Driving in Madeira is an adventure on its own. The roads take you through steep mountains, deep valleys, old coastal routes, narrow village streets and modern tunnels cutting through volcanic rock. For many visitors, driving here is exciting and unforgettable. For others, it can be surprisingly challenging, specially if you are inexperienced or nervous, you may find it stressful and not pleasant.
Madeira is not a flat island, and the driving style must adapt to the terrain. Understanding how the roads work, how locals drive, and what habits are essential, will help visitors stay safe and enjoy the experience fully.
Because the island was built on mountains and cliffs, almost every road has tight bends, blind corners, narrow passages, and sudden elevation change.
Local drivers know these roads very well and drive confidently and visitors should drive slowly, predictably, with a full attention of the driving code rules and always ready to brake.
Honking lightly at blind corners in rural areas is common and polite.
Madeira has some of the steepest urban and rural roads in Europe. Many roads climb or descend at 15% to 35% gradients. For visitors, this means:
- Strong use of first and second gear
- Correct use of the handbrake on hill starts
- Avoiding stopping on steep inclines unless necessary
- Breaking with the engine
- Keeping speed low and controlled
Roundabouts – Important Rules Visitors Often Get Wrong
Roundabout rules in Madeira follow European standards, but many foreign visitors don’t know them well.
Very common mistakes tourists make is staying in the right lane the whole time or braking suddenly when they make a mistake on their exit.
This is a huge problem in the island and certainly do not count on the rental car companies to brief you about our rules. Locals are getting mad about this subject, do not be surprised to be yelled at or honked at by some local, you probably did something that might have caused danger.
Locals expect drivers to follow these rules — not doing so can cause accidents.
Correct rule:
➡ Use the right lane ONLY if you are taking the first exit.
➡ Use the inside lane (left lane) if going straight or taking later exits.
Narrow Village Roads in Madeira villages often have extremely narrow streets, tight U-turns, stone walls on both sides, sharp turns into alleys or driveways
If a local car approaches from the opposite side, it is normal for one driver to reverse to a wider area.
This is standard courtesy, do not just stand in the middle of the road expecting that something will happen, some roads might seem very narrow but you’d be surprised to see on how two cars can fit, and locals have the habit of that so try your best to not be driving in the middle but as close as possible to your right, some people know these little roads very well and drive fast.
GPS
Another common mistake people do, is to blindly trust their GPS. The fastest itinerary sometimes is not the most recommended, especially for our visitors that are not used to our narrow and steep streets. If the GPS tells you to take some street and you don’t feel too confident about it, go around, there are always other options.
Some roads you might feel are ok but after a few meters you might end up getting nervous because the road is descending or climbing 30% gradient and it’s too late to turn around and choose another option.
The best way of enjoying these roads is to join a jeep tour, they have the power that its needed in their vehicles and skilled drivers.
Parking
Here is another BIG problem, and local people are getting really mad about this.
Before I dig into this let me tell you a little episode that happened a few weeks ago. An elderly lady had an accident at home and needed medical assistance. When the ambulance got there, they couldn’t take her into the ambulance because her entrance was blocked by a rental car and she couldn’t walk. Can you imagine this situation happening to a member of your family ?
In villages you’ll see that it’s normal having cars parked on the side of the road, and quite a lot in some areas to be honest, but we don’t have the choice, and we learned how to live with and specially how to anticipate when driving.
But you’ll never see anyone parking in front of doors or any gate unless it’s their own. You should also pay attention to not park right after a turn that has no visibility.
Other places where parking is really problematic are the most visited areas (Ponta de Sao Lourenço, 25 falls hike, Fanal forest etc…) If you can, take a bus or a taxi.
Advantages of Not Renting a Car
1. Zero Stress
Choosing not to rent a car means you can avoid stress related to steep roads, having to reverse, dealing with rockfalls, finding parking, navigating tunnels, or managing directions. Instead, you are free to simply enjoy your trip without these concerns weighing on your mind.
2. Guided Tours Handle the Challenging Parts
With options like jeep tours, such as those offered by Madeira Horizon, visitors have the chance to experience the mountains, the northern coast, off-road trails, risky old roads, and hidden viewpoints. All of these adventures can be enjoyed without the need to drive or take on any risks yourself, as experienced guides take care of everything.
3. Safer for Nervous or Inexperienced Drivers
Madeira’s challenging driving conditions may not be suitable for first-time drivers, people who are uncomfortable with cliffs, families traveling with babies who need stability, or anyone who feels nervous driving in fog or rain. Letting a guide handle the driving allows you to relax and have peace of mind.
4. Eco-Friendly Option
Opting not to rent a car is also better for the environment. It means less fuel consumption, reduced traffic, and more opportunities for walking and experiencing local life.