Dom Pedro Garajau
Departing on 01/01/0001
Return on 01/01/0001
Find the best holday package deals to Madeira for Weekend
Madeira: The best island destination
The breathtaking island of Madeira, known as the 'Island of Experiences' thanks to its volcanic lands, natural beauty and spectacular landscapes, boasts a whole host of attractions for visitors in search of peace and quiet in a wonderful Atlantic setting. You may well have heard of Madeira's tropical and seafaring essence, the beautiful capital of Funchal, the welcoming terraces that dot the island’s sloping landscape, its thousands of charming tucked-away corners, and its stunning beaches and bays steeped in tradition and style. In addition, Madeira has recently won several awards: Best Winter Sun Destination and Best European Island Destination from WTA (World Travel Awards), besides it is one of the safest destinations to travel at Christmas.
Tourists from around the world flock here in search of an exceptional climate, wonderful hotels with sea views, delicious cuisine that fuses tradition and Michelin-starred dining, the best Malvasia wine that wowed William Shakespeare himself, and utterly unique landscapes just waiting to be explored on fascinating hiking trails.
Come and join us on an enchanting trip that will take you to marvellous places such as the Volcanic Centre and the São Vicente Caves; the phenomenal white-sand beaches and gin-clear waters of Porto Santo; the second-highest cliff in the world, located in Cabo Girão; and the famous town of Machico, among many other attractions. And that's just for starters. In short, come and discover paradise.
Madeira and Porto Santo are the ideal places for golf players to experience the best of golf.
The excellent weather, stunning sights, three exceptional golf courses, and an amazing setting provide all professional and amateur golfers with a challenging game.
Put your technique to the test in Madeira (Palheiro Golfe and Santo da Serra Golf Club) or in Porto Santo (Campo de Golfe do Porto Santo).
With an ocean bottom more than 3,000 metres deep, the Madeira coast is the home to rich fauna ready to be discovered. Here, a boat tour is always full of surprises, with the chance to cross paths with a whale or a friendly group of dolphins, or even turtles
You can go to the Desertas Islands and meet the refuge of the Mediterranean Monk Seal, better known as Lobo Marinho (sea lion). On one of these tours you can also dive into our waters which, throughout the year, have pleasant and very inviting temperatures.
Do not stay ashore, embark on this adventure!
Today's world is all about posting travel experiences on social media or sharing stories with friends and family. Here are some great places for selfies where you're sure to rack up lots of likes and comments.
Lagoa do Vento: in the Rabaçal area, this huge waterfall is a spectacular spot for photos, as well as a dip in its crystal-clear waters. You're sure to be the envy of all your followers!
Miradouro dos Balcões: this viewpoint commands incredible views of a verdant valley and, on clear days, the island's highest peaks: Pico do Areeiro, Pico Ruivo, and the volcanic Penha d'Águia.
Praia do Seixal: no, you're not in Hawaii, this is Madeira’s north coast. This beach has it all: soaring green cliffs, black sand and spectacular blue water. Perfect colour contrasts for all your pictures!
Pico do Areeiro and Pico Ruivo: these locations are perfect for hashtags like #stairwaytoheaven. And it's no exaggeration either! That said, they're not the easiest to get to as you have to hike across mountainous trails, so make sure you’re accompanied by a mountain guide. ;)
Miradouro da Garganta Funda: you'll find this viewpoint at the westernmost point of Madeira, next to the Pedregal road in Ponta do Pargo, with jaw-dropping views of one of the island's highest waterfalls. You'll never have seen anything like it!
When you visit Madeira, you will learn that a hike is much more than a simple path. It is an intense outdoor experience, where everything is magical and fascinating. To reach the most amazing and dramatic landscapes, there is nothing better than going on foot along walking trails next to the canals known as “levadas”.
“Levadas” are irrigation canals that were built in the past to bring water from the north slopes, where it existed in abundance, to the south side of the Island.
Madeira is a perfect destination to enjoy any time of the year as it enjoys mild temperatures and a subtropical oceanic climate. The water temperature, which ranges between 17°C and 25°C, means that you can enjoy a refreshing dip even in the winter months.
Down below we present some reasons why you should fly to Madeira:
- Mild and subtropical climate average air and sea water temperatures be-tween 18 and 24°C
- Short-haul flights from the main European capitals London, Paris, Berlin, Lisbon or Porto
- Spectacular and lush landscapes
- Laurissilva Forest - UNESCO Natural Heritage since 1999 Lauraceae is a type of tree that grows on a subtropical humid forest, and present in some areas of Macaronesia
- Friendly and hospitable people
- Variety of accommodation - from luxury hotels to rural tourism houses
- Rich cultural heritage churches, chapels, monuments, museums, etc.
- Excellent wines and local products/ gastronomy
- Outdoor activities: sea, mountain and air
- Events throughout the year The Flower Festival, the Atlantic Festival, Carnival, the Colombo Festival, the Wine Festival and others.
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.
Once the booking is confirmed you will receive a confirmation e-mail. The voucher for the hotel will be also sent by email plus the vouchers for any other services (car hire, transfer, travel insurance) if booked.
Please note that no flight tickets are sent due to most airlines using e-tickets. You only need to print our confirmation email where the Airline`s booking reference appears and take it with you to the airport with your ID/Passport documents.
Important: Some Low Cost Airlines (Ryanair, Easyjet, Wizzair, Blueair and others) now request all passengers to check-in online and print the Boarding Cards before departure through their corresponding websites. Failure to do so, these airlines will charge you a supplement at the airport.