Trips to Madeira | May.

You can start preparing your trip to Madeira today. We've got all the information you'll need to make your trip to this Portuguese island simply perfect.

 

WHEN TO VISIT MADEIRA

Madeira's mild and subtropical climate means that you can enjoy fascinating getaways at any time of the year. Average annual temperatures that range between 18°C and 24°C, clear blue skies and low rainfall mean that Madeira is always verdant, lush, and covered in abundant flora.

Spring and autumn are great times to discover this stunning island and its privileged natural environment dotted with characterful attractions. If you'd prefer to bask in the sun on its magnificent lidos, the best time to visit the island is in summer.

 

VISITING MADEIRA AT A GREAT PRICE

If you're looking to discover Madeira at a great price, it's best to go in autumn and winter. Prices tend to rise on specific dates such as Christmas, Easter and in high season, which usually coincides with the summer months.

 

TIME ZONE

The Portuguese time zone is Greenwich Mean Time (GMT). This means that Madeira has the same time zone as the UK.

 

ELECTRICITY

Madeira operates on 220-volt electricity. Plugs are the same as in Europe.

 

To enter Madeira, a region belonging to the European Union (EU), you only need to show their National Identity Document, which is essential for travelling. Don't forget your driving licence if you plan to rent a car. If you travel with your own vehicle, you must also take your car insurance certificate. Always travel with the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), which will cover most cases in which healthcare is required. If you have a student card, take it with you everywhere for discounts and special rates. Always check what type of identification is required with your airline or travel agency before travelling.

 

DISCOUNTS IN MADEIRA
With the European Youth Card you can get various discounts at museums and landmarks, while the International Student Card (ISIC) offers discounts for transport and festivals. In both cases, you'll need to prove your age with your ID card or student card.

BY PLANE
Madeira Airport, or Madeira Cristiano Ronaldo International Airport (named after Madeira’s biggest world star), offers regular air connections directly to major European capitals such as London, Paris, Berlin, Lisbon or Porto. The duration of the flight is short, from 1 hour 30 minutes to Lisbon to ap-proximately 3/4 hours to Paris, London or Berlin.

 

ORGANISED TRIPS AND PACKAGE TOURS
Charter flights are another option for getting to Madeira. Remember that with these types of tickets you can't change the date or time. Some travel agencies like ours offer organized trips and package tours that, in addition to the flight, include half-board or full-board accommodation and transfers to and from the airport. On arriving at Madeira International Airport Cristiano Ronaldo or Porto Santo International Airport, there are bus stops and taxi ranks to make your trip more comfortable.

 

CAR RENTAL
 To explore the diverse landscapes of Madeira it's best to rent a car at the airport. Some agencies like ours offer packages that include flights and car rental in the price.

 

TOURS
 More and more tourists are choosing tours as a great option to discover the island's main landmarks, cultural attractions and culinary delights in a short time. Our agency offers fascinating tours such as Madeira Al Completo Plus and Madeira Funchal Esencial, so that you only have to worry about enjoying yourself.

Madeira has an extensive public bus service that connects all parts of the island. However, the best way to explore Madeira is by renting a car. Check out our car rental deals and find the car that best suits your needs, always at the best price.

 

TAXI
Taxi fares from Madeira International Airport Cristiano Ronaldo vary depending on the time of day and the number of suitcases. There’s also a supplement for trips to the hotel area.

 

BUSES
Madeira has an extensive public bus service that connects almost all most parts of the island.. In the centre of Funchal there are wheelchair-adapted, environmentally friendly minibuses that take you to the most stunning corners of the island. These provide direct services from A to B and without designated stops, so you can catch them anywhere in the city. They have a limited timetable and do not run on Sundays and public holidays.

 

FERRY
To travel from the island of Porto Santo to the capital of Funchal, the ferry is the most reasonable alternative. The trip takes about two-and-a-quarter hours.

Madeira has plenty of hotels, including major domestic and international chains. Check our year-round promotions and our low-season deals and package tours with hotel and flight included. In Madeira, you can choose between luxury hotels, small urban hotels, hostels and boutique hotels, located in iconic buildings and close to the most central streets and the main nightlife and shopping areas. For couples and romantic getaways, Madeira boasts a select network of properties where the service, the atmosphere, the culinary selection, the activity programmes and the facilities and services are tailored to this type of guest. And as staying in a hotel isn't just about sleeping, in Madeira you'll also find a whole host of spa hotels where you can unwind like royalty.

 

OTHER ACCOMMODATION OPTIONS...

Pousadas
 These properties are the equivalent of the luxury paradores in Spain. They are iconic buildings, always found in unique locations or privileged natural settings. You can find pousadas in monasteries, convents, castles, etc. Other, more modern ones have prime locations in cities and command stunning views.

 

Estalagem
These properties are located in buildings perfectly integrated into the local urban landscape and blessed with spectacular views, providing guests with first-class services and facilities.

 

Turismo de Habitação  
This Portuguese term describes small guest houses in rural settings.

 

Pensão  
This type of accommodation is something like a hostel. They don't tend to have on-site restaurants.