Madeira at 64ºF: The Warmest Christmas in Europe

The Portugal Getaways Christmas & New Year's in Madeira package includes round-trip flights, 6 nights of hotel accommodation in Funchal, daily breakfast, a rental car for the full duration, and a Christmas Lights Night Tour in a classic Volkswagen Beetle Cabriolet. Christmas dinner and New Year's Eve gala dinner are not included, but can be added at some hotels. Guided tours and city taxes are not included. 

No. Christmas dinner and New Year's Eve gala dinner are not included in this package, but some hotels offer them as an add-on, availability and pricing depend on the property. Instead, this package includes a Christmas Lights Night Tour, a 1h15 ride through Funchal's illuminated streets in a classic Volkswagen Beetle Cabriolet, roof down, past the Old Town, City Hall, the Cathedral, and other landmarks decorated for the season. Contact the Portugal Getaways team to check dinner options at your specific hotel.

Every December 31st, Funchal Bay is illuminated for approximately 8 minutes with one of the most spectacular fireworks displays in Europe. The display is launched simultaneously from multiple points around the bay and is visible from the waterfront, the hillsides, and the hotels above the city. Madeira's New Year's Eve draws visitors from across Europe every year and is the most celebrated New Year's Eve in Portugal. The hotels in this package are selected for their location and views over Funchal Bay.

A rental car is included for all 6 nights. The standard vehicle is a compact manual car. Automatic transmission is available on request at an additional cost. You will need a valid Canadian or US passport and driver's license at pickup. The car is collected at Funchal Airport on arrival. If you want to adjust the rental period or vehicle type, contact the Portugal Getaways team and we will arrange it.

The rental includes basic third-party liability insurance, and depending on the car rental company, a collision damage waiver (CDW) may already be included. Even with CDW, most rentals have a mandatory excess. We always recommend upgrading to the highest insurance level available. This can be arranged through the Portugal Getaways team when booking with an agent.

Madeira has no toll roads. All roads, expressways, and tunnels on the island are free to use. Roads are generally well maintained. Some routes on the north coast and in the interior can be narrow and winding. Drive carefully in fog, which appears quickly at higher elevations in winter. Funchal in December averages 16°C to 18°C (61°F to 64°F). The mountains can be colder and wetter. 

The package includes 4 and 5-star hotels in Funchal, all selected for their location and views over Funchal Bay. The package price varies depending on the hotel selected. Options include the 5-star Pestana Casino Park, Pestana Carlton Madeira, Pestana Grand Ocean Resort, and Savoy Palace, as well as the 4-star Pestana Promenade. Hotels are not always directly on the main square, so some walking may be needed. Exact options and prices are shown when you click a date in the booking calendar and proceed to the next step. Contact the Portugal Getaways team to discuss preferences before booking.

No. The wicker toboggan ride from Monte down to Funchal is mentioned as a suggestion in the itinerary, but it is not included in the package price. It's typically paid on the day, directly with the "carreiros" who steer the sleds. 

The road up to Pico do Areeiro is paved and well maintained, but narrow and winding with sharp turns, drive slowly, especially if fog rolls in, which happens quickly at that elevation even when Funchal is clear. Some interior roads and levada access points are unpaved or single-lane, take your time and use pull-offs to let oncoming traffic pass.

Yes, daily breakfast is included at all hotels throughout the full 6 nights.

No. City taxes are not included and are paid directly at the hotel on arrival or checkout.

Parking is available at the hotels but is not always included, and any costs are not part of the package price. You can confirm parking details during the booking process or by contacting the Portugal Getaways team. Complimentary parking can also be prioritized on request. 

Yes, round-trip flights are included. The package price varies depending on your departure airport. Other departure cities are available on the package page and additional options are available on request. Contact the Portugal Getaways team before booking to discuss departure options. Seat selection, extra baggage, and cabin class upgrades can be arranged as paid add-ons, subject to availability.

Checked luggage is not always included and depends on the airline and fare type in your package. You can confirm what is included and add luggage during the booking process. The Portugal Getaways team is always available to help if you prefer to arrange it with us directly.

The package price is based on two travelers sharing a room. Solo travelers pay a single supplement. Contact the Portugal Getaways team directly and we will make it easy. You can also check solo pricing by changing the number of guests from 2 to 1 in the booking calendar before clicking See Dates and Prices.

Madeira's mild December temperatures, typically 16°C to 18°C (61°F to 64°F) in Funchal, make it one of the warmest destinations in Europe during the holiday season, but "warmest in Europe" is a comparative claim based on typical December weather patterns, not an official ranking or guarantee. Weather varies year to year, and some Mediterranean or Canary Island destinations may see similar or occasionally warmer conditions on any given day. Madeira's appeal comes from consistently mild weather across the whole month, not a single record temperature.

The fireworks display is organized by local authorities and has taken place annually for decades, but like any outdoor event, it can be affected by severe weather, safety concerns, or decisions made by local organizers, none of which Portugal Getaways controls. We do not guarantee the specific timing, duration, or format of the display for any given year. This package includes your flights, hotel, car, breakfast, and the Christmas Lights Night Tour regardless of the fireworks display taking place as planned.

Yes. Madeira is part of Portugal, consistently ranked as one of the safest countries in Europe for travelers, with no active conflicts and not affected by current conflicts in Europe or elsewhere. Tourist-wise, standard precautions apply, keep an eye on belongings in crowded spots like the Zona Velha markets or the marina, but violent crime against visitors is rare. 

Canadian and US passport holders do not currently need a visa for stays of up to 90 days within a 180-day period. Your passport should be valid for at least six months beyond your return date. ETIAS, a pre-travel authorization for Schengen Area travel, is not yet mandatory. When it launches, we will contact you in advance. 

⚠️ Please note that entry into the United Kingdom requires an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) for many visa-exempt travellers, including eligible U.S. and Canadian citizens. If your itinerary includes arrival in, departure from, or a transit or layover through the United Kingdom, you may be required to obtain an ETA before travel. Entry requirements can change, and it is the traveler's responsibility to verify current visa, passport, and transit requirements before departure through their government's official travel advisory website.

The land portion of your package is refundable if cancelled at least 14 days before your travel date. Airfare is non-refundable from the moment it is issued, but the Portugal Getaways team will always check with the airline to explore options. Travel insurance with cancellation cover is strongly recommended, particularly for holiday season travel. This summary does not replace the full terms and conditions of your booking.

For general support, contact the Portugal Getaways team at our regular number, available every day from 4:00 AM to 8:00 PM Eastern Time. Outside office hours, an emergency number is provided in your trip documents. For local emergencies in Madeira, dial 112.