The island of Madeira is a autonomous region of Portugal. It is located roughly 1,000 kilometers off the coast of Portugal and 400 km north of the Canary Islands. The island’s capital Funchal is famous for its steep hills and streets, while the island is best known for the fortified wine namend after it. Madeira is a popular tourist destination thanks to its beautiful, volcanic landscapes and whale watching opportunities.
Best Time to Travel
Similiar to the Canary Islands, Madeira enjoys a mild climate all year round. Average temperatures never climb above 25 degrees or fall below 15 degrees. While November through February is more rainy than other times of the year, precipation is still much lower than on mainland Europe. If you want to go swimming, water temperatures are highest from May to September.
From the Airport to the City
Madeira’s Cristiano Ronaldo Int’l Airport is located in Funchal and served by a huge number of leisure airlines from all over Europe. An hourly bus service connects the airport to the city of Funchal, charging €8 for a roundtrip. A taxi will take 20-30 minutes and charge you around €20. Of course, there are several rental car offices at the airport.
