Tour of Madeira 2026-27

Madeira, the island of sunshine.

The Madeira archipelago is synonymous with refined, discerning tourism.

Our tour begins with a visit to Funchal, the cosmopolitan capital of Madeira, with its relaxed atmosphere and sophisticated way of life. It is the island’s largest city and now its main commercial centre. Set on the southern coast of Madeira, it is one of the Atlantic Ocean’s best-known ports of call for cruise ships. Virtually free of crime, it holds a rich cultural heritage; a bustling, colourful city with sensational views of the mountains and plenty to see and do. Here we will visit monuments, art galleries and gardens. We will be enchanted by the colourful Mercado dos Lavradores, where the flowers, the vegetables and the traditional dress of the stallholders form a mosaic bursting with life, and by the Sé Cathedral, one of the few surviving buildings in the Manueline style, dating from the late fifteenth century and standing in the heart of the Old Town. We will then explore the eastern part of the island as far as its third-highest point (1,818 m), Pico do Arieiro, to marvel at a spectacular view of Madeira, and go on to the Parque Natural da Madeira at Ribeiro Frio, where we will be enveloped by the exuberant landscape of the broadleaf forest that the island’s discoverers found here more than five centuries ago. The following day we will take the cable car up to Monte to gaze out over the bay dotted with yachts bobbing offshore. Once at the top, we will continue our leisurely stroll through the superb Jardim Tropical Monte Palace, home to plants from all over the world. And then there is the western side of the island, with its many distinctive spots. On the sixth day, aboard a caravel, we will sail along the coast to see the island from every angle, before relaxing completely until the final day. As always, with the constant presence of the tour leader, guided visits, convenient flight schedules and a high-standard hotel.

The climate of Madeira.

Madeira enjoys a truly mild climate: it is hardly ever too cold or too hot, with an average temperature ranging from 17° to 24° in the summer months. The Leste, an easterly wind that sweeps in from the Sahara, can push the temperature up to peaks of 30° on a few days of the year. The lush foliage and the abundance of flowers and fruit tell us that it hardly ever rains here.

The island of Madeira also offers a precious variety of wines. Among the most famous is Madeira itself, a long-aged wine born almost by accident: in some areas where the grapes were not sweet enough to soften the acidity, cane sugar began to be added to the Malvasia and Verdelho. Over time the wine became fortified in this way, keeping its flavour better even on the longest voyages.

Nature reserves, the UNESCO-listed Laurisilva Forest and ecological parks

Madeira is believed to have the largest Laurisilva forest in the world, a natural beauty with a rich biodiversity of endemic species of flora and fauna, classified as a UNESCO Natural World Heritage Site in 1999. The Laurisilva Forest covers 15,000 hectares, 12,000 of which lie within a Nature Reserve. Protected areas have been created to conserve the various endangered species and, since October 1982, the Regional Government of Madeira has declared two thirds of the island a nature reserve, for which it continues to provide protection and surveillance.

When Madeira was discovered, in 1419, it was largely covered in woodland. The settlers set fire to most of the island to clear the land for agriculture. Today, thanks to the pleasant climate, most of the population has settled in the south, but the original forest can still be found on the northern slopes and in the island’s deep valleys. This laurel forest is made up of trees of the Lauraceae family and is home to numerous other plant species. Conserving this environment is of the utmost importance; neither cattle nor goats are therefore allowed into these areas. Other protected areas, besides the park, include the Nature Reserves of the Desertas and Selvagens Islands, plus the marine reserve of Garajau and Rocha do Navio; all of them require special authorisation to be visited. The Ribeiro Frio Forest Park, to the north of Funchal, is famous for its beautiful gardens and trails. This park is surrounded by a variety of native plants and tall trees that cover all of its mountains: treat yourself to a walk through the nature park, venturing into the Laurisilva Forest, and discover its true natural beauty.