Hotels in Madeira

Madeira is a Portuguese autonomous region in the Atlantic Ocean, roughly 1,000 km southwest of Lisbon and 500 km off the Moroccan coast. The main island shares its name with the archipelago and packs volcanic peaks, laurel forest, dramatic sea cliffs, and a Mediterranean-like climate into 741 square kilometres. The capital, Funchal, sits on the south coast and is home to most of the island's 250,000 residents.

Travellers come to Madeira for the levada walks - irrigation channels turned into hiking trails that cross the island - alongside the Pico do Arieiro to Pico Ruivo ridge route, the lava pools at Porto Moniz, the cable car and toboggan run at Monte, and the cliffside Cabo Girao skywalk. Funchal pairs cobbled old quarter streets with a busy waterfront, Madeira wine lodges, and Mercado dos Lavradores, while quieter spots like Camara de Lobos and Sao Vicente reward day trips.

Year-round temperatures rarely drop below 14 C or climb above 25 C, making Madeira a viable destination in every season. Flights land at Cristiano Ronaldo International Airport (FNC) in Santa Cruz, 18 km east of Funchal, with the city reached in around 25 minutes by airport bus, taxi, or transfer.