A Dream, a Spark, and a Short Deadline
For a long time, we dreamed of turning the Madeira Friends experience into something even more **immersive **— a home where remote workers could live, work, and connect while tapping into everything the Madeira Friends community already offers. Coworking, events, island adventures, and friendships — all woven into one seamless workation.
While we were still scouting for a co-living location for later this year, a house suddenly became available in May. It was spacious, central, and full of potential. The timing was tight, but the opportunity felt just right. So… we jumped. From contract signing to check-in day, we had less than a month.
With excitement (and maybe a few nerves), we scrambled to get everything ready: building a website, organizing a spontaneous photo shoot, and spreading the word. It was a whirlwind — but the good kind, and voila, Madeira Remote came to life!
Launching the Pop-Up: A House Full of Possibility
The house is perfectly located in central Funchal with a terrace that catches the** sun **and offers a stunning ocean view. Inside, it strikes a beautiful balance between privacy and community. Spacious rooms. Plenty of quiet work corners. And common areas that invite spontaneous chats and shared dinners.
We furnished the space with intention, prepared welcome guides, and got everything ready to feel like home. Two of us — Leti (our amazing host) and I (Eli, your community manager!) — made sure guests felt supported from day one. From insider tips to organizing weekend plans, we were there to make each stay smooth, fun, and full of discovery.
Opening day arrived faster than expected. We were scrambling to get last-minute goodie bags when the first guests walked through the door. But somehow… it all worked out.
Our First Guests and the Energy They Brought
Sarah was the first to book — even before the website was fully online! A friend of a Madeira Friends supporter had recommended us, and Sarah said yes without hesitation. She checked in with a huge smile and instantly added light and warmth to the house.
“What a great time at Madeira Remote! A wonderful house with a sea view and close to the city, a perfectly equipped room to feel comfortable and also get work done. And the best part: amazing people from all over the world united under one roof. An invaluable experience. Eli and Leti, the hosts, always made an effort to show us the best sides of Madeira — from hikes and market visits to whale watching and insider tips. I’m incredibly grateful and highly recommend it. I’m already looking forward to next time! Muito obrigada!!” — Sarah Kurth
“What a great time at Madeira Remote! A wonderful house with a sea view and close to the city, a perfectly equipped room to feel comfortable and also get work done. And the best part: amazing people from all over the world united under one roof. An invaluable experience. Eli and Leti, the hosts, always made an effort to show us the best sides of Madeira — from hikes and market visits to whale watching and insider tips. I’m incredibly grateful and highly recommend it. I’m already looking forward to next time! Muito obrigada!!” — Sarah Kurth
“What a great time at Madeira Remote! A wonderful house with a sea view and close to the city, a perfectly equipped room to feel comfortable and also get work done. And the best part: amazing people from all over the world united under one roof. An invaluable experience. Eli and Leti, the hosts, always made an effort to show us the best sides of Madeira — from hikes and market visits to whale watching and insider tips. I’m incredibly grateful and highly recommend it. I’m already looking forward to next time! Muito obrigada!!” — Sarah Kurth
The first week, nearly all rooms were filled. It felt like magic watching strangers become a community in just a few days. Ivan joined too — a familiar face from the early days of Madeira Friends who returned after two years, this time as part of the co-living experience.
People from all over the world brought their stories, creativity, and curiosity. It was the perfect kickoff.
Adventures from the First Two Weeks:
We didn’t waste any time diving into the good stuff.
Just a few highlights:
🌄 Sunrise Hike to Pico do Arieiro
An early start, but completely worth it — the mountains glowing in first light and that quiet sense of awe.
🧗♀️ Adventure Hike Off the Beaten Path
A bit wild, a bit challenging, and totally unforgettable.
⛵ Catamaran Trip
Gliding along the coast, spotting pilot whales, and seeing the island from the sea. Ivan even offered to take stunning photos for us — shoutout to him for capturing the vibe so perfectly.
🧠 AI Workshop at the Hub
Pavlos, one of our co-livers, even took the opportunity to host a workshop at the Madeira Friends Hub, sharing insights about AI with both colivers and the wider community.
The Heart of Madeira Remote: Community & Connection
What makes Madeira Remote special isn’t just the house or the island — it’s how everything connects. From day one, the coliving group integrated into the Madeira Friends ecosystem. They joined the community lunch, worked from the Hub, showed up at fitness events, and even joined our Madeira Friends supporters BBQ event.
It wasn’t just about staying somewhere. It was about becoming part of something.
“I had an absolutely amazing time staying at Madeira Remote. The house was spacious with plenty of private and public spaced. My morning workout on the spacious patio overlooking the sea was one of the highlights everyday. Eli and the rest of Madeira Friends crew did a fantastic job to make sure of a comfortable stay. Couldn’t have expected anything better than my experience. Can’t wait to come back to Madeira!” Will Lin
“I had an absolutely amazing time staying at Madeira Remote. The house was spacious with plenty of private and public spaced. My morning workout on the spacious patio overlooking the sea was one of the highlights everyday. Eli and the rest of Madeira Friends crew did a fantastic job to make sure of a comfortable stay. Couldn’t have expected anything better than my experience. Can’t wait to come back to Madeira!” Will Lin
“I had an absolutely amazing time staying at Madeira Remote. The house was spacious with plenty of private and public spaced. My morning workout on the spacious patio overlooking the sea was one of the highlights everyday. Eli and the rest of Madeira Friends crew did a fantastic job to make sure of a comfortable stay. Couldn’t have expected anything better than my experience. Can’t wait to come back to Madeira!” Will Lin
What’s Next?
Our pop-up coliving runs until 21 June 2025, and we still have a few rooms available!
If you’ve been **dreaming of working remotely **in a beautiful setting, surrounded by **nature, community, and inspiration **— this is your sign.
“I had an amazing time living with Madeira Remote. The house was spacious, beautiful with fantastic views and had everything you need. There are also many activities to join throughout the week with your housemates and with other nomads, which I really enjoyed. Eli made the whole experience seamless and was very generous with her time showing us around the island. Absolutely recommend staying with Madeira Remote! I already miss it” — Ivan Chan
“I had an amazing time living with Madeira Remote. The house was spacious, beautiful with fantastic views and had everything you need. There are also many activities to join throughout the week with your housemates and with other nomads, which I really enjoyed. Eli made the whole experience seamless and was very generous with her time showing us around the island. Absolutely recommend staying with Madeira Remote! I already miss it” — Ivan Chan
“I had an amazing time living with Madeira Remote. The house was spacious, beautiful with fantastic views and had everything you need. There are also many activities to join throughout the week with your housemates and with other nomads, which I really enjoyed. Eli made the whole experience seamless and was very generous with her time showing us around the island. Absolutely recommend staying with Madeira Remote! I already miss it” — Ivan Chan
From an Idea to a Home
It’s wild to look back at how quickly this came together — and how well it’s been received. Guests have already left glowing reviews, and the word is starting to spread.
Thank you to everyone who said yes to something new, who believed in the magic of this place, and who brought it to life.
Madeira Remote is more than just a pop-up coliving. It’s connection. It’s adventure. It’s what happens when you create space for people to come together — and let the island do the rest.
Come join us and follow the journey on Instagram: @madeiraremote
Check out the co-living house and we look forward to welcoming you!
“Wonderful place, great experience and amazing people!It was a pleasure staying in the Madeira Remote house. It was fully equipped, offered beautiful views and also full of activities throughout the whole week. I would definitely recommend it!” Pavlos Zakkas
“Wonderful place, great experience and amazing people!It was a pleasure staying in the Madeira Remote house. It was fully equipped, offered beautiful views and also full of activities throughout the whole week. I would definitely recommend it!” Pavlos Zakkas
“Wonderful place, great experience and amazing people!It was a pleasure staying in the Madeira Remote house. It was fully equipped, offered beautiful views and also full of activities throughout the whole week. I would definitely recommend it!” Pavlos Zakkas