Things to Do in Madeira
Peaks, boat days, levada walks and jeep tours – the sights and activities worth booking on Madeira, with real prices and which operator to pick.
Updated October 2026
Things to Do in Madeira: Peaks, Levadas & the Best Days Out (2026)
Madeira is mountains, levadas and big Atlantic views packed onto one island. Here's what's worth your time – the peaks, the walks, Funchal and the coast – and how to fit it together.Read the guide- Big-ticket day trip
- West coast jeep tour, ~€64–70
- Most-booked boat trip
- Whale & dolphin watching, ~€35–54
- Book ahead
- PR trails need a paid SIMplifica slot
- Free and unbookable
- Cabo Girão skywalk, Monte gardens view
On the water for whales and the coastline, adventure sports for canyoning and coasteering, or a jeep tour if you want the west coast and Fanal Forest done for you in a day.
How most visitors spend a day out
A typical trip mixes one paid activity with free sightseeing on the same coast. Book whale and dolphin watching or the Santa Maria de Colombo cruise from Funchal marina in the morning, then use the afternoon for the free Cabo Girão skywalk or a walk through Monte. If you would rather cover the whole island in one go, a west coast jeep tour or east coast tour does the driving for you.
Adventure sports need a licensed operator
Canyoning and coasteering are run under Madeira's RNAAT tourism licence – always check the operator holds one before paying. Canyoning starts around Level 1 for beginners; coasteering at the Caniçal cliffs needs no experience but does need a swim test.
The one thing that catches people out
The classic PR-numbered levada trails (Caldeirão Verde, the Pico do Arieiro–Ruivo ridge) now require a paid time-slot booking through the government SIMplifica portal, not a walk-up. Book that before the boat trips and jeep tours, since slots for the popular routes go first.
In Funchal
On the water
Whale & Dolphin Watching in Madeira: When to Go and How to Choose (2026)
Magic Dolphin Madeira: Dolphin Watching from Funchal (2026)
Funchal Sunset Catamaran: What to Expect and How to Book (2026)
Santa Maria de Colombo: Madeira's Columbus Ship Cruise (2026)
Best Boat Trips in Madeira: Whales, Sunsets & Sails (2026)
Scuba Diving in Madeira: Try Diving for Beginners (2026)
Best Beaches in Madeira: Sand, Sea Pools & Porto Santo (2026)
Adventure & adrenaline
Jeep tours & road trips
Common questions
Do I need to book activities in advance in Madeira?
For whale watching, canyoning and jeep tours, book 1–3 days ahead in peak season (June–September) – boats and small-group tours sell out. Classified PR hiking trails need a separate paid SIMplifica booking with a timed entry slot.
What is the single best activity for a first visit?
A half-day boat trip from Funchal marina – whale and dolphin sightings are close to guaranteed year-round, and it needs no fitness or hiking gear.
Is Madeira good for adventure sports?
Yes – canyoning, coasteering and via ferrata are all run commercially under licensed operators, mostly in the north and east of the island where the ravines and cliffs suit them.
Can I do a jeep tour if I get carsick on hairpin roads?
Madeira's roads are genuinely switchback-heavy. Sit in the front seat, take medication in advance if you're prone to it, and consider the tunnel-heavy modern roads (used by most operators) over the old cliff roads.