Things to do in

Canical

Head out from Funchal on a full-day tour of Madeira’s north-east. Leaving the town behind, stop in São Vicente, and take in amazing 360-degree views. Marvel at the contrast of colors from the vineyards. Enjoy a drive along serpentine roads and through forests. Discover the unique scenery of the area from an open-top 4X4 vehicle. Before lunch, visit a water mill and see the traditional thatched houses of Santana. Stop to enjoy lunch in idyllic surroundings, and later visit a sugar cane and rum factory, where you can taste the local rum. Finish your tour in Caniçal, where you’ll have spectacular views of Ponta São Lourenço – the eastern part of the island.

Embark on a half-day tour dedicated to the Madeira's gardens, one of the island's greatest treasures. Visit the Monte Palace Tropical Garden and be impressed by its beauty and diverse culture. See traces of Portugal's history since the reign of its first king, D. Afonso Henriques. Wander through the Monte Palace, which occupies an area of 70.000 square meters and houses an exotic collection of plants from different regions in the world. Watch swans and ducks floating on the lake as well as peacocks and chickens walking freely in the main areas of the property. Visit the museum inside the palace that houses a unique collection of minerals and gems.  The tour ends in the Botanical Garden, founded in 1960 by a Madeiran Botanist. Find more than 2500 species of plants from different parts in the world, all brought together in the “Garden of the Atlantic.”

Once having been collected from your Madeira accommodation, drive through the mountains before arriving to Ribeiro Frio. Following a short but grandeur walk through the beautiful Laurisilva Forest, arrive to the fabulous Balcões’ belvedere. From this belvedere it’s possible to contemplate the many peaks of Madeira Island, from which Pico Ruivo and Pico do Areeiro stand the highest. Pico do Gato, Pico das Torres, and the well-known Penhad’Águia also constitute part of this breathtaking scenery. This area is also ideal for bird watching, due to the fact that it is home to a huge variety of different species. These birgs include the firecrest, the chaffinch, grey wagtails, blackbirds, robins, buzzards, and the very rare Madeira's long-toed pigeon.

Once having been collected from your Madeira accommodation, your day out in nature will begin. At the beginning of the descent to the house of Rabaçal, you will discover the entrance to this magnificent journey. It is a short walk of 6 kilometers, which is accessible to anyone. Throughout the hike you can enjoy fantastic views over the Rabaçal. As you hike towards the beginning of the levada, you can enjoy the vast vegetation composed mainly by the Urze and the Uveira da Serra, as well as several species of local fauna of which various birds and cows are the highlights. Enjoy the walk to the beautiful lakes and waterfalls that emerge along the way, where the wonderful Lagoa Dona Beja stands out. Complete with a waterfall that feeds the Lagoa do Vento, you will be able to take pictures of the lagoon before making your way back to the hike's start point. At the conclusion of your hike, you will be returned back to your accommodation.

Start the day with a convenient pickup from your accommodation or the cruise port of Funchal and depart with your private guide to the first stop of tour at São Vicente, where you'll see a beautiful sight over the valley. Continue along the north coast as you go to Chão da Ribeira, another beautiful spot where you can appreciate more of the valley within the Laurisilva of Madeira, the largest surviving area of laurel forest on the island. Advancing toward the north end of the region, you’ll reach the viewpoint of Ribeira da Janela where you can appreciate the contrast betweens the mountains with the sea. Finally, visit Achadas da Cruz, a place that marks the transition between the north coast and the south of the island. If you wish, you can ride the cable car and visit one of the most beautiful and quiet places on the island constructed from landslides and lava flows.

Inspire the soul and the spirit as you hike with a variety of landscapes and terrain that awakes all the senses, in a truly unique experience within the region of Madeira. Begin with a descent to Levada do Brasileiro, with a rather irregular, and steep path that goes deeper into the heart of the Laurissilva forest until you reach the levada. Continue your trail along the water in a rustic surrounding, with endemic species of flora and fauna. Visit the Lagoa do Bardo and enjoy a break before continuing along a pleasant path with open fields with denser vegetation, and taking in the beautiful views. Walk through Levada do Moinho until you find the forest road which you should take to return to the road, near to the starting point.

This pleasant walk starts in Prazeres, and travels to the south of the Island to the area of Raposeira. You will be picked up from your accommodation in Madeira by your driver and professional guide and taken to the beginning of the guided tour. Through the Levada, you can see some rich wilderness and wildlife and learn about it all from your expert guide You can enjoy views of the valleys, the eucalyptus and pine trees and learn about the Levadas, which were carved into the cliff to help carry water down to the farms and plantations. You will also pass some traditional houses and their residents at work farming.

Stroll across the paths of Levada Calheta and Prazeres and discover a variety of plant species. Take in amazing views of the surrounding landscape along the way. Begin in Calheta with a stroll along Regional Road 211 and towards Prazeres village, following a vibrant path. Discover several species of flora, such as acacias, eucalyptus, pine, and wildflowers. Stop to look around and let yourself be dazzled by the beautiful landscapes that arise along the way. Explore a little more of the natural beauty of this region, including the human presence that gives it life. Find various dirt roads that cross the route of the Levada and continue your way following the channel of water until you arrive at the Levadeiro house. Take a moment to pause and enjoy the beautiful nature as your tour comes to a close.

Your half-day Southwest Madeira tour begins in Prazeres. You will be presented with a huge rocky scene which is typical of Madeira, and can visit Prazeres Farm Animal Zoo to try its famous Jellies. Afterwards, you will travel through Paul do Mar until you arrive to Fajã da Ovelha. This site surprises visitors with its magnificent yet quiet atmospher, which makes you feel like you are the only local residents. To conclude your itinerary you will visit the lighthouse of Ponta do Pargo. Situated at 312 meters high, you will be able to see breathtaking views of the ocean and the roughness of the landscape from its vantage point.

This walk is approximately 11.7 km with a duration of 4-5 hours. The highest altitude is 1322 m., the lowest, 830 m. Along the way the views of Curral das Freitas (Nun’s Valley), located in the center of the island, as well as the village of Encumeada, emerge and deserve your contemplation. Walk among endemic species of the flora and fauna of Madeira Island, such as the laurel, Vinhático, Til, Firecrest, Chanffinch, Kestrel, and many others. Gorgeous lagoons and waterfalls abound, and birds beckon you chirpily as you take advantage of wildlife photo opps for posterity.