Madeira is an enchanting destination in the heart of the Atlantic, offering a range of activities and excursions to suit all tastes. With its countless hiking trails, boat excursions, sporting activities such as surfing and canyoning, gastronomic delights and charming villages, this Portuguese island will appeal to lovers of nature, adventure and culture.
Here’s our selection of the best excursions and activities to plan during your stay, with our useful tips in pictures!
This opinion is completely independent, based on our experiences. We made our own choices, visited the area anonymously, and paid our bills in full.
Must-see excursions in Madeira – The essentials
Madeira has something for everyone, but in our opinion, you shouldn’t leave until you’ve done at least one of these activities on the island:
- Take a boat trip to see the dolphins – Find out more and book
Madeira is one of the best places in Europe for whale watching. - Hiking along a Levada – Find out more and book
Irrigation channels carved into the rock in the 16th century, typical of the Flower Island. - Canyoning – Find out more and book
Madeira is the ideal playground for canyoning and thrill-seekers. - Visit a botanical garden – Find out more and book
In the midst of its breathtaking scenery, the island boasts some wonderful gardens. - Defying gravity in a cable car – Find out more and book
Madeira has an impressive number of cable cars! - A taste of Madeira’s wine and gastronomy – Find out more and book
Traditional dishes such as espetada or bolo do caco and Madeira’s famous sweet wine. - Discover the Vallée des Nonnes and its cliffs – Find out more and book
This picturesque part of the island offers breathtaking scenery. - Swimming in the island’s natural volcanic pools – Find out more and book
It’s an experience not to be missed during your stay!
If you’d like to find out more, read on for details of the most interesting excursions, activities and guided tours to include in your stay on the Isle of Flowers.
WHERE TO STAY IN Madeira
Our independent picks for the accommodation of your dreams:
2. Best excursions for hiking
What you will see
Madeira is a paradise for hikers! We discovered breathtaking landscapes. This Portuguese island offers a diversity of exceptional trails, from picturesque levadas to breathtaking peaks, wild coastlines and lush forests. Not to mention its spellbinding volcanic landscapes. Whether you’re a seasoned hiker or an occasional walker, we’ve found Madeira has itineraries to suit all levels.
Our favorite excursions
- From Pico do Arieiro to Pico Ruivo: this is one of Madeira’s must-do hikes! You’ll discover the island’s 3 highest peaks. – Find out more and book
- Ponta de Sao Louranço: this excursion to Madeira’s volcanic headland, the famous “dragon’s tail”, takes in the island’s volcanic peninsula. – Find out more and book
- Levada das 25 Fontes: a breathtaking hike not to be missed. This is one of the most beautiful walks on the island! – Find out more and book
- Discover Madeira’s Laurissilva Forest, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This 20-million-year-old subtropical rainforest is one of the last remaining examples of the laurel forest. Find out more and book
To find out more, read our article dedicated to Madeira’s best hikes.
OUR TIPS FOR RENTING YOUR CAR AT Madeira
- Compare prices on our preferred platform: DiscoverCars – one of the best rated sites.
- Take a car with a good engine for hilly roads, but not too big for manoeuvring.
- There’s plenty of demand and few cars, so book early.
3. Best dolphin and whale watching boat trips
What you will see
Madeira is a prime destination for observing dolphins and whales in their natural habitat. There’s a good chance you’ll come across cetaceans on your observation tour. From leisurely catamaran excursions to more dynamic speedboat trips, there’s a wide range of options for exploring the Atlantic Ocean at your own pace. During our catamaran outing, we were also impressed by the breathtaking view of the island’s coastline!
Our favorite excursions
- Come aboard an eco-friendly catamaran and swim under Cabo Girão: our favorite – Find out more and make a reservation
- Set sail in a sailboat at sunset, in search of whales and dolphins. – Find out more and book
- Get on a speedboat to watch cetaceans for speed lovers – Find out more and book
- Treat yourself to a dream evening on board a sunset dinner cruise. – Find out more and book
To find out more, read our article dedicated to the best boat trips in Madeira.
4. Best sports and water activities
What you can do
Combining exploration and discovery, we warmly recommend that you include sporting and water sports activities in your Madeira holiday. With its rugged terrain, waterfalls, coastline and numerous rivers, the island offers something for everyone.
Our favorite excursions
- Let yourself be tempted by a surfing lesson on one of Madeira’s best spots! – Find out more and book
- Explore the island’s waterways on aguided canyoning excursion departing from Funchal. – Find out more and book
- Set off by kayak for a guided snorkeling excursion in the Garajau marine reserve! You’ll be able to observe Madeira’s marine fauna in its natural habitat and enjoy the coastal scenery – Find out more and book
To find out more, read our article dedicated to canyoning in Madeira.
OUR GUIDE TO PLANNING A Dream trip
- 7 maps that make planning easier
- + 120 pre-selected locations
- Practical advice
- + 260 photos to help you choose
5. Best guided tours of Funchal, the island’s capital
What you will see
Funchal, Madeira’s picturesque capital, is a blend of nature and culture. Nestled between verdant mountains and the Atlantic Ocean, it offers breathtaking panoramas. We recommend strolling through its charming cobbled streets on a guided tour. Here you’ll find the famous Lavradores market, the Monte Palace botanical garden, the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption and the Fortress of São Tiago.
Our favourite excursions and visits
- Discover the history of Funchal and Madeira on a guided walking tour of the medieval center. – Find out more and book
- Visit Madeira’s capital by Tuktuk! A fun and original option that allows you to cover more ground than you could on foot. – Find out more and book
- Visit the city on your own with the Hop-on and Hop-off Bus – Find out more and book
To find out more, read our article on what to do and where to go in Funchal.
6. Best food and wine tours
What you’ll discover
Discover Madeira’s gastronomy on a food tour, an authentic dinner or at your whim in one of the island’s markets. We enjoyed discovering emblematic dishes such as espetada, a delicious meat skewer, or the famous bolo do caco, a soft sweet potato bread. Don’t miss the unique Madeira Wine. We also have fond memories of the Madeira sauce and its deep, rich taste. Immerse yourself in this culinary universe and let yourself be seduced by the warmth of Madeiran hospitality!
Our favorite tours and food-tours
- Full-day excursion to Madeira’s vineyards with wine tasting and local cuisine – Find out more and book
- Food tour in Funchal – a cultural and tasting experience, discovering Madeira’s delicious traditional dishes and wine. Find out more and book
- Traditional meal and folk dancing: an evening of authenticity. Find out more and book
- Combine sport and gourmet pleasure on a gastronomic tour! – Find out more and book
To find out more, read our article dedicated to Madeira Wine.
OUR FAVORITE ACTIVITY IN Madeira
Catamaran tour to see dolphins and Madeira’s giant cliffs.
7. Best garden tours
What you will see
Madeira is, among other things, famous for its flowers and lush gardens. The island’s mild, humid climate makes it possible to grow a wide variety of plants, from tropical species to endemic flowers: in the gardens you’ll discover exceptional trees, collections of cacti and tropical plants and, often, beautiful views of the surrounding area.
Our favorite garden tours
- Discover the sumptuous Monte Palace Tropical Garden on a guided tour. Situated high above Funchal, it offers breathtaking views of the city and the ocean. – Find out more and book
- Explore one of Portugal’s most important botanical gardens by Tuktuk: the Funchal Botanical Garden. – Find out more and book
- If you’re the indecisive type, opt for a private tour of 2 of Madeira’s most spectacular gardens (Monte Palace and Tropical Garden). Find out more and book
8. Best cable car experiences
What you’ll discover
If you’re not too afraid of heights, don’t miss the chance to take one of Madeira’s cable cars down to a Faja (small farmland at the foot of the cliffs).
We learned that these gondolas were installed in the 20th century to facilitate access to the bottom of the cliffs for farmers. Before they settled here, they were forced to walk down the cliffs or go out to sea. Today, some are open to tourists, offering vertiginous descents and breathtaking panoramas.
Our favorite cable cars
- Discover a Fajã, a typical farmland accessible only by cable car, and enjoy an off-the-beaten-track experience. – Find out more and book
- Take to the skies with Funchal’s cable car: enjoy a view of the bay, visit the Monte district atop the mountains that surround the city. – Find out more and book
To find out more, see our article on Madeira’s cable cars.
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Other excursions in Madeira
- Get off the beaten track and explore Madeira’s agricultural side. Meet the farmers and taste the local produce. – Find out more and book
- Enjoy an unforgettable experience as you hurtle down the slopes of Funchal in a traditional wicker sled – Find out more and book
- Take a full-day catamaran cruise to discover the Desertas Islands. You can visit Madeira’s nature reserve and swim on one of the archipelago’s volcanic beaches. – Find out more and book
- Embarking for Porto Santo, Madeira’s neighboring island, is also an opportunity to experience the ferry. – Find out more and book
PLAN YOUR STAY IN Madeira
Best of
Things to do in Madeira
Most beautiful viewpoints
Madeira’s most beautiful beaches
Most beautiful gardens
Natural pools
Most beautiful hikes
Most beautiful roads
Secret places
Practical advice
Getting around Madeira
Rent a car in Madeira
Driving in Madeira
Itineraries: 3 days – 4 days – 5 days – 6 days – 7 days – 10 days
