Why you will love retiring to Madeira, Portugal’s island of eternal spring

Discover why you will love retiring to Portugal’s island of eternal spring, areas to hunt for a home, and handpicked properties for you to have a browse through. 

Retirement need not be the winter of your life with a move to the island of eternal spring, Madeira. A archipelago of four islands off the north coast of Africa, Madeira offers a year-round sun, heaps of activities and gorgeous beaches.

Why retire to Madeira

A splendid spot for sun-seekers

In the summer, the average temperature in Madeira is 25°C, the sun shines for up to eight hours and the chance of rain is only slight. Plus, Madeira enjoys a gentle breeze so the heat never gets too unbearable. Spring and autumn both see temperatures in the mid 20s with a small reduction in the number of sunshine hours. Winter experiences an average daily maximum of 20°C, five hours of sunshine but rainfall is heavier. The rain in Madeira isn’t like the UK with long periods of drizzle – rather, its short, heavy downpours. Plus, the weather has a predictability that’s much harder to find in mainland Portugal.

 

Hiking boots on in the morning, snooze on the beach in the afternoons

While Maderia offers a wonderfully relaxed lifestyle, that doesn’t mean there’s little to do. Its mountains make for brilliant hikes, with Pico de Areeiro (at a staggering 5,595ft) being a highlight. Laurisilva of Madeira is the largest laurel forest of its kind and is home to many endemic species, including the long-toed pigeon.

For days when you’re more in the mood for golfing, there are two 18 hole courses and several smaller ones.

While Madeira does not quite have the reputation for the golden beaches of the Algarve, it is not without its gems. On the west coast, you’ll find the popular Calheta Beach, with its fine golden sand imported from Morocco. While Ribeira Brava Beach, Praia do Vigário and Praia do Porto do Seixal are all favourites too.

 

Great (and quirky) travel options

At its greatest width, Madeira is only 100 kilometres across. It might take drivers a moment to adjust to its narrow roads. But for those that don’t want to drive, there’s a good taxi service, an extensive bus network and you can even travel by cable car. For when you want to travel beyond the island, you can head to the airport named after the island’s most famous resident, Cristiano Ronaldo International Airport. It has flights to Lisbon, London and the rest of Europe throughout the year. Alternatively, you can catch the ferry to Lisbon or Cadiz. While there aren’t any direct ferries to the UK, you can take a lengthy scenic route, passing through Europe on your journey back to your home country.

One great plus of buying in Madeira is that trips back to the UK need not be followed by jetlag, as you’re in the same time zone. This might also make keeping in touch with family and friends and keeping any potential homesickness at bay.

 

Where to buy

Funchal: The largest city and the capital of Madeira, Funchal is the ideal place for those looking to be plugged into the life and soul of the island. Its where you’ll find the most activities and the island’s thriving art scene.

Câmara de Lobos: If you’re after fishing village charm, this is a great place to look. It is known for its bay, made picture-perfect by the bobbing colourful fishing boats and the impressive cliff faces.

Ponta do Sol: Maximise your rays with a move to the ‘Point of the Sun’ on the ‘island of eternal spring’. Pebbled beaches, faithfully restored old homes blended nicely with more contemporary ones, and banana plantations make a for a lovely atmosphere.

Santana: Famous for still being home to the distinct wooden triangle shaped houses with thatched roofs – quite the property to get your hands on, if you can. Santana is best suited for those looking for a rural retreat. You’ll benefit from being close to the Laurisilva of Madeira.

Calheta: Similar to Funchal, Calheta is one of the more established places to be, and you’re likely to run into other expats here. It is a sunny coastal town with a choice of birdwatching, boating, surfing and more to get up to.

 

Properties in Madeira

From an older home in need of some TLC to a luxurious three-bedroom with breathtaking sea views, we’ve handpicked Madeira properties to give you an idea of what kind of home you could buy there. To see each home, click on the image. If an error comes up, I’m afraid that most likely means someone else has already chosen it. But, you can still head to our property portal to find your dream home. 

Two-bedroom, Calheta, €130,000

If you’d like to have a project to crack on with fixing in retirement, then you could purchase a land plot or an older home and renovate it into your perfect home. This is a traditional Madeiran villa is set in a quiet area, with a sea and mountain view.

 

One-bedroom, Cmara de Lobos, Ilha da Madeira, €210,000

A brand new one-bedroom apartment with a fully equipped kitchen, air-conditioning, and outdoor space.

 

Two-bedroom, Porto Moniz, Ilha da Madeira, €245,000

This is a beautiful recently rebuilt villa with an excellent barbeque. Plus, it is about ten minutes from the natural pools of Porto Moniz.

 

Two-bedroom, Cmara de Lobos, Ilha da Madeira, €325,000

Luckily, this two-bedroom (with one ensuite) apartment comes ready to move into. It benefits from a spacious patio and a panoramic view.

 

Five-bedroom, Funchal, Ilha da Madeira, €425,000

If you’d a home big enough for friends and families to come to stay, this five-bedroom villa with attic is perfect for you. Two of the floors enjoy sea views. It is very close to Old Town in the city of Funchal.

 

Three-bedroom, Calheta, Ilha da Madeira, €595,000

Enjoy swims in your private near enough year-round. Plus, there’s parking space and a leisure area with a barbeque. It is five minutes from Calheta and twenty minutes from Funchal.

 

Three-bedroom, Funchal, Ilha da Madeira, €1,595,000

This impressive villa benefits from the most breathtaking views of the Bay, make the most of them from the pool or from the floor to ceiling windows or the large balcony. Additionally, there’s a manicured garden, barbecue and parking space. If you’d like guests to stay, the lower floor has its own bedroom and kitchenette.

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