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Our Top 8 Things to Do in Madeira
Our Top 8 Things to Do in Madeira
1. Funchal old Town walking tour
During our trip to Madeira, we booked a 'free' walking tour online where you pay what you think the tour was worth at the end. We love walking tours and it's always fun locating the coloured umbrella the tour guide carries! As you wander through the streets you can learn about the history of Madeira and its earliest settlers.
From tales of colonial wars to the demise of the Portuguese dictatorship, our tour guide shared with us stories of the island's past. We were shown historical sites, like the Customs House and the remnants of old city walls, now visible in only two locations. We also got to explore more recent history, including the COVID monument and the governance structures established when Madeira became an autonomous region.
One of the things we really enjoy about walking tours is that often the guide shares personal anecdotes. This time we got to hear about the devastating flood in 2010 that prompted extensive rebuilding efforts, shaping the cityscape we got to see during our visit. The guide offered insights into how this event shaped their own childhood and showed us markers on the buildings that show how high the water level rose during the flood.
2. Cable Car to Monte
2. Cable Car to Monte
Trust us when we say, the cable car is hands down the best way to reach Monte. We strongly advise against attempting the steep trek on foot, which could take up to an hour and might leave you exhausted before you even reach your destination. If you choose the cable car instead you can enjoy a smooth and scenic ride to Monte. In just 12 minutes, you'll be transported to this hillside district, enjoying the breathtaking views along the way.
Operating from 9 am to 5:45 pm, adult tickets are priced at €12.50 for a single trip or €18 for a round trip. If you’re planning on doing other sightseeing in Madeira you can consider combining your cable car experience with other attractions, such as the sightseeing bus for €32 or the botanical gardens and associated cable car for €35.
If you’re not a fan of heights and don’t fancy the cable car to Monte then taxis are available, but they can be pricey, averaging around €30 per car each way. There is also a bus alternative, but travellers prone to motion sickness may want to steer clear due to the winding roads.
Note: If you’re planning on doing the Toboggan rides in Monte then you might just want a single ticket on the cable car as the toboggan ends halfway back down the hill towards Funchal and you could make your own way back down.
3. Levada Hiking
Madeira is famous for its levada walks and we were keen to have a go during our visit. There are different routes so whether you’re after a heart-pumping challenge or just a leisurely stroll amidst nature, Madeira's levada hikes offer an unforgettable adventure for all.
During our Madeira trip, we tackled two distinct hikes: PR1 (rated hard) and PR8 (moderate). However, if you're seeking an easier option, we did some research and would recommend PR9. This scenic route boasts mostly flat terrain, winding its way through shaded forests, making it perfect for a more relaxed walk. Whichever option you pick, just remember to bring along some spare change for the restroom facilities, as many routes, including the ones we traversed, require a small fee (typically €0.5-1.0) for access.
PR1, spanning from Pico do Areeiro to Pico Ruivo and onward to Achada do Teixeira, is definitely for the fitter traveller. This challenging trail features over 1600 stairs, but offers spectacular views of the mountains and meanders through tunnels. The route is steep in parts and requires a descent and ascent of about 300m, but there is a handrail that provides added support, ensuring a safe hike. To reward your efforts, there are cafes near both peaks so you can stop for a break and enjoy the views no matter which direction you decide to walk the route.
Meanwhile, PR8 offers a more moderate experience, tracing the eastern coast peninsula for 3 kilometres each way. Along the way you can enjoy the panoramic views of the ocean to both the north and south of Madeira. At the end, you can take a breather at the base of the peak Casa do Sardinha at a café for refreshments before doing the remaining 20 mins to the top.
Navigating to the starting points of these hikes from Funchal can be a bit tricky, as there are limited public transportation options. We opted for organised transfers, where a convenient shuttle bus took us from our hotel to the trailhead, and picked us up at the endpoint afterward. We paid about £30 per person for each of our hikes for this service but there are tourist shops in town that offer specific hiking route transfers on each day for €27-30 if you prefer to book last minute and don't mind being flexible with your itinerary. The other option, which is especially financially efficient for groups, is to hire a taxi to the start point and arrange a pick up later in the day. In Madeira they use the Bolt app (works the same as Uber) and for the hikes we did, prices vary from £20-£40 each way depending on how far away the hike is.
4. Toboggan
4. Toboggan
Monte's famous toboggan rides are a must-do activity if you’re visiting Funchal. Prepare for a thrilling experience as you navigate round the corners and speed down the hill! It’s a 2-kilometre journey from Monte to Livramento aboard a traditional wicker sleigh, guided by two drivers wearing the iconic white attire and straw hats.
Our top recommendation: bring cash! Since we didn’t see any ATMs up in Monte, you'll need to have some euros on hand to pay. Pricing is per sleigh, not per person, with options available for 1 seat (€27.50), two seat (€35), or three seat (€52.50) sleighs.
After your toboggan ride, you'll have a couple of options for your return journey. For the fitter travellers, a 40-minute walk back up the hill to the Monte cable car is an option. Alternatively, hop in a taxi for a hassle-free ride either to the top of the cable cars or back to Funchal for €15.
Our pro tip from the locals: aim to ride the toboggans in the morning to beat the crowds because after lunch the queues can stretch up to an hour. Also, keep an eye on the port for cruise ships – when they're docked, queues can skyrocket, so plan accordingly!
5. Botanical Gardens
If you’re a nature lover then we definitely recommend Madeira's botanical gardens. With an entry fee of €7.50 per person, these gardens offer an escape into the island's botanical heritage.
To reach the botanical gardens, we hopped aboard a cable car from Monte, a convenient 10-minute walk from the Funchal-Monte cable car. Keep in mind, however, that the walk is quite steep. The botanical garden cable car is €14 but you could consider purchasing a combined ticket, which includes both the cable car ride and entry to the gardens, priced at €18.90.
If you're starting your visit from Funchal instead then there are plenty of bus options departing from the seafront promenade, offering easy access to the botanical gardens.
Alternative option: If you’re already in Monte and want to save a bit of money, then don’t pay for the cable car across to the botanical gardens. Instead, you could venture to the palace gardens for €15. These are located in Monte and offer a similar botanical experience, albeit with a slightly different ambiance. Shaded and sheltered, these gardens offer a tranquil respite from the sun. We didn't personally explore the palace gardens, opting instead for the botanical gardens, we found that one garden adventure was plenty for our trip!
6. Cabo Girão
At 589 metres high, Cabo Girão is the highest cliff in Europe and 3rd highest in the world. Thrill-seekers have even been known to take to the skies with paragliding and base jumping off the cliff's edge!
Entry to the skywalk, featuring a glass-floored platform suspended higher than the clouds, is just €2 per person, offering a heart-stopping perspective of the sheer drop below. Keep in mind that the platform can get quite busy, especially during peak seasons, though our visit during the off-season still had a busy crowd.
We visited here as part of a day trip and were given 30 minutes to explore and we think this was about long enough. You don't need a lengthy visit here, 30-40 mins is ample time to soak in the views.
Given that it's quite a long way out from Funchal and the relatively short visit duration, we recommend incorporating Cabo Girão into a day trip or joining a guided bus tour for a hassle-free experience.
7. Bus Tour
There are several options for the bus tour and you can choose the one that best suits your budget and what you want to see. We opted for the 3in1 tour which included Funchal, Câmara de Lobos and Cabo Girão, all for just €23 per person.
The Funchal tour takes you on a leisurely 2-hour route, offering insights into the island's traditional industries, local markets and gardens. Along the way, we learned about a park that transforms into a jazz festival venue each year and found out about upcoming events like the Madeira carnival, flower festival, and Atlantic festival. Plus, we caught a glimpse of the city's stadium, a venue primarily for football.
At the halfway mark, we had the opportunity to hop off at Câmara de Lobos and switch buses to embark on the Cabo Girão tour. Keep in mind, however, that buses to Cabo Girão depart only every 1-2 hours, so plan your timing accordingly if you prefer not to spend too long exploring Câmara de Lobos.
As we journeyed towards Cabo Girão, we enjoyed views of the island's agricultural terraces, banana plantations, and lush vineyards. The tour commentary pointed out starting points for hiking trails and offered glimpses into rural villages and towns along the way. Despite the shorter duration (about 15 minutes each way), this leg of the tour provided a deeper dive into Madeira's countryside and its rural life.
8. Nuns Valley
Nuns Valley is a popular tourist destination on the island that promises stunning mountain views and a glimpse into the lives of Madeira's mountain villages.
The village's main attraction is its church, a testament to the resilience of the nuns who built it as a refuge from an attack on Funchal. You can wander through the village's streets and pop into the occasional shop and visit the central cafe. With its serene ambiance and picturesque views, we found that 40 minutes to an hour was ample time to explore what the village has to offer.
Many tours offer a stop at the Nuns Valley as part of a broader itinerary, with the whole day trip costing €13-€24 depending on what other stops are included. We opted for the freedom of exploring at our own pace by taking the public bus. It cost us €3.35 each way on the bus to get to the Curral das Freiras (nuns valley) bus stop and took about 35mins.
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