Maderia

After a 4h 45m flight from Vienna to Madeira, we arrived at the Aeroporto da Madeira. In 2017 they changed the name to Cristiano Ronaldo International Airport, which sounds far more appropriate.

The approach to Madeira is quite spectacular. Airlines wishing to fly into Funchal require special approval from the Portuguese aviation authority. The runway is surrounded by high mountains on one side and the Atlantic Ocean on the other. The last 400 m of the 2000 m long runway are partly built over the ocean.

Nevertheless, it is one of the most scenic airport approaches in the world.

After opening the cabin door, the airplane was quickly filled with a warm late summer breeze and the salty air of Madeira (by Cristiano Ronaldo®)…

The arrival procedures are done quickly, and we headed towards the bus station to catch our bus to Caniçal. The bus schedule can be checked online https://www.madeira-island.com/bus_services/sam/113-canical-1.html – and you should check before arrival.

After a few cheerful minutes, we started to realize that the bus won’t arrive for another 2 hours. So we took a taxi to Caniçal, which cost about 20 €.