WHAT MAKES THE PORTUGUESE ISLAND OF MADEIRA SO UNIQUE?
13 reasons why the flower island is a paradise for expats, digital nomads and peace seekers of all ages
Are you looking for an oasis of security where you can experience peace and relaxation surrounded by beautiful nature?
Do you want to work where others go on holiday and not miss out on a variety of leisure activities and exciting cultural and culinary highlights?
Do you want to escape the hustle and bustle of the big city, price increases in every area of ​​life or the tense political situation in your country and would like to improve your quality of life?
In these cases, Madeira is exactly the right place for you to tackle a change of scenery - whether you buy a holiday home on the Island of Flowers or emigrate here completely, like the founder of IMMOMADEIRA, who came to the Island of eternal Spring over 30 years ago... and stayed.
Around 30 years ago, Michael Otto took a job on Madeira after working in the tourism industry all over the world for many years. He fell in love with the Pearl of the Atlantic, found his wife here, started a family and settled down. Today he calls the island his home, knows every corner, has a large network and helps those who also want to move to Madeira. With his experience and instinct for the special, he is predestined to find the right property for you, to seal the purchase with you at the notary and to accompany you during your move.
But why should you choose an island in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, off the coast of North Africa? And why is now the best time to change your life and emigrate to Madeira or to buy a holiday home here that you can also rent out?
We have put together 13 good reasons for you:
#1 MILD CLIMATE ALL YEAR ROUND
Extreme temperature fluctuations and long, gray winters are not experienced on Madeira, as the island lies in the middle of the warm Gulf Stream of the Atlantic. Here the climate is pleasantly subtropical and mild all year round, which is why Madeira is also called the island of eternal spring. The south in particular offers many hours of sunshine a year and Atlantic winds ensure a rapid change in the weather when it rains. The consistently warm climate is also the reason why Madeira is the flower island: you will encounter a variety of exotic plants and flowers everywhere all year round. The water temperature also remains largely stable all year round, only fluctuating between 17 and 23 degrees. Since there is no industry to speak of, Madeira scores with excellent air and water quality.
#2 BREATHTAKING NATURE
The island of Madeira rises steeply and majestically out of the Atlantic, offering a wealth of natural spectacles, landscape areas and plants that you can hardly find anywhere else in such a small area. From the mountains of the Central Massif, which reach almost 1,900 meters high, whose peaks are sometimes covered in clouds and whose slopes are covered in green forests, across the high plateau to the picturesque bays, from the subtropical, warm and sunny southwest to the Eastern Cape, which rugged rock formations are shaped by the waves of the Atlantic, from the livelier, somewhat more gently sloping south side, to the wilder northern half - everywhere on the island you will be surprised by breathtaking views and wonderful insights into a partly still completely untouched nature, for example in the jungle of Madeira, in the Laurisilva, which is surrounded by the UNESCO has designated it as a world natural heritage site. The evergreen laurel forest with its ancient trees and huge ferns has something magical and mystical, especially on foggy days, while the colorful and exotic plants and flowers all over the island are a real mood lifter.
#3 VARIETY OF LEISURE OPPORTUNITIES & OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
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Madeira is undoubtedly THE island for outdoor athletes and hikers. For all possible activities here - whether canyoning, golfing, climbing, mountain biking, paragliding, sailing, surfing, diving or trail running - experienced and multilingual teachers, guides and schools can be found on Madeira. The classic leisure activity on the island, hiking, can be done here in many ways: high up on the peaks of the island, through the jungle, along the levadas, the irrigation canals that surround the island, and even across the island with overnight stays in small inns - there are hiking trails for every level of difficulty and taste, even off the beaten track.
Do you want to swim in the Atlantic? At this point we'll dispel the prejudice that swimming in Madeira is difficult because there are no suitable beaches: The island offers everything from fine, bright, flat sandy beaches that are also suitable for children to dark lava sand bays and pebble beaches to natural sea pools and so offer many ways to enjoy swimming in the crystal clear ocean.
#4 CULTURAL & CULINARY HIGHLIGHTS
Monotonous island life? Not at all, because there is something going on in Madeira all year round. Traditional and folkloric festivals such as the flower festival, carnival or the wine festival alternate with sporting competitions such as the annual island rally or the trail running competitions. At Christmas, the exuberant decorations, especially in Funchal, and the Christmas markets provide variety and the gigantic New Year's Eve fireworks are world famous. Open air concerts in the parks of Funchal, classical indoor concerts and evenings in which the traditional, longing Fado is sung in the taverns complement the lively nightlife in the capital. Museums, galleries and a modern design center serve the needs of art lovers and those interested in history, while botanical gardens and parks inform nature lovers about the diversity of Madeira's flora. Unique tourist highlights include the large outdoor gallery of artist-painted doors in the old town of Funchal and - also in the capital and located directly on the waterfront - the CR7 Museu, with which the football star and most famous son of the island, Cristiano Ronaldo, has set a monument. Literally, because his statue in front of the museum is one of the most popular photo motifs among tourists.
Are you looking for quieter leisure activities? Connoisseurs will also get their money's worth in Madeira with the culinary diversity on offer: whether you want to try traditional Madeiran specialties in rustic wooden huts in the mountains or prefer to enjoy international cuisine in fine dining style with fantastic views on the sea, whether you dine directly on the beach or would you rather enjoy your afternoon tea on the terrace of a traditional luxury hotel or even take a culinary stroll through Funchal's old town, the Zona Velha, where restaurants, bars and cafes are lined up close together - in Madeira, no wish remains unfulfilled. And if you take a look at the Madeira page of the Michelin Guide you will find that nine restaurants are highlighted here, one of which Michelin awards two stars and two one star. Madeira also has something to offer in the area of alcoholic drinks, namely the famous Madeira wine, which you can taste at Blandys in Funchal, and the traditional island drink, the Poncha, made from Aguardente de Cana-de-Acucar, which is distilled on the island, freshly squeezed orange or lemon juice and honey. Poncha bars can be found all over the island, including in the mountains. They are often rustic inside and always well attended by locals.
#5 SECURITY
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Madeira is generally known as a very safe oasis compared to the mainland. The crime rate on the island is correspondingly low when compared to the national average and figures in other European countries - Madeira has the lowest crime rate per capita in Europe. In addition, according to the Regional Directorate of Statistics of Madeira (DREM), it has been declining in recent years.
#6 PEACE AND SEPARATION OR LIVING CITY LIFE?
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No decision necessary: On Madeira, peace and seclusion in a wonderful and untouched nature and the opportunity to take part in the busy and lively island life, especially in the capital Funchal, are close together. You don't have to decide whether you prefer one or the other, on the island of eternal spring you can reach anywhere within a short time thanks to the good road connections and the Via Rapida expressway in the south. A trip to the north or, conversely, a detour to the south can also be accomplished as part of a day trip thanks to a tunnel that leads through the Massif Central.
#7 LARGE SELECTION OF REAL ESTATE AT CURRENTLY AFFORDABLE PRICES
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A steadily increasing real estate and construction boom has been observed on Madeira for years. More and more architects are settling on the island who specialize in planning houses on very steep, small plots and are planning, for example, ultra-modern villas with overhanging, virtually "free" floating pool terraces - take a look at our real estate blog, an example is our dream property in April 2024 - or watch our film at the top of the homepage.
The island is becoming increasingly popular with emigrants and property prices have risen accordingly (increase in property prices in Portugal in 2023 compared to 2022: 11.1 percent). Which is why we recommend you act now if you're considering a move to Madeira. At the moment you can still find a large selection of affordable properties on the island - compared to the mainland - most of them due to the steep slopes with a view on the Atlantic, whether apartments in newly built residential complexes, traditional houses in the typical Madeiran style or ultra-modern villas. We also offer building plots and are also specialized in so-called lost places, beautiful and large, rather hidden and often built with banana plantations or sugar cane fields, comparatively cheap plots of land with a dilapidated house on it. You can have these uncut diamonds completely renovated according to your needs for a unique living experience. We are happy to provide you with our large network of architects, building contractors, garden designers, interior designers and many more. Madeira currently offers a lot of potential for real estate development projects, especially in the sunny southwest part of the island between Calheta and Ponta do Pargo and in the northern half. If you tell us your wishes promptly, we guarantee to find the right property for you!
#8 EXCELLENT INFRASTRUCTURE & MEDICAL CARE
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The previously isolated island of Madeira has experienced rapid improvement and upgrading of its infrastructure in recent years. From large shopping centers to modern supermarkets, organic shops and regionally oriented small shops to the traditional farmers' market, from a large variety of local fruit and vegetables to the baker who learned to bake bread in Germany, from the Pastelaria with typical Madeiran delicacies to the specialized Deli, here you will find everything you need for life. In the capital Funchal, chic designer fashion stores line up alongside interior design and decoration shops, jewelers and galleries, offering a varied shopping experience. In Madeira you will also find excellent schools and daycare centers. The medical care is also excellent. In about three years, the large university clinic will be completed, which, together with the other clinics on the island and the numerous practices, will ensure a comprehensive health care network.
#9 VERY GOOD WORKING CONDITIONS, FAST INTERNET
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If you are not yet retired and would like to work in Madeira, we also have very good news for you: working conditions have improved significantly in recent years. This is due, on the one hand, to the fact that high-speed internet has been retrofitted almost everywhere on the island and, on the other hand, to Madeira's increasing popularity in upscale tourism, which is resulting in improved job opportunities. In addition, Madeira has now become a hotspot for digital nomads, who move from everywhere with their laptop under their arm, especially to Ponta do Sol, which is now officially called the ultra-modern Digital Nomads Village. Here you will find co-working spaces, a large network of like-minded people including network marketing, advice from specialists and even accommodation specifically tailored to the needs of digital nomads. A website on the topic summarizes all of Madeira's offerings for this target group.
#10 FRIENDLY LOCALS AND AN UPSCALE AUDIENCE
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The friendliness of Madeira's locals is almost legendary. Your hospitality too. For example, if you just wanted to buy some local fruit and vegetables during one of your hikes from one of the many small farmers who often live with their families in very modest circumstances, you may “have to” stay for dinner - despite the language barrier A lively conversation takes place, the self-made wine and home-made schnapps are brought to the table and the meeting, which was originally planned as a short purchase, turns into an evening-long, boozy social experience with local specialties and cultural exchange.
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Of course, you will also find an international, more upscale audience on Madeira, as the little pearl in the Atlantic is becoming increasingly popular as a travel destination even in the USA and Canada. People from all over Europe and from overseas move to the island and add a variety of new elements to the local culture. The result is a unique mix of tradition and modernity in a very small space.
#11 GOOD CONNECTIONS TO THE MAINLAND, EUROPE AND THE WORLD
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In the past, direct flights to Madeira were rare and expensive and changing in Lisbon was an annoying stopover with longer waiting times. This is now a thing of the past, because in recent years the number of cheap direct flights has increased significantly, as has their frequency, and even with a stopover in Lisbon the waiting times have been significantly reduced, as planes now depart several times a day between the Portuguese capital and the island. From Lisbon you can fly quickly to all corners of Europe and the world and the airport itself shortens the waiting time with its numerous shops, cafes and bistros. However, the approach to the island remains an adventure due to the location of Madeira's only and short runway, which was built on a rock towards the sea and extended several times over the last few decades.
#12 LOWER COST OF LIVING, INCREASED QUALITY OF LIFE
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Our conclusion: by moving to Madeira you can expect a significant increase in your quality of life - and at the same time the cost of living is lower than in many other countries in Europe. According to the website statista.com, Portugal is in 21st place in the price level index for consumer goods and services in European countries in 2022, Germany is in 13th place, Austria is in 12th place and Great Britain is in 7th place. Switzerland has the highest cost of living.
#13 "MADEIRA, SO SUSTAINABLE"
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The name of the new sustainability campaign presented by the Madeira Tourism Office in September 2023 says it all: In recent decades, the Autonomous Region of Madeira has established itself as a model destination for nature conservation on a global level. The island achieved this by putting into practice various guidelines and measures for the preservation of natural heritage, the sustainability of the territory and the enhancement of endogenous resources. In order to establish itself as a sustainable destination, the region went through a certification process. EarthCheck was the responsible institution here. EarthCheck is one of three companies accredited by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council and is a leader in scientific benchmarking and certification for the tourism and travel industry. The certification process requires the gradual achievement of goals for four pillars: environment, culture, economy and social. The destination must demonstrate that it meets the criteria in an appropriately sustainable manner. This includes the sustainability of the destination (cultural, ecological, economic and social) and the appreciative strengthening of the tourism sector. In addition, the destination must focus on diversity in the tourism offer, make investments in the tourism sector and increase the popularity of the destination.
The development of Madeira as a sustainable destination is in line with the ten articles of the World Tourism Organization's Global Code of Ethics for Tourism and the United Nations' 17 Sustainable Development Goals. These help to maximize the benefits of tourism and minimize the potential negative impacts.
Madeira is also pioneering the energy transition: the Socorridos hydroelectric power plant aims to optimize water production for local needs. In light of climate change, a European project has optimized the Socorridos hydroelectric power plant so that it supplies electricity and water all year round.
ARE YOU THINKING ABOUT EMIGRATING TO MADEIRA?
Then contact us today and arrange an appointment for an initial consultation with us, because we are the ideal partner for you: We will not only find your dream property, but will accompany you during all phases of acquiring your new property or building a house, your move and beyond. We will make our network available to you and advise you on all bureaucratic and notarial matters. Write to us to concierge@immomadeira.com, we will respond within 24 hours. Your first consultation with us is free of charge.
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