Key facts
Madeira at a glance
When to go
When to go to Madeira
Any month, with average temperatures of about 15 °C in winter and 25 °C in summer. From April to October there are more dry days for the mountain trails and the sea is warmer. In winter it rains more in the north and some trails close after storms.
Tips
Worth knowing first
- 1Bring a head torch
Many levadas pass through long, unlit tunnels.
- 2Go up to Areeiro at sunrise
In the morning the clouds are usually below the peaks.
- 3Pack for four seasons
It can be 25 °C on the coast and cold, windy and foggy on the peaks on the same day.
Hire a car and spend the first half of the trip in Funchal and the second on the north coast. That way you walk in the laurisilva without spending two hours a day on the road.
Trails often close because of bad weather or landslides. Always have one or two levadas in reserve.
What is Madeira like?
Madeira is a volcanic island in the middle of the Atlantic, off the coast of Morocco, with mountains that rise almost vertically from the sea. The capital, Funchal, is on the south coast, the sunniest. The north is greener and wetter, and in the high central areas lies the laurisilva forest, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1999: about 15,000 hectares, 20% of the island, of a subtropical forest that all but vanished from the rest of Europe.
The island is explored on foot along the levadas, old water channels that run with a gentle gradient down the hillsides, and along the mountain trails. The highest point is Pico Ruivo, at 1,862 m, and beside it is Pico do Areeiro, at 1,818 m, which you can drive up to watch the sunrise above the clouds. To the north-east, two and a half hours away by boat, is Porto Santo, the neighbouring island, known for its golden sandy beach.
Where should you stay?
- Funchal, if it is your first time and you have no car: it has the best transport and the most restaurants, natural pools and seafront swimming complexes, and organised excursions leave from there for almost the whole island.
- The north coast, Porto Moniz, São Vicente or Santana, if you want to walk in the laurisilva and sleep in a greener, quieter landscape. Porto Moniz has the natural pools among volcanic rocks, refilled by the tides.
- The west coast, Ponta do Sol or Calheta, for more sun and to be close to the levadas of Rabaçal.
How do you get there from Spain?
By air, to Madeira airport, in Santa Cruz, a few kilometres from Funchal. From Lisbon the flight takes about 90 minutes; from the big European cities, three to four hours. From Spain, the usual way is to fly with a stopover in Lisbon or Porto; also check whether there is a direct flight from your city on your dates. A valid ID card or passport is enough.
To get to Porto Santo from Madeira, take the Lobo Marinho ferry run by Porto Santo Line, which takes about two and a half hours, or a flight of about 15 minutes.
How do you get around?
By hire car: it is the most convenient way to reach trailheads, viewpoints and the north coast. The main roads are fast and have many tunnels; the minor ones are narrow and very steep. Without a car, stay in Funchal and combine buses, taxis and organised excursions.
What should you know before walking?
Access to the classified hiking trails costs €4.50 per person for non-residents over 12. Before setting out, check the trail status map on the Visit Madeira website: it shows which trails are open, which have restrictions and which are closed, something that changes after rain and landslides. In November 2026, for example, PR 1, the Vereda do Areeiro between Pico do Areeiro and Pico Ruivo, is listed as closed.
Choose trails to suit your fitness: the levadas are almost flat, but some run along the edge of drops and go through tunnels; the mountain ones have steep climbs and descents on rocky paths.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
How many days do I need?
Five at the very least for Funchal, two or three walks and the north coast. With a week or more you can add Porto Santo.
Do you have to pay to hike?
Yes. The classified trails cost €4.50 per person for non-residents over 12.
Do I need a car?
To move around freely, yes. Without a car, stay in Funchal and use buses, taxis and excursions.
When is the best time to go?
Any month is mild. From April to October there are more dry days for the mountains; in winter it rains more in the north.
Are there beaches?
Few sandy ones on Madeira: you swim in natural pools and seafront swimming complexes. For a long beach, go to Porto Santo.
What festivals are there?
Carnival, the Flower Festival in spring, the Atlantic Festival, the Wine Festival and New Year with fireworks, among others.