Madeira Adventure Weekend with My Nephew
Madeira might be known for its incredible scenery and walking trails, but there's plenty to do if you're after something a little more adventurous. I spent three nights in Madeira with my nephew, and we packed in four activities: the Funchal cable car, the traditional toboggan ride, an off-road buggy tour and canyoning.
1. Funchal cable car: is the glass floor worth paying extra for?
The cable car takes you from Funchal up to Monte, with lovely views over the city and coastline along the way. I paid extra for the glass floor, but honestly, I'm not sure it was worth the additional cost. We spent most of the journey looking out of the windows anyway! There can be some advantages, though. Depending on availability, the glass-floor cars may have a shorter queue, and you can get a seat rather than standing. There are fewer of these cars, however, so this isn't guaranteed.
2. The traditional Madeira toboggan ride
The toboggan ride is one of Madeira's best-known experiences, and I wanted to give it a go while we were there.
You sit in a traditional wicker basket, which is steered by two runners who control the speed and direction. The ride is about 2km along the road and through the streets. It's a fun experience and suitable for all ages and definitely something you should try when you're in Madeira.
3. Off-roading in Madeira: muddy tracks and incredible views
We booked a three-hour buggy tour, which took us along the mountain tracks, with stops around Cabo Girão and for views towards the Nuns Valley. This was much more than simply driving around looking at the scenery.
We got stuck into the off-road tracks, splashed through muddy puddles and saw parts of the island we wouldn't necessarily have experienced on a typical sightseeing trip.
I'd definitely recommend looking into an off-road tour if you fancy doing something a bit different in Madeira. Just don't expect to stay clean and dry!
4. Canyoning in Madeira: waterfalls, rock slides and getting out of our comfort zone
Canyoning was probably the most adventurous thing we did.
We booked a beginner-friendly experience around the Nuns Valley, involving abseiling down waterfalls and sliding down natural rock slides. I'm not the biggest fan of water. I was fine with the abseiling, as I've done something similar before, but the water slides were definitely out of my comfort zone!
My nephew was nervous at first too, but by the end of his first waterfall, he was absolutely buzzing and couldn't wait to move on to the next one. I loved seeing him try something new and grow in confidence as we went along.
That's one of the things I love about travelling with him. We're making memories, but we're also trying things we might not ordinarily do.
Is Madeira worth visiting for a short break?
I'd say yes, although I want to go for longer next time. I'd love to explore more of the walking trails, see more of the sights in Funchal and hire a car so I could discover more of the island at my own pace. That said, Madeira is also a great option for a short break. There's plenty of scenery, activities and opportunities to try something different. Would I go back? Absolutely.
