Madeira, the Portuguese archipelago off the coast of Morocco, is attracting more and more visitors as one of the most beautiful parts of Portugal. Its volcanic landscapes carpeted with lush vegetation have earned it the nickname of the Hawaii of Europe. The territory is made up of four islands or groups of islands: Madeira, Porto Santo, the Desertas Islands and the Selvagens Islands. But which island to choose in the Madeira archipelago? We'll help you find the one that's right for you.
Madeira, the garden island
Most visitors looking for an island in the Madeira archipelago choose the main island of the same name. With a surface area of 750 km2, it represents 90% of the archipelago's territory. Of volcanic origin, it boasts a number of interesting landforms, not least its highest point, Pico Ruivo, at 1,862 m altitude. This is where you'll find many of the archipelago's most beautiful hikes, as well as some of Madeira's must-see attractions, including the levadas, canals running through exceptional landscapes, Unesco-listed laurel forests, cliffs overlooking the Atlantic, and the famous botanical garden, one of Funchal's must-sees. The archipelago's capital offers Madeira a major advantage: it's by far the most accessible island. Many European airports offer direct flights to Funchal. The island of Madeira is quite complete, for in addition to boasting most of the archipelago's emblematic places, it is also characterized by localized microclimates that allow you to enjoy a certain diversity. The south coast is sunnier, while the north coast is often rainy, and all the more lush. Last but not least, Madeira is the liveliest island, with the flower festival held in May in Funchal, for example, making it one of the best spring destinations.
To sum up: if you're a hiking enthusiast and don't want to miss out on any of the archipelago's iconic sites, Madeira awaits you. If you're looking for a 4 or 5-day itinerary in Madeira, this is certainly the island to choose, given its ease of access.
Porto Santo, the most seaside resort
Porto Santo is the second largest island in the archipelago, located 43 km northeast of Madeira Island. If you're looking for a seaside resort in the Madeira archipelago, this is the one for you. It boasts some of the most beautiful beaches in Portugal. Its long stretches of golden sand, combined with its desert landscape, have earned it the nickname of the Golden Island. To reach the island, you either need to take a plane from Madeira Island, for a flight of around 20 minutes, or take a ferry from Funchal, for a 2.5-hour journey. The relative difficulty of access makes the island relatively untouristy, so the atmosphere is all the more gentle and relaxing. In addition to the beach, there is a well-developedrange of thalassotherapy and spa treatments . It's also a good destination for light hiking, thanks to some small volcanic reliefs.
In short: Porto Santo is the place to be if you're looking for a relaxing island break in the Madeira archipelago. You'll enjoy superb beaches, thalassotherapy treatments, beautiful hotels and reasonable tourism.
The Desertas Islands, wild and hard-to-reach refuges
The Desertas Islands are made up of three islands: Chão Islet, Bugio Island and Deserta Grande, the largest. Between them, they cover an area of just 14 km2, which is protected as a nature reserve. The three islets are uninhabited due to their arid climate, and are therefore very wild. To ensure this state of conservation, authorization is required to visit the island. On site, it is compulsory to be accompanied by a park ranger. The reason they are so protected is that the islands are home to Portugal's last colony of Mediterranean monk seals, an endangered species. The Desertas Islands are also home to other valuable wildlife, including an endemic species of tarantula. On site, regulations are strict, and it is forbidden to fish, to spend the night on any of the islands, or to leave litter or traces of one's presence. Access is also rather difficult, as you have to take a boat or catamaran excursion from Funchal, accompanied by a local organization.
To sum up: the Desertas Islands are an unspoilt wilderness, ideal for observing rare animals in their natural habitat. You'll experience an adventure that's almost like being alone in the world. However, their difficult access and the need for prior authorization to board make them a difficult place to visit.
The Selvagens Islands bird sanctuary
The Selvagens Islands are the most remote of the Madeira archipelago, lying 300 km south of the main island. The archipelago is made up of three main islands, Selvagem Grande, Selvagem Pequena and the islet of Fora, plus a dozen islets and rocks. The whole is no larger than 4 km2 in area, and remains uninhabited. Uninhabited by humans, at any rate, since the chain of islets is home to a rich bird population, including the Ashen Shearwater, Bulwer's Petrel and Castro's Storm-Petrel. Each of these birds has established a colony of several thousand individuals on the islets, which form one of Portugal's oldest nature reserves, making the Selvagens Islands the perfect choice for birdwatchers looking for an island in the Madeira archipelago. But even here, access is strictly regulated and requires a permit issued by the Madeira Natural Park Authority. What's more, access is extremely difficult and usually requires a long sailing expedition from Madeira Island.
To sum up: the Selvagens Islands are an exceptional natural area for wildlife lovers, who will be able to observe immense colonies of seabirds. However, access is strictly regulated and requires special authorization, so most visitors are scientists.
