Disclaimer: My trip to Funchal, Madeira with Jet2holidays was a press trip, but all views expressed are my own. I stayed at the incredible Next at Savoy Signature with Jet2holidays.
Hidden in the Atlantic ocean near the coast of Africa, Madeira is a little slice of paradise that is often overlooked by young travellers. Flocks of British retirees head to the Portuguese island for its sun and laid back lifestyle, but there is so much more to the island to discover. From stunning hikes to off-road adventures, here are the best things to do in Madeira for young adventurers.
Top Things To Do in Madeira
Ride a Sled Through the Streets
The first form of public transport in Madeira was the toboggan ride that still runs today from the top of the hill in Monte, down into Funchal. Passengers sit in what is essentially a wicker basket on skis whilst being guided through the streets by two men and their boater hats. And yes, I do mean streets. You’ll weave through traffic and cross two intersections on your journey as gravity does it’s job, which adds a little extra adrenaline to the experience. It’s certain the most fun (and unique) way to get around!
Where To Find It: The start point of the run is by the steps of the Nossa Senhora do Monte Church.
How Much Is It: €30 for a 2 person sled
Explore the Tropical Gardens at Monte Palace
Also located on the hill, very close to the start of the toboggan run, is Monte Palace and Gardens. Covering around 70,000 square metres, the gardens are home to over 100,000 species of plants as well as a variety of curated exhibitions from African art to natural crystals. You could easily spend hours and hours exploring the grounds so make sure you wear comfy shoes and bring plenty of water!
Where To Find It: The ticket booth can be found here.
How Much Is It: €15 per adult
See Madeira from Above on the Funchal Cable Car
If you’re heading up into Monte for the toboggan ride and to explore the palace, why not add a little adventure to your journey up? The Funchal cable car runs from the coast up to Monte making it the perfect way to get to the top of the hill. The views are breathtaking and the 15 minute journey gives you a real sense of the scale of the island. It’s definitely better than the steep walk up!
Where To Find It: The station at the bottom of the hill in Funchal can be found here.
How Much Is It: €11 per way for an adult
Interested in more outdoor adventures? Check out my 4 day Pacific Northwest Itinerary.
Catch The Sunrise On A Jeep Tour
If you’re not shy of an early start then a sunrise jeep tour could be the perfect way for you to explore. Our tour with Madeira Mountain Expeditions included a picnic breakfast whilst watching the sunrise before heading off the beaten track, literally, for a bit of off roading whilst exploring the island. We saw some incredible viewpoints and learned so much from our local guides! Well worth getting up up for 6am!
Where To Find It: Book your trip here. They include hotel pick up from most areas.
How Much Is It: Trips start from €35.
Drink Mojitos at Maktub
Nestled on the seafront in the small town of Paul do Mar, it’s hard to miss the bright colours and eclectic decor of Maktub. A real homage to the surfer culture of the area, Maktub offers incredible food, cheap but tasty cocktails and top notch service. “If you’re a seafood fan, be sure to order the ‘fish experience’ which involves the chef preparing freshly caught tuna carpaccio, ceviche and filleting a snapper in front of you. Wash it down with some passionfruit mojitos and you’ve got one of the best food experiences on the island for sure!
Where To Find It: Maktub can be found here. You won’t miss it!
How Much Is It: Cocktails were around €4 and the fish experience was around €25.
See More Of Madeira On A Hike
The most surprising part of Madeira for me was the amount of incredible hikes on offer. And there is a huge range to choose from! For coastal views, explore the rock formations on a hike around Ponta de São Lourenço at the Easternmost point of the island, or climb up into the hills and follow the cliffs along to Boca do Risco. If endless ocean views aren’t for you, the Verada do Fanal is one of Madeira’s most iconic walks, taking you through a unique, fairytale forrest which spends much of the year covered in thick fog.
Where To Find It: You can find hikes all over the island but the Verada do Fanal can be found here and the Ponta de São Lourenço can be found here.
How Much Is It: The walks are free but you can book onto a day trip or hire a guide.
Getting to Madeira
Package holidays to Madeira are becoming increasingly popular to Brits so getting there is easy, even if a package isn’t your thing. I flew with Jet2holidays from London Stansted and touched down on the island in just under 4 hours. Not bad considering you’re basically flying to the tropics! Jet2 offer direct Madeira flights from a range of UK airports including Manchester, Bristol, Glasgow and Birmingham so it can be a really convenient choice for those of us living outside the capital!
Have you been to Madeira? What do you think are the best activities in Funchal and the rest of the island?
