Being born and raised in mainland Portugal, I’ve all the time had a particular relationship with the Azores and Madeira. I’ve visited each archipelagos a number of instances, and I simply can’t get sufficient of them.
I don’t know if it’s the pure magnificence, the feeling of sitting on an island in the course of the ocean, or the sensation of being exterior Portugal whereas being in Portugal… However I do know that, anytime I would like an escapade, the Azores and Madeira are high of the checklist.
All issues thought-about, it’s no surprise the Azores and Madeira are rapidly turning into worldwide vacationer hotspots. They provide all the advantages of touring to Portugal (low price of dwelling, nice climate, welcoming native inhabitants, nice meals, and many others.) and high it off with perks like breathtaking scenic views, unique fauna and flora, and an abundance of out of doors actions.
They’re attention-grabbing sufficient to suit the wants of all kinds of vacationers, however there are main variations between the 2. The Azores are finest suited to adventurers in search of a peaceable, idyllic vacation spot.
Nevertheless, Madeira is principally appreciated for its subtropical local weather, dreamy seashores, and vibrant metropolis life.
Is Madeira a part of the Azores?
No, Madeira just isn’t a part of the Azores. Each areas are Portuguese archipelagos, however they sit roughly 600 miles (965 kilometers) away from each other.
Madeira is an archipelago comprised of two primary islands (Madeira and Porto Santo) and small, uninhabited islets often known as the Desertas. Sitting southwest of Lisbon, Madeira is nearer to Africa than to the European continent.
That will clarify why it has a subtropical local weather with delicate temperatures year-round. In December, for instance, Madeira’s often heat sufficient so that you can swim within the ocean (belief me, I’ve completed it).
Then again, the Azores are a volcanic archipelago made from 9 islands and located in the course of the Atlantic Ocean, 930 miles away from Lisbon.
The climate is unpredictable and characterised by frequent rain showers. Cities nearly don’t exist exterior of the primary island of São Miguel, and, regardless of having some gorgeous seashores, the Azores are removed from being a resort-style vacation spot like Madeira.
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Azores VS Madeira: Which is finest?
Whereas I personally favor Madeira over the Azores, I imagine it might be flawed to say one archipelago is healthier than the opposite. On the finish of the day, selecting between Madeira and the Azores relies on what you’re in search of in your subsequent getaway.
Don’t fear, although: I’ll let you know every thing you’ll want to know to make an knowledgeable choice primarily based in your preferences to select the vacation spot that fits you finest.
Which is hotter: the Azores or Madeira?
Madeira is hotter than the Azores, with annual common temperatures spanning between 61ºF and 72ºF. Most significantly, although, Madeira has a local weather that hardly adjustments all year long, whereas the climate within the Azores is very unpredictable.
One of many issues I like essentially the most about Madeira is the way it’s by no means too scorching or too chilly, regardless of the time of the 12 months. With an Oceanic local weather, the Azores are fairly harsh within the winter months, particularly because of the frequent rainfall.
So, whereas the climate in Madeira is outstandingly predictable, the climate within the Azores can change drastically even inside a single day.
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Are the Azores or Madeira cheaper to go to?
Typically, the Azores are extra reasonably priced than Madeira, however the price of visiting each areas just isn’t as completely different because it was 10 years in the past.
After I first went to the Azores, I used to be baffled to see how quiet it was in comparison with Madeira. Nevertheless, in recent times, the worldwide recognition of the Azores has elevated. It’s welcoming an increasing number of vacationers, and the primary island of São Miguel has seen a sudden inflow of expats and distant staff in search of a peaceable way of life.
However, spending one week within the Azores remains to be comparatively cheaper than spending one week in Madeira. Aside from the airplane ticket (it’s often cheaper to journey to Madeira), just about every thing is extra reasonably priced within the Azores. Companies like accommodations and eating places are extra domestically primarily based and conventional, serving to guests save.
Then again, meals and lodging in Madeira can get costly, particularly as they make investments an increasing number of in five-star eating places and dreamy (however expensive) beachside resorts. Conventional native companies are nonetheless abound, but it surely’s protected to say that, for each vacationer entice within the Azores, Madeira has an excellent 10 of them…
Getting round in Madeira and the Azores
One of the simplest ways to get round in each Madeira and the Azores is by reserving a rental automobile. Public transportation is extra well-developed in Madeira than within the Azores, but it surely’s nonetheless missing when in comparison with mainland Portugal.
Bus routes in each archipelagos join cities and villages, however from my expertise, the journeys are typically unnecessarily lengthy, particularly for vacationers in a rush.
In the primary islands of Madeira and São Miguel (Azores), ride-sharing apps like Uber and Bolt are the perfect out there various to renting a automobile. Nonetheless, I can not stress sufficient how important it’s to get your personal wheels to discover each areas.
I’m not a giant fan of driving myself, however I all the time hire a automobile after I go to Madeira or the Azores. With out one, I’d in all probability waste half of my day simply attempting to go from one place to the opposite.
The variety of islands within the Azores (9) can be significantly greater than the variety of islands in Madeira (two), forcing vacationers to spend some additional money and time on inter-island journeys by flight or ferry.
Cultural variations within the Azores and Madeira
One of many issues I like essentially the most concerning the Azores and Madeira is that they really feel acquainted and unique on the identical time. They’re acquainted as a result of, as a Portuguese citizen, they remind me of dwelling.
They boast the identical kind of companies, delicacies, conventions, and folks you’ll discover in mainland Portugal. However they’re additionally unique as a consequence of their fauna and flora, climate patterns, and small cultural variations distinctive to each areas.
Let me provide you with a greater thought of what I’m speaking about by overlaying and evaluating essentially the most attention-grabbing cultural elements of each areas:
High points of interest
At first look, the highest points of interest and issues to do in Madeira and the Azores appear fairly related. Think about, for instance, this two-day guided tour in São Miguel and this Madeira West Tour. Each are centered round pure points of interest, out of doors hikes, and visits to scenic viewpoints.
Nevertheless, an Azores itinerary and a Madeira itinerary are intrinsically opposed, even when they appear the identical. The topography of the archipelagos is completely different.
The Azores islands are finest identified for his or her volcanic points of interest, together with the must-visit Lagoa das Sete Cidades, a shocking twin lake sitting within the crater of a dormant volcano.
Madeira is outstanding for mountaineering areas comparable to Cabo Girão Skywalk and the distant Pico Ruivo (the tallest peak on the primary island).
For vacationers who would relatively sit in a fantastic esplanada (that’s the title we Portuguese give to out of doors cafés and eating places) than break their backs mountaineering within the mountains, Madeira is the superior choice.
In contrast to the Azores, Madeira has a extremely developed vacationer infrastructure with choices that transcend pure points of interest. My favorites embody:
- The Funchal-Monte cable automobile (a Madeira clichè that by no means will get outdated).
- The quirky conventional homes within the village of Santana.
- The Porto Moniz Aquarium, a museum with 90 native species of fish sitting proper subsequent to the pure swimming swimming pools of Porto Moniz.
Greatest out of doors actions
As we’ve seen, followers of out of doors actions won’t ever run out of issues to do in Madeira or the Azores. Nevertheless, the character of the out of doors actions present in every archipelago is actually distinct.
Within the Azores, the popular out of doors actions contain both delving into the ocean to do stuff like whale watching or exploring the depths of the primary islands’ forests. For instance, you may go water-canyoning within the Ribeira dos Caldeirões, a lush pure website excellent for sports activities fanatics and waterfall lovers.
Whilst you can go canyoning in Madeira, different out of doors actions take a barely completely different form. Explorations into the ocean are additionally widespread, however primarily for diving, and choices for hikers have a tendency to incorporate sundown excursions within the mountains relatively than pit stops at volcanic websites.
Jeep excursions exist each in Madeira and the Azores. Nevertheless, the Madeira jeep excursions are typically extra full. They cowl gorgeous areas such because the Seixal black sand seashore and the Fanal. This nearly uninhabited plateau seems to be like one thing you’ll spot in a fantasy film. Convey a heat jacket, although, as a result of it’s one of many windiest locations I’ve visited in my life!
Native delicacies
Deciding between Madeira and the Azores will get even tougher when the topic is meals… Total, Portugal has a wealthy gastronomy custom. Nevertheless, Madeira and the Azores set the bar tremendous excessive by providing a plethora of fish, meat, and seafood dishes you gained’t discover elsewhere within the nation. The Azores even have a wealthy historical past of dairy merchandise.
To decide on between meals, my suggestion is that you simply study the primary dishes in every location and go for the one which makes you salivate essentially the most. These are my high suggestions:
The most effective meals in Madeira:
- Espetada: A beef dish served in a particular steel construction and out there round the primary island. To strive the easiest espetada within the archipelago, I counsel passing by both Abrigo dos Pastores (Camacha) or Muralhas (Caniçal), two reasonably priced, high-quality conventional eating places serving espetada.
- Lapas: Lapas are simply grilled limpets, however individuals in Madeira prepare dinner them so properly that I find yourself including lapas to each single meal after I go to the primary island! This irresistible dish is often served contemporary out of the ocean with a mouth-watering butter and lemon sauce and bolo do caco (Madeira’s conventional bread) on the aspect.
- Milho frito: I may’ve included the normal peixe-espada com banana (swordfish served with a banana) right here, however I’ve a comfortable spot for milho frito. It means “fried cornmeal,” and that’s exactly what it’s: bits of mashed corn divided into small cubes and fried in olive oil. I do know it doesn’t sound like a lot, however wait till you strive it!
The most effective meals within the Azores:
- Cozido das Furnas: The Azores are a volcanic archipelago, so it is smart that essentially the most well-known conventional dish within the area is of a volcanic nature. Extra than simply meals, the Cozido das Furnas is a superb expertise! It’s a large stew with numerous kinds of meats and greens cooked for hours within the volcanic soils of Furnas. Curious guests may even watch the stew pans go inside a gap within the floor earlier than consuming.
- Alcatra: In the event you don’t have the time to look at a stew prepare dinner in geothermal springs for hours, an excellent various is to cross by the Terceira island and take a look at their conventional stew. The Alcatra is a heavy however easy dish often made with marinated beef, onions, wine, and spices.
- São Jorge cheese: In contrast to Madeira, the Azores have a wealthy custom of dairy merchandise. Certainly one of Portugal’s most well-known cheese corporations even ran a preferred advert within the Azores. They claimed that, for each particular person within the Azores, two cows exist.
All issues thought-about, you’re in for the gastronomical time of your life, no matter which archipelago you determine to go to! In the event you take pleasure in ingesting, there are additionally good choices in each areas.
Madeira is known for the poncha (a robust alcoholic drink made with sugarcane spirits, sugar, and numerous pure fruit juices), whereas the Azores are finest identified for the ginja (a cherry liqueur that’s additionally widespread in Lisbon and different cities in mainland Portugal).
Native inhabitants
Attending to know the native inhabitants is likely one of the issues I like most after I journey. So, what are you able to anticipate from the individuals who dwell in Madeira and the Azores?
In my expertise, they’re similar to people within the mainland, however with a couple of distinctive traits. For one, natives of each areas have a tendency to talk with a peculiar Portuguese accent that’s simply recognizable (at the least when you’re Portuguese).
Folks within the Azores are typically easier than in Madeira, because the archipelago remains to be dwelling to many old-school farmers and cattle breeders. For a actually genuine expertise within the Azores, all you need to do is go to the normal Bairro de Peixe and attempt to mingle with the locals—bizarre as it may be, I can solely describe it as touring again in time to Nineteen Eighties Portugal!
Does Madeira or the Azores have the perfect seashores?
Portuguese individuals can not complain about not having cool seashores, and Madeira and the Azores certainly match the norm. Each boast gorgeous seashores with breathtaking ocean views and watersports choices. But, I imagine Madeira and the Azores are suited to two distinct kinds of beachgoers.
In the event you’re in search of resort-style, easy-access seashores with fashionable facilities like eating places, retailers, and public bogs, Madeira is the place to go. There are numerous pure seashores within the archipelago, however they are often arduous to navigate, particularly for older individuals or households with younger youngsters.
At synthetic seashores like Calheta or Barreirinha, nonetheless, beachgoers can sunbathe and swim within the ocean as comfortably and safely as in the event that they have been in a swimming pool.
Azores’ seashores, alternatively, are finest suited to adventurous vacationers who take pleasure in exploring distant areas. In the event you’re a kind of individuals who like being on the seashore by themselves, you’ll fall in love with seashores like Formosa and Santa Bárbara.
Which Portuguese island is finest for a honeymoon: Madeira or the Azores?
Madeira and the Azores are each great suggestions for a honeymoon. So, selecting one in every of them relies on what you and your vital different take pleasure in doing on trip.
Are you seeking to loosen up, discover town, and take a look at some five-star accommodations and eating places? Then, Madeira is the way in which to go. Are you extra into nature and feeling such as you and the one you love are on their lonesome on this planet? Then, you may’t go flawed with the Azores.
Greatest time to go to the Azores and Madeira
These are the perfect months to go to every vacation spot:
Greatest time to go to the Azores:
- Could: In Could, the temperatures within the Azores are typically delicate, and the whale watching season is already open, however there are fewer vacationers than busier summer time months (June to August).
- October: Regardless of having fewer guests throughout October, the Azores are nonetheless comparatively heat, which is the right time of the 12 months for mountaineering and different out of doors actions.
Greatest time to go to Madeira:
- March: March might be my favourite month to go to Madeira as a result of it’s already full-blown summer time however with out the huge inflow of vacationers of the early spring and summer time.
- December: Despite the fact that Madeira will get extremely busy in December, there’s no denying that the primary island is likely one of the finest Christmas/New Yr’s Eve locations in Europe. Funchal takes Christmas very severely, with decorations and particular actions in all places, and the world-famous NYE fireworks within the capital are to die for!
Is there a ferry between the Azores and Madeira?
So far as I do know, there’s no ferry service connecting Madeira and the Azores. Contemplating that each archipelagos are separated by a 600-mile stretch of water, flying by airplane is the one believable methodology of transportation.
Are you able to do the Azores and Madeira in a single journey?
You are able to do the Azores and Madeira in a single journey, however I like to recommend sticking to one of many two until you propose a two-week (minimal) trip.
Madeira’s primary island is sufficiently big to maintain you busy for per week, whereas the Azores have a complete of 9 islands (that’s a couple of per day when you’re solely visiting for per week).
Nevertheless, in case you have 15 or extra trip days, there’s no motive to not keep in Madeira for one week and go to the Azores within the subsequent.
Azores VS Madeira FAQ
The Azores are much like Hawaii as a result of they’re additionally a set of volcanic islands. Nevertheless, they’re nothing like Hawaii when you take into account the native local weather. The Azores is an Oceanic area with loads of rain, cloudy days, and unpredictable climate, whereas Hawaii is a tropical space that tends to remain heat year-round.
In no way… Mainland Portugal is already thought-about to be an affordable vacation spot for many vacationers, and the Azores are inclined to have a fair decrease price of dwelling (at the least in comparison with cities like Lisbon and Porto). It’s one of the reasonably priced vacationer locations in Europe.
Magnificence is within the eye of the beholder, however you’ll by no means go flawed visiting islands comparable to beach-friendly Porto Santo (Madeira) and plush, volcanic São Miguel (the Azores).
Folks in mainland Portugal can spot individuals from the Azores and Madeira primarily based on their peculiar accents (there’s one for every archipelago), however these are slowly disappearing over time. Non-Portuguese individuals ought to subsequently be unable to differentiate between islanders and mainland inhabitants.
Conclusion
Madeira and the Azores are each great, however they’re finest suited to two various kinds of vacationers.
It’s best to go to Madeira when you take pleasure in predictable, heat climate, like attending to know new cities, take pleasure in luxurious accommodations and eating places, and like well-maintained seashores with a basic beachgoing expertise.
Go to the Azores when you’re in search of a peaceable and out-of-this-world getaway, exploring distant areas, need to mingle with the native inhabitants, and like empty seashores to overcrowded ones.
Oh, and in case you’re unable to decide, right here’s my suggestion: Guide a two-week trip and take a look at each archipelagos!
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