Enchanting  Madeira Holidays & Tours

Children will be very welcome on the island but Madeira is usually better for families with older kids than toddlers and preschoolers. Many of the island’s attractions are natural ones, with a chance to explore botanical gardens, walk the levadas, go whale watching and explore the dramatic volcanic landscapes. Perfect for adventurous families and those who love getting outdoors.

Although there is public transport around the island, the routes are often slow or less convenient for tourists, so the best option is to rent a car if you’re comfortable driving on mountainous roads or join one of the many Madeira tours to help you explore the island. Funchal is easily explored on foot, with taxis available for trips of short distances but if you want to venture further, it’s less easy (and more expensive) to try to see all Madeira’s attractions by taxi. You can also use the island’s cable cars to avoid a few of the hills, including between Funchal and Monte.

Madeira’s subtropical climate means you can enjoy good weather year-round, with the warmest months in July and August when temperatures average around 27C. Known as the ‘floating garden of the Atlantic’, the island’s flowers are a big attraction for many visitors, so the months from March to May are the best time to witness spring flowers blooming, with pleasant temperatures for exploring and sightseeing. October and early November are also a great time for Madeira holidays if you’re planning to go walking, while the winter months are still much warmer than northern Europe and have fewer crowds. The rainiest months fall between October and February, when you can expect 10-15 days of rain, although you can expect rainfall year-round in the mountains and the island’s north tends to be wetter than the south.

The capital Funchal is an unmissable part of any holidays in Madeira, with pretty cobbled streets in the historic centre, some great street art and plenty of museums. But you shouldn’t visit the island without discovering some of its natural treasures, including the Madeira Botanical Garden, and a chance to walk the levadas, irrigation channels turned hiking trails. The island is also famous for its whale-watching, as well as for its volcanic landscapes and the wonderful views from Cabo Girão, some of the highest cliffs in Europe.

Madeira is a hiker’s dream, with dozens of trails stretching for hundreds of kilometres across the island. You’ll find easy strolls along some of the levadas, and more challenging treks around the island’s volcanoes, as well as all difficulty levels in between, whether you want to explore coast or countryside, or enjoy more adventurous Madeira holidays. Do research any routes before you set off to ensure they’re the right level for you, and bring appropriate footwear.

Madeira’s subtropical climate means the weather is generally pleasant and sunny year-round, with mild winters and warm summers. The winters can be wet, helping produce the wonderful spring flowers which the island is famous for, but it’s rarely cold, especially by comparison to northern Europe. If you’re planning holidays in Madeira in summer, the average temperatures are still under 30C with cooling breezes off the Atlantic to stop it feeling too hot.

Portuguese is the official language of Madeira, but most people in tourist areas will speak some English, and often speak it very well.

You’ll find plenty of seafood to enjoy during your Maderia holidays, but one of the island’s most famous dishes is espetada, a grilled beef dish, seasoned and cooked on skewers over hot coals. If you’re looking for fish, the most typically Madeiran choice is espada, the black scabbard fish which is traditionally prepared with a passion fruit and banana sauce, or limpets – lapas – which are cooked simply with fresh lemon and butter. Wherever you go, you’ll also find bolo do caco, a fluffy bread made from flour and sweet potato and used as a starter, side dish and for sandwiches. 

Finish with some of the many tropical fruit which grow on the island, particularly passion fruit or maracuja, and Madeira honey cake, a traditional festive cake that’s nothing like the British Madeira cake. That was created to accompany Madeira wine, and you’ll plenty of chances to try a glass of this fortified wine, which comes in dry varieties and sweeter ones for after dinner. Don’t miss a glass of Poncha either, made with rum, honey, and sugar.

There are few unusual customs for visitors to be aware of for holidays in Madeira, beyond general respect, such as wearing appropriate clothing in churches and a polite bom dia to greet people. However, it’s best to avoid hand gestures, as both pointing and the thumbs up sign can be seen as offensive.

Tipping is customary for good service – around 10% of the bill is common in restaurants. Tour guides and drivers will also appreciate a small tip, perhaps a couple of euros per day. You can also find suggested amounts in our useful information sheet, which will be sent to you before you travel. Porterage is included in our Madeira tours, so there’s no need to tip for bags.