Madeira
Listed under Islands in Funchal, Portugal.
Spectacular scenery. Dangerous roads if you hire a car (too many tour buses coming the other way and filling the whole road on blind corners). No beaches. (Go to neighbouring Porto Santo for a beach). Plenty of swimming off rocks though. Most hotels in Funchal, which is overdeveloped. A few outlying and more laid back places to stay around the island. Water cold in winter but bearable in summer.
Written by 
Ian Wilson.
Comments, reviews and questions by other travellers
Who's been here
Similar Experiences
Galapagos Islands
The Galapagos Islands are deservedly famous for close encounters with wildlife. Some of the animals here are unique to these is…
Tierra del Fuego
Tierra del Fuego or Isla Grande de Tierra del Fuego, is the largest island in the Tierra del Fuego archipelago. Half of the is…
Bali
Everyone should visit Bali at least once in their lifetime. Words and pictures alone cannot describe this beautiful little isla…
Nearby Experiences
Choupana Hills Resort and Spa
Chic, award-winning spa hotel with jaw-dropping views in the Madeiran mountains Choupana Hills is nothing like it ought to be.…
Sail on the Santa Maria
It's not particularly authentic, but it does sound like fun: a nice jaunt out on a replica of Christopher Columbus' Santa Maria…
Porto Santo Beach
There's not much to do in Porto Santo but revel along the nine kilometres of golden sandy beach met by water clear as crystal. …
Related links
- Funchal travel guide
- Madeira travel guide
- Portugal travel guide
- Portugal travel specialists
- The best Islands
Madeira
Madeira is a classic holiday island. The subtropical weather is nice for most of the year, the mountainous scenery and architecture are striking, there is good biodiversity, it has an interesting cultural and historic background and the locals produce their own signature wine and cake.