Best Things to do in Madeira Island

Explore Madeira's top activities: hiking, wine-tasting, and stunning gardens.

Colorful seaside landscape with food and architecture.

Introduction to Madeira Island

Overview of Madeira

Nestled in the embrace of the Atlantic Ocean, Madeira Island is Portugal’s floating garden, a volcanic tapestry of green shades and rugged cliffs.

Why Visit Madeira

If spontaneous samba breaks on cobblestone streets and breathtaking landscapes tickle your fancy, then Madeira calls your name, loudly.

Explore Funchal

Visit the Mercado dos Lavradores

A kaleidoscope of colors and scents, Mercado dos Lavradores is where you find the freshest produce and the smiley old lady selling passion fruit bigger than your fist.

Wander Through the Zona Velha

Stroll through Zona Velha, the old town of Funchal, and let the painted doors tell you stories in a language beyond words.

Take the Monte Cable Car

Hop on the Monte Cable Car for views that’ll make you want to write bad poetry about clouds and the endless sea.

Natural Wonders of Madeira

Hike Along Levadas

Levadas, the island’s irrigation channels, offer hiking trails with more twists and turns than a telenovela. Get your walking boots ready!

Discover Pico do Arieiro

On a clear day at Pico do Arieiro, you can see forever, or at least to the next island.

See the Natural Swimming Pools of Porto Moniz

The Natural Swimming Pools of Porto Moniz are nature’s way of showing off its architecture skills – volcanic rock turned seaside pool complex.

Botanical Gardens and Parks

Monte Palace Tropical Garden

Monte Palace Tropical Garden is a place where plants from all over the world converge in a botanical melting pot.

Madeira Botanical Garden

Get lost in the Madeira Botanical Garden, but not literally, it’s a big place, and the staff wants to go home eventually.

Adventure Activities

Canyoning in Ribeira das Cales

Canyoning in Ribeira das Cales – suit up for a wet and wild adventure that’ll make you feel like a protagonist in an extreme sports shampoo commercial.

Paragliding off Madeira’s Cliffs

Take a leap and paraglide off Madeira’s cliffs. If you ever wanted to soar like an eagle but were born a human, here’s your chance.

Scuba Diving in Garajau Marine Reserve

Dive into Garajau Marine Reserve – it’s like a nightclub for fish, but you’re the awkward one that can’t breathe underwater.

Cultural Experiences

Taste Madeira Wine

Taste Madeira wine; it’s like regular wine, but it’s from Madeira, which makes all the difference.

Learn the History at Quinta das Cruzes Museum

Quinta das Cruzes Museum: walk through history without a time machine or questionable fashion choices from the past.

Enjoy a Traditional Espetada

Munch on a traditional Espetada – because meat on a stick always tastes better, it’s a universal truth.

Relax and Unwind

Sunbathe at Calheta Beach

Calheta Beach: where the sun caresses your skin, and the sand gets everywhere, but you don’t mind.

Indulge in a Spa Day at a Thermal Bath

Thermal bath spa day: because sometimes the best way to see Madeira is with cucumbers over your eyes, lying still.

Madeiran Cuisine

Sample Local Delicacies

From Bolo do Caco to Lapas, Madeira’s local delicacies will have you drooling like you’ve never seen food before.

Experience Madeira’s Seafood

Explore Madeira’s seafood – the fish practically jumps onto your plate, fresh and delicious.

Conclusion

Summing Up the Madeira Experience

Madeira is not just a destination; it’s a buffet of experiences that caters to the nature lover, the thrill-seeker, and the sommelier in all of us.

Final Tips for Your Visit

Pack your bags with an appetite for adventure, a taste for the finer sips in life, and maybe a waterproof jacket – just in case. Madeira awaits, and it’s ready to impress.

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About the author

At the helm of Remote Expeditions, Tristan adeptly combines exploration, photography, tour design, web development, and tour leadership, encapsulating the essence of a versatile travel entrepreneur. His mission is to offer a limited number of high-quality tours each year, ensuring an unparalleled travel experience steering clear of mass tourism. He aims to guide you towards the true essence of each destination, facilitating a deep connection with both nature and yourself.