Should Madeira Spread Tourism Beyond Crowded Hotspots?
Sustainability consultant Paulo Brehm warns Madeira must rethink tourism, guiding visitors to less-crowded areas, involving residents, and considering a single regional tax.
Tourism
With a resident population of around 257,000, Madeira welcomes over 2 million tourists annually, accounting for more than 10 million overnight stays. Stay informed about the island's tourism scene with the latest news!
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Madeira Airports See 17.4% Rise in International Traffic in 2025
Airports in Madeira continue to grow, handling nearly 5.7 million passengers in 2025, an increase of 11.8% compared with 2024. International traffic increased by 17.4%.
Ponta do Sol Announces Estrada dos Anjos Project
Ponta do Sol intends to partially cover Estrada dos Anjos, following the Tabua-Ribeira Brava model, to ensure safety while preserving the landscape.
SIGA Launches New Pre-Paid Bus Tickets for Tourists
Today, SIGA launched a new range of pre-paid bus passes designed for tourists, filling a long-standing gap in Madeira’s local public transport offering.
Madeira by Bus: Ultimate Guide to Public Transport in Madeira
This detailed 2026 guide to traveling Madeira by bus covers everything you need to know about using public transport in Madeira.
ACIF Warns That Tourist Taxes Can Threaten Madeira’s Economy
The Madeiran Chamber of Commerce warns that tourist taxes risk to confuse visitors, make business harder and damage the islands economy in the long term.
São Vicente Launches New Tourist Tax in April
São Vicente will introduce a tourist tax in April, leaving just one of Madeira’s 11 municipalities without a current or planned tax.
Is €2 Enough? Funchal Considers Raising its Tourist Tax
Active since October 2024, Madeira’s tourist tax has raised over €13 million. However, Officials now argue this no longer covers expenses. Some propose a flat €20 airport fee to replace complicated hotel taxes and trail fees.
Madeira Cruise Tourism Brings €62 Million in 2025
Funchal’s cruise port closed 2025 with record €62 million impact and 750,000 passengers, but growth slowed compared with the stronger increase seen in 2024.
Madeira Rejects Cash for Hikes as Mobile Coverage Falls Short
Madeira hiking trails now operate with digital-only payments, leaving tourists frustrated by poor mobile coverage.
Colossus: The Rise and Fall of Madeira’s Hotel Atlantis
Rising in 1972, Hotel Atlantis was Madeira’s modernist masterpiece. Once a symbol of luxury, this concrete colossus collapsed within 22 years under the weight of a changing world.
