Traveling to Madeira with kids or teenagers? You are in for a treat. Forget boring museums or endless bus rides; Madeira is a giant, open-air theme park. From sliding down streets in wicker baskets to exploring mist-covered “Harry Potter” forests and swimming in volcanic lava pools, this island is built for adventure.
To help you plan the perfect family trip, we have broken down the absolute best activities by category, complete with prices, honest pros and cons, and insider tips.
MADEIRA : THINGS TO DO WITH YOUR FAMILY (LIST)
🎢 Funchal Classics: Fun & Culture
🚠 Funchal Cable Car & Monte Tropical Garden
- Description: Glide over Funchal’s rooftops to Monte. At the top, explore the Monte Palace Gardens—not just “plants,” but koi fish, flamingos, African sculptures, and a massive crystal museum.
- Average Price: Cable car ~18€ (Adult) / 9€ (Child). Gardens: ~15€ (Kids under 15 free).
- How to reach: Walk to Funchal Old Town (Almirante Reis station).
- Pros & Cons: Pro: Stunning views, magical garden. Con: The garden has steep pathways (hard with strollers).
- Schedule: 3-4 hours.
- Best time to go: Morning (to avoid the heat and cruise crowds).
🏴☠️ Santa Maria de Colombo (Pirate Ship)
- Description: A full-scale replica of Christopher Columbus’s ship. Kids explore the deck, look for dolphins, and teens can jump into the Atlantic at the base of Cabo Girão.
- Average Price: ~40€ (Adult) / ~20€ (Child).
- How to reach: Departs from Funchal Marina.
- Pros & Cons: Pro: Free Madeira wine for parents, epic pirate vibe for kids. Con: Can get rocky if the sea is rough.
- Schedule: 3 hours.
- Best time to go: Morning tour (sea is usually calmer).
🌊 Water Fun & Ocean Adventures
🐋 Dolphin and Whale Watching (Catamaran)
- Description: Sail out to meet Madeira’s resident dolphins and whales.
- Average Price: ~35€ – 45€ per person.
- How to reach: Funchal or Calheta marinas.
- Pros & Cons: Pro: High success rate of seeing wildlife. Con: Sunburn risk (bring lots of sunscreen).
- Schedule: 2.5 to 3 hours.
- Best time to go: Sunset tours are spectacular.
🌋 Porto Moniz Natural Swimming Pools (Aquario da Madeira)
- Description: Swimming pools formed by volcanic lava. Visit the safe, enclosed pools with young kids, or the “wild” free pools with teens. (Tip: You can also visit the small Madeira Aquarium nearby).
- Average Price: ~3€ for the enclosed pools. Aquarium is ~9€.
- How to reach: 1-hour drive from Funchal to the North-West coast.
- Pros & Cons: Pro: Incredible photo ops and unique swimming. Con: Very crowded in summer afternoons.
- Schedule: 2-3 hours.
- Best time to go: Arrive by 10:00 AM to get a good spot.
🏄♂️ Salty Madeira Surf School (Porto da Cruz)
- Description: Swimming pools formed by volcanic lava. Visit the safe, enclosed pools with young kids, or the “wild” free pools with teens. (Tip: You can also visit the small Madeira Aquarium nearby).
- Average Price: ~3€ for the enclosed pools. Aquarium is ~9€.
- How to reach: 1-hour drive from Funchal to the North-West coast.
- Pros & Cons: Pro: Incredible photo ops and unique swimming. Con: Very crowded in summer afternoons.
- Schedule: 2-3 hours.
- Best time to go: Arrive by 10:00 AM to get a good spot.
🤿 Lava Diving Center
- Description: Discover scuba diving in the crystal-clear Atlantic waters. Perfect for teens wanting their first underwater breath.
- Average Price: ~80€ for a discovery dive.
- How to reach: Located in Caniço (Garajau Marine Reserve).
- Pros & Cons: Pro: Swim with huge friendly groupers. Con: Only for kids 10 years and older.
- Schedule: Half-day.
- Best time to go: Morning for best visibility.
🌊 Water Fun & Ocean Adventures
🧙♂️ The Fanal Forest
- Description: Ancient laurel forest often covered in mist, creating a “Harry Potter” vibe. Gentle slopes for kids to run and ancient, twisted trees.
- Average Price: Free!
- How to reach: Drive up to the Paul da Serra plateau.
- Pros & Cons: Pro: Mystical atmosphere, free cows roaming. Con: Can be very windy and cold.
- Schedule: 1-2 hours.
- Best time to go: When it’s cloudy! (The mist makes the magic).
☁️ Pico do Arieiro
- Description: Drive right to the top (1,818m). Younger kids can feel “on top of the world” at the observatory. Teens can walk the first 30 mins towards Pico Ruivo to feel like they are walking on the moon.
- Average Price: Free.
- How to reach: 40-min drive up steep winding roads from Funchal.
- Pros & Cons: Pro: No hiking required for epic views. Con: Parking is a nightmare later in the day.
- Schedule: 1-2 hours.
- Best time to go: Sunrise (if the kids can wake up) or late afternoon.
🐦 Levada dos Balcões
- Description: The ultimate family-friendly Levada walk. Flat, short (1.5km), and ends at a viewpoint where wild birds (Bis-bis) will literally eat out of your hand!
- Average Price: Free.
- How to reach: Ribeiro Frio.
- Pros & Cons: Pro: Super easy, magical bird experience. Con: Very popular, path can get busy.
- Schedule: 1.5 hours round trip.
- Best time to go: Early morning before the bus tours arrive.
🏡 Parque Florestal das Queimadas
- Description: A stunning forest park featuring traditional thatched-roof houses straight out of a fairytale. Great starting point for flat walks.
- Average Price: Small parking fee (~2€).
- How to reach: Santana (North).
- Pros & Cons: Pro: Beautiful picnic spots. Con: The road up is narrow.
- Schedule: 2 hours.
- Best time to go: Lunchtime for a family picnic.
🌿 Chão da Ribeira (Seixal)
- Description: A deep, lush valley surrounded by massive mountains. Offers short, adventurous, and safe tight levada walks in an incredibly wild setting.
- Average Price: Free.
- How to reach: Drive into the valley above Seixal.
- Pros & Cons: Pro: Off the beaten path, true Jurassic Park feel. Con: Humid, trails can be muddy.
- Schedule: 1-2 hours.
- Best time to go: Anytime.
⚡ Adrenaline for Teens & Brave Parents
🧗♀️ Canyoning & Coasteering
- Description: Jump into waterfalls, slide down natural rock chutes (Canyoning), or traverse the volcanic coastline jumping into the ocean (Coasteering).
- Average Price: ~60€ – 80€.
- How to reach: Tour operators pick you up.
- Pros & Cons: Pro: The absolute highlight for teenagers. Con: Physically demanding.
- Schedule: Half-day (approx 4 hours).
- Best time to go: Check with guides (water levels vary).
🏎️ Buggy Cars & Karts in Faial
- Description: Get dirty on off-road buggy trails, or race your kids on the karting track located on the north coast.
- Average Price: Buggies ~100€+ / Karts ~15€ for 15 mins.
- How to reach: Buggies (various locations) / Karts (Faial track).
- Pros & Cons: Pro: Pure adrenaline. Con: Buggy driving requires a valid driver’s license (for the parents).
- Schedule: 1 to 3 hours depending on the activity.
- Best time to go: Afternoon.
🚠 Achadas da Cruz (The Steepest Cable Car)
- Description: A thrilling, nearly vertical 450m drop down to a remote farming village on the coast. Nice for brave kids and parents!
- Average Price: ~5€ round trip.
- How to reach: Extreme North-West coast.
- Pros & Cons: Pro: Breathtaking, cheap. Con: Not for people afraid of heights!
- Schedule: 1.5 hours.
- Best time to go: Mid-day, grab a coffee at the top.
📸 Museums, Parks & Hands-on Fun
⚽ CR7 Museum & 3D Fun Art Museum
- Description: The CR7 museum is dedicated to Cristiano Ronaldo (a must for football fans). The 3D Fun Art Museum is the ultimate “teen-pleaser” full of optical illusions for Instagram photos.
- Average Price: CR7 ~5€ / 3D Museum ~11€.
- How to reach: Both in central Funchal.
- Pros & Cons: Pro: Great indoor activities if it rains. Con: CR7 is mostly trophies, less interactive than expected.
- Schedule: 1 hour each.
- Best time to go: Perfect for rainy days or escaping the mid-day heat.
🍌 Rota da Banana (Madalena do Mar) & BAM (Banana Museum)
- Description: Walk freely through massive banana plantations (Rota da Banana), or visit the modern BAM museum in Lugar de Baixo to learn the history in a fun way.
- Average Price: Route is Free / BAM is ~8€.
- How to reach: South-West coast.
- Pros & Cons: Pro: Very photogenic and uniquely Madeiran. Con: The walk is quite short.
- Schedule: 30 mins for the walk, 1h for the museum.
- Best time to go: Anytime.
🦜 Parque Temático, IMOM, Ilha das Aves & Whaling Museum
- Parque Temático (Santana): Open-air space with traditional houses, rowing boats, and playgrounds. Great for younger kids (~6€).
- IMOM (Funchal): Immersive, modern, hands-on museum of Madeira designed to spark curiosity (~10€).
- Whaling Museum (Caniçal): Surprisingly modern and interactive look at the ocean’s giants and Madeira’s history (~10€).
- Ilha das Aves (Campanário): A beautiful bird park dedicated to conservation and education.
- Quinta do Santo da Serra: A free public park with playgrounds, beautiful trees, and enclosures with deer and horses—perfect for a relaxed family afternoon!
Madeira Family Holidays : 8 days program suggestion
🗓️ The Perfect 8-Day Family Itinerary
The “secret” to a successful family trip in Madeira is geographical grouping. Driving back and forth across the island with kids is a nightmare. This schedule focuses on one region per day to keep driving under an hour at a time and alternates between high-energy adventures and relaxed afternoons.
Day 1: Funchal Classics & Fun Heights
- Morning: Start easy. Take the Funchal Cable Car up to Monte. Explore the Monte Palace Tropical Garden (feed the koi fish and check out the giant crystals).
- Late Morning: Ride the Monte Toboggan down the hill. It’s an unforgettable welcome to the island!
- Afternoon: Grab lunch in Funchal, then hit the 3D Fun Art Museum or the CR7 Museum to let the kids (and teens) have some interactive photo fun after the travel day.
Day 2: Pirates, Whales & Glass Floors (South Coast)
- Morning: Head to the Funchal Marina. Choose either the Santa Maria de Colombo (Pirate Ship) for younger kids or a Catamaran Dolphin & Whale Watching tour.
- Afternoon: Drive west to the Cabo Girão Skywalk to test everyone’s fear of heights on the glass floor. On the way back to your hotel, do a quick stop at Ilha das Aves (Bird Park) in Campanário.
Day 3: The Ultimate Hack (Off-Road Adventure)
- Full Day: Private Family Jeep Tour with Rafa (Madeira Horizon). Put the map away and let him take the wheel. He’ll take the family off-road to secret viewpoints, adjust the pace for the kids, and give you local tips for the rest of your week. It’s a 100% stress-free day for the parents.
Day 4: Magic Forests & Volcanic Swims (North-West)
- Morning: Drive up to the Paul da Serra plateau to explore the Fanal Forest. Let the kids run wild in the mist and climb the twisted ancient trees.
- Lunch: Head down to Porto Moniz.
- Afternoon: Swim in the Porto Moniz Natural Lava Pools. If your family is brave and not afraid of heights, do the Achadas da Cruz steep cable car right before heading home.
Day 5: Above the Clouds & Fairytale Houses (Highlands & North)
- Morning: Drive up to Pico do Arieiro early. No hiking required—just park and feel like you are on top of the world.
- Late Morning: Drive down to Ribeiro Frio for the Levada dos Balcões walk (super flat, 1.5km). Bring some seeds so the kids can feed the wild birds right from their hands!
- Afternoon: Head to Santana to see the traditional thatched-roof houses at Parque Temático da Madeira or take a peaceful walk at Parque Florestal das Queimadas.
Day 6: Black Sand & Jurassic Valleys (North Coast)
- Morning: Teenager and older kids’ time! Book a family lesson at Salty Madeira Surf School in Porto da Cruz, or if you have adrenaline junkies, book a morning Canyoning or Buggy tour.
- Afternoon: Head to Seixal. Relax on the stunning black sand beach (gentle waves, very safe for kids). Take a quick scenic drive into Chão da Ribeira to feel like you are in Jurassic Park.
Day 7: Bananas & Golden Beaches (South-West)
- Morning: Walk the Rota da Banana in Madalena do Mar and visit the BAM (Banana Museum) in Lugar de Baixo. It’s quirky, fast, and very “Madeira”.
- Afternoon: Decompress at Praia da Calheta. It’s a man-made golden sand beach with totally calm water. Parents can relax while the kids swim safely. (Older teens can do a trial dive at the Lava Diving Center today).
Day 8: Giants of the East & Departure (East Coast)
- Morning: Visit the highly interactive Whaling Museum in Caniçal. Afterward, head to the Quinta do Lorde marina and take a quick speedboat tour to see the Ponta de São Lourenço cliffs from the water (much better for kids than the long, hot hike!).
- Afternoon: If you have a late flight and need to burn the kids’ final energy, hit the Aquapark in Santa Cruz (very close to the airport). If you want to relax, stroll through the park in Santo da Serra to see the deer before flying home.
Madeira Family Holidays : 14 days program suggestion
🗓️ The Ultimate 2-Week Madeira Family Adventure
Staying for 14 days allows you to truly soak in the island’s magic without rushing. This itinerary balances high-adrenaline days with “slow” days to keep the kids happy and the parents relaxed. We have grouped activities by region to minimize driving time.
Week 1: Icons & Adventures
Day 1: Funchal Heights & Wicker Sleds
- Morning: Take the Funchal Cable Car to Monte. Explore the Monte Palace Tropical Garden (don’t miss the koi fish and the mineral museum).
- Lunch: Have a snack in Monte.
- Afternoon: Ride the Monte Toboggan (wicker baskets) down the hill. Head back to Funchal center for an ice cream in the municipal garden.
Day 2: Pirates & Skywalks (South Coast)
- Morning: Board the Santa Maria de Colombo (Pirate Ship) at Funchal Marina. Enjoy the swim stop near the cliffs.
- Afternoon: Drive to the Cabo Girão Skywalk for epic views. On the way back, stop at Ilha das Aves (Bird Park) in Campanário.
Day 3: The Mist & The Volcanoes (North-West)
- Morning: Drive to the mystical Fanal Forest. If it’s misty, it’s perfect for “Harry Potter” photos.
- Afternoon: Head down to Porto Moniz. Swim in the Natural Lava Pools and visit the small Madeira Aquarium built inside an old fort.
Day 4: Rest Day: Bananas & Golden Sand
- Morning: Walk the Rota da Banana in Madalena do Mar. It’s easy and fun for kids. Visit the BAM (Banana Museum) nearby.
- Afternoon: Relax at Praia da Calheta. Let the kids play in the calm, golden sand while you enjoy a drink at the beach bar.
Day 5: The Highlight: Private Jeep Tour
- Full Day: Book your Private Family Jeep Tour with Rafa (Madeira Horizon). This is the day to go off-road, find the hidden waterfalls, and reach viewpoints the rental cars can’t get to. Let an expert handle the steep roads while you enjoy the scenery.
Day 6: Fairytales & Friendly Birds (North-East)
- Morning: Drive to Ribeiro Frio. Walk the short, flat Levada dos Balcões to feed the wild Bis-bis birds from your hand.
- Afternoon: Visit Santana’s traditional houses and spend a few hours at the Parque Temático da Madeira (great for younger children).
Day 7: Ocean Giants (East Coast)
- Morning: Head to Caniçal for a Dolphin & Whale Watching trip. The waters here are deep and full of life.
- Afternoon: Visit the Whaling Museum in Caniçal—it’s very modern and interactive for kids. Finish the day with a swim at Prainha (a natural black sand beach nearby).
Week 2: Hidden Gems & Adrenaline
Day 8: Above the Clouds (Central Peaks)
- Morning: Drive to Pico do Arieiro (1818m). If you have teens, walk the first 2km of the trail for “lunar” landscapes.
- Afternoon: Drive down to Nun’s Valley (Curral das Freiras). Try the local chestnut cakes and enjoy the dramatic mountain views from Eira do Serrado.
Day 9: Adrenaline & Splash (Activity Day)
- Morning: Family Canyoning or Coasteering. Jumping into natural pools and sliding down rocks is the ultimate teen-pleaser.
- Afternoon: Quiet time. Visit the IMOM (Immersive Museum of Madeira) in Funchal for a modern, indoor sensory experience.
Day 10: Deep Valley & Seixal Magic
- Morning: Explore the lush Chão da Ribeira valley. It’s “Jurassic Park” territory. Do a short, adventurous levada walk here.
- Afternoon: Relax at the Seixal Black Sand Beach. It’s one of the most beautiful spots on the island for a family swim.
Day 11: The Extreme West (High Views)
- Morning: Drive to Achadas da Cruz and take the steepest cable car in Europe down to the “fajã”.
- Afternoon: Visit the Ponta do Pargo Lighthouse (the westernmost point). On the way back, stop in Prazeres at the Pedagogical Farm (Quinta Pedagógica) where kids can see farm animals.
Day 12: Surf & Karts (North Coast)
- Morning: Surf lesson at Porto da Cruz with Salty Madeira Surf School.
- Afternoon: Head to Faial for some family Karting races on the coastal track. Afterward, visit the nearby Guindaste viewpoint.
Day 13: Parks & Crystals (Highlands)
- Morning: Drive to Santo da Serra. Visit the public park (Quinta do Santo da Serra) to see the deer and horses. It’s a great spot for a family picnic.
- Afternoon: Visit the 3D Fun Art Museum in Funchal for some final hilarious family photos.
Day 14: Last Splashes & CR7
- Morning: For football fans, a quick visit to the CR7 Museum.
- Afternoon: Spend your final hours at the Aquapark in Santa Cruz (near the airport). It’s the perfect way for kids to burn off energy before the flight home!
