The best things to do in Madeira
- Jul 21
- 4 min read
The Madeira archipelago consists of eight islands, two of which are inhabited. However, most visitors only explore one of them: the main island of Madeira. This island lies in the Atlantic Ocean, to the west of Morocco, and is also known as the Flower Island or the Island of Eternal Spring. Temperatures remain mild and pleasant throughout the year, making Madeira a great destination in every season. During spring and summer, you will find countless flowers across the island. However, even in February, when we visited, there were still plenty of flowers to see, mainly thanks to the mild temperatures.
Madeira is not a particularly large island, but there is plenty to do. Below, you will find our favourite things to do in Madeira.
Walk Along Madeira’s Levadas or Hike Pico do Areeiro
Madeira is famous for its many beautiful hiking trails. The island’s official walking routes are marked as PR trails. On the Visit Madeira website, you can find information about all these hikes, including their difficulty, length and current accessibility. Always check the latest conditions before setting off. Some trails may be closed during winter or temporarily inaccessible because of maintenance work, landslides or weather conditions.
Important: Since 2026, you need to make a reservation and purchase a ticket before hiking an official PR trail. The general admission fee is €4.50 per person for non-residents over the age of twelve. This allows Madeira to manage visitor numbers, protect the natural environment and prevent the most popular trails from becoming too crowded.
One of the best-known hikes is PR1, which starts at Pico do Areeiro and normally connects several of Madeira’s highest peaks. However, sections of this route can be closed or restricted, so always check the official trail status when planning your hike.
Visit the misty Fanal Forest
Fanal Forest is located in the north-west of Madeira. To reach it, you need to drive quite a long way uphill. We therefore recommend renting an automatic car or choosing one with a slightly more powerful engine. Our manual Peugeot 208 struggled quite a bit on some of Madeira’s extremely steep roads.
Fanal lies high in the mountains, between Seixal and Ribeira da Janela. Clouds and mist regularly drift through the ancient laurel forest, creating an almost magical atmosphere.
During the morning, there is often low-hanging mist between the trees, which creates wonderfully mysterious photographs. However, the mist is never guaranteed. On a clear day, Fanal is still a beautiful place to visit, with green fields, ancient trees and peaceful walking routes.
Go whale and dolphin watching in Madeira
Dolphins can be spotted around Madeira throughout the year. Depending on the season, you may also see several species of whales. Madeira is therefore the perfect place to book a dolphin- and whale-watching tour. The waters around the island are home to or visited by many different cetacean species. Several boats leave the harbour every morning and afternoon in search of dolphins and, hopefully, whales. Animal welfare is taken seriously, and licensed operators must follow regulations governing how boats approach and remain near the animals. This is important, as sightings take place in the wild and the animals should never be chased or surrounded.
Of course, no tour can guarantee a whale or dolphin sighting, but simply sailing along Madeira’s beautiful coastline is already a wonderful experience.
Take a road trip along Madeira’s coast
Besides its hiking trails, Madeira has plenty of beautiful viewpoints that require little or no walking. Because you do not need to spend a long time at each location, you can plan an amazing road trip connecting several of these viewpoints. Driving around Madeira is one of the best ways to see how varied the island is. Within a single day, you can travel past steep cliffs, green mountains, small villages, waterfalls and dramatic coastal scenery. Bear in mind that many roads are steep, narrow and winding. Take your time, drive carefully and do not blindly follow your navigation system down tiny local roads.
Taste traditional Madeira wine
You will find several wineries and wine producers in Funchal and other parts of Madeira.
Of course, you can also try regular table wines made on the island, but one of the most enjoyable activities in Funchal is booking a traditional Madeira wine tasting. Blandy’s Wine Lodge in Funchal is a lovely place to visit. You can book a guided tour and taste several Madeira wines in the tasting room. The historic wine lodge still stores hundreds of barrels and vats in which its wines are aged. Madeira wine tastes somewhat similar to port, although its character depends greatly on the grape variety, ageing process and sweetness level. You can usually choose between younger and older wines, such as three-, five- or ten-year-old varieties. Madeira wine is also available in several styles, ranging from dry and medium-dry to medium-rich and sweet. A tasting is a fun way to learn more about one of Madeira’s best-known products and, of course, to decide which variety you like best.
