After 3 years of full-time family travel, people expect my family and me to be expert packers.

Spoiler Alert: We kind of are.

As full-time travelers, our entire lives fit in two suitcases. As a stationary family, our lives have become dramatically fuller, both socially and physically. We can no longer cram our belongings into two suitcases. Now, we have to make a list (and check it twice) before heading out onto the road.

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What to pack for Madeira

This post has lists, downloadable lists, and links to my Amazon Storefront.

This packing list contains everything your family needs to explore Madeira in all seasons – comfortably, safely, and warmly, including all the gear you need to explore Madeira’s gorgeous natural world.

If you want these lists sent directly to your inbox, enter your email in the form below. I’ll send you a one-time email with a downloadable, printable checklist. I’ll ask you in that email if you’d like to subscribe to my monthly newsletter on the best activities on Madeira for babies and toddlers.

Madeira Packing List For Families

General Travel Items

• Passport (more than 6 months validity left on your passport – check that now)
• Visa (check here to see if you need one – US, EU, and EEA citizens do not.)
• Travel insurance (We use Safetywing)
• International driver’s license
• Debit or credit cards (you need a credit card for your rental car deposit)
• Phone, camera, and chargers for all your electronics
• Adapter – Madeira uses the same plugs and wattage as Mainland Europe. We’ve used this universal adapter from Epicka for years and honestly love it.

Clothing & Footwear For Adults, Teens, and Kids

• Underwear (plan for 1,5 pairs a day – after hiking, you’ll love a fresh pair!)
• Solid hiking socks + regular socks
• 2 pairs of shorts
• 2 pairs of comfortable hiking pants
• 3 hiking shirts + 3 everyday shirts
• 1 Sweater
• 1 Fancy outfit for restaurant visits
• 1 pair of sandals
• 1 pair of walking shoes
• 1 pair of hiking shoes (I recommend Trail Runners instead of walking shoes + hiking shoes)
• Hiking poles
• 2 bathing suits
• 1 Fleece Jacket
• 1 Wind/Waterproof layer (especially if you’re planning on hiking Pico to Pico!)

Extra Items for Babies and Toddlers

• 1 Pair of Rainboots for jumping in muddy puddles
• 3 extra pairs of pants + shirts
• 1 additional wind/waterproof layer
• Life Vest for Swimming
• Hiking Carrier (Check out this blog to find the perfect one for your family)

Toiletries & other items

• Toothbrush (+ charger if it’s electric)
• Toothpaste (for kids + parents)
• Hairbrush
• Shampoo + Conditioner (for kids + parents)
• Floss (Must-Have after Espetade!)
• Baby Tylenol (Paracetamol in Portugal)
• Beach Towels (I love these packable travel towels)
• First Aid Kit + Blister Bandaids

If you want a shoppable list, check out this list on my Amazon Storefront.

Travel Insurance (Safety Wing)

Let’s be real: you can’t pack travel insurance or peace of mind, but having it is one of the most important things your family needs when traveling.

Safetywing offers parents an additional benefit: liability insurance in case your toddler finds sharp scissors in your Airbnb. (Been there, done that, paid the $700 for ALL THE TEXTILES 😭)

Additional Gadgets and Add-Ons to Pack for Your Family’s Trip to Madeira

Packing Cubes

Easily the most undervalued gift we’ve ever received – these packing cubes make packing for my entire family easy, organized, and neat. If you don’t already have a set, I recommend these from Osprey.

Water bottle

We use these Lifestraw Water Bottles with a built-in filter for all our hiking hydration needs. It’s been life-changing – we can fill our bottles up from rivers, creeks, and Madeira’s many levadas. The filters last basically forever (about 5 years), and it’s truly amazing not to have to schlepp 4 liters of water with me on a hike.

Lifestraw water bottles filter out 99.99999% of all bacteria, parasites and microplastics. I’ve used ours to drink tap water in Thailand, from rivers in Bulgaria, and questionable airport water in China.

Eco-Friendly and Reef Safe Sunscreen

Sunscreen is a non-negotiable for hiking on Madeira and sunbathing. If you’re going to smear up, why not use reef-safe sunscreen and protect the natural beauty of the ocean?

I HIGHLY recommend this Earth’s Kitchen sunscreen from New Zealand.

We met the founder in the Cook Islands. Jules is one of those incredible people who saw an environmental issue and dedicated her life to protecting your skin, the oceans, and the planet. A bottle lasts my entire family about a year, making the price and shipping costs worth it.

Use my code, ZeTravelFamily, for a 10% discount.

Full Disclosure: I have an affiliate link for this sunscreen, but before I had the link, I recommended EK to everyone. Their mineral sunscreen moisturizes, protects, and repairs your skin and the reef.

FAQ’s About Packing for Madeira

When is summertime in Madeira?

Summer in Madeira is mild, yet warm, sunny, and paradisiacal! Summer starts in June and ends in October. In summer, temperatures range from the mid-20s to the low-30s (Celsius). That’s 70°-80° F.

When is the warmest time of year in the Madeira?

July, August, and September are generally considered the hottest months in Madeira, although we’ve experienced heat waves in June and October.

Can I take a carry-on only to Madeira?

If you’re good at packing light, you can definitely visit Madeira carry-on only. Leave the rubber boots, hiking poles, and other large baby items at home to maximize your packing efficiency. Don’t skip the Fleece layer or Wind/Waterproof layer, even if the forecast is sunny and warm for your whole trip. Madeira’s microclimates result in widely varying temperatures across the island.

If you had to leave too much behind, check out Decathlon for all your outdoorsy equipment needs.

Packing for Madeira: Final Thoughts

Packing for Madeira seems tricky at first, but if you follow my list (and add some extra items based on your family’s plan, comfort level, and access to a washing machine) it’s easy.

You can pack a lot lighter during the warmer months and leave the bathing suits at home during the winter. It’s more difficult to travel carry-on only during winter, especially if you’ve got a baby or toddler who needs two or three thick jackets, but if you use packing cubes and pack smartly, you should be able to make it work.

If you have any questions, notice something missing from my list, or just want to say hi, feel free to comment below or reach out to me on social media or by email.

Happy Travels!