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Let us take you on a journey to the real Madeira – the Atlantic island of outstanding natural beauty.
It’s an island of dramatic scenery: breathtaking valleys, wild coastlines and rugged mountain ranges. It’s hot in the summer, mild in the winter and it’s a great destination if you like to mix busy days with some relaxation by the pool.
Small is beautiful and we hand-pick all our accommodation. You’ll stay in the best accommodation on the island – the off-the-beaten track Quintas, Casas and Estalagems that we love to stay at ourselves.
So join us on an unforgettable journey to the island of Madeira and experience this vibrant and beautiful pearl of the Atlantic.
Whale and Dolphin Watching
Madeira’s position in the North Atlantic makes it the ideal destination for Whale and Dolphin watching. Add in the island’s temperate Winter weather, and you’ve arguably got the best year-round destination for Cetaceans (and for humans to spot them).
Canyoning
Madeira is fast becoming Europe’s most popular destination for canyoning. Our guides will lead you down a mountain stream as it winds its way to the valley floor - abseiling down a series of increasingly spectacular waterfalls.
Guided tours
Madeira looks like a small island on paper. Once you’re here, you’ll see that the steep terrain and sinuous, winding roads make it tricky to explore the entire island in just one week. Our private tours take you to those lesser visited parts of Madeira you might otherwise miss.
Mountain Biking
Perhaps more than any other pursuit, it’s mountain biking that's at the heart of the changing face of tourism on the Madeira. The island’s seemingly endless network of trails are attracting more and more riders each year - whatever your preferred style of riding, there’s a trail for you on Madeira.
Levada Trails
Whether self-guided or as part of a small group, the hiking trails on Madeira are outstanding. The way-marked paths along the famous levada water channels are the most popular way to explore he island on foot, and we can recommend the walks we'll think you'll enjoy the most.
Birdwatching
Our Bird Watching trips are more like in-depth sightseeing tours of Madeira with extras. Accompanied by a passionate naturalist, you’ll get closer to the birds, plants and butterflies you'd otherwise have missed - including the Trocaz pigeon the rare Zino’s Petrel.
“Excellent service, expert knowledge, nothing too much trouble + always go the extra mile”
Greg
Where is Madeira?
Madeira is 880km south west of mainland Portugal and 460km north of Tenerife.
When is the best time to visit Madeira?
Madeira’s seasons follow a similar pattern to our own: it’s mild in Spring and Autumn and hot from around May through to November. The winter can be a bit showery but the temperature’s usually still up in the high teens. Christmas and New Year are the busiest times to visit so we advise booking early.
How do I get to Madeira?
From the UK you can fly direct from Gatwick, Bristol, Birmingham, Manchester, Leeds/Bradford and Glasgow.
What languages do they speak on Madeira?
Portuguese, and English is widely spoken.
Is it safe to drive on Madeira?
Very; the quality of the roads is excellent and it’s very easy to navigate around the island.
Do I need an international driver’s license for Madeira?
All you require is a valid UK driving licence.
Do I need travel insurance to visit Madeira?
We highly recommend that you have the right type of travel insurance that will cover your medical expenses, baggage loss, accidents and personal liability and repatriation.
Can I get WiFi on Madeira?
All our hotels offer WiFi – mostly in your room but in some smaller places it’s available in the shared, public areas.
Can I use my mobile phone on Madeira?
There’s an excellent mobile reception right across the island.
What is the food like on Madeira?
As you’d expect on a small Atlantic island, Madeiran restaurants serve excellent fresh fish. The restaurants in Funchal have a good mix of Portuguese more European-style menus, and there’s usually a nice selection of vegetarian options available. In the smaller towns and villages, you’ll tend to find more traditional-Portuguese menus. If you have any food allergies, just let us know.
Are credit & debit cards accepted in Madeira?
Yes, although some smaller bars and cafes are cash only.
What type of plug adapter do I need in Madeira?
You will need a type F plug adaptor in Madeira.
Is tap water safe to drink in Madeira?
Yes, the tap water is safe to drink on Madeira.
Do I need to tip in Madeira?
Tipping is not compulsory but if you feel your guide or driver has done a good job then they’ll always be happy to receive a tip.
How do I go about booking my holiday to Madeira with Archipelago Choice?
We offer two options, either book one of our ‘Best of’ holidays from the website. Alternatively, many people choose the bespoke approach where we have an insightful conversation and create a personalised itinerary that gives you the unique holiday experience you’re looking for.
How far in advance should I book my trip to Madeira?
Our advice is to start planning around nine months prior your visit, as this helps us offer the best value airfares and secure your hotels of choice.
Can I book a last-minute holiday to Madeira?
Absolutely; it helps if you have a bit flexibility with your dates as some of our hotels might be fully booked.
In our experience these are the best times of the year to visit Madeira:
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Let us take you on a journey to the real Madeira – the Atlantic island of outstanding natural beauty.
It’s an island of dramatic scenery: breathtaking valleys, wild coastlines and rugged mountain ranges. It’s hot in the summer, mild in the winter and it’s a great destination if you like to mix busy days with some relaxation by the pool.
Small is beautiful and we hand-pick all our accommodation. You’ll stay in the best accommodation on the island – the off-the-beaten track Quintas, Casas and Estalagems that we love to stay at ourselves.
So join us on an unforgettable journey to the island of Madeira and experience this vibrant and beautiful pearl of the Atlantic.
Whale and Dolphin Watching
Madeira’s position in the North Atlantic makes it the ideal destination for Whale and Dolphin watching. Add in the island’s temperate Winter weather, and you’ve arguably got the best year-round destination for Cetaceans (and for humans to spot them).
Canyoning
Madeira is fast becoming Europe’s most popular destination for canyoning. Our guides will lead you down a mountain stream as it winds its way to the valley floor - abseiling down a series of increasingly spectacular waterfalls.
Guided tours
Madeira looks like a small island on paper. Once you’re here, you’ll see that the steep terrain and sinuous, winding roads make it tricky to explore the entire island in just one week. Our private tours take you to those lesser visited parts of Madeira you might otherwise miss.
Mountain Biking
Perhaps more than any other pursuit, it’s mountain biking that's at the heart of the changing face of tourism on the Madeira. The island’s seemingly endless network of trails are attracting more and more riders each year - whatever your preferred style of riding, there’s a trail for you on Madeira.
Levada Trails
Whether self-guided or as part of a small group, the hiking trails on Madeira are outstanding. The way-marked paths along the famous levada water channels are the most popular way to explore he island on foot, and we can recommend the walks we'll think you'll enjoy the most.
Birdwatching
Our Bird Watching trips are more like in-depth sightseeing tours of Madeira with extras. Accompanied by a passionate naturalist, you’ll get closer to the birds, plants and butterflies you'd otherwise have missed - including the Trocaz pigeon the rare Zino’s Petrel.
“Excellent service, expert knowledge, nothing too much trouble + always go the extra mile”
- Greg
Where is Madeira?
Madeira is 880km south west of mainland Portugal and 460km north of Tenerife.
When is the best time to visit Madeira?
Madeira’s seasons follow a similar pattern to our own: it’s mild in Spring and Autumn and hot from around May through to November. The winter can be a bit showery but the temperature’s usually still up in the high teens. Christmas and New Year are the busiest times to visit so we advise booking early.
How do I get to Madeira?
From the UK you can fly direct from Gatwick, Bristol, Birmingham, Manchester, Leeds/Bradford and Glasgow.
What languages do they speak on Madeira?
Portuguese, and English is widely spoken.
Is it safe to drive on Madeira?
Very; the quality of the roads is excellent and it’s very easy to navigate around the island.
Do I need an international driver’s license for Madeira?
All you require is a valid UK driving licence.
Do I need travel insurance to visit Madeira?
We highly recommend that you have the right type of travel insurance that will cover your medical expenses, baggage loss, accidents and personal liability and repatriation.
Can I get WiFi on Madeira?
All our hotels offer WiFi – mostly in your room but in some smaller places it’s available in the shared, public areas.
Can I use my mobile phone on Madeira?
There’s an excellent mobile reception right across the island.
What is the food like on Madeira?
As you’d expect on a small Atlantic island, Madeiran restaurants serve excellent fresh fish. The restaurants in Funchal have a good mix of Portuguese more European-style menus, and there’s usually a nice selection of vegetarian options available. In the smaller towns and villages, you’ll tend to find more traditional-Portuguese menus. If you have any food allergies, just let us know.
Are credit & debit cards accepted in Madeira?
Yes, although some smaller bars and cafes are cash only.
What type of plug adapter do I need in Madeira?
You will need a type F plug adaptor in Madeira.
Is tap water safe to drink in Madeira?
Yes, the tap water is safe to drink on Madeira.
Do I need to tip in Madeira?
Tipping is not compulsory but if you feel your guide or driver has done a good job then they’ll always be happy to receive a tip.
How do I go about booking my holiday to Madeira with Archipelago Choice?
We offer two options, either book one of our ‘Best of’ holidays from the website. Alternatively, many people choose the bespoke approach where we have an insightful conversation and create a personalised itinerary that gives you the unique holiday experience you’re looking for.
How far in advance should I book my trip to Madeira?
Our advice is to start planning around nine months prior your visit, as this helps us offer the best value airfares and secure your hotels of choice.
Can I book a last-minute holiday to Madeira?
Absolutely; it helps if you have a bit flexibility with your dates as some of our hotels might be fully booked.
In our experience these are the best times of the year to visit Madeira:
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Talk to someone who loves Madeira!
If you’re interested in our holidays and want to know more, then send us a few details using this quick fill form.
Where is Madeira?
