Our family of 8 adults have vacation the first week of September and are looking into Madeira and Mallorca. They both look beautiful and it's tough to decide between them, so am seeking some advice. We love hiking, beaches, good food, history, but also non crowded places. I understand Madeira is more scenic but has few beaches and am leaning that way. As for Mallorca, is there a quieter area for a rental where we could have the feel of Madeira? Thanks for any help.

Majorca/Mallorca has more to offer a mixed group. The various regions are very different so choose carefully

We've been to both Mallorca and Madeira many times but couldn't choose one over the other as they are so different. Both have good restaurants and lovely scenery but Mallorca has much more contrast between areas than Madeira. Mallorca is blighted by a very young rowdy scene in the Palma Nova and Magaluf area, so avoid that. The eastern side of the island is family with kids orientated and my own personal favourite area is around the Pollenca and Puerto Pollenca area. Pollenca is some 4/5 kms inland but has the real feel of a small village with good restaurants and plenty of accommodation.

Madeira is a beautiful island and we always stay in Funchal near the cable car terminus.The island has lovely scenery and great walking up on the Levadas in the hills above Funchal. Excellent food and lovely weather.

Our favourite? Probably both with a week in each place, but if you can't do that, pick one for this trip and the other for the next.

Thank you so much.

Great information, thank you! It sounds like Mallorca might be best and Pollenca seems to be a great destination to stay and avoid crowds. I know there aren't many, but is there a beach on Mallorca you would recommend?

Mallorca has lots of beaches and the one at Puerto Pollenca is excellent. It stretches from Formentor almost round to Alcudia and usually isn't that crowded. The town end is close to shops and restaurants/cafes for a good lunch. There's a nice little harbour for boat trips etc.

I suppose you know that the seawater at Madeira is much colder than at Mallorca.

I didn't know that, so thank you!

Awesome, thank you so much.

I would suggest Mallorca better. There are more to do and cultura and food are better. Obviously, you should skip the touristy areas.

skip the touristy areas.... LOL

To clarify bilbo's comment, both islands are busy but Madeira less so. Madeira has less character than Mallorca and you'd go to them for different reasons. Having said that, my comments above hold true, pick one for this trip and the other for the next.

yes sorry, sometimes I'm a little short with communication.

Both islands' business is tourism.

It's the Yorkshire bluntness bilbo . Apart from maybe Sicily, the Med is for tourists and to avoid them is nigh on impossible. Even so, we've had many a pleasant hour meeting other tourists from all over the world.