Family Holidays in Madeira

By Rita

As a mother of three I think I am well qualified to say that Madeira is an ideal destination for a family holiday with children and teenagers. We have fantastic hotels with excellent access to the ocean, swimming pools and beautiful gardens + great offers for activities in nature whether at sea or in the countryside + culture and fun + excellent and diverse restaurants + a well sized and lively town! Here everything is close by and you can reach different highlights of the island in a few minutes!
See our suggestions and tips on the best hotels at which you and your family can stay as well as tips on what to do during your holiday.

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Best Hotels for families

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Pestana Carlton

The Pestana Carlton is a 5 star hotel that has a very privileged location. Excellent access to the sea where you forget the proximity to the city. Family suites are amazingly spacious and modern. Children as from 03 to 12 years – When sharing room with parents (maximum 2 children) have 100% reduction on Extra Bed Adult and on Dinner supplements.

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Vidamar Resort

Vidamar is located in the tourist area of Funchal and enjoys a great sea front with swimming pools and excellent access to the ocean. It has a Kid’s club and its modern facilities are perfect for a relaxing summer vacation with top quality. The hotel offers an excellent SPA which can be enjoyed by parents whilst the children play at the Kid’s Club.

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Belmond Reid's

True Luxury, Reid's Hotel is offering packages with excellent prices for families. An ideal place to spend vacation with the kids - Access to the sea, swimming pools and fabulous gardens, proximity to Funchal and its tourist area, make it a dream place for an unforgettable family vacation!

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Pestana Grand

It has the largest outdoor sea water swimming pool in Madeira Island, which was specially designed to reflect and highlight its magnificent view over the sea. Children as from 03 to 12 years – When sharing room with parents (maximum 2 children, depending on rooms maximum capacity) have 100% reduction on Extra Bed Adult and on Dinner supplements.

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Casa do Lugarinho

Casa do Lugarinho has all the right amenities to make you feel comfortable. The cottage has a capacity up for 8 persons. An excelent choice if you are looking for a relaxing holidays in the company of your family

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Quinta do Arco

Quinta do Arco is a resort with several small and independent villas. The houses on the Quinta are, without a doubt synonymous with beauty, peacefulness and harmony, allowing you to experience nature far from the bustle of big cities. A family retret!

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Saccharum Hotel

To guarantee maximum comfort during your stay, the SACCHARUM HOTEL places at your disposal a vast array of services combined with a professional and friendly team who will enhance your stay.

For Fun

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View or swim with dolphins?

Not far from the bay of Funchal there are large numbers of whales passing that can be seen almost on a daily basis. Dolphins usually accompany the boats looking for fun. The more courageous can dive in and experience them first hand in the ocean. All you need is a mask (provided by the excursion operator) bathing suit, some courage and enthusiasm! See our experience and review here!

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A blissful Kayak ride!

Highly recommended for families is to make the journey between the Quinta do Lorde Marina and the Bay d'Abra with a kayak. You’ll experience blue translucent waters, ocean caves and plenty of peace and quiet. The Italian couple who operate Azul Diving offer kayak rental and tours and will not fail to provide unforgettable moments.

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Want to try a surfing class?

Is all the family trying or is it only for children? The whole family, of course! So there is more laughing and surfboards for adults can naturally be arranged... For more experienced surfing families, there are some spots that will not disappoint you! Check our offers here.

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How about a family adventure Jeep?

A Jeep Safari is an excellent way to see the island. It’s ideal for those who did not rent a car and wish to leave Funchal for a day. The guides are extremely knowledgeable and can tell you so much about the geological origin of the island, its botany, culture and heritage. Two in one: adventure and a lot of information!

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Levada

Levadas are water channels that were built over centuries in order to capture the waters from the mountains and distribute all over the island. There are about 2100 km of Levadas and some of these sections allow beautiful walks to various parts of the island. We recommend that these walking tours be made with a local guide when have children with you.

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Tukxi Tour

Tukxi Tours is a new and exciting way to discover the charms and beauties of Funchal. It offers those who visit Funchal an exclusive perspective along with an intimate aproach to our history and culture. Go for a ride around Funchal with your family!

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Stand up Paddle

The water temperature and the climate with an average temperature of 21 º C during most of the year, sun, landscapes and proximity to the European continent make it a destination of choice for Surfing or Stand Up Paddle (SUP).

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Natural Pools of Porto Moniz + Diving!

Porto Moniz is at the northeast tip of the island of Madeira. There are natural ocean pools which must be visited with your kids. Leave a morning to enjoy a relaxed time by these pools. Close by you can visit the local aquarium where the more adventurous can experience swimming with its inhabitants!

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One day in Porto Santo

Even if you do not want to stay overnight in Porto Santo, you can always take a little jump to the neighbouring island. The voyage to Porto Santo takes 2.5 hours leaving at 8.00 am and arriving around 11:30am. On most days the return trip will be at 6 pm, except on Fridays when the boat will leave at 9 pm. If you have car you can take it in the boat. The ride is very comfortable.

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A special workshop + visit the Toy Museum

The Toy Museum is located in the charismatic old part of town in “Armazém do Mercado” near the Farmers Market! A family visit to the Toy Museum is a must. And then? Younger guests can be be artists for an hour... and meanwhile parents can enter the fascinating world of Madeira Wine... with chocolate... mmmm! All at "Amazem do Mercado"

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Volcanic Caves in Sao. Vincent

A visit to the caves of São Vicente takes about 30 minutes. This journey to the centre of Madeira's island and geology is made with a guide. In the volcanic centre, young and old will get to know more about the impressive, improbable and spectacular formation of Madeira!

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Aquapark Madeira

The Madeira waterpark is located in Santa Cruz. It is an ideal place for children to have lots of fun. The park is not too big so is a perfect place for "controlled" family day of fun. The park includes several fun pools, three "water-slides," four fast lanes, a fast river, a "black-hole" a river "hole", a lazy river, a leisure pool and a water park for small children.

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Santana Theme Park

The Madeira Theme Park in Santana is a space dedicated to the history, science and tradition of the Madeira Archipelago. With an area of 145 000m2, including many outdoor areas with varied activities for children, it also has four multimedia pavilions, a replica of the Monte train and a typical house of Santana. A mill, a maze and a lake are other attractive elements of the Park.

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Downhill

Downhill in Madeira is getting recognized more and more. Adventure yourself and your family in our trails.

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A very special sledge - with no brakes

It is impossible to visit Funchal and not experience this attraction! The cable car is situated in the old town of Funchal and takes you to Monte! Once there you can visit the Monte Palace Tropical Garden amongst other things and then, ride back to Funchal in a unique basket sledge! Brakes, no? But, do not worry, it is safe!

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Cable Car: Funchal - Monte

From the cable car, hovering over the city, where buildings rise alongside gardens and kitchen-gardens, you can enjoy Funchal's amphitheatre and bay in a scenario of blues, greens and oranges.