We traveled to Madeira recently with our young daughters, and this is my guide to the best things to do in Madeira with kids!
The scenery is so dramatic and otherworldly here that you’d be forgiven for thinking that Madeira is not kid-friendly. I mean, it’s Hawaii-esque terrain is made for hiking (not the most kid-friendly activity in the world). It can be hard to get around without a car, and there aren’t many all-inclusive resorts here. But, still, Madeira is one of the best places we visited with our daughters.
They especially had so much fun wandering around the Monte Palace Tropical Gardens in Funchal, swimming in the pools in Porto Moniz, and checking out the Whaling Museum.
The weather is great in the summer (not too hot), the locals are friendly, and there are loads of family-friendly things to do here.
However, I will add that if you’re traveling to Madeira with kids, you should aim to base yourself in Funchal, Porto Moniz, and Canico, as we found these to be the most family-friendly areas.
Where to stay in Madeira with kids:
- In Canico (which is near the airport) – We stayed at the Views Oasis, a 4-star hotel that’s right on the waterfront. It’s a really modern hotel with lots of amenities – an outdoor swimming pool, indoor pool, spa, and two on-site restaurants (one is buffet, the other is a-la-carte). We opted to book a bed & breakfast rate and the breakfast was great each morning.
- In Funchal (well, near Funchal) – We stayed at the Pestana Ocean Bay Resort on the Ponta da Cruz cliff, around a 10-minute drive from downtown. There was a rugged, black-sand beach out front and we could walk into Funchal along the coastal promenade – there’s a cool sea tunnel that’s part of this walk and it happened to be right next to our hotel. Our girls loved walking through this, as they had gotten into their heads that a Sea Dragon lived in the cave!
When to visit Madeira with kids:
We visited in late April, and weather-wise it was okay for us (around 19 Celsius daily) – not sunbathing weather, but, to be honest, we don’t get to do much sunbathing anyway, with a 4-year-old and 3-year-old. There were some showers on and off during the day, but they never lasted long.
The best months weather-wise are July and August. In August, you’re looking at daily temperatures of around 26 Celsius (79 Fahrenheit).
BEST Things to Do in Madeira With Kids
1. Monte Palace Tropical Gardens
This was one of our favorite stops in Madeira – the Monte Palace Tropical Gardens are situated high above Funchal.
The entrance fee to the gardens costs around €12.50 per adult and we easily spent 3 hours here wandering around the 17-acre gardens. There are all sorts of plants on display here from native Madeiran varieties to plants from farther-flung places like the fern (native to New Zealand) and sequoias, magnolias, and more.
We took our time walking along the winding paths here that took us through meticulously curated landscapes, past tranquil lakes and waterfalls, and under the shade of towering trees. The gardens are also home to a fascinating collection of African sculptures and we really enjoyed the small museum on-site that features huge mineral displays.
Our daughters’ favorite section was probably the pink flamingoes and the pond with huge Koi fish – we also spotted several peacocks roaming the grounds.
The cable car (which departs from the old town of Funchal) is the best way to get to these gorgeous gardens, and the views are epic, as you can imagine. We opted for the return cable car ride, which cost us €18 per adult.
2. Whaling Museum of Madeira
The Whaling Museum of Madeira (Museu da Baleia), in Caniçal, gives you a cool peek into the island’s whaling past. This modern museum is all about keeping the story of Madeira’s whaling industry alive. It was one of the island’s major industries (but it was stopped in the early ’80s due to ethical and ecological concerns).
Inside, you’ll find all sorts of interesting stuff like old tools, whaling boats, and detailed models that show how whalers caught these giant creatures. Plus, the museum talks about the environmental side of whaling, encouraging people to think about conservation.
We learned loads here, including how it was mostly sperm whales that were caught and how they used every part of the whale after they caught it. The blubber was melted down into an oil that was used for lubrication and in soap and the ambergris, a waxy substance in its intestines, was used to make perfume.
And my daughters loved the life-size models of whales hanging from the ceiling (they thought they were real).
3. Rock pools in Porto Moniz
This super chill coastal town is well known for its natural volcanic rock pools. The pools were formed over millennia by the cooling of lava – the natural layout of these pools allows the constant entry of seawater.
There are two pools in Porto Moniz, one more natural (and free-to-enter) pool near the fort, and the other is pay-to-enter and has more of a resort feel. These are the ones we went to, as they are large, with plenty of room to spread out.
The sunbathing area is around 3,210 m², and the swimming area is 3,800 m² (the deepest point of the pool is around two meters). It also has a children’s pool, playground, changing rooms, bar, first aid post, car park, and access for people with disability. It costs €3 per person to enter.
4. Fanal Forest
This enchanting laurel forest, part of the Laurisilva of Madeira UNESCO World Heritage Site, is renowned for its ancient trees (most are over 600 years old) shrouded in ethereal mists. Fanal forest offers a unique atmosphere that feels almost otherworldly, with twisted trunks and lush greenery.
I felt like I’d stepped into a Grimms Fairytale book. We spent around 2-3 hours here, and we even hiked up to the highest point as a family. Our daughters, aged 4 and 3 years at the time, managed it (although at a slow pace), so it’s not too difficult a hike, although it is steep.
As you walk around here, keep an eye out for cows and cow poop. We also found it to be much colder here than elsewhere on the island, so definitely bring a cardigan or jacket.
5. See the palheiros in Santana
Santana is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Madeira as it’s here that you can see the triangular-shaped, brightly-painted thatched-roof houses also known as “palheiros.” I’m sure you’ve seen these on your Instagram feed; they are a symbol of Madeira’s heritage.
And today, there are stores within the houses selling all different items, for example, we bought homemade ice lollies in one and some magnets and trinkets in another.
6. Cabo Girão Skywalk
Sitting 580 meters above the sea, the Cabo Girao skywalk is built on top of the highest cape in Europe. The suspended glass platform (skywalk) gives you a one-of-a-kind spot to soak in the amazing cliffs and the huge stretch of the Atlantic Ocean.
You’ll feel like you’re walking on air while across it (and I did have my heart in my mouth a few times!) From here you can see as far as Funchal.
It’s one of the most photographed spots on the island and entry costs from €2 per adult (children under 12 are free).
There’s a lovely Cafe (with fabulous views) and a gift store on-site, too.
7. Roseiral Quinta do Arco
The Rose Garden in Quinta do Arco is amazing, albeit a little rustic! It’s one of the most famous rose gardens in Europe and also one of the biggest in the world – boasting over 1,500 species of roses!
Walking around the designated stone pathway, you can see ancient and contemporary, climbing and non-climbing rose bushes. The most important and rare types of roses have a placard telling you what they are. However, we found many of these to be faded.
Roseiral Quinta do Arco is listed as a ‘Garden of Excellence’ by the World Federation of Rose Societies. Entry costs from €12.50 per person, which includes a drink – but, entry for us was free as we stayed at the hotel connected to this – Pestana Hotel Quinta do Arco, which we highly recommend.
8. CR7 Museum (Cristiano Ronaldo Museum)
Yes, you’ve probably already guessed – this small museum in Funchal is dedicated to the life and career of Cristiano Ronaldo. It was opened in 2013 and displays over 100 individual and collective trophies won by Ronaldo throughout his career. It is located near the Port of Funchal. Entry costs around €5 per adult.
9. Mercado dos Lavradores, Funchal
One day, we spent around half an hour wandering the stalls in the bustling Mercado dos Lavradores – there are a lot of fruit stalls here. And also stalls selling Madeiran crafts and clothing.
Downstairs, there’s a fish market (the strong smell will show you the way) – there are also types of fish on display here to be sold. We saw one local cutting up a massive tuna fish, but there are also lots of black scabbard fish on display. These are native to the waters around Madeira and are scary-looking, to say the least. My 4-year-old daughter exclaimed, “WHAT are those things?” when she saw them first.
10. Go on a Wicker Basket Ride
Say, what? A wicker basket ride down a steep and lengthy hill with only two men standing at the back to steer it! I’m sure you’ve heard of the famed wicker basket rides in Funchal – it’s one of the best things to do here. And the baskets gain speeds of up to 24 mph. And go a distance of 2 km.
The wicker basket rides started way back in the 1800s when enterprising locals invented them as a way to get home from church.
The basket rides start at Monte Church (it’s best to get a cab here from Funchal) and run Monday to Saturday, 9 am to 6 pm. Prices are around €27.50 for one person, €35 for two people, etc. There’s no age limit for this – but hold onto young kids tightly!
11. Visit a playground
We spend a lot of our time both at home and on vacation at playgrounds, and luckily, we found a few great ones in Madeira. We visited a lovely small one in Santana and a bigger one in Funchal at Parque Santa Catarina.
12. Have a beach day!
Okay, there aren’t too many sandy beaches in Madeira – that’s due to the island’s volcanic terrain. But we still spent a fair amount of time on the beaches here. We really liked the beach in Ponta da Cruz, near Funchal, even though it’s a rocky beach. Our girls loved picking up the volcanic rocks and driftwood strewn along it.
Some other great family-friendly beaches on the island include Praia Formosa, the largest public beach in Madeira. It has pebbles and sand, gentle waves, and convenient facilities like play areas and nearby cafes. Another great spot is Machico Beach, which features golden sand imported from the Sahara and calm waters ideal for swimming and building sandcastles.
Getting to Madeira:
Madeira Airport (the Cristiano Ronaldo International Airport) is well-served by flights from Lisbon and elsewhere in Portugal, as well as several European destinations. The airport is a 20-minute drive from Funchal.
FYI, for booking our flights, we always use Skyscanner.
P.S. We strongly advise you rent a car to see Madeira’s hard-to-reach spots like Fanal Forest and Quinta do Arco, but keep in mind that driving here can be challenging due to the mountainous terrain.
How long to spend in Madeira?
I would say that two weeks is a good amount of time to spend in Madeira, that’s how long we had here, and it was perfect for us (as a family with two young daughters). The minimum amount of time I’d spend in Madeira is one week.
Thanks for Reading!
Tell me – what did you think of our guide to things to do in Madeira with kids? Is there anything we have missed? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comment section below.
Last Updated on February 17, 2026 by snaphappytravel