Portugal’s Madeira Archipelago is listed as one of the best travel destinations in the world year after year. The archipelago consists of four islands, the largest and most populous of which is Madeira Island. The island, which sits in the Atlantic Ocean between Portugal and Morocco, is full of gorgeous beaches, natural lava pools, and interesting hiking trails. The coastline of Madeira Island is 90 miles long, and every part of the coast has a unique sight to offer, so the best way to see everything that the island has to offer is by renting a motorcycle and exploring.
Once you rent your motorcycle, there are endless places to travel to on Madeira Island. Here is a list of the best destinations to reach by motorcycle to get you started.
This post will cover:
- The 5 best places to travel by motorcycle in Madeira Island, Portugal
- Road conditions in Madeira Island, Portugal
- Where to find motorcycle rental in Madeira Island, Portugal
- Whether you need an international driving permit to drive in Portugal
#1 Monte Palace Tropical Garden
If you’re renting a motorcycle in Madeira Island, there’s a good chance you’ll be doing so in the town of Funchal. Rather than getting your motorcycle and immediately riding off to another part of the island, take some time to explore the mosaiced streets and drive past the small churches throughout the town.
If you want to see one of the most idyllic places in all of Madeira Island, make your way up to Monte Palace Tropical Garden. You can either take a cable car up to the palace or drive your motorcycle right up to the entrance. They even have free parking right outside.
The garden is absolutely magnificent. It’s filled with waterfalls, Oriental pagodas, beautifully sculpted landscapes, exotic plants, and ornamental sculptures. There are even exotic animals living in the garden from koi fish to peacocks. This is an absolute can’t-miss spot in Madeira Island.
#2 Porto Moniz Lava Pools
One of Madeira Island’s most interesting features is the volcanic lava pools that have formed around the coast of the island. The best place to experience these lava pools is Porto Moniz on the northwest end of the island. It will take you about an hour to drive there from Funchal, but the journey is well worth it. There are plenty of free car parks in the area where you can leave your motorcycle and walk to the water.
On a sunny day, the Porto Moniz Lava Pools are a great place to sit in the cool water and relax. There are even rentable lawn chairs if you just want to do a little sunbathing. On stormy days, Porto Moniz is equally as magical. The ripples formed in the lava pools by the wind are mesmerizing, and the huge waves crashing against rocks will leave you in awe.
#3 Praia da Calheta
If you want to get a more traditional beach experience, Praia da Calheta is one of the best places to do so. While Madeira Island is not generally known for its sandy beaches, Praia da Calheta is a great location to set up a towel and play in the sand or swim in the ocean. If you’re coming from Porto Moniz, it’s about a 40 minute drive straight south.
Praia da Calheta is actually a man-made beach with sand imported from North Africa. It’s certainly not the most natural beach or the most secluded, but it’s still a gorgeous feat of engineering. As you’re leaving Calheta, make sure to look out for the massive banana plantations throughout the town.
#4 Prazeres
A tiny little town of fewer than 1,000 inhabitants near the west coast of Madeira Island, Prazeres is undoubtedly one of the best places to get an authentic cultural experience in Madeira Island. Located just 10 minutes northwest from Calheta or 35 minutes south of Porto Moniz, you should definitely make a point of stopping by Prazeres if you find yourself on the west end of the island. The best way to find experience Prazeres is on foot, so leave your motorcycle in one of the town’s many free car parks and start strolling around.
Eating in Prazeres is your best bet if you want to know what the traditional cuisine of Madeira Island is like. The restaurants in Prazeres are mostly family-owned and very friendly. You can sit down for a meal and try some of the famous tea that they make in the region, whether hot or over ice.
Prazeres is also filled with stunning views, and there are very few tourists in the area, so you can find an empty hill and soak up the view in complete peace and quiet.
#5 Paul do Mar
Despite the undeniable charm of Paul do Mar, the drive over to this remote fishing village is worth it in itself. Up until the 20th century, Paul do Mar was completely inaccessible by land. Today, the only road leading to the village is a winding, snake-like road through the mountains that leads down to the coast. The road has many hairpin turns, though, so drive carefully. Paul do Mar is about 20 minutes northwest of Calheta.
The village of paul do Mar seems like a remnant of an old world. The people there still rely on fishing to survive, and the pace of life is very slow and relaxed. You can kick back, have a coffee, and enjoy beautiful views of the massive cliffs and the ocean.
Riding a Motorcycle in Madeira Island
Here is some important general information for riding a motorcycle in Madeira Island:
Is it easy to drive a motorcycle in Madeira Island?
If you plan on renting a motorcycle in Madeira Island, you should know that driving on the island can be rather difficult. While the network of roads will take you anywhere on the island, the mountainous terrain of the island has many steep hills. You should definitely opt for a motorcycle that will have enough power to get up the difficult slopes.
Where can I rent a motorcycle in Madeira Island?
The majority of motorcycle rental shops in Madeira Island are located along the southern coast in the town of Funchal; however, there are also rental shops just outside of Cristiano Ronaldo International Airport and a few along the eastern coast of the island.
How much does it cost to rent a motorcycle in Madeira Island?
Typical motorcycle rental prices in Madeira Island are around €50 to €60 per day for basic motorcycles. Of course, more powerful motorcycles will be more expensive to rent at most shops.
Do you need an international driving permit to drive a motorcycle in Madeira Island?
You don’t need an international driving permit in Portugal if you’re a United States citizen.
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