5 Wild Things You Must Do In Madeira
As the world begins to open back up again many of us are desperate to escape the covid blues and quench our wanderlust. Madeira is a fantastic option for dabbling back into international travel, with impressive health measures in place and one of the lowest covid infection rates in Europe. As a solo female traveller it’s also a very safe destination to explore on your own and through guided excursions. So what wild adventures should you try out on a trip to Madeira?
Canyoning
Rocky mountainous landscapes and sexy wetsuit outfits - what more could you want?
Being immersed in the Madeira mountains and traversing canyons is a fantastic way to reconnect with nature and get in touch with your adventurous side. Don’t worry if you’re new to canyoning, the guides at Epic Madeira do a great job of assisting you as you traverse the course.
Chances are you’ll leave a canyoning junkie like me, eager for your next adventure! And with so many canyoning courses to try you’ll never be short of a new challenge.
Epic Madeira have a range of options for all levels and offer other tours too like mountain biking - I’m trying coasteering next time!
2. Dolphin & Whale Watching
There are few experiences on this planet like sharing the water with dolphins in the wild. Madeira is one of a small number of places on the planet you can do this and I was really impressed with the regulations in place to ensure disturbance to the pod was kept to a minimum. Wild and free in the sea is the best way to do it - if you want to swim with dolphins avoid doing so in captivity.
I highly recommend heading out with Rota dos Cetaceos and if you want to encounter these animals under the waves then add the swim-with dolphin experience to your whale and dolphin watch trip. You won’t regret it!
3. Cable Car & Gardens
Start the day by walking along the Funchal boardwalk until you reach the cable car which will take you up to Monte. You can choose to either follow the signs to the Botanical Gardens and take another cable car, or start the day at Monte Palace Tropical Gardens instead which is just outside the exit of the cable car. Monte Palace Tropical Gardens has been voted by Conde Naste Traveller as one of the most beautiful botanical gardens in the world. It has a beautiful oriental theme and you feel as though you have been transported out of Funchal and into East Asia before being greeted with sweeping views across Funchal. There are also a number of unique exhibits which are constantly changing, so you feel like you get your moneys worth.
After the Monte Palace Tropical Gardens you can head to the Botanical Gardens. They are another short cable car journey away from Monte taking you over an impressive valley with gorgeous views across Funchal. Make sure you leave longer than an hour to explore the Gardens and soak up the view. The last cable car often leaves before the Gardens shut too so take that into account when planning your day.
I personally preferred the Botanical Gardens for no other reason than personal preference - both gardens are beautiful with their own individual qualities and deserve a visit.
There’s the chance to get a traditional toboggan back to Funchal from Monte instead of the cable car if you want. Sliding down the hill in a wicker basket is an experience unique to Madeira and one not to be missed if you have the time - plus it is authentic! Although today it is a bit of a tourist trap and on the pricy side, if you want to experience something you can only do in Madeira, then this is for you. On this trip I didn’t get the chance too, but next trip I’m there!
Final tip! Make sure you’re wearing proper shoes on this day - there’s a lot of uphill walking involved. You’ll have buns of steal after this trip!
4. 4x4 Jeep Tours
You can’t go to Madeira without taking on a 4x4 jeep tour! Exploring the rugged mountainous terrain, using the steep old King’s roads and going off road through the diverse landscapes of Madeira is one not to be missed. You have the opportunity to go beyond the tourist track in Funchal and to experience the true Madeira. Being such a small island it’s possible to cover a lot of ground in a very short period of time, so in just two days you can cover the majority of the island.
My recommendation is Green Devil Safaris. Our guide, Nuno, explained everything so thoroughly and was a fantastic host for the day who catered to our every need. I saw a side to Madeira that I don’t think I would’ve experienced had I not gone on the tour and truly feel as though I experienced an authentic taste of Madeira.
Travelling through the picturesque landscapes and learning about the flora of the island provides a beautiful insight into Madeira and island life. It’s a great way of reconnecting with the natural world and for me was the perfect combination of adventure and escapism - especially after the last year. You can hit all the ‘must see’ sights on the island if you take on one or two of these tours and you’re also given time to explore select areas at your own leisure too which is a bonus when there’s so much to soak up.
If you’re short on time, I recommend you try the East - Madeira Peaks tour and Northwest - Enchanted Terraces tour, which are both full day tours. These both include a hearty meal in local restaurants and you can end the day with the local drink - Poncha! Don’t skip the Poncha, but be careful not to drink too much if you have a busy day tomorrow… It creeps up on you!
5. Hiking
Madeira is a hiker’s paradise with over 100 trails following the 2500km of levadas - the islands characteristic water channels - to choose from. If you’re a solo traveller, I recommend joining one of Green Devil Safari’s guided hikes. It was not only a great experience to have a knowledgeable guide explain various aspects of the trail as you hike, but it was also a good opportunity to connect with other likeminded solo travellers.
If you’re short for time, 25 Fontes at Rabaçal is one not to be missed - and you can even swim in the waterfall if you’re brave enough! This hike encompasses so many aspects of Madeira that I believe everyone should experience during their visit - cascading waterfalls, dramatic mountainous landscapes and meandering levadas. The hike is around 10km and took the majority of the day, including transfers from Funchal.
Don’t forget your coat as depending on the time of year it can get cold and wet at altitude, which if you’re not prepared for can make for an uncomfortable hike as the day goes on. Make sure you bring your camera too as there’s multiple photo opportunities along the route that you won’t want to miss!
Have you visited Madeira? What’s your top thing to do on the island! Let us know in the comments below!
Disclaimer: I have not received payment for writing this review or going on these tours, and will not receive financial remuneration if you decide to book with any of the above operators. These are my personal opinions and views only.