Most people arrive in Madeira expecting beautiful scenery and good walking. What surprises them is the range of things to do beyond the levadas and viewpoints. The island's Atlantic waters are home to over 20 species of dolphins and whales. The volcanic valleys are world-class canyoning terrain. The mountain roads attract cyclists from across Europe. And the combination of dramatic coastline, high peaks, and dense forest creates an environment where outdoor experiences feel genuinely extraordinary.
The key to doing any of this properly is having a car. Madeira's best activities are spread across the island, and most of the most spectacular ones are in places that buses don't reach and taxis make expensive. This guide covers the best activities in Madeira and how to access them.
Dolphin and Whale Watching in Madeira
Madeira sits in the middle of the Atlantic migration routes, and its deep offshore waters are home to resident and migratory cetacean populations year-round. Over 20 species have been recorded in Madeiran waters, including common dolphins, bottlenose dolphins, sperm whales, and pilot whales. This is not a "maybe you'll see something" experience — sightings are extremely reliable, and most tours guarantee a refund if you don't see any cetaceans.
Most dolphin and whale watching tours depart from Funchal Marina or the harbour at Caniçal in the east of the island. The tours typically last 2–3 hours and go several kilometres offshore. Caniçal is particularly good for sperm whales, as the deep water off the eastern tip of the island is prime habitat.
With a rental car, you can drive to Caniçal (30 minutes from Funchal) for the early morning tours that tend to have the best sightings, combine the trip with a visit to Ponta de São Lourenço, and avoid the cost of taxis to and from the harbour.
🚗 Access Every Activity in Madeira
Rent a car in Madeira and reach dolphin tours, canyoning valleys, and mountain bike trails without depending on buses or expensive taxis.
Canyoning in Madeira
Madeira's volcanic geology creates ideal canyoning terrain: narrow gorges, waterfalls, natural pools, and rock slides carved by centuries of water flowing from the mountains to the sea. The island has several world-class canyoning routes, ranging from beginner-friendly half-day descents to full-day technical routes for experienced canyoners.
Best Canyoning Routes
Ribeiro Frio: One of the most accessible routes, starting near the trout farm in the Laurissilva forest. Suitable for beginners and families with older children. The descent includes several waterfalls and natural pools in a spectacular forest setting.
Curral das Freiras: The "Valley of the Nuns" is one of Madeira's most dramatic landscapes — a volcanic crater surrounded by 1,000-metre cliffs. The canyoning routes here are more technical and suitable for experienced participants. The drive to Curral das Freiras is spectacular in itself.
Rabaçal: Near the Paul da Serra plateau, the Rabaçal valley has several canyoning routes alongside the famous 25 Fontes waterfall walk. Combine canyoning with the levada walk for a full day in one of Madeira's most beautiful areas.
All canyoning routes require a car to reach — public transport doesn't serve these valleys. Most operators provide equipment but require you to get yourself to the meeting point.
Paragliding and Aerial Adventures
Madeira's mountain terrain creates excellent paragliding conditions, with launch points at altitude and landing zones on the coast. The most popular launch site is above Funchal, with flights that soar over the city and the bay before landing on the seafront. Tandem flights are available for beginners — no experience required.
Other aerial experiences include zip lines (the one at Cabo Girão, one of the highest sea cliffs in Europe, is particularly dramatic) and via ferrata routes on the coastal cliffs. Most of these require a car to reach the starting point.
Mountain Biking and Road Cycling
Madeira has become one of Europe's most exciting cycling destinations, attracting both mountain bikers and road cyclists. The island's terrain offers everything from high-altitude mountain trails to coastal road routes with dramatic Atlantic views.
Mountain Biking
The trails around Pico do Arieiro, the Paul da Serra plateau, and the Laurissilva forest are the main mountain biking areas. The descents from the high plateau to the coast are long, technical, and spectacular. Several operators in Funchal offer guided mountain bike tours with transport to the starting point — but if you have your own bikes, a rental car with a roof rack is the most flexible option.
Road Cycling
The VR1 expressway is closed to cyclists, but the regional roads offer challenging and beautiful road cycling. The climb from Funchal to Pico do Arieiro is a classic — 30km of continuous climbing to 1,818m. The north coast road is spectacular but demanding. Many road cyclists use a rental car to transport bikes to different starting points around the island.
🚗 Transport Your Gear Across the Island
A rental car gives you the freedom to reach every trailhead, harbour, and launch point in Madeira. Compare prices from local companies.
Levada Walking: Madeira's Signature Experience
The levadas are Madeira's network of irrigation channels, built over centuries to carry water from the wet north of the island to the drier south. The paths alongside the channels create some of the most unique walking routes in the world — following the water through tunnels, along cliff edges, and through ancient laurel forest.
There are over 2,000km of levada paths on the island, ranging from easy flat walks suitable for families to dramatic routes along sheer cliff edges that require a head for heights. The most famous routes include the Levada das 25 Fontes (leading to a spectacular waterfall), the Levada do Caldeirão Verde (through the Queimadas forest), and the Levada do Rei (through the north coast forest near São Jorge).
All of the best levada walks require a car to reach the starting point. The Queimadas forest park, the Rabaçal plateau, and the São Jorge valley are all accessible only by road.
Boat Trips and Water Sports from Funchal
Funchal Marina is the departure point for a range of boat trips and water sports. Dolphin and whale watching tours are the most popular, but the marina also offers sailing trips, catamaran cruises, deep-sea fishing, and sea kayaking along the coast.
The marina is easy to reach by car from anywhere in Funchal, and having a car means you can combine a morning boat trip with an afternoon in the mountains — something that's much harder to do without your own transport.
Frequently Asked Questions About Activities in Madeira
What is the best activity to do in Madeira?
It depends on your interests, but dolphin watching and a levada walk are the two experiences most unique to Madeira. The north coast road drive is the experience that most visitors say they'll remember longest.
Do I need to book activities in advance in Madeira?
For dolphin watching and canyoning, yes — especially in summer. Popular tours fill up quickly. Book at least 2–3 days in advance in peak season. Levada walks don't require booking.
Are activities in Madeira suitable for children?
Many are. Dolphin watching is excellent for children. The easier levada walks are family-friendly. The natural pools at Porto Moniz are perfect for swimming with children. Canyoning has minimum age requirements (usually 10–12 years) depending on the route.
Is Madeira good for hiking?
Madeira is one of Europe's best hiking destinations. The combination of levada paths, mountain trails, and coastal walks offers routes for every fitness level. The Pico do Arieiro to Pico Ruivo traverse is considered one of the best mountain walks in Europe.
