Family Holidays: Madeira family holidays and breaks

Take the Family holiday rating 4 stars out of 5

Why

Madeira’s warm summers and mild winters have traditionally attracted the ‘older generation’. But the good news is things are beginning to change as more and more hotels on this beautiful Atlantic island concentrate on Great Nieces and Nephews as well as Great Aunts. With wonderful scenery, superb ‘levada’ walks, a new water park and world class hotels with great facilities and superb cuisine, the only thing Madeira lacks for perfect family holidays is sandy beaches. Mind you, at least pebbles can’t get into all those awkward nooks and crannies – well hopefully not anyway! Plus it’s clean, the people are incredibly friendly and it’s relatively crime (and biting and stinging insect) free. All in under 4 hours flying time from the UK.

Above left: Madeira Porto Maniz
Above right: Carnival in Madeira

When

Any time it tickles your fancy. Oddly enough some of the best deals are to be had in the height of summer hols when it’s too hot for the oldies (ah, bless!), but mild enough for your family. And Madeira is ideal for a winter break and perfect for any of the half terms.

How

take the plane

There are direct flights to Madeira from 11 UK airports, plus Dublin. Flying time is around three and a half hours. Airlines flying to Funchal include British Airways and TAP Air Portugal. There is no time difference. Check flight deals with Expedia.

from the airport

The airport is ten miles from Funchal. Although a small island where you can get by with taxis or public transport, do consider hiring a car.

Stay

There are numerous hotels in Madeira catering for a range of family holiday budgets. Two great choices, though on the more expensive side, are Jardins do Lago and the Reid’s Palace Hotel.

Do

Take a trip up the mountain in the cable car.
Take a trip back down again in one of the traditional wicker baskets.
Take a heart-thumping trip down one of the slides at Funchal’s new water park
Take in afternoon tea at Reid’s Hotel for some old-fashioned British colonial splendour and tradition.
Take a stunning walk along the island’s levadas – old water channels that follow natural contours. But remember your backpack for younger kids.
Take the kids to the rock pools at Porto Moniz.
Take a day off from the kids (or just a precious morning or afternoon) and play golf or go blue marlin fishing.
Take a dip in the sea water lidos at Funchal.
Take a wander round any of the island’s stunning gardens. Madeira is known as ‘the floating gardens’ and Take the Family favourites include the Botanical Gardens, Jardim Orquidea and Boa Vista.

Eat

Many hotels offer packages that include dinner. But venture outside and you’ll discover great local (Portugese-based) cooking. Superb fresh fish and seafood (obviously) is a speciality as well as grilled meat. While most good hotels have a children’s menu and restaurants are normally happy to accommodate special requests for kids. And of course make sure you treat yourself to a glass of Madeira wine. In Funchal (and indeed all over the island) you are spoilt for choice with restaurants – both local and reassuringly international – are bountiful.