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TL;DR:
Madeira, known as the “Pearl of the Atlantic” and lately the “Hawaii of Europe,” is one of those places that feels like a dream.
Everywhere you look there’s something stunning, towering green mountains, dramatic cliffs, and the bluest ocean you’ve ever seen. The island is covered in flowers, forests, and little hidden spots that feel so magical.
But Madeira isn’t just about nature, the city life is also full of energy. Because it’s been a tourist destination for decades, there’s always something happening - concerts, festivals, food events, you name it.
Whether you’re hiking, swimming, or just hanging out in the city, Madeira mixes adventure and relaxation in the best way. It’s a small island but it never gets boring.
💸 Currency
EUR (€)
☀️ Best season
April - September for the summer season. All year round if you just wish to escape the cold!
😋 Local dish & where
Bolo do Caco at every restaurant!
💬 Languages
Portuguese (Main language), but overall everyone has a good knowledge of English
🚌 Getting around
Renting a car or scooter is the most convenient way to get around the island. Ride-hailing apps like Uber and Bolt are also available.
Here is my own little spotify playlist that reminds me of my beautiful island.
📍Ponta de Sol
Think cute little pictureque buildings, right by the clear blue sea and surrounded by deep green forest.
That's Ponta de Sol (roughly translated to Point of the Sun) and it just happens to be the warmest and sunniest spot on the island.
👄 Musts:
🥾 Walk
Take a stroll around the main village
Espetada, Lapas, Picado
Here are some of my must-eats, all 100% locally owned, family-run spots:
Sunrise at Pico Ruivo
If you are a morning person, sunrise at Pico Ruivo is a must, it’s also the island’s highest peak
Hiking through Levadas
Here are some of the best Levadas hiking trial: Levada do Alecrim, Levada do Vento, and Levada das 25 Fontes
Soft black sand and mountain views, it’s one of Madeira’s most stunning natural backdrops
Drinking too much Poncha
A local alcohol that tastes like juice… until it hits you hahaha. Best tried at Taberna da Poncha in Serra d’Água
Boat tour through the South Coast
Hop on a boat along Madeira’s South Coast with Magic Dolphin, dolphins, sea breezes, and killer views included
🎤 #Culture 1: This year's Portugal Eurovision entry was by a Madeira local band with a song called Deslocado which is about leaving the island to live in mainland Portugal.
🤫 #Culture 2: News travels fast, privacy is rare; if something happens, everyone finds out quickly, so you need to be careful.
🤝 #Culture 3: Networking matters. Getting to know or being born into the right connections can help you a lot in life.
We’ve pinned all the spots mentioned in this guide so you can spend less time searching and more time exploring. Download the pre-pinned Google Map and wander Madeira Island like a local 👇🏻
Love this mini guide?
Mini guide curated by:
Lili is a remote worker on a mission to make sustainable and conscious travel the new normal! Lili has lived in 4 countries and travelled a lot around Europe and even though there’s many places she calls home, there is nothing like her hometown, Funchal, Madeira Island, Portugal.
Loved this mini guide? Dive deeper into island life with our full Bali travel e-guide.
See you at the next destination drop… Amsterdam, The Netherlands 🇳🇱 on 21 October.
Till then
xoxo
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