Madeira trips and vacations

Pull on your hiking boots and head for Madeira’s interior to walk alongside centuries-old irrigation channels called ‘levadas’. Choose from a variety of different routes that pass through forests, by waterfalls and over rocky mountains. Many are remote, and some are quite challenging. Make sure you’re fully equipped, or consider hiring a guide.

No trip to Madeira is complete without an adrenaline-pumping ride on a Monte toboggan sled. Strapped to a wheeled wicker basket, you’ll race down a steep slope from Monte village into Funchal, pushed by two men known as ‘carreiros’. They use their rubber-soled boots as brakes, keeping speeds down to an acceptable level.

Madeira is famous for its fortified Madeira wine, but the island is also a major rum producer. Make time during your Madeira vacation to tour a distillery and learn about its centuries-old history. Then try the goods in a ‘poncha’, a potent traditional drink made from rum, citrus juice and honey.

If you want to be at the heart of the action, the 500-year-old city of Funchal is the best area to stay in Madeira. Wander cobbled lanes, visit galleries and churches, and check out the latest street art. Then head to the Madeira Botanical Garden, which is full of wild and wonderful flora, some native to the archipelago.

Good for: History, gardens, art galleries

Nature lovers wondering where to stay in Madeira should look no further than Sao Vicente. It sits at the heart of the Laurissilva, an ancient subtropical rainforest where hiking, biking and climbing are first class. Make time to visit picturesque hilltop villages and walk through an underground network of lava tunnels known as the Sao Vicente Caves.

Good for: Walking, hilltop villages, nature

If you’re looking for a heavy dose of sun, sand and sea, head for Ponta do Sol on Madeira’s west coast. The sunniest, warmest part of the island, it’s ideal for lazy days on the beach and active days on the ocean. Can’t resist a hike? Get up to Paul da Serra, a vast plateau of hiking trails and panoramic views.

Good for: Beaches, watersports, hiking

The only serious place for shopping in Madeira is Funchal. For international brands, try the city’s shopping malls. Or stroll along Rua Dr Fernao de Ornelas, the city’s main shopping street, for everything from chic boutiques to vintage stores. In search of traditional embroidery or Madeiran honey cake? Try the pedestrian streets around the cathedral.

Restaurants in Madeira range from family-run bistros to Michelin-starred institutions. Many of the best ones share a love for local ingredients. Try ‘espada com banana’, a battered black scabbard fish served with fried bananas. Or go for ‘espetada’, which is beef marinated in garlic and bay leaves, traditionally served skewered onto bay wood.

Museums in Madeira can give you the lowdown on everything from wine production to whaling and military history. Highlights include the Sacred Art Museum of Funchal, which is set in a stunning 16th-century palace, and the CR7 Museum, a shrine to Madeiran-born living soccer legend Cristiano Ronaldo.

Most beaches in Madeira are rocky and pebbled, so you’ll need a good pair of water shoes. If you’d rather go barefoot, Praia do Porto do Seixal has a dramatic sweep of volcanic black sand. Madeira’s tidal pools, formed from volcanic rock, are magical places for swimming. The most dramatic are the Seixal Natural Pools on the island’s north coast.

You’ll find the best nightlife in Madeira in Funchal. The Old Town is full of pubs, cocktail bars and clubs, but things don’t get going until midnight, when the locals begin their nights. Banana’s Pub is a long-standing favorite, while the luxury Savoy Palace hotel wows visitors with its elegant rooftop Galaxia Skybar.

Yes, there are water parks and man-made beaches here, but the best things to do with the family in Madeira involve the island’s wildlife. For a magical marine experience, book a catamaran trip to see whales, dolphins and seabirds in the wild. You’ll find plenty of responsible operators to choose from.