Madeira Fado experience with a glass of wine

Madeira south coast catamaran cruise at sunset

Your evening starts at Funchal's waterfront as you step onto a catamaran for a sunset cruise along Madeira's south coast. As the boat glides through the water, you'll pass rocky headlands, sea caves and pockets of golden sand. With no more than 18 people on board, drinks in hand and around two and a half hours at sea, you can unwind, enjoy the sky's shifting colours and keep an eye out for dolphins as the sun sinks towards the horizon.

Madeira south coast catamaran cruise

You'll kick off at Funchal's waterfront, joining a catamaran for a cruise along Madeira's sunny south coast. As the boat glides along, you'll pass rocky headlands, hidden coves and golden-sand beaches, all adding their own character to the shoreline. With a maximum of 18 people onboard, drinks available and roughly two and a half hours on the water, there's time to snap pics of the Madeiran scenery, hope for a dolphin cameo and settle into holiday mode as the coast rolls by.

Private catamaran cruise in Madeira with drinks and snacks

This is two-and-a-half-hours of stylish bliss. A sleek catamaran and its attentive crew are at your service for a private cruise where you set the agenda. Talk to the captain about which beaches and bays you'd like to explore, while the crew keep you topped up with drinks and snacks. It's all about creating a personalised, luxurious environment on this cruise, so you can do as little or as much as you like. Get the water toys out to snorkel and play or simply stretch out on the deck as the Madeiran coastline glides by.

Madeira 4x4 tour with ecological park visit and local tastings

On this tour, you'll dive into Madeira's wild side, giving you a taste of the island's nature, traditions and local life all in one trip. First up is the Parque Ecológico do Funchal, where you'll explore the island's sustainability efforts. Depending on the month, you'll either plant a tree to help restore Madeira's ecosystem or check out the Interpretation Centre to see how this landscape has been protected over time. Riu, one of our local expert guides, says, “this is the kind of experience that lets you give something back to Madeira while discovering what makes the island so special.”After this, you'll head up to Santo da Serra for a 4x4 adventure that winds through hidden trails you'd never stumble across on your own. Then, things slow down with a walk along the Levada Serra do Faial, following Madeira's historic irrigation channels through dense greenery and streams. If the weather isn't playing ball, you might swap to the equally picturesque Paradise Valley Levada instead – either way, you'll get a feel for the island's deep connection to water and nature.To wrap it all up, you'll stop at a bar for a proper taste of local life. You'll be welcomed with a regionally-crafted sidra and carne vinha d'alhos – marinated pork with a garlicky sauce – followed by sopa de trigo, Madeira's oldest traditional soup, cooked over a wood fire and served with a glass of red wine. After some live folklore music, you'll make your way to Ribeira de Machico, a valley lined with terraced farms that show just how much care locals have poured into this land for generations.

Madeira Fado experience with a glass of wine

At Fado & Fado, music and tradition come together as you step into the soundtrack of Madeira. In an intimate setting, performers guide you through the past and present of this emotional art form, sharing the stories behind each song. As you savour the music, enjoy a glass of Madeira wine, included with your ticket. It's an unhurried evening that feels less like a show and more like a shared moment of Portuguese culture.

Madeira Monte Palace Tropical Gardens with optional toboggan ride

The Monte Palace Tropical Gardens float a thousand metres above Funchal, so breathe deeply and enjoy the fresh mountain air on this half-day tour. You'll begin with a visit to the village of Monte, before heading to the main event – 70,000 square metres of themed gardens, sculptures, wildlife and water features.There's something new around every corner of this sprawling garden. Head to the lake to see koi carp, a waterfall and swans paddling by, stroll through the forested area to appreciate Madeira's native plants and make sure you visit the Japanese and Oriental gardens for intricate bridges, Buddha statues and incredible city views from the pagoda. There're also paths you can follow to see hundreds of sculptures and traditional azulejo – intricately painted ceramic tiles that tell the story of Portugal's history and culture. In Monte village, you'll have the option to pick up the pace with an experience that screams Madeira – a ride back down the hill in a wicker toboggan. It's the traditional way down and quite an adrenaline rush. The toboggan ride is an added cost, but if you choose not to take it, you'll enjoy a slower, yet equally scenic route down the mountain and back to your hotel.

2-hour snorkelling boat tour at Ponta de São Lourenço

Explore the untouched coasts of Madeira Island on a thrilling speedboat ride. Dive into clear waters for a guided snorkelling adventure at Baia D'Abra.

Madeira half-day Happy Hour sailing trip with open bar

Sailing out of Funchal Marina, you'll take in impressive views of Madeira's south coast as you help yourself to the open bar. Watch, as over the course of your three-hour trip, the terrain changes from dramatic sea cliffs and volcanic rock formations to quiet fishing villages and the shady palms of the island's banana farms. The skipper will drop the anchor so you can swim and snorkel in the mild waters of the Atlantic Ocean. Plus, keep an eye out for whales and dolphin as it's a popular spot to see them.

Value Package

A duo of City Sightseeing routes in Madeira are covered by this two-day city value package. You'll be able to hop on and hop off at your leisure and explore the attractions along Blue Essentials and Red Iconic lines. The Blue covers Monte, the Old Town and Funchal Market, among other sights, while the Red takes you up to Pico dos Barcelos and down to the picturesque fishing village of Camara de Lobos. You can also take a stroll through the city's gardens on a guided walk to learn more about the art and architecture, included in your package.

Red and Blue Essentials

It's easy to get lost in Funchal's jigsaw-like jumble of cobbled streets – so a great way to explore is with a city sightseeing hop-on hop-off bus ticket. The Blue Line circuit ticks off top sights like the exotic gardens of Monte Palace, as well as the ‘Painted Doors' art project in Funchal's old town and the produce-packed farmer's market.