Madeira has everything you could want for an adventure-filled holiday.
The beautiful archipelago boasts impressive mountainous landscapes, charming towns and colourful buildings, heaps of history, beautiful wine routes, botanical gardens and more.
Oh, and if you're thinking of a longer stay you may also want to check out its dedicated Digital Nomads Village for remote workers in need of a change of scenery.
Sun-starved Brits may want to bookmark it for a post-lockdown holiday too - the Portuguese territory has made the initial green list meaning that from May 17 you can visit it with no need to quarantine on return (although you'll need to take a pre-departure test and a PCR test on day two in the UK).
There's no quarantine in Madeira either, provided you can show proof of a negative Covid-19 PCR test result taken within 72 hours of travel, proof of being fully vaccinated against Covid-19, or having proof of having recovered from Covid-19.
There's heaps to see and do in Madeira, so to give you a helping hand we've put together a guide to some of the best activities and sights.
Happy holiday planning!
Cheap Madeira holiday deals
- Mirror Holidays has seven-night stays in June from £289pp, as well as family stays in July from £410pp during the school holidays. You can find more Madeira holidays here.
- TUI has four-night stays in June from £525pp as well as stays in August from £493pp. You can also find Madeira holidays from £407pp for 2021.
- easyJet holidays has holidays in June from £520pp. You can also find holidays from £174pp for breaks in 2021.
- First Choice has holidays in June from £536pp, July from £521pp and August from £562pp. You can find more Madeira holidays here.
- If you can be flexible with dates, it's worth checking out the likes of TravelSupermarket and Icelolly to compare deals.
Best things to see and do in Madeira
Porto Santo
On land, expect beautiful beaches, charming gardens and eye-catching rock formations such as the famous Pico Ana de Ferreira (definitely one to bookmark if you're a fan of hiking). In the waters, expect plenty of beautiful diving sites and fascinating marine life.
Tripadvisor also has a handy guide to the top 10 popular sights on the island according to travellers' reviews.
Porto Santo can be either your base for a holiday, or a day trip - there's a ferry that runs every couple of hours between the island and Funchal.
Explore Funchal
Funchal tends to be one of the more popular hotspots thanks to its wide array of hotels, bars and restaurants, not to mention Madeira's capital has heaps of places to explore.
History buffs will want to leave time to wander through the Old Town with its intricate architecture and colourful buildings, while art fans will want to check out the Rua de Santa Maria where some of the doors and walls have been transformed into street art.
Other highlights include the Madeira Botanical Gardens and its beautiful floral displays, Funchal Cathedral for its history and the Mercado dos Lavradores, an impressive market where you'll find everything from flowers to fresh fruit and veg.
Oh, and make sure to leave space on the itinerary for a trip on the Funchal Cable Car which connects the city to Monte - the ride offers up some pretty spectacular views.
Explore Madeira's wine routes
Madeira has a history in wine dating back 600 years to when it first began exporting the drink to Portugal.
Nowadays you can trace the routes with trips to the various vineyards planted in small terraces, with plenty of wine bars and wine ships along the route where you can book tastings and learn all about the history.
Visit Madeira can be a good source of further information.
Go hiking
If you're after a scenic walk, Madeira delivers. Across the four islands you'll find heaps of varying scenery whether you're looking to take on a challenging hike to mountain peaks or a leisurely stroll along the coast.
Popular routes often include sights such as Pico do Arieiro and Risco Waterfall, while the 25 Fontes is a particularly popular walk thanks to the waterfalls and fountains to be found along the way.
Whale and dolphin watching
Between April and November, you can take boat tours to look out for whales and dolphins that swim in the surrounding waters.
Think the likes of sperm whales, bottlenose dolphins, and even Sei whales.
Madeira Skywalk
Not one for the faint-hearted, the Madeira Skywalk boasts a glass-bottomed walkway that sits approximately 580m above sea level.
In fact, the walkway juts out over the coast line so you can see the cliffs and ocean right below your feet.
The attraction is completely free and is a short walk from Village Cabo Girão.
Porto Moniz swimming pools
If you're after a swim with a view, then you'll want to bookmark a trip to the village of Porto Moniz where you'll find natural pools formed by volcanic lava that are full of crystalline sea waters.
Unsurprisingly they're quite a hit with both locals and tourists, and you'll find family-friendly amenities such as a children's pool and play area.
- Travel restrictions can change during the pandemic. Always check the latest government guidance on travel and Foreign Office advice before booking, planning or going on a trip.
Are you planning a trip to Madeira now that it's on the green list? Let us know in the comments below.
