Should you visit the Azores or Madeira? Both are amazing islands off the coast of Portugal and we’ll help you find the right island for you.

You’re excited to visit Portugal but can’t decide whether to visit the Azores or Madeira. Both are amazing islands off the coast of Portugal with a mild climate, lush green hills and fabulous Portuguese food. It’s possible to visit both the Azores and Madeira in one trip (there is a direct 2 hour flight from São Miguel, the Azores main island) to Madeira on TAP Air Portugal, but if you’re limited by time or logistics, here’s our take on whether the Azores or Madeira is the best destination for you.

THE CONTENDERS: AZORES OR MADEIRA?

 The Azores are an archipelago of nine islands 1,000 miles off the coast of Portugal. São Miguel, the main island (and the one we focus on for this post) is the biggest (spanning 40 miles x 9 miles) and most populated (140,000+ residents) in the archipelago. São Miguel is known for its crater lakes, bubbling hot springs, black sand beaches, and stunning hiking routes. The island is also home to Ponta Delgada, the largest city in the Azores, filled with tasty restaurants and charming cobblestone streets.

 Madeira lies 669 miles off the coast of Portugal. The island, 35 miles long and 13 miles wide, is best known for its majestic mountains and winding levadas (irrigation canals) as well as its rich cultural offerings in Funchal, the main city (think museums, galleries and gardens). There are no natural sandy beaches on Madeira, so folks head for the sister island, Porto Santo, by ferry for proper beach days.

Both places are gorgeous and offer something for everyone, but if you’re unable to visit both, here’s our advice on the best destination for you: the Azores or Madeira.

THE TIEBREAKER: AZORES V. MADEIRA

Hi, I’m Lids. I’m a U.S. ex-pat who lives in London and who has traveled to both the Azores and Madeira. I’ve spent five days driving around Madeira and made 2 trips days long trips to São Miguel, Azores. I’ve also traveled across mainland Portugal – everywhere from the vineyards of Douro Valley, to Lisbon, Porto, the beaches of the Algarve and beyond. Portugal is one of the most beautiful places in Europe and the country’s islands are it’s hidden gems.

THE PROS AND CONS

If you’re deciding between visiting the Azores or Madeira, here’s our advice:

If you want an wild and rugged destination, head for São Miguel in the Azores. Azores tourism is still in its infancy, so there’s plenty of room to go off the beaten track and explore. Get there before the crowds. The island is also volcanically active – there are lava fields, hot springs, crater lakes and fumaroles. Locals feast on cozido, a meat and vegetable stew, slow-cooked by steam underground. São Miguel is surrounded by gold and black sand (and pebble!) beaches and there are incredible thermal pools for soaking. Our favorite pools include Dona Beija in Furnas and Caldeira Velha in Ribeira Grande. The island is filled with hiking trails (maps can be found here) and pristine lakes for SUPing, kayaking and canoeing. In short, the Azores are an eco-paradise. There are also 8 other islands in the Azores archipelago to visit, so once you decide to visit, you’ll need to decide which is the best Azores island to visit.

But if you’re looking for an island that welcomes tourists with open arms, head for sleek and refined Madeira. Things are mellow, there is no volcanic activity, but plenty of five star hotels (see Reid’s Palace and Quinta da Casa Branca) and fancy dining spots. Madeira has the legendary Museum of Contemporary Art and the hip Madeira Film Festival. There are manicured botanical gardens and you can spend the afternoon sitting in a toboggan, getting pushed down Funchal’s hills by men wearing fancy white suits. Hiking, while amazing for those who make the effort, is optional. You can simply drive into the clouds and to the top of Pico do Arieiro, the island’s third highest peak.

If you’re a carnivore who likes cheese, it’s no contest, head for the Azores. São Miguel has more cows than people and the steaks are out of this world. Dine on medium rare tenderloin steak with three pepper sauce, potatoes and red wine at Restaurant da Associação Agrícola, it’s heaven. The Azorean cows also make legendary cheese. Queijo São Jorge is the most well-known cheese, produced on the nearby island of São Jorge. This cow’s milk cheese is semi-hard and holds a protected geographical status certification, indicating superb quality. Once you’ve eaten enough steak and cheese, move on to something sweet, the local, small and sweet Azores pineapple, grown on Sao Miguel plantations.

If you’re into gourmet meals and Michelin stars, Madeira is your spot. Head for Restaurant Vila do Peixe where the catch of the day is spread over ice and you can choose the best type and size fish for you. Or pop over to one of the island’s Michelin-starred places, Il Gallo d’Oro and William. Wherever you end up eating, don’t miss eating limpets (ocean snails that look and taste like clams) in garlic butter sauce and drinking vinho verde (our favorite white wine, especially the bottles produced by Quinta de Azevedo). Here’s our full guide to Madeira restaurants.

If you’re looking for a ton of evening activities (dancing, bars, nightlife), then head for Madeira. There is over the top dancing at Vespas Club and a rowdy bar scene at FX Sports bar. You can also stroll around old town Funchal, talking in the sights and popping into one of the various cafe/bars like Barreirinha Bar Café or Venda Velha (the local poncha drink is a must, its a mix of distilled sugar cane alcohol, honey, lemon juice). For classy drinks, get a glass of wine at The Wine Hotel. In São Miguel on the other hand, you’re best bet is watching stars over a bottle of Portuguese red wine. That or a chill drink at the Azor Hotel or Grand Hotel bars in Ponta Delgada. Occasionally, listening to live music at Raiz Club or dancing Arco 8, warehouse/art gallery/space.

If you’re coming from North America, the Azores are easier to get to and you can get a free stopover. It’s about a 4.5 hour direct flight from the east coast’s of the U.S. and Canada. There are no direct flights from North America to Madeira, but there are more direct flights from Europe to Madeira than there are from the Azores.

And if age is just a number, know that Madeira gets a ton of older folks visiting from Europe. Known as the island of eternal spring, British, German, French and Spanish retirees flock to the island in droves (because mild climate, gorgeous views, amazing food and fancy hotels). So don’t be surprised if you see more older travelers in Madeira compared to the Azores.

THE TIEBREAK

In summary, both islands are amazing with fabulous food, stunning ocean views and spectacular hiking. If you need more details, checkout Which is the best Azores island to Visit or our Madeira Overview here. If you have time and the logistics work, as always, see both, but if you need to choose… We recommend the Azores for wild nature, rugged beaches, a low key tourist scene and delicious steaks and cheeses. We recommend Madeira for a sleek, easy and culturally-focused experience, with buzzing nightlife and superb seafood.

And if you’re ready to pack your bagsfor the Azores, check out the Travel Honey Azores and Madeira itineraries which include the Sao Miguel 7 day itinerary, map and regional guide, the Sao Miguel hotel and lodging guide, and the Pico 5 day itinerary and map.

Safe travels!

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This 5-day Madeira itinerary provides amazing tips on all the best places to visit in Madeira, like off-the-beaten-track hikes, spectacular viewpoints, and amazing meals.

Katy, the Travel Honey Contributor, has visited Madeira twice, once for 5 nights and another trip for 3 nights.  This is an itinerary with all the best places to visit in Madeira. The itinerary is for nights in Funchal and 2 nights in Ponta do Sol.  This itinerary includes all the best places to visit in Madeira and all the must sees, including what to see in Funchal, Pico do Arieiro, Valley of the Nuns,  Lourenço Point hike, Porto Moniz and Cabo Girão and many tasty restaurants.  This Madeira itinerary is on-the-go, but if you want a slower-paced trip, you can choose to skip some of the hikes, take more siestas!

Why Visit Madeira Island in Portugal?

Katy chose Madeira island in Portugal, because she was visiting mainland Portugal already and wanted to add something a little more exotic that would have warmish weather in December.

Itinerary Overview: All the Best Places to Visit in Madeira

Here’s the overview page from Katy’s Madeira itinerary (get the full 19 pages and interactive Google map here).

Katy’s Itinerary Day-by-Day Summary of the Best Places to Visit in Madeira

Best Places to Visit in Madeira – Day 1

Get yourself acquainted with Funchal, the capital city of Madeira, by seeing all the must sees, like: the Funchal Cathedral, Mercado’s dos Lavradores and Projecto artE pORtas abErtas.  Make sure you leave a little time to just wander Funchal’s narrow and winding  streets.  Then head to a tasty dinner.   ? Day 1 Transport: Rental car to Funchal then walk around Funchal and to dinner.

Best Places to Visit in Madeira – Day 2

Head to the northeast of Madeira island for a beautiful 2.5 hour hike along the coast and eat lunch nearby.  Relax in the afternoon and have drinks with a view, and then have a tasty dinner in a cozy restaurant.   ? Day 2 Transport: Lourenço Point hike is a 35 minute drive to northeast Madeira in the rental car from Funchal, and Caniçal is about 10 minutes from Lourenço Point on the way back from Funchal. Everything else is walkable in Funchal and to dinner.

Best Places to Visit in Madeira  – Day 3

Wake up early to beat the crowds at Pico do Arieiro and do a little hiking if you’re up for it.  Then head to Valley of the Nuns, followed by Ponta do Sol for a late lunch, relaxing, and an awesome dinner with a view.  ?  Day 3 Transport: Pico do Arieiro is about a 40 minute drive in the rental car east of Funchal in the middle of Madeira island up a steep hill.  The viewpoint above Valley of the Nuns is another 30 minutes past Pico do Arieiro, and it’s a 40 minute drive after that to Ponta do Sol.

Best Places to Visit in Madeira  – Day 4

Go on a nearby hike in the morning, then head to the Porto Moniz pools on the northwest coast of Madeira.   Have lunch overlooking the water in Porto Monize and a dinner in the town of Ponta da Sol. ?  Day 4 Transport: It’s about a 30 minutes on VE4 to the north coast of Madeira island from Ponta do Sol, then another 20 minutes west to Porto Moniz.  If you drive along the west coast of Madeira it’s about an hour and fifteen minutes back to Ponta do Sol (45 minutes if you drive back the way you came).

Best Places to Visit in Madeira  – Day 5

On your last day in Madeira, head back to Funchal stopping at Cabo Girão and Câmara de Lobos.   ?  Day 5 Transport: Cabo Girão is about a 20 minute drive from Ponta do Sol.  Câmara de Lobos is about 20 minutes from Cabo Girão and about 20 minutes from Funchal (30 minutes from the airport).

To see the details about all the things to do in Madeira, feedback on many restaurant and hotels, along with nitty-gritty logistics tips, check out Katy’s full 19 pages and interactive Google map here.  You’ll also get extensive PDF guides with reviews and recommendations on the best Madeira restaurants and hotels.

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If you’re heading to Madeira, or considering a visit, read this guide to the Best Places to Stay in Madeira to know where to stay and get first-hand reviews of hotels.

Madeira is 35 miles long and 13 miles wide with 99 miles of coastline.  The views are spectacular but it’s all rocks and cliffs, so you won’t find beaches.  There are a few highways that run through the island, so it’s pretty easy to get around.  Get a rental car or you’ll be paying a lot for taxis or spending all your time waiting for the bus.  If you’re there for more than the weekend, stay a night out of Funchal, like in Ponta dol Sol, especially if there’s a cruise ship in town.  You’ll get the same quality but less expensive rooms.

Most of the best places to stay in Madeira are more affordable than most other European countries.  Although the summer and holidays are the high season, Madeira is known to have an “eternal spring”, so it gets visitors all year round. It’s best to book ahead, especially the smaller boutique hotels.  Most Madeira hotels, especially the nicer ones, include a breakfast with your stay.  We’ve listed some of our favorite lodging ideas on Madeira island (just keep in mind our pricing guide).  If you want to see all these hotels on a map and links to real guests photos, it’s included with the Travel Honey Madeira itinerary.  You’ll also get a day-by-day guide on the best activities.

BEST PLACES TO STAY IN MADEIRA – FUNCHAL

You’ll likely arrive to Madeira by plane to Funchal on the south coast.  Funchal is the largest city in Madeira and it’s where you’ll find most of the best places to stay in Madeira, including more high-end options.  Hotels are generally more expensive than elsewhere on the island. Funchal is also home to most restaurants, both the traditional and the more modern, and is home to some of the only nightlife on Madeira island.

Despite being the largest city in Madeira, the Funchal city center has mostly 2-3 floor buildings and maintains a charming feel. Stay at least a couple days unless you really want to get away from people.  If you’re not renting a car, Funchal is also your best bet, because you’ll find most tour operators and taxis in town.  But do yourself a favor and rent a car.  You’ll appreciate the flexibility and opportunities to explore.

Belmond Reid’s Palace ($$$$)

Vine Hotel ($$$)

Quinta da Casa Branca ($$$)

Castanheiro Boutique Hotel  ($$$)

PestanaCRr7 ($$$)

Quinta Mirabela ($$$)

Quinta Da Penha De Franca  ($$)

BEST PLACES TO STAY IN MADEIRA – PONTA DO SOL & CALHETA

If you’re in Madeira for more than a weekend, stay a couple nights outside of Funchal.  You’ll get away from the tourists and it will allow you to more easily explore the island.  Hotels are also cheaper.  Try Ponta de Sol, a small charming town about 40 minutes west of Funchal, which has a couple of the best hotels in Madeira and some great restaurants.

Estalagem da Ponta do Sol ($$)

Hotel Vila ($$)

Savoy Saccharum Resort & Spa ($$)

Airbnb Teepee ($)

We hope you’re now equipped to choose the best places to stay in Madeira.  Don’t forget, if you want to see all these hotels on a map and links to real guests photos, it’s included with the Travel Honey Madeira itinerary.  You’ll also get a day-by-day guide to the best activities.

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Read this guide if you want the inside scoop on the best restaurants in Madeira and what to eat when you’re there.

Madeira is 35 miles long and 13 miles wide with 99 miles of coastline.  The views are spectacular but it’s all rocks and cliffs, so you won’t find beaches.  There are a few highways that run through the island, so it’s pretty easy to get around.  But get a rental car or you’ll be paying a lot for taxis or spending all your time waiting for the bus.

Below is a list of tasty Madeira restaurants – some are good for a snack or drink before dinner while others we recommend as a meal. Except for the places we suggest for lunch or a snack, make reservations to be safe.  If you want the full descriptions of the restaurants a day-by-day guide to best activities don’t forget to check out the Travel Honey Madeira itinerary.  Also get a list of tips for each meal (like most restaurants are closed on Sundays) and must try dishes at the end of this guide.

BEST RESTAURANTS IN MADEIRA – FUNCHAL

Funchal is the largest city in Madeira and home to the majority of the best restaurants in Madeira, which is why we suggest staying at least a couple days in Funchal unless you really want to get  away from people.   Funchal’s charming streets are lined with historic 2-3 floor buildings.   You’ll find the most variety and innovation at Funchal restaurants, so go there if you want to try different culinary styles.

The city center is divided by streets that make a V-shape. To the east of the V is Old Town, which has narrow cobblestone streets. To the west, you’ll also find older construction, but it’s not quite as charming and there’s a mix of modern buildings. It gets very steep as you go north, so you’ll find great views but expect tired legs if you decide to walk!

Il Gallo d’Oro ($$$$$)

Nina Andrade Silva Design center Restaurant ($$$)

Uva Restaurant & Wine Bar  ($$$)

Armazem dol Sal ($$)

Riso Risottoria del Mundo ($$)

Restaurant Vila do Peixe ($$)

Mercado das Tapas ($$)

Gavião Novo ($$)

Restaurante Jaquet  ($$)

The Ritz ($$)

O Calhau ($)

Barreirinha Bar Café ($)

Penha d‘Àguia ($)

BEST RESTAURANTS IN MADEIRA – NORTHEAST – CANIÇAL

La Cala ($)

Muralha’s Bar ($)

BEST RESTAURANTS IN MADEIRA – SOUTHWEST – PONTA DO SOL, CALHETA & QUINTA GRANDE

Other than Funchal, the area around Ponta do Sol has the next best selection of Madeira restaurants.

Estalegem da Ponta Do Sol Restaurant ($$$)

Restaurant & Grill Muralha ($$)

Hotel Vila ($$)

Faja dos Padres ($$)

TIPS ON EATING & DRINKING IN THE BEST RESTAURANTS IN MADEIRA

Meals are a lot cheaper than in the U.S., especially wine.

Like at many European restaurants, meals in the best restaurants in Madeira are not a rushed affair. You may have to flag down your waiter to order another bottle of wine and you’ll likely not get the check without asking.  Enjoy the slower pace and don’t be afraid to politely waive your hand and make a request.

A lot of places would automatically give you bottled water – if you want tap water, ask for agua de torneira (faucet water).

Like in most European countries, you’re typically served free snacks with your drinks (nuts, chips, etc.).

If you want tuna rare like in the U.S., your best best is showing a photo of what you want.

There are not many places to get take away coffee.

Madeira is very popular with older Europeans, who sometimes eat dinner early, so you may have better luck getting into a restaurant later in the evening.

WHAT TO EAT & DRINK IN THE BEST RESTAURANTS IN MADEIRA

Bola de Caco. A round loaf of bread made in part from sweet potatoes and cooked on a hot stone then slathered in garlic butter.

Octopus.  Start with an octopus salad, but if you’re a little more adventurous, get it grilled as a main dish. So tasty slightly charred with some lemon!

Fish of the day. Restaurants typically list a variety of fish but may only have whatever they get fresh that day.  Get it, it’s usually very good!  If you’re cost conscious, though, ask the price because it may be more expensive than what’s on the menu.  Also, tuna is not traditionally served rare (see above for tip on how to order).

Limpets. Clam-like mollusks that are usually served grilled but with a bit of a garlic sauce.  They can be tough and if you don’t like too much of a seafood flavor, you might want to skip these.

Espetada. Meat, bay leaves, and garlic on a stick and grilled on an open fire.

Fruit.  Lots of exotic fruit grow in Madeira, but try the little banana. The EU put a size requirement on bananas, so you can only find them on Madeira!

Poncha. A local drink made from aguardente de cana (a strong alcohol made from sugar cane), honey and different fruit juices.

Madeira wine. Sort of like a port; it can vary from sweet to a dry.

Portuguese wine. It’s great and very affordable, try the vinho verde!

We hope you’re now equipped to choose the best Funchal restaurant and find good options on the rest of Madeira island.  If you want to see all these restaurants on a map, get a link to photos of the restaurant and menus, and more detailed lists on what to eat, it’s included with the Travel Honey Madeira itinerary.  You’ll also get a day-by-day guide to the best activities.

  

At Travel Honey, we find savvy travelers and share their trip recommendations with you through awesome guides and interactive maps. We provide all the information you need in one place, give you trip advice you can trust, simplify logistics, and save you time.

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