Madeira: adventure, incredible views and a destination that keeps giving
Destination: Madeira – Funchal, Porto Moniz & beyond
Travel Consultant: Elle Aspire Travel
Holiday Type: Personal holiday
Date: September 2026
Madeira is so much more than a beautiful view
Madeira is one of those destinations that can completely change your expectations once you experience it for yourself.
It is easy to imagine Madeira as a destination for mature travellers looking for beautiful scenery, relaxed days and perhaps a few gentle walks.
And while it absolutely delivers on the scenery, there is another side to Madeira that deserves just as much attention.
Adventure.
From hiking between some of the island’s highest peaks and flying down a zipline at more than 100km per hour, to snorkelling in incredibly clear waters and exploring botanical gardens high above Funchal, Madeira offers far more than simply sitting back and admiring the view.
After experiencing the island first-hand, one thing became very clear:
Madeira really is a destination like no other.
Staying at Hyatt Ziva Madeira
The Hyatt Ziva Madeira was a fantastic base for exploring the island.
Set on Madeira’s eastern coastline, the resort combines the convenience of an All Inclusive Plus stay with plenty to do both within the hotel and beyond.
One of the biggest highlights is the dining.
There are six à la carte restaurants, each offering something completely different, from Asian and French cuisine to Portuguese and Mediterranean dishes, alongside a grill and an American-style sports bar.
There is also plenty happening around the pools.
The hotel has four pools, each with its own dedicated pool bar, including a children's pool with slides and a splash park, an adults-only pool, a main pool with entertainment and fitness sessions, and a natural pool overlooking the sea.
There is even a marina nearby, with opportunities to book boat excursions, as well as a small supermarket and ice cream parlour.
Entertainment runs throughout the day and into the evening, meaning there is plenty to enjoy without even leaving the resort.
But with an island like Madeira on your doorstep, you really should leave the resort too.
Snorkelling in Madeira
One of the experiences that really stood out was snorkelling.
The waters were incredibly clear, creating fantastic conditions for spotting tropical fish beneath the surface.
The experience also included professional equipment, including flippers, snorkel, mask and wetsuit, making it easy to get involved without needing to bring your own kit.
For anyone who wants to take things a step further, the company also offers scuba diving.
It is another example of why Madeira works so well for travellers who want their holiday to include a little more adventure.
Ziplining above Porto Moniz
For the real adrenaline seekers, the Adrenaline Xtreme zipline in Porto Moniz is certainly one to remember.
The zipline reaches speeds of more than 100km per hour, with views stretching across the valley on one side and out towards the ocean on the other.
It is not exactly a gentle sightseeing experience.
And if that isn't enough, there is also a huge swing which suspends riders around 20 metres in the air before dropping and swinging out towards the cliff edge.
Definitely one for the brave.
Discovering Madeira's natural beauty
Not every experience needs to involve adrenaline.
The Jardim Monte Palace Gardens were another highlight.
Located high above Funchal, the botanical gardens showcase the incredible natural beauty of Madeira, with an extensive collection of native flowers and plant species.
The setting is just as impressive as the gardens themselves, with views across Funchal and the surrounding landscape.
The gardens can also be reached by cable car, making the journey part of the experience.
The views really are something else
One of the things that stays with you in Madeira is just how many incredible viewpoints there are.
Bica da Cana Peak, Miradouro da Terra Grande and Eira do Serrado all offer completely different perspectives across the island.
You can stop, take in the scenery and realise just how dramatic Madeira's landscape really is.
But for me, one of the biggest highlights was taking on the PR1 hike from Pico do Arieiro.
The Stairway to Heaven
The famous Pico do Arieiro route is often referred to as the “Stairway to Heaven” — and once you've done it, you understand why.
The route covers around 13 kilometres between two of Madeira's highest peaks, taking just over three hours and clocking up approximately 18,900 steps.
It is challenging.
There are steep sections, dramatic rock formations, incredible greenery and views that seem to go on forever.
But that is exactly what makes finishing it so rewarding.
There is a real sense of achievement when you reach the end, and throughout the hike there are moments where you simply have to stop and take in the landscape around you.
It is completely breathtaking.
So, who is Madeira really for?
This was probably one of the biggest things I took away from the trip.
Madeira is often associated with a more mature traveller, and I can completely understand why.
The scenery, viewpoints, gardens, food and relaxed atmosphere certainly appeal to that market.
But I think Madeira is becoming much more interesting for a younger audience too.
There are hikes, adventure experiences, water activities, ziplines and plenty of opportunities to get out and explore.
For couples looking for something more active, adventurous travellers, groups of friends or anyone who doesn't want to spend their entire holiday beside a pool, Madeira has a huge amount to offer.
It really is a destination where you can make your holiday as relaxing — or as adventurous — as you want.
One thing I would definitely recommend: hire a car
If you are visiting Madeira and want to experience as much of the island as possible, I would strongly recommend hiring a car.
Public transport is good, particularly if you are staying around Funchal, and Bolt is also available at reasonable prices.
But having your own car gives you the freedom to explore.
And there is a lot to explore.
One thing I would recommend is choosing a small automatic car.
Madeira has some incredibly steep and winding roads, particularly when heading into the mountains, and many roads can be very narrow.
A smaller car makes life considerably easier, while an automatic takes some of the stress out of those steep climbs and descents.
A useful tip if you're planning to hike
If hiking is part of your Madeira plans, make sure you look into the booking requirements before you travel.
The island's PR trails and many of the levada walks now require bookings and come with a cost, which helps contribute towards maintaining the trails.
Bookings are made through the Simplifica website, which can be changed into English.
The website is not the most modern, so take your time and make sure you are booking the correct trail and date.
The PR1 Pico do Arieiro route is particularly popular, so if you want to experience it at sunrise or sunset, booking around three to four weeks ahead is recommended.
Madeira surprised me
Perhaps the biggest surprise was just how much there is to do.
You can spend one day relaxing around the hotel, the next exploring botanical gardens, another snorkelling in crystal-clear water and then find yourself hiking between mountain peaks.
It never really feels like you've run out of things to discover.
And that's what makes Madeira so appealing.
You don't have to choose between relaxation and adventure.
You can have both.
Would I go back?
Absolutely.
Despite packing a huge amount into the trip, there is still so much of the island I haven't discovered.
There are more viewpoints to find, more walks to explore, more villages to visit and plenty more of Madeira's incredible landscape still waiting to be experienced.
It really is the gift that keeps on giving.
And after seeing the island first-hand, I completely understand why Madeira is becoming such an exciting option for travellers looking for something a little different.
Why first-hand experience matters
There is a huge difference between looking at photographs of a destination and actually experiencing it.
Standing at the top of Pico do Arieiro.
Looking down from Eira do Serrado.
Driving the winding mountain roads.
Snorkelling in those clear waters.
Flying across a valley at more than 100km per hour.
These are the experiences that give you a completely different understanding of a destination.
And that is exactly what we want our Aspire Travel Diaries to do.
Give you genuine insight, first-hand experience and honest advice from people who have actually been there.
Because the best way to understand a destination is to experience it for yourself.
Ready to discover Madeira?
Whether you are looking for a relaxing All Inclusive escape, an active adventure, a romantic break or a holiday where you can explore somewhere completely different, Madeira deserves a place on your list.
And if you aren't sure which part of the island, which hotel or which experiences would suit you best, that's where our first-hand knowledge can help.
Thinking about Madeira? Speak to Aspire Travel and let our team help you discover an island that really is like no other. 🇵🇹✈️
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