Madeira things to Do

Sea temperatures vary between 18 to 24 ºC depending on the time of year. For sub aquatic enthusiasts, the Garajau coast line offers one of Europe's first underwater nature reserves.

When it comes to land leisure activities you are given a number of options available  to choose from. As you approach Madeira by air or sea, you may look at the mountainous terrain and conclude that walking the island is perhaps only for the fit, young and adventurous. But this is definitely not the case! You haven’t seen  Madeira if you haven't experienced the wondrous landscapes of the island. Moreover  they are all  accessible and very  easy to find and very  often effortless to walk.

Madeira story centre
Funchal ‘s latest visitor’s attraction , is the Madeira story Centre which is located in the Old Town , in the Monte Cable Car station  where you can learn everything  about the island ‘s history  and recent development . This spectacular,  museum allows the visitor “travel”  trough  time on a virtual journey and ‘relive’ in chronological sequence the archipelago’s great historic events, from its volcanic birth 14 million years ago to the first hydroplane landing in Madeira .

Madeira theme park
On Madeira island   big investments are being made in leisure facilities both for locals and visitors to the island. The ‘Theme Park’ in Santana,  which had been open for the   public in October 2004, is divided in several nucleuses and includes many attractions for visitors of all ages  ,  as well as locals related to history, traditions and culture of the people of Madeira.

One of the most recent investment is the aqua park in Santa Cruz which with capacity for over 1.000 people   boasts five toboggan rides and four fast slides, two swimming pools (one of which reserved for children), a lazy river running round the pools, a bar and locker rooms indicates the best attraction on the island for both children and those that  still feel  young!

Surfing
Surfing only began  on Madeira island  approximately four years ago, when  Portuguese surfing professionals  “found” the islands shores. These news reached the Portuguese surfing community and the word was spread to Brazil .As a consequence a surfing team  arrived from  Rio de Janeiro ready to practise their favourite sport spreading the word all around the islands! Besides due to its location the Madeira archipelago is a privileged spot to receive swells of the North Atlantic and has all sorts of waves, from point breaks to reef breaks. The surfing months are considered low season tourist months, which allows you to choose a hotel or rent-a-car at much cheaper rates. Why not bring your surfboard and find out the  how exciting surfing in Madeira can be ?

Tennis &Squash
The  magical   island of Madeira offers excellent conditions for practising outdoor sports throughout the year such as tennis and Squash that you can find in almost every bigger hotel resort which has its own tennis court. Just inquire in the hotels. Squash courts you will find at Quinta Magnólia, Baía Azul Hotel, Alto Lido Hotel, Ocean Park Hotel, Eden Mar Hotel, Panorâmico Hotel, Clube Naval do Funchal, Madeira Regency Palace, Madeira Regency Club, Galomar and Onda Vital Club (the two latter are in Caniço de Baixo).

Whale & Dolphin Spotting
Due to  its special  location in the mid-ocean the island of Madeira is privileged by  the presence of  whales and dolphins, which has only recently been recognized as another asset to this beautiful holiday destination

Ferry to Porto Santo
The maritime connection between Madeira - Porto Santo has long waited for better conditions, faster journeys and higher quality. That time has now arrived. The Porto Santo Line company which has a monopoly on the connection between the two islands, has invested (along with funding from the European Community and the Regional Government) in a new ship that, some say, is similar to a mini cruise liner.

Shopping
Madeira is the perfect place to enjoy your shopping !During the last years a big development has taken place in this field, so that we are  positive that you  will find something special for you to take home – to prolong your memories of a great time passed in Madeira – or for family and friends to give them an appetite for visiting Madeira and discover this beautiful island for themselves!

Eating out
Restaurants are surely not what is missing in Madeira as they are abundantly spread all over the city of the capital  as well as in  the rest of the island. What is much more difficult is to make the right choice for both satisfying your taste buds and your wallet.