Last updated: . This update corrects selected Madeira flight, access, attraction, hiking, and family-activity details; the family’s visit remains historical. Date information added October 28, 2026.
Our family’s earlier Madeira trip, with planning notes checked in October 2026. Published December 29, 2023, this account describes our visit that year, including our hosted stay at Enotel Lido. References to “last summer” and living in Portugal for two years belong to that original account. Prices, trail rules, access and services can change; use the operator links below to plan your own dates.
Given the flood of questions about our relocation to Portugal and being American expats, I’ve taken the plunge and launched a second blog titled ‘American Family in Portugal’. Join us as we share our journey and insights into expat life in this beautiful country!
Even though we’ve lived in Portugal for two years now, we just got around to visiting the beautiful Portuguese island of Madeira last summer. Boy, were we shocked! We absolutely fell in love with Madeira. Within a few days, we were looking up properties for sale and wondering if our kids would move there!
For real, though… we’ve visited nearly 50 countries as a family of seven, and Madeira tops our list of places we can’t wait to return to. It’s like a Portuguese Hawaii. We’ve also visited Portugal’s other set of islands, the Azores, and loved them too.
Truth be told, the water is not as warm as Hawaii in either of the Portuguese island locations, and there are not as many sandy beaches. Still, being a direct flight from Lisbon of roughly two hours, we hope to visit many times more in the future.
Madeira is a beautiful island destination with much to offer for families with kids.
Cruising the Madeira waters with kids
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Where Is Madeira?
The Madeira archipelago lies in the Atlantic, off northwestern Africa. It includes Madeira and Porto Santo, its inhabited islands, plus the Desertas and Selvagens island groups. See the official island overview.
Madeira is the most visited island; and the capital is Funchal, on the southern coast.
Why Visit Madeira With Kids?
Besides its beautiful waters, lush valleys, and amazing coastlines, Madeira makes a great family destination for many reasons:
Madeira was a destination we loved as a family. Plan for the particular roads, cliffs, trails and sea conditions on your route rather than relying on a general safety ranking.
Mild weather draws tourists all year. The island is made of mountains, with steep cliffsides everywhere, and the occasional cloud cover lends a romantic feel to the island.
Madeira is relatively small, but mountain roads and winding routes can take time. Group nearby stops together and leave room for breaks.
Outdoor days can work for a range of budgets, but many classified hikes and bathing complexes charge admission. Check reservations, fees and transport costs before setting your budget.
Madeira hosts many cultural events, festivals, holiday celebrations and more. It’s easy to find things to do in Madeira.
It’s fun to start the day at Enotel Lido’s outdoor pool
We recommend getting a rental car in Madeira. Our big family was able to rent a 9-passenger van, and we loved driving around the island.
If you don’t want to rent a car, I’d recommend an all-inclusive resort in the Funchal area. Enotel Lido is perfect. Taxis from the airport are easy to find.
This botanical garden has so much to offer! The garden’s own website describes its botanical collections, Oriental Gardens, sculptures, flamingos and koi ponds. You can see exotic plants, waterfalls, flamingos, and sculptures, making it an enchanting place for kids to explore and learn about nature.
We loved having fresh piña coladas in pineapples, taking in the views, and exploring the gardens. Our kids loved the oriental garden and the walking paths behind the waterfall at the pond near the bottom.
October 2026 planning check: the official Monte Palace visitor page lists garden hours of 9 a.m.–6 p.m. from October to March and 9 a.m.–7 p.m. from April to September, closed December 25. Adults are €18; children through age 14 enter free with an accompanying adult. Check last entry and any updates before visiting.
Capturing more views of Madeira Island aboard a cable car
Take a Cable Car Ride in Madeira With Kids
We took two cable cars: The Funchal Cable Car and the Botanical Garden–Monte Cable Car. Both serve Monte, but they connect to different places: the first links central Funchal with Monte; the second connects the Botanical Garden with Monte. For the sled ride, plan your arrival at Monte and your onward journey from Livramento.
The cable cars offer views over Funchal and the surrounding landscape. Choose the route that fits your itinerary.
Check each operator separately. As checked in October 2026, the Funchal–Monte operator lists €16 one-way/€22 return for adults, with ages 0–6 free and ages 7–14 half price, and hours of 8:45 a.m.–5:45 p.m. The Botanical Garden cable-car fare page lists €11 one-way/€16 return for adults and €6/€9 for ages 7–14; under-sevens are free. Both publish a Christmas Day closure. Confirm the timetable before buying a return ticket.
Toboggan ride is a must!
Sledding Down Madeira Streets in Wicker Toboggans
For over 100 years, the people of Madeira have been getting down from the Monte with the use of wicker sleds. Two drivers guide these sleds down with ropes and their feet. It’s a must-do activity in Madeira!
We thought the experience was well worth it. The Carreiros do Monte operator currently lists €30 for one person, €40 for two and €60 for three. Tickets are bought on-site for that day; ask about children and how your family can be seated.
Prepare for long lines, and go early if you can. The operator publishes Monday–Saturday hours of 9 a.m.–6 p.m. and may stop early because of queues or adverse weather; three-person rides are not offered in rain or on wet ground. Check holiday closures.
The ride is 2 km and lasts about 10 minutes.
Note that the ride ends about halfway down the mountain. You’ll either need to pay for a taxi back to the top (to take the cable car down if you bought a return ticket), take a taxi to the bottom, or walk down (what we did). The walk is about 30 minutes and not easy, but it is doable. Watch for cars and scooters.
Hitting more of Madeira’s Botanical Gardens
Take in the Madeira Botanical Garden
Kids will love exploring this botanical garden as well. Though not as big as the Monte Palace, our boys still loved walking around the trees and playing tag on the grass, and we enjoyed the café for a quick lunch.
The official Botanical Garden listing describes more than 2,000 exotic plants, viewpoints and landscaped areas. Check its current visitor information rather than expecting a particular bird collection.
Explore the Natural Ocean Pools
Madeira has natural pools formed in volcanic rock, as well as built bathing complexes. Porto Moniz’s natural-pool complex has a children’s pool and visitor facilities; the Lido Complex is a different bathing complex in Funchal. Check the conditions and facilities of the exact place you choose.
Weather and sea conditions greatly influence a visit to the ocean pools. Follow closure notices, flags, lifeguard advice and local signs, and closely supervise children.
Seawater renews the Porto Moniz pools, and waves can be dangerous. Stay away from exposed edges and do not enter a closed bathing area.
Porto Moniz Natural Pools also has a café where you can grab lunch. The little town where the pools are located is also cute and has other places to eat as well.
Visit the Madeira Theme Park
This park offers a mix of education and entertainment, teaching kids about the history, culture, and environment of Madeira through interactive exhibits and attractions.
Hike Through Incredible Trails and Valleys
October 2026 trail planning:IFCN’s rules require advance SIMplifica reservations for the classified trails in its booking system, including registration for fee-exempt children. General individual-trail admission is €4.50 for visitors over 12, with different PR1 and combined-trail rates; children 12 and under are exempt from payment. Book each route and time slot, check the official open/restricted/closed trail list and obey signs. Our older trip details below do not establish present access, shuttle service or facilities.
Many tourists come to Madeira to hike, with routes through valleys, forests and waterfalls. We enjoyed hiking down 25 Fontes, a massively popular hike with cows to keep us company! The approach starts downhill. Check whether the shuttle is running, what it costs and how it fits your walking route.
Start your 25 Fontes hike early, as it’s popular. The parking lot is large, but it still can run out of space. There are many off-shoot trails, such as the Risco waterfall, but everything is beautiful. Check current facilities and opening times at Rabaçal before relying on restrooms or refreshments.
Other routes to research include Vereda da Ponta de São Lourenço, Levada do Caldeirão Verde, or Vereda do Areeiro. Choose a route for your children’s ability and the day’s conditions; a route name alone does not mean its full length is open. I like using AllTrails to get specific information about each hike, download the map, and read reviews.
Madeira hosts many species, including sperm whales, orcas, and several types of dolphins.
Santana Traditional Houses
The colorful triangular houses in Santana are a unique sight to see. Kids might find these houses interesting, and you can also explore the nearby theme park, Parque Temático da Madeira, which has replicas of traditional Madeiran homes.
Try Traditional Madeiran Foods
If you enjoy wine, you may want to try the Madeira wines, Bolo de Mel, “Espetada” and more.
Poncha, a local alcoholic drink with fresh fruit, can also be found throughout the island.
Spending some free time at the park
Santa Catarina Park
This park in Funchal offers a playground, a pond where you can watch ducks, and beautiful pathways for a leisurely stroll.
Madeira Toy Museum
The official listing describes a collection of about 20,000 toys, from traditional pieces to more modern collectibles.
This is a stunning nature preserve with walking trails and Atlantic views. The official PR8 page currently marks it restricted, with signed temporary diversions. It describes an exposed route of moderate difficulty, so assess your children’s ability, weather and equipment, book where required and follow the signs.
Kids’ Club at Enotel Lido
Madeira Story Centre
This interactive museum is a great way to learn about the history and culture of Madeira in a fun and engaging way.
You’ll want to have enough time to take everything in and engage with the exhibits, so plan 1-2 hours for your visit.
You can find some traditional handiwork in the gift shop to take home as a nice souvenir.
Visit the Cristiano Ronaldo Museum
Having lived in Portugal now for a couple of years, we are all familiar with itsmost famous citizen globally, Cristiano Ronaldo. He is a very popular soccer player and the pride and joy of Portugal. He is also from Madeira! You can visit a museum about him in Funchal, named the CR7 Museu.
Even non-football fans can enjoy the museum, but it is geared towards fans of football for sure.
You can really get into living the Ronaldo dream by staying at the CR7 hotel!
Be Columbus for a Day on the Santa Maria
Have you ever been curious about Columbus and what his journey might have been like? Now you can explore that curiosity, thanks to a Dutchman in the late 1990’s who built a real-life replica of the Santa Maria. It now offers pleasure cruises to Cabo Girão and its high coastal cliffs. Check the sailing operator’s current itinerary and sea conditions.
We participated in a 20-minute swimming session that our kids loved. The water was amazing on the day we went, and we could have easily swam for a couple of hours. It was also fun to see the perspective of Cape Girão from the ocean and then see it later from the top!
On our trip, there was a small snack and drink on the return. Confirm what your sailing includes, and bring plenty of water, sunscreen, and possibly a book. Outside of the scenery and possible dolphin spotting, kids can also run around the boat pretending to be pirates. Our kids did this for the entire journey.
Pineapple juice on a hot day in Madeira, anyone?
Enjoy the Beaches in Madeira With Kids
Madeira might not be known for its sandy beaches, but there are some spots where kids can enjoy the ocean. Calheta Beach is one of the more family-friendly options. It is an artificial beach with beautiful water.
Praia Formosa is in Funchal and is accessible for those who are without cars on their trip.
The cliff is associated with paragliding and BASE jumping, but do not plan on seeing an event. Stay within public visitor areas and follow site rules.
Check current access, admission and facilities before going. The official listing directs visitors to SIMplifica for payment; its page displays conflicting fee figures, so confirm the amount in the booking portal rather than relying on an old price.
Caves and Volcanic Pools
The São Vicente caves and Volcanism Centre are currently closed, according to the municipality’s notice. Treat the older cave description below as background, not an available visit. The linked volcanic pools tour is an idea for seeing volcanic pools; check its actual route and inclusions. São Vicente’s caves and the Porto Moniz pools are separate places.
The former cave visit involved an underground route through basalt lava tubes. Do not plan to enter while the caves are closed; check for an official reopening announcement.
Grace taking in more views and soaking in the breezy air of Madeira
Pico do Arieiro Sunrise or Sunset Views
High above sea level, you can take in amazing sunrises or sunsets that will take your breath away.
Arrive early as it’s very popular, and spots are taken well before sunrise and sunset.
Check the weather, wind, road access and the official Pico do Areeiro information. Sunrise and sunset views depend on conditions. Visiting the viewpoint is different from undertaking PR1; check the trail’s current access and reservation rules if you plan to hike. There is a webcam to verify the quality of the daily view as well.
Funchal’s Farmers Market
The Mercado dos Lavradores is a colorful and lively market where kids can see and taste a variety of fresh fruits, vegetables, and local products.
Mercado dos Lavradores is located right in the old town of Funchal, making it a perfect place to visit in your city.
The first floor sells fresh foods, flowers, fish, and other fresh produce, while the second floor sells dried fruits and souvenirs.
Other Things To Do in Madeira With Kids
Madeira is gifted with great beaches. Get into surfing with a Madeira Island Group Surf Lesson. Pick your surfboard and learn how to ride in the waves like a pro. We’ve tried this in Lisbon with kids and enjoyed it!
Travelers love this 3D Fun Art Museum for its fun scenarios and optical illusions. Go try it with kids!
Up for an adventure? Try this Madeira Island Canyoning for Beginners as another activity idea. Confirm the operator’s current minimum age, equipment requirements, child suitability, conditions and availability before booking; the older age claim has not been reverified.
Our vacation in Madeira got even more exciting with Enotel Lido’s fun activities and accommodation
Where To Stay In Madeira With Kids
We spent five glorious days at the Enotel Lido, a fabulous all-inclusive resort for families. We’d highly recommend a stay here, but there are other great options as well.
Barcelo Funchal Oldtown is a five-star hotel in central Funchal. Its official hotel page describes a rooftop outdoor pool. Check room occupancy, children’s access and current pool terms for your dates.
Saccharum Hedonist Design Resort has a children’s outdoor pool and playroom on its current facilities page. Some areas are reserved for adults, and children need adult supervision in the playroom. Ask the hotel about the exact pools, ages and charges included in your booking.
Enotel Lido is excellent for (big) families like us! We were hosted here last summer and loved our stay.
Considering the north coast? Aqua Natura Madeira Hotel is in Porto Moniz, above the natural pools, according to the hotel’s own description. Check current room capacity, pool access and any activity arrangements directly rather than assuming they are included.
Tips for Visiting Madeira as a Family
Like mainland Portugal, Madeira gets lots of sun. Remember to wear hats, sunscreen and layers of clothing so you can be prepared for all weather. Rain keeps the island green and can be part of your vacation, too.
Cruise ships do port in Funchal. Cruise calls can make central Funchal busier, but ship times vary. Check the day’s port schedule and allow extra time at popular stops, or explore another part of the island if you prefer.
Driving around the island entails some very windy roads. If you have kids that get carsick like we do, pack some sick bags just in case and put them in a place where they can see out the windshield. We also like to put on audiobooks to distract the smaller passengers.
Madeira is just one of Portugal’s gems and has lots to offer. Leave comments about your experience!
Xoxo,
Leslie
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