Do you sometimes have a few days holiday during the year to travel or get away? See what's happening all year round in Madeira! Take the opportunity to get to know this archipelago so close by and the activities not to be missed in Madeira all year round! From the Flower Festival, to an excursion to the east, west or south side of the island, or a trip to Porto Santo, Levada Walks or whale and dolphin watching trip,... get to know Madeira better!

Let's start with the great festivals that take place in Madeira, which are repeated every year, but are special events and some are unique to this island, like the Carnival, the Flower Festival, the Atlantic Festival, the Wine Festival and the Christmas and New Year's Eve festivities.

Carnival

Carnival in Madeira is undoubtedly special! Because this season has for a whole week a festive character of its own, these festivities include the traditional Carnival parade, the Cortejo Trapalhão, the Festa dos Compadres and the "Assaltos de Carnaval". Want to know more? Book your trip to Madeira during Carnival now! Because this is for sure one of the activities not to be missed in Madeira!

Flower Festival

This Festival takes place from the end of April to the end of May (27/04 to 21/05) and is a tribute to spring and flowers. The Flower Festival stands out for its unique tradition and during this month you can see concerts, various shows, parades, folklore performances and the construction of floral carpets. But don't miss the spectacle of the Cortejo Alegórico da Flor, which conquers Funchal on the first Sunday afternoon as the festival begins! You can also see several floral installations and other shows.

Atlantic Festival

The Atlantic Festival marks the beginning of the summer season in Madeira, it runs throughout the month of June and is one of the only tourist entertainment events, offering its tourists Pyromusical Shows, the Atlantic Roots Festival and the Regional Arts Week. Every Saturday the pyromusical shows take place with the International Fireworks Competition whose trophy is attributed through the vote of the public. During the Summer Sunset you can enjoy the animation and gastronomic houses and traditional products in Funchal and Machico. These 2 cities also have the Multimedia Show "Water Screen" using a translucent screen of water at least 50 meters wide. You can also see the Popular Saint Festivities on June 13, 24 and 29, Santo António, São João and São Pedro. The Festival Raízes do Atlântico is also one of the oldest European festivals of World Music and the oldest at a national level! Not to be missed! But check out the poster! There are many more festivals during the month of June!

 Wine Festival

This Festival begins with the Emigrant Festival on the 21st August in the parish of Calheta, Atouguia Parish, where regional gastronomy is promoted. This town is also home to the first church of the Diocese of Funchal which received a "relic" of Pope John Paul II. One to visit!

Next comes the Wine Festival from 25th August to 11th September, which recreates the old ways of the Madeirans in their wine-making. This Festival includes the European Folklore Week, Madeira Wine Lounge where you can enjoy Madeira wines, great entertainment and parades, as well as musical concerts at the Lagar (Wine press) in an outdoor vineyard environment.

Now you can also get to know other great activities to do all year round in Madeira Island.

Whale and Dolphin Watching

 In Funchal you can spot dolphins, turtles and… if you're lucky, whales! This fantastic cruise will take you to Calheta on Madeira Island where you can learn more about the marine life on the island as well as have the opportunity to swim with dolphins if the conditions are right! While admiring the Madeiran coastline, enjoy this trip across the North Atlantic Ocean!

Levadas Walks

Levadas walks on Madeira Island are unimaginable walks given the beauty we will encounter! On this walking tour we get to see nature, vegetation, streams and creeks in their purest state! On the north west side of Madeira Island we can visit the Madeira Natural Park and go to the Miradouro do Rabaçal! Rabaçal Valley is a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site! The Levada do Rabaçal, do Risco and das 25 Fontes have impressive waterfalls!

You can also do the Levada das Queimadas, Caldeirão Verde and Santana! This route allows you to pass through the Laurissilva Forest, see the village of São Jorge, go through tunnels and see waterfalls at Caldeirão Verde!

But there's much more! Get to know all the Levadas you can visit!

Cristiano Ronaldo Tour

Ideal tour for those who love football and Cristiano Ronaldo! This tour starts in the football player's childhood places, passing by his first football club! Continue to the well known CR7's Museum where you will be able to see a replica of the player and the trophies won over the years! In this museum there are digital interactions where you can see the whole career of the player! Take the opportunity to also get to know Pico dos Barcelos, where there is a fantastic viewpoint over the city of Funchal, and take a photo from the same spot that CR7 used to take his photo with the Golden Ball!

São Vicente Caves

Located on the north side of the Island, about 30m drive from Funchal, they're located on the cliffs opposite the Ribeira de São Vicente in a charming village on Madeira's north coast. These caves have at the bottom of this valley, where the formation of the Island began, the Volcanism Centre, an activity not to be missed in Madeira! The São Vicente Caves are a visit to the North of Madeira Island not to be missed! Take the opportunity to visit Porto da Cruz, Cabanas de São Jorge and Ponta Delgada on this tour!

Porto Santo Tour

To finish off, spend a day at Porto Santo's fantastic beaches! With crystal clear waters, the whole coast can be walked! On this island you can visit Vila Baleira mole, go to Ponta Calheta, do the Pico Branco and Terra Chã tracks, climb Pico Castelo, go to the viewpoints of Portela (to see its windmills) and Flores, go to Zimbralinho beach and see the rock formations of Morenos and get to know the Basaltic Prisms! Then you can have fresh fish at Ponta Calheta Restaurant, try the bolo do caco and of course drink a Madeiran poncha at Rei da Poncha! An activity not to be missed in Madeira!

Christmas and New Year's Eve Party

The Christmas and New Year’s Eve Party begins when the city of Funchal lights up its streets with Christmas decorations. These festivities last until the first week of January and end with the Singing of the Kings from the 5th to the 6th. Did you know that Madeira's famous end of year fireworks display was officially recognised by the Guinness Book of Records in 2006 as the greatest show of its kind? You shouldn't miss this trip!

Now that you know the itinerary of all the festivities and activities you can do in Madeira Island, take the time to visit this region of Portugal! An Island always having a party and good weather all year round, ideal for a great holiday or getaway!

Take the opportunity to visit our Living Magazine-Blog and our Living Tours website and take a look at everything this island has to offer you and see the tours selected and chosen especially for you!

Explore, too, the best places and attractions to see in Madeira.