Why Staying in Multiple Hotels in Madeira Isn’t Necessary

Madeira Island, a top travel destination in Portugal, offers a unique blend of stunning natural landscapes, year-round mild weather, and a modern road network that makes exploring the entire island both easy and efficient. Given its size and infrastructure, many visitors wonder whether it’s worth splitting their stay between multiple hotels — in most cases, the answer is: it’s not necessary.

1. Short Distances and Great Connectivity

Madeira measures approximately 57 km in length and 22 km in width. Thanks to an extensive network of tunnels and highways, you can cross the island from east to west in about 1.5 hours. This means that regardless of where you're staying — especially in or near Funchal — you can easily reach nearly any part of the island on a day trip.

2. More Convenience, Less Logistics

Switching between hotels takes time — checking in and out, packing, moving luggage, and potential coordination issues. Staying in one place simplifies all of that, giving you more time to enjoy your trip and less time dealing with logistics.

3. Wide Range of Experiences from One Base

Even if you stay in a single hotel, you can still enjoy:

• Hikes and “levadas” on the northern coast (such as Caldeirão Verde or Levada dos Cedros);
• Beaches and natural pools in Porto Moniz and Seixal;
• Cultural attractions in Funchal, like the Farmers’ Market or the CR7 Museum;
• Sunrise at Pico do Areeiro and sunset at Cabo Girão.

All of these are reachable in a day and make for incredible round-trip excursions.

4. Exploring by Motorbike Makes It Even Easier

For those exploring Madeira by motorbike, getting around becomes even more practical and enjoyable:

• Easier parking in urban and tourist areas;
• A more fluid ride through the island’s winding roads and coastal routes;
• A sense of freedom and connection with nature that’s hard to match.

Motorbike travel in Madeira is safe, traffic is generally light, and the roads are well maintained — making every ride part of the adventure.