The “Four Seasons” Packing List
Madeira has microclimates. It can be 22°C in Funchal and 8°C in Ribeiro Frio at the same time.
– The Shell Layer: A lightweight, high-quality wind/raincoat is non-negotiable.
– Proper Grip: Leave the flip-flops for the Lido. For Levadas, you need shoes with Vibram-style soles (it’s slippery!).
– UV protection: Even when cloudy the sun is pretty strong. So bring a hat, sunscreen, or even better: swim shirts
– Headlamp: Many Levada walks go through long, dark tunnels. Your phone torch isn’t always enough.
When to go?
Although Madeira is known as the ‘Island of Eternal Spring’ temperatures vary during the year.
– Autumn: less crowds, still nice temperatures and warm ocean waters. Our favorite seasons!
– Spring: the whole island is in blossom, the flower festival is in May and not yet too crowded.
– Winter: low season, so less tourists but also expect some tropical storms that can ruin your travel plans.
– Summer: most crowded and expensive time of the year to visit Madeira. Not our recommendation.
Digital Essentials
Here are a few suggestions of apps that will make your stay a lot easier:
– Madeira Weather: forget your Apple/Google weather app. Madeira is different. This app is the only one that manages Madeira’s microclimates as good as possible
– Maps.me: Google Maps doesn’t show hiking paths so definitely needed if you don’t want to get lost hiking
– Madeira Unlocked: this app shows you the events during your stay. You can even get discounts on some activities
– Bolt: most reliable taxi app on the island to get back after a hike or after too many poncha’s 😉
The Transport Checklist
Exploring the island without a rental car is challenging. Here’s what you need to know:
– Size: the smaller the better. Locals park everywhere and streets are narrow. We had an electric Renault Zoe and it was perfect for our family of 4.
– Automatic gearbox: with steep roads up to 25% this is a no-brainer
– Insurance: every car on the island has a ‘mark’. Scratches and dents happen daily. We even had our rear window broken in a tight parking lot. So insurance is not a luxury
– Local car rentals: as an alternative to the international rental firms on the airport you can try the local firms 7M, CR Rental, or WhyNot. They are cheaper and have shuttle to the airport.
Everything packed? Explore the different parts of the island!
