Facts about
Madeira
The Madeira Archipelago is situated between latitude 32º22’20" and
33º7’50" with its longitude between 16º16’30W and 17º16’38"W. The
island of Madeira has a surface area of 459 square miles (741 km2),
(35 miles long and 13 miles wide). The island is 310 miles from the
African coast and 620 miles from the European continent, which is
the equivalent of a 1 hour 30 minute flight from Lisbon. The
archipelago, discovered by the Portuguese in 1418, is made up of
the islands of Madeira, Porto Santo and the uninhabited islands of
Selvagens and Desertas.
These islands, because of their privileged geographical position
and mountainous relief, have a surprisingly mild climate. Very mild
average temperatures, 22ºC in the summer and 16ºC in the winter,
and a moderate level of humidity, confer upon these islands
exceptional subtropical features. The seawater temperature is also
very mild, because of the influence of the warm Gulf current,
presenting averages of 22ºC in the summer and 18º in the
winter.
One can reach the islands of Madeira and Porto Santo by air or sea.
There are two airports: Madeira International Airport - on
Madeira, and Porto Santo Airport, on the island of Porto Santo.
Because the ports of Funchal and Porto Santo are often visited by
cruising ships, they serve as gateways to the islands, as well as
departure points to other destinations. Connections between the
islands are either by air or ferryboats, which also transport cars.
Surface transport on the islands is trouble-free thanks to the
modern road structure, which has been significantly improved in
recent years. Practically all points of these islands are served by
a good road and transport network.
Visitors coming from the European Union, members
of the Shengen Treaty, are granted unrestricted entry. Visitors
from member states that are not signatories to this treaty need an
identification document. International visitors should have a valid
passport, and in some cases, a visa to visit Portugal might be
requested. There is no need for any kind of vaccination.
Customs Formalities: Products leaving the island
are not subject to any limitation. However, if a quantity is
considered excessive, the customs officers might require a document
proving that the articles are for personal use.
In addition to the traditional local craft products, Portuguese
shoes, flowers and tropical fruits are favoured purchases on any
visit. Our famous Madeira wine deserves special attention.
Wickerwork, tapestry and the renowned Madeira embroidery should
also find a place in the departing holidaymakers’ baggage. On the
streets of Funchal, one can find shops selling the brands of
internationally famous fashion designers.
Shops are open from 9:00 to 13:00hrs and from
15:00 to 19:00hrs, Monday to Friday. On Saturday from 9:00 to
13:00hrs. Some shopping centres are open from 10:00 to 22:00hrs
every day. Major Credit cards accepted in hotels, restaurants and
shops.
The region has very well developed in terms of IT networks and
telephone communications. The international access code is +351,
and the regional area code is 291.
Banks are open from 8:30 to 15:00hrs, Monday to
Friday. Foreign Exchange offices work from 9:00 to 13:00hrs and
from 14:00 to 19:00hrs, every day, except on Saturdays when they
open from 9:00 to 19:00hrs. Outside these periods, the hotels can
make currency exchange.
Language: Portuguese
Population: 255 000 people live on these
islands according to data collected in 2001. Half of the
population lives in the capital. Population density is very high,
reaching 337 inhabitants/sq km in Madeira and 112 per sq km in
Porto Santo.
Currency: € EURO
Time: Madeira follows Portuguese time with Summer
time. Clocks advance one hour in the last Sunday of March and go
back one hour in the last Sunday of October, according to the
regulations of the European Union.
Electricity: The electric current is 220
volts.
Water: There is plenty of water of an excellent
drinking standard. Porto Santo uses treated seawater, but all of it
can be consumed.
Post: The main post office, or "Correios de
Portugal", is at the centre of Funchal, at the Avenida Calouste
Gulbenkian. There are daily collections at 11:00 and 15:00 from the
post boxes placed all over the island.
Chemists: Chemists are open from Monday to Friday
from 9:00 to 13:00 and from 15:00 to 19:00, on Saturdays from 9:00
to 13:00. In addition, at the door of every pharmacy you will find
advisory notes about the pharmacies currently open.
Hospital Centres: There are 67 health centres
situated around the Madeira island, and one at Porto Santo. In
Funchal there are two hospitals.
Police: The police presence is very discreet. If
you need help, dial 112. There is a Lost Property section in
Funchal, at Rua da Infância, 28, Tel.: 291 208200
Safety: Madeira is one of the safest holiday
destinations in the world. If you take the minimum sensible
precautions, you probably won’t experience any problems. Most of
the hotels have safes or deposit boxes where you can keep your
valuables.
Tips: In hotels and restaurants the bill normally
includes service. The normal rate for good service is 10%.
Camping Parks: There are two official camping
sites on the Madeira archipelago, one in Porto Moniz and the other
in Porto Santo, in the town of Vila Baleira.
National Holidays
1st January New Years’ Day
25th April Freedom Day
1st May May Day
10th June Day of Camões and Portugal
15th August Our Lady Assumption
5th October Republic Day
1st November All Saints Day
1st December Restoration of Independence Day
25 December Christmas Day
On the 1st of July the Autonomous Region of Madeira celebrates its
holiday. Religious festivities, with variable dates, are also
celebrated in the Islands.
Madeira Tourist Offices: The Regional Department
of Tourism has eleven offices
Tourist Office of Funchal
Avenida Arriaga nº16
9004-519 Funchal
Tel: 291 211902
Open from Monday to Friday from 9:00 to 20:00hrs, Saturday and
Sunday from 9:00 to 8:00hrs.
Tourist Office Monumental Lido
C.C.Monumental Lido
Estrada Monumental, 284
9000-100 Funchal
Tel: 291 775254
Open from Monday to Friday from 09:00 to 20:00hrs,
Saturday from 09:00 to 14:00hrs.
Tourist Office of the Airport
Santa Catarina de Baixo
9100 Santa Cruz
Tel: 291 524933
Open from 09:00 to 24:00hrs;
Tourist Office of Caniço
9125 Caniço de Baixo
Tel: 291 932919
Open from Monday to Friday from 9:00 to 12:30hrs and from 14:00 to
17:30hrs
Tourist Office of Machico
Forte Nossa Senhora do Amparo
9200 Machico
Tel: 291 962289
Open from Monday to Friday from 9:00 to 12:30hrs and from 14:00 to
17:00hrs, Saturday from 9:30 to 12.00hrs.
Tourist Office of Ribeira Brava
Forte de São Bento 9350
Ribeira Brava
Tel: 291 951675
Open from Monday to Friday from 9:00 to 12:30hrs and from 14:00 to
17:00hrs, Saturday from 9:30 to 12.00hrs.
Tourist Office of Ponta do Sol
Rua Príncipe D. Luís, 10/12
9360 Ponta do Sol
Tel:291 972850
Open from Monday to Friday from 09:00 to 12h30hrs and from 14:00 to
17h00 and Saturday from 09:00 to 12:00hrs.
Tourist Office of Câmara de Lobos
Casa da Cultura de Câmara de Lobos
Rua Padre Eduardo Clemente Nunes Pereira
9300-116 Câmara de Lobos
Tel: 291 943470
Open from Monday to Friday from 9:00 to 12:30hrs and from 14:00 to
17:00hrs, Saturday from 9:30 to 12.00hrs
Tourist Office of Porto Moniz
Town of Porto Moniz
9270 Porto Moniz
Tel: 291 850193
Open from Monday to Friday from 10:00 to 15:00hrs, Saturday from
12:00 to 15:00hrs.
Tourist Office of Santana
Sitio do Serrado
9230 Santana
Tel: 291572992
Open from Monday to Friday from 09:30 to 13:00 hrs and from 14:30
to 17h30 and Saturday from 09:30 to 12:00hrs.
Porto Santo Tourist Office
Avenida Henrique Vieira e Castro
9400 Porto Santo
Tel: 291 982361
Open from Monday to Friday from 9:00 to 17:30 hrs. Saturday from
10:00 to 12:30hs.
Madeira Tourist Office in Lisbon
Palácio da Foz
Praça dos Restauradores
1250 Lisboa
Tel: 21 3469113
Open from Monday to Friday from 09:00 to 20:00hrs
INFORMATION SOURCE: www.madeiratourism.org