Madeira Accommodation Guide – Your Gateway to Every Kind of Stay
Madeira may cover only 741 km², yet its hospitality scene is as varied as the island’s own micro-climates. From time-honoured mansions ringed by jacaranda trees to avant-garde resorts rippling along Funchal’s skyline, there is a bed here for every travel style and budget. Use this page as your launch-pad: it introduces Madeira’s main accommodation categories and helps you decide which branch of our guide to explore next.
1. Luxury & Landmark Hotels
Think turn-of-the-century glamour, contemporary design, Michelin dining and world-class spas. These properties—many perched on dramatic oceanfront cliffs—anchor Madeira’s reputation for five-star service. Discover the classics and the new wave in our Luxury Hotels section.
2. Boutique Hideaways in Funchal
Tucked inside restored townhouses and Art-Deco façades, Funchal’s boutique hotels offer character-driven stays with rooftop pools, local art collections and personalised service. Find our top picks in Boutique Hotels.
3. Quintas – The Island’s Manor-House Heritage
Converted wine estates and botanical gardens—often still family-run—deliver old-world elegance and a sense of place you can taste in every homemade passion-fruit jam. See the stand-outs under Quintas & Heritage Stays.
4. Rural Tourism & Agritourism
Head west or north for stone cottages on banana terraces, farm-to-table breakfasts and levada-walk trailheads at your doorstep. Slow travel at its purest. Plan your countryside escape in Rural & Farm Stays.
5. Eco-Lodges & Glamping
Geodesic domes, off-grid cabins and mountain shelters let you wake above the clouds or fall asleep to Atlantic surf—without leaving a heavy footprint. Browse options in Eco & Glamping.
6. Self-Catering Villas & Alojamento Local
Madeira’s Alojamento Local licence system covers everything from pastel townhouses in Funchal’s Old Town to designer villas in Arco da Calheta. Perfect for families, digital nomads and long-stay winter sun-seekers who want their own kitchen—and maybe an infinity pool. Start comparing in Villas & Apartments.
7. Budget Hostels & Guest Houses
Backpackers, surfers and island-hoppers will find clean dorms, social vibes and beds from around €20 a night. Locations span the Mercado dos Lavradores district to the wave-washed village of Jardim do Mar. Check the shortlist in Budget Stays.
8. Family & All-Inclusive Resorts
Madeira and neighbouring Porto Santo host a growing number of kid-friendly, everything-included resorts with kids’ clubs, splash pools and beach shuttles—ideal for stress-free holidays. See what’s new in Family Resorts.
9. One-of-a-Kind Experiences
From sleeping above ageing Madeira wine casks to checking into a soon-to-open lighthouse keeper’s cottage, the archipelago excels at stays you simply can’t replicate elsewhere. Get inspired in Unique & Experiential.
Choosing Your Base
| If you love… | Base yourself in… | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Nightlife, dining & museums | Funchal | Walk everywhere, broadest range of hotels, harbour sunsets |
| Year-round beach weather | Calheta & Ponta do Sol | Sunniest micro-climate, new marina, golden-sand beach |
| Lush hiking trails | São Vicente / Santana | Quick access to laurel-forest levadas, thatched houses |
| Surf & laid-back villages | Paul do Mar / Jardim do Mar | Consistent breaks, chilled cafés |
| Vineyard vistas | Estreito da Câmara de Lobos | Terraced vines, poncha bars, proximity to Cabo Girão skywalk |
| Off-grid stargazing | Paúl da Serra plateau | Dark-sky reserve status, eco shelters, mountain silence |
Practical Tips
- Book early for festivals. April’s Flower Festival, June’s Atlantic Festival and New-Year fireworks can push rates up 40–50 %, especially in luxury categories.
- Car rental vs. transfers. Urban boutiques often bundle valet parking; rural quintas and villas usually recommend hiring a car due to limited public transport.
- Alojamento Local basics. Look for a visible AL licence number, a physical complaints book (“Livro de Reclamações”) and passport registration on arrival.
- Sustainability matters. Madeira is aiming for Global Sustainable Tourism Council certification by the end of the decade; many properties already offset energy with solar and support local producers—ask when booking.
Ready to Dive Deeper?
Scroll down or use the navigation menu to jump into the accommodation type that fits your travel style. Each sub-page offers:
- Up-to-date property spotlights and insider reviews
- Price brackets and best-value months
- Local tips on dining, activities and hidden viewpoints near each stay
Whichever path you choose, Madeira’s legendary hospitality—and a welcome glass of poncha—await on the other side. Boa viagem!