✈️ Transport: easyJet Strike to Disrupt Flights from October 2nd to 6th
The most important news for everyone traveling to or from Madeira in the coming days. The cabin crew of easyJet will be on strike from tomorrow (Friday, October 2nd) until Tuesday (October 6th, 2026). Although minimum guaranteed services have been ordered, the impact on passengers will be massive.
- Who is affected? All passengers with easyJet tickets on routes between Madeira, Lisbon, Porto, and Porto Santo during this period.
- What does this mean in practice? Most flights will be cancelled. Only a limited number of connections are guaranteed: two daily return flights on the Lisbon-Madeira route and one on the Porto-Madeira route.
- Our recommendation: Check the status of your flight directly with the airline immediately. If you do not have confirmation that your flight will operate, do not go to the airport.
⚠️ Safety: Do Not Take Risks on the Cliffs at Ponta do Pargo
Civil Protection has issued a stern warning due to the irresponsible behavior of tourists at the Ponta do Pargo viewpoint, the westernmost point of the island. Dozens of people have been climbing over barriers to walk on unstable cliff edges, often in inappropriate footwear.
- Who is affected? All visitors to viewpoints and coastal trails.
- What does this mean in practice? After a dry summer, the ground is extremely prone to erosion and landslides. There is an immediate danger of falling from hundreds of meters.
- Our recommendation: Always respect warning signs and barriers. Do not risk your life for a photograph. Wear sturdy hiking boots with non-slip soles for any trip outside the city.
🥾 Trails and Weather: One-Way System on PR1 and Fog in the Mountains
Status of the PR1 Vereda do Areeiro Trail
The most famous mountain hike between Pico do Areeiro and Pico Ruivo (PR1) remains open under a special system. To ensure safety following previous landslides, the trail is only accessible one-way.
- Who is affected? Hikers planning to traverse Madeira’s highest peaks.
- What does this mean in practice? You can hike from Pico do Areeiro to Pico Ruivo, but you cannot return the same way. To return, you must take an alternative route, most commonly the PR1.2 descent to the Achada do Teixeira car park.
- Our recommendation: Remember that for this and other selected trails, online registration and payment of a fee (€4.50) via the SIMplifica portal are required. Plan your transport from your endpoint (Achada do Teixeira).
Weather in the Mountains
Today’s forecast reports high cloud cover across the island, which is particularly dense at higher altitudes. While temperatures are pleasant, visibility is poor. If you are heading to Pico do Areeiro, Cabo Girão, or other high-altitude viewpoints today, expect thick fog and zero visibility. For today’s excursions, we recommend lower-altitude levada walks or visiting the towns instead.
💡 Practical News and Program Tips
Funchal’s Tourist Tax to Double from 2027
The Funchal City Council has approved an increase in the tourist tax from €2 to €4 per person per night. Importantly, the change will only take effect from January 2027 and will not affect this year’s stays. A positive development is an approved exemption: tourists stranded on the island due to cancelled flights (e.g., because of high winds) will be exempt from paying the tax for the extra nights.
Culture and Sports
If you’re looking for something to do this evening, Funchal offers two great events: at 19:30, a vocal polyphony concert at the Baltazar Dias Theatre, and from 20:00, a gala concert by the Orquestra Clássica da Madeira at the Congress Centre. Motorsport fans can look forward to the upcoming Eco Rally Madeira, which may cause temporary traffic restrictions on mountain roads.