Algarve vs Madeira: Which Is Better for Winter Sun and Beaches?

Looking for winter sun in Portugal, or deciding where to spend a beach-and-nature holiday? The Algarve and Madeira are the two favourites, and they’re quite different. Here’s how to choose between them.

Quick answer: choose the Algarve for beaches, boat trips, golf and easy family holidays, especially from May to October. Choose Madeira for year-round mild weather, dramatic hiking, gardens and a city break in Funchal, especially from October to April. In winter, Madeira is usually a few degrees warmer; in summer, the Algarve has the far better beaches.

The short version

The Algarve is a long strip of coast on the mainland, with golden beaches, fishing towns and big resorts. Madeira is a steep, green volcanic island in the Atlantic, about 1,000km from Lisbon, with mountains, cliffs and very few sandy beaches. The Algarve is a beach holiday with day trips. Madeira is a walking and scenery holiday with a pool.

Weather

• The Algarve: hot, dry summers and mild, sunny winters (about 16–18°C by day in December to February), with cool nights. See the Algarve in winter.
• Madeira: spring-like all year (about 18–26°C), slightly warmer than the Algarve in winter, though the mountains are cooler and wetter.
• The sea: Madeira’s sea stays around 18°C or more in winter. The Algarve’s is colder in winter and warmest in August and September, with the east usually warmer than the west.
• Rain: the Algarve is one of the driest parts of Portugal. Madeira gets more cloud and showers, mostly on the north side and in the hills.

Beaches

• The Algarve: some of Europe’s best beaches, with golden sand, cliffs and coves. See the best Algarve beaches.
• Madeira: mostly pebbly or rocky, with lava pools and lidos; for sand, go to Calheta, Machico or Porto Santo. The beaches at Calheta and Machico use imported sand. Porto Santo, a ferry ride away, has a long natural golden beach. See Porto Santo.

Things to do

• The Algarve: Benagil and boat trips, golf, the Seven Hanging Valleys trail, villages, water parks and day trips to Seville. See Algarve boat trips and Algarve villages.
• Madeira: levada walks, mountain summits, the Monte toboggan, gardens, whale watching and Madeira wine. See Madeira levada walks and the Monte toboggan.

Food

• The Algarve: grilled sardines, cataplana seafood stews, clams and piri-piri chicken.
• Madeira: espetada beef skewers, black scabbardfish, bolo do caco flatbread, tropical fruit, poncha and Madeira wine.

Families

The Algarve is easier for beach-loving families, with lots of family resorts and water parks (most closed in winter). Madeira suits active families and works year-round. See Algarve family resorts and Madeira with kids.

Couples and older travellers

Madeira has a calmer, more grown-up feel, with garden hotels, wine lodges and long lunches in Funchal. The Algarve offers more choice, from lively Albufeira to quiet Tavira. Both have plenty of golf. If you don’t want to walk up and down hills, the Algarve is flatter and easier.

Getting there

• The Algarve: fly into Faro, or take the train or bus from Lisbon in about three to four hours. See Lisbon to the Algarve.
• Madeira: fly into Funchal, either direct from many European cities or via Lisbon or Porto. Strong winds sometimes delay landings at Funchal, so leave some slack in your plans.

Getting around

Both are best with a car. The Algarve has a train along the coast; Madeira’s roads are steep and winding. See driving in Portugal.

How long to spend

A week suits either. In the Algarve, a week lets you see one stretch of coast well. In Madeira, five to seven days covers Funchal, a couple of levada walks and a drive round the island. With two weeks, you could do both: fly from Faro to Funchal, usually via Lisbon.

Where to stay

See where to stay in the Algarve and the best hotels in Madeira.

Also comparing islands? See Madeira vs the Azores.

See also: the Algarve vs the Costa del Sol.

Prices and details change, so please double-check before you travel. Spotted something out of date? Tell us in the groups.