Some tips for Madeira.
1. How to get there?
You can search for flights and hotels yourself, but then you have to consider that there will definitely be at least 1 transfer, you will definitely have to rent a car and plan everything yourself, but you can also contact the Ceļojumubode agency and book the entire trip together at once!
2. How many days are needed to enjoy Madeira?
It all depends on you, what you want to see, how much you want to walk in the mountains and how much you want to relax by the ocean, but in our case, a week was completely enough and there is a slight feeling that another 2-3 days would have been perfect, then you would have seen and experienced a lot!
3. Where to stay?
Since this island is not that big, you can safely choose one hotel for the whole week, and I would recommend Funchal or at least close to it, because all the major activity happens around this city.
4. What car to rent and where?
You have to consider that you will always have to drive up mountains, and also drive on some dirt roads or park the car on the side of a ditch, where there is a large water drainage ditch, so the best option is something higher than a regular street car, something in between a jeep and a passenger car. You can rent a car at the airport, but it's slightly cheaper in the city, but you have to consider that it takes 20-25 minutes by taxi from the airport to Funchal city center and it can cost 40 Eur to the city and then 40 Eur to the airport.
5. Who is this island suitable for?
First of all, this island will be interesting for everyone who loves beautiful nature, mountains, and the ocean. Secondly, the island is for everyone who enjoys active recreation, who likes to walk a lot and constantly be on the move. But for those who usually choose holiday destinations with sea, sun, beach, and all-inclusive hotels, this might not be the right place this time, because it will be difficult to stay put here; you will always want to go to one side of the island, climb a mountain, or walk a beautiful trail.
6. How to plan your days to see as much as possible?
As I already mentioned, this island is not very large and you can drive around it in 2-3 hours, with small stops. But if you want to really see and enjoy everything, then you have to consider that in many places the distances that need to be walked are very long, and for example, to reach the stairs of Pico Do Arieiro mountain, you have to walk 6km along mountain ridge trails, or for example, to Risco waterfall you have to walk more than an hour in one direction, and then climb uphill for more than an hour on the way back. To avoid getting too exhausted in the first few days so that you can no longer move, choose only one hiking route per day, and for the rest of the time, enjoy the island by car or with very short walks.
7. There are some Latvians living on the island who are ready to share important and useful information at any time or even take you to a beautiful place or a good restaurant. Feel free to contact them and you will make new friends. https://www.facebook.com/agnese.alde https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100005844152694
You will see everything else in our 3 series about this fabulously beautiful island of Madeira.
1. How to get there?
You can search for flights and hotels yourself, but then you have to consider that there will definitely be at least 1 transfer, you will definitely have to rent a car and plan everything yourself, but you can also contact the Ceļojumubode agency and book the entire trip together at once!
2. How many days are needed to enjoy Madeira?
It all depends on you, what you want to see, how much you want to walk in the mountains and how much you want to relax by the ocean, but in our case, a week was completely enough and there is a slight feeling that another 2-3 days would have been perfect, then you would have seen and experienced a lot!
3. Where to stay?
Since this island is not that big, you can safely choose one hotel for the whole week, and I would recommend Funchal or at least close to it, because all the major activity happens around this city.
4. What car to rent and where?
You have to consider that you will always have to drive up mountains, and also drive on some dirt roads or park the car on the side of a ditch, where there is a large water drainage ditch, so the best option is something higher than a regular street car, something in between a jeep and a passenger car. You can rent a car at the airport, but it's slightly cheaper in the city, but you have to consider that it takes 20-25 minutes by taxi from the airport to Funchal city center and it can cost 40 Eur to the city and then 40 Eur to the airport.
5. Who is this island suitable for?
First of all, this island will be interesting for everyone who loves beautiful nature, mountains, and the ocean. Secondly, the island is for everyone who enjoys active recreation, who likes to walk a lot and constantly be on the move. But for those who usually choose holiday destinations with sea, sun, beach, and all-inclusive hotels, this might not be the right place this time, because it will be difficult to stay put here; you will always want to go to one side of the island, climb a mountain, or walk a beautiful trail.
6. How to plan your days to see as much as possible?
As I already mentioned, this island is not very large and you can drive around it in 2-3 hours, with small stops. But if you want to really see and enjoy everything, then you have to consider that in many places the distances that need to be walked are very long, and for example, to reach the stairs of Pico Do Arieiro mountain, you have to walk 6km along mountain ridge trails, or for example, to Risco waterfall you have to walk more than an hour in one direction, and then climb uphill for more than an hour on the way back. To avoid getting too exhausted in the first few days so that you can no longer move, choose only one hiking route per day, and for the rest of the time, enjoy the island by car or with very short walks.
7. There are some Latvians living on the island who are ready to share important and useful information at any time or even take you to a beautiful place or a good restaurant. Feel free to contact them and you will make new friends. https://www.facebook.com/agnese.alde https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100005844152694
You will see everything else in our 3 series about this fabulously beautiful island of Madeira.
