Madeira vs São Miguel (Azores) – Which Island Is Best for Your Next Trip?
- Aina & Dani
- 6 hours ago
- 6 min read
Can’t decide between Madeira and the Azores? This is a common question for travelers looking for a natural, lush, and unique destination in Portugal.
The Azores are a group of 9 islands in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. In this article, we’ll focus on the island of São Miguel—the largest, most complete, and most accessible of the Azores. Many of the things we’ll mention also apply to the other Azores islands, but we’ll use São Miguel as a reference point to avoid comparing Madeira to an entire 9-island archipelago.
If you're trying to figure out which one to choose for your next trip, here we break down the key differences between the two islands: how to get there, what the weather is like, the types of landscapes you’ll find, the activities available, the tourist atmosphere, the travel costs, and—most importantly— which one is a better fit for you depending on the kind of trip you’re planning.
Madeira or São Miguel? Keep reading—we’ll guide you step by step to help you decide.
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Madeira vs São Miguel (Azores) – Contents:
How to Get There – Madeira vs São Miguel (Azores)
Both Madeira and São Miguel are in the middle of the Atlantic, but their locations significantly affect how you get there. Madeira is closer to the African continent, while São Miguel lies further north, in the central Atlantic. This makes a difference when it comes to flight connections.
Madeira has more direct flights from several European cities, which makes getting there easier—especially if you’re coming from countries like Germany, France, or the UK. There are also frequent daily flights from Lisbon and Porto, usually at good prices.
São Miguel, while further from mainland Europe, is becoming increasingly well-connected. There are daily flights from Lisbon and Porto that get you to Ponta Delgada, the island’s capital, in just two hours. Some direct flights are available from other European cities, but they’re more limited than Madeira’s. You can check out this article on how to get to São Miguel for more details.
So overall, we’d say it’s slightly easier to get to Madeira than São Miguel. While the gap is narrowing, São Miguel still gives you more of that “remote island in the middle of nature” feeling.
Climate - Madeira vs São Miguel (Azores)
One of the biggest differences between Madeira and São Miguel is the climate, and it can be a deciding factor when choosing your destination.
Madeira enjoys a very stable climate year-round, with mild and pleasant temperatures in both summer and winter. It rarely gets too hot or too cold, and overall the weather tends to cooperate. In fact, we’ve visited twice during Christmas and the weather was fantastic (though it does tend to rain more in the levada hiking areas).
São Miguel, on the other hand, has much more variable weather. Being more exposed in the North Atlantic, it’s common to get sun, fog, and rain—all in the same day. But this unpredictability is part of the adventure and charm: the island is always green and has a wild, untouched look that’s hard to find elsewhere. You can find all the info about the best time to visit São Miguel in this article.
So, if you’re looking for good weather and want to avoid rain—especially if you’re not traveling in summer—Madeira is your best bet. But if you don’t mind a bit of unpredictable weather, São Miguel won’t disappoint. Just go in with the right mindset… and a good rain jacket.
Nature - Madeira vs São Miguel (Azores)
While both Madeira and São Miguel are volcanic islands, their landscapes are quite different. Both are green, mountainous, and full of raw natural beauty, but each has its own personality.
In São Miguel, the scenery feels more wild and untouched. The most striking features are its volcanic lagoons, like Sete Cidades or Lagoa do Fogo. You’ll also find natural hot springs and steam vents out in the wild, like in Terra Nostra Park or Caldeira Velha.
Madeira, in contrast, is more rugged. It has steep mountains and dramatic cliffs. The landscapes here are defined more by hiking and the famous levadas—ancient water channels that wind through UNESCO-protected Laurisilva forests. You’ll also find beautifully maintained gardens and green spaces.
If you're looking for more wild and untouched nature, São Miguel is the better choice. That said, Madeira is also a nature lover’s paradise—so if you prefer hiking with well-marked trails and more developed infrastructure, Madeira is your spot.
Tourism and Atmosphere - Madeira vs São Miguel (Azores)
Madeira has a very well-rounded tourist offering. It features quality hotels, resorts, and plenty of services designed to make your stay easy and comfortable. That’s why the vibe is a bit more cosmopolitan and geared toward tourism year-round, although it still maintains its authenticity.
São Miguel, on the other hand, retains more of a local charm, even as it’s gradually welcoming more visitors. For now, the island is quieter and less crowded, which makes it easier to experience local life up close.
In short, Madeira offers a more “comfortable” travel experience, with a wide variety of tourist options. São Miguel, by contrast, is much less developed for tourism—and your main activities will revolve around nature, nature, and more nature (which, let’s be honest, isn’t a bad thing!). In our São Miguel travel guide, we cover everything you can see and do on the island.
Culture amd Food - Madeira vs São Miguel (Azores)
In our opinion, São Miguel’s cuisine has a very traditional flavor and is deeply connected to the land and rural customs, with few outside influences. Dishes like cozido das Furnas—cooked underground using volcanic heat—are a great example. You’ll also find unique local products like tropical pineapple and tea from historic plantations.
Madeira also offers delicious and traditional cuisine, but with a wider range of restaurants, you’ll find it slightly more tailored to tourism and international tastes, especially in the capital, Funchal. You can’t miss the espetada (grilled meat skewers), bolo do caco (garlic flatbread), or poncha (a local sugarcane liquor)—we love them! And the best part is that you’ll find these dishes at most restaurants.
Food is subjective and really comes down to personal taste. Honestly, we love both places (Portugal as a whole has amazing food), so whichever island you choose, you’re in for a treat.
Budget - Madeira vs São Miguel (Azores)
In our experience, traveling to São Miguel is usually a bit more affordable when it comes to lodging, food, and car rentals. The selection may be more limited than in Madeira, but the value for money is usually excellent—especially if you're looking for simple, budget-friendly options like these.
Madeira, on the other hand, tends to be a bit pricier, especially during high season. Still, you can find budget-friendly options; it all depends on what you're looking for. One thing to note: it’s hard to save money on car rentals because you’ll need a vehicle with enough power to tackle the island’s steep roads (trust us—we explain everything here).
Trip Duration - Madeira vs São Miguel (Azores)
The Azores are an archipelago of nine islands, each with its own charm. To explore them all properly, you’d ideally want at least a month.
Madeira, however, is a single, more compact island where 7 days is enough to get a full experience. Don’t miss our guide on what to do and see in Madeira in one week.
As for the Azores, if you focus only on São Miguel, 7 days is also ideal—just as we outline in this article. If you're visiting São Miguel, don’t miss our 7-day itinerary, though you can also get a great introduction with these 5-day and 3-day options.
So, if you’ve got just one week, both Madeira and São Miguel are great picks. But if your goal is to explore all the Azores, you’ll need a bit more time.
So… Which One Should You Choose?
São Miguel is an island of wild volcanic landscapes and fewer crowds, while Madeira—also bursting with natural beauty—offers more developed hiking trails, a more stable climate, and stronger tourist infrastructure. Each island has its own appeal, depending on what kind of trip you’re looking for.
If you can, the best option is to visit both. They’re different enough that you don’t need to choose—each deserves its own trip. That way, you can compare and enjoy what each has to offer.
And if you can’t decide and you’ve got 15 days to travel, maybe you don’t have to choose at all: there are direct flights between the islands, making it the perfect combo trip. In that case, we’d recommend starting with Madeira and ending with the relaxing vibe of São Miguel.
