Things to do in Madeira
Sort
Pico Arieiro to Pico Ruivo: Madeira's Highest Peak HikeYou hike between Madeira's two highest mountains on a technical ridge trail with carved stairways and mountain tunnels. Transport from Funchal is included, so you start rested and finish without arranging your own way down. The route takes 6–7 hours total and demands high fitness; on clear days you walk above the clouds, and on cloudy ones you're inside them.Is it for me?Book this if you're a strong hiker looking for Madeira's most technical ridge walk and don't want to arrange your own transport to the high peaks — the vehicle pickup means you arrive fresh and the fixed route keeps the navigation simple on exposed terrain.
Funchal West Tour: Waterfalls, Natural Pools & Cabo GirãoYou'll visit five distinct stops across Madeira's western coast — a working fishing village, a glass cliff walkway, forest trails, ocean swings and volcanic pools beneath a waterfall. Lunch is included at the main swimming stop, and the tour handles all the driving and timing, so you only have to show up and move between places. Entrance fees for Cabo Girão and the natural pools are separate, but everything else is arranged.Is it for me?Pick this if you want to see the quieter, wilder side of Madeira in one day without renting a car or planning stops — the fixed route covers five different landscapes and a swim, which is what makes a full west-coast day possible in the time you have.
Madeira: Private 4x4 Jeep Day Trip East or West IslandYou’ll ride an open-roof jeep across Madeira’s dramatic east or west, stopping for mountain views at Pico do Areeiro or dipping your toes in volcanic pools at Porto Moniz. With a local guide leading the way and pickup from Funchal included, expect real stories and unexpected moments—like tasting bread in Santana or feeling Atlantic winds whip your hair.
Madeira West: Fanal Forest Walk, Cabo Girão Skywalk & Porto Moniz PoolsYou’ll taste Poncha with locals in Câmara de Lobos, step onto the Cabo Girão glass skywalk high above Madeira’s coast, wander through Fanal’s ancient misty forest with your guide, and dip into Porto Moniz’s volcanic pools after lunch. Expect real moments—salty breezes, mossy trees under your fingers—and plenty of time to pause where it matters most.
Madeira Sunset Boat Tour from Funchal: Private Sailing & Cabo GirãoYou board a private sailboat in Funchal and spend the evening gliding past Madeira's most dramatic coastline as the light changes. Sparkling wine and snacks come with the ticket, and you might see dolphins or whales if the ocean cooperates. The boat has cabins and a bathroom, so anyone who needs to step inside can. You return to Funchal as the last light fades.Is it for me?Book this if you want the Madeira sunset experience without the crowded harbor tours or the logistics of renting your own boat — the private boat and the timing around sunset are what make an evening on the water feel like your own discovery instead of a scheduled stop.
Funchal: Pico Arieiro 4x4 Safari & Santana Levada WalkYou ride an open jeep to Madeira's third-highest peak, stop in a traditional village for local poncha and food, walk a 2km levada through forest, and return to your hotel without arranging transport or timing yourself. Small groups (max 8) mean you're with a local guide who knows the backroads, not in a convoy.Is it for me?Pick this if you want the mountain scenery and local village experience without renting a car or timing yourself between stops—the small group size and local guide mean you're actually exploring Madeira instead of checking boxes in a convoy.
Madeira: Beginner Canyoning Adventure with Transfers & PhotosYou’ll wake up inside Madeira’s wild green canyons—sliding down rocks, abseiling beside waterfalls, jumping into clear pools (or skipping jumps if you want). With local guides handling gear and transfers, you’ll just focus on laughing, shivering a bit, and feeling alive in places most people never see.
Madeira: Vespa Primavera 24hr Rental with Helmets & GearYou’ll feel every curve of Madeira’s wild roads on a Vespa Primavera—wind in your face, sun on your arms, stopping whenever something catches your eye. With all gear included and total freedom to explore villages or coastlines at your pace, this day is yours to shape—and maybe you’ll find your own favorite wrong turn.
Madeira Jeep Safari: Porto Moniz Volcanic Pools & Santana HousesYou’ll ride an open-top jeep from Funchal with a local guide through misty UNESCO forests, dip your hand into volcanic pools at Porto Moniz, taste honey cake in Santana village, and share laughs with fellow travelers on muddy mountain roads. Expect unexpected moments — and maybe a new favorite view.
Madeira: Private 4x4 Jeep Full Day West & East RoutesYou ride in a 4x4 jeep through terrain regular cars can't access, choosing between the west coast (Porto Moniz, black sand beaches, fishermen's village) or the east (Santana villages, Pico do Arieiro, Laurissilva forest). Your local guide navigates narrow mountain tracks, stops at waterfalls and ocean viewpoints, and includes a swim at Porto Moniz or time to explore traditional villages. The full day covers significant ground without feeling crowded because groups stay small and the vehicle is built for the terrain.Is it for me?This suits travelers who want to reach the parts of Madeira that regular cars can't access and prefer a small group and a local driver over a crowded tour bus—the private vehicle and narrow mountain routes are what make those remote valleys and coastal cliffs actually reachable in a single day.
Madeira Island: Half Day Cruise with Lunch & SnorkelingYou’ll feel the Atlantic breeze as you cruise along Madeira’s coast, stopping to swim and snorkel beneath dramatic cliffs at Calhau da Lapa. Enjoy homemade lunch and unlimited drinks on deck while your local guide shares stories about life along these shores. The small moments—fresh coffee after swimming or laughter over dessert—make this half-day cruise linger in your memory.
Madeira East: Pico do Arieiro, Santana Houses & São Lourenço Day TripYou’ll ride high above clouds at Pico do Arieiro, wander laurelwoods near a trout farm, explore Santana’s famous triangle houses over lunch, and feel Atlantic wind at Ponta de São Lourenço—all with a local guide who shares stories along every bend. Expect moments that stick with you long after you’ve left Madeira’s east behind.
Madeira: 4x4 Day Trip Volcanic Pools & Paul da Serra PlateauYou’ll ride an open-top 4x4 from Funchal through wild northwest Madeira—think volcanic pools at Porto Moniz, misty Paul da Serra Plateau, laurel forests, sea cliffs and small villages with a local guide who knows everyone by name. Includes hotel pickup and drop-off plus a chance to swim if weather allows—expect laughter and muddy shoes.
Funchal: Sunset Catamaran Cruise with Dolphin WatchingYou’ll sail out from Funchal on a catamaran as daylight fades, watching dolphins or maybe whales glide by while you listen to local stories from your guide. There’s time to swim beneath those wild Madeiran sunsets before drifting back toward shore—salt on your skin and colors still stuck in your head.
Madeira: 2-Day Island Tour with Natural Pools & Pico do ArieiroYou’ll ride along cliff roads, walk above clouds at Pico do Arieiro, dip into volcanic pools at Porto Moniz, and wander among Santana’s straw-roofed houses. With a local guide sharing stories and an air-conditioned ride across Madeira’s wild corners, you’ll feel more than just a tourist — you’ll feel part of the island’s rhythm.
Madeira: Sunrise Ponta de Sao Lourenco Private Tour & ViewpointsYou’ll wake before dawn for a private sunrise walk on Madeira’s Ponta de Sao Lourenco, sipping hot tea as day breaks over wild cliffs. With your local guide leading you along coastal trails, you’ll reach hidden viewpoints and pause where silence feels natural. After sunrise, you’ll stop at more scenic overlooks before returning to your hotel mid-morning — probably still thinking about those colors.
Madeira: Ponta de São Lourenço Snorkeling Trip with GuideYou’ll slip into clear Atlantic water at Ponta de São Lourenço with a local guide beside you, learning quirky facts about Madeira’s marine life as you float above colorful fish and volcanic rocks. Expect salty air, laughter over mispronounced Portuguese fish names, and that rare underwater calm that lingers long after you dry off.
Funchal: Pico do Arieiro & Santana Electric Tour with PickupYou travel in a quiet electric vehicle through Madeira's eastern highlands and coast, starting at Pico do Arieiro's 1,818-meter peak and descending through a forest levada walk to the village of Santana for lunch. You stand on a glass viewpoint above the ocean and explore the windswept cliffs of Ponta de São Lourenço. Hotel pickup and drop-off in Funchal are included, and the small group size means the pace adjusts to your interests rather than a fixed schedule.Is it for me?Book this if you want to see Madeira's eastern highlands and coast in one day without driving yourself or arranging separate transport and timing—the small group size and flexible pace mean you spend time where you want instead of rushing between stops on a fixed schedule.
Madeira: Porto Moniz 4x4 Jeep Safari & Natural PoolsYou ride in an open jeep through Madeira's remote northwest, climbing to a mountain plateau at 1,500 meters with stops for photos and a levada walk if weather permits. Lunch and a swim happen in Porto Moniz's natural volcanic pools, then you descend the north coast past waterfalls and coastal villages before finishing with a homemade poncha. Hotel pickup and the private jeep are included; lunch and the levada walk are optional.Is it for me?Choose this if you want to see Madeira's remote valleys, plateaus, and waterfalls in one day without renting a car or planning the route yourself—the private jeep and driver handle navigation, timing, and the flexibility to stop whenever something catches your eye.
Madeira Island: Santana & Ponta de São Lourenço Full-Day TourYou start at a mountain peak with views across the island, pass through the northeast's dramatic coastline at Ponta de São Lourenço, stop in Santana for lunch among its famous thatched houses, and visit a rum factory. An optional 45-minute forest walk through UNESCO-protected Laurel Forest can be added if booked in advance. Transport is in an air-conditioned vehicle and the tour suits all fitness levels.Is it for me?Book this if you want to see Madeira's contrasting landscapes—mountains, coast, and village culture—without arranging transport or timing between stops. The fixed itinerary and included lunch mean you're not deciding what to do each hour; the optional forest walk lets you add depth if you plan ahead.
