The most beautiful islands in Europe – Madeira, Portugal

It is called the European Hawaii, or the island of eternal spring. We’re talking about the Portuguese island of Madeira, which is the focus of today’s article, and which is clearly one of the most beautiful islands in Europe and definitely deserves a visit.

Bem-vindo à Madeira

Madeira, an autonomous region of Portugal, is a volcanic archipelago located in the northern Atlantic Ocean. It is located about 860 kilometres southwest of mainland Portugal. It consists of several islands, the largest of which is Madeira, followed by the island of Porto Santo. The archipelago is characterised by steep cliffs rising directly from the ocean, deep valleys and mountainous terrain, with the highest peak, Pico Ruivo, reaching 1 862 metres. Thanks to its subtropical location and the influence of the Gulf Stream, Madeira enjoys a mild climate, which has earned it the nickname ‘Island of Eternal Spring’.

It is this climate that makes Madeira a destination you can visit at almost any time of the year. For us, however, spring and autumn are the most suitable, especially because of the pleasant temperatures for various hikes, but also for swimming in the ocean.

What does Madeira offer?

Madeira is an ideal destination for travellers who don’t just want to lie on the beach or by the pool, but want to really get to know the destination, especially the nature. Madeira is a great combination of cities and rich nature, which is really diverse on this relatively small island. In one day you can hike in the moonscape, enjoy beautiful views, waterfalls and relax on the beach.

It is definitely worth a hike to the easternmost part of the island – Ponta de São Lourenço, where it is also possible to enjoy one of the most beautiful sunrises we have ever seen. You must also visit several levadas, such as Levada dos Balcões or Caldeirão Verde. It’s also great to go to the lesser-known Moinho and Nova levadas, which are connected and where you pass under a small waterfall and through several tunnels.

In the west of the island you must visit the mysterious Fanal forest and the town of Porto Moniz. There you will find iconic natural and artificial pools to cool off in. We also recommend setting aside some time for the next town, and the main one – Funchal. There, in addition to good restaurants, an incredible market and a beautiful promenade along the ocean, you’ll find, for example, the Cristiano Ronaldo Museum or the Monte Palace Madeira Botanical Garden. There are also several companies that sail out of the capital to take you out on the ocean waves and dolphin watching for a reasonable price . Read more about this experience in our previous article.

These and many more tips can be found in our Madeira itinerary for 7 days. Once you unlock it, you’ll get a detailed itinerary for each day, including an interactive map, verified tips on accommodation or local businesses, including car rental. Simply everything you need for a great time in Madeira.

Where to stay in Madeira?

Madeira is not a big island – you can drive from one side to the other in about 2 hours. Therefore, if you choose accommodation, it is not entirely necessary to choose several hotels or apartments to save time during the crossings. For us , it’s perfectly fine to stay in Funchal all the time , for example at the Terrace Mar Hotel in a quieter part of town. Accommodation prices also range from £1,000 per night per person, with ratings above 8 on Booking.com.

However, if you would like to save some time on the crossing to the west of the island, you can stay either in Porto Porto Moniz or in the beautiful Ribeira Ribeira da Janela. However, be aware that facilities in the form of services, restaurants and shops are quite limited.

What to watch out for in Madeira?

As Madeira is part of Portugal, you can travel there within the EU without a visa, for example with an ID card. You can pay in Euros and most local businesses accept card payments. However, we would recommend taking a small amount of Euros with you, or withdrawing it locally from one of the local ATMs. When paying by card, be especially careful to pay in the original currency – it works out better and avoids unnecessary extra charges.

From the end of 2024, Madeira has introduced a registration system for its most famous tours, which you can read more about in our previous article. And if you’re planning to go on one of these hikes, which you definitely should, we recommend packing a headlamp – many of the levadas go through tunnels where you can’t see a step and a headlamp is a bit more convenient than shining your phone.

Also be prepared to be surprised by the weather in Madeira. Due to the climate and the high mountains, you can experience the tropics, fog and rain all in one day. Similar to what we have experienced, especially in the west of the island. We therefore recommend packing a raincoat and especially sturdy hiking boots.

More about Madeira

For more information about Madeira, a list of itineraries and individual places on the island, see the destination details on Retkee. You can also follow more tips on our Instagram.