Luxury Madeira Holidays

Spectacular views, diverse landscapes, and endless opportunities to indulge await on your luxury holiday to Madeira.

RUGGED COASTLINES, VOLCANIC SANDS, AND PEACEFUL SURROUNDINGS

Madeira’s pleasantly warm and permanently spring-like climate makes it a popular choice for luxury holidays all year round. Towering mountains provide a stunning backdrop to volcanic black sands. Quaint cobbled streets wind through charming towns dotted with white-washed houses and beautifully maintained gardens.

Madeira is well-loved for its many opportunities for walking and hiking through mountain trails and lush green valleys. A favourite hike is to the summit of Pico Ruivo, the highest peak on Madeira island, while the trail around the Rabaçal Valley offers a more serene route through dense forests and rushing waterfalls.  The sight of the 100-metre high Risco Waterfall tumbling off the Paul de Serra plateau is undoubtedly a highlight of the trail.

Take a catamaran or speedboat whale and dolphin spotting tour to seek out the native bottlenose dolphins and sperm whales who enjoy the warm waters surrounding Madeira – the optimum times for this are May to June and September to October. Canyoning is another popular pastime in Madeira, and the many plunge pools, waterfalls, and cliff edges are ideal for jumping, abseiling, and swimming in the most beautiful surroundings.

Madeira’s reputation for luxury accommodation is well-deserved and there is a wide variety of boutique hotels, indulgent spa resorts and lavish hotels to choose from.

Top 5 things to do in Madeira

• Watch the incredible sunrise from Pico do Arieiro, the third highest peak in Madeira.
• Head to Camara De Lobos (the Valley of the Nuns) where nuns once fled to hideout from pillaging pirates. The scenery is spectacular!
• Take a blissful dip in the gorgeous Porto Moniz Lava Pools as the waves crash against the rocks around you.
• Take a boat cruise to spot wild dolphins out at sea. 
• Sample Poncha - a native Madeiran drink made from sugar cane alcohol, lemon juice and honey. Beware - it is delicious, but it packs quite a punch! 

Top 5 facts about Madeira

• Madeira is an archipelago made up of 4 islands - Madeira, Porto Santo and the uninhabited Selvagens and Deserta were discovered by the Portuguese in 1418.
• Madeira has a surprisingly mild climate averaging 22ºC in the summer and 16ºC in the winter. Thanks to the warm currents from the Gulf Stream the seawater temperature is also very mild, averaging 22ºC in the summer and 18ºC in the winter.
• Half of the population of Madeira lives in the capital, Funchal.
• As with Portugal, there is no time difference between Madeira and the U.K.
• The average flight time from the U.K. to Madeira is 3 hours 45 minutes.