The Algarve or Madeira: Which Should You Choose?

Welcome to Portugal, the land of incredible white sand beaches, tasty wine, and surfing! Portugal is a paradise for travelers who are looking for unique European getaways and incredible views. The most challenging part of your trip is going to be deciding where to go!

If you’re thinking of visiting, you most likely heard about the Algarve and Madeira, two of the most popular destinations for those that like the coast.

You might be asking yourself “Algarve or Madeira? Which one is better to visit?” I had the same dilemma when I was planning my first trip to Portugal, because I only had enough time for either the Algarve or Madeira.

Now, after visiting both, I wanted to write this guide to help you guide your decision for which of these coveted destinations in Portugal you should visit if you only have time for one!

In this guide, I’ll lay it all out on the table and help you decide which destination is the perfect match for you.

Let’s dive in and discover what makes each destination worth visiting!

Table of Contents

Overview of the Algarve vs Madeira

Don’t have time to read the whole article? No problem! I will summarize the major points here so you can quickly get a grasp of the important distinctions between these two coastal destinations.

Choose The Algarve If…

The Algarve is the place for you if you want to visit different beach towns while also learning about Portugal’s history. The Algarve is home to some of the best beaches in Portugal, including several beaches near Faro, and beaches in Sagres. The Algarve is also the place for you if you want to meet new people, as there is a major digital nomad community here.

Choose Madeira If…

If you prefer a quieter getaway at a slower pace, Madeira is perfect for you. The island is filled with beautiful waterfalls, black sand beaches and breathtaking hikes, making it an absolute oasis for nature lovers. Additionally, if you love wine, you can go wine tasting in Madeira to sample Madeira wine, a fortified wine with a unique taste.

Where are the Algarve and Madeira?

While both the Algarve and Madeira are known for their stunning coastlines, there are some key differences with where these destinations are located. The Algarve is in the southernmost region of mainland Portugal, surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean to the south and west.

Madeira, on the other hand, is an archipelago in the Atlantic Ocean. It is situated to the southwest of mainland Portugal, approximately 600 miles from the coast. The archipelago includes the main island of Madeira and smaller neighboring islands.

How to reach the Algarve and Madeira?

Getting to either the Algarve or Madeira might be the determining factor in your decision, so let’s go over the options.

Both the Algarve and Madeira are best reached from Portugal’s capital, Lisbon. You can easily combine a visit to either destination with a Lisbon itinerary!

The Algarve is best reached by either a flight into Faro, or by train from Lisbon to Faro. The trainline runs several times a day, and will only cost ~$12-30 for a one way route.

To reach Madeira, you have only one option: flying. Since Madeira is an island quite far from mainland Portugal, there are no ferries available. But don’t worry – there are plenty of airlines operating flights to Madeira. Tap Air, Easyjet and Ryanair fly to Madeira are very affordable prices.

Things To Do: Madeira vs. The Algarve

While Madeira and the Algarve may appear to have the same activities from a glance, there are some key differences that I want you to be aware of before deciding which destination to visit.

In the Algarve, the major destinations include Faro, Lagos, Albufeira, and Sagres. All of these destinations offer something unique, but the uniting factor of all of them are their beaches! Even though Madeira is an island, the Algarve easily has many more beach options for those wanting to lounge on the beach on their holiday.

When visiting Algarve, you’ll most likely find yourself visiting Faro, as this is the capital and there are some main attractions that you just can’t miss when visiting here. For me, I loved entering the Historic Center via the 19^th century Arco da Vila city gate.

As for Madeira, there are a ton of activities to choose from based on your interests. In Funchal, the capital, there’s an abundance of fun things to do and see such as Mercado dos Lavradores, São Tiago Fort, or take the famous cable car to Monte and visit the beautiful gardens.

There are also many fun things to do outside of Funchal. On my trip, I took a tour to visit the east part of Madeira, where I got to visit Santana and see the oh-so-cute thatched houses. There are also many stunning hikes, such as Pico do Arieiro which is also known as the ‘Stairway to Heaven’ hike. And, let’s not forget the wineries! Madeira is a haven for wine lovers, with several local wineries offering the unique Madeira wine to taste.

OVERALL: Visit the Algarve if you prefer beaches and historic city centers. Visit Madeira if you love nature, hiking, and visiting cute villages.

Local Food Scene

Both the Algarve and Madeira offer the chance to taste traditional Portuguese dishes, but there are slight differences in the local cuisine for you to be aware of.

The Algarve is rich in many seafood delicacies and traditional dishes such as Xarem com conquilhas. Other well-known meals enjoyed in Faro have to be Arroz de Lingueirao, and Grilled Fish (my favorite restaurants to try was Tasca do Ricky and O Chalavar).

If you’re getting tired of eating seafood in the Algarve, you can try Feijoada which is a hearty bean stew usually containing pork, beans, vegetables, and herbs.

In Madeira, don’t miss the opportunity to try specialties like Black Scabbardfish, caught locally from the Atlantic! Another local delicacy you can try is Milho Frito (fried corn cubes), that can be found in many restauarants throughout the island.

OVERALL: Both Algarve and Madeira offer exceptional seafood, but the Algarve definitely wins this one with its fresh catches and diverse seafood dishes.

Overall Atmosphere in the Algarve and Madeira

The Algarve and Madeira have vastly different atmospheres that I want to point out. While Algarve is much livelier, Madeira is known to be quieter.

When you visit Algarve, you’ll feel the excitement everywhere—on the busy beaches and in the old towns. There is a large digital nomad community in Faro, as well as many tourists during the high season (June-August) with plenty of bars, festivals, and parties that are busy with visitors. It was so easy for me to meet new people when I solo travelled here, and I highly recommend it if you love meeting new people while you travel! It’s also very safe and locals are always ready to help you.

Madeira’s atmosphere is much more laid-back and peaceful. You won’t hear about any festivals or parties during the majority of the year, but rather cozy pubs and small quaint restaurants that you can enjoy.

I found it harder to meet people here compared to Algarve, so this might be a better location for you if you’re travelling with friends or family. However, it was extremely safe. I often walked home at night after going out for the day and I never had any problems.

OVERALL: If you are looking for a quiet vacation spot to recharge, choose Madeira. If you are looking for a lively atmosphere, choose the Algarve.

Nightlife

Going off of the overall atmosphere, there are also major differences in what you can expect between nightlife of the Algarve vs Madeira.

The Algarve definitely comes alive at night. Known for its extravagant parties and tourist hubs, you won’t be out of options if you want to find a fun place to spend your evening! Especially in places like Lagos, both tourists and locals head to the bars in the city center and the atmosphere is very upbeat. There’s something for everyone here, whether you like big parties or chill hangouts.

In Madeira, Funchal is the main place for nightlife. There are lots of different places to go, like cool bars by the water or old-fashioned pubs in the historic center. If you go to the east side of Madeira, the vibe is more chill with small bars and places by the ocean to relax. On the west side, there’s a mix of traditional taverns and modern spots that show off the island’s diverse nightlife.

OVERALL: The Algarve has nightlife for all interests, whereas Madeira’s nightlife is much more toned down.

Getting Around in Madeira vs The Algarve

Both Madeira and the Algarve have public transportation, rideshare, and opportunities to rent a car.

Navigating Algarve is very convenient since it has an efficient transportation network. Buses connect major destinations, and the tickets are very affordable. I used this option to visit Sagres, Lagos, Portimão and Faro. You can also rent a car if you want more flexibility or use taxis such as Uber.

Exploring Madeira might be harder and more expensive if you decide not to rent a car. Buses will connect you to most tourist spots, but sometimes they are not reliable and may only run once every few hours. To get outside of Funchal, your best bet is to rent a car, or utilize guided tours. You can also use taxis or rideshare such as Bolt which provide a convenient choice for shorter distances.

OVERALL: Both locations have many transport options. However, when it comes to using local transportation, the Algarve has a more robust public transportation system.

Wineries

I am happy to report that if you are a wine lover, both destinations will have amazing wineries to visit and so many different wines to try!

In Algarve, there are many incredible wineries in Albufeira, which is in between Lagos and Faro. Most wineries have a lot of availability for a wine tasting, and tend to cost anywhere from $12-30.

In Madeira, you can visit wineries in Funchal itself, such as Blandy’s Wine Lodge, and just outside of the capital, such as Henrique & Henrique. And, you can try Madeira wine, which is a fortified wine with a sweet aftertaste. For those wanting a deeper dive into Madeira’s wine history, you can take a tour that leaves from Funchal!

OVERALL: You will be happy with either destination as a wine lover, but visiting Madeira will give you the opportunity to try a unique local wine.

So, Should You Choose The Algarve or Madeira?

Ultimately, the choice between Algarve and Madeira depends on the type of vacation you want.

Pick Algarve if you want lively nightlife, diverse landscapes, and some of the most gorgeous beaches in mainland Portugal.

Pick Madeira if you’re on a slower pace, you love hiking, or you want to explore Madeira wineries!

My two cents – Madeira is much more unique and will absolutely blow your mind if it’s your first time in Europe! Madeira has actually come to be one of my favorite destinations in the world, the beauty is truly unparalleled, and it felt incredibly safe.

If you still need help deciding on which destination to visit, why not check out some of my guides on these two destinations, to get a more in depth look at what each destination is like!

The Algarve or Madeira: Which Should You Choose?