What to pack for camping in Madeira
We're fans of minimal camping, so this isn't the full car-camping checklist you'll find everywhere else — it's closer to what actually fits in one backpack. Get back to basics with food, clothes and a handful of essentials, and you'll barely notice what's missing once you're on a levada or watching the sun come up over the peaks.
One thing worth checking first: most of Madeira's official sites already have drinking water, toilets or a fire pit, so you don't always need to carry all of it yourself — check the amenities on your chosen campsite's page before you pack.
Pack list
Tap items as you pack them — 0 / 24 packed. Saved on this device only.
Shelter & sleep
Kitchen
Clothing
Health & hygiene
Extras
Where to get it
A few partners we actually use, if you're missing any of the above.
Dehydrated meals
Lightweight food that actually holds up on the trail.
Tip: go for meals that only need boiled water and land around 600 kcal — anything lighter won't cut it after a full day on the trail.
Shop mealsRent a tent
Skip the checked bag and pick one up locally instead.
Tip: pick a freestanding 3-season tent with a full rain fly — mountain weather here can turn in minutes, even in August.
Rent a tentFirst-aid kit
A compact one, sized for a weekend, not an expedition.
Tip: prioritise blister care and antihistamines — the volcanic trails are rough on feet, and altitude can trigger allergies you don't normally get.
Shop first-aid kitEverything else
Cookware, poles, headlamps — everything else that didn't get its own card.
Tip: check anything electronic or metal is rated for damp conditions — humidity above the cloud line is harder on gear than you'd expect.
Shop gear