MADEIRA TOURISM
FUNCHAL
The archipelago’s capital is located on the south coast of the island of Madeira, on a beautiful bay bathed by the warm waters of the Atlantic Ocean, surrounded by high, verdant mountains and deep valleys. Come and discover what to see and where to go in Funchal and make the most of everything Madeira has to offer.
CANIÇO
The borough of Caniço is a major tourist hotspot, lying 10Km from Madeira’s capital. Its town has its own life as a small city and the area overlooking the sea, at Caniço de Baixo, is a true holiday resort.
EAST COAST
The east coast of Madeira is characterised by distinct landscapes in its different areas. Here you can find scenery ranging from the secluded aridity of Ponta de São Lourenço, in Caniçal, to the green lofty peaks of Machico and Santo da Serra.
Visit also: Machico Bay and Ponta de São Lourenço
Visit also: Machico Bay and Ponta de São Lourenço
WEST COAST
The west coast is the island’s most sunny area.
Bathed by clear and warm sea waters, most of its different neighbourhoods have attractive seaside areas which tempt you to take a dive into the ocean. Sporty types can find Europe’s best surfing waves on the beaches of Jardim and Paul do Mar.
Visit also: Ponta do Sol and Câmara de Lobos
Bathed by clear and warm sea waters, most of its different neighbourhoods have attractive seaside areas which tempt you to take a dive into the ocean. Sporty types can find Europe’s best surfing waves on the beaches of Jardim and Paul do Mar.
Visit also: Ponta do Sol and Câmara de Lobos
NORTH COAST
The main feature of Madeira’s north coast is nature in its pure state. This is where you can find the high mountains and deep valleys bursting with many species of flora and fauna abundant in the Laurissilva Forest, an ancient forest, granted Natural World Heritage status. You can go for walks, look at the vertiginous landscapes facing the sea, or enjoy the cooling natural pools, as you discover the different areas of the north coast.
Visit also: São Vicente
Visit also: São Vicente
PORTO SANTO
Just a short distance away from Madeira stands one of the world’s most beautiful and paradisiacal islands: Porto Santo! This island is very distinct from Madeira, and its highlight is a 9 km long beach, bathed by a deliciously clam, clear and profoundly blue sea. Due to its arid landscape, glowing with warm yellow and brown hues, it is also knows as the Golden Isla {lha Dourada}.
How to get here
MADEIRA (FNC)
Connected to 45 airports and with a capacity to receive 3,500,000 passengers, Madeira Airport is now a modern, safe and functional infrastructure, prepared and ready to offer travellers a great service.
Search for the best connections and special offers from different airlines, such as TAP Portugal, British Airways, Lufthansa, Austrian Airlines, Air France, TUI UK, LTU, Condor, Niki, SAS, Sterling, Transavia, My Travel, Binter, easyJet .
Check here for the different options for flights into Funchal (FNC).
Search for the best connections and special offers from different airlines, such as TAP Portugal, British Airways, Lufthansa, Austrian Airlines, Air France, TUI UK, LTU, Condor, Niki, SAS, Sterling, Transavia, My Travel, Binter, easyJet .
Check here for the different options for flights into Funchal (FNC).
ANA, PORTUGAL AIRPORTS
The Hotel has up-to-date information on flights arriving at and departing from Funchal, and is able to help guests transfer more smoothly. Ask at reception or request more information.
RENT-A-CAR
If you don’t want to be dependent upon timetables, the island has a broad range of chauffeurless car hire companies.
PUBLIC TRANSPORT
If you’d rather use public transport, there are several bus and coach companies which can take you to the main tourist hotspots more cheaply.
All these companies have their terminals in Funchal and are therefore easily accessible.
All these companies have their terminals in Funchal and are therefore easily accessible.
Taxi
Taxis are available at both airports on Madeira and Porto Santo, at all the main hotels and throughout various different streets and squares. Ask for information about fares before taking a taxi.
BOAT
At Funchal’s marina, you can find various different recreational vessels which take different tourist routes along the coast. To travel to the neighbouring island of Porto Santo, you can use the Lobo Marinho ferry-boat, which makes daily trips (except on Tuesdays from October to June).
PREPARE YOUR TRIP
TRAVEL TO MADEIRA
Before planning your trip, find out how to get to the Archipelago of Madeira, which legal documents you need, the customs formalities you will need to be aware of and the health precautions you will need to take.
BY AIR
You can reach the islands of Madeira and Porto Santo by air.
Daily flights between Lisbon and Funchal last 1H25m.
Daily connections between the islands take around 15 minutes.
There are two airports on the archipelago: Madeira International Airport and Porto Santo Airport.
Daily flights between Lisbon and Funchal last 1H25m.
Daily connections between the islands take around 15 minutes.
There are two airports on the archipelago: Madeira International Airport and Porto Santo Airport.
BY SEA
Frequently visited by cruise ships, the ports of Funchal and Porto Santo serve as a point of arrival to the islands and a point of departure to other destinations.
Daily connections between Madeira and Porto Santo take around 2H30, from the Port of Funchal, on the "Lobo Marinho" ferry run by the Porto Santo Line, which also carries vehicles.
Travel on the islands is fairly easy, due to the existing modern road network which makes virtually all the places of interest accessible.
Daily connections between Madeira and Porto Santo take around 2H30, from the Port of Funchal, on the "Lobo Marinho" ferry run by the Porto Santo Line, which also carries vehicles.
Travel on the islands is fairly easy, due to the existing modern road network which makes virtually all the places of interest accessible.
LEGAL DOCUMENTS
If you are from the European Union, you can enter freely as you are covered by the Schengen Agreement. If you are not part of this agreement, you will need an identification document which, in accordance with Portuguese regulations, must be a valid passport and, in some cases, a visa.
CUSTOMS FORMALITIES
There are no restrictions on taking items. If you are carrying a quantity which appears excessive to the customs officials, you may be required to prove that the items transported are for personal consumption.
VACCINATION AND HEALTH
You don’t need to have any vaccinations before travelling to the Archipelago:
Hospital treatment: Show your E111, European Health Insurance Card or Temporary Replacement Certificate to the hospital authorities and ask to be treated under EU arrangements. Basic hospital treatment is free but you will have to pay for secondary examinations, such as X-rays, and laboratory tests.
Hospital treatment: Show your E111, European Health Insurance Card or Temporary Replacement Certificate to the hospital authorities and ask to be treated under EU arrangements. Basic hospital treatment is free but you will have to pay for secondary examinations, such as X-rays, and laboratory tests.
What to do
We have selected some activities and attractions which will enhance your stay on the Island. Madeira has a broad range of options which are available throughout most of the year. See the other points of interest here!
THEME PARK
Madeira’s Theme Park is located in the city of Santana, and is unique in Portugal. It is a fantastic area of Exhibitions showing the history, science and tradition of the Archipelago of Madeira. The enclosure, with an area of 145,000 square metres, is a must-see.
BOTANICAL GARDEN
The Madeira Botanical Garden is a national treasure, and certainly one of the island’s most well-known tourist attractions.
Now you can enjoy the fascinating gardens and experience an unforgettable ride in the Botanical Garden Cable Car up to the historical village of Monte, with its beautiful church, gardens and basket car toboggans.
Now you can enjoy the fascinating gardens and experience an unforgettable ride in the Botanical Garden Cable Car up to the historical village of Monte, with its beautiful church, gardens and basket car toboggans.
FUNCHAL CABLE CAR
The Cable Car was designed for passengers to enjoy various different aspects, including the beauty of the development, the trip through the air and its views, the visit to the gardens and points of interest in Monte and also the natural beauty of Babosas and of the João Gomes river valley.
After discovering this small and beautiful "Sintra" on Madeira, take an unforgettable ride back down to the capital on a wicker basket car toboggan with two “drivers”.
Contacts: E-mail: info@madeiracablecar.com |
After discovering this small and beautiful "Sintra" on Madeira, take an unforgettable ride back down to the capital on a wicker basket car toboggan with two “drivers”.
Contacts: E-mail: info@madeiracablecar.com |
MADEIRA NATURE PARK
The Madeira Nature Park was formed in 1982, aimed at preserving a rare example of a vast natural heritage. The park was classified as a Biogenetic Reserve, home to unique flora and fauna.
GOLF ON MADEIRA
The amenable climate on both the islands which is ideal for playing golf all year round, and the exceptionally beautiful scenery, enabled the construction of two golf courses on Madeira and one on Porto Santo. Since 1993, at the start of spring, the Archipelago has hosted the Madeira Open which forms an integral part of the PGA European Tour.
PALHEIRO GOLF
This golf course is located on the island of Madeira, around 10 km to the east of Funchal. With its extraordinary views over the city and bay, the golf course stands on an estate that is over 200 years old - Quinta do Palheiro. This 18-hole par 72 course was designed by Cabell Robinson and opened in 1993.
More information: www.palheirogolf.com
More information: www.palheirogolf.com
SANTO DA SERRA GOLF CLUB
The course was built in 1937. The famous architect Robert Trent Jones Sr. redesigned the golf course in 1991, and now has 27 holes, in 3 18-hole combinations.
The temperate climate all year round makes Santo da Serra an exceptional place where you can play golf at any time throughout the year.
More information: www.santodaserragolf.com
The temperate climate all year round makes Santo da Serra an exceptional place where you can play golf at any time throughout the year.
More information: www.santodaserragolf.com
Annual Events
For further information please visit Madeira Island´s Tourism website at: www.visitmadeira.pt/en-gb/
MADEIRA WALKING FESTIVAL
If you enjoy walking, come to Madeira in January and take part in a festival where you can discover some breathtaking landscapes. This event takes place over five consecutive days, through the levadas and veredas on the islands of Madeira and Porto Santo, and is an organised programme of walks in a group, accompanied by specialist guides.
20 walking circuits have been selected, all classified and recommended by the Regional Government of Madeira. Participants can choose between four walks a day of varying difficulty and duration.
20 walking circuits have been selected, all classified and recommended by the Regional Government of Madeira. Participants can choose between four walks a day of varying difficulty and duration.
CARNIVAL FESTIVALS ON MADEIRA
Madeira’s Carnival festivals are some of the liveliest regional festivals around.
Dawn breaks in Funchal on Friday to the sound of philharmonic bands and carnival marching music to put everyone in the whole downtown area in a good mood, followed at night by shows in the Municipal Square for five consecutive days.
Saturday night is time for the long allegorical procession. After following a route through the city, participants gather at the Municipal Square, where everyone can dance in a magical atmosphere of sounds and costumes.
Shrove Tuesday is when Funchal explodes into a feeling of fun. In the afternoon, irreverent revellers parade before the crowd in this atmosphere of caricature – it is the fun parade, "o cortejo trapalhão".
Throughout these days, the streets of Funchal are decorated with glowing motifs and filled with Carnival music. Let yourself get caught up in the revelry!
Dawn breaks in Funchal on Friday to the sound of philharmonic bands and carnival marching music to put everyone in the whole downtown area in a good mood, followed at night by shows in the Municipal Square for five consecutive days.
Saturday night is time for the long allegorical procession. After following a route through the city, participants gather at the Municipal Square, where everyone can dance in a magical atmosphere of sounds and costumes.
Shrove Tuesday is when Funchal explodes into a feeling of fun. In the afternoon, irreverent revellers parade before the crowd in this atmosphere of caricature – it is the fun parade, "o cortejo trapalhão".
Throughout these days, the streets of Funchal are decorated with glowing motifs and filled with Carnival music. Let yourself get caught up in the revelry!
FLOWER FESTIVAL
Madeira’s flowers are celebrated every year.
During the Flower Festival, the main streets of Funchal are taken over by a parade of allegorical floats displaying many, many species of flower, filling the air with their subtle scents.
Thousands of children gather in the Municipal Square on the eve of the flower parade, where they each lay a flower to build the ‘Wall of Hope’.
Various other initiatives take place in tandem with these events, such as the laying down of a carpet of flowers, the Flower Exhibition in Largo da Restauração, performances by folk groups, classical music concerts and various different variety shows.
The Hotel Melia Madeira Mare has a schedule designed specifically so you can enjoy the festivities.
Book Now!
During the Flower Festival, the main streets of Funchal are taken over by a parade of allegorical floats displaying many, many species of flower, filling the air with their subtle scents.
Thousands of children gather in the Municipal Square on the eve of the flower parade, where they each lay a flower to build the ‘Wall of Hope’.
Various other initiatives take place in tandem with these events, such as the laying down of a carpet of flowers, the Flower Exhibition in Largo da Restauração, performances by folk groups, classical music concerts and various different variety shows.
The Hotel Melia Madeira Mare has a schedule designed specifically so you can enjoy the festivities.
Book Now!
MADEIRA WINE RALLY
The Madeira Wine Rally is one of the most important of the European Championship and the largest motor car event held in the Region, attracting big names in the motoring world.
Thousands line the mountain roads in search of the best spots from which to watch the race.
For two days, the drivers will cover various different points on the island and entertain the thousands of spectators who come out to watch the speed and skill of the competitors.
More information at: http://www.ralivm.com
Thousands line the mountain roads in search of the best spots from which to watch the race.
For two days, the drivers will cover various different points on the island and entertain the thousands of spectators who come out to watch the speed and skill of the competitors.
More information at: http://www.ralivm.com
NEW YEAR’S EVE ON MADEIRA
At the stroke of midnight on 31st December, the skies light up with fire, colour and hope at the coming year which couldn’t get off to a better start.
Guinness World RecordsTM, which certifies records set at world level, called Madeira’s New Year’s Eve pyrotechnical show "the world’s largest fireworks display”. An ellipse of fireworks 6 km long and 2.7 km wide surrounding the city of Funchal got itself into the record book.
Hotel Melia Madeira Mare has a schedule designed especially so you can enjoy a fantastic New Year’s Eve on Madeira.
Guinness World RecordsTM, which certifies records set at world level, called Madeira’s New Year’s Eve pyrotechnical show "the world’s largest fireworks display”. An ellipse of fireworks 6 km long and 2.7 km wide surrounding the city of Funchal got itself into the record book.
Hotel Melia Madeira Mare has a schedule designed especially so you can enjoy a fantastic New Year’s Eve on Madeira.