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Azores or Madeira? An honest comparison
The short answer
Pick Madeira for a single, easy island with a real town (Funchal), dramatic levada walks, warmer and more reliable weather, and good family options, at about €180 a day mid-range. Pick the Azores for greener, quieter volcanic landscapes, crater lakes, hot springs and whale watching, at about €185 a day, if you accept changeable weather.
Azores: The Azores suit couples, friends and backpackers who want quiet volcanic nature, hiking and whales, and do not mind rain.
Madeira: suits couples, families and first-timers who want mountain walks plus a comfortable base town with restaurants.
Side by side
| Azores | Madeira | |
|---|---|---|
| Mid-range day* | €185 | €180 |
| Budget day* | €100 | €80 |
| Value for money | ●●●●●About €185 a day mid-range. | ●●●●●About €180 a day mid-range, slightly cheaper. |
| Crowds (5 = calm) | ●●●●●Quiet outside Sete Cidades and Furnas viewpoints. | ●●●●●Funchal and Pico do Arieiro busy in peak season. |
| Food | ●●●●●Cozido das Furnas, limpets and São Jorge cheese. | ●●●●●Espetada, black scabbardfish and poncha. |
| Nightlife | ●●●●●A few bars in Ponta Delgada. | ●●●●●Bars in Funchal's Zona Velha; low-key. |
| Family-friendly | ●●●●●Hot pools, gentle walks and whale trips. | ●●●●●Porto Moniz pools, cable car and easy levadas. |
| Getting around | ●●●●●You need a car; island hopping needs flights or ferries. | ●●●●●Good roads and tunnels; car or tours recommended. |
| Best months | year-round, see below | Apr, Jul, Aug, Nov |
| Warmest / coolest | Aug 25°C / Jan 16°C | Aug 26°C / Jan 17°C |
| Known for | Sete Cidades, Mount Pico, Furnas Valley, Terra Nostra Garden, Biscoitos | Pico do Arieiro, Monte Palace, Porto Moniz pools, Cabo Girão, Funchal Old Town |
* Per person per day with two sharing a room: bed, food, sights and local transport, from our Azores and Madeira day-cost tables (approximate 2026 prices; other currencies converted at recent rates). Ratings are our editorial judgement.
Which one should you pick?
Pick Azores if…
- you want crater lakes and green volcanic scenery.
- you want whale and dolphin watching.
- you want fewer people on trails.
- you want to soak in natural hot springs at Furnas.
Pick Madeira if…
- you want more reliable sunshine.
- you want one island with everything within a short drive.
- you want a lively base town with restaurants.
- you are travelling with children.
Weather month by month
| Month | Azores high / rainy days | Madeira high / rainy days |
|---|---|---|
| Jan | 16°C · 17 | 17°C · 11 |
| Feb | 16°C · 15 | 17°C · 12 |
| Mar | 17°C · 20 | 19°C · 12 |
| Apr | 18°C · 20 | 20°C · 9 |
| May | 19°C · 22 | 21°C · 10 |
| Jun | 21°C · 18 | 22°C · 12 |
| Jul | 23°C · 18 | 25°C · 4 |
| Aug | 25°C · 18 | 26°C · 5 |
| Sep | 24°C · 17 | 24°C · 17 |
| Oct | 22°C · 20 | 24°C · 12 |
| Nov | 20°C · 20 | 21°C · 8 |
| Dec | 17°C · 21 | 19°C · 14 |
Average daily high and number of rainy days. Copernicus ERA5, 2021–2023.
What you will eat
Azores
Cozido das Furnas · Grilled limpets · São Jorge cheese · Alcatra · Bolo lêvedo · Azores pineapple
Where: Mercado da Graça, Ponta Delgada, Furnas, Tea plantations of the north coast, São Miguel, Pineapple glasshouses, Fajã de Baixo
Madeira
Beef skewers · Garlic flatbread · Black scabbardfish · Grilled limpets · Fried cornmeal · Poncha
Where: Mercado dos Lavradores (Funchal), Zona Velha (Old Town, Funchal), Câmara de Lobos, Estreito de Câmara de Lobos
Doing both in one trip
10 days: 5 in the Azores (São Miguel) + 5 in Madeira
Either order; finish in Madeira for warmer, steadier weather after the Azores' changeable days.
Getting between them: Flight, usually via Lisbon (about 2 h 15 + 1 h 45, plus connection time); direct Ponta Delgada–Funchal flights have operated seasonally. Check current timetables. Distance about 975 km as the crow flies. Check current timetables.
- Day 1: Arrive Ponta Delgada, Mercado da Graça
- Day 2: Sete Cidades crater lakes
- Day 3: Furnas Valley, cozido and Terra Nostra Garden
- Day 4: Whale watching and the north-coast tea plantations
- Day 5: Lagoa do Fogo, then fly toward Madeira
- Day 6: Funchal Old Town and Mercado dos Lavradores
- Day 7: Pico do Arieiro sunrise and a levada walk
- Day 8: Porto Moniz pools and the north coast
- Day 9: Cabo Girão and Câmara de Lobos
- Day 10: Monte Palace gardens, then fly out
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Common questions
Are the Azores or Madeira cheaper?
They are very close. Our mid-range estimate is about €180 per person per day in Madeira against about €185 in the Azores. Madeira has more hotel choice, which can bring prices down; in the Azores, car hire and inter-island flights add up if you visit more than São Miguel.
Which has better weather?
Madeira is a little warmer and more reliable. Our sheet gives about 26°C in August and 17°C in January for Madeira, against about 25°C and 16°C for the Azores. The bigger difference is cloud and rain: Azores weather changes fast, sometimes several times a day, so keep plans flexible.
How many days do I need?
Madeira works well in 5 to 7 days from one base. In the Azores, give São Miguel at least 4 to 5 days; adding Pico, Faial or Flores needs a week or more because of flights and ferries between islands. If you only have 4 days, Madeira is easier.
How do I get between the Azores and Madeira?
By air. Most routes connect via Lisbon, about 2 h 15 from Ponta Delgada and 1 h 45 on to Funchal, plus connection time. Direct flights between Ponta Delgada and Funchal have operated seasonally. There is no regular passenger ferry. Check current timetables.