Madeira.
Flight from TLV
6h 37m
Best season
אפר–אוק
Avg temp
22°
Currency
€ EUR · 1=₪3.52
Time zone
שעתיים פחות מת״א בחורף ובדרך כלל שעתיים פחות בקיץ
Language
פורטוגזית
Plug
C / F · 230V
Visa
אין צורך בוויזה לישראלים לשהייה קצרה של עד 90 יום באזור שנגן
Safety
בטוח מאוד בדרך כלל; במסלולי הרים חשוב לבדוק מזג אוויר, סגירות שבילים ולהצטייד בנעליים מתאימות
Overview
🇵🇹Madeira
🇵🇹Portugal
Madeira is a lush, dramatic Atlantic island made for levada walks, sunrise above the clouds at Pico do Arieiro and swims in Porto Moniz’s volcanic pools, rather than a classic beach holiday. Israeli travelers will love combining a refined Funchal hotel with scenic drives, village stops, Madeira wine tastings and dolphin-watching cruises in a mild, springlike climate.
What are you looking for?
Everything for Madeira, in one place
Pick a category and dive into its dedicated page.
Where to stay
Where to stay in Madeira
Each area and who it suits best.
Funchal
The most convenient base for Israeli travelers, with Old Town lanes, a marina promenade, Mercado dos Lavradores, and evening energy along Rua de Santa Maria.
Lido and São Martinho
Funchal's polished hotel district offers an oceanfront promenade, the Lido bathing complex, restaurants, and sunset views a short ride from the center.
Calheta
A sunny resort town in the island's southwest, with one of Madeira's most accessible sandy beaches and an excellent base for western levadas and viewpoints.
Porto Moniz
A small, remote town facing natural lava pools and Atlantic waves, ideal for a peaceful night after exploring the wild north coast.
Santana
A cool, green northern base near the famous triangular houses, laurel forest trails, and mountain routes.
Year-round weather
Year-round weather in Madeira
Temperature averages
Real climate dataינו
17°
12°
Recommended
פבר
17°
11°
Recommended
מרץ
17°
12°
Recommended
אפר
19°
12°
Recommended
מאי
19°
13°
Recommended
יונ
21°
16°
Recommended
יול
24°
17°
Excellent
אוג
26°
18°
Excellent
ספט
23°
17°
Excellent
אוק
23°
17°
Excellent
נוב
20°
14°
Recommended
דצמ
17°
12°
Recommended
Most pleasant weather: יול · אוג · ספט · אוק
Peak season for Israelis (when everyone goes): אפר · מאי · יונ · יול · אוג · ספט · אוק
Based on a 3-year average · measured in Madeira · Open-Meteo
This week in Madeira
Measured in Madeira
25°
Sunny
Next 7 days
Tap a day for hourly detail
Seasonal averages · loading live forecast…
Things to do
Things to do in Madeira
On the map
Madeira on one map
Every spot travelers love — tap a pin for photos, opening hours, navigation and booking.
Suggested plan
A perfect Madeira itinerary
Day by day, so you can picture the whole trip.
- 1
Day 1
Funchal and Monte
Start at Mercado dos Lavradores, then wander through Zona Velha and the painted doors of Rua de Santa Maria. Ride the cable car to Monte, visit Monte Palace Tropical Garden, and, for a dose of excitement, descend part of the way in a traditional wicker toboggan.
- 2
Day 2
Madeira's Peaks
Leave early for sunrise at Pico do Arieiro, then continue on a mountain route suited to current trail openings and weather. If the trail to Pico Ruivo is closed or too demanding, combine accessible ridge viewpoints with Ribeiro Frio and the short walk to Balcões.
- 3
Day 3
Levadas and Ancient Forest
Hike Levada das 25 Fontes and Risco, one of the island's classic nature days, filled with irrigation channels, waterfalls, and dense greenery. Continue in the afternoon to Fanal Forest, where ancient laurel trees look almost otherworldly when the mist rolls in.
- 4
Day 4
North Coast and Porto Moniz
Drive through São Vicente and along the dramatic north coast to Porto Moniz's lava pools, swimming only when sea conditions allow. On the return journey, stop at Véu da Noiva waterfall and Seixal, known for its black beach beneath steep green cliffs.
- 5
Day 5
Cabo Girão and Calheta
Begin on the glass platform at Cabo Girão, then continue to the fishing village of Câmara de Lobos. Finish in Calheta with a swim at the sandy beach or a dolphin- and whale-watching cruise, then return to Funchal for dinner and a final marina stroll.
Quick game
Not sure yet? Find your travel type
30 fun seconds, then personal picks of the best spots for you here.
Quick game
What's your Madeira travel type?
Question 1 of 5
Your perfect vacation morning?
Budget
How much does Madeira cost?
Real ILS price ranges, so you know what to expect.
Round-trip flight from TLV
₪1,500-3,000 (usually connecting)
Mid-range hotel nightly
₪450-850 (double room)
Restaurant meal
₪55-110 (per person)
Local beer
₪10-18
Cup of coffee
₪5-11
Short taxi ride
₪25-50
Rental car daily
₪120-260 (excluding fuel)
Daily budget per person
₪350-650 (excluding flight)
Good to know
Good to know before Madeira
Getting around
From the airport
Cristiano Ronaldo Airport is about 20 to 30 minutes from Funchal. The Aerobus costs roughly ₪25-30 per person, while a taxi or Bolt generally costs ₪80-120; reaching Calheta takes about an hour and costs considerably more.
Need a car?
Yes, if you want to experience the island properly. You can stay in Funchal without a car and book day tours, but a car gives you flexibility for Paul da Serra, Fanal, Porto Moniz, and levada trailheads; expect steep gradients, tunnels, and narrow roads.
Tips
In Funchal, use buses, taxis, or Bolt rather than searching for central parking. For one-way hikes such as Pico do Arieiro to Pico Ruivo, check trail status in advance and book a shuttle that drops you at the trailhead and collects you at the endpoint.
Kosher & Jewish
Chabad / community
Madeira does not have a permanent Chabad center offering daily prayers and meals like major Israeli destinations, nor a permanent kosher restaurant. Funchal has the Shaar Hashamayim Synagogue and a Jewish cemetery, but community activity is limited, so do not rely on a minyan or Shabbat meals without arranging them in advance.
Kosher food
Kosher-observant travelers usually book an apartment with a kitchenette and bring sealed staples; Continente and Pingo Doce supermarkets stock fruit, vegetables, rice, pasta, and vegan products, though imported items still require certification checks. Travelers comfortable with kosher-style food can choose vegetarian dishes or permitted fish, request preparation without meat or mixing, and remember that kitchens and cookware are not kosher.
Travel insurance
Travel insurance for Madeira 🇵🇹
A hospital day in Madeira can cost thousands. Full coverage with Hebrew support.
- Medical + hospital 24/7
- Trip cancellation
- Baggage
- Water & extreme sports
Currency & rates
Live rateCurrency & rates
Quick conversion at today's rate
Convert
You get
351.8
1 EUR
₪3.52
100 EUR
₪351.8
1,000 EUR
₪3,518
Source: exchangerate-api · updated Sep 14 · refreshes daily
Visa & documents
Visa & documents for Madeira 🇵🇹
What you need before you fly
- אין צורך בוויזה לישראלים לשהייה קצרה של עד 90 יום באזור שנגן
- Passport valid 6 months
- Travel insurance, leave details for a quote
Local tips
Good to know about Madeira
- 🚗Reserve a small automatic car with broad insurance coverage, as village roads are steep, parking spaces are tight and hill starts in a manual can be stressful.
- 🏨For a first visit, stay in Funchal, particularly around Lido or near the Old Town, and confirm that your hotel has parking if you are renting a car.
- 🥾Before any levada hike, check the official Madeira trail status that morning and reserve entry when required, as closures caused by landslides, fires or maintenance can change quickly.
- 🌦️Do not cancel a day out because Funchal is cloudy: check webcams at Pico do Arieiro, Fanal and Porto Moniz, since conditions can be completely different across the island.
- 🌊At Seixal and the natural pools, enter the water only when the sea is calm and the swimming area is open, because Atlantic swells can intensify even on a sunny, peaceful-looking day.
- ✡️Kosher-observant travelers should arrange meals in advance with Chabad Madeira in Funchal and favor an apartment with a kitchen, as organized kosher options are extremely limited outside the capital.
מאיה רוזן
Senior agent · Greece for 12 years
"Madeira feels to me like a tropical island with European order, cleanliness and comfort. Israelis fall for its dramatic cliffs, misty forests and walks along the levadas, then discover that a half-hour drive can take them from cool cloud cover to sunshine beside the Atlantic."
Loves
My local secret is taking the cable car down to Fajã dos Padres in the morning, before the day visitors arrive, for a swim in the pebble cove and time among the banana plantations. It is an intimate, peaceful side of Madeira that most Israeli travelers miss.
Skip
I would not make a special trip just for Santana’s triangular houses, as the main area is highly commercialized and works better as a short stop on a wider north-coast route.
Boutique pick
I start the day early with a walk through Fanal Forest while its ancient trees are still wrapped in mist, then follow the north-coast viewpoints to the lava pools of Porto Moniz. Toward evening, I stop in Seixal for a swim beneath the dark mountains when the sea is calm, and finish with sunset over the Atlantic.
Client stories
What returning travelers say about Madeira
"Sunrise above the clouds at Pico do Arieiro followed by wine beside Funchal Marina made Madeira our most beautiful couples’ trip yet."
Noa and Yonatan
Spring couples’ escape
"The kids could not stop talking about the dolphins we spotted on a cruise from Calheta and jumping into Madeira’s volcanic pools at Porto Moniz."
The Levi Family
Summer family adventure
"We went canyoning, hiked the 25 Fontes levada and finished with poncha in the bars of Rua de Santa Maria, exactly the Madeira trip we wanted."
Omer, Daniel and Maya
Friends’ adventure trip
FAQ
Common questions about Madeira
Do Israelis need a visa for Madeira?
Israeli passport holders do not need a visa for a tourist stay of up to 90 days in Madeira, subject to Portugal and Schengen entry rules and a valid passport.
When is the best time to visit Madeira?
The best period for Madeira is April through October, with May and June offering lush blooms, pleasant weather and fewer crowds than July and August.
How many days should you spend in Madeira?
Allow at least 6 to 8 days in Madeira to combine Funchal, levada walks, mountain peaks, Porto Moniz and the eastern coast without rushing.
Are there direct flights from Israel to Madeira, and how long is the journey?
There is usually no regular direct route from Tel Aviv to Madeira, so most journeys connect through Lisbon or another European city and take about 8 to 12 hours in total.
How do you get around Madeira, and is a rental car necessary?
A rental car is the easiest way to explore Madeira, but the steep roads, narrow lanes and parking in Funchal make a small automatic car the smartest choice.
How much does a vacation in Madeira cost?
A couple in Madeira will typically spend about ₪900 to ₪1,500 per day excluding flights, including a good hotel, rental car, meals and one activity.
Is Madeira safe, and is it better for families or couples?
Madeira is considered very safe and suits both nature-loving couples and families drawn to dolphin cruises, the Funchal cable car and Porto Moniz natural pools.
Does Madeira have beaches, nightlife and kosher food?
Madeira offers pebble and black-sand shores, sandy Machico Beach and lively bars in Funchal’s Old Town, but no permanent kosher restaurant, so kosher travelers should bring supplies and book a kitchen-equipped apartment.