Best things to do in Madeira

Madeira on your mind? Uncover the magic hidden on this scenic island.

A year-round comfy climate, volcanic views and spectacular scenery make Madeira the place to have your cake and eat it. And that’s only scratching the surface of the dazzling but dinky destination – this part of Portugal has heaps more to whet your appetite. From hiking misty peaks to trying a local dish, we’ve lined up the best things to do in Madeira.

Sound good? Read on for inspiration, then bag one of our best Madeira holiday deals – we’ll see you at the check-in desk.

Hike the island’s highest peak

It’s no secret the island’s emerald-green peaks are a big plus, and one of the best things to do in Madeira is the cloud-touching Pico de Arieiro hike. Impressive vistas on your wish list? This staircase-like mountain trail ticks them off with jagged peaks, lush green valleys and dramatic drops by the bucketload. Whether you’re starting at sunrise or heading to the trail’s observation deck to secure that sunset snap – we promise you won’t be disappointed.

Find flowers in Funchal

Famed for its Eden-like florals, Funchal’s a capital city covered in the green stuff. From bustling market stalls to terracotta terraces, there’s a lilac agapanthus or a scarlet hibiscus in bloom at every turn. One of the best things to do in Funchal? Take a tour of the Monte Palace Tropical Garden. Nestled in the hillside and home to over 100,000 plant species, you’ll find Mediterranean and Far East-influenced gardens landscaped to perfection – and backdropped by sweeping Atlantic Ocean views.

Whizz downhill on a toboggan ride

Calling all big kids! It’s not just about the gardens in the charming village of Monte – traditional toboggan rides have been cruising downhill to the cobbles of Livramento from this pretty place since the 1850s. Two-seater sledges fashioned from wood and wicker are guided by a pair of carreiros – men dressed in white-cotton clothing and straw hats. The sledges whizz down winding streets, reaching speeds of nearly 30mph. Take in the steep streets and mountain slopes as they blur past on this one-of-a-kind thrill-seeking ride.

Check out unique things to do in Funchal.

Pack a picnic for Porto Santo Beach

A day trip distance on the ferry from the mainland, Porto Santo Beach has a stretch of sand that’s second to none. Praia do Porto Santo is like something from a magazine shoot – its soft sands, blue skies and bluer waves feel worlds away from the black sand shores of its sister island, Madeira. Fancy picking up the pace? Take a speed boat across the island’s turquoise waters and stop off in dreamy snorkel spots – you might even spy a dolphin or two.

Check out the best things to do in Porto Santo.

Trek a levada

There are nearly 3,000 kilometres of artificial irrigation canals criss-crossing Madeira – or levadas if you’re fluent in Portuguese. Once used to ferry water from the mountainous north to the drier south, most have parallel hiking trails that take you deep into the island’s interior – a totally unique way to uncover its best bits. Our pick? Levada do Moinho offers valley vistas, pitch-black tunnels and tumbling waterfalls along its cliff-hugging path.

Taste a traditional dish

A mild climate and fertile soil make Madeira a real marvel in the food department, and you’ll find tasty plates of local produce wherever you sit down to dine. Savour the flavour of probably the most famous food, espetada – grilled beef cooked over hot coals and served on a bay tree skewer. Fancy some fish? Try peixe espada com banana. Combining fresh salty fish and a banana (no, really), this unique dish is a tastebud tickler. If you’re not bananas about bananas, you can swap it out for a drizzle of sweet but sharp passionfruit sauce.

Check out more things to do in Madeira.