Things to Do with Kids in Madeira

Madeira is an excellent destination for a family holiday, especially if your children enjoy being outdoors and discovering new places.

You can spend one day looking for dolphins and whales in the Atlantic, another exploring a tropical garden, and another swimming in volcanic natural pools. There are also cable cars, easy walks, traditional villages, beaches, museums and plenty of places where children can simply run around and have fun.

The best part is that a family holiday in Madeira doesn't have to mean choosing between sightseeing and keeping the kids entertained. Many of the island's most memorable experiences are enjoyable for both children and adults.

Here are some of the best things to do with kids in Madeira.

Quick answer: What are the best things to do with kids in Madeira?

If you're visiting Madeira with children, these are some of the experiences worth putting near the top of your list:

• Go whale and dolphin watching
• Visit Madeira Theme Park in Santana
• Explore Monte Palace Tropical Garden
• Ride a cable car
• Swim in a natural pool
• Visit Madeira Aquarium
• Spend time at a family-friendly beach
• Explore Funchal
• Take an easy levada or nature walk
• Visit traditional villages such as Santana
• Take a boat trip
• Explore the island's viewpoints
• Have a family day in Porto Moniz
• Discover Madeira's gardens
• Enjoy a relaxed picnic in nature

The right choices depend greatly on your children's ages, the weather and whether you have a hire car.

1. Go whale and dolphin watching

A boat trip is one of the most exciting activities you can do with children in Madeira.

The waters around Madeira are home to a variety of marine life, and whale- and dolphin-watching trips give children the opportunity to see animals in their natural environment.

For many families, this can become one of the highlights of the entire holiday.

It is also an experience that works well for different ages. Younger children can enjoy being on the boat and watching the ocean, while older children often become fascinated by identifying the different animals.

Family tip

Check the minimum age requirements before booking, particularly if you are travelling with very young children. Sea conditions can also change, so choose a reputable operator and consider how well your children cope with boats.

2. Visit Madeira Theme Park

If you're looking for somewhere specifically designed to introduce children to Madeira's history and traditions, Madeira Theme Park in Santana is an excellent option.

The park covers around seven hectares and includes traditional Madeiran houses, gardens, animals, cultural attractions and areas designed for children.

The park's attractions include a traditional village, the Quintinha, where children can interact with animals, and a children's pavilion.

It is also a good way to combine entertainment with learning about Madeira.

Why families like it

Children can see traditional houses, discover how people lived in Madeira in the past and experience some of the island's customs rather than simply looking at them in a museum.

Allow several hours if you want to explore the park without rushing.

3. Explore Monte Palace Tropical Garden

Monte Palace is one of Madeira's most spectacular gardens and is an excellent place to visit as a family.

Rather than thinking of it simply as a garden, treat it as an exploration.

There are paths, ponds, plants, sculptures, waterfalls and different areas to discover. Children can turn the visit into their own adventure while parents enjoy the scenery.

The garden is located in Monte, above Funchal, making it easy to combine with other activities in the area.

Make it more fun for children

Give older children a simple challenge:

How many different plants, fish, bridges or sculptures can you find?

Turning a sightseeing visit into a small game can make a big difference.

4. Ride a cable car

A cable car ride can be an attraction in its own right for children.

Instead of simply being transport, it gives the family a different perspective of Funchal and the surrounding landscape.

The views become particularly impressive as you climb above the city.

You can combine a cable car ride with a visit to Monte, creating a simple half-day family outing.

For younger children, the ride itself can be one of the most memorable parts of the day.

5. Swim in Madeira's natural pools

Madeira's volcanic coastline has created some spectacular swimming areas.

One of the best-known examples is Porto Moniz, where volcanic rock forms natural pools beside the Atlantic.

For families, a day combining the pools with other attractions in Porto Moniz can work particularly well.

The official Madeira tourism board also highlights family activities in Porto Moniz, including the natural pools and Madeira Aquarium.

Important family consideration

Natural pools are not the same as a conventional swimming pool.

The Atlantic can be powerful, conditions can change and some areas are more suitable for confident swimmers than others. Always follow local safety instructions and supervise children closely.

6. Visit Madeira Aquarium

If you're spending time in Porto Moniz, Madeira Aquarium is an easy attraction to add to your day.

It gives children an opportunity to discover marine life found around Madeira without having to spend the entire day outdoors.

This is particularly useful when you are travelling with younger children or when the weather isn't ideal.

A popular family combination is:

Porto Moniz → natural pools → lunch → Madeira Aquarium

The exact order can be changed depending on weather and opening times.

7. Spend time on a Madeira beach

Madeira isn't famous for endless sandy beaches in the way some Mediterranean destinations are, but that doesn't mean families should ignore its coastline.

There are several bathing areas around the island, including beaches and complexes designed for swimming.

For families with children, the important thing is to choose the location according to the children's swimming ability rather than simply choosing the most beautiful beach.

Some bathing areas have calmer water, facilities and easier access than others.

The official tourism information lists bathing complexes around the island, including facilities designed for both adults and children.

8. Explore Funchal with children

Don't make the mistake of treating Funchal as somewhere that adults visit while children wait.

The city can be a great family destination.

You can combine:

• Cable cars
• Gardens
• Parks
• The waterfront
• Markets
• Museums
• Ice cream stops
• Boat trips
• Street art
• Family-friendly restaurants

The trick is not trying to see everything.

Children generally enjoy a city much more when sightseeing is broken up with opportunities to stop, eat, play and explore.

9. Take an easy walk through Madeira's nature

Madeira is famous for hiking, but you don't need to take children on a demanding mountain hike to experience the island's natural beauty.

There are easier walks and levada routes that can be suitable for families, depending on the children's ages and experience.

Madeira's official tourism board describes hiking and nature activities as some of the island's central experiences.

Choose your walk carefully

With children, don't choose a trail simply because it has the most impressive photographs.

Look at:

• Distance
• Elevation
• Exposure
• Terrain
• Railings and barriers
• Access to toilets
• Weather conditions
• Return transport
• Your children's walking ability

A short, enjoyable walk is usually better than an ambitious hike that leaves everyone exhausted.

10. Visit Santana and see the traditional houses

Santana is famous for its traditional triangular houses with thatched roofs.

For children, this can be more interesting than it sounds.

The houses look very different from modern homes, and the area provides an opportunity to explain how people traditionally lived in Madeira.

You can combine Santana with Madeira Theme Park and other attractions in the north of the island.

It makes a good family day trip, particularly if you have a hire car.

11. Go viewpoint hunting

Madeira has countless viewpoints, and you can turn them into a family game.

Instead of saying:

"We're stopping at another viewpoint."

try:

"Let's see who can spot the ocean first."

Or challenge the children to find:

• A waterfall
• A boat
• A village
• A church
• A mountain
• A banana plantation
• A dramatic cliff

Madeira's mountainous landscape means that even a simple drive can become part of the holiday.

12. Have a family picnic

Sometimes the best family activity costs almost nothing.

Pack some local food, find a pleasant viewpoint or picnic area and let the children have some time away from scheduled activities.

Madeira's landscape provides plenty of opportunities to stop and enjoy the scenery.

This can also be a useful way of breaking up a busy sightseeing day.

13. Discover Madeira's gardens

Madeira is famous for its subtropical vegetation, and gardens can be surprisingly entertaining for children.

Rather than visiting gardens purely for their botanical importance, encourage children to look for unusual plants, fish, birds, waterfalls and hidden paths.

Some gardens can also be combined with cable car rides or visits to other attractions.

For families, gardens are particularly useful when you want something relaxing after a more active morning.

14. Take a family boat trip

Whale and dolphin watching isn't the only reason to get out on the water.

Boat trips can allow families to experience Madeira from a completely different perspective.

The coastline looks very different from the sea, with cliffs, villages and mountains rising dramatically behind the island.

For children who enjoy boats, this can be a fantastic alternative to another day of sightseeing by car.

15. Visit Porto Moniz

Porto Moniz is one of the best areas to consider for a family day out.

You can combine several activities in one trip:

Natural pools + Aquarium + lunch + coastal sightseeing

The north coast itself is worth exploring, with its mountains, volcanic coastline, waterfalls and dramatic scenery. The Madeira tourism board highlights the north coast for its natural pools, volcanic caves, beaches and waterfalls.

This makes Porto Moniz particularly useful for families who want a day with several different experiences rather than one single attraction.

Best things to do in Madeira with toddlers

Travelling with toddlers requires a slightly different approach.

You probably don't need to fill every day with activities.

Instead, look for experiences that allow you to move at your own pace.

Good options can include:

• Gardens
• Cable cars
• Short walks
• Beaches and bathing complexes
• Easy sightseeing
• Boat trips where the operator allows young children
• Parks
• Family-friendly restaurants
• Short visits to attractions

A relaxed morning followed by a swimming or beach afternoon can often work better than trying to visit four attractions in one day.

Best things to do in Madeira with older children

Older children have more opportunities to experience Madeira's adventurous side.

Depending on their age and abilities, consider:

• Hiking
• Boat trips
• Whale and dolphin watching
• Snorkelling
• Swimming
• Canyoning with an appropriate operator and age requirement
• Mountain viewpoints
• Nature walks
• Exploring traditional villages
• Adventure activities

Madeira's official tourism information lists activities such as hiking, mountain biking and canyoning among its nature experiences.

Always check the operator's minimum age and safety requirements before booking adventure activities.

What to do in Madeira with kids when it rains

Madeira's weather can change quickly, particularly in the mountains.

Don't let a rainy forecast ruin the day.

Instead, have a backup plan.

Good options include:

• Madeira Aquarium
• Museums
• Cultural attractions
• Indoor family activities
• Exploring Funchal
• Shopping
• A relaxed restaurant lunch
• Visiting attractions where weather has less impact

One of the advantages of Madeira is that weather can be very different in different parts of the island.

A rainy morning in Funchal doesn't necessarily mean the entire island is having the same weather.

Is Madeira good for a family holiday?

Yes.

But Madeira is perhaps best suited to families who enjoy exploring rather than spending the entire holiday beside a resort pool.

The island offers a combination that is difficult to find elsewhere:

Mountains + ocean + forests + swimming + wildlife + culture + adventure

You can have breakfast overlooking the Atlantic, explore a forest before lunch, swim in a volcanic pool in the afternoon and watch the sunset from a viewpoint.

And children get to experience much more than a traditional beach holiday.

How many days do you need in Madeira with kids?

For a family holiday, 5 to 7 days gives you enough time to experience several sides of Madeira without having to rush constantly.

A possible week could look like this:

Day 1 — Easy arrival day

Explore Funchal and relax.

Day 2 — Sea day

Whale and dolphin watching followed by a relaxed afternoon.

Day 3 — Monte

Cable car + Monte Palace + explore Monte.

Day 4 — North coast

Santana + Madeira Theme Park.

Day 5 — Porto Moniz

Natural pools + Aquarium + explore the north coast.

Day 6 — Nature

Choose an easy family-friendly walk followed by a relaxed afternoon.

Day 7 — Family choice

Beach, swimming pool, boat trip, gardens or another attraction the children particularly enjoyed.

The important thing is not to treat this as a rigid itinerary.

Madeira is mountainous, roads can take longer than expected and weather can change quickly. Leave room for spontaneous stops and slower days.

Tips for visiting Madeira with children

Don't over-plan

Madeira looks small on a map, but the mountainous terrain means journeys can take longer than expected.

Choose one main area or experience for the day rather than trying to cross the island repeatedly.

Check the weather before mountain trips

Conditions can be very different between the coast and the mountains.

If you're planning a high-altitude viewpoint or walk, check conditions before leaving.

Bring layers

Even if Funchal is warm, the mountains can be considerably cooler.

A lightweight jacket can be extremely useful.

Keep swimming safety in mind

The Atlantic is powerful.

Natural pools and coastal bathing areas can be fantastic, but children should always be supervised and local warnings followed.

Don't underestimate short walks

Children don't need a challenging hike to experience Madeira's nature.

A short walk with something interesting to discover can be much more successful than a long trek.

Mix activities

A good family day might look like:

Adventure → food → swimming → relaxing

rather than:

Sightseeing → sightseeing → sightseeing → sightseeing.

The best family experiences in Madeira

If you only have a few days and want to concentrate on the experiences most likely to appeal to a family, I'd start with:

🐬 Whale and dolphin watching

For an unforgettable experience on the Atlantic.

🌺 Monte Palace

For gardens, nature and exploration.

🚠 Cable car

For views and a fun experience in itself.

🏊 Natural pools

For a very different kind of swimming experience.

🐠 Madeira Aquarium

A good family attraction and useful rainy-day option.

🏡 Madeira Theme Park

For discovering Madeira's traditions and history in an interactive environment.

🌲 Easy nature walk

For experiencing the island's forests and landscapes without committing to a difficult hike.

🌊 Porto Moniz

For combining several family experiences in one day.

Madeira with kids: the secret is variety

The biggest advantage of Madeira for families is variety.

You don't have to choose between an active holiday and a relaxing holiday.

You can have both.

One day might involve mountains and hiking. The next might be spent swimming. Another could be exploring Funchal, riding a cable car or visiting a garden.

And when everyone is tired, you can simply find a viewpoint, order something delicious and enjoy the scenery.

That's what makes Madeira such an enjoyable family destination.

Planning a family trip to Madeira? Start with our guides to [family-friendly activities], [the best beaches in Madeira], [easy walks in Madeira], [things to do in Funchal], and [the best Madeira tours for families].