It’s a big, beautiful world out there, and deciding where to go can be difficult, especially if you’re traveling with kids. I was recently invited to visit Madeira and I have to say it’s a strong candidate for your next family vacation.
Why Madeira?
Madeira, a subtropical island about 400 miles off the coast of Morocco, was discovered by Portuguese sailors in 1419 (no, it was actually uninhabited) and settled a few years later. Currently, it was formed by an extinct volcano and is a lush, warm paradise. It boasts lush terraced mountainsides, picturesque valleys, stunning sea views, majestic waterfalls, and a centuries-old city with classic Portuguese architecture dating back to the 16th century. The island’s beaches are mostly pebbly rather than sandy, but there are also some sandy beaches, including some black sand.
In short, Madeira offers the opportunity to combine a seaside holiday, a hiking trip and a European cultural getaway all at once, and the island is small enough that you can enjoy a little bit of everything in one visit.
Madeira has been a tourist destination since the 1800s, boasting famous visitors such as Winston Churchill and Empress Sisi, and was also a destination for pirates before that (you can visit the castle gates that kept them at bay in the 1700s) – post-pandemic, Madeira has experienced a tourism boom, mainly from Scandinavians, and is sure to become even more popular in the coming years.
where to stay
Dreams Madeira is the perfect accommodation for families who want to enjoy the beauty of this gem in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. Inspired by a Portuguese village, this hotel offers breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean and nearby marina, numerous pools (including a seaside pool built into the rocky shore and filled with high tide), and a vibrant, family-friendly atmosphere perfect for cultivating daily rituals and fun.
In full confession, I went to Madeira at the resort’s invitation, and while Funchal, the island’s largest city and center of most activities, has plenty of beachfront hotels (more on this later), I actually recommend staying away from the activities for several reasons.
First, Dreams Madeira is located on the island’s drier, rockier east coast, which is very different from the lush mountain crags to the west. And between that location (Canizal) and Funchal, which is only about 30 minutes away, it’s basically much more isolated than anywhere else. And that drive (shuttles run daily between resorts and major cities) will give you a better understanding of the island’s geography, beauty, and many (many) microclimates than if you stayed in one place.
Second, Dreams Madeira is all-inclusive, which helps when budgeting for a family vacation. There are eight restaurants ranging from traditional Portuguese to Japanese cuisine, as well as a healthy selection of cafes, bars and ice cream shops. Kids will love the thrill of just going to the counter and enjoying as many sweets, snacks and drinks as they want. (As an adult, I enjoyed this, too.) That’s, of course, when the kids aren’t having fun splashing around in the pool or playing with other vacationers in one of the two kids’ centers (one for tweens and tweens and one for younger kids).
The resort partners with a number of talented local guides, including LocoRoco, with activities that showcase all the island has to offer. Speaking of which…
what to do
- Hike through the laurel forest
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, these ancient forests will make you feel like you’ve traveled to another world. I went on a five-mile hike through hauntingly beautiful twisting moss-covered trees, followed by a Levada Walk, a steep climb along the island’s network of irrigation canals with waterfalls and tunnels. Hiking is not easybut not so difficult that a family with a child with good shoes and a cane cannot manage. (I saw a lot of small children doing it.)
- Taste Madeira’s famous wines
Madeira wine, used by the Founding Fathers to toast the Constitution, helped put Madeira on the map. After a week of drinking, I figured it out. They range from rich and dry to quite sweet and are delicious, but we don’t recommend making a strong Madeira Spritz. We visited Brandy’s, one of Madeira’s oldest wine lodges, dating back to 1811, and had the opportunity to sample different varietals. We also sampled the same brand’s table wine. They made their first table wine on the island 30 years ago.
- Explore the capital Funchal
Funchal is a small but vibrant city with art walks, farmers’ markets, gorgeous architecture (the Colegio church, built in 1629, is a must-see, in my opinion), and tree-lined streets. If you are a soccer fan (or are developing a soccer fan), you can also visit the CR7 Museum, dedicated to Madeira’s most famous star, Cristiano Ronaldo.
We also recommend taking some time to shop on Rua Dr. Fernán de Ornelas, one of the main commercial streets. I especially recommend the embroidery shop Bordal. Embroidery is a traditional craft in Madeira, and Bordal’s artisans are highly skilled. You can also tour the small factory above the store. Some of our employees have been with us for over 50 years.
- Go whale watching with Madeira Sea Emotions
Madeira is located in waters frequented by many whale and dolphin species, making it the perfect place to see these beautiful creatures in the wild. Madeira Sea Emotion Tours is conveniently located right next to Dreams Madeira. please don’t Do you see any animals? Ask them how they know. (Yes, my group was one of the unlucky 7% or so who didn’t see anything on our trip.) Our guide was so friendly and funny that the lack of whales hardly mattered, and he more than made up for the lack of cetaceans by showing us some of the most beautiful secluded coves and sea caves on the island.
What else you need to know
Madeira truly has something for everyone, and families will be enchanted by its culture, food, natural beauty and people. It speaks volumes about how different it is from many other tourist destinations I’ve visited. island Almost everyone I met at my destination, Madeira, from Madeira. “Why am I leaving here?” many of them asked.
Really why…?
