Madeira Currency
The unit of currency used in Madeira is the euro. Having a currency symbol €. The euro is divided up into 100 cents.
The cent coins in use are in denominations of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 50 cents. There are two euro coins in use, the 1 and 2 euro coin.
Each member state of the euro has their own design for the coins. On one side is a national design whilst on the other side of the coins is a common design for all states. Currency from any euro member state may be used in any other euro member state.
There are seven euro notes in circulation. They come in denominations of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 and 500 euros. The note design is common across all euro member states.
Whilst in Madeira, do not be surprised if the odd 1 cent coin is missing from change given by, for example, a supermarket. If the checkout operator does not have any 1 cent coins in their till, and the change due is, say, 13 cents, they will likely hand you just 12 cents. The 1 cent coin is worth less than 1 penny (correct October 2009).
Euro Cent Coins in Circulation - Portuguese Design
(click image to see the obverse)
Portuguese design - The 1 and 2 euro cent coins 
Portuguese design - The 5 and 10 euro cent coins 
Portuguese design - The 20 and 50 euro cent coins 
Portuguese design - The 1 and 2 euro coins
Euro Notes in Circulation
(click on the image to see the reverse)
Specimen 100 and 200 euro notes 
Typical Costs of Everyday Items
For most tourists, it is not the Euro currency that they are using that is their main concern. Rather, it is how much they can buy with their currency that is their major concern. The following gives some everyday examples of costs you are likely to meet.
Eating out
Eating out in Madeira can be as cheap or as expensive as you want.
In general, the cafés the locals frequent are cheaper than the tourist restaurants. The exclusive hotel restaurants tend to be, by far, the most expensive. In and around Funchal tends to be more expensive than elsewhere on the island.
- Toasted ham sandwich in a small café €1.75
- Portion of chips at a small café €2.00
- Self service meal at a supermarket €3.50
- Glass of cola at a small café €2.50
- Cup of coffee at a small café €2.00
- Menu of the day at a small restaurant €8.50
- Three coarse meal at a small restaurant €25.00 upward
- Bottle of wine from €10.00 upward
- Three coarse meal at average restaurant €60.00 upward
- Midnight meal overlooking the Atlantic at a top exclusive hotel €360.00
Costs of other items
When we visit Madeira we tend to do all our everyday shopping in the supermarkets.
If you want to buy anything electrical, for example a digital camera, we have found the large electrical chain stores in the shopping malls to be the best value.
In our experience, the individual electrical shops that are clearly aimed at the tourist market will try and extract as high a price from you as possible. If you do use one of these shops, never accept the first price quoted. We have found in the past that often they are prepared to sell at half the price first given. However, we still avoid these shops.
- Petrol €1.30 a litre
- 500ml bottle of water €0.28
- Large bottle of fruit juice €1.99
- Bananas €1.39 per kilo
- Tub of vanilla and strawberry ice cream €2.75
- Packet of paracetamol tablets €0.90
- Packet of Imodium Plus (diarrhoea) tablets €5.20
- 4 AA sized batteries €5.09
- 2 gigabyte SD memory card €12.00
- Small, single pot of yogurt €0.25
- Thin plastic packing bag at the supermarket checkout €0.02
All prices are what we actually paid for the items in September 2009. Of course, prices vary with time and from shop to shop. Some prices, for example petrol, may fluctuate widely.
Using Credit & Debit Cards in Madeira
Chip and PIN credit cards can be widely used throughout Madeira. Most supermarkets will readily accept payment by card. And, all the shopping malls we have visited are fully geared up to accepting payment by cards.
However, you may find that individual shops, especially those located away from the large towns and villages, will only accept cash.
If you pay by card, and the shop-assistant offers to take the payment in £ sterling, the general advice is to refuse. These outlet usually give you a far inferior rate of exchange. So, if we are given the option, we always ask for the payment to be debited in Euros.
ATM machines are readily available in Funchal and most large towns and villages. However, if you are visiting the interior or a small village, you may find these thin on the ground.
We generally steer clear of travellers' cheques as we have found that the commission on changing these can be high.
Madeira Features
Porto da Cruz Lido
Situated on the north east coast of the island, Porto da Cruz has a relatively new lido complex.
Facilities include changing areas, showers and toilets. Refreshments are also handily placed nearby.
The pool area itself is large and has naturally heated seawater.
In the shadow of Eagle Rock, it is the perfect spot on a hot summer day.
Pocas do Gomes
The Pocas do Gomes rock pool is a lovely, if small, feature on the south coast.
It is situated at the extreme westward end of the seafront promenade that runs along the coast starting from the Passeio Publico do Lido.
There is a small entrance fee and lifeguards are on duty throughout the summer months.
The swimming pools themselves have been fashioned out of the natural, volcanic, lava rock pools.
During the winter months the facility is often closed.
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