Madeira is a destination with activities for all interests and budgets: romantic plans if you’re travelling as a couple, fun adventures to enjoy with friends and, of course, perfect days out to enjoy as a family and give the smallest members of the household a holiday to remember.
Discover the island’s lush nature, set off on an ocean adventure, enjoy the beach, explore the rich local heritage… Madeira is a small island that’s easy to take in (it’s just 57 km by 22 km wide) but its small size doesn’t make it any less attractive and it has a wide variety of activities for children of all ages to have fun – big time!
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The best activities to enjoy in Madeira with children
It doesn’t matter if your children are the adventurous type or prefer a peaceful day on the beach, whether they like fascinating museums or any kind of sport… Madeira has something for everyone.
Adventures in nature
If this lovely island is famous for one thing, it’s its impressive nature, especially the ancient laurel forests which are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The best way to see them is by hiking the island’s wonderful trails. There are trails for all levels and many are fully accessible, such as the Caminho Real do Monte, in Funchal Ecological Park, and Vereda dos Balcões, which follows the ‘levada’ (levadas are traditional irrigation channels found in Madeira) in the Serra do Faiel through incredible landscapes. Trails can be followed in their entirety or in sections and they’re a great way for children to enjoy the island’s nature.
There are also multi-adventure companies that offer all kinds of activities to experience Madeira’s nature as a family, from horse rides and trips in ATVs to rock climbing, canyoning, zip lines and bird watching, among other options.
Underground excitement
The Cuevas de São Vicente, formed almost a million years ago, were one of the first volcanic caves to be open to the public in Portugal and can be visited along an amazing 1,000 m-long underground trail. Visitors of all ages will also love the Vulcanism Centre, modern facilities that reveal the geological evolution of the caves in a fun and interesting way and include an explanation of the eruption process and the formation of the Madeira archipelago.
Bird’s eye view
Madeira’s dramatic landscape of mountains, valleys and cliffs mean Madeira there couldn’t have been a better place to build the several cable cars you’ll find around the island. This unusual mode of transport makes daily travel easier for locals and is also a great way to enjoy the island’s impressive landscapes. There are cable cars at Achadas da Cruz, in Porto Moniz; the Botanical Gardens, in Funchal; at Fajã dos Padres, in Quinta Grande; at Fajãs Cabo Girão, in Câmara de Lobos; at Garajau, in the Ponta do Garajau area… Pick the one (or more!) you like most and enjoy an exciting ride with a bird’s eye view.
All aboard!
Little pirates and mini-Jacques Cousteaus can enjoy all kinds of nautical adventures off the coasts of Madeira, starting with an exciting boat ride to see dolphins, whales and sea lions that live in the waters of the archipelago. And for more active family members, there’s snorkelling, surfing, dinghy sailing, paddle boarding, windsurfing, fishing… It’ll be hard to get them out of the water!
Sun and sand
There must be children who don’t like the beach, but we’ve yet to meet one. Clichés aside, Madeira has plenty of beaches such as Banda Além, in Machico, Calheta, Praia da Prainha, in Caniçal, and Ribeira Barava, among others, that all mean an unforgettable day of sandcastles and splashing in the waves.
You’ll find several spa complexes along Madeira’s wild coastline with great facilities (changing rooms, treatment rooms, bar, restaurant, children’s playground, etc.) The coast is also home to amazing pools; some are artificial but many are natural, especially the spectacular volcanic natural pools at Porto Moniz and Seixal, and more.
Discover historic wonders
In between all these land, air and sea adventures, there’s always time to discover another kind of wonder and Madeira’s museums are packed with treasures that will surprise the whole family. For example, the Whale Museum in Caniçal offers an interesting look at these giant cetaceans – with incredible life size models of whales and dolphins – and Madeira’s whaling history. Madeira Aquarium, in Porto Moniz, is also an obligatory stop on any visit to the north of the island. The Toy Museum in Funchal has a fascinating collection of around 20,000 pieces from between the end of the 19th century to the present day and is another entertaining option. Children will also enjoy the Museum of Electricity, the Madeira Story Centre, the Cristiano Ronaldo Museum and the Museum of Natural History, which are all in the island’s capital.
A party for everyone
The famous Madeira Carnival in February; the Flower Festival in May; the Atlantic Festival in June; the Nature Festival in October; the Christmas and New Year’s holidays… The island is an explosion of colour all year round. Madeira even held the Guinness World Record for the Biggest Fireworks Show in the World from 2006 to 2010 thanks to its amazing fireworks displays that heralded in the new year. Its national holidays, festivals and artistic and cultural events mean unforgettable moments for all the family.
What’s more, in Funchal, and the island’s villages, more traditional local festivals are held around the year and each municipality is decorated to celebrate; they’re a great way to discover the island’s enormous cultural wealth and for children and adults to enjoy truly unique experiences.
Recommendations and advice
Madeira is a completely safe destination but, obviously, travelling with children requires a certain extra level of care that is always good to remember.
For example, discovering Madeira’s landscapes along its mountain trails is a must for any visitor, but you need to be well prepared (especially if hiking with children) and bear in mind the following:
- Choose a trail that is suitable for your level (easy, intermediate, hard) and have a good map and/or preferably a guide.
- Wear suitable clothes and footwear depending on the season (raincoat, hat, extra layers, etc.) Don’t forget sunscreen.
- Take a light snack and, most importantly of all, enough water to stay well hydrated, which is particularly important for children.
- Respect the basic rules, such as staying on the signposted trail, not disturbing the natural environment and, although this might seem obvious, avoiding any unnecessary risks.
All this aside, Madeira is a European destination that has everything you could need to enjoy an unforgettable holiday, so a little common sense, the right documents (valid passport, visas and special authorisation, if needed) and all the little things you need to travel are more than enough to spend several wonderful days on the island.
What’s more, the local authorities, health care services and tourist information offices at different points around the island are always a great way to get extra information and help in the event of a problem.
