From 28 October 2024, the regional government of the Portuguese island of Madeira is introducing entry fees for some popular tourist routes. The price is across the board for all routes and is 3 eur.
The authorities are taking this step in response to the often enormous number of visitors to tourist routes.
In addition to charging a fee to enter the routes, daily limits on the maximum number of visitors are also set.
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Which hiking trails have a fee?
There are currently 7 routes that charge an entrance fee:
- PR1 - Vereda do Areeiro
- PR1.2 - Vereda do Pico Ruvio
- PR6.1 - Levada do Risco
- PR8 - Vereda do Ponta de São Lourenço
- PR9 - Levada do Caldeirão Verde
- PR18 - Levada do Rei
From 1 January 2025, all tourist routes with the "PR" designation will be charged. This applies to the vast majority of the trails along the water channels known as 'levadas' as well as most mountain trails.
We describe the most interesting hiking trails and other places in our guide to Madeira:
Admission prices and how to pay
There is an entrance fee for each itinerary of 3 eur.
If you use more than one trail, you must purchase a separate entrance fee for each trail.
The fee can only be paid online on the official website simplifica.madeira.gov.pt.
There will be no ticket offices or staff on the trails, so you cannot pay on the spot.
Daily capacity limits
In addition to the fee, all trails will also have a daily maximum number of visitors.
Currently there is a limit of 2,000 visitors per day on all routes.
Once the limit is exceeded, it will not be possible to visit the trail in question.
How far in advance to book?
With regard to the daily limits, we recommend booking on the official website simplifica.madeira.gov.pt several days in advance.
In the winter season (roughly from October to March), it is not a problem to book for the same day.
However, in the summer on the most popular routes the daily limit can be sold out more than a week in advance.
Exceptions to payment
Children under 12 and Madeira Island residents do not have to pay or book entry.
