Is Madeira Worth Visiting?

Made up of two islands in the Atlantic Ocean, the Portuguese archipelago consists of the main island Madeira, and a smaller island Porto Santo.

It is located a 90-minute flight from Lisbon and is close to Morocco and the canary islands.

Madeira is an extremely welcoming, laid-back, and affordable part of the world and we would strongly recommend it for anyone looking to experience island life, while still being in Europe.

However, if you are planning your next euro trip, you might ask, is Madeira worth visiting?

Madeira is surrounded by nature, perfect for anyone eager to explore forested hiking trails, ride a bicycle, or even go swimming at the beach.

If you are considering visiting Madeira, you are probably wondering what are some things to know before going and questioning if Madeira is worth visiting.

Here are a few things to know before visiting this beautiful Portuguese island.

Are you heading to Madeira soon? Read our guide to learn how to buy a Portugal SIM card.

Reasons To Visit Madeira: The Pros

Madeira is known for its stunning nature, great weather, and beaches. There is a long list of pros of visiting Madeira, and we have listed some of them here to help you decide if it’s the destination for you.

Great Climate

A huge bonus of traveling to Madeira, and something that draws lots of tourists every year, is the amazing climate.

This beautiful archipelago in the Atlantic Ocean experiences great weather all year round, even better than mainland Portugal.

If you choose to visit Madeira during the summer months, you can expect dry and sunny weather without the temperatures being too high.

The average temperature you can expect is around 25 degrees Celsius during the day.

Madeira is also a great option for some winter sun as it is warm and comfortable during the day and never gets too cold. In fact, the daytime temperature rarely dips below 20 degrees Celsius during the winter.

So, on the island of Madeira, you will never be too hot or never be too cold which makes it really appealing as an option for visiting all year round.

Incredible Nature

Perhaps the main reason why so many people visit Madeira is its incredible nature.

In fact, here you can find some of the best and most diverse nature in the entire world making it a hugely popular tourist destination.

If you are a nature lover or an outdoorsy type of person, this is going to be your ideal vacation spot as you have a huge variety of options when it comes to hiking and walking trails.

On the island of Madeira, you will find some of the best hiking you could imagine while enjoying incredible views of the Atlantic Ocean in one direction, and banana and sugarcane farms in the other.

If you are in need of a vacation to completely switch off and unwind, this is the place for you as you will be totally immersed in nature.

Some popular spots to visit on the island include Cabo Girao, the highest cliff in Europe, and Levada forest where you can see 25 waterfalls while walking through the woods.

There are also a couple of golf courses in Madeira to be enjoyed if hiking isn’t your thing.

Not Too Expensive

Another plus of visiting Madeira is the fact that it isn’t too expensive.

You will find cheaper prices here then on mainland Portugal. This makes it an attractive option in comparison to a lot of European destinations.

Of course, you may have to pay a little extra to fly there, but once you arrive, your costs will be lower than in more sunny spots in Europe.

You can expect to pay less for accommodation while in Madeira which is a bonus.

It is also relatively cheap to go out for dinner and drinks. You will pay less than other Portuguese cities and towns while you’re in Madeira. 

This makes Madeira a very attractive option, especially if you are traveling on a budget. That said, if you are looking for luxury, you will definitely find it here too with many expensive resorts dotted around Madeira.

Incredible Beaches

A huge plus of visiting Madeira is the fact that you will be surrounded by incredible beaches.

Across the island, you will find a variety of different beaches, some pebble beaches, and some volcanic sand.

These may not be sandy beaches, but they are still beautiful and have perfect conditions for swimming and a day of chilling.

To experience the very best beach that Madeira has to offer, you can take a short trip to Porto Santo island in the Archipelago of Madeira. Here you will find Porto Santo beach.

This is nicknamed the golden beach because it has the most incredible golden sandy beach stretching along the coast.

It is definitely worth a visit here as it is truly stunning and unlike any other beach, you will have seen before.

There is also a huge variety of water sports on offer from the beaches across the island such as snorkeling, diving, and kayaking.

Or if you prefer to relax, you can join one of the many cruises and boat tours around the island for a chilled day out at sea.

Reasons To Visit Madeira: The Cons

Although the pros may seem to outweigh the cons, there are a couple of things to know when traveling to Madeira, as these particular cons may influence your Madeiran travel plans.

Remote Location

The main drawback of visiting Madeira is of course its remote location.

Unlike many other European holiday destinations, It is not reachable in any way other than a flight, so it can be kind of expensive to get there.

Since it is a bit remote, if there is something you urgently need that you can’t get on the island, it is not going to be very easy to get it.

For the most part, you will have access to everything you need. However, in terms of getting things delivered, you will probably have longer wait times than if you were in the mainland of Portugal.

Limited Food Options

A con of visiting Madeira is the lack of food options on the island. If you are vegetarian, vegan, or have special dietary requirements, you may find it difficult to find the meals you are looking for.

The island has a heavy Portuguese influence with meat skewers being a local favorite for meals.

Vegetarian and vegan options are becoming more widespread, but not every restaurant or cafe will have an option for vegetarians. 

The Final Verdict: So Is Madeira Worth Visiting?

So is Madeira nice, and is Madeira worth visiting? Absolutely!

Madeira is not on many travelers’ radars. However, it definitely should be. It is an island filled with waterfalls, hiking trails, beaches, and not to mention incredible views of the Atlantic Ocean.

Imagine waking up and taking a short hike through the jungle and forests to take in some stunning ocean views before hopping on a boat to enjoy the golden beach for the afternoon.

Doesn’t that sound just perfect?

From golf courses and boat trips, there are plenty of things to see and do in Madeira.

So is Madeira worth visiting? Yes indeed.

It is the perfect spot for a week-long vacation to relax, explore and enjoy everything that Madeira—has to offer—all within a decent budget.

If you’re visiting Madeira soon, check out our guide to buying a Madeira SIM card before you travel.

Visiting Portugal soon? Read one of the following blog posts:

• Best beaches in Madeira
• Best beach towns in Algarve
• Is Faro worth visiting