Comparison · Azores vs Madeira · Portugal
Azores 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: Lacobrigo, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
Choose Azores for Crater lakes and Whale watching; choose Madeira for Levada walks and Madeira wine. Day-to-day costs are similar, and the two are about 965 km apart.
Key facts
- Distance apart
- 965 km
- Less expensive
- About the same
- Best time for Azores
- May–September
- Best time for Madeira
- April–June and September–October
Side by side
| Azores | Madeira | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | Portugal | Portugal |
| Known for | Crater lakes, Whale watching and Hot springs | Levada walks, Madeira wine and Laurisilva forest |
| Best time to visit | May–September | April–June and September–October |
| Ideal stay | 8 days | 7 days |
| Mid-range budget per day | $130–$230 | $130–$240 |
| Cost level | Affordable | Affordable |
| Warmest month | August, 26°C (79°F) | August, 26°C (79°F) |
| Coldest month | January, 17°C (63°F) | January, 19°C (66°F) |
| Free sights in our guide | 9 | 10 |
| Day trips in our guide | 5 | 5 |
| Beaches | Praia de Santa Bárbara | Calheta beach |
| Airports | PDL, TER, HOR, PIX, FLW | FNC, PXO |
Which one is right for you?
Choose Azores for…
Crater lakes and Whale watching. The Azores are nine volcanic islands in the middle of the Atlantic, about 1,400 km west of Lisbon, belonging to Portugal as an autonomous region. Most visitors start on São Miguel, the largest island, with the crater lakes of Sete Cidades and Lagoa do Fogo…
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
| # | Azores | Madeira |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sete Cidades and the Vista do Rei viewpoint | Mercado dos Lavradores |
| 2 | Lagoa do Fogo | Monte cable car and toboggan ride |
| 3 | Furnas fumaroles and lake | Monte Palace Tropical Garden |
| 4 | Terra Nostra Garden | Madeira Botanical Garden |
| 5 | Poça da Dona Beija | Rua de Santa Maria and the Old Town |
Food compared
| Azores | Madeira |
|---|---|
| Cozido das Furnas | Espetada |
| São Jorge cheese | Black scabbardfish with banana |
| Bolo lêvedo | Bolo do caco |
| Limpets | Limpets |
Which is cheaper?
Azores and Madeira cost about the same: a mid-range day is roughly $130–$230 in Azores and $130–$240 in Madeira (AMZBooking estimates, excluding flights). Azores on a budget.
Can you visit both?
They are about 965 km apart, so combining them means a flight. With 16 days or more it works; otherwise pick one.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Azores or Madeira cheaper?
Neither is clearly cheaper: a mid-range day costs about $130–$230 in Azores and $130–$240 in Madeira (estimates).
+Is Azores or Madeira better for a first trip?
Pick Azores for Crater lakes and Whale watching, or Madeira for Levada walks and Madeira wine.
+How far is Azores from Madeira?
About 965 km in a straight line.