Comparison · Madeira vs Tenerife · Portugal / Spain
Madeira vs Tenerife
Two great trips, different strengths. Here is how they compare on the things that decide it.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Luke H. Gordon, CC BY 2.0
Quick answer
Choose Madeira for Levada walks and Madeira wine; choose Tenerife for Mount Teide and Year-round sunshine. Day-to-day costs are similar, and the two are about 498 km apart.
Key facts
- Distance apart
- 498 km
- Less expensive
- About the same
- Best time for Madeira
- April–June and September–October
- Best time for Tenerife
- May–June and September–October
Side by side
| Madeira | Tenerife | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | Portugal | Spain |
| Known for | Levada walks, Madeira wine and Laurisilva forest | Mount Teide, Year-round sunshine and Black-sand beaches |
| Best time to visit | April–June and September–October | May–June and September–October |
| Ideal stay | 7 days | 7 days |
| Mid-range budget per day | $130–$240 | $130–$230 |
| Cost level | Affordable | Moderately priced |
| Warmest month | August, 26°C (79°F) | August, 29°C (84°F) |
| Coldest month | January, 19°C (66°F) | January, 21°C (70°F) |
| Free sights in our guide | 10 | 9 |
| Day trips in our guide | 5 | 4 |
| Beaches | Calheta beach | Playa de Las Teresitas |
| Airports | FNC, PXO | TFS, TFN |
Which one is right for you?
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…
Choose Tenerife for…
Mount Teide and Year-round sunshine. Tenerife, the largest of Spain's Canary Islands, sits in the Atlantic off the coast of West Africa and is dominated by Mount Teide, a 3,715-metre volcano at the centre of a UNESCO-listed national park. The dry, sunny south holds the main resorts — Costa…
Top sights compared
| # | Madeira | Tenerife |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mercado dos Lavradores | Teide National Park |
| 2 | Monte cable car and toboggan ride | Teide cable car and summit |
| 3 | Monte Palace Tropical Garden | San Cristóbal de La Laguna old town |
| 4 | Madeira Botanical Garden | Los Gigantes cliffs |
| 5 | Rua de Santa Maria and the Old Town | Whale and dolphin watching |
Food compared
| Madeira | Tenerife |
|---|---|
| Espetada | Papas arrugadas con mojo |
| Black scabbardfish with banana | Rabbit in salmorejo |
| Bolo do caco | Gofio |
| Limpets | Grilled goat's cheese |
Which is cheaper?
Madeira and Tenerife cost about the same: a mid-range day is roughly $130–$240 in Madeira and $130–$230 in Tenerife (AMZBooking estimates, excluding flights). Tenerife on a budget.
Can you visit both?
Yes. Madeira and Tenerife are about 498 km apart, so they combine well in one trip: allow 7 days in Madeira and 7 in Tenerife.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Madeira or Tenerife cheaper?
Neither is clearly cheaper: a mid-range day costs about $130–$240 in Madeira and $130–$230 in Tenerife (estimates).
+Is Madeira or Tenerife better for a first trip?
Pick Madeira for Levada walks and Madeira wine, or Tenerife for Mount Teide and Year-round sunshine.
+How far is Madeira from Tenerife?
About 498 km in a straight line.