SĂŁo 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.
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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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.
Madeira Plans Study for Megayacht Marina
Madeira will study building a megayacht marina in 2026, aiming to further expand the tourism sector and serve luxury yacht travelers.
Residents to Enjoy Free Access to Botanical Garden
Trade-off? After announcing that residents will need to reserve timeslots for 42 hiking trails from 2026, authorities have now revealed that residents will enjoy free access to the Madeira Botanical Garden.
Lack of Flights: Porto Santo Hotels Face Weaker Hotel Occupancy
Porto Santo’s hotel occupancy in December remains lower than the previous years, with limited flights from Lisbon highlighting the vulnerability of the island’s tourism sector.
AirBaltic Flight Struggles to Land at Madeira Airport
An AirBaltic flight faced extreme difficulty during its descent before making a last-second touchdown at Madeira Airport today.
PR1 Hiking Fee Set at €10.5 as Officials Reveal More Details
Madeira will charge a minimum fee of €4.5 for hiking trails, with PR1 costing up to €10.50. Residents must make mandatory reservations through the SIMplifica platform.
World Travel Awards: A Commercial Ecosystem Disguised as Prestige
Madeira is a regular top contender at the World Travel Awards. Often billed as the “Oscars of travel,” the awards operate largely as a self-sustaining marketing cycle and face serious accusations online.
