Resting on the African shelf of the Atlantic Ocean and just 450 miles from the coast of Morocco lies the volcanic archipelago of Madeira. It’s hard to believe that Madeira and the chain of islands that share the same name were accidentally discovered by Portuguese explorers towards the end of the 15th century. Since being settled by the Portuguese in the 15th century, Madeira and its neighbor, Porto Santo, have become popular vacation spots frequented by travelers from around the world. Thanks to the agreeable weather conditions that allow natural beauty to thrive on their shores, flights to Madeira are packed year-round with travelers looking to escape the cold winter months. Funchal, the capital city of Madeira, is a cultural haven with ample opportunity for cultural exploration if roughing it in nature isn’t quite your style. Whether you choose to enjoy a glass of Madeira in a crowded tavern downtown while listening to some fado on the jukebox, mosey along the paths of the ancient stone waterways that once nourished the vineyards and orchards of the island, or ogle the imported tiles and antique Portuguese silverware on display at the Frederico de Freitas Museum, you’re sure to find something to suit your tastes on this quaint island that embraces its fascinating past.
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Peak Season: Madeira knows how to celebrate in style, and for this reason, the holiday season is one that drives tourists in droves to book Madeira flights. Visitors hailing from every corner of the globe come to Madeira for its renowned New Years fireworks display, so if you hope to join the throng of tourists flocking to Funchal for December 31st, be sure to make your Madeira flights and hotel reservations months in advance. With its natural beauty and consistently sunny weather, Madeira makes for an ideal summer vacation spot and therefore the peak time to visit – and when cheap flights to Madeira are hard to come by – extends from May through the end of October.
Off-peak Season: The summertime may be the most popular time to visit Madeira, but because of the island’s consistently agreeable weather, the off season is really determined by the festivals and events happening in Madeira during the summer and winter months. Early spring and late fall are quieter times of year to visit, so if you’re looking to explore Madeira without bumping into tourists at all the hot spots, try taking advantage of off-season cheap flights to Madeira for a quieter change of pace.
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Busses are the main mode of public transportation, and all routes pass through Funchal. Though timely, reliable and affordable, some routes are scheduled infrequently and there may be only one bus departing from Funchal for your destination, depending on how far away from the city you’re staying. Grab a bus schedule before leaving the airport after you flight to Madeira arrives so you can familiarize yourself with the routes, fares and schedules. If you’re looking to travel to the island of Porto Santo as well, ferries depart regularly from the Port of Funchal six days a week.
Madeira Funchal Airport (FNC): The airport is located in the city of Santa Cruz, 10 miles northeast of Funchal.
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