Country
The Madeira's Archipelago, portuguese national territory, is located in the Atlantic Ocean, 500 km from african coast and 1000 km from the european continent, about 1h30 minutes by airplane from Lisbon.
The Porto Santo's Island, located 40 km from the Madeira's Island. This island has a golden sand beach with 9 km long, bathe by the hot and cristal waters, is definitely the best place to enjoy quite vacation. The technologies of Information and Comunication are highly diffused throughout the region. The international telephone for Madeira is +351 and the islands phone code is 291. The voltage in the archipelago is 220 V. In the Madeira Island, the water is abundant, potable and of excellent quality.
Weather
Its privilege geographic location and its mountainous orography, give Madeira's Island an amazing climate with smooth average temperatures and a moderated moistness.
The temperatures oscillate between the 23º in the Summer and the 17ºC in the Winter
When to go
The temperatures are pleasent all year long.
Time Zone
Winter: GMT+0
Summer: GMT+1
Clothing
For Pedestrian walks in the mountain it is always necessary warm clothes, since the weather can suddenly change.
If you walk with light clothes or shorts and T-Shirt, always use sun protector. The sun in Madeira is very strong and can cause sun burns even in cloudy days. After 10:00 we suggest that you use a cap. A light impermeable jacket or an anorak maybe helpful if it starts raining suddenly. They can also be useful as windshields. Due to the landscape's nature of some routes, we advise to take an extra pair of pants.
Health(Vaccinations)
Not necessary any specific vaccine.
There are sixty seven Health Centers spread in Madeira's Island and one in Porto Santo. In Funchal there are two public hospitals.
Visa
Not necessary, unless for tourist from countries that not belong to the European Union.
Currency
Euro;
The main credit cards are accepted in most of the commercial Establishments, restaurants and hotels.
Commerce
Tradition and costums that are based in monuments, museums, churches and even present in some regional products like the wine and the Madeira's Bordado, still last along centuries and deserve a special atention. Shops are open from 09h00 until 13h00 and from 15h00 until 19h00, from Monday to Friday. Saturday they are open from 09h00 until 13h00. Some shopping centers open every day, from 10h00 to 20h00.