Madeira holidays 2026 / 2027 - book today
Madeira holidays
Lush levadas, volcanic cliffs, and Atlantic island beauty

2,200+

travel specialists ready to design your escape

leftMediaCrop
rightMediaCrop
Madeira captivates with rugged cliffs, dense laurel forests, and terraced vineyards overlooking the ocean. Wander historic Funchal streets, ascend dramatic mountain peaks, and follow the island’s famous levadas to discover a land where adventure, culture, and natural beauty converge.

Where mountanous splendour meets city streets and island tranquillity

Begin with the explosion of colour that is Funchal, wandering its historic streets, markets brimming with vivid local produce, and botanical gardens alive with tropical blooms. Taste the island’s distinctive wines and enjoy fresh seafood at elegant waterside restaurants. Venture inland to explore rugged mountains, dramatic peaks, and terraced vineyards clinging to steep slopes. Follow Madeira’s famous levadas past waterfalls, laurel forests, and hidden valleys for a tranquil, immersive experience. Along the coastline, discover cliffside villages, pristine bays, and sweeping Atlantic views. Madeira blends adventure, culture, and serene natural beauty into an inspiring and uplifting escape.

Top Experiences

A volcanic amphitheatre rising from the Atlantic into lush levadas and laurel forests, Madeira defines tropical Mediterranean beauty.

Wander Funchal’s historic streets

Wander Funchal’s historic streets

Explore the captivating capital

Visit Madeira’s metropolitan capital, wandering cobbled streets lined with pastel-coloured houses, bustling markets, and boutique shops. Stop at Mercado dos Lavradores to sample local fruits, Madeira wines, and tropical flowers. Explore museums, colonial architecture, and botanical gardens, all reflecting the island’s cultural heritage. For a special experience, take a cable car from the city to Monte, enjoying panoramic views over the Atlantic. Whether for history, shopping, or simply soaking up the atmosphere, Funchal combines elegance, energy, and natural beauty in every corner, making it an essential starting point for your Madeira journey.

Glide down Monte Hills

The traditional way to travel

One of Madeira’s most iconic customs, the traditional wicker toboggan ride descends from Monte to Funchal through narrow, winding streets. Guided by two skilled carreiros, you’ll enjoy an exhilarating journey with sweeping views of the city, bay, and Atlantic beyond. This centuries-old tradition combines heritage craftsmanship, and a gentle rush of adrenaline, offering a truly memorable way to connect with Madeira’s culture. Perfect for photography and capturing a sense of place, the Monte toboggan ride is a uniquely Madeiran experience.
Glide down Monte Hills
Follow the Levadas

Follow the Levadas

Head for the forests

Madeira’s levadas — intricate irrigation channels carved into the mountainsides — offer a unique way to explore the island’s lush interior. Walking these paths, you’ll encounter waterfalls, hidden valleys, and dense laurel forests, all teeming with indigenous flora and fauna. Routes range from gentle strolls to more challenging hikes, each offering dramatic perspectives of the mountains and ocean beyond. Guided tours provide insight into the history and engineering behind these centuries-old waterways. Whether seeking adventure, photography opportunities, or tranquil immersion in nature, you'll discover Madeira’s most iconic landscapes in a serene and unforgettable way.

Explore coastal villages

Be charmed by the coast

Madeira’s coastline is dotted with rustic villages, dramatic cliffs, and secluded bays. From Câmara de Lobos, a traditional fishing village once painted by Winston Churchill, to the cliffside balconies of Ponta do Sol, each stop offers local culture, seafood delicacies, and sweeping sea views. Coastal drives reveal hidden beaches, natural swimming pools, and volcanic rock formations unique to the island. For a different perspective, take a boat tour to watch whales and dolphins in their natural habitat or enjoy snorkelling in crystal-clear waters.

Explore coastal villages
Historic dining in Funchal Historic dining in Funchal

Historic dining in Funchal

A truly historic setting

Set in Funchal’s historic centre, Armazém do Sal combines a former salt warehouse setting with contemporary Madeiran cuisine. Savour freshly caught seafood, locally sourced produce, and an extensive Madeira wine selection in an atmospheric, stone-walled dining room. The warm glow of pendant lights, rustic textures, and attentive service make every meal feel both intimate and elegant, creating an intimate dining experience that celebrates the island’s flavours and heritage.

Traditional Santana flavours

Eat like a local

In the northern village of Santana, family-run tavernas highlight Madeira’s rustic culinary traditions. Taste espetada — succulent beef skewers grilled over laurel wood — alongside milho frito, local cheeses, and artisanal sausages. Set among the iconic triangular thatched houses and with levadas nearby, the warm, welcoming atmosphere immerses you in the island’s culture, offering a hands-on connection to centuries-old cooking techniques and local ingredients.
Traditional Santana flavours Traditional Santana flavours
Modern Madeiran gastronomy Modern Madeiran gastronomy

Modern Madeiran gastronomy

Experience the island’s bounty

Perched within the Palheiro estate above Funchal, Oxalis at Casa Velha do Palheiro blends modern gastronomy with local ingredients. Enjoy refined dishes in elegant surroundings, surrounded by landscaped gardens and distant Atlantic views. From inventive seafood plates to tropical fruit desserts, each course reflects the island’s bounty. The combination of creative cuisine, serene vistas, and attentive service delivers an elevated dining experience, where Madeira’s natural beauty is as present on the plate as it is in the setting.

Clifftop seafood delights

The freshest catch cooked on the coals

Overlooking Câmara de Lobos bay, Vila do Peixe specialises in freshly caught fish and seafood, grilled over charcoal to perfection. Dine on octopus, sea bass, or prawns while watching the harbour’s gentle waves and sunlit Atlantic horizon. The informal yet polished setting, fragrant sea air, and panoramic views combine to create am experience that is authentically Madeiran — relaxed, flavourful, and unforgettable.

Clifftop seafood delights Clifftop seafood delights
Reid’s Palace, A Belmond Hotel Reid’s Palace, A Belmond Hotel

Reid’s Palace, A Belmond Hotel

The standard for old-school luxury

This legendary hotel has, for over a century, been a standard-bearer for excellence and luxury on Madeira and beyond. The resort is located on ten acres of subtropical gardens, boasts enviable access to the sea, and is within walking distance of Funchal’s shops and restaurants. This is the ideal place to be pampered and to let the stress of modern life drift away in a gentle sea breeze.

The Cliff Bay

The ultimate view

This cliff-side hotel serves up some of the best harbour views in Funchal, located on a promontory on Estrada Monumental, with direct access to the sea. On the top level, there’s a large pool and a chic spa for you to relax and soak up the sun rays, and there’s another pool right by the sea.

The Cliff Bay The Cliff Bay
Porto Santa Maria Porto Santa Maria

Porto Santa Maria

Enjoy waterside exclusivity

Porto Santa Maria is located at the water's edge with direct access to the sea front promenade and the well-known "old town" of Funchal. This adults-only resort is the ideal place to relax, immerse yourself in a novel and soak up the Madeira sun. Relax on the terrace at Captain’s Bar with a cold, refreshing beverage and enjoy the outstanding and exclusive views over the harbour where the cruise ships dock.

Quinta do Lorde Resort

Surround yourself with natural beauty

Set on Madeira’s eastern tip, Quinta do Lorde Resort offers private villas, a marina, and sweeping Atlantic vistas. With spacious accommodations, a full-service spa, gourmet restaurants, and tailored excursions, it’s ideal for both couples and families. The resort balances tranquility, refined service, and natural beauty, providing a luxurious base to explore the island’s eastern landscapes, including Ponta de São Lourenço and the serene coastal waters beyond.

Quinta do Lorde Resort Quinta do Lorde Resort
Ready to turn your dreams into reality? Ready to turn your dreams into reality?

Ready to turn your dreams into reality?

With us, it's personal

With 30+ years of experience, we have the expertise, connections, and the personal touch to build your ideal trip - whether you want a luxury escape, a solo adventure, or time spent discovering the world together. Not sure where to start? It all begins with a conversation, so get in touch and let’s make your next holiday your best one yet.

 

Find your Travel Counsellor

Seasonal Experiences

Our experts know when to visit

Spring Icon
Spring awakening
Mar – May
Spring brings flowers, levada walks, and the acclaimed Madeira Flower Festival, while comfortable temperatures make hiking and exploration ideal.
Summer Icon
Coastal adventures
Jun – Aug
Warm seas, boat trips, coastal paths, open-air dining, and the Atlantic Festival’s fireworks illuminate Funchal’s harbour in summer.
Autumn Icon
Golden harvests
Sep – Nov

Autumn brings grape harvest celebrations, clear skies for levada walks, golden light over mountains, and inviting swimming conditions.

Winter Icon
Fireworks & festivities
Dec – Feb

Mild winter days suit coastal walks, whale watching, Funchal markets, carnival festivities, and spectacular New Year fireworks.

Madeira Gardens Ss

WHY USE A TRAVEL COUNSELLOR

Because with us, it's personal

Tailor-made for you

Tailor-made for you

When you travel with us, your Travel Counsellor knows that your holiday isn’t just a trip away. It’s a longed-for escape, time to reconnect with loved ones, or a dream adventure you never thought possible. Experts in the destination and backed by 30+ years of experience, they take the time to truly get to know you and understand your hopes, expectations, and needs, creating a trip that takes those dreams and makes them a reality, each and every time.

Dedicated service. Always

Dedicated service. Always

To us, dedicated care isn’t about talking to an AI chatbot or getting through to customer service without being put on hold. It’s being given the personal mobile number of your Travel Counsellor from the very first call. Having your thoughts and ideas listened to as if by a friend, with accommodation, activities, flight arrangements, and added extras all personalised just for you. And realising their secret recommendations are the unexpected memories you take home. From insider tips to warm welcomes home, they turn your holiday from good to truly incomparable.

Stress-free travel, and more time for what matters most

Stress-free travel, and more time for what matters most

Over the years, we’ve crafted over two million tailor-made holidays, and we know that your time away should be stress-free, easy, and seamless from start to finish. So, we take care of all the details for you - from ATOL protection and flexible payments to the myTC app keeping everything in one place. And when the unexpected happens, you can rest easy - knowing that last-minute changes, flight cancellations, or disruption will be resolved by your Travel Counsellor before you even pick up the phone – leaving you happy, carefree, and ready to make the most of every moment.

Icon Travel Expert

2,200+

Travel experts

Icon Mytc

myTC App

All-in-one access

Icon Support

24/7
Personalised 
support

Icon Flexbile

Flexible

payments

Icon 40 Shield Checkmark 1

ATOL

protected

Icon Holidays Booked

30+ years'

experience

Villas 1 Awali Background Colour Banana Island 3 (2)

Find your Travel Counsellor

Tell us about your dream trip.
We’ll match you with the perfect Travel Counsellor to bring it all to life.

Travel Counsellors

Finding your match...

Every unforgettable journey starts with the right person by your side.