Madeira Holidays

Sightseeing

These are some of the best things to do on a Madeira holiday.

• Funchal Old Town – You’ll find street art here, including the Painted Doors Project, alongside cafés, bars and some of the island’s best seafood restaurants. The area’s compact and easy to explore on foot, making it ideal for a laidback afternoon or evening, with live music and lots of places to stop for a drink.

• Natural lava pools of Porto Moniz – The natural lava pools at Porto Moniz are one of Madeira’s most popular outdoor spots – they were carved out by volcanic lava flows and are naturally filled by the Atlantic Ocean. It’s also only around a 45‑minute drive from Funchal, making it an easy daytrip.

• Monte Toboggan ride – The Monte Toboggan ride is one of Madeira’s most well‑known attractions – you sit in a wicker sledge and travel down the steep streets of Monte, guided by two drivers in traditional dress. Most visitors pair it with the Monte cable car, which offers wide views over Funchal on the way up, before taking the toboggan back down.

Outdoor adventures

Madeira is a popular choice if you like spending time outdoors.

• Levada walks – Levada walks are one of the most popular ways to explore Madeira’s landscapes on foot. These scenic trails follow old irrigation channels that weave through forests, tunnels, cliffsides and mountain paths. While some routes are flat and straightforward, others are more challenging, depending on the terrain and distance.

• Madeira Botanical Garden – The Madeira Botanical Garden sits above Funchal and is home to a wide variety of plants and flowers. You’ll find species from around the world, set across terraced gardens with views over the city and coastline – plus it’s easy to get there via the Monte cable car.

• Cabo Girão Skywalk – Cabo Girão is best suited to those who are comfortable with heights, as this glass viewing platform is set on one of Europe’s highest sea cliffs. The transparent floor looks straight down to the ocean, and offers clear views to the coastline below.

Shopping

Shop for a souvenir to bring home and help you remember your holiday to Madeira.

• Local shopping – If you’re after something locally made, start at Mercado dos Lavradores in Funchal. You’ll find fresh fruit, flowers, handmade crafts and spices that are easy to bring home. From there, wander down Rua Dr. Fernão de Ornelas for a mix of boutiques and classic Portuguese shops, and for higher‑end pieces, Artesanato do Terreiro is a good place to look.

• Shopping malls – Madeira Shopping is the biggest mall on the island – you’ll find popular fashion brands, technology shops and plenty of cafés. Forum Madeira is also a good option – this open‑air mall has a wide mix of shops and coffee spots, while Anadia Shopping works well for quick essentials.

Festivals & events

Time your trip with one of Madeira’s festivals and events.

• Carnival of Madeira, February and March – Madeira’s carnival is lively and often compared to Rio’s, with feathers, sequins and samba – just on a smaller scale. There are two main parades – one with a high‑energy feel, and another that’s more relaxed, focusing on homemade costumes and local traditions.

• Flower Festival, April and May – Every spring, colourful floral floats, petal‑covered street carpets and children in traditional costumes fill the streets of Funchal. It has a fairytale feel, with live music, local markets and a large flower wall to look out for.

• Madeira Wine Festival, late August to early September – This festival celebrates the island’s wine‑making traditions with tastings, grape‑stomping, re‑enactments, parades and plenty of live music. It’s lively without feeling overly touristy, and there are lots of chances to sample Madeira wine.

• New Year's Eve fireworks – Imagine the whole city skyline lit up, with the fireworks perfectly synced to music and reflected on the ocean. The streets are lively and boats fill the bay, so it’s worth booking your dinner or firework‑viewing spot in advance to avoid missing out.

Family-friendly attractions

Find out about some of Madeira’s best family-friendly attractions.

• CR7 Museum (Cristiano Ronaldo Museum) – Cristiano Ronaldo was born in Funchal, and a visit to the CR7 Museum is a popular stop for football fans. The museum is interactive, with trophies, digital displays and personal stories celebrating Madeira’s most famous local.

• Santana traditional houses – Known as Casas de Santana, these colourful, triangle-shaped cottages give a glimpse into Madeira’s rural history. There are small shops and cafés nearby so you can easily grab a snack and make a day of it.

Beaches

Madeira’s beaches tend to be pebbly coves, but there are a few sandy spots, too.

• Praia Formosa, Funchal – If you’re staying in Funchal and looking for a beach day, Praia Formosa is a popular option. It's the biggest public beach on the island, with a mix of pebbles and black sand. You’ll find beach bars, showers and lifeguards here, plus it’s the perfect place to watch the sunset.

• Calheta Beach – Calheta Beach is one of the only beaches on Madeira where they imported sand from Morocco to create a sandy beach. Calm waters make it a popular choice for swimming, plus it’s right next to a marina packed with cafés and ice-cream shops.

• Seixal Beach – This secluded beach has soft black sand, dramatic cliffs and an untouched feel that you don’t find in most touristy spots.

Classic dishes

Find out about some of Madeira’s most popular dishes.

• Espada com banana – Espada com banana pairs black scabbard fish with fried banana and is widely found across the island.

• Espetada – If you like grilled meat, then try espetada – chunky beef cubes are seasoned with garlic, bay leaves and salt, then grilled over open flames and served hanging from massive skewers. You usually soak up the juices with bolo do caco (Madeira’s traditional bread).

• Bolo do caco – A soft, slightly chewy flatbread cooked on a hot stone slab (‘caco’ means stone) and drenched with garlic butter. You’ll find it as a starter, a side or even stuffed with meats or octopus.

• Lapas – If you’re feeling adventurous, then order a plate of lapas – grilled limpets sizzling in garlic butter and lemon. They're Madeira’s version of clams, but much meatier.

Wine

Madeira wine is one of the island’s best exports, so tastings are very popular with visitors.

• Madeira wine – A fortified wine, meaning it’s boosted with a little extra alcohol and it’s famous for its long shelf life. The secret to Madeira wine is it’s heated and oxidized on purpose during production, giving it that deep, caramelised, slightly nutty flavour that stands out from anything else you’ll taste. It comes in styles from dry to sweet, so there’s something for everyone.

Car hire

Renting a car is a great idea if you want to see the sunset, visit hidden waterfalls and explore more isolated villages at your own pace. Just know that the island’s roads can get quite steep and twisty, and automatic cars are available, but it’s good to reserve quite far in advance because they get booked up quickly.

Bus

Madeira's buses are great if you’re sticking around Funchal or hopping between big tourist spots – they’re cheap and reliable – but in more remote spots you might be waiting a bit, so it’s worth checking the local timetable.  

Taxi

Taxis are everywhere in Madeira – look out for the yellow and blue striped vehicles. While they often run meters, it's recommended to double-check the price before you set off (and if they take card.) Also, Bolt works in Madeira, so you can use the app if you find that easier.

Cable car

Hop on a cable car for panoramic views. The Funchal-Monte line feels like you're floating over a jungle, plus it drops you right near tropical gardens and cafés.