Madeira Family Holidays & Breaks

Madeira’s warm summers and mild winters have long made it a popular destination, year-round. In the past, it attracted mainly the older generation, but things have changed in recent years and now the island offers a wealth of activities and attractions for all ages.

Explore the wonderful scenery on foot along levadas (gentle paths that follow the water channels that bring rainwater off the hillsides) or perhaps join a mountain biking tour and discover their world-class trails. There are also loads of watersports on offer so you can kayak or paddleboard along the coastline or take a boat trip and look out for dolphins and other marine life.

The majority of hotels are located in the small city of Funchal but there are others across the island if you prefer to be more rural or in a smaller village. In Funchal, there is a lot to see and do, from visiting the colourful market and trying local delicacies to hopping on the cable car that takes you up to Monte and the Botanical Gardens - and then perhaps jumping in a wicker toboggan for a ride back down. Throughout the year there are also a number of festivals - one of the most impressive is the Flower Festival, normally held at the end of April/early May.

The island has a range of family-friendly hotels, from small, traditional Quintas (Manor Houses) to world-class luxury. There is also the option of self-catering villas plus the island is clean, the people are incredibly friendly, and it’s virtually crime (and biting and stinging insect) free – and less than four hours' flying time from the UK. You might think the only thing missing is a sandy beach but they have those too - small beaches with imported sand, or, if you hop over to the neighbouring island of Porto Santo, you'll find miles of golden sand - and some nice hotels so you can stay a few nights as part of your holiday if you want.