As UK rail fares rise by 4.6% more and more Brits are searching for cheap flights abroad with one particular sunny destination getting great reviews – and you can fly from the UK for just £30
It may be getting more and more expensive to travel around the UK but you can fly abroad for just £30 and the savings don’t stop there. Searches for ‘Madeira holidays’ have been soaring by +370% in the last three months among UK residents and travellers are calling it a ‘hidden gem,’ as well as likening it to Hawaii.
Madeira has been named one of the best holiday destinations for Brits abroad, according to Travel Republic who say it’s a tropical paradise thanks to its lovely climate with temperatures averaging between 16C and 25C and sea temperatures between 18C and 24C even in the winter.
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If you’ve never been – Madeira is a Portuguese island in the Atlantic Ocean, often referred to as the ‘Hawaii of Europe’ due to its tropical climate and volcanic landscape. It may be famous for its luscious landscapes and year-round warm climate, but Brits also love it because it has 16 British pubs serving cheap pints of beer.
While the average pint costs £4.79 here in the UK, the island’s capital, Funchal, offers surprisingly affordable beer – at around £2.28 for domestic beer and £2.90 for imported. And if you don’t want to miss the game while you’re abroad, there are 16 British and Irish pubs in Funchal.
Some 2.2 million Brits visited the island in 2024 and there are some great restaurants and bars in the city of Funchal with plenty to choose from if you’re looking to taste the local cuisine. And you can also treat yourself to a variety of classic British pub grub dishes such as fish and chips, a full English breakfast and even a Sunday roast.
To work up an appetite, you can explore Funchal’s Old Town, hike the Pico do Arieiro to Pico Ruivo trail, and swim in Porto Moniz Natural Pools. It’s not for the fainthearted, but you could also check out the view or go paragliding near the Cabo Girão Skywalk—one of the most famous suspended glass platforms and cliff viewpoints in Europe.
Travel addict Sophia Toomb recently took to Instagram to hail the popular destination of Madeira. “Walked off the plane into paradise,” she said in a video. Located off the northwest coast of Africa, the island is home to one of the most impressive hikes in the world – Pico Ruivo do Paul da Serra, which takes walkers above the clouds on Madeira’s highest point.
Or you could just chill on one of the island’s many secluded beaches – the perfect place to sunbathe with a cocktail, and cool down with a dip in crystal clear waters. We found a flight from Edinburgh on Sunday May 11, returning on Wednesday May 14 for £29.99 or you can fly from London, Manchester or Bristol.
Elsewhere, if you’re looking for sun and white sands this summer, there is an island off the west coast of Africa that should be at the top of your bucket list. And it’s easier than ever to visit now that easyJet has launched its first-ever flight to the Caribbean-esque destination.
The budget airline is now offering a service from London Gatwick to Sal, an island in Cape Verde, three times per week. The new flight route launched on March 31 and will depart every Monday, Wednesday and Friday to the sunny island group..
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