Why go to Madeira? The 10 good reasons to go Madeira
The charm of its capital
Funchal is an open-air museum where life is good!
A lush vegetation
A blend of tropical gardens, banana plantations and eucalyptus forests.
The intoxication of nature
Cliffs that plunge into the sea, stairs that climb into the sky...
A walker's paradise
Countless hiking trails wind through the countryside.
A climate blessed by the gods
The climate is mild all year round, so spring seems to be eternal!
The call of the open sea
Natural pools and wild creeks to enjoy the Atlantic sea spray.
The beauty of flowers
The island's flower-filled landscapes offer a true visual and olfactory experience.
An exotic cuisine
Delights from the sea, local produce and exotic flavours give your taste buds a change of scenery.
Ancestral traditions
From Madeira wine to embroidery, basketry or rum.
Activities galore
For the indefatigable, hiking, surfing, canyoning, sea trips, diving or birdwatching.
What to visit Madeira?
Interview: My Madeira
with Anne-Sophie Lamotte, author
Anne-Sophie Lamotte has been scouring the four corners of the planet for many years to find travel nuggets and share her favourites. In 2015, she fell in love with Madeira and made it one of her favourite destinations. A tireless walker, art historian, curious about nature and gourmet for pleasure, she walks tirelessly, her notebook under her arm
See the video of the interviewGood to know to visit Madeira
Timetable
Museums and other visitor attractions are generally open all week, with a closing day on Monday or Sunday. Some establishments close at weekends. They are open all year round, with extended opening hours in high season. However, almost all are closed on December 25 and January1. Ticket offices may close one hour before the official closing time.
To be booked
Reservations are rarely necessary, except for guided tours, workshops and special activities.
Budget & Tips
Entrance fees for museums generally range from €2 to €6. Some activities, such as the cable car or the Monte Tropical Garden, are a little more expensive. There is a reduced-rate ticket that combines entrance to the botanical garden with that of the cable car. Rates go up for water excursions (starting at around €35 per person).
Main events
The highlight of the annual festivities is undoubtedly Christmas. The capital (and the whole island) is transformed into a city of light. Nativity scenes(lapinhas) are set up everywhere, in churches, hotels, homes... Then comes Carnival, in February-March, followed by the famous Flower Festival in April-May, the archipelago's biggest festivity celebrating the arrival of spring. The whole island (and many visitors) flock to see this beautiful spectacle. At the end of August and the beginning of September, it's time for the Wine Festival and Harvest. Another opportunity to celebrate!
Guided tours
There are many possibilities for guided tours in this archipelago, where tourism has developed considerably. In addition to the traditional tourist buses that take you around the city (two companies share the market) and get you on or off at the desired stops, you can tour the capital by tuk-tuk (with Tukxi Madeira and Tuk Madeira City Tours), and even by sidecar (with Madeira Sidecar Tours). The Madeira Friendly Guide association also offers all kinds of tours, from guided city tours to hikes along the levadas, sea outings and mountain bike safaris. Students from the University of Madeira (under the name "Madeiran Heritage") offer guided tours of the historic center. Finally, the Discovering Madeira agency, specialized in wine tourism, offers a day's vineyard tour with wine tasting from €185.
