Where to stay in Madeira, Portugal
Three factors to consider when choosing accommodation in Madeira are the length of the trip, weather conditions, and whether you will be renting a car. If it is going to be a short trip, I would recommend staying in Funchal, so you will be close to many attractions and spend less time getting around.
Weather should be taken into account because in the southern coastal areas of the island, it is easy to find sunshine and temperatures are higher. The north is somewhat colder and wetter. On the other hand, as soon as you go a little inland, the altitude rises sharply and the temperature drops, apart from being covered by clouds.
Madeira is one of those places where you can enjoy a lot if you rent a car. I highly recommend that you enjoy the island at your leisure. If not, you can hire tours. The car also gives you a lot of freedom when it comes to choosing accommodations. If you have it, you can stay somewhere more remote. If not, I would recommend opting for Funchal.
🚗 Do you need a car for your trip to Madeira? I recommend you to compare prices on Auto Europe and Discover Cars, two websites that will be very useful to find the best rental prices.
At the end of this post, you will find a map of Madeira in which I have pointed out the towns where I recommend staying, places to see on the island, and recommendations for accommodation in Madeira.
1. Funchal, the best area to stay in Madeira
Funchal is the best area to stay in Madeira for most travelers, especially if you are going to be in Madeira for a few days or if you don’t have a car. It is a city that has a lot to offer.
I loved walking through the Mercado dos Lavradores, Santa Maria Street, going up to the top of the city with the funicular, and down the popular Carreiros do Monte. In addition, from Madeira, it is also possible to book tours to other parts of the island or take boat trips.
Funchal has many accommodation options, both hotels and apartments. There are many good options, and with a small budget, you can stay in good places. Within Funchal, I recommend staying near the historic center or by Lido, next to the coast.
Recommended hotels in Funchal
- $: Santa Maria Hostel, FX Pena.
- $$: Vitorina Corte Guesthouse, RTS IN Hotel Conde Carvalhal.
- $$$: Quinta Da Penha De Franca, Golden Residence Hotel.
- $$$$: Reid’s Palace, The Cliff Bay – PortoBay.
2. Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz is a coastal town located in the eastern part of the island, about 17 kilometers from Funchal. It is also very close to the airport. Inside this town, you will find cobblestone streets, spectacular views, and architecture dating back to the 15th century. Do not miss the Church of San Salvador and the municipal market.
In addition to a wide variety of accommodations, stores, and restaurants, Santa Cruz is also known for its pebble beaches. Because it is a quiet place and has several attractions for children, this town is ideal for families traveling with children.
Recommended hotels in Santa Cruz
- $$: Hotel Solar Bom Jesus.
- $$$: Albatroz Beach & Yacht Club.
3. Machico, a great area to stay in Madeira
Just north of Santa Cruz is Machico, another coastal town you should consider if you are looking for accommodation in Madeira. Apart from being very charming, Machico is home to one of the few golden sandy beaches on the island. To achieve this, it was necessary to import tons of sand from Morocco.
In addition to enjoying this beach, you will also enjoy its promenade, where you will find numerous bars where you can have a quiet drink. Do not miss the little streets of Machico to discover the traditional architecture of its buildings. Its surroundings are also full of trails, ideal for hiking while enjoying the sea views.
Recommended hotels in Machico
4. Ribeira Brava, a very central area
Ribeira Brava and its surroundings have one of the best locations for exploring the island, as its central location allows you to reach most of the places to visit in Madeira quickly. It is only 20 kilometers west of Funchal and has easy access to the road that crosses the island from north to south.
I recommend staying in Ribeira Brava, especially for those who want to enjoy the local atmosphere and relaxed ambience. In addition, you can visit the beautiful Igreja de Sao Bento and relax on the beaches.
Recommended hotels in Ribeira Brava
5. São Vicente, in the north of Madeira
Another good option if you are looking for a base from which to do activities such as hiking or touring Levadas is the north of the island. Specifically, one of the best places is Sao Vicente, a small village surrounded by mountains and cliffs. This town is located in a very central area of the north coast of Madeira; therefore, it will be easy to reach many attractions on the island.
In Sao Vicente, besides enjoying spectacular landscapes, you can visit the Caves of São Vicente or the Garden of Indigenous Plants. In short, if you love nature and outdoor activities, São Vicente is one of the best options for you.
Recommended hotels in São Vicente
- $: Gardens Guest House.
- $$: Casa Da Piedade.
- $$$: Solar da Bica.
6. Porto Moniz, in the northwest of Madeira
Porto Moniz, located in the northwest corner of Madeira, is another of the most famous tourist towns and another good option to establish your base in the north of the island. One of the main attractions of Porto Moniz are its spectacular natural pools, formed by volcanic activity. Bathing in its waters is a real delight.
Hiking lovers will also be happy because this is one of the most beautiful routes you can do in Madeira. I am talking about the Levada da Ribeira da Janela, thanks to which you can discover a wide range of landscapes.
Recommended hotels in Porto Moniz
- $$: Hotel Euro Moniz.
- $$$: Aqua Natura Madeira.
7. Calheta, the best beaches in Madeira
I end with Calheta, another very popular place among tourists who come to this Portuguese island. Apart from its incredible natural environment full of cliffs and waterfalls, this town draws attention for the Praia da Calheta, a sandy beach ideal for spending the day. This is located next to the marina, from which you can perform numerous water activities.
I had not yet mentioned that this town is located in the southwest of Madeira, about 37 kilometers from Funchal. In the surroundings of Calheta, do not miss Prazeres, Jardim do Mar, and Paul do Mar.
Recommended hotels in Calheta
- $$: Quinta Alegre.
- $$$: Socalco Nature Calheta.
- $$$: Saccharum – Hedonist Design Resort.
Map of best areas to stay in Madeira
I have created this map of Madeira to help you choose accommodation in Madeira.
You will see marked in red (the little house icon) the main places to sleep in Madeira (as well as places you should visit during your visit); marked in orange the different hotels I recommend (with their respective links to Booking); and finally, marked in blue, places to see in Madeira.
You can click on each of the boxes in the drop-down menu on the map to see the areas, hotels, or places to visit. This will make it much easier for you to organize your trip and choose where you want to stay in Madeira.
Don’t miss my Portugal travel guide to organize your visit to other areas of the country.
I hope this article about where to stay in Madeira has been very useful for you to organize your trip to the Portuguese island. If you have any questions, I encourage you to leave a comment or contact me by email, see you next time!