Best time to go to Santa Cruz

Madeira basks in temperatures around the 24°C mark in July and August. In winter, the mercury sits at a comfortable 13°C – even in February. As for rain, the island’s gardens get most of their water in November and December, and that’s what makes the spring blooms such a treat.

Passports and Visas

British citizens don’t need a visa to enter Portugal but must have a valid passport. You can check your passport’s valid for Portugal using our handy tool. For the most up-to-date passport and visa info, visit www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/portugal/entry-requirements.

Don't forget to arrange your travel money and insurance before you go.

Health and safety

You should take out comprehensive travel and medical insurance to cover you while you’re away. If you’re travelling to the EU and you apply for a card now, you'll get a new UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) instead of an EHIC. This entitles you to emergency medical treatment on the same terms as Portuguese nationals. It won’t, however, cover you for medical repatriation, ongoing medical treatment or non-urgent treatment. Visit www.nhs.uk/ehic for full details on what it covers. You do not need to apply for a GHIC if you already have an EHIC. Your EHIC remains valid in the EU until it expires. An EHIC or GHIC is free of charge. For the latest health and safety information, visit www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/portugal/health

Further Reading

  • Overview
  • Things To Do

    • Travel Aware

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    Travel Aware – Staying Safe and Healthy Abroad
    The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) and National Travel Health Network and Centre have up-to-date advice on staying safe and healthy abroad.

    See gov.uk/travelaware and follow @FCDOtravelGovUK on Twitter and Facebook.com/FCDOtravel – for the latest general FCDO travel advice, including coronavirus travel guidance, security and local laws, and passport and visa information.

    See gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice – for FCDO travel advice about individual destinations.

    Sign up for FCDO travel advice email alerts, so you automatically receive the latest travel advice updates and travel requirements for the destinations you want to know about.

    See Travel Aware page – for travel advice from First Choice.

    See travelhealthpro.org.uk – for current travel health news.

    The advice can change so check regularly for updates.

    Vila Gale Santa Cruz

    Albatroz Beach & Yacht Club