Things to do in

Machico

Immerse yourself in the history of Madeira. Starting with pick-up from the lobby of your hotel, make your way to the Camacha Wickerwork Factory, (Closed at the moment due to Covid). Pass the Eucalyptus and Mimosa forests into the black forest of Madeira overlooking the Christmas pines, into the breathtaking mountains of Pico do Arieiro at 1,800 meters.  Taking the old road of Faial, Santana will be the next stop, where you can see the town's traditional thatched houses and vines. Stop for lunch (not included in the price). After the lunch stop in Santana, continue on to Porto Cruz, passing the sugar cane fields. Visit the only steam rum factory in Europe (includes rum tasting) and the village, where the rough black sandy beach is appealing to all surfers. Then travel along the North Coast where sugar cane terraces are still visible. See the old capital of Madeira, Machico, where the first Portuguese settlers arrived in the 15th century, before heading to Ponta de São Lourenço, the eastern point cape of the island where the rock formations will astound you. Your tour ends with a drop-off at your hotel. 

Your scuba diving adventure will begin with a short theory lesson about the practice of diving before doing a trial dive in the shallow waters of the swimming pool.  Once you feel comfortable and know how to handle the equipment, you’ll be ready for the real deal. Your diving instructor will take you for an exhilarating dive out in the sea to explore the spectacular underwater world of Madeira. The dive itself will last about 45 minutes at a maximum depth of 12 meters. At the end of the tour, you’ll receive a certificate of participation to make your next underwater adventure an absolute breeze.

Enjoy a safe and comfortable transfer from the Madeira airport to your hotel on this 45-minute service. Book in advance and arrive in Madeira with no worries about finding transportation. This shared transfer is available for hotels located in Central Funchal, Machico, Santa Cruz, Câmara de Lobos, and Caniço village. Up to 8 passengers can be accommodated in the mini-bus. When you arrive, look in the exit area for the driver, who will be carrying an envelope for each of the passengers for the service. Inside the envelope is general information about Madeira and other services provided by the operator. If you are booking a round-trip transfer, you must confirm the pick-up time at your hotel.

The beautiful Ribeira do Cidrão canyon lies in the middle of the island of Madeira, within the valley that the nuns from Santa Clara Convent fled to when Funchal was attacked by pirates in 1566, giving it its name as the Nun's Valley. After a walk of approximately 20 minutes on a dirt road and along a levada, the canyoning adventure begins. Along the way, get ready to conquer six rappels, the highest being 15 meters. Discover a series of refreshing pools that you can jump and slide into, and take in the beautiful mountain views which serve as a constant backdrop. After the canyon, walk another 20 minutes back up.

Begin this full-day 4x4 tour with a pick-up at your hotel in Funchal and travel deep into the southeast of Madeira. You’ll come to Machico town and the line that divides the north and south of the island. Take in breathtaking views of the Eagles Rock from Portela. Drive down, stopping in Porto da Cruz, which is the next must-see point. Visit a sugar cane factory, continue to the Faial coastline and then up to see the typical houses of Santana. These small straw-thatched triangular houses are emblematic of Madeira and intricate in their construction. Head down into the valley and through the forest to Riveiro Frio at an elevation of 1818 meters, the third-highest peak on the Island.

Board a boat custom-made for whale watching with seats that fit a maximum of 12 passengers per trip. Learn about whales and dolphins from the crew and keep your eyes open for all kinds of wildlife, including turtles and different species of bird. Madeira Island is known by the scientific community as the area with the highest concentration of cetacean in Madeira. With 98% of tours resulting in successful sightings, you are guaranteed to see a wide variety of different animals. After more than 1 hour and 30 minutes out at sea learning about these fascinating mammals, you’ll return back to the pier, marking the end of your whale and dolphin watching experience.

Arrive at Ponta de São Lourenço and discover the unique wonders of this nature reserve through a variety of fun activities. First, do some kayaking along the coast and observe beautiful caves up close. Take beautiful photographs of the volcanic slopes of Baía D'abra. Next, get your snorkel gear and be amazed by the fantastic underwater world at Cais do Sardinha. See beautiful species of fish, maybe even octopus and cuttlefish, beautiful algae, and sponges. If you're lucky you'll also be able to observe the very rare Monk Seal. Enjoy a light lunch of sandwiches made with traditional Bolo do Caco bread and a selection of fresh fillings. Then, embark on a boat tour along the coast. Sail to the farthest point of Ponta de São Lourenço and enjoy fantastic views of the oldest lighthouse of Madeira, before returning to Marina da Quinta do Lorde.

Start you tour with a safety briefing and instructions by a marine biologist on how to swim with dolphins. Receive your safety vests and wind breakers, and start your boat adventure.  From the boat, observe marine wildlife such as whales, dolphins, sea birds, turtles, and jelly fish. If you group spots common or spotted dolphins, and the sea conditions permit it, feel free to take a swim with those adorable creatures. With 29 species, Madeira is one of the best places in the world to observe whales and dolphins and the rate of success is very high.

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.”

Embark on a boat trip to admire a 150-year-old lighthouse, the oldest in Madeira Archipelago. See Ilhéu do Desembarcadouro, the North Coast, its beautiful caves and calm bays. This islet is a protected conservation area for its rich biodiversity. The Farol da Ponta de São Lourenço is a lighthouse located on the islet of São Lourenço. It lies on the extreme east of Madeira Island. The lighthouse was built in 1870 on top of a small extinct volcano. Spot several species of animals and plants that are unique to this area along the way. Marvel at the flowering plants of Marmulano, endemic to Madeira Islands. Soak in spectacular views from the Baía d´Abra Viewpoint over Ponta de São Lourenço and its coastline. There are different starting and ending point options for the tour. Choose the one that fits your needs. If you decide to end at Marina da Quinta do Lorde, you will see the Elephant rock before completing the tour.