Madeira Holidays
About our group trips to Madeira
Madeira is a Portuguese island in the Atlantic Ocean and one of Europe's most popular destinations for nature, hiking, culture and a pleasant climate. The island is often called the island of eternal spring thanks to its mild weather, its floral splendor and its lush mountains. Here you will find dramatic cliffs, levadas, subtropical gardens, sea views and charming cities, of which Funchal Madeira is particularly famous.
With a group trip to Madeira you get to experience the island in a safe and comfortable way, often with flights to Madeira, a tour guide and a well-thought-out program. Our trips can include a city tour of Funchal, tasting of Madeira wine, excursions to mountain villages and coastal resorts and the opportunity to hike Madeira along levadas and scenic trails. Whether you are looking for an active Madeira trip or a relaxing holiday with excursions, food and beautiful views, Madeira Portugal is a destination that offers a lot in a small area.
Country
★ Portugal
Capital city
★ Funchal
Airport
★ Cristiano Ronaldo International Airport
Known for
★ Levador, subtropical nature, Madeira wine and hiking
Funchal – Madeira's capital by the sea
Funchal is Madeira's colorful capital and an obvious highlight on many trips to Madeira. The city is beautifully situated between the Atlantic Ocean and the green mountains, with a historic center, small alleys, market hall, harbor promenade and several fine gardens. Here you will get a good introduction to the island's culture, history and everyday life. Many people associate Funchal Madeira with floral splendor, the cable car up to Monte and the view over the bay. In the older part of the city there are restaurants, cafes and the well-known painted door street Rua de Santa Maria. A city tour can also include a visit to the Mercado dos Lavradores, where fruit, flowers and fish showcase Madeira's flavors and colors. Madeiran food is often simple, tasty and influenced by the sea. Typical dishes are espada, the black dagger fish, espetada on a skewer, soups, fresh bread with garlic butter and tropical fruits. This of course includes Madeira wine, the island's famous fortified wine that has been exported for hundreds of years. A tasting provides both historical insight and a good picture of the island's culinary heritage.
Hiking Madeira – levadas, mountains and views
Madeira is one of Europe's most popular hiking destinations. This is due in no small part to the levadas, the historic irrigation canals that carry water from the wetter parts of the island to farms and villages. Many levadas are lined with hiking trails through forests, valleys and mountain landscapes, often with stunning views and lush greenery. Hiking in Madeira can range from easy walks to more challenging hikes. Popular areas include Ribeiro Frio, Rabaçal, 25 Fontes and the trails near Pico do Arieiro and Pico Ruivo, Madeira's highest peak. Hikers here will experience dramatic mountain formations, clouds that sweep over the peaks and trails that show a completely different side of the island than the coastal towns. Much of Madeira's nature is unique. The Laurisilva Forest, the ancient laurel forest, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is one of the island's most important natural areas. On our group trips with hiking elements, the layout is adapted to the program and level of difficulty, but regardless of level, good shoes, a water bottle and clothing for varying weather are important to bring.
Excursions around the island – coastal villages, cliffs and flowering valleys
Although Madeira is a relatively small island, it is full of great contrasts. A trip along the south coast can take you to Câmara de Lobos, the charming fishing village often associated with Winston Churchill, and further to Cabo Girão, one of Europe's highest sea cliffs overlooking terraced farms and the Atlantic Ocean. On the western part of the island, you can visit places like Porto Moniz, known for its natural lava pools, and São Vicente with its green valleys. In the north, the landscape is often wilder and more dramatic, while eastern Madeira offers viewpoints, barren peninsulas and villages like Santana with its traditional triangular houses. Inland lies Curral das Freiras, the Nuns' Valley, surrounded by steep mountains. For those who want to discover even more, Porto Santo Madeira may be of interest. The island is located northeast of Madeira and is known for its long, light sandy beach, which is clearly different from Madeira's more rocky coast. Not all trips include Porto Santo, but it is a name many come across when planning a longer Madeira trip or want to combine nature with the beach.
Traveling to Madeira – flights, climate and practical tips
A trip to Madeira usually begins with a flight to Madeira. The island has an international airport, Madeira Airport or Cristiano Ronaldo International Airport, which is located near Santa Cruz east of Funchal. The approach is well known for its location between mountains and sea, but the airport is modern and serves as the island's main gateway for visitors. Madeira Portugal is suitable for travelers who want a lot of experiences without long daily distances. With a group tour, you get a planned program, tour leader and the opportunity to share the experiences with others. This is especially valuable on an island where weather, altitude differences and local knowledge can affect which excursions are best suited for the day. Weather Madeira is a common question before departure. Generally, the climate is mild, but since the island has large altitude differences, you should pack for both sun, wind and rain. In addition to comfortable walking shoes, a light jacket, sun protection and clothes in layers are good choices. Madeira is a destination where nature, cities, food, wine and hiking meet – and it is precisely this variety that makes many people happy to return.