Madeira: The Scenic Island in Portugal That Turns A Trip Into An Adventure

I find there are two moments were people ache to get away. The colder months and the hunt for warmer temperatures and the late-summer stretch where you want to squeeze as much adventure, sunshine and relaxation as possible before the colder months appear. Right now, the late-summer sun is getting long and the longing for adventure is creeping in more and more. This is the exact moment, or your sign, to consider the stunning island of Madeira off the coast of Portugal.

Madeira, Portugal’s subtropical archipelago, invites you to discover a vacation full of adventure, history and scenic viewpoints.

Why Book Your Trip To Madeira

Madeira proper is rugged and is stunningly beautiful. They call it the Hawaii of Europe for a reason.

One thing that people don’t consider I find at first glance is the sheer amount of different activities that this beautiful island offers.

One experience after another, it delivers unique and memorable activities with it’s carved out landscape and dynamic weather. It’s a place that you visit once and people think you island hopped to different countries entirely when they see the pictures.

Featured List of Experiences in Madeira

Coastal Golfing

I love golf. I play golf. I can tell you it’s hard enough when you have a golf course that looks like it was just cut out of flat farmland, but these courses in Madeira, will make it hard to focus on the tee. Bring extra golf balls just in case because you will be distracted by the sheer coastal beauty of some of these golf courses.

For example, Palheiro Golf is draped over a former hunting estate 500 m above sea level, threads eucalyptus groves with cinematic views of the bay. Doesn’t that sound like one of the best golf rounds that you haven’t played yet?

The lush greens, the scenic views, the water views, the elevation changes all bring an aspect of beauty and difficulty to every round there.

Some Golf Courses To Look Into For Your Next Golf Trip

Clube de Golf Santo da Serra
Batalha Golf Course
Palheiro Golf

Enjoy Wines Steeped In History and Tradition

Madeira wine region is chalked full of history. Today, the ageing vats still slumber in 1800s warehouses, cultivating more and more complexity and flavours. Book a premium tour at Blandy’s Wine Lodge for a vertical tasting that leaps from a 3-year to even wines that are well over 100 years old.

Enjoy Vinhos Barbeito, H.M. Borges, Henriques & Henriques and more for an authentic Portuguese wine experience drenched in tradition.

Scenic Hikes

If you are looking for some scenic hike, awe-inspiring views and pumped-up leg muscles from uphill and downhill climbs, there is something about Madeira that continues to give.

The island lends itself to incredible scenic and changing views. One hike you could be seeing small villages below your feet, walking through trees curled over a pathway overhead or rocky drops with beautiful waves crashing against them.

While other hikes you are going from Peak-To-Peak with a famous view called the ‘Stairway to Heaven’ (which starts on the Vereda do Areeiro trail) with steps all the way up to a peak and both sides of the staircase above the clouds giving an honestly heavenly look to the photos.

Pro tip: Be sure to check weather and live cameras before you head up and have a flexible schedule to get the most out of the hikes.

Outdoor and Water Activities

More of a thrill seeker compared to someone who loves to just enjoy laying by the pool? Madeira brings a lot of adventure potential.

Enjoy horseback riding, windsurfing, snorkeling, mountain biking, bird watching, off-roading and much more.

Relaxing Naturally

You know, some like a more relaxed lifestyle but they still want to enjoy the beautiful scenery and get out of their hotels.

Relax and spend the day at our of the beautiful natural swimming pools of Cachalote, Porto Moniz, and Seixal.

Enjoy both pebble and great sand beaches in Madeira, giving you the choice and option of beaching how you want.

There are plenty of ports, bathing complexes, and saltwater swimming pools around the island that help you with your tan, beat the heat and enjoy some warm summer island breezes.

You can even enjoy chartering a boat or booking a tour so you can see the island from a scenic boat tour or rip around the island on a jetski.

Important Events and Festivals in Madeira

Timing is everything in luxury travel, and Madeira’s calendar is paced well with events worth planning around. A lot of aching travellers choose Madeira for the long list of unique island experiences.

Carnival Festivities (Late February / Early March) – Rio-style samba parade on the Saturday, irreverent “Trapalhão” parade on Shrove Tuesday, plus street parties all week.
Madeira Rum Festival (Late April) – Tastings, mixology master-classes and live music along Funchal’s Avenida Arriaga celebrating the island’s agricole rum heritage.
Flower Festival (May) – Children’s Wall of Hope, floral carpet art and a lavish Sunday float parade that turns Funchal into a botanical catwalk.
Atlantic Festival (June) – Four Saturday-night pyromusical firework competitions plus open-air concerts marking the start of summer.
Classics at Magnolia (Late July) – Chic garden party where Madeiran collectors display ’50s–’80s automobiles the weekend before the island rally.
Rali Vinho da Madeira (Early August) – Europe-rated tarmac rally that draws thousands to mountain stages and Funchal service park.
Wine Festival (Late August – Early September) – Grape-harvest parades, live-pressing demos and free tastings of Madeira’s age-defying fortified wines.
Columbus Festival, Porto Santo (Middle of September)– Costumed re-enactments and nautical shows honouring the explorer’s island years.
Nature Festival (Early October) – Week of guided hikes, canyoning, paragliding and trail-running that showcases UNESCO-listed landscapes.
Christmas & New Year Festivities (December to Early January) – City-wide illuminations, nightly cultural shows, a famed 31 Dec harbour firework display

Luxury Hotels In Madeira

Belmond Reid’s Palace

Still the grande dame, perched since 1891 on a pink cliff with butler-drawn baths and a Michelin star at William Restaurant.
The Times

Savoy Palace

A curvaceous, art-deco fever dream and Leading Hotels of the World member, whose rooftop infinity pool looks as though it might pour directly into the Atlantic.

Les Suites at The Cliff Bay

Boutique sibling to The Cliff Bay, offering 23 suites, a private pier, and a whisper-quiet guest-list of CEOs avoiding their own boards.

Pro tip: ask concierge to pre-arrange levada-hike picnics or a Bentley transfer to the tee box—luxury here is low-key but highly personalised.

Saccharum Resort

Located in Calheta, Saccharum is an elegant and comfortable hotel combined with contemporary technology and design. It leaves the traditional design behind and exchanges it with a modern feel with modern amenities, not to mention one of the best coastal presences on the island.

Final Thoughts

Madeira is a place to explore. And there is a lot to explore. We have barely scratched the surface and you can already see how much we covered in such a short time. We haven’t even mentioned the delicious food, the immense depth of history, the shopping, the spas, the rum production, and more.

It’s a trip that you need to think about when you are packing for it. You might want to check a bigger bag on your flight. Pack your bathing suit, your water shoes, your hiking boots, your golf clubs, jackets, pants and shorts because you will be using and enjoying all of them with you.

It’s important to bring a bigger bag because you will want to bring back the Madeira wine, some souvenirs, some beautifully made Portugese garments, local artwork, maybe a Cristiano Ronaldo jersey straight from his hometown, or maybe the delicious olive oil.

So when you and your family, group of friends, business retreat, golf buddies, are planning a trip, be bold when people are deciding on where to go, be the person that mentions Madeira.

Learn more about Madeira through their website.

Photos: Visit Madeira