The Best Outdoor Activities in Madeira

The Portuguese Atlantic island of Madeira attracts visitors year-round with its mild temperatures and exciting outdoor activities for an action-packed vacation: whether surfing, diving, or hiking, nature lovers will find plenty to enjoy here. Our blogger Anja has compiled why the island encourages movement and which highlights should not be missed.

For a long time, Madeira was known as a cozy retirement destination; a beautiful flower island where Princess Sissi once tried to cure her lung ailments. But in recent years, the island has been working on its image. After all, it's been regarded as the European Hawaii among surfers for quite some time. Anyone who has seen the dramatic, lush green cliffs and the pristine forests will instantly be reminded of the rugged South Sea gem.

Just like the Hawaiian island, the 741 square kilometer Madeira impresses with its diverse volcanic landscapes: The steppe-like east alternates with subtropical fruit plantations in the south. Characteristic terraced fields with the famous Levada irrigation channels, eucalyptus forests, high plateaus, and a high alpine central massif with centuries-old laurel forests are ideal photo motifs.

But not only for photography but rather for exerting oneself and unwinding, more visitors are drawn to the island. They surf in the roaring Atlantic, hike through creaking laurel forests, or discover canyons in the central massif. I've compiled my top outdoor activities in Madeira here.

Let's start off casually with a hike through Madeira's unique mountain landscapes. The so-called Levadas are ubiquitous on the island. This type of stone channel was carved into the north-facing slopes to transport the high rainfall to the island's dry valleys, mainly on the southern side of Madeira, which must cope with much less rainfall.

Along the entire length of the Levadas, narrow hiking paths lead right through the heart of the island - past wild laurel forests, steep mountains, and nature reserves such as the Madeira Natural Park and the Funchal Ecological Park.

Canyoning is one of the best ways to get to know Madeira from a different side. Where else can tourists rappel down waterfalls, climb through mountain gorges, and swim in cold streams? These tours lead to unknown places in the lonely mountain world, which remain unreachable for other vacationers and provide an absolute adrenaline rush.

You don't have to be a pro; Madeira has many different canyons for all levels and fitness stages. Some climbing routes are suitable for beginners with no climbing experience, while others are more for the pros - but all tours always deliver the right thrill.

Madeira was formed during several volcanic active phases, and what is perceived today as an island is essentially just the tip of the iceberg. The steep cliffs drop up to 4,000 meters to the sea floor below the water surface. Therefore, diving in Madeira can be quite challenging and is reserved for experienced divers. However, some dive shops also offer certification courses.

I went diving on the south coast between the island's capital Funchal and the airport in Caniço. Located directly in an underwater reserve called Garajau, the site is characterized by its proximity to the warm Gulf Stream and the vast fish-rich house reef. Groupers, large amberjack, and barracudas are regularly spotted there. Fishing is not permitted in the nature reserve and the coast guard regularly monitors this.

I had to descend into the sea via a steep ladder in full diving gear, and very quickly it went down into the depths. The spectacular volcanic underwater formations disappear just a few meters beyond the shore into dizzying depths.

When you dive in Madeira, it quickly becomes clear that Madeira is not a beach paradise in the traditional sense. Those expecting dream beaches with kilometers of fine sand will be disappointed on the island. Due to its volcanic origin, it consists almost entirely of steep cliffs and rocky bays.

Nevertheless, I had no fear when going into the sea during my excursions. After all, the clever Madeirans carved swimming pools into the heavily rugged lava rocks. This protects swimmers from the roaring Atlantic waves, allowing them to swim in a picturesque setting.

Although the first surfers came to Madeira as early as the 1970s, the surfing hype took a long time to catch on. Even today, most lineups are quite deserted, even on good days. When I watched the mighty Atlantic crashing against the rocky cliffs in roaring waves, I understood why. The surf spots in Madeira are not for the faint of heart, and beginners should not throw themselves into the waves alone.

The best surf spots in Madeira are located on the island's west coast: Jardim do Mar is probably the most famous surf spot and three other world-class waves lie a few kilometers further north: Ponta Pequena, Paul do Mar, and Fajã da Ovelha.

Beginners head to Fajã da Areia, a surf spot in the north of the island. There, the waves rarely exceed one and a half feet, which is excellent for learning. For point break fans, I recommend Ribeira da Janela, Contreiras, and Esquerda de S. Vicente.

With the crazy waves and the open Atlantic, you might be wondering why I'm recommending that you, as a beginner, dare to take a board out to sea? Just a two-hour ferry ride away is Madeira's neighboring island, Porto Santo, which offers exactly what Madeira lacks: a protected beach where you can confidently swim and paddle.

The bay of Porto Santo is wonderfully suited for stand-up paddleboarding. Additionally, the view from the sea of the rugged rocky landscape and the deserted sandy beach is unique.

At least a day trip to Porto Santo should be on the itinerary during your vacation; preferably with an overnight stay to experience the island's unique character. The flat island provides a lovely contrast to the rocky Madeira. The fine, mostly deserted beach of Porto Santo is considered one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. Its carbon-rich sand is reputed to have therapeutic properties: it is said to help treat rheumatic and bone diseases.

I was also fascinated by the seclusion of this less-visited island. With a land area of around 42 square kilometers, only about 5,000 locals live here, most of them in the capital Vila Baleira. Especially in the evenings, when day-trippers take the last ferry back to the main island, a pleasant calm spreads across Porto Santo.

Admittedly, Christopher Columbus passed through several ports on his voyages to America, and many towns claim their footnote in world history. However, Columbus spent two years on Porto Santo in the small house that now houses a museum before embarking on his great journey that would write world history. On the island, he is said to have deepened and expanded his knowledge of cartography and seafaring.

A highlight of my trip was a boat excursion off the coast of Porto Santo. Shortly after we set out, a dozen dolphins surrounded our boat and accompanied us for the rest of the trip. They leaped joyfully out of the water and seemed to race with us. I had never seen so many dolphins in one place and so up close, and I found the natural spectacle breathtaking.

Explore the solitary mountain forests, plateaus, and laurel forests in a 4x4 vehicle on your own or during a combined tour, where you will learn some exciting facts about island life.

I love to immerse myself in foreign countries by wandering through marketplaces and local festivals. Such events can't always be planned, but especially in the summer, countless celebrations take place in Madeira. In Funchal, I simply followed the loud music to a public square, and suddenly I found myself in front of a handful of stalls, a stage, with singing and dancing happening all around.

There, I also tried the local specialty 'Espetada' for the first time, which is truly not for vegetarians: I was handed a huge laurel branch, with some chunks of beef seasoned with sea salt skewered on it, and I was told to grill it. I felt a bit like a Stone Age woman discovering the advantages of fire for the first time, but I could swear that grilled meat has never tasted so delicious in my life!

The geographical location near the Gulf Stream ensures that Madeira enjoys a mild, spring-like climate year-round. Temperatures are usually pleasant even in summer, so Madeira does not have a classic season. Nevertheless, hotel prices naturally adjust to the European holiday calendar. Thus, traveling off-season is the most cost-effective.

In contrast, Porto Santo has a drier climate with small temperature variations. The water temperature in the summer months is around 24 degrees, while in winter it rarely drops below 20 degrees.

Whether you head to Madeira or Porto Santo, both islands are perfect for an action-packed vacation. The unique volcanic landscapes, with their dense forests and solitary mountain gorges, remind one of a fairy tale from childhood. Activities like canyoning and rappelling allow you to get very close to the original landscape.

This article was made possible with the kind support of Visit Madeira. Thank you for that!