Ferry Service Funchal-Porto Santo](http://www.portosantoline.pt/) By car Driving in Madeira is not for the faint-hearted. A few main routes marked "Via Expresso" or "Via Rapida" (VE and VR on maps) are well-maintained, reasonably straight and level, thanks to a large number of tunnels, bridges and viaducts. All other roads are narrow and often steep. If a member of your group really enjoys the challenge of driving up ceaseless-seeming hairpin bends up mountains against oncoming traffic and usually with a sheer cliff face on one (or both) sides, then you may wish to consider hiring a car. Otherwise, it is best not to attempt driving on most of the island and instead to use buses and taxis. Of course a holiday based on public transport is less flexible, but for a driver with less than 100% confidence many of the roads are tiring, stressful and even dangerous. No one should feel ashamed relying on the local bus, taxi and tour drivers (who after all are much better used to this kind of road). If you do decide to drive, then renting via the Internet is usually cheaper than walking-in. Free parking space in Funchal is severely limited: those marked with an M are only for residents, so you have to pay for parking garages. By tour Some of the popular hikes, like Pico Ruivo, Levada das 25 Fontes and Levada do Caldeirão Verde are not reachable by public transport, but served by various tour companies, although that often includes a guide for the walk, adding to the cost of transport. Apart from being safer than self-driving, this might still turn out cheaper than car rental, at least for solo travellers. The company [Picotransfers](https://www.picotransfers.com/) offers transport-only tours at about €30 per destination, mostly for the Pico Ruivo hike. This comes with the added benefit of allowing a one-way hike from Pico do Arieiro via Pico Ruivo to Achada do Teixeira, as they can drop you off in one place and pick you up in the other, as opposed to you with your rental car, where you have to walk the same way back to the parking spot. ## Talk English is as common as in , although people will always appreciate it if you try to learn a few words of . Note that the Portuguese spoken in Madeira tends to be heavily accented. ## See Levadas An impressive system of aqueducts built between 1461 and 1966 to bring water from the mountains to farmland. Pico Ruivo and Pico do Arieiro The second and third highest peaks in Portugal. Cabo GirãoOne of the world's highest ocean cliffs, in . São Vicente CavesVolcanic caves (grutas) where you can visit lava tubes. [Official website](http://www.grutasecentrodovulcanismosaovicente.com/) [View location on map](https://www.openstreetmap.org/?mlat=32.7976&mlon=-17.0424#map=16/32.7976/-17.0424) Monte Palace Tropical Garden — Magnificent gardens of the former Monte Palace hotel outside of . Jardim Orquídea Orchid garden. Fireworks on New Year's Eve The biggest fireworks in the world (Guinness world record 2007). Best places to see the fireworks include the tip of the marina of Funchal, on a cruise ship and Pico dos Barcelos (on the side where you can see the Funchal's marina). Miradouro means viewpoint. Splendid views of the island can be seen from various viewpoints, including Pico dos Barcelos, Pico do Arieiro, Pico de Facho Curral das Freiras — An isolated town of 2,000 people surrounded by cliffs and peaks near . Laurisilva of MadeiraA special kind of subtropical forest found only on Madeira, inscribed as a UNESCO. Listing reviewed2021-08-24 Madeira Skywalk - The Skywalk is a 2-minute walk from Village Cabo Girão. ## Do Hiking to Pico Ruivo from Achada do Teixeira (1 hr). You can reach the starting point by car. The old route Pico do Arieiro to Pico Ruivo has been closed for a long time, but you can take a car to Pico do Arieiro and walk 1.2 km to the end of that trail. It still gives you the best views but spares you the toughest part where you would climb Pico Ruivo. Surfing The Atlantic offers waves for moderate to experienced surfers. Jardim do Mar and Paul do Mar are the most popular surfing places. Canyoning in Madeira is great for beginners and pro's alike. Abseiling down high waterfalls and jumping into crystal clear pools of fresh water is something you shouldn't miss. Whale and dolphin watching. Various companies offer daily boat tours starting at €30-40, bookable online or from touts at the harbour, often with guaranteed sighting, meaning a free second trip in the rare event that the first one was unsuccessful. Water activities, including fishing, sailing, snorkelling, scuba diving. Nature activities, including birdwatching and horse riding. ## Work Madeira is popular among digital nomads, especially in cities like Ponta do Sol. ## Buy Madeira wine, of course. Available in many varieties in all supermarkets and specialist shops. ## Eat EspetadaMadeiran barbecue. Listing reviewed2018-02-10 Bolo de melA Christmas cake. Listing reviewed2018-02-10 ## Drink Madeira wine is a fortified wine prized equally for drinking and cooking. There are four major types of Madeira: Malvasia (also known as Malmsey or Malvazia), Bual (or Boal), Verdelho, and Sercial, the latter two being drier. Poncha is the most traditional drink of Madeira. ## Sleep See individual city articles for listings. Those below are mostly outside towns. Estalagem do MarRooms with private bathroom and tub and view of the Atlantic. Indoor and outdoor pool, Jacuzzi and a sauna, lots of parking space. AddressAvenida Marcos Marques Rosa 25, São Vicente Directionsjust outside São Vicente on the north coast Phone+351 291 840 010 Emailestalagem.mar@mail.telepac.pt PriceLow-season €50 [Official website](http://www.estalagemdomar.com/) [View location on map](https://www.openstreetmap.org/?mlat=32.8104&mlon=-17.0455#map=16/32.8104/-17.0455) Casa BasilicoPop-up coliving for digital nomads and remote workers. Minimum one-month stays in a shared house with private or shared rooms, coworking space, and community events centered around local food and culture. Operates seasonal chapters in Madeira (typically summer months), rotating to other destinations throughout the year. AddressPonta do Sol Directionsin Ponta do Sol, a popular digital nomad hub on the south coast Emailhello@casabasilico.com PriceFrom €900/month Local namePop-up coliving [Official website](https://casabasilico.com/) [View location on map](https://www.openstreetmap.org/?mlat=32.6733&mlon=-17.1006#map=16/32.6733/-17.1006) ## Stay safe The emergency service telephone number is 112. Some police in Funchal wear red armbands; this means they speak a language other than Portuguese, mainly English and German. Crime figures for Madeira are very low. ## Connect Internet — In some of the larger towns and cities on Madeira there is public free Wi-Fi Internet access sponsored by the Madeiran government. You'll find a 2-m-tall white and blue board telling you that Wi-Fi is available. There is free access in the airport terminal. Some bars and cafés offer Internet access too. Text by Wikivoyage contributors. Article edition: 2026-09-20T12:08:19Z · [Source and revision](https://en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5367905) · [Authors and history](https://en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?title=Madeira&action=history) · [CC BY-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) ## Local food ### Milho frito Fried cubes of cooked maize. ### Espada com banana Black scabbardfish served with banana. ### Lapas grelhadas Grilled limpets. ### Bolo de mel Dark cake made with sugarcane syrup. ### Carne de vinha d’alhos Pork marinated with wine and garlic. ### Bife de atum Island-style tuna steak. ## Local drinks ### Poncha Sugarcane spirit with citrus and sweetener. Contains alcohol ### Vino de Madeira Fortified wine in different sweetness levels. Contains alcohol ### Brisa de maracuyá Local passion-fruit soft drink. Alcohol-free Plan your itinerary ### Getting around Elevation lengthens journeys: organise each day around one part of the island. ### Plan well Check levada and trail conditions before choosing a walk. ### Connect with the place Seek markets and small taverns to discover seasonal produce. Local reading and routes ### [Funchal](https://tripguroo.com/en/places/ciudad-funchal/) Island capital and largest city in Madeira, home to tourist resorts, gorgeous panoramas, and local color. ### [Calheta](https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Calheta) town, home to one of the only working sugarcane mills / rum distilleries on Madeira. ### [Câmara de Lobos](https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/C%C3%A2mara_de_Lobos) The "chamber of the sea lions" is a town near Funchal. ### [Machico](https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Machico) second biggest city on Madeira. Includes: ### [Porto da Cruz](https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Porto_da_Cruz) beach village in the northeastern corner of the island ### [Ponta do Sol](https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Madeira#Other_destinations) ### [Porto Moniz](https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Madeira#Other_destinations) ### [Porto Santo](https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Porto_Santo) a separate island to the northeast ### [Ribeira Brava](https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Madeira#Other_destinations) town ### [Santa Cruz](https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Santa_Cruz_(Madeira)) city and home of the Madeira airport ### [Santana](https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Santana_(Madeira)) town, home to its colorful historic thatched houses ### [São Vicente](https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Madeira#Other_destinations) ### [Ilhas Selvagens](https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Madeira#Other_destinations) The "Wild Islands", part of the Madeira autonomous region, make up an archipelago near Spain's Canary Islands. The islands are a natural reserve populated only by scientists, and normally off limits for visitors. ### [Pico Ruivo](https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Madeira#See) and Pico do Arieiro The second and third highest peaks in Portugal. ### [Pico do Arieiro](https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Madeira#See) The second and third highest peaks in Portugal. ### [Cabo Girão](https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Madeira#See) One of the world's highest ocean cliffs, in Câmara de Lobos. ### [São Vicente Caves](https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Madeira#See) Volcanic caves (grutas) where you can visit lava tubes. ### [Pico dos Barcelos](https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Madeira#See) Pico do Arieiro, Pico de Facho ### [Pico de Facho](https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Madeira#See) ### [Laurisilva of Madeira](https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Madeira#See) A special kind of subtropical forest found only on Madeira, inscribed as a . ## Sources [Visit Madeira — dishes](https://www.visitmadeira.com/en/what-to-do/food-and-wine-enthusiasts/traditional-madeira-food/typical-dishes/) · [Visit Madeira — drinks](https://visitmadeira.com/en/what-to-do/food-and-wine-enthusiasts/traditional-madeira-food/typical-and-traditional-drinks/)Wikivoyage contributors; selection, abridgement, translation and regional planning by TRIPGUROO · CC BY-SA 4.0 [CC BY-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) · [Wikivoyage · Madeira](https://en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5384944) [Guides by topic](https://tripguroo.com/en/travel/?view=topics)