Madeira – Tot Ce trebuie sa stii inainte sa vizitezi Madeira, insula eternei primaveri

Are you planning a vacation on the beautiful island of Madeira? Then don't worry, you've come to the right place!

Further you will find the list of the most important things you need to know about Madeira, such as information about prices, transport, accommodation or temperature.

And if we have piqued your interest, I invite you to find out what our experience was like in Madeira, in an extraordinary adventure of 7 days: 7 days in Madeira - The perfect itinerary for your first vacation in Madeira.

What you need to know about Madeira

1. About Madeira

Madeira is an archipelago of islands in the Atlantic Ocean, located approximately 600 km from the African coast and 850 km from Lisbon, consisting of the islands of Madeira, Porto Santo and three other uninhabited islands.

Madeira belongs to Portugal, but at the same time it is an autonomous region, with the capital at Funchal. The island has an area of 741 km², with a population of approximately 250,000 inhabitants, with a predominantly mountainous relief and a subtropical climate.

The official currency is the euro, and the spoken language is Portuguese.

2. When to go to Madeira

In Madeira you can travel at any time of the year, and I guarantee that you will have an unforgettable experience. And this is due to the mild climate and average temperatures between 22 °C in summer and 16 °C in winter.

Personally, we recommend the island in the cold months. We went in December and it was wonderful! The temperatures were between 15-20 degrees, perfect to escape the cold winter from the continental Europe.

In summer, temperatures can reach 25-30 °C, and the advantage is that the ocean water is warm and ideal for swimming. Instead, it is in full season, which means that it is also the busiest time of the year.

3. How is the weather in Madeira

The temperatures in Madeira are good, in general, with average values of 15-20 °C in winter, respectively 25-30 °C in summer.

But you must know that the weather is very changeable. It rains often, but the rain does not last long, and it is the main reason why the island is so green and blooming, even in winter.

On the entire surface of the island you will encounter, at the same time of the day, different weather phenomena: In Funchal it can be sunny, in the Fanal forest there can be rain, and on the peak of Pico do Ariero there can be fog. And in half an hour, everything can change.

To see what the weather is like in a specific place on the island, always check the live webcams (example: https://www.madeira-web.com/de/webcams.html)!

4. How to get to Madeira

If you don't intend to spend whole days on a ferry across the Atlantic to get to Madeira, then you should know that the island also has an airport.

5. How to get around in Madeira

With a rented car in Madeira

Madeira is the place where a car is more than convenient. To discover all the hidden places of the island, to cross it from east to west and from north to south and for maximum flexibility, then I recommend you to rent a car for the entire duration of your stay.

It is not at all expensive to rent a car in Madeira, let's say an approximate price of 50 euros/day. But there are many local companies, where you can rent without advance, deposit, credit card, with free cancellation and full insurance. Search on rentalcars.com or Google for the perfect option for you!

Madeira is a mountainous island, there are many steep hills. If you are not a very experienced driver, I recommend a car with an automatic transmission from the start!

By taxi / Bolt in Madeira

If you decide not to rent a car, don't panic! There are also solutions for tourists without a car: buses, taxis, but most importantly, organized tours.

And the good news is that here you also have the option of ride sharing services - Bolt is also valid in Madeira!

By bus in Madeira

Madeira has a network of public transport throughout the island. If you are interested in this option, here is a link that will give you more details about public transport in Madeira: https://www.flatio.com/blog/moving-around-madeira-island-by-bus-everything-you-should-know.

With organized tours / day trips in Madeira

Even if a rented car offers you a certain flexibility, day trips can also offer a good option to discover Madeira in its entirety.

Below I leave you a list of organized tours with which you can reach all the important places of the island:

Madeira: Best of the East Tour from Funchal

From Funchal: Best of Madeira’s West Tour

Funchal: Porto Moniz, Fanal Forest and Cabo Girao Jeep Tour

Madeira: Full-Day Jeep Tour with Guide and Pickup

Madeira: Pico Arieiro to Pico Ruivo Hike

6. Where to stay in Madeira

The accommodation location chosen by most tourists traveling to Madeira is in the area of Funchal. Poti alege capitala insulei ca si punct de plecare spre majoritatea locurilor de interes din Madeira. Avantajul este ca de aici poti ajunge rapid cu masina spre orice punct al insulei, iar daca nu ai masina, poti lua tururi ghidate sau autobuze direct din Funchal. Pe langa asta, in Funchal ai o varietate mare de restaurante si magazine,

Accommodation in Funchal

Below you will find a list of accommodations in Funchal, all rated above 9:

Belvedere Boutique – Adults only - is our number 1 recommendation, the accommodation that we had and fell in love with! The rooms start from 79 euros/night, but must be booked in advance! And if you have the chance, book the apartment with the terrace, it's absolutely incredible! I leave you some pictures below! We paid 90 euros/night for the biggest apartment in the building.

São Francisco Accommodation - from 100 euros/night
Solar do Ribeiro - from 110 euros/night
Palmar Rooms - from 80 euros/night
Central – São Pedro Boutique - from 75 euros/night

I will also leave here the famous hotel of Cristiano Ronaldo, for the football fans who want to see what it is like to sleep in the hotel of the famous footballer. Do you know that Ronaldo is originally from Madeira? And that, next to the hotel, there is also a museum of its own?

Pestana CR7 Funchal **** - from 180 euros/night

Of course, if you want to share your stay in several locations, you can also choose to stay in the mountain area, next to Santana, the town with the famous traditional houses, or in Porto Moniz, where you can find the natural pools.

Accommodation in Santana

Casa do Ribeiro Frio - from 70 euros/night
Solar Arco de São Jorge - from 80 euros/night
Ilha Natura - from 85 euros/night
Casa do Manuel - from 95 euros/night
Hotel Quinta Do Furao **** - from 180 euros/night

Accommodation in Porto Moniz

Aqua Natura Bay **** – from 150 euros/night
Aqua Natura Madeira **** – from 150 euros/night
CASA CAROTO – from 90 euros/night

Accommodation in Sao Vicente

Casa Da Piedade - from 130 euros/night
Quinta Vale Vitis - from 100 euros/night

7. What to eat in Madeira

Madeira has a diverse cuisine, influenced by Portuguese gastronomy, and very rich in fish. Besides that, Madeira is also famous for the tropical fruits found here, such as papaya, mango or passion fruit.

And of course, pasteis de nata, the famous Portuguese dessert, could not be missing!

Below is a list of the most famous and popular restaurants in Madeira, according to TripAdvisor.com, which no gourmet is allowed to miss:

Restaurante Alta Vista – Funchal
Restaurant & Grill Muralha – Ribeira Brava
Restaurant Vila do Peixe – Michelin restaurant – Camara De Lobos
La Vaca Negra – Funchal

8. Madeira, the island of hiking

I don't know if you expected this, but Madeira is the island of hiking! It is the island suitable for active people, who want to lose themselves in nature, to explore surreal places and unique landscapes! Here you will discover your passion for hiking, even if, until that moment, you were not a fan of such an activity.

And believe me when I say this, because this was my case too! Until I came to Madeira, you could hardly take me out on a mountain trail...

But Madeira changed everything! Not a day went by without a hike of several hours, and not because I had to mark them as tourist attractions, but because the experience was so wonderful and the trails so beautifully laid out, that it was a real pleasure to go hiking.

And the feeling you get when you reach the top of Pico Ruivo, at sunset, with that gorgeous panorama, is unique!

There are different types of hikes you can do here, and I will list some common terms:

Pico

Pico means peak, and Madeira is known for its two peaks: Pico do Ariero (1818) and Pico Ruivo (1862).

Vereda

Vereda refers to mountain paths or hiking trails

PR routes

PR comes from "pequena rutas", or short routes, and are those official routes, well marked, arranged and maintained
The routes are numbered PR1, PR2, etc. For example, PR1 is the route that connects Pico do Arieiro with Pico Ruivo, PR 8 is the route that leads to the easternmost point of the island, etc. You can find all the routes on the official site.

Levada

In Madeira, the levada is an irrigation canal built to transport water from the mountainous areas, and dates back to the 15th century.
Today, the levadas also have a tourist purpose, they have been transformed into hiking trails, which tourists follow to explore the spectacular landscapes of the island.
Examples of levada: Levada dos Balcoes, 25 Fontes Levada, etc.

9. What to do and what to visit in Madeira

The island of Madeira has a lot to offer. From hiking, black sand beaches, charming towns, natural pools and spectacular viewpoints, Madeira has a lot of beautiful places waiting to be discovered. I invite you to read the following article, where you will find details about all these places: What to do in Madeira - TOP 20 most beautiful places to visit.

a. Hikes

Pico do Arieiro, Pico Ruivo - Read here more about the number 1 attraction in Madeira: Pico do Arieiro and Pico Ruivo - The complete guide
Levada: 25 Fontes Levada, Levada Nova / Levada do Moinho, Levada dos Balcões, Caldeirão Verde Levada
Hiking trails / Routes: PR 1 Vereda do Areeiro, PR 1.2 Vereda do Pico Ruivo, PR 8 Vereda da Ponta de São Lourenço

b. Beaches: Praia da Calheta, Praia de Machico / de S. Roque, Praia do Porto do Seixal

c. Cities: Funchal, Ponta do Sol

d. Others: natural pool, Fanal forest, viewpoints

10. What are the prices in Madeira

Although it is an (almost) isolated island in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, Madeira is not expensive at all. Similar in price to the rest of continental Portugal.

Accommodation prices start at 70 euros (we paid 90 euros/night here), we rented a car for 50 euros/day, without a deposit and with full insurance, and we didn't notice any big differences in gas compared to Romania.

Food prices seemed identical to those found in Portugal, a meal in the city costs about 25-30 euros/person.

And the good part is that it doesn't cost you anything to do activities on the island! All the hiking trails and panoramas are for free!

11. Cristiano Ronaldo and Madeira

Did you know that the famous Portuguese football player Cristiano Ronaldo was born and raised in Madeira?

Well, the athlete's name is closely related to Madeira and it is a matter of great pride for the inhabitants of this small island - for example, the airport in Madeira was named after Cristiano Ronaldo, and at the entrance to the airport there is also his statue.

The CR7 museum was also opened in his name, where data and information about Cristiano Ronaldo's entire football career are presented, including the entire collection of trophies won by him. An entrance ticket to the museum costs 5 euros.

Next to the museum, there is also the famous hotel of Cristiano Ronaldo: Pestana CR7 Funchal ****, where a night's accommodation starts from 180 euros/night.

12. Don't miss the sunrise on Pico do Arieiro and the sunset on Pico Ruivo

In Madeira we saw some of the most beautiful sunsets and sunrises! Have you ever woken up every morning with pleasure, just to be able to admire the sunrise? We did, in Madeira! There wasn't a day when we didn't wake up especially to enjoy those gorgeous sunrises! And the sunsets are not to be missed either!

But, for the full experience, don't miss a sunset or sunrise on one of the peaks on the island, Pico do Arieiro or Pico Ruivo. Plan ahead, check the live cam, and climb to the top! I guarantee you that this is one of the most pleasant and wonderful activities you can do on the island!

13. Enjoy the colors of the island of Madeira, the island of flowers

Last but not least, fully enjoy what the island has to offer: the scent of flowers, colors, greenery, landscapes, mountains and sea! Madeira fully deserves its name of the island of eternal spring! It is a small paradise, always blooming and green, with truly beautiful places! Let yourself be enveloped by the beauty of this very special island!