Things to Do in Madeira

Seeing sunrise from the top of one of Madeira's highest peaks will have you reaching for your camera over and over again. And this exclusive morning trip to Pico do Arieiro promises just that – views over Madeira during the mystical first light of the day, followed by a warming breakfast.

Experience the ultimate dolphin and whale watching experience on our custom-built Eco-catamaran. Cruise offshore in comfort to see marine wildlife, then visit Cabo Girão for a refreshing swim.

Travel with the peace and comfort of knowing that, should you need assistance on your trip, Civitatis has your back - don't let anything spoil your trip!

Book now a luxury cruise in Funchal and discover the best locations to see and learn about the local wildlife.

Discover the rich history of Funchal on a guided walking tour. Visit the farmers’ market, City Hall, the Cathedral, a Wine Lodge, and other cultural highlights that reveal the soul of the island.

Book your Madeira full adventure and east tour in open roof 4x4 jeep. Discover Santana Biosphere Reserve and Arieiro Peak.

Embark on a delightful and exhilarating journey through Funchal as you explore the city by Tuk Tuk. Hear fascinating stories from your driver-guide then arrive at the city's historic toboggan rides.

Drive through Funchal's bustling town and Madeira's magnificent rolling hills towards Quinta Pedagogica da Camacha, a small farm committed to sustainable agriculture. Here, your National Geographic-trained guide will offer insights into the region and introduce you to the farm's owner, Bruno Santos. Having left accounting for agriculture, Bruno now dedicates his life to helping his neighborhood through sustainable farming, a lowered environmental footprint, and community outreach. Follow Bruno through flowering groves as you explore the grounds. You'll learn about the many uses for their freshly grown herbs and visit their strawberry plantation. Observe the fields and poios—what Madeirans call the terraced areas where they grow their crops—as you learn about the farm's produce and animal husbandry. The farm is home to various animals including chickens, goats, sheep, and more. There's even a small market Bruno created, to help other local vendors reach their greater community, inspired by the ‘buy local' mantra. You'll also experience a host of seasonal activities, offered exclusively to National Geographic travelers. Harvest ripe fruits and learn the proper techniques for sowing seeds in a planting workshop. This hands-on learning environment brings Bruno's sustainability and bio-friendly philosophy to life. Afterwards, you'll relax and enjoy refreshing tea brewed from the farm's own herbs, as well as homemade cakes, toast, and jams preserved from local fruits.

Explore the highest mountains on Madeira on a self-guided sunrise hike. Enjoy a convenient transfer from your Funchal hotel to the start of the trail and get picked up and driven back at the end.

If you're looking for an evening out that takes you beyond the usual tourist trails and taps into a town's heritage, then the Machico Medieval Festival is just the ticket. This annual event started in the east of the island back in 2006, as a social project by local schools to learn about the 15th-century discovery of Madeira and its Portuguese cultural identity. Your trip begins with a bus ride to the market, where the traditional crafts and shops will help set the scene for a journey over 500 years into Machico's past. The festival has a celebratory atmosphere, as processions and parades show off the traditional costumes of Maderia's earliest settlers after Joao Goncalves Zarco and Tristao Vaz Teixeira first discovered the island.It's the historical re-enactments that will really draw you in, though. Visitors are encouraged to join in with events like the first landing of the Portuguese explorers. Alongside the performances, music and dancing, they're a great way to immerse yourself in the island's culture and history over this special weekend.

Discover the history of HMBorges, a family-owned winery in Funchal. Enjoy a guided winery tour and learn about the winemaking process before enjoying a tasting of 2-6 wines, depending on the tour.

Madeira's south-west coastline steals the spotlight on this full-day guided tour. Start your adventure at Ribiera Brava viewpoint, where mountains meet the ocean. Zoom through Paul da Serra's eucalyptus forest on an off-road path used by locals and pause for coffee, before continuing to the cliffs of Ponta do Pargo. Swing by Faja da Ovelha, perfect for filling up your camera roll, and visit the fishing village of Paul do Mar. Stretch out on Calheta beach before wrapping up the day in Ponta do Sol.

Discover the amazing volcanic pools in Porto Moniz, Seixal black sand beach, Poças das Lesmas, ancient Fanal Laurissilva forest, Paúl da Serra, and Cabo Girão Skywalk.

Explore Funchal at your pace with a GPS-enabled audio guide designed for cruise passengers.

Enjoy the beauty of the Madeiran coast on board a comfortable catamaran. Look for dolphins, whales, and turtles swimming on the way to the Cabo Girão promontory where you can swim in the summer.

A duo of City Sightseeing routes in Madeira are covered by this two-day city value package. You'll be able to hop on and hop off at your leisure and explore the attractions along Blue Essentials and Red Iconic lines. The Blue covers Monte, the Old Town and Funchal Market, among other sights, while the Red takes you up to Pico dos Barcelos and down to the picturesque fishing village of Camara de Lobos. You can also take a stroll through the city's gardens on a guided walk to learn more about the art and architecture, included in your package.

Explore the stunning waterfalls and peaks of Madeira’s west coast on this tour from Funchal. Discover waterfalls spilling down to the Atlantic, and natural sea pools at Porto Moniz.

It's easy to get lost in Funchal's jigsaw-like jumble of cobbled streets – so a great way to explore is with a city sightseeing hop-on hop-off bus ticket. The Blue Line circuit ticks off top sights like the exotic gardens of Monte Palace, as well as the ‘Painted Doors' art project in Funchal's old town and the produce-packed farmer's market.

Explore a Natural Reserve in Madeira, by Unesco, (Vereda da Ponta de São Lourenço) on a self-guided hike, for the SUNRISE or late morning hike. We accept LAST MINUTE BOOKINGS - daily until 00.00h

When it comes to exploring Madeira's capital, this hop-on hop-off bus tour puts the fun in Funchal. With your 24-hour ticket and 21 stops to jump on and off at, you can visit must-sees like the ‘Painted Doors' art project in the old town, the upmarket marina on Avenida do Mar, or stop to shop in one of the city's best malls.

Hop onboard a traditional Madeiran boat to soak in views of the sunset on a cruise in Funchal. Sail to the lofty sea cliffs of Cape Girão and snorkel in the crystal waters of the Pearl of the Atlantic.

As you criss-cross Madeira, you'll see how quickly the landscape of such a small island changes dramatically. On the north coast, you'll see the volcanic fishing village of Porto Moniz, while to the south, Camara de Lobos hides under the towering sea cliff of Cabo Girao, which dominates the scenery. Local guide, Monica, says, “it's a tour with a small group, which is the best way to discover ancient paths, hidden villages and unexplored viewpoints on the island.”It may surprise you that Madeira's sub-tropical climate and volcanic soil make it ideal for growing bananas. At your first stop in the village of Ponta do Sol, you'll visit the local banana museum, taste their goodies and learn more about the area's history of farming. Then, it's over to the north side of the island. Prepare to feel like you're on top of the world as you're driven over the largest plateau on the island, Paul da Serra, with an average altitude of 1,500 meters – that's like four Empire State Buildings stacked on top of each other. Recover from the views and head to Porto Moniz, a village that tumbles down the green hills to the coast. Monica adds, “the natural pools put Porto Moniz on the map, so taking a dip in these iconic swim spots is a must.” Dry off and continue along the coast to Sao Vicente for lunch, before finishing on a high – literally. Cabo Girao is the highest sea cliff in the world, standing at 580 metres, offering unbeatable views of the North Atlantic Ocean.

Enjoy views of Funchal Bay aboard a luxury catamaran cruise and look for whales and dolphins in their natural habitat. Immerse yourself in the crystalline waters of Cabo Girão during a swim stop.

Experience the beauty of Madeira on a 4x4 tour. Visit Ribeira Brava, Cabo Girao, and Camara do Lobos. End with wine tasting at a local winery.

Enjoy roundtrip transfers to Pico do Arieiro and hike the "Stairway to Heaven" + alternative trails like PR1.2 or Vereda do Larano (Wednesday) while PR1 is closed. Adventure and stunning views await!

Embark on an unforgettable journey through mountains, forests, and lava pools. Book your guided tour now!

See whales and dolphins in their natural habitat on an amazing cruise by semi-rigid boat from Funchal. Enjoy guaranteed sightings of dolphins and whales.

Discover the enchanting UNESCO-listed Laurisilva forest and traditional Madeiran culture on this immersive tour. Book now for an unforgettable adventure!

Discover the enchanting northwest on a guided tour from Funchal. Walk through the lush Fanal Forest, swim in the volcanic pools of Porto Moniz and Seixal, admire the waterfalls, and much more.

Enjoy the ultimate Madeira adventure combining breathtaking landscapes, exhilarating off-road driving, and the finest wines from Quinta do Barbusano.

Explore Rabacal Park and the 25 Fontes trail at your own pace with a self-guided hiking day with a round-trip transfer from Funchal. Wander along weaving paths as you admire waterfalls and lagoons.

Enjoy the breathtaking cliffs of Cabo Girão, the picturesque valley of Serra de Água, and the charming village of São Vicente. Indulge in a wine tour at Quinta Barbusano.

Embark on a self-guided hike along the Vereda da Ponta de São Lourenço trail with the convenience of local transport. Enjoy pickup from designated areas in Funchal, Caniço, Machico or Garajau.

Capture stunning vistas and enjoy an exhilarating journey in an open-top convertible cabriolet!

Enjoy a self-guided sunrise hike on Madeira’s highest mountains. Take a transfer to Pico do Arieiro, hike Pico Ruivo, and get picked up from Achada do Teixeira for a return to your accommodation.

Ready to conquer Madeira's highest peak? This trail kicks off at Miradouro do Picarouto in Santana, taking you to Pico Ruivo – towering 1,861 meters above the island. You'll get to soak up wow-factor views of rugged peaks like Pico das Torres and Pico do Areeiro along the way, plus glimpses of Penha d'Águia and the Ponta de São Lourenço rock formations. Pause at cosy shelters for a snack before continuing the climb. It's steep, but those 360° views from the summit? Pure Madeira magic.

Discover the island of Madeira on a small-group sightseeing tour from the capital of Funchal. Journey to Nuns Valley and across to Monte with its breathtaking views.

Hike without been worried of the return journey on P1 or P1.2 trails, while you relax, a comfortable vehicle will take you back Pico do Areeiro.

Discover the unique flora and fauna of Madeira on scenic van tour of the Nuns Valley from Funchal. Travel across the island’s interior, visit the town Câmara de Lobos, and admire views along the way.

Explore two of Madeira's most famous peaks, Pico do Areeiro and Pico Ruivo with a comfortable transfer between PR1 and PR1.2 trails and to your pick-up point.

The Rabaçal 25 Fontes is one of the most beautiful places on Madeira Island, as it is the famous Levadas in the middle of the Laurissilva forest.

Enjoy pickup service from Funchal, Caniço, or Garajau that will take you to the starting point of Madeira's Levada do Caldeirão Verde trail, and back.

Board a replica of Columbus' flagship, the Santa Maria, and get a glimpse of Madeira through the lens of world history as you sail along the island's coastline. Sample local wine and honey cake while you sail.

From rugged coastline to fairytale houses, this full day excursion of eastern Madeira is all about what makes the island so special. You'll discover the historic towns of Machico and Santana as well as the natural gems of Ponta da Rosto and Pico do Areiro. There's also a levada walk and traditional lunch.

Explore Madeira's coastline from a different perspective on this thrilling kayak and snorkel tour.

Madeira boasts some dramatic landscapes, meaning the views over the island are often spectacular. This half-day adventure begins with a chance to soak up panoramic views of the capital from Pico dos Barcelos. Enjoy a cup of tea or Madeira wine with cake at Eira Do Serrado before a short walk to the viewpoint. Then you'll visit the awe-inspiring Cabo Girão Cliff, where the glass skywalk offers views of the waves 500-metres below.

Watch a stunning sunrise in Madeira at the summit of Pico do Arieiro on a morning tour from Funchal. Enjoy a hot cup of tea or coffee alongside a hearty breakfast before exploring a forest.

Experience the breathtaking landscape of the East and Northeast of Madeira on a 4x4 tour that has a little bit of everything and is suitable for everyone!

Admire the beautiful surroundings of Funchal by boat as you search for whales and dolphins on this guided boat tour. Swim and snorkel at Cabo Girão, or simply enjoy a drink as you admire the sunset.

Explore Madeira West in a 4x4 convertible car where you will be able to feel and see mountains, cliffs, valleys, waterfalls, forest and natural lava pools.