Cheap Madeira Holidays and Deals

Funchal, the 500-year-old capital of Madeira, is surrounded by verdant mountains and makes for an adventurous afternoon, especially if you take the town cable car which runs high above the town. The architecture is impressive and a visit to the colourful market in the old town is a must. Enjoy a stroll in its spacious parks, or take a look at the street art and outdoor sculptures in Rua de Santa Maria. Known for its profusion of flowers, Funchal hosts the Madeira Flower Festival in late April annually.

Madeira is heaven for eco warriors with lush forests, hiking trails across the sea view cliffs and miles of rugged coastline to explore. Laurel Forest, crowned as the world's largest subtropical forest, is a UNESCO site and full of picture-perfect peaks, waterfalls and shaded valleys. For those who love messing about on the water, why not take a day cruise in a wooden gullet. The tours pass the uninhibited Desertas Islands and stop at the picturesque coves of Baia d’Abra. Jump in for a swim at Machico Bay, where you'll find watersports, football and volleyball and plenty of seaside cafes to enjoy.

This picturesque village on the south of the island is home to one of Europe’s first underwater nature reserves, so it’s an ideal destination for divers and a treasure trove for divers, snorkellers and swimmers with magnificent marine life including mantra rays, seahorses, moray and more. Garajau is just as beautiful on dry land too, catch a ride in the cable car and explore more of the idyllic landscape from above.

Sitting pretty in the northern corner of Madeira is the village of Porto Moniz, famous for its natural saltwater pools surrounded by volcanic lava cliffs. Walk across the black sandy beach and take a dip in the cool pools, where you'll spot small fish swimming in the summer. Explore the village's vineyards and spectacular rock formations, or if you're on a family holiday take the kids to the nearby fun zone and play area.

You may have soaked up the sun, sea and sights during the day, but there's plenty more to see in Madeira once the sun has set. If you're looking for family fun, Madeira's folklore evenings are full of delicious food, dancers and Fado music and are held in mountainous taverns between Funchal and Monte. If you like live entertainment, the capital's casino kicks off with a cabaret show featuring favourites from the 50s and 90s, or if you want to let your hair down, Funchal's nightlife offers a string of super clubs such as Vespas and Café Teatro open until the early hours.

Spend a day on the sand and stretch out on Prainha Beach, Madeira's only natural sandy beach. Located near the area of Ponta de São Lourenço, this sheltered bay is backed by colourful yellow and orange cliffs that contrast the dark sand, and is highly popular with locals and tourists alike. On the western side of Madeira you will find Ribeira Beach, a pretty pebbled stretch with a promenade full of bustling cafés and bars. If you're staying near the capital, Praia Formosa is also a beautiful spot worth checking out.