Madeira Travel Guide

Madeira is a volcanic island in the Atlantic, about 1,000 km south-west of Lisbon, known for levada walks, dramatic mountains and mild weather all year. This guide brings together everything you need to plan your trip, from when to go and how to get around to the hikes, tours and experiences worth your time.

Madeira is only about 57 km long, yet it rises to 1,862 metres at Pico Ruivo, with sea cliffs, terraced valleys and laurel forest that is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. More than 2,000 km of levadas, the old irrigation channels, cross the island, and the paths beside them are the island's best-known walking trails. The climate is mild: in Funchal, average highs are around 20°C (68°F) in winter and 26 to 27°C (79 to 81°F) in late summer.

Start in Funchal, the capital, with its old town, market and cable car up to Monte. Then watch the sunrise from Pico do Arieiro, swim in the natural lava pools of Porto Moniz, look for whales and dolphins offshore, or take the ferry to Porto Santo for a long sandy beach. Adventure lovers will find canyoning, paragliding and mountain biking, and those who prefer to slow down will find spas, ocean-view dining and quiet villages.

Use the guides below to choose the best time to visit, plan how to get there and around, and find the experiences that suit you. When you are ready, our Madeira vacation packages combine flights, hotels, car hire and tours, and our travel advisors can build a trip around you.