Things to do in Madeira
Swim in a lava pool, walk a levada, watch the sun rise above the clouds and end the day with a poncha. These are the things I send friends to do, grouped by what you came for.
What did you come for?
All four photos are mine, from trips home.
Swim and get out on the sea
Madeira has few sandy beaches, but the Atlantic is the best thing about it: lava pools, pebble coves and boat trips from Funchal.
Every beach on one map →- Madeira beaches
Every beach and lava pool I recommend, by area, with my top three.
- Porto Moniz natural pools
Lava-rock pools on the north-west tip: one set free, one at €3 with lifeguards.
- Whale and dolphin watching
Three hours out of Funchal marina, with dolphins and pilot whales on most trips.
- Catamaran trips
A slower boat along the south coast, with a swim stop under the cliffs of Cabo Girão.
Walk the levadas and the peaks
Walking is the reason many people come. Every classified trail now needs a timed booking, so pick your walks before you fly.
The hiking guide →- Which hike suits you?
A free planner: a few easy questions and we suggest the walks that fit your group.
- Best hikes in Madeira
The walks most guides agree on, from the PR1 ridge to the levada waterfalls.
- PR1, Pico do Arieiro to Pico Ruivo
The ridge walk between the two highest peaks, above the clouds.
- PR8, Ponta de São Lourenço
The bare, windswept east tip of the island, with the sea on both sides.
- Booking a trail on SIMplifica
The booking step by step, the fees and a calculator for combined passes.
- Camping in the mountains
Where you can pitch a tent, and how to book a spot.
Viewpoints and mountain villages
The interior is so steep that a short drive takes you from the coast to above the clouds.
Every area of the island →- Pico do Arieiro
Sunrise at 1,818 m, often above a sea of cloud. The viewpoint is free; the PR1 needs a booking.
- Nuns Valley
A village at the bottom of a deep valley, seen from the Eira do Serrado viewpoint 1,095 m up.
- Fanal
Old laurel trees on a high plateau, at their best when the fog rolls in.
- Cabo Girão and Câmara de Lobos
A fishing harbour with the glass platform of Cabo Girão a short drive above it.
- Cristo Rei, Garajau
The whole bay of Funchal at sunset. The statue is closed to visitors for now; the view and the beach below are not.
Towns, food and poncha
Eat where Madeirans eat, drink poncha where it is made properly, and give Funchal at least one full day.
Places only locals use →- Funchal
The cable car to Monte, the market, the Old Town and the poncha bars.
- Caniço
Grill your own espetada at the butcher’s and finish with a poncha at a traditional venda.
- Ribeira Brava and Serra de Água
A town beach on the south coast, and my favourite poncha bar, Taberna da Poncha, up the valley.
- Paúl do Mar
A fishing village with what I think is the best sunset on the island.
- Hidden gems
A swim under the airport runway, a poncha in an old Funchal market shop and more.
- Christmas and New Year
The lights in Funchal and the New Year fireworks, if you come in December.
Tours worth booking
With a hire car you can skip most tours. These are the exceptions, and who each one is for.
- Whale and dolphin watching
Always. There is no way to do this one from the shore.
€40 an adult
- Sunset catamaran
You want the south coast from the water and a swim stop.
€40 an adult
- Pico do Arieiro sunrise
You would rather not drive the mountain road in the dark.
€250 a private jeep
- Jeep tour
You want the forest tracks a hire car cannot take.
€49 a person, half day
- Buggy tour
You want to drive the mud yourself.
€135 a buggy for two
- West or east day tour
You are not hiring a car. If you are, drive it yourself.
€39 a person by coach
Prices from the operators’ own sites and GetYourGuide, checked in October 2026; each guide names its source.
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Fit it all into your days
Tell us how long you have and we will put these in an order that saves you driving. A personal plan from our family is €149 for up to 5 days (€199 for 6 to 8), ready in 48 hours.
Questions about things to do in Madeira
What can you do in Madeira when it rains?
Rain in Madeira is often local. When the north coast and the mountains are in cloud, the south coast around Funchal can be dry, so check the forecast by area before you give up on the day. In Funchal you can spend a wet day at the market, in the Old Town and on the cable car to Monte. Heavy rain can close trails, so check before you walk.
Do you need a car to see Madeira?
For a stay of two days or more, a car is the easiest way, because Porto Moniz, Santana and the Pico do Arieiro sunrise are far from Funchal. Without one, stay in Funchal, use the buses and book one or two of the day tours above. The free “Do I need a car?” check in our getting-around guide gives you an answer for your trip.
What is there to do in Madeira with children?
Sand at Calheta and Machico, the pool complex at Porto Moniz with lifeguards and a children’s pool, and a whale-watching trip, which costs €20 for children under 12 with VMT. Most other beaches are pebbles straight into the open Atlantic, better for confident swimmers.
How many days do you need in Madeira?
Five days is the length I suggest most often. Our itineraries page shows how to fit the places on this page into 3, 5, 7 or 10 days.