Climate: These islands, because of their privileged geographical position and mountainous relief, have a surprisingly mild climate. Very mild average temperatures, 22ºC in the summer and 16ºC in the winter, and a moderate level of humidity, confer upon these islands exceptional subtropical features. The seawater temperature is also very mild, because of the influence of the warm Gulf current, presenting averages of 22ºC in the summer and 18º in the winter.

Access: One can reach the islands of Madeira and Porto Santo by air or sea. There are two airports: Madeira International Airport - on Madeira, and Porto Santo Airport, on the island of Porto Santo. Because the ports of Funchal and Porto Santo are often visited by cruising ships, they serve as gateways to the islands, as well as departure points to other destinations. Connections between the islands are either by air or ferryboats, which also transport cars. Surface transport on the islands is trouble-free thanks to the modern road structure, which has been significantly improved in recent years. Practically all points of these islands are served by a good road and transport network.

Getting Here: Visitors coming from the European Union, members of the Shengen Treaty, are granted unrestricted entry. Visitors from member states that are not signatories to this treaty need an identification document. International visitors should have a valid passport, and in some cases, a visa to visit Portugal might be requested. There is no need for any kind of vaccination.

Customs Formalities: Products leaving the island are not subject to any limitation. However, if a quantity is considered excessive, the customs officers might require a document proving that the articles are for personal use.

Shopping: In addition to the traditional local craft products, Portuguese shoes, flowers and tropical fruits are favoured purchases on any visit. Our famous Madeira wine deserves special attention. Wickerwork, tapestry and the renowned Madeira embroidery should also find a place in the departing holidaymakers’ baggage. On the streets of Funchal, one can find shops selling the brands of internationally famous fashion designers. Shops are open from 9:00 to 13:00hrs and from 15:00 to 19:00hrs, Monday to Friday. On Saturday from 9:00 to 13:00hrs. Some shopping centres are open from 10:00 to 22:00hrs every day. Major Credit cards accepted in hotels, restaurants and shops.

Communication: The region has very well developed in terms of IT networks and telephone communications. The international access code is +351, and the regional area code is 291.

Banks: Banks are open from 8:30 to 15:00hrs, Monday to Friday. Foreign Exchange offices work from 9:00 to 13:00hrs and from 14:00 to 19:00hrs, every day, except on Saturdays when they open from 9:00 to 19:00hrs. Outside these periods, the hotels can make currency exchange.

Information Language: Portuguese and English

Population: 255 000 people live on these islands according to data collected in 2001. Half of the population lives in the capital. Population density is very high, reaching 337 inhabitants/sq km in Madeira and 112 per sq km in Porto Santo.

Currency: € EURO

Time: Same as in UK; Madeira follows Portuguese time with Summer time. Clocks advance one hour in the last Sunday of March and go back one hour in the last Sunday of October, according to the regulations of the European Union.

Electricity: The electric current is 220 volts.

Water: There is plenty of water of an excellent drinking standard. Porto Santo uses treated seawater, but all of it can be consumed.

Post: The main post office, or "Correios de Portugal", is at the centre of Funchal, at the Avenida Calouste Gulbenkian. There are daily collections at 11:00 and 15:00 from the post boxes placed all over the island.

Chemists: Chemists are open from Monday to Friday from 9:00 to 13:00 and from 15:00 to 19:00, on Saturdays from 9:00 to 13:00. In addition, at the door of every pharmacy you will find advisory notes about the pharmacies currently open.

Hospital Centres: There are 67 health centres situated around the Madeira island, and one at Porto Santo. In Funchal there are two hospitals.

Police: The police presence is very discreet. If you need help, dial 112. There is a Lost Property section in Funchal, at Rua da Infância, 28, Tel.: 291 208200

Safety: Madeira is one of the safest holiday destinations in the world. If you take the minimum sensible precautions, you probably won’t experience any problems. Most of the hotels have safes or deposit boxes where you can keep your valuables.

Tips: In hotels and restaurants the bill normally includes service. The normal rate for good service is 10%.

Camping Parks: There are two official camping sites on the Madeira archipelago, one in Porto Moniz and the other in Porto Santo, in the town of Vila Baleira.

Madeira - Ecotourism

One of the greatest tourist attractions of the Island of Madeira lies in its spectacular landscape. Its luxurious vegetation continues to fascinate all those closely drawn to nature.

This archipelago, included in the bio-geographic region of Macaronesia, retains a natural heritage of great scientific value, distinguished by UNESCO as World Natural Heritage.

Madeira's indigenous Laurissilva forest, occupying an area of 15 thousand hectares, forms part of this vast layer of vegetation that covers the island. This ancient forest dates back to the Tertiary Era and includes very large trees amongst which is the Til, (Ocotea foetens), the Laurel-Tree, (Laurus azorica) and the Brazilian Mahogany, (Persea indica). Surrounding the trees are mosses and many other bushes, including heather and ferns.

Amongst the bird life there are rare species such as the Long-toed pigeon, (Columba trocaz) and Zino's petrel or the Madeira Freira petrel, (Pterodroma madeira).

In a continuous effort to preserve nature in its primitive form, five different areas of the Region were declared Nature Reserves. These are the Reserves of the Desertas and Selvagens Islands, the Nature Reserve of Rocha do Navio and the Garajau and Ponta de São Lourenço Reserves. Through them, the various endemic forms of flora and fauna are identified.

But beyond this invaluable heritage, the island of Madeira also contains a vast array of exotic plants of every form and colour, the majority of which originate from various other parts of the world and have adapted here as well as they do in their native environment.

Madeira - Sporting Activities

Madeira has the perfect combination of natural elements that produce the ideal setting to practice all sports throughout the year

A fantastic array of natural resources come together on the Island of Madeira, enabling you to enjoy a variety of sporting activities all year round.

Naturally there is a broader range of water sports where the most common activities are swimming, surfing, windsurfing, diving, sailing, canoeing or water skiing.

However, with its mild climate and specific geographical formation, this island encourages not only the local population but also those who visit us, to participate in other outdoor activities, such as horse-riding, mountain biking, hand-gliding and paragliding, mountaineering or canyoning.

International and world sporting events take place on the island, such as World Championships of Surfing and Triathlon as well as the Rhythmic Gymnastics International Championship.

It is not by chance that world famous golfers participate every year in the Madeira Island Golf Open - PGA European Tour, or that many famous world drivers exhibit their spectacular skills to thrill the motor racing fans at the Madeira Wine Rally.

Madeira - Wellness

In the eyes of the World, Madeira has come to be known as the Floating Garden. This group of Atlantic islands, with its century-old traditions, prides itself in its unequalled natural characteristics and clean, fragrant air. On this enchanted garden isle with its mild climate and average temperatures of 19ºC in winter and 23ºC in summer, Madeira’s visitors will encounter the ideal setting in which to enjoy the perfect balance between body and soul. Madeira’s rich natural and cultural heritage associated with its political and social stability, healthy gastronomy and the hospitality of its inhabitants provide a safe climate and make this a very favourable destination. In these modern times the Madeira Archipelago is considered to be a paradise of health and wellness where the visitor may choose to enjoy both relaxing and invigorating holidays at any time of the year. Madeira is one of the oldest and most traditional European tourist destinations. This trend began soon after it was settled, back in the 15th century, at a time when the island was a compulsory stop on the European trade routes. Madeira benefited greatly as a destination from the expansion of the English crown in later centuries. Due to its strategic position and exceptional climate, Madeira became a port of call for stocking provisions and for the “acclimatization” of her majesty’s subjects on their travels to and from the English colonies in South Africa and India. In the mid-19th century and as a consequence of the rise in the number of visitors, rented summer houses and family homes gave way to the island’s first hotels. Many people were attracted by the therapeutic qualities of the Island’s climate in curing respiratory diseases which were common at the time and difficult to treat.

Good health in today’s world

Nowadays people are more concerned with their health and wellness. Throughout time, people have acquired new habits in order to prolong life and ensure themselves of the best health conditions. People have become more aware that a life of “moderation” achieved through fitness and a healthy diet are essential to obtain a greatly improved quality of life. However, the environment that surrounds us is fundamental to our wellness. The archipelago of Madeira possesses both healthy and natural elements: its unpolluted sea water, extracts of algae and plants, fresh fragrant flowers and its clean air. Within this environment of perfect harmony between Man and Nature, the proverb “a healthy mind in a healthy body” makes perfect sense because the visitor can truly experience great peace and spiritual calmness here.

Madeira - Porto Santo

A mere 40 km away from the island of Madeira, two and a half hours by boat or, if preferred, just 15 minutes by plane, lies one of the most beautiful and idyllic islands in the world: Porto Santo! If you believe this to be fanciful exaggeration, then why not come and see for yourself!

The soft and golden sand, renowned for its therapeutic properties, bathed by a warm and crystal clear sea, a dry and stable climate all year round, are but some of its attributes.

It is possible to indulge in every type of outdoor sporting activity on the island of Porto Santo. Apart from water sports such as diving, windsurfing or sailing, you can also enjoy the perfect natural environment as you paraglide from the cliff tops, walk along recently restored primitive footpaths or cycle across the south coast of the island.

Just as Christopher Columbus did whilst living on the island, you also will find in Porto Santo your refuge, the place where everything happens at a slow pace, enabling you to thoroughly enjoy the holiday of a lifetime!

Here you will discover the other side of life: Tranquillity!

National Holidays

1st January New Years’ Day 25th April Freedom Day 1st May May Day 10th June Day of Camões and Portugal 15th August Our Lady Assumption 5th October Republic Day 1st November All Saints Day 1st December Restoration of Independence Day 25 December Christmas Day

On the 1st of July the Autonomous Region of Madeira celebrates its holiday. Religious festivities, with variable dates, are also celebrated in the Islands.

Madeira's Port Authority has a busy traffic and control of cargo vessels as Madeira is with a perfect geographic point for the Atlantic commerce.