Compare Madeira holidays

What to do in Madeira

With year-round good weather, Madeira is a fabulous place for activities under the sun. Hiking on mountain trails, easy-going rounds of golf, boat trips in search of whales and dolphins... Madeira holidays are all about the great outdoors.

Levada walking

Early Portuguese settlers carved a web of narrow stone channels out of Madeira's lush hinterland to carry water from springs 2000m (6000ft) above sea level to terraced fields and fertile plantations on lower slopes.

Today, trails follow almost 1400km (1000 miles) of this levada network through virgin laurel forests and wooded canyons, making Madeira a paradise for walkers. Choose between a range of easy-going strolls and stiffer hikes through breath-taking mountain scenery with amazing views.

Toboggan rides in Monte

Since the 19th century, the thrilling toboggan ride from Monte, high above Funchal, has been one the island's must-do experiences.

You'll ride in a two-seater wicker sled that slides on wooden runners, covering the pell-mell 4km (2-mile) descent in around 20 minutes, guided by white-costumed drivers who speed up and slow your toboggan using their feet. Even macho author Ernest Hemingway, who visited Madeira in 1954, was impressed by the experience.

Golf

Madeira may be less well-known as a golf destination than the Algarve, but its clement climate makes it a perfect place for a last-minute golf break.

Two outstanding designer courses beckon golfers. Laid out by Robert Trent Jones, the 27-hole Santo da Serra Golf Club hosts the annual Madeira Open, while the Porto Santo Golf – designed by the legendary Severiano Ballesteros – offers two nine-hole circuits.

Whale watching

Almost 30 kinds of whale and dolphin, from giant sperm whales and fin whales to orcas and small Atlantic spotted dolphins, visit the warm seas around Madeira. The best time to look for these amazing sea creatures is between April and October, but sperm whales linger in Madeira's waters all year round.

Half-day whale-spotting trips by catamaran or inflatable leave from Funchal and can be booked through most Madeira hotels.

Where to stay in Madeira

For families

If you're planning a holiday with kids, and sandy beaches are top of your wish list, look at Porto Santo for cheap deals at all-inclusive hotels. Many have a great choice of family activities and facilities, from kids' clubs to babysitting and toddler-friendly pools.

You'll also find family-friendly hotels near Funchal, where kids can enjoy the seawater pools and play areas at the Lido waterfront complex.

For food and drink

Rua Santa Maria in the old town is the heart of Funchal's eating and drinking scene. You'll find restaurants serving up typical Madeiran seafood dishes such as deep-fried espada (scabbardfish) with roast banana, polvo (octopus), lapas (limpets) and cozido à Madeirense (Madeiran stew), a hearty mixture of salt pork, sausage and sweet potatoes.

Make a foodie pilgrimage to Canical to try the local specialty, castanheta – tiny freshly caught fish that are fried and served with a squeeze of lemon.

For nightlife

Stay in Funchal to be where Madeira's nightlife action is. Don't expect giant Ibiza-style venues with VIP rooms and foam parties – but you can mingle with lively locals at weekends in clubs, discos and music bars in the old town and in the Lido area, on the Funchal waterfront.

You'll also find dinner and cabaret shows in top hotels in and around Funchal and at all-inclusive resorts around Madeira and on Porto Santo.

For culture

Funchal is Madeira's cultural hub, hosting key events such as the annual Carnival and festivals dedicated to jazz, cinema and literature. The Teatro Municipal Baltazar Dias is the island’s main venue for performances of classical music and dance.

Funchal is also home to historic buildings such as the Sé cathedral, the Quinta das Cruzes and the Museu de Arte Sacra, a treasury of lavish religious art housed in a 17th-century bishop's palace.