2.5 hours Calheta Marina
Whale & Dolphin Watching Tour
A marine-biologist-led catamaran trip into the deep Atlantic, where pilot whales and three dolphin species are resident year round. Rated 4.9 from over 1,200 reviews.
from €74
Check availabilityThe best things to do in Madeira
Much of the island you can drive to yourself. The best of the rest needs a boat, a guide or a 4x4 — dolphins off Funchal at dawn, a levada you'd never find alone, the ridge road when the cloud sits below you. 127 trips, ranked by what travellers actually rate, most with free cancellation.
Some links on this page are affiliate links. The price you pay is the same; we may earn a commission.
Our shortlist
Twelve trips, one per kind of day
Water, mountains and the kitchen — pick the one your week is missing and check the dates.
3 hours Funchal Marina
Sunset Catamaran Cruise
Sail the south coast at golden hour from Funchal marina — a relaxed catamaran cruise with a swim stop and the chance of dolphins along the way.
from €40
Check availability
Full day Island-wide pickup
West Madeira 4x4 Jeep Safari
Porto Moniz lava pools, Seixal's black sand, the Fanal laurel forest and the Cabo Girão cliff skywalk, in a small open 4x4 with a local driver.
from €55
Check availability
4.5 hours Rabaçal
Rabaçal & 25 Fontes Levada Walk
The Rabaçal valley to the 25 Fontes waterfall amphitheatre and the Risco levada — Madeira's most-loved walk, with transfers and a guide.
from €45
Check availability
7.5 hours Pico do Arieiro
Pico do Arieiro Sunrise Hike
Pre-dawn pickup for the ridge walk from Pico do Arieiro to Pico Ruivo, above a sea of cloud. Demanding, unforgettable, with transport arranged both ways.
from €50
Check availability
3.5 hours Funchal
Madeira Wine & Food Tour
A guided walk through Funchal's old town tasting Madeira wine, local dishes and market produce, with the stories behind each stop.
from €95
Check availability
2 hours Funchal
Funchal Old Town & Monte Toboggan Tour
A private tuk-tuk through the painted doors of the Zona Velha, up to Monte and the famous wicker toboggan ride back down.
from €80
Check availability
7.5 hours North West
Porto Moniz & Fanal Forest Day Trip
Seixal's black sand, the Véu da Noiva waterfall, the Porto Moniz volcanic pools and Fanal forest — the full west coast in an open-roof 4x4.
from €69
Check availability 5 hours Central Madeira
Canyoning in Madeira (Level 1)
Abseil, slide and jump down a forest canyon with no experience needed. Full kit and certified guides included — the island's most-booked beginner canyoning.
from €65
Check availability 3 hours Caniçal
Ponta de São Lourenço Boat Tour
A calm coastal boat tour around the eastern peninsula's red cliffs — sea caves, swim stops and the easiest way to get the family on the water.
from €38
Check availability 30 minutes Airport
Madeira Airport Private Transfer
Fixed-price private transfer between Cristiano Ronaldo Airport and your accommodation, day or night.
from €25
Check availability 6 hours Caniçal
Ponta de São Lourenço Guided Hike
The dry, wind-carved eastern peninsula — red cliffs, sea on both sides and nothing like the rest of the island, with a guide and transfers.
from €48
Check availabilityEverything else
Browse the full catalogue
All 127 Madeira trips we'd send a guest on, sorted into the eleven kinds of day.
Dolphin & Whale Watching
10 tripsResident pilot whales and dolphins live in the deep water minutes from Funchal marina.
Boat Trips & Catamarans
12 tripsSunset sails, Desertas crossings and swim stops along the south coast.
Guided Levada Walks
12 tripsFollow the island's irrigation channels through laurel forest with a local guide.
Mountain Hikes
13 tripsArieiro to Ruivo, Ponta de São Lourenço and the high ridges, with transport included.
4x4 & Jeep Tours
12 tripsReach the plateaus, waterfalls and viewpoints that rental cars can't comfortably get to.
Canyoning & Adventure
12 tripsAbseil waterfalls in the interior valleys with certified guides and full kit.
Food & Madeira Wine
10 tripsCellar tastings, market walks and the espetada-and-poncha side of the island.
Funchal Tours
12 tripsOld town, Monte, the cable car and the toboggan run, done properly.
Day Trips
12 tripsWest coast, east coast and Porto Santo in a single well-planned day.
Family Experiences
10 tripsShort, shaded and genuinely fun with kids in tow.
Transfers
12 tripsAirport and cross-island transfers when you'd rather not drive.
Get the best of Madeira by email
New places we've walked and rated, seasonal timings, and the guides we've just rewritten. A few times a year, never more.