Madeira holidays
Venture to the Portuguese island of eternal spring. Explore a volcanic nirvana bursting with dramatic scenery, tropical colours and black-sand beaches. Touch down in the cosmopolitan capital, Funchal and get ready to discover the myriad charms of this dazzling destination.
Our cheapest holidays to Madeira
Contrasting wonders and sublime scenery
Famed for its trekking trails, find your feet in Madeira’s awe-inspiring landscape of emerald green-cloaked peaks, plummeting valleys and azure oceans.
Cradled within a lush natural amphitheatre on Madeira’s sun-soaked south coast, the capital city, Funchal, is a paradise for outdoor activities and water sports. The year-round balmy weather is perfect for sun-seekers to unwind along volcanic sandy shores, while the crystal clear ocean and sparkling resort pools make for the perfect opportunity to cool off.
Stroll through eucalyptus-scented mountain forests or gardens overflowing with subtropical flowers, or go whale and dolphin watching in the marine reserve while on your Madeira holiday.
Visit the incredible Sao Vicente Caves, then relax with a round of golf in a serene setting. Book flights to Madeira and get ready to experience the magic of this Portuguese island.
Carefully selected Madeira hotels
Best hotels in Madeira for all types of traveller
Madeira is famed for its spectacular scenery, so where better to stay than at the luxurious VidaMar Resorts Madeira, overlooking the azure Atlantic? Or try the historic Belmond Reid’s Palace, set in stunning gardens. Calheta Beach is a popular all-inclusive hotel ideal for families, while Saccharum focuses on well-being, providing holistic spa and fitness facilities. For a boutique stay choose Quinta da Casa Branca, a member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World.
Madeira holiday FAQs
1. Take the Funchal Cable Car up to Monte for awe-inspiring vistas across the bay. Then explore the exquisite Monte Palace Tropical Gardens.
2. Breathe in the fragrance of bougainvillea as you stroll around the stunning Palheiro Gardens. Or spot vibrant-hued parrots while exploring Madeira Botanical Gardens. Soak up the sights and scents of the Farmers’ Market in Funchal’s Old Town. Then admire the architectural splendour of Se Cathedral and Sao Lourenco Palace.
3. With their volcanic sands mingled with pebbles, Madeira’s beaches are not famed for their beauty. But excellent bathing spots can still be found – try the Blue Flag-accredited Barreirinha and Praia Formosa. Or let little ones splash in the safety of fantastic pool complexes Lido and Ponta Gorda.
4. Discover Madeira’s wild side with a day trip that takes you south from Funchal to Porto Moniz or follow the coastline up to Santana, home to the famed ‘A’ framed cottages. Or book a tour to Monte for those picture postcard views of Pico Dos Barcelos and Eira do Sorrado.
5. Tuck into succulent espetada (beef kebabs seasoned with garlic and herbs) and sample fresh limpets tossed in butter and lemon. Set your taste buds alight with black scabbard fish drizzled with passion fruit sauce. Complete your meal with traditional queijada (cheesecake) washed down with a glass of chilled Madeiran wine.
- Those who prefer to soak up sunshine with their sightseeing should start in the capital. Wander through charismatic Funchal and admire its Portuguese architecture before strolling to the botanical gardens high on the hillside, or hopping on the cable car to Monte Palace Madeira.
- If you want to venture further afield, hire a car and take in the breathtaking scenery. Experience the monumental mountain pathways, including Pico do Arieiro, the island’s third highest peak. Walk along Cape Ponta de Sao Lourenco Coastal paths on the eastern edge and feel the Atlantic air kiss your skin. If you’re brave enough, stand on the glass of the Cabo Girao Cliff Skywalk and admire the dramatic cliffs.
- For outstanding beach holidays in Madeira you’ll find a combination of world-class hotels, fine dining, golf, ancient sites and easy access to sandy beaches and small resorts. Take a break along the palm-tree shaded Pestana promenade, stop at a cafe and try a slice of honey cake before returning to your Madeira hotel to unwind.
- Funchal is gaining a reputation as one of the coolest cities in Europe. Wander the cobbled streets and you’ll soon seek its gastronomic delights and the island’s namesake wine. For dramatic coastal views there’s nowhere more striking than a stay at Les Suites At The Cliff Bay, with its sleek rooftop pool jutting out to sea from its clifftop perch. Or surround yourself with beautiful botanical gardens at Quinta da Casa Branca, before taking a rejuvenating dip in either of the hotel’s two swimming pools.
- If you’re looking for stretches of golden sand the popular seaside towns, Calheta and Machico, won’t disappoint, otherwise you can expect small black volcanic beaches elsewhere. Calheta, on the island’s south west coast, is an historic old town with a modern marina, providing some of the best water sports on the island including whale- and dolphin-watching. Or stay on the east coast – the pretty fishing town Machico is the perfect place to take some time out and kick back.
Why choose British Airways Vacations?
The British Airways experience is more than a flight.
We offer carefully chosen hotels, resorts and villas in the most amazing places, and car rental with no hidden extras. Our access to the extensive British Airways global network and oneworld® alliance puts us in a unique position to create packages with convenient flights across the globe. From start to finish consider your vacation taken care of.
Small deposits
Secure your vacation with a small deposit and spread the cost with flexible installments.
Baggage allowance
All of our vacation packages include a generous checked baggage allowance.
Earn extra Avios
Earn extra Avios and reduce the cost of your next vacation with Avios payment.
Pay with Avios
Reduce the cost of your next trip and pay for your vacation with Avios.
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Terms and conditions
- Flight only prices are updated every 24 hours and are accurate when published. Flights at these prices are limited and may sell out quickly.
- Package vacation prices (flight + hotel or flight + car) prices are updated every 24 to 48 hours and are accurate when published and may vary upon reaching subsequent pages. Availability may be extremely limited particularly during peak periods.
- Return fares displayed are the lowest adult return prices in the cabin specified including taxes, fees and carrier charges, based on a 7-day return journey.
- Package vacation prices (flight + hotel and flight + car) shown are in USD per person based on 2 adults sharing one room or one car and prices include taxes, fees and carrier charges unless otherwise specified. Flight + car prices based on drivers aged 30-70 years.
- Additional charges will be applied for payments made using a corporate credit card.
- Advertised fares are available on ba.com. Additional charges may apply if purchased through British Airways outlets or travel agents.
- Combine and save on Vacations: Guaranteed savings are only available when booking a Flight + Hotel or Flight + Car booking including one land product, it does not apply to a ‘Customise your trip’ vacation including more than one hotel and / or car.
- Standard British Airways terms and conditions apply.
1. Vacation Sale offers can be booked online at ba.com or through the British Airways call centre from January 6, 2026 and January 22, 2026 at 23:59 EST.
2. Vacation sale offers are valid on travel between January 6, 2026 and September 30, 2026. All travel must be completed by September 30, 2026. For travel from all British Airways operating airports in the US.
3. To qualify for the up to $400 discount per booking offer certain booking requirements must be met.
4. The savings are $50, $100, $200 or $400 and apply to new Vacation Package bookings only where a minimum spend is met:
a. Vacation Package bookings with a total cost of $8,000 per booking can save $400 per booking.
b. Vacation Package bookings with a total cost of $5,000 per booking can save $200 per booking.
c. Vacation Package bookings with a total cost of $3,000 per booking can save $100 per booking.
d. Vacation Package bookings with a total cost of $1,500 per booking can save $50 per booking.
5. The savings are per booking.
6. A Vacation Package booking means any booking including round trip flights and either a hotel, car or combination of both for the duration of the travel period. Hotels/cars added to flights only after a flight has been selected or booked will not be eligible. To be eligible for savings, we invite you to choose ‘Flight + hotel’ or ‘Flight + car’ when commencing a search. Quotes in our ‘Create your trip’ booking tool will not include this offer and are discounted in a different way.
7. Flight + car Vacation Package savings are applied before any Extras (insurance waiver, car seats etc.) are added to the booking.
8. Prices advertised on ba.com include the additional discount where applicable.
9. Vacation sale lead-in prices include all airline-related taxes, fees, and carrier charges.
10. Economy flight and hotel package lead-in prices are based on 2 adults traveling on the same itinerary, round trip in Economy Class, pricing per adult person, based on 5 nights for double occupancy accommodation.
11. Economy flight and car rental package lead-in prices are based on 2 adults traveling on the same itinerary, round trip in Economy Class, pricing per adult person, based on 7 days Avis or Budget car rental in a ‘Group A Economy Manual’ car. Prices are based on drivers aged 30-70 years. (Automatic car rental available at higher prices).
12. Car rental prices do not include fees charged locally such as airport charges, additional driver, insurance, navigation aids and similar options.
13. All prices are liable to change at any time and are subject to flight, hotel and car rental availability. Availability is strictly limited.
14. Offers are valid for new bookings only, made during the promotional period. Valid only when combined with British operated flights or BA code share flights departing from a US gateway.
15. Prices are based on travel during dates and board basis stated.
16. Limited availability of flights at these prices. Individual travel dates are subject to availability. Promotional travel is subject to availability and capacity control, and availability may be limited over holidays and peak periods. The number of seats available on each flight at a particular fare may be restricted and it is possible that seats allocated to a particular fare on a particular flight may be fully booked even though seats are still available for sale at a different fare or booking class in the same cabin.
17. Deposits can only be paid for bookings created as flight + hotel or flight + car packages. All flight only, hotel, car and experience only bookings, and any hotel, car or experiences added to a flight only booking are excluded from this offer. The following deposit levels apply based on the total spend per booking:
I. Flight + hotel and flight + car vacations between $1000-$1999 - pay from $198 deposit per booking
II. Flight + hotel and flight + car vacations between $2000-$2499 - pay from $250 deposit per booking
III. Flight + hotel and flight + car vacations between $2500-$2999 - pay from $300 deposit per booking
18. The deposit balance will be due 28 days prior to your departure date. The actual payment date will be displayed on the payment details page. You can pay the balance in as many instalments as you want. This allows you to spread the cost of the vacation over a longer period. You will have full flexibility of when you make the payments and how much they are, the only requirement is that you must have paid the full balance by the balance due date.
19. British Airways holidays standard terms and conditions and conditions of carriage apply. For full terms and conditions please refer to https://www.britishairways.com/en-us/information/legal/package-booking-terms-and-conditions
20. All travel on BA operated flights is subject to BA's General Conditions of Carriage for Passengers and Baggage (see ba.com http://www.britishairways.com/en-us/information/legal/british-airways/general-conditions-of-carriage) and the notice and conditions of contract contained on each ticket and itinerary. Passengers carried by code share services are subject to the ticketing carrier's conditions of carriage.
21. British Airways is not liable for the reproduction of this offer or indirect access via third party websites of these terms and where such reproduction misstates or omits any of the information or terms and conditions connected with this promotion.
22. Normal booking conditions, including amendment and cancellation charges, of a hotel purchase apply.
23. Normal booking conditions, including amendment and cancellation charges, of a car purchase apply.
24. Cannot be combined with any other offer.
25. This offer may be withdrawn or limited by British Airways without notice.
26. Other significant restrictions may apply.
We reserve the right to cancel any bookings that violate any of these terms and conditions.