The Portuguese island archipelago of Madeira is in the Atlantic, 600kms off the shores of North Africa. Madeira Island is the largest in the archipelago. The island’s clement climate, warm waters, majestic scenery and tasty cuisine have helped it become a favoured destination for sun starved Europeans. Car hire at Madeira Funchal Santa Catarina Airport offers a convenient transport mode.

Madeira Funchal Santa Catarina Airport is the key gateway to the archipelago. Funchal, Madeira’s main port and capital city, is 15kms from the airport. Flights to this airport are operated by TAP, the Portuguese national carrier, and budget and charter airlines. Car rental at Madeira Funchal Santa Catarina Airport services, ATMs, bureau de change, information counters and baby changing are among the airport’s facilities.

Shops at Madeira Funchal Santa Catarina Airport sell souvenirs and local produce, reading materials and passenger requirements. A well stocked duty free outlet, airside, offers the island’s most famous product, Madeiran fortified wine. Snacks and refreshments can be found at Funchal’s bar-cafés.

The ER-101 is Madeira’s coastal circular road. The airport is beside the ER-101 and with cheap car hire at Madeira Funchal Santa Catarina Airport offers access to Sao Vicente, Porto Santo, Ribeira Brava and other beaches as well as Funchal and coastal villages including Ponta da Pargo.

Although most of Madeira’s beaches are pebbly or black volcanic they boast clear blue waters suitable for swimming, windsurfing and surfing. A popular pastime here is dolphin and whale watching. Sao Vicente features volcanic tunnels and caverns where there are unusual lava cakes and stalactites.