Portugal, Europe’s sunniest Far West (no cowboys involved!), is a permanent temptation that extends well beyond its mainland marvels. As the new year is coming, we’re very sure of this: in 2025, the Madeira archipelago becomes “the” getaway destination from “the” getaway destination that Portugal is, and one of the most desired and sophisticated places across the globe to discover. It’s time to go Madeira, go subtropical, taking it slow. (Emphasis on slow: forget about all that “soft travel” trend going around. We’re committed to genuine immersion.)
Let’s get right down to the facts. With the Azorean Airlines providing connections from the USA, or just a couple of hours flight from Lisbon, Madeira – and its twin, also-amazing, golden-sanded Porto Santo island – sits 700 km off the West Africa coast. This privileged location makes it a natural Eden, a kind of Hanging Gardens of the Atlantic, with an annual average temperature of 73 F. Winter here always feels like summer. As the quest for an ideal low season destination becomes tougher, Madeira is the obvious answer waiting to be unraveled.
This lush territory – its botanical spectacle is incredible and pops up at every turn – although small and cozy (Madeira itself is 310 sq. miles, and Porto Santo is 17), is the negation of the overcrowded. Its dominant good taste filters out any tourist excess. The offer of superior hotels, such as the mythical Reid’s Palace, which was a frequent choice of Winston Churchill, for example, defines the exclusive nature of the island. It’s no coincidence that there are four Michelin-starred restaurants here.
At the same time, Madeira is a place for everyone. Ready for adventurous hikers, sea lovers, honeymooners, or families and children in search of the perfect balance between relaxation and fun, or even solitary explorers, the island welcomes them with discretion, delivering a rich diversity of experiences ranging from the cultural vibrancy of the capital city, Funchal, to the mountain paths, to the many garden-museums, or to a myriad of ocean activities, whale watching included.
Madeira is very, very old. The island was colonized in 1418. Some 60 years later, Christopher Columbus, who was married to the daughter of a Portuguese aristocrat and navigator, spent time here and lived in Porto Santo, not long before he discovered America. Now it’s time to make the discovery in the opposite direction, and understand why Madeira will set one of the most popular travel trends in 2025.
