Working Remotely in Madeira, Portugal
View from our balcony at the Outsite in Ponta do Sol
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Working Remotely in Madeira, Portugal: A Digital Nomad Travel Guide for Remote Workers
The waterfall at the end of the PR12 hike is absolutely stunning!
Imagine working remotely from an island where lush forests meet dramatic coastlines, where you can swim in natural saltwater pools during your lunch break, and where the produce is so fresh it might as well have been picked that morning.
Welcome to Madeira, a Portuguese island that's quickly becoming a digital nomad hotspot!
Kyle and I picked Madeira because we wanted to have a combination of both adventure and quiet deep work and creating time. During my time on the island, I met several other writers who had also picked Madeira for the “writing retreat” element inherent in its peaceful but stunning atmosphere.
I ended up leaving the island a week earlier than planned for a writing trip, but I’d still recommend you spend a month on the island so that you can really unwind and enjoy a surreal daily existence of ocean swims, foggy hikes, and endless waterfalls.
Where to Stay in Madeira, Portugal for Digital Nomads + Remote Workers
View from the Estalagem Hotel!
We stayed in the extremely cute, quiet town of Ponta do Sol which boasts a great beach that's chill and rarely overrun.
Picture this: you’re spending afternoons swimming laps in the ocean as your daily workout because there are no gyms in town, and maybe for lunch you grab a sandwich and some kombucha from the beachside cafe as the temperate weather is warm but never muggy.
I’ll always be honest with you on this blog, and I have to say that I can’t completely recommend our accommodations for this trip. Because we wanted a more community-centric and digital nomad-focused experience, we stayed at the Ponta do Sol Outsite*. If you’re new around these parts, Outsite is kind of like a grown-up hostel: it’s a co-living community/digital nomad hotel that tries to foster community among its temporary residents.
While this was definitely the best Outsite we’ve stayed at, there are elements of the Outsite model I don’t love, including their new nonrefundable pricing structure (with more expensive refundable options) and the fact that the Outsite still felt more like a party hostel than a place where people were going for deep creative work.
So instead I suggest you stay at Estalagem da Ponta do Sol*. This is where the Purple Friday parties happen on Friday nights. They have yoga. They have a gym. They have pools. A jacuzzi. They are a Michelin hotel. And they have a great restaurant and biblioteca where you can hang out and catch up on some work. If you're looking for a place to stay in Madeira, I recommend checking out this place for a blend of tranquility and stunning views. It’s perched on a nearby cliff in Ponta do Sol, so while it’s a bit more of a walk (or elevator ride!) down to the beach, the sunsets you can catch from Estalagem are pretty epic.
If you want to cook from home during your stay on the island, you can also consider getting an Airbnb. We did lots of cooking from the communal kitchen in the Outsite, so if you’re planning on a longer-term stay, this is something to consider. Just be aware that Ponta do Sol is very hilly, so you’ll want to stay as close to the beach as possible unless you don’t mind adding some long hill walks to your daily workout routine!
What to Do in Madeira, Portugal for Digital Nomads + Remote Workers
View from the Dragon Tail hike.
Festas do Concelho de Ponta do Sol. If you're here in September, you're in for a treat. This is the biggest party the city throws all year. They build a whole stage, and people rage until 4am to DJs playing everything millennials loved as children. Don't miss the food stalls and (if you drink alcohol) Poncha, the island's signature rum cocktail made with various juices.
Farmer's Market. This is a must-visit. Order ahead [here] before Friday at noon for pickup on Saturday from 10:30am-1pm at the community center near the roundabout. The produce is incredibly fresh, sourced from local farmers. Pro tips: Try the New Zealand Spinach (a great regular spinach substitute), and they have the only and best kale on the island. Grab a liter of incredible kombucha for just 9 euros, made by a family from the States.
Angel Waterfall Hike. This is more of a leisurely walk/jaunt along a nearly abandoned road from pre-EU days and before they got money for the big tunnels. Keep some change handy as there's a banana stand along the way where you can grab fresh fruit.
Purple Fridays. If you're in the mood to party, this is the event to go to. If you're based in Funchal — the major city in Madeira — there's a free shuttle you can hop on to get here. Grab your free tickets here.
Getting Around Madeira, Portugal for Digital Nomads and Remote Workers
Contrary to popular belief, you don't need a car for your entire stay if you're working remotely. We found a great solution with Stay Madeira, renting an automatic Jeep Renegade for just 45 euros a day with a 3-day minimum. They park it at the gas station in Ponta do Sol for easy pick-up (also where you drop it off), and you can just zoom around. It's perfect for weekend explorations!
A Day in the City of Funchal, Madeira
If you’re spending the day in Funchal (the major city on the island) here’s what I recommend you spend one afternoon doing:
Take the cable car up ‼️one way‼️ to Monte Palace Tropical Garden. Trust me. It’s a secret 🤫… for now. 🤭 Pro tip: Sit facing forward (inland) for breathtaking views as you crawl up to the top of the city.
Explore the gardens: they're reminiscent of Sintra if you've been there. Watch out for the swans by the central lake, I saw them almost take a guy out. So keep your distance. Swans are majestic but evil.
You can get a $16 blended pineapple drink which is good, but not worth $16 unless you're in the moment like I was and craving something tropical. They often have a musician playing covers of people's favorite songs.
Don't miss the secret way down: toboggan rides. It's pricey at 35 euros for two, but so unique and fun! The guys look like they should be rowing gondolas in Vegas. Where they stop is about a ten-minute walk to the town center, so you can walk from the drop-off point back to the city or wherever you’ve parked.
Exploring the Northwest of Madeira, Portugal
The northwest of Madeira feels more dreamy and lush. Here’s what I recommend you spend a morning and afternoon doing:
Do the PR12 hike along a levada (the natural waterways of Madeira) to a beautiful waterfall. It's a great alternative to the famous 25 Falls hike, which many say is overrated. It's not too much incline, but you can get some good steps in and photos for the gram.
Visit Fanal Forest (AKA The Foggy Forest) — it's such a vibe. The trees are lush with moss and crooked like witches' wands. It can be confusing where the entrance is but just head to this aptly named landmark, Fanal Witch Tree, and you’ll be in the right place.
End your day at Porto Moniz Natural Pool — it's like the Four Seasons of natural pools! The saltwater pool is filled by the ocean flowing up and into it, then constantly draining out refreshing it, saving on that pool boy bill. Easy parking here too, which wasn't the case for other pools.
The Northeast Adventure in Madeira, Portugal
The northeast side of Madeira feels like a completely different climate, with more desert-y landscapes and hikes (we saw literal cacti, which was much different from the lush cloud forests we had been exploring previously!)
Drive along the coast to experience the dramatic temperature difference between north and south. It gets all this crazy wind from the north that makes it immediately 20% colder than the south. Fun fact: No bananas grow on the north side because of this.
Take the Dragon Tail hike for stunning views that make you feel like you're in a California desert surrounded by the Atlantic. You can hike all the way out to the ranger station to get a sandwich and enjoy the view. You can also take a boat tour* around and see the lighthouse. A group said the boat picked them up at the end of the hike at the ranger station so you should check it out.
What to Eat in Madeira, Portugal for Digital Nomads + Remote Workers
Garlic bread and fresh orange juice at the ocean at Sun Spot in Ponta do Sol. Heaven!
There aren’t very many impressive restaurants on the island — at least not places we found. We ended up cooking from home most nights, so when you’re planning your trip it’s important to weigh how much you want to eat out versus cook at home. The prices of restaurants aren’t crazy expensive like other beach towns, but they’re not super cheap, either. Just something to consider for your long-term stay!
What to Eat Ponta do Sol:
The Old Pharmacy. Convenient and solid, but nothing to write home about. We cooked every day even with it two steps away from us.
Steak and Sun. Decent cauliflower steak for vegetarians, but not a repeat visit for us.
Sun Spot. On the beach. Try the boca de caco (regional garlic bread) – it's a must! They also have a decent traditional steak sandwich (Kyle tried).
For groceries, there's a combination grocery store/gas station in Ponta do Sol that has all the food you'll need while you're here.
What to Eat in Funchal:
Terra - Food Concept. Highly recommended by a friend, though we didn't try it ourselves. Apparently hard to find, but believe in yourself. You can do it!
Overall Thoughts on Madeira, Portugal as a Digital Nomad
Madeira is truly one of the most supernatural places I've ever been — and I don't say that lightly in my blogs! This YouTube video describes it as close to how I feel about it.
The diversity of landscapes, from lush forests to desert-like coasts, all on one small island, is magical. It's a perfect blend of work-life balance for digital nomads, offering both tranquility and adventure.
The variety of fruits, vegetables, plants, and trees on this island makes you appreciate the natural bounty of this place. Whether you're working from a beachside café or taking a break to explore the island's many wonders, Madeira offers a unique experience for digital nomads.
My Ratings of Madeira, Portugal as a Digital Nomad
Sunset tea by our beach in Ponta do Sol!
Affordability: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4/5 stars. For an island getaway with gorgeous beaches and natural swimming pools, Madeira is a veritable steal. This is especially true if you can get a deal on a long-term stay like we did. Groceries and restaurants are pretty fairly priced (all things considered) but just know you’ll be paying a bit more for things than the rest of Europe due to, y’know, being on an island.
Food Quality: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4/5 stars. Madeira truly has fresh local produce, amazing exotic fruit, and unique regional dishes. Their garlic bread was epic. I only knocked off one star because it felt impossible to find leafy greens here: kale and spinach were rare and not good quality when we did find them!
Vegetarian Options: ⭐️⭐️⭐️ 3/5 stars. The island has some options for vegetarians, but the offerings could be more diverse. I also think it’s difficult to find vegetarian staples like tofu in most of Europe, which is a bummer.
Adventures/Day Trips: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5/5 stars. There are endless opportunities for exploration: tons of hikes, climbs, boat trips, and also another nearby island if you’re getting stir-crazy.
Cafes/Co-Working Space Availability: ⭐️⭐️⭐️ 3/5 stars. The co-working and cafe options are limited in smaller towns like where we stayed in Ponta do Sol, but there was a local free outdoor coworking space that my partner Kyle ended up getting some good work done at.
Digital Nomad-Friendly: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4/5 stars. I was surprised at how easy it was to get around the island. Most people spoke English, there were a good amount of expats, tourists, and digital nomads — but it didn’t feel overrun. If Madeira had some better cafes and co-working options, I think it could easily rival other nomad hubs like Bali. Right now, it’s still “hidden gem” status.
Value of Accommodations for Remote Workers: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4/5 stars. We got our ocean-view room (with a desk and balcony) for very cheap. The value for accommodations is high here, so it’s not one of those places that is overpriced (yet!) Just be sure to book in advance as things can fill up.
General Weather: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4/5 stars. The weather is pleasant year-round, with some variation between north and south.
Air Quality: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5/5 stars. It’s as nice as you can get! Clean, fresh air from the Atlantic.
Water Quality: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4/5 stars. Generally good, especially in tourist areas.
Overall Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4/5 stars. Madeira is a hidden gem for digital nomads, offering a unique blend of natural beauty, adventure, and work-friendly environments. I highly recommend that you add this amazing place to your list before it gets overcrowded!
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