Questions from visitors · 26 October 2026
Yes, you can get tattooed on holiday. The trick is when: the sea, the lava pools and the sun all wait two weeks. Here is how to plan your trip around it.
The short answer: get it near the end of your trip
A new tattoo is an open wound for about two weeks. In that time it should not go in the sea, in a pool or in the sun. On an island where half the plan is the ocean, that only means one thing: swim, hike and sunbathe first, and leave the tattoo for your last days in Funchal.
Sea and pools: no swimming until it heals
That means no sea, no lava pools at Porto Moniz, no hotel pool and no jacuzzi. Salt water, chlorine and the bacteria in shared water can infect the skin and pull the ink out before it settles. A normal shower is fine: wash it gently, pat it dry and keep it out of the water the rest of the time.
Sun: covered while it heals, sunscreen for life
Madeira's sun is strong all year, even in winter. While the tattoo heals, keep it under loose clothing and do not put sunscreen on it until the skin has closed. Once it has healed, use a high-factor sunscreen every time it is in the sun: it is what keeps fine lines sharp and colours bright for years.
How to plan your week
First days: the sea, the lava pools, the levadas and the peaks. Middle of the trip: send us your idea on WhatsApp, so the artist can draw it while you are out exploring. Last two or three days: come to the studio in Funchal, get tattooed, and spend the rest of the trip in the city, the market and the old town. Flying home with a fresh tattoo is fine: wear loose clothes over it and drink water.
Arriving by cruise ship?If Funchal is your last port before days at sea, that is the perfect moment. We open early for cruise passengers by appointment, and small pieces usually take one to two hours.
- How long before I can swim in the sea?Until it has healed, usually about two weeks for a small piece. Your artist will tell you for your tattoo, and you can always send us a photo to check.
- Can I go on a levada walk the day after?Yes, walking is fine. Keep the tattoo covered with loose, clean clothing, away from rubbing straps and out of the sun.
- What if I already booked a boat trip at the end?A boat trip without swimming is fine, with the tattoo covered and out of the sun. If the plan includes jumping in the water, get tattooed after it, or send us your dates and we will find the best day together.