Is Madeira safe?
Very safe. Dangers are natural: levada trail drop-offs, sudden weather changes, strong sea currents and steep roads.
Key facts
- SoloSquare safety rating: 5/5, very safe.
- US travel advisory: Level 1: Exercise normal precautions, updated 2025-03-02.
- Homicide rate in Portugal: 0.7 per 100,000 people (2022, UNODC via World Bank).
- Road deaths in Portugal: 8.2 per 100,000 people a year (2019, WHO).
- Emergency numbers: Police 112 · Ambulance 112 · Fire 112 · All emergencies 112.
Safety in Madeira at a glance
| What to expect | |
|---|---|
| Overall | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Crime | Very low. Occasional theft from parked rental cars at trailheads and viewpoints; pickpocketing in Funchal's Old Town is rare. |
| At night | Funchal's Old Town is lively until 2 am and calm. Bars close earlier elsewhere. Taxis and Bolt are available but scarce outside Funchal. |
| Solo women | Very comfortable for solo women, including on busy hiking trails. Carry a charged phone and tell someone your route. |
| Other risks | Levada drop-offs and rockfall after rain; August wildfires in dry years; Steep roads and tunnels for inexperienced drivers |
Scams, areas and local laws
Common scams
- Fake rental listings asking a deposit before viewing
- Unlicensed tour sellers on the Funchal seafront
Take care
- Levada trails: vertigo drops, landslides and tunnels without lights
- Natural pools at Porto Moniz: waves can sweep swimmers away
- Mountain roads in fog: slow and narrow
Calmer areas to stay
Laws visitors break by accident
- Personal drug use is decriminalised, not legal; police can fine you, and dealing or smuggling means prison.
- Sleeping overnight in campervans or tents outside authorised sites is banned and fined.
- Albufeira fines anti-social behaviour in public €150–1,800 under its code of conduct.
How Madeira compares in Portugal
| Place | Safety |
|---|---|
| Madeira | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Cascais | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Azores | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Ericeira | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Coimbra | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Douro Valley | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Évora | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Braga | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Aveiro | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Silver Coast | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Tavira | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Lisbon | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Porto | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Algarve | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Sintra | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Lagos | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Albufeira | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Faro | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Nazaré | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
Quick answers
Is Madeira safe for solo female travelers?
Very comfortable for solo women, including on busy hiking trails. Carry a charged phone and tell someone your route.
Is Madeira safe at night?
Funchal's Old Town is lively until 2 am and calm. Bars close earlier elsewhere. Taxis and Bolt are available but scarce outside Funchal.
What is the crime rate in Madeira?
Very low. Occasional theft from parked rental cars at trailheads and viewpoints; pickpocketing in Funchal's Old Town is rare. Nationally, Portugal records 0.7 homicides per 100,000 people a year (2022).
What number do I call in an emergency in Madeira?
Police 112 · Ambulance 112 · Fire 112 · All emergencies 112.
More about Madeira
Going to Madeira solo?
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Sources
- US State Department travel advisory
- Visit Madeira
- Madeira Airport (ANA)
- Horários do Funchal
- SESARAM
- World Bank: intentional homicides (UNODC)
- World Bank: road traffic deaths (WHO)
Safety ratings are SoloSquare's editorial judgment from official advisories, crime data and local reporting. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.