Madeira, an archipelago belonging to Portugal, is located in the northern Atlantic Ocean. It’s made up of a number of islands, of which only Madeira Island and Porto Santo are habited. As tourist destinations, both islands draw visitors in significant numbers across the year, largely on account of the fantastic weather but also with their impressive selection of cultural attractions and manmade activity centres.

In the summer months, families flock to Porto Santo, where the best beach in the archipelago can be found. But plenty head for Madeira to enjoy fun-packed attractions such as Aquaparque and Madeira Theme Park, too. Outdoor activity fans will find plenty of water sports at the beaches, while those preferring dry-land pursuits will find a number of golf courses on hand.

Dining in Madeira is a treat for anyone with a healthy appetite, especially if you are a fan of seafood. The islands’ array of restaurants is impressive and presents the best of Portuguese cuisine, as well as a variety of local specialities. To work up a good appetite for dinner, many visitors hit the shopping trail for a few hours, enjoying traditional markets and modern malls alike.

With tourists pouring in during the high season and trickling through steadily throughout the off-seasons, Madeira is well used to catering to visitor needs. The local infrastructure provides a wealth of accommodation options, among which are large upmarket hotels, small family-run guesthouses and self-catering properties. Booking online in advance is the best way to secure a room.

Madeira is best reached by air via its international airport, located just outside of the capital. The airport maintains connections with an extensive number of destinations, including direct flights from most major European cities. Luxury cruise ships also frequently dock at Funchal. Once here, the local bus service makes getting around easy but a hire car gives greater scope for exploring.

Madeira’s climate verges on tropical in nature and blesses it with near-perfect weather across the seasons. Summers are hot but only occasionally excessively so, while winters rarely see temperatures drop below 17°C. The seasons in between are typically transitional. Rain falls most at the beginning and the end of the year, with November being the wettest month.

Summer is the ideal time to visit Madeira, as despite temperatures rising into the low 30s (°C) at the height of the season, there are ocean breezes to temper the heat. If you prefer things a touch cooler but still warm enough for beach activities, then try visiting in late spring or early autumn. 

With Madeira never seeing anything resembling cold weather, it’s possible to visit at any time of the year but should you plan on a winter holiday, be sure to pack a waterproof jacket or an umbrella.