Madeira is not a sun-lounger destination. The island packs an extraordinary range of terrain, ecosystems, and adventure into 740 square kilometres — and for visitors who want to actually do something, it delivers experiences that are hard to find anywhere else in Europe. This guide covers the best things to do in Madeira, from the most iconic activities to the ones most visitors miss entirely.
Adventure Activities in Madeira
Plan your trip around the four priority adventures: Canyoning Madeira tours, Mountain Biking Madeira tours, Kayaking & Coasteering Madeira tours, and our jet ski and coasteering single-tour pages — each runs in small groups with a local guide and includes all gear and shuttle.
Canyoning in Madeira
The standout adventure activity on the island. Madeira’s volcanic gorges — carved by centuries of Atlantic rainfall through basalt rock — are among the most dramatic canyoning venues in Europe. Abseiling down waterfalls, jumping into crystal-clear natural pools, swimming through narrow gorges. Suitable from age 7 with no prior experience needed. Read our complete canyoning guide or browse all canyoning tours.
Mountain Biking in Madeira
Trails descending from 1,400 metres through laurel forest, levada paths, and terraced farmland to the coast. Most tours are predominantly downhill. Suitable for recreational cyclists up to advanced enduro riders. Read our complete MTB guide or browse MTB tours.
Coasteering
Climbing, jumping, swimming, and traversing the volcanic Atlantic coastline at sea level. Black basalt cliffs, sea caves, rock arches, and natural pools. Suitable from age 8. One of the most physical and memorable ways to experience Madeira’s coast.
Paragliding
Tandem paragliding over Madeira’s coastal cliffs and mountain ridges. Reliable thermals, consistent Atlantic winds, extraordinary views. No experience needed. One of the most breathtaking perspectives on the island available.
Rock Climbing
Guided beginner and family climbing sessions on Madeira’s volcanic basalt crags. No prior experience needed. Suitable from age 8. Extraordinary natural settings — sea cliffs above the Atlantic, inland faces surrounded by laurel forest.
Levada Walking and Hiking in Madeira
Madeira’s 2,500 km network of irrigation channels (levadas) doubles as an extraordinary trail system. The most famous route — Rabaçal and the 25 Fountains — passes through UNESCO-listed laurel forest to a natural waterfall amphitheatre. Routes range from easy family walks to exposed cliff traverses. Other highlights include:
- Vereda do Larano — historic coastal path from Porto da Cruz to Machico, with sea cliff panoramas and views to Porto Santo
- Pico Arieiro to Pico Ruivo — Madeira’s greatest mountain walk, a high-altitude ridge traverse between the island’s highest peaks
- Levada do Rei — the Royal Levada through ancient laurel forest in São Jorge, one of the quietest and most beautiful routes
- Levada do Alecrim — the Rosemary Levada, high-altitude heath and ancient forest with plateau views
Read our complete guide to levada walks in Madeira or browse all walking tours.
Ocean and Water Activities in Madeira
Whale and Dolphin Watching
One of Europe’s premier whale watching destinations. More than 20 cetacean species recorded, including sperm whales, common dolphins, and pilot whales. Year-round departures from Funchal harbour. Read our complete whale watching guide.
Snorkelling and Kayaking
Clear Atlantic water, sea caves, and sheltered bays along the southern coast. Combined kayak and snorkel tours are popular — paddling into sea caves inaccessible from land and snorkelling in natural rock pools. Suitable for all ages.
Windsurfing and Stand-Up Paddleboarding
Beginner and intermediate lessons in Madeira’s warm Atlantic waters. The consistent trade winds and sheltered bays make the island a good learning environment for both disciplines.
Boat Trips
Traditional wooden caravels, catamarans, and glass-bottom boats run along the southern coast — combining coastline sightseeing with swimming stops, snorkelling, and frequent dolphin encounters. The Santa Maria caravel is a Funchal institution.
Sightseeing Tours in Madeira
Jeep Tours
4×4 vehicles accessing mountain passes, volcanic landscapes, wine country, and remote viewpoints that coaches can’t reach. Read our complete jeep tour guide or browse all jeep tours.
Tuk Tuk Tours of Funchal
Open-air tuk tuk tours of Funchal’s old town, viewpoints, Botanical Garden, Monte, and nearby villages. The compact vehicles access streets that coaches can’t, and the open-air experience puts you directly in the environment.
Minibus Island Tours
Comfortable guided minibus circuits covering Madeira’s most iconic landscapes — the Nuns’ Valley, Santana straw houses, Porto Moniz lava pools, and Cabo Girão (Europe’s highest sea cliff). Full-day tours with expert local guides and all transport from Funchal.
Food, Wine and Culture in Madeira
Madeira wine is one of the world’s most extraordinary fortified wines — virtually indestructible, with 19th-century bottles still perfectly drinkable. Full-day wine tours visit working quintas and include tastings of different styles. Food walking tours of Funchal introduce poncha cocktails, espetada beef skewers, bolo do caco bread, fresh tuna, and Madeira wine. Evening bar-hopping tours provide the authentic local nightlife experience.
Frequently Asked Questions About Things to Do in Madeira
What is Madeira most famous for activity-wise?
Madeira is most famous for levada walking, Madeira wine, whale watching, and increasingly for adventure activities like canyoning and mountain biking. The island’s extraordinary terrain — volcanic mountains dropping to the Atlantic — makes it one of the most activity-rich islands in Europe.
What is the best activity in Madeira for families?
For families, the best activities are whale and dolphin watching (all ages), beginner canyoning from age 7, tuk tuk tours of Funchal, easy levada walks, and the Botanical Garden. Madeira is genuinely family-friendly across a wide range of activities — most can be adapted for mixed-age groups.
Is Madeira good for active holidays?
Exceptionally so. Madeira’s terrain is diverse and dramatic — from sea-level coasteering and kayaking to 1,800-metre mountain walks and technical canyoning. The island’s mild climate (year-round temperatures of 16–25°C) means outdoor activities are possible every month. It’s one of the best active holiday destinations in Europe.
When is the best time to visit Madeira for activities?
Madeira is genuinely year-round. Spring (March–May) is excellent for walking — wildflowers, full waterfalls, clear mountain views. Summer is best for ocean activities — warmest water, calmest Atlantic swells. Autumn is arguably the finest season overall — stable weather, fewer tourists, trails in perfect condition. Winter is ideal for the atmospheric laurel forest walks and Fanal forest mountain biking.
Book Your Madeira Activities
At Lokoloko Madeira, we offer the full range of activities described above — adventure sports, walking tours, ocean experiences, sightseeing, and food and wine. All activities include expert local guides, small groups, and transport where relevant. Browse all our Madeira tours and activities.
