Madeira, also known as the land of eternal spring, boasts a subtropical climate that is perfect for nature and adventure lovers. The island is covered in mountains and is famous for its tunnels that help you get around efficiently. Whether you’re a hiker or just love exploring the great outdoors, Madeira is a paradise for all.

Travel tips to get Madeira

When planning your trip to Madeira, it is important to practice leave no trace and be respectful of the nature and the land. Madeira is a clean, untouched and hidden gem, so please make sure you leave it that way or even better.

To get to Madeira, you will need to fly into Funchal airport, which is located on the island. Funchal is the perfect base for your trip as it takes no longer than an hour to get anywhere on the island.

Your first day in Madeira should be spent on an adventure tour with Bravelanders. This amazing company will take you on an epic adventure in a land rover, where you will explore the island, and get a local perspective on all the different places to visit and see.

After your tour with Bravelanders, it is recommended to rent a car to get around the island. The most common rental cars in Europe are manual, so if you’re American and need an automatic car, it will cost a bit more, but it is worth it. Madeira is not the place to practice your manual driving skills, as the roads are all mountainous, so an automatic car will make your trip much more enjoyable.

The best time to visit Madeira is from June to Summer, as this is the dry season. The weather and climate are perfect, and there are not too many crowds. The ideal length of time to stay in Madeira is a week, as there is so much to see and do, and you will have enough time to relax in between your adventures.

In conclusion, Madeira is an absolute must-visit for anyone looking for a unique travel experience.

From its subtropical climate, beautiful nature, and adventure activities, to its rich culture and local cuisine, Madeira truly is the Hawaii of Europe.

So, pack your bags and get ready for an unforgettable trip to Madeira!

Madeira, a Portuguese island located in the South East, is a popular holiday destination known as the “Hawaii of Europe.” With its 35-mile footprint, the island offers a range of attractions, including waterfalls, volcanic mountain peaks, seaside towns, and the city of Funchal, which is home to a cable car and two tropical gardens.

Funchal, the most populated region in Madeira, serves as a great base for exploring the island. The city has a rich history, dating back to the 1400s, when Portugal dominated world trade. Today, the local farmers market is a great place to experience the island’s heritage, with its fantastic atmosphere, colors, and smells. Friday mornings are the best time to visit, as every stall puts its best foot or fin forward.

The city is also home to a number of historical landmarks, including a fortress built in the 1600s in response to pirate attacks. The most notable attraction in Funchal is the cable car that dominates the city skyline. The 20-minute ride gains 540 meters in elevation, along 3000 meters of sloping steel, offering breathtaking views of the island’s lush green landscape.

The cable car takes visitors to the tropical gardens of Monte Palace, which was once a beautiful stately home, then a lavish hotel, and now a center for landscaped gardens. Monte Palace was a personal highlight for the vlogger, Suitcase Monkey, who spent four days exploring Madeira.

 Suitcase Monkey stayed at a hotel near Funchal, which provided a free shuttle bus to the city and was just a 15-minute drive away. Alternatively, local buses run every 5 to 10 minutes. Suitcase Monkey rented a car and took a one-hour drive to go hiking and hunt for waterfalls. Madeira is a hiker’s paradise, with 30 official routes, all starting with the letters PR. One of the most popular hikes is PR6, but its popularity means that it can be busy at times.

The island’s narrow aqueducts, known as levadas, carry water across Madeira and have been integrated into the hiking paths, making them an attraction in themselves. The first hike was an easy to moderate trek, depending on the hiker’s level of fitness. The final destination was a beautiful waterfall, which proved to be a stunning surprise.

Suitcase Monkey took an early night in preparation for the next day’s adventure, which would be a full day of sea and sun. The video ends with a promise to cover more travel tips, including how to get around the island, in a future video.