Packing list for Madeira, travel insurance for Madeira and taking your belongings

What to take to Madeira: brief

To pack and check

• Documents and money: Madeira is an autonomous region of Portugal. A passport or identity card valid for the duration of your stay is sufficient for EU citizens. A driver's license is useful when you plan to rent a car. Madeira uses the euro, and card payments are accepted almost everywhere.
• Clothing: layers are highly recommended, as the weather can vary dramatically between the coast and the mountain peaks. Bring a warm jacket or fleece and a rain jacket. Swimwear is also essential for the island's many swimming opportunities.
• Footwear: sturdy hiking shoes with good grip are almost indispensable if you plan to walk the levadas or hike in the mountains. Flip-flops or sandals are useful for the coast and natural swimming pools. Water shoes can be helpful around lava pools and rocky shorelines.
• Personal care and hygiene: high-factor sunscreen. Thanks to the ocean breeze, many travelers do not realize how quickly they are getting a sunburn.
• Packing and protection: a good rain cover for your backpack is important to keep your belongings dry during hikes.
• Insects and animals: an insect repellent for the warmer months and lower-lying areas.
• Medicines and travel kit: a basic first-aid kit with plasters, blister plasters, oral rehydration salts, painkillers and, if needed, motion sickness tablets for the island's winding mountain roads.
• Outdoor gear and practical items: a reusable water bottle, sunglasses and a small daypack. A headlamp is useful for levada walks, which sometimes pass through long, dark tunnels.
• Technology and equipment: Madeira uses the same plug types as most of continental Europe (types C and F), so a travel adapter is not usually required for European travellers.

To consider

• Hiking poles for steeper levada walks and mountain hikes.
• A snorkelling set; the water is clear and marine life is abundant.
• Binoculars for spotting whales, dolphins and seabirds.
• A dry bag for boat trips.
• Swimwear for natural swimming pools such as those at Porto Moniz.

Are there mosquitoes on Madeira?

• Mosquitoes are mainly found in the warmer coastal areas and during the summer months.
• Madeira has experienced dengue outbreaks in the past, which means mosquito control is taken seriously on the island.
• As a result, mosquitoes are nowadays mostly a nuisance rather than a significant health concern for most travellers.
• Read more about protection against mosquitoes and insects.

Are there sandflies on Madeira?

• Sandflies are generally not considered a problem for tourists visiting Madeira.
• Read more about sandflies and sand fleas.

Can you buy DEET or other insect repellents on Madeira?

• Yes, DEET and other insect repellents are widely available from pharmacies, supermarkets and drugstores in Funchal and other towns.
• If you plan on doing a lot of hiking or camping, it is useful to keep some with you at all times.

Can you buy cannabis or bring weed to Madeira?

• Madeira falls under Portuguese law. Portugal is known for its relatively liberal drug policy, but cannabis is not freely legal to buy.
• Medical cannabis is permitted in Portugal, while the production, import and sale of recreational cannabis remain illegal.
• However, possession of small amounts of cannabis for personal use is generally not treated as a criminal offense.
• Always check the latest regulations before travellng.