Madeira! The island of Eternal Spring. This small island west of Portugal won our hearts and was by far one of the best unexpected hidden gems we’ve ever visited.
The archipelago is composed of small villages scattered around infinite hiking trails, curved roads, and enormous steep cliffs.
For the sake of flexibility and to be able to reach the most remote hidden gems of the island, we decided to explore Madeira by car. Little did we know that driving in Madeira would be a memorable but challenging experience.
Being a skillful driver is definitely recommended for a road trip in Madeira. Driving in Europe, in general, could be a lot of fun, but you need to take some precautions and be vigilant. Here are our best tips to enjoy Madeira by car to the fullest.
What to Expect From Driving in Madeira?
All destinations on the island are well connected by a good network of roads. However, saying that public transport needs improvement is an understatement.
The main issue with the local transport is that it doesn’t really take you everywhere. Most of the places are only accessible by car. Not to mention the fact that the buses are not working on Sunday and public holidays, and these are some of the busiest days for tourists.
Is It Worth Renting a Car in Madeira?
The best way to get the most of the island is to rent a car. We recommend this method because it provides a lot of flexibility. You don’t have to follow the public transportation schedule. You can choose which stops to visit, avoid those that are not in your preference, and stay longer to explore those that take your breath away.
The panorama is absolutely amazing. The best way to enjoy your experience to the fullest is to plan your Madeira itinerary ahead.
Why is Driving in Madeira Challenging?
If you go on Tripadvisor or any other corner of the internet looking for travel tips, you will stumble upon mixed opinions. You’ll definitely find a handful of articles advising you not to drive on your own on this island. No kidding, some people are extreme and will tell you that driving there is a life-threatening experience.
And yes, the roads are narrow in some places, but there are plenty of spots where you can stop or even turn around if needed. The slopes are steep, and the turns are sharper than usual. Visibility is minimal in some places, but this applies to almost all mountain roads.
The roads can be windy in some sections, and you may even have to ride in the fog higher in the mountains. However, if you drive carefully and keep a safe distance between yourself and other cars and buses, you’ll be alright.
Waterfall car wash at an old road on the edge of a rocky cliff between Ponta do Sol and Jardim do Mar. Madeira island, Portugal.
Being a skillful driver is definitely recommended. So if you don’t have much experience behind the steering wheel, it’s best to let another person drive.
In Portugal, you need to drive on the right lane, so if you’re used to driving on the left, you might need some time to get used to it.
The roads are a continuous maze up and down, leading you up. On some spots, the roads are almost 70 degrees steep, which can be scary to see. There is a great system of warning signs throughout the roads. They advise you for falling rock areas, sharp turns, and speed limits.
How to Drive Safely in Madeira?
Is it life-threatening to drive in Madeira? – Absolutely Not.
Do you have to drive safely and obey the traffic law? – Definitely!
With all that said, you absolutely need to drive carefully over those curvy roads. It’s not that dangerous, it might appear, but you still need to take it seriously. Don’t think that you’re an excellent driver simply because you have years of experience behind the steering wheel.
We’re not writing all that to scare you. Driving in Madeira can truly be a lot of fun. We’re simply asking you to take precautions and be vigilant. If you do that, there is nothing you should worry about.
Don’t rush. Plan some extra time for driving and enjoying the views, especially up higher in the mountains. Renting a car will give you access to some amazing remote parts of the island.
The island is full of long tunnels, up-and-downhills, and sheer tracks, so it’s recommended to rent a powerful car.
Madeira, Portugal: One of the oldest road tunnels on the north coast of Madeira
Recommendations for Renting a Car
For the best experience on the island, you need to be careful choosing your rental car. Your whole trip will depend on it and its condition.
1) Do Your Research
Check with local companies online to make sure you’re trusting the right people. Read reviews from customers who have rented cars for similar reasons as yours. Make sure that the company you choose to work with is professional and ensured.
2) Don’t Compromise on Quality
Choose a good car. Explain what the reason you’re renting a car and ask for a recommendation is. We understand that choosing the cheapest option can be tempting, but don’t do it when renting a car.
If you are a solo traveler, then it’s okay it rent a casual car. However, don’t compromise safety and endurance for a couple of bucks a day, especially if you are four or more people in the car.
3) Choose a Medium-Sized Car
Choosing a big, tall car is not very convenient for this particular island. A smaller or medium-sized car would be perfect for Madeira’s roads. Not too light to handle the wind and not too large for the narrower sections and sharp turns.
Ensure that the car has plenty of room to fit all people and luggage to avoid unpleasant surprises at the airport. Space is expensive on an island like Madeira. Some of the parking spots and garages are also narrow, so having a compact car might make your life easier.
4) Buy an Additional Insurance
Spending money on additional insurance may not be your favorite thing to do. If you want to fully enjoy your journey instead of worrying about the condition of your car, you need to buy insurance from your rental company.
You never know what you may encounter, and some of the possible damages are difficult to prevent. Save yourself the headache and get that extra insurance. Or you could also choose one of those worry-free packages online.
5) Make Sure You Have a Credit Card in Your Name
Most rent-a-car companies require you to have a credit card in your name or in the driver’s name. This is required to be able to pay for the service. Usually, you need to pay a deposit upfront. The rest of the money is temporarily frozen from your credit card until you return the car.
6) Make Sure to Examine the Rental Contract
Always read through the rental conditions and be careful what you’re signing. Examine the car for previous damage. If found, make sure to include it in the report to avoid paying for those damages later on.
It is sad, but some rental car companies want to repair their cars at the cost of the driver’s insurance, so they come up with damages that are not documented in the contract but visible in the car. The best way to avoid this is to take many pictures before driving the car the first time.
Having a good navigation system is necessary for making sure you have a smooth and enjoyable journey. If you don’t have a phone plan that supports international cellular data, make sure to download offline maps of the island before your trip.
Or you can even rent a car with built-in navigation. You can even rent out the navigation from the car company for an additional small fee.
Usually, most people use Google Maps on their phones. Depending on the quality of the GPS chip of the phone, you might need to try 2 phones in parallel in case one loses its GPS signal. This happened a couple of times to us, and sometimes it costs up to 30 minutes extra drive to get back on the right road.
Road conditions in Madeira
The roads in Madeira are generally in good condition. They are paved and have guardrails where needed. Stopping points are marked and secured. You can get out of the car and enjoy the views or take pictures.
Village Ponta Delgada in Madeira Portugal – travel background
One of the main things to watch out for is falling rocks and branches. These are the main obstacles you may encounter along the way.
Some of the regional roads might get temporarily closed or restricted due to adverse weather conditions. We recommend you research any closings that are happening before your visit. You can even ask your hotel reservation for assistance with the matter.
Few tips about driving in Madeira
Take your time to examine the law. Get yourself familiar with the traffic rules and regulations in Madeira.
- You’re required to wear a seatbelt all the time.
- Kids under 12 years old are not allowed to sit in the front seats of the vehicle.
- The speed limit in populated areas is 50 km per hour, and in unpopulated areas – 90 km per hour. On smaller and narrower roads, you can drive at 50-60 km per hour.
- Pay attention to the warning and regulation signs.
- Check with your government if your driving license is accepted in Portugal. The country is part of the European Union. That means you may need an international license to be allowed to drive on the roads.
Driving in Madeira shouldn’t be taken lightly. Here are some more tips you can apply to ensure a safe and enjoyable trip to the beautiful island!
Be Prepared for Anything
Caution is your best friend. Be prepared that anything can come at you behind each turn. It is not uncommon to stumble upon road sections without traffic barriers. Or on sections with just low stone barricades.
Most of the roads cannot even fit two passing cars. Be extra careful when doing turns, even if you have good visibility. You can stumble upon big rocks, tree branches, parked cars, and other barriers that may endanger your journey.
Be prepared for anything. Whether you’re going up or down the hill, being cautious and driving slow can prevent incidents from happening.
Be Cautious of The Local Buses
The local buses may not be a reliable transportation option for you, but you don’t want to meet them on the road. The local buses can be really old and wide, so it’s almost impossible to pass them by. They are faster and will need more space and doing turns.
So if you see one behind you, it is best to let it pass you by on a suitable spot. If you see one in front of you, don’t rush to it. Find a good place to stop and let it do its maneuvers and pass you by. Be extra careful if you don’t have good visibility.
Don’t Be Ashamed to Go Back
Everybody needs to know their limit. If you’re a fairly new driver (or even if you’re not), don’t be afraid to say no and turn the car around. Nervous and scared drivers can be hazardous.
If you feel uncomfortable, just turn the car around (on a suitable spot, of course!) and find another safer road.
Drive Slow, Even If It’s Below The Speed limit
This maze of up and down hills and sharp turns can be an easy game for the locals, who know each section of the roads by heart. However, it can be truly challenging for somebody unfamiliar with the road ahead. So drive slowly.
The local drivers might get frustrated that you’re making a queue behind, but you ignore them. In those situations, it’s best if you stop at a suitable spot and let those cars pass you by safely. No need to hit up the speed. Drive at your pace and be calm.
And last, but definitely not least:
Enjoy the journey
There is no point in going through all of the car renting process and sweating behind the steering wheel if you won’t take full advantage of the scenery the island can offer you. Many of the roads have resting spots, where you can park your car and enjoy the view.
You can even find a hiking trail and go on some walks. There are many smaller roads you can take and get lost inside the heart of the mountain. Figuratively speaking, of course, trust your GPS navigation to go back.
Enjoy the road and spend a couple of days road tripping through the beautiful Madeira. There are helpful signs that can guide you where to find resting points and even some good restaurants. You won’t regret it.
Final Thoughts about Driving in Madeira
Overall, driving in Madeira was so much fun for us! The experience was so worth it! We enjoyed this extra dip of adrenaline, and everything went well in the end.
Don’t be afraid to drive. Being an island created by volcanic activity, Madeira can offer you tons of gorgeous sceneries. Experience the delicious food, great people, awesome adventure, and astonishing natural views and hikes!
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