Americans will be able to fly non-stop to the world’s trendiest destination by 2026

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Forget Paris and its crowded Haussmann-designed streets, Bali and the expensive wellness retreats for valley girls, and Cancun with the luxurious all-inclusives that feel like anything but Mexico:

According to Tripadvisorof the world trendiest destination for 2026 is a little-known, small Portuguese island recently given the title ‘Hawaii of Europe’.

Even better: Americans can fly there nonstopwithout the usual unnecessary stops in larger hubs, and return fares are cheaper than you might think!

Measuring just 56 kilometers from east to west, and around 22 kilometers at its widest point, Madeira ranks higher than any other tourist hotspot in the latest official rankings from the world’s largest travel platform.

Having written extensively about Madeira and having been there ourselves, we can’t say we’re surprised:

To start, true even is Madeira?

A piece of Portugal off the coast of Africa

If you’re curious enough to open Google Maps and have been looking at a map of Portugal in bewilderment because you can’t find an island named Madeira anywhere, you might want to zoom out a bit and instead keep your eyes peeled for a small landmass on the coast of West Africa.

Yes, you read that right:

Although Madeira is a Portuguese island, inhabited by the Portuguese since the late 15th century, it is located over 1000 kilometers from mainland Europe. From Africa, or more specifically the coast of Morocco, yes a much shorter 310 miles.

Madeira is on the African tectonic plate, but that’s about it Portuguese through and through:

The beautiful capital, Funchal, is a spiritual sibling of Lisbon and sits on the azure Atlantic Ocean, while baroque palaces dominate the cityscape. calcadas and their intricate paving pattern cuts through a pedestrian-friendly Old Town.

The locals may have lived far away from the continent for more than five centuries, but they have retained their culture and language, the cuisine is heavily influenced by Southern Europe and the overall atmosphere is decidedly Iberian, so what sets Madeira apart from the rest of Portugal?

The land of eternal spring

Given Madeira’s unique location, you might have put two together and concluded that it doesn’t exactly have clearly defined seasons like the mainland.

It’s no wonder it’s called the Land of Eternal Spring: regardless of the time of year, Madeira’s lowlands have a typically mild Atlantic weather. It’s never too hot nor too cold outside, and aside from the occasional heat wave, the temperature rarely rises above 64-72°F year-round.

This makes Madeira an excellent winter retreat for Europeans who have essentially nothing close to the Caribbean to compensate for the lack of sunlight and warmth in the colder months. And no, a rainy Mediterranean in January doesn’t even come close.

Moreover, it is not without reason that Madeira is known as ‘Hawaii of Europe’:

It has a dramatic coastline interspersed with black sand, volcanic beaches, a mountainous interior crisscrossed by jagged peaks, beautiful waterfalls that cascade down cliffs and flow straight into the ocean, and laid-back seaside towns where time seems to stop and stand still for a while.

Views of the mountains for days

For nature lovers, Madeira is that one epic playground you never knew you needed.

Considered by many to be the most beautiful walk in (geopolitical) Europe, the hike from Pico do Arieiro to Pico Ruivo takes you directly to the highest peak on the islandwith breathtaking views above the clouds, sharp ridges and tunnels carved into volcanic rock.

For a more chilled outdoor activity that doesn’t involve steep climbing, and doesn’t take up the better part of a day, the island is dotted with tourist-friendly levadas:

These paths run along artificial streams, which were created centuries ago to facilitate the transport of water between villages and the like Levada das 25 Fontes And Caldeirao Verde pass majestic waterfalls and pristine stretches of rainforest.

Speaking of forests, those of Madeira UNESCO protected Laurissilvaa laurel forest that is millions of years old is not to be missed. Located on one of the highest and greenest points on the rugged island, it feels particularly mystical when the centuries-old arching trees are enveloped by an early morning mist.

Madeira, away from the hustle and bustle of Funchal

Funchal is where most tourists will base themselves when exploring Madeira, and listen, we totally get it:

It is indeed the largest and therefore best-equipped settlement, with street markets galore, a cultural scene that’s hard to beat, and even panoramic cable cars that take you from the harbor area to the surrounding hills. Funchal is the most obvious choice.

However, if you’re hoping to experience a quieter, more idyllic side of Madeira, head to Ponta do Solthe city where the sun shines continuously on average 250 days a year, and the colonial-era architecture contrasts beautifully with the terraced banana plantations.

Alternatively, Porto Moniz in Madeira’s wild north, it’s known for its natural lava-formed oceanic pools, unparalleled seafood restaurants overlooking a turbulent Atlantic Ocean, and slow-paced living. You know, Madeira at its most authentic.

Traveling to Madeira from the United States

The best part is that Americans can fly nonstop to Funchal (FNC), the only international airport serving Madeira Island, from Newark (EWR) without First a stopover on mainland Portugal.

This now-established route is a post-pandemic gift from United and usually runs during the summer season, from mid-May through September, with 3 flights are offered every weekwith departures scheduled every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.

Meanwhile, return flights land back in Newark on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday.

Flight time is just 6.50 hours, making this one of the shortest transatlantic routes in use, and average return fares vary from $750 to $800 for peak summer dates. Not that much more expensive than flying to Lisbon or other tried and true, not to say cliché, European hubs.

Vinicius Costa

Vini, our senior head writer at Travel Off Path, has over 60 countries to his name (and is currently weaving stories from Paris!), and a knack for turning off-the-beaten-path experiences into informative stories that will have you packing your bags.