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Don’t forget your undies, of course. But I think you know that. So, skipping over the basics (you know you need your toothbrush, right?) let me walk you through what to wear in Madeira — whether you’re headed to the sand or the city. This is the ultimate Madeira packing list for hikers, city slickers, and everyone in between.
Table of Contents
Waterproofs
Madeira is an island of micro-climates. It could be a beautiful, sunny day down in Funchal, but by the time you’ve driven twenty minutes up the island you’re going to get drenched. That’s why, no matter what your plan is for your time in Madeira, you should always have waterproofs with you. If you’re going to stick to the city, pack a good packable umbrella. If you’re going to do some light hiking, a good rain jacket will do — I love mine from Columbia as it is on the longer side so keeps me drier and warmer than a shorter cropped option. I’d only recommend additional waterproofs such as rain pants, waterproof shoes, or even a waterproof hat, if you are going to be doing multi-day hikes.
Hiking Shoes
There are some absolutely extraordinary hikes around Madeira. Whether you plan to do a simpler levada walk, or something a bit more strenuous like the stunning Pico do Arieiro, the right shoes will be vital. You can expect uneven, often slick trails. I have been hiking exclusively in my Allbirds ever since I got them several years ago. They are comfortable and easy to pack but they don’t have the best grip on slippery surfaces. Have a look through this list of the best travel shoes including hiking shoes and versatile options which can go from city to mountains easily.
Hiking Outfit
Once again, how intense your hiking outfits need to be depends a lot on how strenuously you plan to be hiking. Since I only ever do day hikes I pack long leggings, thick socks, a sports bra, a comfortable top, and a light layer. If you’re hiking in the summer you may want to switch legging out for shorts, however I prefer to have my legs covered to protect against scratchy bushes and biting insects. If you’re hiking in winter you’ll want to pack wool layers. And no matter what, you’ll want to have a good rain jacket with you.
Hiking Accessories
I think the biggest thing to remember in terms of hiking accessories is a good day pack. A water bottle and snacks are easy enough to find just about anywhere, but you can’t replace a good, lightweight backpack very easily. I also recommend packing sunscreen, sunglasses, and bug spray. A power bank is a great thing to have especially if your phone runs out of juice quickly like mine does.
Light Sweater
As I already mentioned, the weather in Madeira can switch on a dime. You may be roasting under sunny skies one minute, and the next a cool breeze moves in and you find yourself shivering. That’s why it’s a great idea to always have a sweater with you. If you’re visiting in summer I recommend something lightweight and loose, but the deeper into winter you get the more you’ll want to switch to something heavier. While Madeira never gets truly freezing, it does get wet and certainly cool.
Bathing Suit
It’s to be expected that on an island you’ll find plenty of beaches! And in addition to the beautiful beaches and stunning sea you’ll no doubt want to dive into, you may also have access to a pool depending on where you are staying. So of course, with all of that access to water, you’ll want to have a bathing suit packed!
Water Shoes
Water shoes are a quite specific item that a lot of people don’t have just sitting around at home. The reason I suggest possibly investing in a pair and having them for Madeira is because of the natural rock pools, which I think are one of the best things to do on the island. However, the rocks are slick and jagged (they are natural after all) and thus quite difficult, uncomfortable, and potentially dangerous, to navigate barefoot. If you don’t bring water shoes, flip flops will do in a pinch — though they don’t offer nearly the same level of stability. Water shoes are also nice to have for hopping into pools on levada hikes or to navigate the rocky beaches around the coast.
Hat
Protect that sensitive facial skin from the sun! I wear a daily moisturizer with spf, but when I’m going to be out in the sun all day I also add in a hat. For ease of packing, I prefer a baseball cap rather than a wide-brimmed sun hat. I have one I absolutely love from Vimhue. This is primarily because of the design which was specifically created to accommodate ponytails — it’s been a game changer for me — a person who used to refuse to wear hats.
Towel
Whether you’re hitting the beach or the natural pools, you’ll want to bring a towel with you. Not every accommodation is going to provide you with one appropriate for anything beyond a shower. That’s especially true if you choose to stay at an apartment-style accommodation rather than a hotel. Pack a microfiber travel towel, they take up less space in your luggage and dry faster.
Wine Tasting ‘fit
One of my top recommendations for any visit to Portugal, including Madeira, is to go wine tasting. There’s a gorgeous vineyard on the top of a mountain on Madeira and it has one of the most spectacular views — it is something I absolutely recommend you do on any trip to Madeira. And for it, you’ll want to have a cute outfit. Portugal wineries are not Napa wineries — you don’t need to be dressed to the nines. But a sweet, comfortable, flowy sundress with walkable sandals is a great way to dress up the day.
City Walking Shoes
Any time you spend in Funchal will be typical pavement, sidewalk walking. The city isn’t huge, but we all know what blisters can do to a holiday. Have a look at the list of travel shoes myself and other travel bloggers love. I would also add the Nisolo Huarache Sandal to that list. These are good for summer travels as they are a breezy sandal, but still keep your toes protected from dirt and danger.
Comfy City Clothes
You want to bring easy clothes to navigate days walking around the city in. I like light layers, loose fits, nothing too flashy. Neutrals that can be combined and swapped out.
Evening Outfits
But maybe also pack a flashy fit or two. Something to enjoy a nicer dinner out or a few too many ponchas on the town!
