Similar island names but very different styles, vibes, and types of vacation. Additionally, Mallorca and Madeira belong to different countries and are even located\u2014one in the Atlantic Ocean, the other in the Mediterranean Sea. In short, EVERYTHING about these two islands is so different that they need an explanation team.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So, below I explain the difference based on personal experience, impressions, and practice<\/strong>. And you choose the island you like best.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Mallorca is the largest of the Balearic Islands, located in the western part of the Mediterranean Sea and belongs to Spain. The capital of the Balearic Islands, Palma de Mallorca, is located on Mallorca.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This is the same island that can be noisy and party-oriented<\/strong> or\u2014quiet, mountainous, and very authentic<\/strong>, if you deviate from the tourist highways.<\/p>\n\n\n\n To get to Mallorca, it is enough to have a biometric Ukrainian passport, just as for Spain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Read more about Mallorca at this link<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n Madeira is a Portuguese Atlantic archipelago located in the Atlantic Ocean about 1000 km from the coast of Portugal and North Africa. Madeira is remote from the mainland, and you can feel it in everything: in the relief, climate, colors, and pace of life.<\/strong> Note that this is a vertical island<\/strong>. Here you are constantly either looking up or down.<\/p>\n\n\n\n To get to Madeira, you only need a biometric Ukrainian passport, just as for mainland Portugal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Complete guide to Madeira island<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n Mallorca is a classic Mediterranean island:<\/p>\n\n\n\n The climate is typically Mediterranean: warm summers, mild winters. In June the weather and sea are already very pleasant for swimming. We were in Mallorca in early October\u2014just wonderful, a real velvet season. Therefore, I recommend September and early October for calm warm relaxation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In June the sea is already warm, but there is no full of tourists. Madeira is often called \u201cthe island of eternal spring\u201d\u2014and that’s true. There’s almost never extreme heat or cold here.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The climate is mild tropical\u2014green and pleasant most of the year. Hiking and walks here are comfortable at any season, though in winter it may be cooler in the mountains and there may be more rain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Did you know that it was in Mallorca in the 1950s that hotels operating on the all-inclusive system first appeared? There really are a lot of hotels here where you don’t have to worry about food and you can relax both on the beaches and by the pool. But Mallorca is also about very beautiful nature and active recreation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The island offers a great combination of beach holidays, mountain routes, and coastal coves with incredible landscapes. There are mountains on the island\u2014the Serra de Tramuntana, with more than 300 hiking trails. And on the winding serpentine roads, road cyclists ride. If you love exploring different corners and combining a beach holiday with activity\u2014you can rent a car<\/a> and visit very beautiful locations on your own.<\/p>\n\n\n\n And Mallorca is also a great place for a family vacation with children. There are many beaches where children can swim comfortably. Hotels offer excellent animation. And parents don\u2019t have to worry about them\u2014just enjoy a good vacation by the sea.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Madeira is not about \u201clying down\u201d. It’s about going<\/strong>, looking<\/strong>, breathing<\/strong>, and being amazed<\/strong>. Sometimes fighting the wind and getting wet in the rain, but gaining such incredible impressions from the island that you’ll never forget them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Levadas, peaks, misty forests, the ocean beneath your feet. Madeira is an island, but vacation here is not about beaches. Also, the roads here are incredibly picturesque\u2014with every turn of the serpentine roads opening up dizzying views that make you want to cry from the beauty! A road trip around Madeira is one of my best memories. Don’t be afraid to drive\u2014just rent a powerful car<\/a> with automatic transmission. You’ll experience genuine delight from the nature of the island.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Detailed routes: <\/strong> Hiking in Madeira\u2014best trails<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n Mallorca:<\/strong> car rental<\/a>\u2014the best way to explore beaches and mountains on your own. But if you don’t drive or don’t want to spend money on a car\u2014public transport works quite well here. The main bus hub is the island’s capital\u2014Palma de Mallorca, from where buses depart to different parts of the island.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Madeira:<\/strong> a car is very necessary if you plan to reach all the nature spots and routes. I strongly advise renting a car with automatic transmission\u2014it is essential here, as many roads are serpentines. There is public transport here too, but it\u2019s inconvenient since several bus companies operate and don’t connect their routes. And you won\u2019t see everything by bus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Mallorca<\/strong> \u2014 ideal for family, beach, and nature trips. Of course, this is a generalization, and if you love hiking<\/strong> with children\u2014Madeira will impress you. Or on the contrary\u2014go to Mallorca in the low season and you\u2019ll also get wonderful hiking in the Serra de Tramuntana mountains.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Same thing with beaches\u2014Madeira has a few small sandy beaches. And if you take a ferry to the neighboring island of Porto Santo\u2014you end up on a 9-kilometer sand beach, which will really surprise you. And in Mallorca\u2014countless wonderful beaches and coves with white sand\u2014it’s just a paradise for a calm vacation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n But overall: Madeira is for active vacations, Mallorca is for the beach.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n More details: Mallorca\u2014guide for travel<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n Read in detail: Madeira\u2014what to see for the first time<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n I wrote about where it’s best to stay in Mallorca\u2014you can read here: Where to stay in Mallorca\u2014beaches and active adventures<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n In short, Palma de Mallorca<\/strong> <\/a>\u2014is the main transportation hub, from where you can get to different parts of the island. Near Palma there are many beautiful beaches: Cala Major, Palmanova, Magaluf, El Arenal<\/strong>, all of which are very convenient to reach Palma by bus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you are not dependent on public transport, or if you rent a car\u2014you can choose any cove with a good beach. For example, Alc\u00fadia<\/a>, or Port de Pollen\u00e7a<\/strong>\u2014excellent bases for beaches and exploring the island.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nWhere they are located and who they belong to<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Mallorca (Spain)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Madeira (Portugal)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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\n\n\n\nThe best time to vacation and weather<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Mallorca<\/strong>:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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When is the best time to go swimming in Mallorca and other southern European resorts<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\nMadeira<\/strong>:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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\n\n\n\nWhat type of vacation predominates<\/strong> \u2014 who these islands are for<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Mallorca<\/strong> \u2014 beaches and mountains<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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There are some, and a few are very beautiful, but primarily\u2014it’s about nature, levadas, mountains, and hiking, though there are beaches and also lava pools for swimming.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nHow to get around the islands<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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\n\n\n\nWho each island is suitable for<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Madeira<\/strong> \u2014 for those who love active vacations and trekking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nTOP-10 Sights\u2014What to see on each island<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Mallorca<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Madeira<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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\n\n\n\nWhere is the best place to stay on these islands<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Mallorca<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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