15 Tips I Wish I Knew Before Visiting MADEIRA, Portugal

Tip 16- Watch all Joeys videos before you go, We planned our week around them. and it worked out brilliantly. A personal recommendation - if you're planning on doing a trip around the east or west of the island (we did 4x4 trips as they had less people and were able to go off road ) do them early on so you can get an idea of places you may want to go back to later in your stay. The dolphin watching tours are a very relaxing few hours.

Great info Joe, very informative. See you around town! Sean & Lynda.

You are being a good ambassador for Madeira Island! It's nice to have people who really appreciate our island and give tips for those who want to visit it.

Very Nice. I am goong with my wife and daughter in two weeks to prazeres. Very welcome tips. Like your name to

Vídeo muito bom. Em relação aos passeios a pé faltou avisar os turistas para o perigo de algumas levadas e caminhos onde ao mesmo tempo circulam motas e bicicletas.
Um verdadeiro perigo.

Great tips there JoeyP, thank you 😊

Very good tips, Obregada!

Thankful I already know a lot of Spanish, and a fair bit of portuguese

Yeah what the hell is with hikers shitting everywhere?

Maderia very very safe to travel alone even as a female, beautiful island, beautiful people, stunning island , last time I was there 2011. ❤❤perhaps it's changed alot !!. Plus weather is good all year round I went November it was quiet season, but like everywhere in world bet congested with cars people!! Pollution don't think so. I'd go again but May time ❤❤

Thank you for these great tips. I will be visiting later this year. What should I know about using my drone to take shots like you have? Do I need a permit or anything?

Loved the personality added to the video as well as all the tips! I'm traveling to Madeira in 2 weeks & just wrote down so many notes about the taxis, market, webcams, and more. Seriously so grateful to have seen this video before my trip!! You rock, JoeyP!!!!

Tenerife and Madeira are like brother and sister, very similar.)))

Great Tips ~ even for a resident.

Great info man 🤟🏽

I suspect the people who try to collect money on the start of walks are scammers. I'd ask for I.D. before you hand any money over.

We're heading out end of march
Pre booked a few trips already. But also decided to hire a couple motorcycles 😊

Great tips! If staying for a week, would you recommend a rental car for convenience if planning to 'go out'? Or do visitors usually get rental cars there? Easy to drive or park?

Great tips but just one thing - bolo do caco isn't garlic bread, it might sometimes be served as that or come with garlic butter, but bolo do caco is the traditional flatbread made with sweet potato & flour - delicious on its own, or order up 'prego' which is 2 rounds of bolo do caco stuffed to overflowing with a slice of steak (really tender!), ham & cheese!!! We couldn't eat all of ours (which came at a ridiculously low price in a cafe in the old town of Funchal) and kept half each for our mountain hike the next day. What a delicious bargain!

Imagine as stupid as in this video ALARM YOU that when yoy cometo this wonderfull place that everybody will.....and you know friends that has been there and they loved it. - Everything was they said normally priced....and the ones living there also wanted to have it good.... shame on them?

Top video Joey. We just got back from 4 weeks doing a WFH there. Other tips I'd add, do not hire anything other than an automatic car. Manuals will be horrible on the hills. Some roads are 40 degree up and down. Other tips, do not follow your Google shortest route. It will send you through village skinny steep roads and try to torture you. Follow the ER routes. Also, Apple Maps is not good in Madeira. It's a beautiful country, respect it and respect the locals.

In 2010 I got up very early to visit the Risco waterfall. Having beheld its ravishing beauty in total solitude for five minutes I turned around, only to be met by hordes of Nordic walkers making their way to the same spot. I suddenly felt I was at some central European railway terminus.

Thank you for bringing up the tissue paper issue! Yes, please take it with you. So many beautiful hikes are ruined with loo paper!

Thanks for the tips. I am visiting in April and cannot wait :)

Good tips, thank you! Like!

I've grown angel trumpets for 30 years I have never gotten poisoned you would have to eat the whole 20 ft tree so go ahead and enjoy its intoxicating fragrance especially at night

So, the Mahomes haircut is international now??

As for number #5 do we think having free public restrooms at trailheads would help offset this? I noticed many were paid.

The biggest scam in madeira is the tourist restaurants, especially in the old town and new town of Funchal. Overpriced and very poor. Try too look where the locals eat. You won't go far wrong that way. 😊

woudl you recommend renting a car?

They should change the name of the flower to Devils Trumpet lol.

First word you should learn is Caralho lol..

Have you ben to any of the summer festivals like Semana de mar in Porto Moniz or the huge one Sao Vincente....

How is cell reception o. The island, specially outside funchal

I hate mass tourism, the instagram crowd have ruined much for many.

Great video, helps a lot to prepare well in advance! Is it a safe place for a female solo traveler?

Wow. Great tips thanks. I am off for my first visit on Tuesday. Looking forward to watching the carnival. And eating 😀. Thanks for tip about the tropical fruit. That I my main reason for having Madeira on my bucket list- the fruits.

Great tips! We are hoping to visit next January and would like to use Bolt to explore the island rather than drive. Is this possible? and would we get mobile reception in the more remote areas? Thanks ☺

My family lives there : 3
Also the weather can be unpredictable

Whats the weather there in March April, is it warm enough to swim, warm enough on top of the mountains, anyone?

Actually, many tissue and toilet papers are whitened and filled with chemicals, which hinder their degradation and leach unwanted substances into the soil.

If you want to do your business in nature and don’t want to carry used paper in your bag, please make sure to bring natural toilet paper and a small spade to bury everything properly. This helps speed up decomposition and keeps the area clean for everyone. Thanks!

Top tip above all...FOLLOW THE RULES!
If it is forbidden DON'T DO IT! Don't go off path, don't climb fences, don't risk your life and the life of eventual rescuers, don't park you car badly, follow traffic rules, follow authorities instructions, use common sense...remember, if you can't do it in your country why do it in others? These are things that are going wrong daily with tourists right now in Madeira.
You're always welcome in Madeira if you respect it and respect your life.

Great tips! Cheers mate.

Hey Joey! How are they with drone laws and restrictions? Did you run into any problems with flying yours? Thanks so much:)

Yeah, don't go.

Very helpful video, thank you🙏🏻

Headed to Madeira on the 9 March ‘25. First visit. Thanks for the tips, and all your videos!

I adore Madiera and have been several times in January, when the weather is very changeable, but as we go to walk, we're always well prepared! My husband and I walked up to the statue above Monte and were given complimentary poncha in a cafe on the way down when we told the owner where we had been! It is a beautiful island with the most exotic flora. You ought to learn Portuguese, it would enhance your experience. Lovely video.

Feel free to share your tips in the comments