Comparison · Algarve vs Madeira · Portugal
Algarve vs Madeira
Two great trips, different strengths. Here is how they compare on the things that decide it.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Vitor Oliveira from Torres Vedras, PORTUGAL, CC BY-SA 2.0
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Quick answer
Choose Algarve for Sea cliffs and caves and Golden beaches; choose Madeira for Levada walks and Madeira wine. Day-to-day costs are similar, and the two are about 949 km apart.
Key facts
- Distance apart
- 949 km
- Less expensive
- About the same
- Best time for Algarve
- May–June and September
- Best time for Madeira
- April–June and September–October
Side by side
| Algarve | Madeira | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | Portugal | Portugal |
| Known for | Sea cliffs and caves, Golden beaches and Cataplana | Levada walks, Madeira wine and Laurisilva forest |
| Best time to visit | May–June and September | April–June and September–October |
| Ideal stay | 7 days | 7 days |
| Mid-range budget per day | $130–$250 | $130–$240 |
| Cost level | Affordable | Affordable |
| Warmest month | July, 29°C (84°F) | August, 26°C (79°F) |
| Coldest month | January, 16°C (61°F) | January, 19°C (66°F) |
| Free sights in our guide | 8 | 10 |
| Day trips in our guide | 5 | 5 |
| Beaches | Praia da Marinha | Calheta beach |
| Airports | FAO, LIS | FNC, PXO |
Which one is right for you?
Choose Algarve for…
Sea cliffs and caves and Golden beaches. The Algarve is Portugal's southern coast, about 150 km from the Spanish border at the Guadiana River to Cape St Vincent, Europe's south-western tip. West of Faro, the coast breaks into honey-coloured cliffs, sea caves and coves such as Benagil and Ponta da…
Choose Madeira for…
Levada walks and Madeira wine. Madeira is a steep volcanic island in the Atlantic about 1,000 km south-west of Lisbon, known for its mild year-round climate, its levadas — irrigation channels with walking paths that contour through the mountains — and the UNESCO-listed Laurisilva laurel…
Top sights compared
| # | Algarve | Madeira |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Benagil Cave | Mercado dos Lavradores |
| 2 | Seven Hanging Valleys Trail | Monte cable car and toboggan ride |
| 3 | Ponta da Piedade | Monte Palace Tropical Garden |
| 4 | Cape St Vincent | Madeira Botanical Garden |
| 5 | Fortress of Sagres | Rua de Santa Maria and the Old Town |
Food compared
| Algarve | Madeira |
|---|---|
| Cataplana | Espetada |
| Grilled sardines | Black scabbardfish with banana |
| Piri-piri chicken | Bolo do caco |
| Octopus | Limpets |
Which is cheaper?
Algarve and Madeira cost about the same: a mid-range day is roughly $130–$250 in Algarve and $130–$240 in Madeira (AMZBooking estimates, excluding flights). Madeira on a budget.
Can you visit both?
They are about 949 km apart, so combining them means a flight. With 15 days or more it works; otherwise pick one.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Algarve or Madeira cheaper?
Neither is clearly cheaper: a mid-range day costs about $130–$250 in Algarve and $130–$240 in Madeira (estimates).
+Is Algarve or Madeira better for a first trip?
Pick Algarve for Sea cliffs and caves and Golden beaches, or Madeira for Levada walks and Madeira wine.
+How far is Algarve from Madeira?
About 949 km in a straight line.