The volcanic islands of Madeira are wonderfully accessible, sitting out in the Atlantic, a little northwest from the Canary Islands and Morocco. You can enjoy a dramatic landscape awash with blues and greens and the earthy reds of the giant rocky ridges. The walking trails are fantastic, there are lots of pretty coastal towns sitting, and multiple high view-points from which to marvel at the various corners of the island. Funchal is a really charming city to stroll around and there are endless opportunities for activities, such as boat excursions and island jeep tours. Because it’s a small island, you can easily explore all of the major highlights during a one-week stay, though you may wish you had stayed longer!
If you’re planning a visit to Madeira, here are our top five things to do:
- Walk the Levada trails
- Book a private jeep tour of eastern Madeira
- Join a guided food tour of Funchal
- Swim in the volcanic sea pools at Porto Moniz
- Take a ferry to Porto Santo and enjoy Madeira’s finest beach
Hike the Levada trails, explore Funchal’s pretty streets, swim in tidal fed pools, and eat delicious sea-food.
1. Walk the Levada Trails
When the first Portuguese settlers arrived on the island of Madeira in the fifteen hundreds, they started developing a network of water channels to bring water from the high mountains into the towns and villages. The term Levada originates from the Portuguese verb ‘levar’, meaning ‘to carry’. Naturally, these channels follow the easiest and most logical routes through the mountains, which is why many of them have been developed into the excellent walking trails that we can enjoy today. Most of these trails are ‘PR routes’, which are maintained and managed by the local government. In 2025 a permit system was introduced, so make sure to purchase an online permit before you head out on your walk.
2. Book a private jeep tour of eastern Madeira
You can enjoy jeep tours all across the island but the mountains of the eastern quarter are incredibly dramatic. Steep-sided valleys surrounded by vertical rock peaks, rocky coastlines, and pretty towns and villages are what you can enjoy on a tour. See the traditional thatched houses of Santana and sample rum at a distillery, one of the many products made from the islands sugar cane crops. You can join a group tour but we recommend booking one privately, so you can linger at the places you enjoy the most.
3. Join a guided food tour of Funchal
The Portuguese certainly know how to cook and the seafood dishes are particularly delicious. It’s always a good idea to visit food establishments that get positive reviews, but some of those regional treats and foodie experiences remain off the radar. On a Funchal food tour, a local guide will take you on a culinary journey through Madeira’s traditional dishes. You get to sample the exotic island fruit at food markets, try Espetada (skewered meat) ,and sample Madeira’s finest wines and street food.
4. Swim in the volcanic sea pools at Porto Moniz
The coastline of Madeira is largely rocky, due to its volcanic nature, and there are many natural sea pools all along the coastline. The sea pools at Porto Moniz are a popular favourite. These pools are naturally formed from cooled lava flows but have been modified to include a few conveniences, such as steps for easy access into the water, a variety of sun-lounger areas, toilets and changing rooms, and outdoor showers. The main pools in Porto Moniz have a small entrance fee but there are some slightly more secluded pools nearly that are free, which can be found next the Aquarium. Both pools have restaurants on site, and spaces for laying out a towel.
5. Take a ferry to Porto Santo and enjoy Madeira’s finest beach
Madeira is a well-loved holiday destination, but few travelers know about Porto Santo, the only other inhabited island in Madeira’s nine-island archipelago. Just a 2.5-hour ferry ride from Funchal, the journey itself is a treat, offering sweeping views of Madeira’s dramatic eastern coastline from the top deck. Porto Santo is famed for its stunning, uninterrupted stretch of golden beach and crystal-clear waters. While it’s a popular day-trip spot for Madeira locals, it’s well worth staying a few nights to truly soak in its charm. Spend your days snorkelling and kayaking in tranquil bays, take a jeep tour to explore the island’s unique inland dunes and ground vines, and indulge in fresh seafood at one of the many relaxed beachfront restaurants.
