Drive to Survive: Three Practical Tips for Driving in Madeira

Welcome to Track Us Down! If you’re new here, we’re Doug and Monique. Today, we’re sharing some practical, hard-earned tips about driving in Madeira — and why it sometimes feels like you’re starring in your very own episode of “Drive to Survive.”

Madeira is an incredible island with stunning views, lush landscapes, and charming towns perched on steep hillsides. But it’s also a place where driving can feel… a little intimidating at first. Between the winding roads, dramatic elevation changes, narrow streets, and fast-moving locals, getting around can be an adventure all on its own. When we first moved here, we completely understood the fear. For the first three months, Monique didn’t drive at all — and Doug felt like he was constantly clinging to the steering wheel for dear life. It truly felt like we had to learn how to drive to survive here. But once you get the hang of it, driving in Madeira becomes second nature.

Today, we’re sharing three practical tips to help you drive safely and confidently on this beautiful island.

Tip #1: Choose the Right Car One of the biggest game-changers for driving in Madeira is having the right car. Trust us: not all engines are created equal here. When we first arrived, we made the mistake of choosing a small 95-horsepower, one-liter gas engine. It was completely underpowered for the steep climbs and left us feeling nervous every time we needed to go uphill.

Our advice? When renting or buying a car, make sure you choose either a diesel or an electric vehicle.

• Diesel cars here have plenty of torque, making those steep hills much easier to handle.

• Electric cars are actually perfect for Madeira. The island is small enough that range anxiety isn’t an issue, and there are charging stations everywhere — malls, streets, even McDonald’s. Plus, electric cars recharge on the downhill, so you’re constantly topping up the battery without even trying.

Another key piece of advice: get a small car.

The roads here are narrow, parking spaces are tight, and you might find yourself squeezing past tour buses on winding mountain roads. A smaller car gives you more agility and, most importantly, confidence. If you’re looking to rent, we highly recommend using Discover Cars. It’s a broker site that connects you to the best rental deals on the island, from big names to smaller local companies. Their website is simple to use, transparent with pricing (taxes included!), and we’ve had only smooth experiences with them. You can find our referral link at www.trackusdown.com.

Tip #2: Don’t Let Fear Stop You – Especially for Women

If you’re moving to Madeira or even just visiting for a few weeks, it’s easy to let the roads intimidate you — especially if you’ve been used to flat, wide streets back home. Monique knows this firsthand. She didn’t drive for months after we arrived. And she’s not alone — many expat women here share similar stories. Here’s the thing: the longer you wait to start driving, the harder it becomes. Anxiety builds up, and before you know it, you lose the confidence you spent years building.

Our advice?

• Start driving as soon as possible. Even short, easy drives help rebuild confidence.

• Drive by yourself. Leave the distractions behind — no passengers, no radio. Focus on getting comfortable.

• Choose familiar routes. Start by driving to places you already know, like your local grocery store or a favorite café. Practice parking, navigating, and getting back home.

Having the freedom to drive yourself around Madeira is a huge part of truly enjoying life here. Don’t let fear steal that from you!

Tip #3: Master Navigation – and Use the Right Tools

One of the biggest challenges when driving in Madeira isn’t just the roads themselves — it’s the directions your GPS might give you. We’ve all had moments where Google Maps or Waze sent us up a terrifyingly steep, barely drivable back alley that looked like it was designed for goats, not cars. Our favorite navigation app is Waze. It’s made for drivers, more intuitive than Google Maps, and most locals use it too. However, even Waze can sometimes suggest routes that are technically shorter, but not always better.

Doug’s Pro Tip:

When checking your route, look at the thickness of the gray lines on the map.

• Thicker gray lines represent main roads — safer, more common routes.

• Thin gray lines usually mean tiny, steep streets that you probably want to avoid, especially if you’re not confident yet. Before you set off, scan your route. Stay on those thick gray lines even if it adds a minute or two to your trip. It’s well worth it for a smoother, stress-free drive.

Final Thoughts: You’ve Got This!

Driving in Madeira might feel overwhelming at first, but with the right car, the right mindset, and a little navigation know-how, you’ll be cruising around the island like a local in no time.

To recap:

• Choose a small, powerful car (diesel or electric!). • Start driving early, and practice familiar routes — especially for women new to Madeira.

• Use Waze, and stick to those thicker gray lines.

We hope these tips help you Drive to Survive and truly enjoy everything Madeira has to offer. If you enjoy conversations about early retirement, moving abroad, and making the most of the second half of your life, don’t forget to subscribe to our YouTube channel and check back here for new blog posts.

Thank you for spending part of your day with us, and as always — Track Us Down!