Things to Do in Madeira

Follow the smell of eucalyptus and wild herbs as you hike along the Levada da Silveira. As you walk the 9.5-kilometre trail, you'll be rewarded with a canopy of greenery in the Laurissilva Forest before the path opens out onto views over the town of Santana. Other hikes on the island offer big, busy, dramatic experiences, but this levada is all about the cool, calm and more subtle side of the island, with fewer crowds jostling for the same view. It's a moderate trail that takes around four hours and is ideal if you're a nature lover who's happy with heights and a short tunnel section.

We have handpicked the best independent tascas and hidden gems to provide you a unqiue self guided tour of Funchal, to enjoy some of the best local food and drink in Madeira.

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Make light work of Funchal's steep and narrow streets as your driver weaves through them in a nippy little tukxi – a motorised tuk-tuk taxi. But you can go so much further than the city on your three, four or even six-hour adventure. The options to personalise your journey are endless. Heading west, you could take a slow-paced scenic tour to the fishing village of Câmara de Lobos, the sea cliffs and glass skywalk of Cabo Girão, or the vineyards of Fajã dos Padres. For some mountain air, you could head north to find the Botanical Gardens, the historic hill village of Monte and views of the dramatic Nuns' Valley. Chat to your driver to help tailor your own memorable Madeiran daytrip.

Surrounded by steep mountains, this canyon lies in the middle of the island, in the valley of the Nun's

Make light work of Funchal's steep and narrow streets as your driver weaves through them in a nippy little tukxi – a motorised tuk-tuk taxi. But you can go so much further than the city on your three, four or even six-hour adventure. The options to personalise your journey are endless. Heading west, you could take a slow-paced scenic tour to the fishing village of Câmara de Lobos, the sea cliffs and glass skywalk of Cabo Girão, or the vineyards of Fajã dos Padres. For some mountain air, you could head north to find the Botanical Gardens, the historic hill village of Monte and views of the dramatic Nuns' Valley. Chat to your driver to help tailor your own memorable Madeiran daytrip.

Enjoy a scenic hike along the Caldeirão Verde Levada with pickup from Funchal, Caniço, or Garajau. Receive a briefing from a local host, maps, and safety equipment if needed with return transport.

Make light work of Funchal's steep and narrow streets as your driver weaves through them in a nippy little tukxi – a motorised tuk-tuk taxi. But you can go so much further than the city on your three, four or even six-hour adventure. The options to personalise your journey are endless. Heading west, you could take a slow-paced scenic tour to the fishing village of Câmara de Lobos, the sea cliffs and glass skywalk of Cabo Girão, or the vineyards of Fajã dos Padres. For some mountain air, you could head north to find the Botanical Gardens, the historic hill village of Monte and views of the dramatic Nuns' Valley. Chat to your driver to help tailor your own memorable Madeiran daytrip.

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.

Make light work of Funchal's steep and narrow streets as your driver weaves through them in a nippy little tukxi – a motorised tuk-tuk taxi. But you can go so much further than the city on your three, four or even six-hour adventure. The options to personalise your journey are endless. Heading west, you could take a slow-paced scenic tour to the fishing village of Câmara de Lobos, the sea cliffs and glass skywalk of Cabo Girão, or the vineyards of Fajã dos Padres. For some mountain air, you could head north to find the Botanical Gardens, the historic hill village of Monte and views of the dramatic Nuns' Valley. Chat to your driver to help tailor your own memorable Madeiran daytrip.

Experience the best whale and dolphin watching in Madeira on a fast and exclusive boat designed for a small group — an unforgettable adventure at sea.

Make light work of Funchal's steep and narrow streets as your driver weaves through them in a nippy little tukxi – a motorised tuk-tuk taxi. But you can go so much further than the city on your three, four or even six-hour adventure. The options to personalise your journey are endless. Heading west, you could take a slow-paced scenic tour to the fishing village of Câmara de Lobos, the sea cliffs and glass skywalk of Cabo Girão, or the vineyards of Fajã dos Padres. For some mountain air, you could head north to find the Botanical Gardens, the historic hill village of Monte and views of the dramatic Nuns' Valley. Chat to your driver to help tailor your own memorable Madeiran daytrip.

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.

Make light work of Funchal's steep and narrow streets as your driver weaves through them in a nippy little tukxi – a motorised tuk-tuk taxi. But you can go so much further than the city on your three, four or even six-hour adventure. The options to personalise your journey are endless. Heading west, you could take a slow-paced scenic tour to the fishing village of Câmara de Lobos, the sea cliffs and glass skywalk of Cabo Girão, or the vineyards of Fajã dos Padres. For some mountain air, you could head north to find the Botanical Gardens, the historic hill village of Monte and views of the dramatic Nuns' Valley. Chat to your driver to help tailor your own memorable Madeiran daytrip.

Zipline & cliff Swing are optional, not included in tour price. Discover Madeira by Jeep: Cabo Girão Skywalk, Seixal, Zipline & Giant Swing stop, Porto Moniz & Ponta do Sol. Adventure awaits!

Dive into an unforgettable adventure with a whale watching and snorkelling tour around Madeira Island. Book now for an intimate, small-group experience!

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.

Your evening starts at Funchal's waterfront as you step onto a catamaran for a sunset cruise along Madeira's south coast. As the boat glides through the water, you'll pass rocky headlands, sea caves and pockets of golden sand. With no more than 18 people on board, drinks in hand and around two and a half hours at sea, you can unwind, enjoy the sky's shifting colours and keep an eye out for dolphins as the sun sinks towards the horizon.

Take a sunrise or morning transfer from Funchal or Caniço to Pico do Arieiro. Admire breathtaking views as you hike to Pico Ruivo at your own pace before meeting your driver for a return transfer.

You'll kick off at Funchal's waterfront, joining a catamaran for a cruise along Madeira's sunny south coast. As the boat glides along, you'll pass rocky headlands, hidden coves and golden-sand beaches, all adding their own character to the shoreline. With a maximum of 18 people onboard, drinks available and roughly two and a half hours on the water, there's time to snap pics of the Madeiran scenery, hope for a dolphin cameo and settle into holiday mode as the coast rolls by.

⚠️ IMPORTANT INFO ON FULL DESCRIPTION!⚠️ Enjoy a self-guided sunrise hike on Madeira’s highest mountains. Includes transfer to Pico do Arieiro for epic views and return pickup to your accommodation.

This is two-and-a-half-hours of stylish bliss. A sleek catamaran and its attentive crew are at your service for a private cruise where you set the agenda. Talk to the captain about which beaches and bays you'd like to explore, while the crew keep you topped up with drinks and snacks. It's all about creating a personalised, luxurious environment on this cruise, so you can do as little or as much as you like. Get the water toys out to snorkel and play or simply stretch out on the deck as the Madeiran coastline glides by.

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.

On this tour, you'll dive into Madeira's wild side, giving you a taste of the island's nature, traditions and local life all in one trip. First up is the Parque Ecológico do Funchal, where you'll explore the island's sustainability efforts. Depending on the month, you'll either plant a tree to help restore Madeira's ecosystem or check out the Interpretation Centre to see how this landscape has been protected over time. Riu, one of our local expert guides, says, “this is the kind of experience that lets you give something back to Madeira while discovering what makes the island so special.”After this, you'll head up to Santo da Serra for a 4x4 adventure that winds through hidden trails you'd never stumble across on your own. Then, things slow down with a walk along the Levada Serra do Faial, following Madeira's historic irrigation channels through dense greenery and streams. If the weather isn't playing ball, you might swap to the equally picturesque Paradise Valley Levada instead – either way, you'll get a feel for the island's deep connection to water and nature.To wrap it all up, you'll stop at a bar for a proper taste of local life. You'll be welcomed with a regionally-crafted sidra and carne vinha d'alhos – marinated pork with a garlicky sauce – followed by sopa de trigo, Madeira's oldest traditional soup, cooked over a wood fire and served with a glass of red wine. After some live folklore music, you'll make your way to Ribeira de Machico, a valley lined with terraced farms that show just how much care locals have poured into this land for generations.

Clear water and colorful fish await you during this adventure in the Marine Eco Park, rent your equipment and have fun at your own pace. Includes a lesson prior to the self-guided tour.

At Fado & Fado, music and tradition come together as you step into the soundtrack of Madeira. In an intimate setting, performers guide you through the past and present of this emotional art form, sharing the stories behind each song. As you savour the music, enjoy a glass of Madeira wine, included with your ticket. It's an unhurried evening that feels less like a show and more like a shared moment of Portuguese culture.

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.

Explore the untouched coasts of Madeira Island on a thrilling speedboat ride. Dive into clear waters for a guided snorkelling adventure at Baia D'Abra.

Explore the East Tour of Madeira.Visit impressive natural such as with guide,Pico Do Arieiro& Balcoes small walk laurissival experience,Santana traditional house& Guindaste &Ponta S.lourenco penísula.

Sailing out of Funchal Marina, you'll take in impressive views of Madeira's south coast as you help yourself to the open bar. Watch, as over the course of your three-hour trip, the terrain changes from dramatic sea cliffs and volcanic rock formations to quiet fishing villages and the shady palms of the island's banana farms. The skipper will drop the anchor so you can swim and snorkel in the mild waters of the Atlantic Ocean. Plus, keep an eye out for whales and dolphin as it's a popular spot to see them.

Enjoy a 50-minute live music show with wine in Funchal. A relaxed and intimate experience featuring Portuguese Fado, with simple explanations — perfect for an easy evening activity.

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.

Discover the West Tour and learn about Madeira island on a Guided Tour. Admire the incredible views of Cabo Girão (Sky walk) WaterFall from above. Fanal Mysterious Fog Forest,Porto Moniz volcanic pool

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.

Embark on a boat trip and marvel at the fantastic Madeira sunset. Enjoy a buffet dinner with traditional foods and take a refreshing swim in the crystal clear waters of Calhau da Lapa.

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.

Madeira West is full of Mountains, cliffs, valleys, waterfalls, forest & Natural Lava pools with crystal clear waters and is best explored in a 4x4 Vehicle.

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.

Explore the island of Madeira on this guided jeep tour. Admire breathtaking views from Cabo Girão, see wild animals, marvel at the beauty of Seixal beach, and swim in the natural pools of Porto Moniz.

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

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.

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

Take a walk up to the highest point in Madeira, the Pico Ruivo peak. Enjoy spectacular views and a beautiful walk past volcanic rock with its lava veins and jagged peaks.

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

Have your first scuba diving experience in Funchal’s marine protected area under the supervision of a PADI professional. Practice in a pool, learn how to breathe, and get up-close to colorful fish.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.