Things to do in Madeira

Nat Geo Day Tour: Sustainable Agriculture in Quinta Pedagógica da Camacha

Drive through Funchal's bustling town and Madeira's magnificent rolling hills towards Quinta Pedagogica da Camacha, a small farm committed to sustainable agriculture. Here, your National Geographic-trained guide will offer insights into the region and introduce you to the farm's owner, Bruno Santos. Having left accounting for agriculture, Bruno now dedicates his life to helping his neighborhood through sustainable farming, a lowered environmental footprint, and community outreach. Follow Bruno through flowering groves as you explore the grounds. You'll learn about the many uses for their freshly grown herbs and visit their strawberry plantation. Observe the fields and poios—what Madeirans call the terraced areas where they grow their crops—as you learn about the farm's produce and animal husbandry. The farm is home to various animals including chickens, goats, sheep, and more. There's even a small market Bruno created, to help other local vendors reach their greater community, inspired by the ‘buy local' mantra. You'll also experience a host of seasonal activities, offered exclusively to National Geographic travelers. Harvest ripe fruits and learn the proper techniques for sowing seeds in a planting workshop. This hands-on learning environment brings Bruno's sustainability and bio-friendly philosophy to life. Afterwards, you'll relax and enjoy refreshing tea brewed from the farm's own herbs, as well as homemade cakes, toast, and jams preserved from local fruits.

Madeira South Coast Cruise on Living Sea with Lunch

Madeira's southwest coast is the star of this all-inclusive cruise. After setting out from the port in Funchal, you'll head up the coast to Cais da Lapa for some swimming. The best part is that with a maximum of 52 guests on board, you'll have all the space and attentive service you need.

Enchanting East Madeira Tour with Lunch in Santana

The knockout natural beauty of eastern Madeira is in the spotlight on this full day tour. You'll have your head in the clouds at Pico do Areeiro, walk next to cute thatched houses in Santana, have lunch at Quinta do Furão and step back in time at Ponta de São Lourenço.

Madeira west coast tour with Cabo Girao and lunch in Porto Moniz

Madeira's magnificent scenery takes centre stage on this full day tour. You'll visit a selection of highlights including Cabo Girao Cliff and it's glass-floored platform, Porto Moniz and Paúl da Serra. Mariana, one of our expert local guides, says "you'll get to know the true drama of Madeira's landscapes. You might be lucky enough to see the ocean both to the north and the south, but the highest points on the island do sometimes catch the clouds."Your first destination will be the Cabao Girao Cliff, where you can step out onto its glass-floored platform that stretches out over the edge. The coastal views here are some of the best around, so don't forget your camera. Mariana adds, "the cliff is around 580 metres high, making it one of the tallest in Europe. The views from the skywalk are really something else, and its experience that'll stick with you." Then, you'll head to the coastal town of Riberia Brava, before a stroll through a banana plantation in Madalena do Mar.Next, we'll head up the 1,500m-high Paúl da Serra plateau before descending on Porto Moniz, famous for its natural lava rock swimming pools. A typical lunch freshly prepared with local produce awaits in the village. Rounding off the day is a poncha drink demonstration and tasting in Câmara de Lobos – a favourite holiday spot of Winston Churchill. Mariana says "be careful – poncha is so fruity and refreshing, but it hides a serious brandy kick."

Pico do Arieiro Sunrise Tour with Local Breakfast

Seeing sunrise from the top of one of Madeira's highest peaks will have you reaching for your camera over and over again. And this exclusive morning trip to Pico do Arieiro promises just that – views over Madeira during the mystical first light of the day, followed by a warming breakfast.

Eastern Madeira sustainable tour in a 4x4 with lunch

Set off on a sustainable 4x4 tour that gives back to the local economy and helps keep Madeira green. Your action-packed day takes in gems like Pico do Facho, UNESCO-listed laurel forests and Funchal Ecological Park. What's more, you'll do it all with the help of a local expert. Rúben, one of our guides, says, ‘Wild and untamed nature is Madeira's most precious treasure. Make memories with an experience that the world will thank you for.'During the months of October to April, your first stop is at Funchal Ecological Park, where a sustainable activity will take place, contributing to the conservation of the endemic flora of the Island. Next, you'll visit the towering Pico do Areeiro. One of the highest peaks on the island, it boasts wow-factor panoramas over the Atlantic Ocean.Heading off-road towards the north, you'll zigzag through an ancient laurel forest – a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1999 – on scenic trails towards the mountain town of Santana to see its steep-roofed, straw-thatched homes. After a well-deserved lunch break in a typical local restaurant, we'll round off with a pit stop at a nearby viewpoint, offering knockout coastal panoramas all the way to Madeira's easternmost point, the São Lourenço peninsula.If you're visiting from May to September, we switch up the order of your tour, so you start your experience at Pico do Facho, a viewpoint overlooking Machico, offering knockout coastal panoramas all the way to Madeira's easternmost point, the São Lourenço peninsula. Follow up with a swim at the golden beach of Machico and a 30-minute walk along the farm and forest trail of Levada do Castelejo, before a visit to Sao Jorge where you'll see a 300-year-old watermill that's still turning with the flow of the water. Then, it's lunch in Santana and an off-road ramble through Laurissilva Forest and ending in Pico do Arieiro in the afternoon.

Northwest Madeira 4x4 Tour with Laurisilva Forest and Lunch

Taking in coastal gems, wild forests and sustainable producers, this 4x4 tour showcases Madeira's adventurous side. You'll experience the drama of Madeira's scenery from up close and get an insight into the island's culture, too. Ruben, one of our expert local guides, says, ‘Get ready to learn the secrets of mixing poncha, the much-loved island tipple made with sugar cane rum, fresh juice and local honey. Be careful, though – poncha's fruity, refreshing taste hides a serious kick.'Starting off in Ponta do Sol, you'll get great views of the south coast from Paul da Serra, 1400m above sea level. Then it's on to Fanal, where some of the oldest Laurel trees on the island grow. Ruben says, ‘Madeira's laurel forests are the largest surviving area of primary laurisilva woods anywhere. Some of the trees are thought to be around 800 years old, and the ecosystem is largely intact. These forests host around 100 endemic species, and they are protected as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.'Rumble past typical ‘poios' terraced farmland en route to Seixal beach for a swim. After this, we'll head to Chão da Ribeira to savour a tasty local lunch. Chef Sérgio will show you how to make the classic grilled beef skewer, known in Portuguese as ‘espetada', while you enjoy a glass of Madeira Wine as an apéritif. There's also a vegan burger option. To wrap up your tour, we'll visit São Vicente to meet an organic honey producer. Here, you'll learn all about honey production, and you'll try your hand at making Madeira's traditional drink, poncha.

Private Madeira dramatic west coast tour with lunch in Porto Moniz

Madeira's magnificent scenery takes centre stage on this full day tour. You'll visit a selection of highlights including Cabo Girao Cliff and it's glass-floored platform, Porto Moniz and Paúl da Serra. Mariana, one of our expert local guides, says "you'll get to know the true drama of Madeira's landscapes. You might be lucky enough to see the ocean both to the north and the south, but the highest points on the island do sometimes catch the clouds."Your first destination will be the Cabao Girao Cliff, where you can step out onto its glass-floored platform that stretches out over the edge. The coastal views here are some of the best around, so don't forget your camera. Mariana adds, "the cliff is around 580 metres high, making it one of the tallest in Europe. The views from the skywalk are really something else, and its experience that'll stick with you." Then, you'll head to the coastal town of Riberia Brava, before a stroll through a banana plantation in Madalena do Mar.Next, we'll head up the 1,500m-high Paúl da Serra plateau before descending on Porto Moniz, famous for its natural lava rock swimming pools. A typical lunch freshly prepared with local produce awaits in the village. Rounding off the day is a poncha drink demonstration and tasting in Câmara de Lobos – a favourite holiday spot of Winston Churchill. Mariana says "be careful – poncha is so fruity and refreshing, but it hides a serious brandy kick."

Eastern Madeira Private Tour

This exclusive private tour shines a light on the east of Madeira. You'll have your head in the clouds at Pico do Areeiro, walk next to cute thatched houses in Santana, have lunch at Quinta do Furão and step back in time at Ponta de São Lourenço.

Rabaçal Valley Walking Tour

One of the most popular walks in Madeira, the 11 km-long ‘25 fountains' levada walk will lead you through magical landscapes to waterfalls, a small lake and flowing springs. You'll journey from Paul da Serra into the Rabaçal Valley and along the levada to Risco waterfall and the 25 natural springs.

Madeira VIP Whale & Dolphin Watching Cruise

Teeming with marine life, Madeira's warm waters are the ideal place to combine a whale and dolphin-watching trip with all the little luxuries of a VIP cruise. You'll have three-hours at sea to enjoy an open bar, snacks and a swim stop, alongside a talk by a marine biologist to learn about which species you might see and how to spot them.

Monte Palace Tropical Garden tour

The subtropical climate of Madeira makes it an ideal spot for a dazzling array of plant and flower life. Be charmed by the exotic gardens of Monte Palace on this half-day excursion, and take in fantastic views high above Funchal from a cable car.As you soar up above the capital in a cable car, you'll witness special views of the city below – and of the Atlantic beyond. And, as you enter the palace's world-renowned gardens, you'll be struck by the aroma of exotic species – planted in immaculately landscaped gardens. There are fountains, follies and grottoes aplenty and oriental-inspired sections.Wander among the beautiful blooms, and soak up the serenity of the swans wading in the many ponds. And, for a fun extra why not take an optional toboggan ride down the mountain on a wicker sled. It's the traditional way to travel down, with two ‘carreiros' – or drivers – manning the brakes. Your guide will pick you up at the bottom.