Are there free things to do in Madeira?

Skip the pricey stuff - Madeira ’s best bits are free. Walk the levada trails with waterfalls popping up when you least expect them. Wander Rua de Santa Maria for its colourful painted doors or chill in Santa Catarina Park with Atlantic views. No ticket, no problem.

Where is Funchal Airport located?

Cristiano Ronaldo Airport is in Santa Cruz, about 20 km from Funchal. The landing? You’ll be filming before you’ve even touched down - ocean on one side, mountains on the other. Transfer’s quick, but the runway steals the show.

Is Funchal easy to explore on foot?

Yes, especially the city centre with its cafés and tiled streets. Some hills will test your legs, so bring shoes that laugh at inclines. Or cheat: take the cable car up to Monte and ride a wicker toboggan back down. Gravity never looked so fun.

How close is Funchal to the beach?

Praia Formosa is about 10 minutes west by car. Funchal isn’t big on sandy stretches, but its ocean pools and lidos make up for it - think saltwater dips with mountain views. Buses run if you’re skipping the drive.

What unique experiences can you try in Funchal?

Glide over Funchal rooftops in a cable car, then swap wheels for wicker on the famous toboggan run. Explore Monte Palace Tropical Garden and taste passion fruit at Mercado dos Lavradores. Football fan? The CR7 Museum is a local legend.

Can you fly direct from the UK to Madeira?

Yes, there are direct flights with easyJet from the UK to Madeira. Major UK airports such as London Gatwick , Manchester , and Bristol offer direct flights to Funchal, which takes around 3 hours 45 minutes to 3 hours 55 minutes—just enough time for a podcast binge before you’re swapping drizzle for dolphins.

Cheap flights to Madeira from

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Flight prices to Madeira

Bristol to Madeira Funchal

March

from £26.49

London Gatwick to Madeira Funchal

March

from £25.99

London Luton to Madeira Funchal

March

from £24.49

Manchester to Madeira Funchal

April

from £45.99

Why fly to Madeira?

Madeira is a Portuguese island in the Atlantic that’s big on contrasts - towering peaks, ocean views, and gardens that bloom all year. It’s the kind of place where you can hike to a waterfall in the morning and sip a rum cocktail by sunset. And the best bit? You’ll be there in under four hours from the UK. Quick hop, big adventure.

Why we think you’ll love Madeira

Madeira is all about choice. Fancy a laid-back break or an active adventure? You’ll find both here. Winter feels like spring, summer never overdoes it - think 20°C in winter and mid-20s in summer. Pack light, leave the big coats behind, and get ready for island time, any time.

Once you land, the fun starts fast. Ride the cable car up to Monte for jaw-dropping views, then swap calm for thrill on the famous wicker toboggan ride - a two-kilometre dash of pure laughter. Stroll through Funchal’s Old Town where every door is a work of art, or step onto Cabo Girão Skywalk, a glass platform 580 metres above the Atlantic. Heart racing yet?

Top things to do in Madeira

Madeira is packed with attractions you’ll talk about for years. Wander the levadas - lush trails that wind past waterfalls and tunnels. Some routes are gentle and family-friendly, while others, like the Pico do Arieeiro hike, are more challenging - check difficulty before you go. Lose yourself in Monte Palace Tropical Garden among koi ponds and exotic blooms. Love wildlife? Dolphin and whale watching tours leave from the marina. Foodies? Head to Mercado dos Lavradores for tropical fruit and the island’s signature black scabbardfish. And if football’s your thing, the CR7 Museum is a shrine to Madeira’s most famous son, Cristiano Ronaldo.

Eat & drink

Madeira’s flavours are bold and brilliant. Try black scabbardfish with banana (unexpected but tastes amazing), bolo do caco - warm flatbread dripping with garlic butter - and poncha, the island’s sugarcane rum cocktail mixed with citrus and honey. Vegetarian travellers will also find plenty of fresh, tasty choices in Funchal’s markets and restaurants.

When to go

Madeira is a year-round winner. Mild winters, warm summers, and spring bursting with colour thanks to the island’s famous flower displays. Whenever you go, the island delivers.

Good to know

The Pico do Arieeiro to Pico Ruivo ridge walk is Madeira’s headline act - steep paths, tunnels, and views worth every step. The Monte toboggan ride takes about ten minutes to cover two kilometres. Flights from London? Just under four hours. Easy.

Ready to make it happen?

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When's the best time to go?

Best time to visit

Funchal’s warm and dry months are between May and August, so it’s the best time to come for sunbathing. The New Year’s Eve fireworks display is also world-famous, and up there with Sydney and Dubai’s offerings. The Madeira Flower Festival is in April, and Funchal’s flowers are blooming beautifully.

Avoid the crowds

Early spring and the high summer months are busy in Funchal, with tourists flocking here to admire the blooms and enjoy the warm Madeira temperatures, not to mention it’s the busiest time for cruise ships to dock. Early April can be a lovely time to experience the levada walks, and to stroll the city’s botanical gardens and old town in slightly cooler temperatures.

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Your Madeira Funchal Questions Answered

: Skip the pricey stuff - Madeira’s best bits are free. Walk the levada trails with waterfalls popping up when you least expect them. Wander Rua de Santa Maria for its colourful painted doors or chill in Santa Catarina Park with Atlantic views. No ticket, no problem.