Driving in Madeira: all our tips (+ photos)

Not to worry. Here’s our complete guide to driving in Madeira:

Safety and driving difficulties
Rules of conduct
Road conditions

This opinion is completely independent, based on our experiences. We made our own choices, visited the area anonymously, and paid our bills in full.

Contents masquer

Driving in Madeira: What you need to know

1. Rent the right car in Madeira

2. Know the rules of conduct

3. Preparing for different types of road

4. Understanding signs and tolls

5. Safety: understanding potential hazards

6. And the rest: parking, fuel…

Madeira’s most beautiful roads

Video

Frequently asked questions

Driving in Madeira: What you need to know

If you don’t want to read the whole article, at least read this short summary of the essential points to know:

We ride on the right side
Seat belts are mandatory for all
Speed limits are clearly indicated in red circles.
There are many tunnels on the island
There are some very easy fast routes
Off these roads, driving is not as difficult as people tend to write. It’s true that the roads are narrower, winding and sometimes steep. But there’s little traffic, so you can take your time.
There are no tolls.
In case of accident – emergency number: 112

Here are the driving times in the region, to give you an idea of how to get around:

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1. Rent the right car in Madeira

To make driving easier, it’s best to choose a car adapted to the type of road and conditions. We recommend Madeira:

Not too big, as some roads are narrow
A good engine, because some roads are very steep
Automatic if possible, as the roads are winding and require constant gear changes.

Find out more in our article on how to rent a car in Madeira.

>> See great rental offers on our preferred platform

2. Know the rules of conduct

Permit requirements

To drive in Madeira/Portugal, you need a valid driving license from your country.
If you have a valid driver’s license, with:

a license number,
a photo,
a validity date
written in Latin letters,

So you don’t need an international permit.
Otherwise, you’ll need an international permit as well.

Age

The minimum driving age is 18.
But be aware that many car rental agencies may have other age requirements, often 21 and 1 year’s driving license minimum.
You must also carry your vehicle registration documents and a valid form of identification, such as your passport, with you at all times.

General rules

In Madeira, you drive on the right-hand side of the road.
Seat belts mandatory for all
No cell phones while driving
Headphones are forbidden
Children under 12 are not allowed to sit in the front of the car.

Alcohol and driving

The alcohol limit is 50 mg per 100 ml of blood. However, we still recommend that you do not drink if you are driving.

Mandatory in-car equipment

In Portugal, the following equipment is compulsory:

Warning triangle
Reflective vest or jacket
Set of spare lights
Spare wheel
Booster seats for children under 12 or 1.35 m tall

Compulsory insurance

Unlimited third-party insurance is compulsory for driving in Portugal.
It is automatically included in the price of all car rentals.
If you come with your own car, don’t forget to bring proof of insurance.

WHERE TO STAY IN Madeira

Our independent picks for the accommodation of your dreams:

Where to stay in Madeira

3. Preparing for different types of road

Main roads

Between the main towns, there are mostly fast roads with numerous tunnels. They are in good condition.
The outings are clearly indicated in advance.
No difficulties.

Mountain roads

To get anywhere else, you have to take the narrower, more winding mountain roads.
On the whole, they’re not difficult, just winding.
They have one lane in each direction, and always a low wall on the empty side.

Only a few roads are really narrow, often in the last 2 km, often to reach a specific destination.
We took three single-lane roads. There are passages where other vehicles can pass. The longest was 2.5 km to Parque Floresta das Queimadas.

Madeira’s steepest roads

The biggest challenge in Madeira is the few steep roads above Funchal. They are mainly located in the hills above Funchal.

If this sounds scary, check out the location of your home. Some accommodations offer superb views, but this may mean taking a steep road to get there.

Riding in towns and villages

It depends on the location. Most towns outside Funchal are not large.
You can park and explore on foot.
In some villages, the roads can be quite narrow. We recommend that you do not choose a car that is too big.

OUR TIPS FOR RENTING YOUR CAR AT Madeira

Compare prices on our preferred platform: DiscoverCars – one of the best rated sites.
Take a car with a good engine for hilly roads, but not too big for manoeuvring.
There’s plenty of demand and few cars, so book early.

View cars >>

See our tips

4. Understanding signs and tolls

Speed limits

The speed limits are indicated on circular signs with a red border and a number.
Speed limits are expressed in kilometers per hour
Between 30 and 50km/h in residential areas
They vary very frequently on roads outside residential areas, even in the middle of the tunnel. Always be careful!

Road signs

Road signs are standard, so there’s nothing specific to know.

Tolls

There are no tolls in Madeira.

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5. Safety: understanding potential hazards

Is driving in Madeira dangerous?

No, not particularly.
Many people are reluctant to drive in Madeira, but in our opinion there’s no need to worry, it’s not that difficult.
Don’t forget that only people who have had a scare tend to talk about it on the Internet, unlike the hundreds of thousands of tourists who have had no problem at all. They don’t take the time to write that everything went well.

Honestly:

Roads are generally in good condition
Fast roads are in excellent condition
Classic rules and easy-to-read signs
Distances are short, so you never drive long
On all these mountain roads, there’s always something on the cliff side: either trees or a small wall or protection.
There’s not much traffic outside Funchal, so you can take your time.

There may be a few moments that are a little more stressful, but they don’t last:

if you’re going up a steep hill in Funchal and there’s a crossroads (use the mirrors)
If you come across trucks and buses on mountain roads. We recommend that you stop as close as possible to the wall or edge and let the bus or truck pass. They are used to it and know the size of their vehicle.

Potential hazards

The beauty of the landscape

The scenery can be so beautiful that you let yourself get distracted. Don’t forget to concentrate on driving. And if there’s more than one driver, take your turn to admire the views.

The animals

On the plateau (central-western Madeira), you can find cows and sheep living out their lives on the road. And if you travel early in the morning, you’ll also see rabbits crossing the road by surprise.

Cyclists

How everywhere, the presence of cyclists can complicate driving.
Make sure you have plenty of visibility before overtaking.

Specific driving tips

First of all, there’s no shame in driving slowly on mountain roads. If you’re feeling a little stressed, take your time. There’s no rush.

For traffic circles with more than one lane: The right-hand lane is reserved for those taking the first exit. If you use another exit, enter the traffic circle in the left-hand lane.

If you find that a bend doesn’t offer enough visibility, look up. They put a lot of mirrors on Madeira’s roads, to make driving easier.

What to do in the event of an accident

If people are injured or there is a conflict, the emergency number is 112.
The best order of action is:

contact emergency services
contact the police
contact your rental provider

6. And the rest: parking, fuel…

Fuels and service stations

Madeira,

Unleaded gasoline is called “gasolina sem chumbo”.
Diesel is called “gasoleo
GPL is called “GPL”.
Some stations have an attendant to fill the cars, while others do not.

Parking in town

Parking on the north coast is generally free, but many places on the south coast charge for parking.
Every time you park in a blue zone, you must show a parking receipt.
Most machines take only coins
Travel early to avoid the busiest hours of the day.
If you park near the sandy beaches, the parking lots are full in the late morning.
For underground parking lots with guards, check the change they give you.

Parking at beaches and attractions

Parking conditions vary greatly from one attraction to another.
Some have virtually no parking and are difficult to turn around (e.g. Faja dos Padres), while others have ample parking (e.g. Ribeira da Janela).
Visiting early is the best way to find easy parking

Madeira’s most beautiful roads

Don’t miss driving on Madeira’s most beautiful roads. For example:

ER228 with Miradouro de Terra Grande
ER101 between Sao Jorge and Boaventura
ER101 between Sao Vicente and Porto Moniz

See our complete selection in this article.

Video

Here’s a video to give you a better idea of what to expect:

Frequently asked questions

Do you need a car in Madeira?

If you’re only staying 2 or 3 days in Funchal and are afraid to drive, you can visit without one.
Otherwise, to really enjoy the island, we think a car is essential.

Can you drive around Madeira in a day?

Yes, with the tunnels and fast roads, you can easily circumnavigate the island in a day. Most destinations are less than an hour’s drive from Funchal.
But you won’t have time to admire everything and explore the center of the island.
If you want to see most of the island’s wonders, we recommend a stay of at least 7 days.