Holidays to Funchal

On this walk you will have the chance to walk along a Levada surrounded by marvellous views to the mountains and sea. Then heading to the rock valley where you will be greeted by wild flowers and magnificent landscapes. The final stop will be at a local tea house where you can not only enjoy the views and visit the herb garden but will be served a fantastic afternoon tea, which will include sweet potato bread, homemade jam, cakes, and fruit of the season.

• Grade: Easy
• Distance: 3km
• Duration: approx. 4 hours (walking time approx. 1.5 hours)
• Ascent/descent: Walking path is on a low level
• Terrain: Mostly level, but can be uneven in some places
• Useful information: You will be collected from your hotel and be taken to the starting point of the walk (return to hotel also included). There is a point to re-fill your water bottle on route. Please also note that there is nowhere on this route to access toilets until the end of the walk.

This is a half-day walk that runs on Thursdays.

Join us for this full-day walk where you'll find a majestic waterfall, wonderful views over the village São Jorge, a variety of plant species, and dramatic mountains. Half way through the walk you'll find yourself at a Levada located in the Laurissilva Forest which has been a UNESCO world heritage site since 1999. Make sure to pack your torch! Along the way you will find some tunnels to walk through, finishing the walk at Caldeirão Verde where you will see the huge waterfall cascading on the crystalline lagoon – dreamy! Once you've reached the waterfall you'll walk back the way you came.

• Grade: Moderate
• Distance: 13km
• Duration: approx. 8 hours (walking time approx. 4 hours, 30 minutes)
• Ascent/descent: 100m ascent and descent
• Terrain: Mostly level, uneven in a few places along the way
• Useful information: You’ll be picked up from your hotel and taken to the start of the walk, with return transport included. Bring a packed lunch. There’s a café en route (Cafetaria das Queimadas), but it may not always be open. A public toilet is available at the starting point (€0.50 per person). For this walk, we recommend bringing a torch as you’ll pass through around five tunnels. Some are long, narrow, dark, and low in places, so you may need to crouch. There are no alternative routes around them, but they’re an unforgettable part of the adventure, carved dramatically into the rock

This full-day walk will run on Tuesdays.

Image copyright: Francisco Correia

The ideal excursion to get to know the city of Funchal. Experience the vibrant market, full of exotic flowers, tropical fruit, and local craftwork. After, take a visit to the embroidery factory to see the production of the internationally-renowned Madeiran embroidery before heading to the botanical gardens, where you can take in the panoramic views of the city. Round off the day with a visit to the wine lodge to taste the famous Madeira wine and Madeira honey cake – delicious!

Departs: Wednesday mornings

Duration: Approx. 4 hours

We act at all times as a selling agent for the suppliers. All excursions require minimum numbers to run and are subject to change. Some excursions may not be available to pre-book in low season but may be available to book locally subject to numbers. Prices will be confirmed at the time of booking. Please see our terms & conditions.

Take a journey to the heart of the island to explore the beautiful Nun’s Valley and Monte village. Your first stop will be at Pico dos Barcelos, a viewpoint at 355m above sea level that looks out over Funchal city and the Bay of Funchal. From there you'll head up the mountains to the viewpoint of Eira do Serrado. Often talked about as one of the most beautiful places in Madeira, you can enjoy breathtaking views of the village of Curral das Freiras, the Nun’s Valley. Finally, your guide will take you to the picturesque village of Monte - famous for its beautiful church and gardens.

Departs: Monday and Saturday mornings

Duration: Approx. 4 hours

We act at all times as a selling agent for the suppliers. All excursions require minimum numbers to run and are subject to change. Some excursions may not be available to pre-book in low season but may be available to book locally subject to numbers. Prices will be confirmed at the time of booking. Please see our terms & conditions.

On the west side of the island you'll find dramatic landscapes and unforgettable views at every turn. The highlights of this multi-stop tour include the fishing town of Câmara de Lobos, and Cabo Girão where, if you dare, you can walk the suspended glass platform at one of the highest sea cliffs in the world. From there you'll head on to the Encumeada Pass. At over 1000 metres in altitude, you can enjoy spectacular views over the north and the south coastlines, and the deep Ribeira Brava and São Vicente valleys. Your final stop before lunch will be Porto Moniz, famous for its natural volcanic rock pools.

After a lunch in Porto Moniz you'll visit the vast volcanic plateau of Paul da Serra. The day ends with visits to the beach town of Calheta - the warmest place in Madeira, and to Ponta do Sol - a picturesque village surrounded by banana plantations and vineyards.

Departs: Daily

Duration: Approx. 8 hours

Image is an example of a Madeiran coastline - this tour does not take you to this exact location.

We act at all times as a selling agent for the suppliers. All excursions require minimum numbers to run and are subject to change. Some excursions may not be available to pre-book in low season but may be available to book locally subject to numbers. Prices will be confirmed at the time of booking. Please see our terms & conditions.

Explore the beautiful municipality of Santa Cruz - one of the oldest settlements on the island. Taking you from the ocean's edge to the mountain top, this guided walk incorporates history, nature, and local cuisine. Beginning with a stroll along the promenade, you'll visit charming gardens, the quaint market, and a 16th Century church. A quick 15-minute coach trip into the hills takes you to the village of Gaula. You'll be welcomed with a glass of wine, and a scrumptious cheese board served with locally-made sweet potato bread.

Difficulty: Easy, Distance:2km, Walking Duration: 1 hour to 1 hour 30 minutes.

Departs: On a Friday morning

Duration: Half day

We act at all times as a selling agent for the suppliers. All excursions require minimum numbers to run and are subject to change. Some excursions may not be available to pre-book in low season but may be available to book locally subject to numbers. Prices will be confirmed at the time of booking. Please see our terms & conditions.

A gentle walk along the Mimosa Valley, following a traditional 16th Century irrigation system ('levada'). Walking the levadas is a must-do for your Madeira holiday, and there's a variety of Madeira's fauna and flora to enjoy along the way.

Difficulty: Easy, Distance:5km, Walking Duration: 2 hours

Departs: Wednesday mornings

Duration: Half day (2 hours walking)

We act at all times as a selling agent for the suppliers. All excursions require minimum numbers to run and are subject to change. Some excursions may not be available to pre-book in low season but may be available to book locally subject to numbers. Prices will be confirmed at the time of booking. Please see our terms & conditions.

A full day exploring the Ribeiro Frio Natural Park in the north of the island. Set in a deep valley and surrounded by mountains, the park is home to Madeira's UNESCO-protected Laurel forest. Enjoy the quiet, explore the waterfalls, and discover some of the flora and fauna endemic to the island.

Difficulty: Easy to Moderate, Distance:11km,Walking Duration: 4 hours.

Departs: Monday and Friday

Duration: Full day (approx. 4 hours of walking)

We act at all times as a selling agent for the suppliers. All excursions require minimum numbers to run and are subject to change. Some excursions may not be available to pre-book in low season but may be available to book locally subject to numbers. Prices will be confirmed at the time of booking. Please see our terms & conditions.

One of Madeira's most popular walking areas, the trails from Rabaçal take you through dense vegetation and into the Calheta mountains. Enjoy a waterfall walkway along the route, and discover the Lagoa das 25 Fontes. Here, water from the Paul da Serra plateau re-emerges via 25 springs ('fontes') and waterfalls - the weeping wall - creating a small natural pool.

Difficulty: Moderate, Distance:11km, Walking Duration: 4 hours

Departs: Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday

Duration: Full day (approx. 4 hours of walking)

We act at all times as a selling agent for the suppliers. All excursions require minimum numbers to run and are subject to change. Some excursions may not be available to pre-book in low season but may be available to book locally subject to numbers. Prices will be confirmed at the time of booking. Please see our terms & conditions.

Explore Madeira by bike. A fun and eco-friendly way to get to know the island, the trails take you through rural villages and protected natural areas. The tour starts at Pico de Arieiro, the second-highest mountain on the island at 1818 meters above sea level. Cycling through beautiful landscapes, you'll discover the Montado do Pereiro forest park, Levada de Serra do Faial, and the village of Santa da Serra. The route ends at Miradouro da Portela, with stunning views of the port of Cruz. This bike tour circuit is around 35km and the difficulty level is considered as easy

Difficulty: Easy. Included bike and helmet hire.

Duration: Half day

Departure day is confirmed before holiday departure, around 48 hours after making the booking. 

We act at all times as a selling agent for the suppliers. All excursions require minimum numbers to run and are subject to change. Some excursions may not be available to pre-book in low season but may be available to book locally subject to numbers. Prices will be confirmed at the time of booking. Please see our terms & conditions.

Funchal is the perfect holiday destination for garden and flower enthusiasts. Flowers thrive in Madeira’s tropical climate so you’ll see a whole host of floral displays. Madeira Botanical Gardens have five hectors to explore with tropical plants and array of colourful flowers, while Monte Palace Tropical Gardens are a must-see in the summer with over 100,000 species of plants and 70,000m² of gardens.

The Palheiro Gardens sit within a large estate on the outskirts of Funchal and are also worth a visit. There are a variety of plants to see as well as a great hill-top location, allowing for wonderful views towards the Funchal bay.

A number of our hotels offer fantastic gardens but the Quinta Splendida in Caniço is truly spectacular. You’ll find 30,000m² of Botanical Gardens with an abundance of plants and flowers to admire.

If you’re partial to a sweet wine then Madeiran wine might be the tipple for you, famous for its rich, sweet taste it can be enjoyed in many local bars but also in a number of wine tasting venues across the island.

On the local drinks menu you’re also likely to come across a Poncha. This rum-based cocktail was said to be what the local fisherman used to drink to warm themselves at sea.

Black scabbardfish is considered a delicacy in Madeira as fishing it isn’t an easy task. You’ll normally find it served with fried banana, it’s unusual but delicious!

Espetada Madeirense is a must-have on your holiday. Its beef that’s normally marinated in a salt and garlic rub, placed on a bay leaf or laurel skewer and grilled. It’s delicious!

Funchal is often compared to an amphitheatre that sits around its marina and we have to admit, it does make for a good show. The port which was built in the 19th century was a popular stopping point for many steamers crossing the Atlantic and was so until the Second World War.

The marina is great for a bit of boat spotting or watching the world go by but if its history you’re after then head to the Forte de Sao Tiago. At nearly 400 years old you can see the toll the sea has taken on this historic fort which was thought to have been built as a defence against pirates to protect the city of Funchal. Sometimes it is open for visitors to wander around the inside (at a fee, payable locally).

Funchal’s historic core has some buildings said to date back to the 15th century. In the area you’ll find charming and historic architecture, small alleyways and a lively atmosphere. Walk down the street of Santa Maria to experience the colourful and vibrant painted doors, that brought life back to the area after devastating floods. Or head to the Mercado dos Lavradores to experience some locally-grown fruits and vegetables.

The old town also has lots of restaurants and small shops, many selling local crafts. Keep an out for the beautiful black and white tiled floors, resembling a mosaic. Some are patterned whilst some depict people or objects.

Madeira is home to many museums and historic monuments but here’s a few popular ones...

• Casa Museu Frederico de Freitas is not only a beautiful building but also offers a great collection of art and objects on display.
• Museu da Eletricidade of Funchal is, as the name suggests, all around the history of electricity on the island, it might sound a little niche but its actually a really interesting display or engineering whilst detailing the history of the island – its also great value for money.
• And then there's the CR7 museum, dedicated to the football legend, Cristiano Ronaldo who grew up in Madeira. You’ll find memorabilia and even a few of his trophies that follow and describe the timeline of his career.

For those looking to discover beautiful beaches they don't get more beautiful than on the island of Porto Santo, the ferry journey is a little long (about two and half hours) but it's well worth it. Porto Santo offers an impressive 9 kilometre stretch of beach which has golden sand and beautiful blue waters. Day trippers often go in search of health and wellness as these sands are said to have therapeutic properties. 
To get to the island and back make sure you plan your journey carefully as there’s only one outbound and inbound ferry departure per day from Funchal – for this reason, it is also strongly recommended that you book and pay for your return journey in advance.

Madeira offers a busy events calendar with many throughout the year from the Madeira roller Marathon to classic car events there’s lots to enjoy. Please be aware that some events are ticketed and may need to be booked and paid in advance, event dates are approximate and should be checked before booking. Here are a few of our favourite events listed below:

• Madeira Flower Festival, usually held in April or May: Arguably Madeira’s most iconic festival, experience the parade, the flower carpets or the Wall of Hope amongst many other celebrations taking place across the event.
• Carnival, usually held early to mid-February: Take in vibrant costumes, music and dance on the small parades travelling through the streets of Funchal and other events taking place across the city.
• Madeira Rum Festival, usually held around mid-April: You’ll find local rum producers at this event along with a lively atmosphere and maybe even the chance to taste the product.
• Madeira Classic Car Revival, usually held at the end of May: Car lovers and non-car lovers will enjoy this event, some of the best classic and vintage cars are brought in from across the region for spectators to marvel over.