5 Things You Should Know Before Visiting Madeira

This is not a beach destination (seriously)

Madeira is not about beaches. If you’re dreaming of long stretches of golden sand where you lizard down with a book for hours, you’re thinking of the Algarve or the Canary Islands (some of the most beautiful landscapes in Europe, I’ll give you that). Madeira has a few pebble beaches and some lovely ocean pools, but this island is all about mountains, hiking, and coastlines.

I had planned for both hiking and beach – but I ended up using my swimsuit a lot less often than I thought I would. I met travelers in Funchal who seemed genuinely disappointed by the lack of beach options, and I wanted to shake them gently and redirect them toward the nearest trailhead.

For ideas on things to do in Madeira, check my article:

In summary: come to Madeira for levada walks, cloud-covered peaks, and unreal viewpoints. Leave the beach hat at home – and bring hiking boots instead.

The weather is wildly unpredictable

Madeira has microclimates, which is a fancy way of saying the weather does whatever it wants depending on where you are. It can be gloriously sunny in Funchal while the north coast is socked in with rain and fog. I drove to São Vicente one morning in perfect conditions, only to hit a wall of mist so thick I could barely see the road. Twenty minutes later, back in sunshine. I hiked up Pico de Areirio at 7 a.m and froze my ass off because I only had a windbreaker instead of a proper hoodie and jacket.

Here’s what worked for me: always pack layers. I’m talking a warm rain jacket, a hoodie, your swimsuit and sunscreen all in the same bag. The mountains are cooler than the coast, and if you’re hiking early (which I recommend), it can be downright chilly at sunrise even in summer. I also learned to check the weather for specific regions, not just “Madeira” as a whole, because those forecasts mean almost nothing when you’re moving around the island.

You really need to rent a car

I debated this before my trip. Car rentals felt like an unnecessary expense, and I thought maybe I could cobble together a plan with buses and the occasional taxi. I was wrong.

Renting a car is essential unless you’re fine staying in Funchal the entire time or dropping cash on private tours. The bus system exists, but routes are limited, schedules are sparse, and you’ll waste half your day waiting around. My friends and I rented a car for about €35/day (which we split it in 3), and it was one of the best decisions I made. Yes, the roads are narrow. Yes, there are tunnels everywhere (so many tunnels). Yes, you’ll probably white-knuckle it on a few mountain curves. But the freedom to chase sunrise viewpoints, pull over at random miradouros, and explore villages on your own timeline? Worth every nerve-wracking moment.

One thing I wasn’t prepared for: distances are deceiving. A 30 km drive can easily take an hour because of all the winding roads, switchbacks, and tunnels. Don’t pack your itinerary too tight – I found that 2 activities maximum in a day kept me stress-free and on schedule.

It’s quieter and slower than you think

Madeira isn’t a party island. It’s not buzzing with nightlife or jam-packed with tourists fighting for space (except maybe at Pico do Arieiro at sunrise – that’s a different story). Most of the island feels genuinely peaceful, especially once you leave Funchal.

But that slower pace also means things close. Restaurants shut between lunch and dinner. Shops close on Sundays. Even some parking areas have gates that lock at certain hours. My friends have a very funny story of being locked up in the parking lot after 10 p.m when they went to retrieve the car we had left there.

The upside? It feels refreshingly un-touristy in a lot of places. You’re not fighting crowds at every turn. You can actually enjoy moments of solitude on trails, in villages, and along coastal viewpoints.

Portuguese is the language (but you’ll be fine)

This might sound obvious, but I’ve met people who assumed everyone in Madeira speaks English as a default. In Funchal and major tourist spots, you’ll be fine with English. But once you venture into smaller villages – Paul do Mar, Santana, Porto Moniz – Portuguese is what you’ll hear, and not everyone will understand you.

I’m not saying you need to be fluent, but learning a few basic phrases goes a long way. “Obrigado/a” (thank you), “bom dia” (good morning), “por favor” (please) – tiny efforts that make interactions warmer. I also found that older locals especially appreciated when I at least tried, even if I butchered the pronunciation.

Come for the right reasons

Madeira is for hikers, nature lovers, and people who get excited about winding mountain roads, sunrise views and misty forests. It’s for wine tastings in old cellars and meals where the fish was caught that morning.

If you’re looking for luxury beach resorts, all-inclusive poolside vibes, or a party scene, this might not be your island. But if you want landscapes that make your jaw drop, adventure trails and wild nature – book the flight.