Madeira vs the Azores: Which Island Should You Visit?

Madeira or the Azores? Both are stunning Portuguese islands in the Atlantic, with dramatic volcanic landscapes, great hiking and mild weather, but they feel very different. Here’s how to choose between Madeira and the Azores.

Quick answer: choose Madeira for reliable sunshine, a lively capital (Funchal), great hotels, dramatic mountain hikes and an easy single-island trip. Choose the Azores for wild, green, uncrowded nature, crater lakes, hot springs, whale watching and island hopping, but expect more changeable weather. Can’t decide? Fly between them via Lisbon.

At a glance

• Weather: Madeira is warmer and sunnier, especially on the south coast. The Azores are greener because they’re wetter, and the weather changes several times a day.
• Getting there: both are about 1h30–2h15 from Lisbon. Madeira has more direct flights from the rest of Europe.
• Size: Madeira is one island (plus Porto Santo’s beach island). The Azores are nine islands spread over 600km.
• Vibe: Madeira is more developed and polished; the Azores feel wilder and more rural.
• Beaches: neither is a beach destination, but Madeira has Porto Santo’s 9km golden beach and sandy Calheta. The Azores have black sand beaches and natural pools.

Madeira: best for

• Sunshine: spring-like weather all year.
• Hiking: spectacular levadas and the Pico do Arieiro to Pico Ruivo summit trail (all trails now need a booked slot). See Madeira levada walks.
• A city base: Funchal’s gardens, market, cable car and restaurants. See things to do in Funchal.
• Great hotels: from Reid’s Palace to boutique quintas. See the best hotels in Madeira.
• Families: easy logistics, natural pools and dolphins. See Madeira with kids.
• New Year’s Eve: one of the world’s great fireworks displays.

The Azores: best for

• Wild nature: crater lakes, waterfalls and endless green.
• Hot springs: Furnas, Caldeira Velha and Ferraria on São Miguel.
• Whale watching: among the best in the world.
• Island hopping: Pico’s volcano, Faial’s harbour, São Jorge’s fajãs. See Azores island hopping.
• Fewer crowds and a slower pace.

Cost

Both are similar to mainland Portugal. Madeira has more choice of hotels at every level; the Azores have fewer, so book early in summer. Car hire is recommended on both.

When to go

• Madeira: any time; spring for flowers, New Year for fireworks.
• The Azores: May to September for the best weather and ferries; hydrangeas bloom in early summer.

Plan your trip

See the Madeira travel guide, the Azores travel guide, our São Miguel itinerary and São Miguel hotels.

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