Things to Do in Madeira

Browse our listings of fun things to do in Madeira

About Madeira

At the heart of the Atlantic ocean halfway between Portugal and Africa, you'll find the subtropical islands of Madeira. Here tranquil beaches are lapped by a sea whose warmth attracts dolphins, whales and a wealth of other marine life from miles around. These small islands are awash with bright and beautiful flowers all year around earning Madeira the nickname of 'the floating garden'.

The islands' turbulent and volcanic birth has left them with a dramatic landscape of towering sea cliffs, rugged peaks and plateaus, deep gorges, waterfalls and river valleys and a rich soil perfect for cultivating fruit such as vines, cherries and bananas. The dense primeval forest has been designated a world heritage site by UNESCO and there are six other nature reserves and parks that are home to some of the most unusual fauna and flora in the world.

Madeira enjoys warm summers and mild winters with average temperatures around 20ºC. There is plenty of sunshine but obviously as island they can also be windy or rainy.

Things to do in Madeira

Madeira's mild climate means that you can enjoy being outside all year round. The natural beauty and tranquility of these islands lends themselves to quiet exploration. So to get to the heart of the islands why not leave the car behind and set out on foot, by bike or horseback? The islands are famous for their levada walks- narrow winding pathways that follow the old watercourses over hilltops, through terraced orchards and down steep valleys. A head for heights is sometimes a good thing but the views from these unusual walks are breathtaking and well worth the effort.
Adrenalin junkies may know that Madeira is one of Europe's top destinations for canyoning. In canyoning your aim is to make your way down the steep canyons and gorges of mountain rivers by any means possible- scrambling, jumping, swimming, climbing, abseiling you name it! The coastline, with its deserted beaches, coves and islands, offers some of the world's best diving, big game fishing and dolphin and whale watching or just take a boat out and enjoy the spectacular scenery.

At the end of the day head into one of the historic towns to watch the sun go down over a big bowl of fresh seafood or the islands' famous wine and cake. If you can why not plan your visit to coincide with the New Year's Eve celebrations and the world's biggest firework display?

Getting to Madeira

The sub-tropical archipelago of Madeira is located in the North Atlantic, 535 miles (860km) from Lisbon and 360 miles (580km) from the African coast. There are direct flights to Madeira from Portugal, UK, Ireland. Germany, USA, South Africa amongst other countries.

Plan your Holiday

Things to Do in Madeira

Explore Madeira by land and sea Get closer to the wild beauty of Madeira’s islands in your own way. Choose between dolphin and whale watching, bird watching, sailing, canyoning and diving. Our specialist guides will show you fascinating wildlife and breathtaking landscapes making sure that this is one holiday you’ll never forget.

Walking Tours in Portugal, Madeira and the Azores Our walks are designed and led by experienced, enthusiastic walkers who want to show you each region's most beautiful scenery and give you a taste of its history, culture, wildlife and gastronomy. We offer day tours in Lisbon, the Algarve and Madeira and relaxing guided and self guided walking holidays throughout Portugal, Madeira and the Azores. Read more...