Top Funchal Outdoor Activities

Enjoy a peaceful sunrise stroll between Pico do Arieiro and Pico Ruivo—without having to rush to keep up with a group—by choosing this self-guided hike package. To save you the hassle of organizing transport, the trip includes hotel pickup, then drop-off at Pico do Arieiro, and pickup from Achada do Teixeira once you’ve finished the hike.

Explore hidden waterfalls and pristine rivers through an exciting canyoning experience on this half-day small-group tour from Funchal. Rappel, jump, and slide your way through natural pools surrounded by lush, endemic forests. Guided by experienced professionals, this day combines adrenaline-pumping activities with stunning landscapes, a great way to enjoy the island’s unspoiled beauty.

Madeira has a reputation for its excellent canyoning opportunities and with this tour, there’s no need to do any research on local canyoning hotspots as a private guide acts as your shortcut. Get picked up in a private vehicle, then enjoy a hassle-free tour with specialist equipment provided, as well as snacks along the way. During the tour, enjoy a mix of activities, including swimming, abseiling, jumping, and water flumes.

Venture off the beaten path and see a side of Funchal that’s inaccessible to traditional tour vehicles on an excursion by 4WD vehicle. As well as receiving personalized attention in a small group, adventure through mountains, waterfalls, fishing villages, natural pools, and volcanic landscapes. This tour reaches scenic corners of Madeira that showcase the island’s dramatic natural diversity.

Make the most of your time in Madeira and cover the entire island in just two days on this small-group excursion. Set out for two full-day tours to see top landmarks including Girao Cape, the Porto Moniz natural pools, the fishing village of Camara de Lobos, and the Arieiro and Ruivo summits. Experience nature, history, and tradition on this comprehensive tour.

Bask in the sun and sea of Madeira, one of the world’s tallest oceanside cliffs, on this catamaran excursion from the Funchal Marina. After boarding, find a nice spot on the deck or one of the four trampoline nets for spotting whales and dolphins. Your crew highlights landmarks and wildlife plus you have a choice of a morning or afternoon departure time.

Funchal’s waters are home to whales and dolphins—and this luxurious catamaran tour offers the best way to spot them. Head to Funchal’s marina and hop aboard your vessel, where you’ll enjoy Champagne, cocktails, soft drinks, and snacks like local bread and cheese. Indulge as you look out for whales and dolphins. Then, if you wish, enjoy a swimming and snorkeling break at Cabo Girao before returning to shore.

See the extraordinary views from the summit of Pico Ruivo on this small-group sunrise hike. The PR1 hike from Pico do Arieiro takes you to the highest peak in Madeira, offering panoramic scenes of the island below. Set off long before the crowds arrive and climb the mountainous region to reach the top, often above the clouds, as the sun rises.

Spend time on the Atlantic Ocean spotting whales and dolphins during this small-group wildlife tour. Board a fast, agile speedboat in Funchal and sail along the coastline to observe marine life in their natural habitats, learning about their behavior from your skipper. The tour operates responsibly, with no chasing or feeding, ensuring respectful encounters. This operator is the first WCA (World Cetaceans Alliance) certified in Funchal, supporting marine conservation efforts.

Explore the great outdoors of northwest Madeira with ease on this guided 4WD adventure. Benefit from hotel pickup and drop-off at selected hotels and the luxury of having someone else drive on unfamiliar terrain—so you can admire the views and take photos along the way. The route showcases the valley of Serra d'Água, Ginjas, Porto Moniz, and plenty more surprises—with stops to explore villages, bathe in volcanic pools, and admire scenic viewpoints.

Experience one of Madeira’s world-famous levada walks on an 8-hour hike from Ribeiro Frio to Portela. Departing from Funchal, you’ll wander through the Laurel Forest (Laurisilva), a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and enjoy panoramic views of Penha d'Aguia (Eagle Rock) and the town of Porta da Cruz. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included on this small-group tour, limited to 15 people.

Explore the Rabacal area on this small group guided walking tour in Levada, that takes you through trails, and to see 25 waterfalls, too. This is a challenging walk, not offered by other companies. You’ll cover 10.5m (17k), and it should take around six to seven hours in total. Your guide will take you through the trails, but note that food and water are not included so you might want to bring some of your own.

Venture beyond Funchal, without needing to rent your own car, on this full-day Jeep tour that showcases Madeira’s most spectacular natural landscapes. With just a small group for company, travel to Pico do Arieiro, explore the UNESCO-listed Laurisilva Forest, visit Santana’s iconic triangular houses, and admire dramatic coastal scenery. Traveling by 4WD makes it easy to reach some of the island’s most scenic and less accessible locations.

Madeira’s eastern shores draw far fewer crowds than the areas surrounding its capital, but exploring in your own wheels can mean you spend more time focusing on the road than the scenery. This 4x4 tour of eastern Madeira takes you off the beaten path to places hard to reach on your own, including UNESCO-listed Santana.

Spend the day discovering some of Madeira’s most spectacular scenery—without worrying about navigating the rugged terrain—on this full-day tour. Hop aboard a 4WD vehicle to discover Madeira’s wild northwestern corner. See the rugged coastal scenery at Seixal, admire volcanic landscapes from Encumeada, discover natural lava pools at Porto Moniz, and more. If the weather behaves, you may even have time to stop and take a dip.

Hike through the spectral landscapes of the UNESCO-listed Queimadas Forest Park, Madeira, on an enriching 5-hour excursion from Funchal. Accompanied by an expert guide, stroll at a leisurely pace through landscapes reminiscent of fairytales; see thatched-roof cottages, ancient trees and exotic bird species as you explore. Gaze at the emerald green lagoon beneath the famous Caldeirão Waterfall before taking the same route back to the start point.

Watch the sunset from one of Madeira’s most beautiful locations, Pico do Areiro, on this half-day excursion from Funchal. Join a small group and climb aboard your 4x4 vehicle to the summit of Areiro, Madeira’s third-highest peak. Then, watch as the sky turns from blue to different hues of orange and pink as the sun begins to set; don’t forget to bring your camera to capture the moment.

This is a shore excursion with pick up / drop off at the cruise terminal, and lunch included. Explore the northwest side of Madeira in a 4x4 vehicle with an open top roof. Volcanic lava pools, a 15–minute levada walk, non-touristic villages, Madeira's UNESCO–listed native forest, waterfalls, sea cliffs, any many more great surprises await you.

Being able to enjoy a cultural, gastronomic, mountain hiking experience, and the history and biodiversity of the island as a real place. Our activity will take you to eat like a local, in the restaurants that locals go to. Eat a regional kebab, drink a poncha, all this as a true Madeiran does, along trails little used by those who visit us. Get to know the story told by a certified guide born and raised on the island. Have a social and economic impact on local communities, thus bringing sustainability to our activity.

The countryside west of Funchal boasts some of Madeira’s most beautiful scenery, but the rugged roads make exploring a challenge. On this tour, begin with pickup at your hotel and spin around the island by powerful 4x4 vehicle. Reach attractions including the Paul da Serra plateau and the village of Porto Moniz, admire uninterrupted coastal views, and enjoy personal attention from your guide on this small-group tour—restricted to six people.

Experience the best of the Madeira region on this wine-tasting and off-road tour from Funchal. Admire 360-degree views difficult to access by car, then head to a vineyard to learn about the wine production process from long-time owners. Indulge in a wine tasting paired with local snacks before heading to Girão Cape for stunning Atlantic views. End in the fishing village of Câmara de Lobos for another tasting of Madeira wines.

Customize your own sightseeing itinerary on a private 5-hour jeep tour of Madeira. Depending on your preferences, you’ll explore the east or west side of the island in a 4x4 vehicle while receiving undivided attention from a private guide. Opt to discover Pico do Areiro and the Valley of the Nuns (Curral das Freiras) in the east, or ascend to Cabo Girão, Europe’s highest sea cliff, and Câmara de Lobos, home to a colony of monk seals, during a tour of the west.

Hike through the Madeira highlands on a half-day walk that follows the historic Levada da Serra do Faial, a century-old irrigation canal, through lush forest. You’ll cover 3.4 miles (5.5 km) of trail, earn views of Madeiran villages, and see a wide range of plants in a scenic, natural environment. This 4-hour, guided walking tour includes pickup and drop-off at Funchal hotels.