H2o Madeira - whale and dolphin watching tour

Northwest of Madeira in 4x4

Explore Madeira West in a 4x4 convertible car where you will be able to feel and see mountains, cliffs, valleys, waterfalls, forest and natural lava pools.

Pico do Arieiro Sunrise Tour with Local Breakfast

Seeing sunrise from the top of one of Madeira's highest peaks will have you reaching for your camera over and over again. And this exclusive morning trip to Pico do Arieiro promises just that – views over Madeira during the mystical first light of the day, followed by a warming breakfast.

Maroços Walk

Winding through the picturesque terraces above Machico, you'll come even closer to Madeira's breathtaking beauty on this 6km guided hike. This two-and-a-half-hour walk kicks off in Maroços and follows a flower-lined irrigation channel, complete with views over Machico and the Atlantic Ocean.

Nat Geo Day Tour: Sustainable Agriculture in Quinta Pedagógica da Camacha

Drive through Funchal's bustling town and Madeira's magnificent rolling hills towards Quinta Pedagogica da Camacha, a small farm committed to sustainable agriculture. Here, your National Geographic-trained guide will offer insights into the region and introduce you to the farm's owner, Bruno Santos. Having left accounting for agriculture, Bruno now dedicates his life to helping his neighborhood through sustainable farming, a lowered environmental footprint, and community outreach. Follow Bruno through flowering groves as you explore the grounds. You'll learn about the many uses for their freshly grown herbs and visit their strawberry plantation. Observe the fields and poios—what Madeirans call the terraced areas where they grow their crops—as you learn about the farm's produce and animal husbandry. The farm is home to various animals including chickens, goats, sheep, and more. There's even a small market Bruno created, to help other local vendors reach their greater community, inspired by the ‘buy local' mantra. You'll also experience a host of seasonal activities, offered exclusively to National Geographic travelers. Harvest ripe fruits and learn the proper techniques for sowing seeds in a planting workshop. This hands-on learning environment brings Bruno's sustainability and bio-friendly philosophy to life. Afterwards, you'll relax and enjoy refreshing tea brewed from the farm's own herbs, as well as homemade cakes, toast, and jams preserved from local fruits.

Madeira South Coast Cruise on Living Sea with Lunch

Madeira's southwest coast is the star of this all-inclusive cruise. After setting out from the port in Funchal, you'll head up the coast to Cais da Lapa for some swimming. The best part is that with a maximum of 52 guests on board, you'll have all the space and attentive service you need.

Full-day 4x4 tour of Madeira’s south-west coast

Madeira's south-west coastline steals the spotlight on this full-day guided tour. Start your adventure at Ribiera Brava viewpoint, where mountains meet the ocean. Zoom through Paul da Serra's eucalyptus forest on an off-road path used by locals and pause for coffee, before continuing to the cliffs of Ponta do Pargo. Swing by Faja da Ovelha, perfect for filling up your camera roll, and visit the fishing village of Paul do Mar. Stretch out on Calheta beach before wrapping up the day in Ponta do Sol.

Value Package

A duo of City Sightseeing routes in Madeira are covered by this two-day city value package. You'll be able to hop on and hop off at your leisure and explore the attractions along Blue Essentials and Red Iconic lines. The Blue covers Monte, the Old Town and Funchal Market, among other sights, while the Red takes you up to Pico dos Barcelos and down to the picturesque fishing village of Camara de Lobos. You can also take a stroll through the city's gardens on a guided walk to learn more about the art and architecture, included in your package.

Red and Blue Essentials

It's easy to get lost in Funchal's jigsaw-like jumble of cobbled streets – so a great way to explore is with a city sightseeing hop-on hop-off bus ticket. The Blue Line circuit ticks off top sights like the exotic gardens of Monte Palace, as well as the ‘Painted Doors' art project in Funchal's old town and the produce-packed farmer's market.

Red Line City Sightseeing Iconic

When it comes to exploring Madeira's capital, this hop-on hop-off bus tour puts the fun in Funchal. With your 24-hour ticket and 21 stops to jump on and off at, you can visit must-sees like the ‘Painted Doors' art project in the old town, the upmarket marina on Avenida do Mar, or stop to shop in one of the city's best malls.

Western Madeira’s scenic villages with lunch

As you criss-cross Madeira, you'll see how quickly the landscape of such a small island changes dramatically. On the north coast, you'll see the volcanic fishing village of Porto Moniz, while to the south, Camara de Lobos hides under the towering sea cliff of Cabo Girao, which dominates the scenery. Local guide, Monica, says, “it's a tour with a small group, which is the best way to discover ancient paths, hidden villages and unexplored viewpoints on the island.”It may surprise you that Madeira's sub-tropical climate and volcanic soil make it ideal for growing bananas. At your first stop in the village of Ponta do Sol, you'll visit the local banana museum, taste their goodies and learn more about the area's history of farming. Then, it's over to the north side of the island. Prepare to feel like you're on top of the world as you're driven over the largest plateau on the island, Paul da Serra, with an average altitude of 1,500 meters – that's like four Empire State Buildings stacked on top of each other. Recover from the views and head to Porto Moniz, a village that tumbles down the green hills to the coast. Monica adds, “the natural pools put Porto Moniz on the map, so taking a dip in these iconic swim spots is a must.” Dry off and continue along the coast to Sao Vicente for lunch, before finishing on a high – literally. Cabo Girao is the highest sea cliff in the world, standing at 580 metres, offering unbeatable views of the North Atlantic Ocean.