A DW Travel video explores Madeira’s record visitor numbers and growing pressure on popular tourist hotspots. The report includes an interview with regional secretary Eduardo Jesus discussing tourism management on the island.
Madeira authorities inspected 5,500 hiking trail users since April, detecting 43 unpaid access fees and less than a dozen illegal entries on closed routes.
As Iran sends threats and obstructs the Strait of Hormuz, warnings over rising energy costs and a possible reduction in flights to Madeira are causing growing concern within the regional government.
Carreiros do Monte have increased prices for their traditional toboggan rides, citing rising operational costs.
Sustainability consultant Paulo Brehm warns Madeira must rethink tourism, guiding visitors to less-crowded areas, involving residents, and considering a single regional tax.
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 intends to partially cover Estrada dos Anjos, following the Tabua-Ribeira Brava model, to ensure safety while preserving the landscape.
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.
This detailed 2026 guide to traveling Madeira by bus covers everything you need to know about using public transport in Madeira.
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 will introduce a tourist tax in April, leaving just one of Madeira’s 11 municipalities without a current or planned tax.
