Portugal holidays

A European island has been hailed as the place with “perfect weather” all year round, and it’s only a short flight from the UK – with return flights available for just 27 per person

People are dreaming about visiting a specific European island which many claims has ‘perfect weather’ all year around. As Britain grows chillier and wetter, it’s perfectly natural to fantasise about escaping to sunnier, warmer destinations. Unfortunately, such dreams often prove costly and out of reach. But imagine if you could fulfil these dreams in a wonderfully sunny, dreamlike spot with return flights costing just £27 per person?

Madeira is an archipelago located in the North Atlantic Ocean, frequently dubbed Portugal’s Island of Eternal Spring thanks to its consistently ‘perfect’ weather conditions throughout the year. While much of Europe cools down, Madeira boasts a subtropical climate maintaining pleasant temperatures year-round.

During early October, the island’s average highs still linger around 25C before dropping slightly to 23C by month’s end. Evenings remain pleasant too, with temperatures rarely dipping below 18C.

This makes it ideal for sunset walks along Funchal’s waterfront or outdoor dining at the island’s numerous family-owned restaurants.

Posting on Instagram, the account ‘beautifuldestinations’ declared in its caption: “Just a short flight from Lisbon, this subtropical island feels like it lives in permanent golden hour, warm, green, and blooming no matter the month.”

The Instagram post featured a reel showcasing the island’s stunning natural beauty, including its verdant mountains and brilliant azure coastline. They went on to say: “It’s the kind of place that’s just as good for hiking mountain trails as it is for slow cliffside lunches (ideally with a glass of local Madeira wine).”

The piece then highlighted various activities available, including witnessing dawn break above the clouds at Pico do Arieiro, taking a dip in volcanic pools, exploring trails and pathways through stunning landscapes.

For those preferring to discover local settlements, you can wander through Funchal’s historic quarter and sample regional delicacies, such as bolo do caco, or Poncha.

Timing your visit to Madeira isn’t crucial, as pleasant and bright conditions persist for most of the year. While winter brings milder temperatures averaging 15-18C, summer offers warmer weather with typical highs of 21-25C.

The island enjoys a subtropical climate, ensuring sunshine remains likely year-round.

Viewers were astonished by the footage, with numerous people vowing to experience Madeira themselves as the word ‘beautiful’ was repeated among several people.

“Going there just in a month – can’t wait,” one person wrote, while another user said: “The hiking and ending up above the clouds. the best part of travelling to Madeira!”

“Madeira is so wonderful! Love Portugal beautiful country with lovely people! Dream place,” someone else said.

Another person shared: “Been there past May, it is beautiful.”

One little island in the Atlantic Ocean stays warm and sunny long after summer is over – and it is closer to Africa than the continent it technically belongs to

When October arrives, much of Britain becomes grey, damp and chilly, leaving countless Brits yearning for a final dose of sunshine.

The brilliant news is that autumn often presents the most affordable time to secure a getaway, and with pupils back at school, the tourist hordes have thinned out considerably.

Whilst most European coastal spots begin to turn cooler, there’s one magnificent little island that remains balmy and bright, and it’s nearer to Africa than the continent it officially calls home. This gorgeous volcanic isle in the Atlantic boasts average daily temperatures of approximately 22C in October.

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And whilst it’s a Portuguese territory, it lies more than 300 miles west of Morocco and over 600 miles from Lisbon. The island is Madeira – a verdant, mountainous haven that offers everything from breathtaking tropical landscapes to delightful towns and welcoming hospitality.

Frequently dubbed the “Hawaii of Europe”, it’s a perfect retreat for holidaymakers seeking dependable sunshine without travelling too far.

Flights from Britain to Madeira last just under four hours, with direct connections available from London, Manchester, Bristol, Birmingham, and other cities. Ryanair, Jet2, easyJet, and TUI all provide direct services to the island’s capital, Funchal.

Madeira is most famous as the birthplace of football legend Cristiano Ronaldo, who was born in Funchal in 1985. The island honours his heritage with a special museum and even a statue on the waterfront. But there’s far more to discover beyond that.

For those who adore trekking, countless renowned Levada trails await exploration. These narrow footpaths wind alongside the island’s ancient irrigation channels through valleys, clifftops and woodlands.

Among the most beloved routes is the Levada do Caldeirão Verde, which meanders through verdant laurel forests featuring spectacular cascades. Moreover, the capital Funchal boasts cobbled lanes, vibrant markets, and charming botanical gardens.

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Tourists can also enjoy a cable car journey up to Monte, then experience a traditional wicker toboggan ride back down. Whale and dolphin spotting excursions operate throughout the year, and October remains sufficiently warm for swimming or lounging beside the ocean.

Madeira’s culinary offerings represent another major attraction. Regional delicacies feature black scabbard fish served with banana, espetada (beef skewers), and naturally, the globally renowned Madeira wine.

Travellers who have experienced the island describe its tranquil ambience, gentle climate, and breathtaking landscapes, reports the Express. One visitor commented on Tripadvisor: “It’s absolutely breathtaking, the views are out of this world.”

Another remarked: “We visited in October and the weather was perfect. Not too hot, not too cold, just right for walking and relaxing.” The sole consideration is that the island’s climate can prove unpredictable, positioned as it is amidst the Atlantic Ocean.

Aircraft occasionally cannot touch down owing to powerful winds and must be redirected to mainland Portugal. Although sandy beaches are scarce, the island boasts some remarkable volcanic rock pools that serve as a favourite spot for swimming and unwinding.

All of Portugal’s main airports are set to be affected, including popular destinations among Brits such as Faro, Lisbon, Porto and Madeira

UK holidaymakers planning to jet off to Portugal could face airport chaos as ground handling staff threaten strike action from September until the start of 2026.

The Metallurgical and Related Industries Union (SIMA) at ground handling company Menzies has issued a strike notice, which covers the period from September 3, 2025 until January 2, 2026, affecting all national airports, according to Portuguese news site Publico.

All of Portugal’s main airports are set to be hit by the industrial action, including popular British tourist hotspots such as Faro, Lisbon, Porto and Madeira.

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The notice reveals that strikes will occur in alternating periods between September 3 and January 2 2026, encompassing busy travel times like long weekends, bank holidays, Christmas and New Year.

Publico reports that the first strike in September will kick off at midnight on September 3, lasting until midnight on September 9. This will be followed by further strikes on: September 12 – 15, 19-22, and 26 -28.

Then in October, strikes are planned from Fridays to Mondays each weekend. Walkouts are set to follow a similar pattern in November and December. Over the festive period, another strike is planned from December 19 until January 2.

The strike action could wreak havoc at airports, potentially leading to flight cancellations and delays, reports the Manchester Evening News.

The union is demanding an end to base salaries below the national minimum wage, payment for night shifts, and access to parking for its workers, amongst other requests. Previous industrial action occurred in July but was suspended for the remainder of the summer.

The union declared that during the strikes “workers will ensure the services necessary for the safety and maintenance of equipment and facilities.”

The news come just after more than 10,000 flight attendants for the major Canadian airline, Air Canada, walked out earlier this month after the airlines and union representing the workers failed to reach a deal. The airlines 700 flights per day were immediately cancelled after the industrial action started – including some flights to and from the UK.

Most recently, Jet2 had to issue a warning to travellers to Greece due to a planned industrial action which “may impact Greek Air Traffic Control”. The industrial action was scheduled to run from 9.30am until 1.30pm local time on August, 28, 2025 and forms part of a broader 24-hour strike organised by public sector union ADEDY.

The Hellenic Air Traffic Controllers’ Association called on controllers to walk out in support of a 24-hour strike over disciplinary rules set to be introduced for civil employees which are set for a parliamentary vote this week.

Booking a summer getaway is a major highlight for many people each year but one popular tourist hotspot has undergone a major change that’s got many people vowing to never return

Tourists have vowed to “never again” visit a popular holiday hotspot after it underwent some unwanted changes this year. Jetting off to a sunnier climate is a highlight of many people’s summers, with guaranteed sunshine, blue skies and the soothing sounds of the ocean a top priority.

Some European countries have established themselves as firm favourites for British tourists, and regularly top the travel wish list for people of all ages. Whether it’s Greece, Spain, France, Italy or Portugal, the continent has an abundance of varied, enticing options to suit all budgets and desires. For some holidaymakers, the destination of choice centres around the availability of bars and clubs, with many keen to take advantage of a thriving nightlife.

This seems to be the case for Albufeira, a popular coastal city based in the southern Algarve region of Portugal. It’s famous for its nightlife, with an abundance of accommodation and activities to indulge in.

Recently, however, its iconic strip has drawn some criticism due to how busy it’s become – one of the downsides to the city’s enduring popularity.

One tourist, who works as a DJ in Albufeira, recently shared a video of the packed strip on TikTok and it’s put many people off from ever returning to the city.

The 11-second clip shows people packed shoulder to shoulder outside the famous bars and nightclubs. Over the top of the footage, the DJ penned the words: “‘iS AlbUFeIrA eVEn BuSy?’ Have you seen the strip.”

The mix of capital letters with lowercase letters is typically used on social media to convey a mocking tone.

In the caption, he simply added: “How busy is too busy?”

The video racked up more than 754K views, with fellow TikTok users keen to share their thoughts. Lots of people pointed out it seems to be much busier this year than it was last year.

One person said: “Oh my that’s some difference from last July,” while another agreed: “Was nowhere near this last year”.

A third shared: “I was there on Saturday and never again!” A fourth said: “Canny be enjoyable that”.

Someone else asked: “is this supposed to make you want to go?”

Another TikTok user said: “Disgusting I can smell the sweat through the screen,” and another simply said: “No thanks.”

However, not everyone had this perspective or experience. One person shared: “It was the perfect amount of busy last week.”

And another wasn’t put off at all: “Ye looks boss that.”

For those keen to avoid the intense crowds, one TikTok user advised: “Best time for Albufeira is mid May to end of May if [you] don’t want to deal with this.”

To which the original poster replied: “Spot on.”

Before it became a major holiday destination, Albufeira used to be a sleepy fishing village. Its golden, sandy beaches are varied with some spots busy and bustling, and others offering secluded coves near dramatic cliffs.

Despite being renowned for its busy nightlife strip, it’s also an ideal destination for families and couples looking for a scenic getaway.

Brits heading to the likes of Spain, Egypt and Portugal for their summer holidays could find they’re paying pay hundreds of pounds more this year

Families have seen some holiday prices to top hotspots rocket by nearly quarter this summer, research has revealed.

The jump means travellers looking forward to their break abroad risk having to shell out hundreds of pounds more than last year.

Analysis by the website TravelSupermarket for the BBC revealed big price rises in a host of destinations popular with Brits. The data compared all-inclusive seven-night family breaks departing this August with a year ago.

Prices to Cyprus have leapt 23%, from an average £950 per person to £1,166. The cost of a week away to Egypt has soared by a fifth – almost £200 each – from £980 to £1,176. Jetting to top getaway Spain has risen by 9%, or from £835 to £913 And a typical week away to Portugal will cost £972 per person this summer, against £936 last year.

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For those looking further afield, the analysis found the United Arab Emirates has seen the steepest price rise overall. A week away now costs an average £1,525 per person, up 26% – or £300 – from £1,210 per person in 2024.

Chris Webber, head of deals at TravelSupermarket, said: “Like most things, family summer holidays have become more expensive over the past 12 months — and our data backs that up. We’ve seen price rises of between 4% and 26% across popular destinations like Spain, Greece, Turkey, the UAE and Portugal. These increases are likely tied to rising fuel prices driving up flight costs, along with hotel expenses rising due to energy costs – which in turn pushes up food and drink costs for all-inclusive packages.”

It is not all bad, with some destinations actually cheaper this year. For instance, a week in Italy will cost an average £1,128 per person this summer, or £137 less than a year ago. Tunisia is also around £30 better value, at an average £763.

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And while accommodation and flights may have risen, other holiday costs have come down.

Research published last month by the Post Office found Brits planning foreign holidays will be quids in thanks to the pound’s strength. Sterling has shot up against a host of currencies – in some cases, by a lot. For instance, the pound’s 30% rise against the Turkish lira in the past year means holidaymakers jetting there will have £116 more to spend for every £500.

In many cases, car rental prices have also fallen. A study by iCarhireinsurance.com last month revealed that the average cost of a week’s car hire this summer is £369, 43% lower than the 2022 high of £652, but still 19% more than in 2019 (£310).

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