Island, Portugal
Madeira
Mild, green Atlantic island for hiking levadas, ocean views and quiet remote work, with a nomad village in Ponta do Sol. Steep roads, fog on peaks and limited nightlife.
At a glance
- Safety5/5Very safeDetails
- Monthly budget$2,250–3,380Comfortable, one person · €2,000–3,000Details
- Value for money39/100Better value than 38% of places we coverDetails
- Best time to goMay–Jul, Sep–OctWarmest: Aug, 23°CDetails
- Air quality5 µg/m³PM2.5 annual average (2020) · Meets the WHO guidelineDetails
- Internet252 MbpsFixed broadband, Portugal medianDetails
- Tap waterYes, drinkableTap water is safe and drunk by locals; very hard in places.Details
- LGBTQ+4/5WelcomingDetails
- Solo travel4/5English: widely spokenDetails
- Doctor's visit$62–107Private clinic, without insuranceDetails
- Getting aroundBoltWalkable centerDetails
- Cash or cardCards almost everywhereCards work widely; bars, poncha stalls and small restaurants in villages may be cash-only.Details
Where to stay in Madeira
Areas visitors base themselves in.
| Area | Good for |
|---|---|
| Funchal Old Town–Lido | Restaurants, hotels, harbour and cable cars; steep |
| Ponta do Sol | Nomad village, sunny south coast, quiet evenings |
| Calheta | Marina, beaches and a calm base on the west |
| Santa Cruz–Caniço | Near the airport, seaside and cheaper than Funchal |
Apps that work in Madeira
Ride-hailing
- Maps: Google Maps
- Messaging: WhatsApp
- CP: Train tickets and timetables
- Rede Expressos: Intercity bus tickets
- Taxis: Taxis are metered and reliable in Funchal; outside the capital, agree the fare for long trips or book ahead.
Cash, cards and tipping
What to carry and how to pay. Money in Portugal.
- Cards almost everywhere Cards work widely; bars, poncha stalls and small restaurants in villages may be cash-only. Carry €30–50.
- Currency: Euro (EUR). US$1 ≈ €0.89 on 03 Oct 2026.
- ATMs: Multibanco bank ATMs don't add fees; Euronet machines in tourist areas charge and push conversion, so decline it.
- Tipping: Not expected. Leave 5–10% for good restaurant service and round up taxi fares; cafés and bars need nothing.
- Paying by phone: Apple Pay and Google Pay are widely accepted. MB WAY, which locals use, needs a Portuguese bank card.
Before you go
Visa and entry
- Schengen rules: 90 days in any 180 across all Schengen countries; passport issued within 10 years, valid 3 months past departure.
- The EU Entry/Exit System has replaced passport stamps since April 2026: fingerprints and photo at your first entry. Allow extra time.
- ETIAS, the planned €20 online authorisation, isn't required yet (October 2026); check travel-europe.europa.eu for its start date.
Emergency numbers
Police 112 · Ambulance 112 · Fire 112 · All emergencies 112
Plugs
Type C, F · 230 V, 50 Hz. Do I need an adapter?
SIM and eSIM
MEO, NOS and Vodafone sell tourist SIMs at Lisbon and Porto airports and shops for about €15–30; DIGI is cheaper. Passport usually asked. eSIMs work for visitors.
More places in Portugal
Going to Madeira solo?
SoloSquare is where travelers, nomads and locals in Madeira meet up for small plans: coffee, dinners, walks and day trips. Join one, or start your own in a minute.
Sources
Prices are SoloSquare estimates; climate, air, safety and visa figures come from the sources listed. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.