MADEIRA
We have gathered some useful information to help you plan and best prepare for your next adventure to Madeira Browse through the information below or visit our travel bonanza for more stories and tips!
HEALTH AND SAFETY
Madeira with its capital Funchal is considered a very safe place with a pretty much non-existing crime rate. Popular for hiking and several adventure activities, appropriate gear and local guides are strongly advised to be safe in Madeira‘s mountains with their quickly changing weather conditions. There are many medical centers with English-speaking doctors located on the island of Madeira and one on the neighbouring island Porto Santo. We recommend a travel insurance even though most travellers from Europe can claim costs through the EHIC form on return. There are no special vaccinations required and there is no record of native cases of mosquito-spread diseases. The tap water is safe to drink and of good quality.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
The archipelago of Madeira is part of Portugal and hence part of the European Union and the Schengen Treaty. Travellers from Europe therefore only require their national ID card or a valid passport to enter the country (for a stay less than 90 days). When travelling from outside the EU, you will need a visa. Please make sure that your travel documents exceed a validity of at least 3 months after your scheduled departure date in that case.
SARS-COV2 INFORMATION
There are no restrictions on the entry of travellers at the airports, ports and marinas of the Autonomous Region of Madeira (updated 26/08/2022). Please keep checking with the Madeira tourist board for updates.
MONEY AND PRICE LEVEL
Madeira‘s currency is the Euro. The price level is relatively low compared within Europe. A cup of coffee usually is under €1, particularly in remote rural areas. Card payments are not that widely accepted and cash might be required for smaller payments. However ATM machines can be found all over the island. VISA and Master Card are the most widely accepted credit and debit cards.
OPENING HOURS
Madeira is on a 24 hour clock as opposed to am and pm. The island maintains Greenwich Mean Time (GMT/UTC) as summer time. Clocks are put forward 1 hour on the last Sunday of March and back 1 hour on the last Sunday of October according to the rules of the European Union.
Some shops are taking a break for “siesta“ between 13h00 to 15h00. On weekdays they are open until 19h00 after that, on Saturdays only in the morning from 9h00 to 13h00. Big shopping centres are usually open without any break from 10h00 to 22h00, 7 days a week (except for Christmas and New Year‘s Day). The opening hours of banks are Monday to Friday 8h30 to 15h00. Exchange shops are open from 9h00 to 19h00 with a lunch break between 13h00 and 14h00.
ELECTRICITY
Madeira has a European two-point plug like in continental Europe. The local current is 220 AC. Travellers from the US will require a voltage converter. Travellers from the UK and Ireland require an adapter which is best to bring as they are hard to find in Madeira.
PUBLIC HOLIDAYS
May 1
Labour Day
Day before Ash Wednesday
Carnival Tuesday
Friday before Easter
Good Friday
Monday after Easter
Easter Sunday
October 5
Day of the Republic
January 1
New Years Day
April 25
Liberty Day
July 1
Madeira Day
August 15
Our Lady of Assumption Day
Thursday after Trinity Sunday
Feast of Corpus Christi
June 10
Portugal Day
November
All Saints Day
December 1
Restoration of Independence Day
December 8
Immaculate Conception Day
December 25
Christmas Day
December 26
Stephen's Day
FESTIVITIES & EVENTS
Madeira, Porto Santo
Madeira Walking Festival
January
Madeira
Carnival Festival
February
Funchal
Flower Festival
March / April
Funchal
Festas da Sé - traditional festival
Mid May - early June
Funchal
St John's Altar - Religious celebrations
Early June
Funchal
Atlantic Festival - Cultural festival
June 1 - 30
Madeira
Madeira World Classic Rallye - traditional and classic cars rallye
June
Funchal
Jazz Festival
First wekk in July
Machico
Machico Gastronomy Festival
Late July - early August
Madeira
Madeira Wine Rallye
August
Monte
Monte religious festival
August 14 and 15
Madeira
Madeira wine festival
early September
Porto Santo
Christopher Columbus festival
early September
Madeira
Christmas festival and celebrations
November / December