The best things to do in Madeira, hand-picked
Only the best, and only one of each: the version we would book ourselves, picked from the many sold like it. We do the research, so you don’t have to.
4.7/5
28,900+ GetYourGuide reviews of the 10 experiences we list
Average of the ratings GetYourGuide publishes, weighted by review count; read 26 October 2026.
The Better Trip Editorial Team · Last checked: October 2026
Around the island
The west, by jeepWest Madeira by 4x4: Fanal forest, Seixal and the Porto Moniz pools
Eight hours by 4x4 from Funchal: Cabo Girão, off-road through the laurel forest, Seixal, lunch and a swim at the Porto Moniz lava pools, then Fanal. 69 euros, rated 5.0 from about 650 reviews. Budget 5 euros for Cabo Girão and 3 for the pools.
From €695(650)Free cancellation
The east, in comfortEast Madeira in a day: Pico do Arieiro, Santana and Ponta de São Lourenço
Pico do Arieiro at 1,818 metres, the thatched houses of Santana and the cliffs of Ponta de São Lourenço in one eight-hour minibus day, with pickup in Funchal and Caniço, for 38.70 euros: less than the operator's own 43. Take a warm layer for the summit.
From €38.704.7(3,900)Free cancellation
On foot
The sunrise above the cloudsSunrise on Pico do Arieiro, with a walk to Pedra Rija
A shared van from Funchal or Caniço to Pico do Arieiro for sunrise above the clouds, then the walk that is open today: 1.2 km to Pedra Rija and back. 47 euros, rated 4.8 from about 5,000 reviews. Book the 4.50-euro trail slot yourself.
From €474.8(5,000)Free cancellation
The classic levadaThe Levada das 25 Fontes walk in the Rabaçal valley, with a guide
The classic Madeira levada without the logistics: a mountain guide, transport from Funchal and the trail slot booked for you, for 43.20 euros plus the 4.50 euro trail fee. Two waterfalls, a lagoon, about 11 km. Bring lunch, a torch and a jacket.
From €43.204.7(2,700)Free cancellation
The forest levadaCaldeirão Verde levada walk, with a return transfer
A shared van from Funchal, Caniço, Santa Cruz or Machico to Queimadas, then 13 km there and back on your own along a forest levada, through four tunnels, to the Caldeirão Verde waterfall. From 42 euros, plus the 4.50-euro trail slot. Bring a torch.
From €424.8(1,300)Free cancellation
On and under the sea
Whales, on a big catamaranWhale and dolphin watching from Funchal on a catamaran
Three hours from Funchal marina on a big, steady catamaran, looking for dolphins and whales along the coast to Cabo Girão, with a swim stop in summer, from 35 euros. The most-reviewed Madeira trip we compared; sightings likely, not promised.
From €354.6(7,900)Free cancellation
The sunset sailA sunset sail from Funchal, with a swim under Cabo Girão
Three hours on a sailing yacht with at most 20 guests: out along the cliffs to Cabo Girão for a swim, back to Funchal as the sun goes down, drinks included, from 50 euros. The evening sea trip we would book in summer. Dolphins are a bonus.
From €504.8(2,600)Free cancellation
The tall shipA trip on the Santa Maria, the replica of Columbus' ship
Three hours along Madeira's south coast on a wooden replica of Columbus' flagship, built on the island, with Madeira wine, honey cake and a summer swim under Cabo Girão, for 45 euros, children 4 to 12 half price direct. Expect the engine as much as the sails.
From €454.6(2,300)Free cancellation
Thrills
Food and wine
How we hand-pick them
The way we pick hotels. First, the experiences worth a day of your trip. Then, for each, we compare the versions on sale, read the fine print and the reviews that complain, check the weather month by month and work out the drive from our hotels, and keep only the one we would book. None of them pays to be here.
If you book through our links we may earn a commission from GetYourGuide. It never affects which experiences we include. Operators cannot pay to be here.
Image credits: GetYourGuide