Best Dog-Friendly Hotels in Madeira

Before you go

What happens when you get there

Levadas

The levada walks are the island's signature walk and the obvious dog outing. Some have long drops and tunnels, so a dog needs to be steady on a lead, and the gentler ones like the Levada dos Tornos or the Levada do Norte suit a first outing. Rules for dogs on the official PR routes aren't published in one place, so keep her on a lead.

No beaches

Madeira has almost no sand. Calheta and Machico have man-made beaches, Prainha is the other, and Portugal restricts dogs on designated bathing beaches during the bathing season, with dates and areas set locally, so check the notice at the beach. Most of the coast is rock and pebble with lidos and sea pools, and the lidos and paid rock-pool complexes such as Porto Moniz are the operator's call. Plan on promenades and levadas.

Weight limits

Meliá 7 kg. NEXT by Savoy Signature 8 kg, Ocean Suite only. Reid's 15 kg. Savoy Palace and The Reserve 25 kg in named suites. Saccharum accepts pets in its Ocean Suite only. Casa Velha, Three House and Aqua Natura publish no limit, so ask.

Dogs at the table

Reid's lets dogs under 15 kg into its restaurants in a set area on a lead, except the William and Afternoon Tea. The Reserve and Savoy Palace have designated pet-friendly areas at named restaurants and keep dogs out of the indoor restaurants and bars. Casa Velha welcomes dogs at the Tea House and outdoor seating. In Funchal's old town a dog under a terrace table is ordinary, and indoor dining rooms vary.

Fees

EUR 25 a night at Meliá plus a EUR 100 refundable deposit, EUR 35 at Reid's and Saccharum, EUR 80 at Savoy Palace, EUR 100 at The Reserve. Casa Velha, NEXT, Three House and Aqua Natura publish no fee.

Getting there

There's no passenger ferry from mainland Portugal, so flying is the only practical way in with a dog. The airport is at Santa Cruz, about 20 minutes east of Funchal, and TAP connects through Lisbon year-round. Check your airline's current in-cabin rules before you book.

Flying

Madeira's runway is exposed and flights divert in wind. Build a spare day in for the dog's sake.

Weather

Mild year-round at sea level and rarely very hot, so winter works. The mountains are much cooler and often wet, so pack for both on a levada day.

Best walks

The Lido promenade to Praia Formosa, the Levada dos Tornos above Monte, the Palheiro estate trails above Funchal, the laurel forest on the Fanal plateau, Parque de Santa Catarina in Funchal, the Porto Moniz seafront, and the Calheta marina front.

When to go

Year-round. April to June and September to November are the sweet spot for levada walking. Winter is mild at sea level, which makes Madeira one of the few dog destinations that works in the cold months, though the mountains are cooler and wetter. Most hotels stay open all year, but check the smaller rural ones individually.