Madeira Tours & Trips

Best time to visit Madeira

• Fall / Autumn 2025

  Autumn brings perfect walking weather with mild temperatures and good visibility. Our top-rated routes take you up to Pico Ruivo's summit then mix in easier levada walks so you experience both the mountains and valleys. The timing works well for wine enthusiasts too - our tours stop at local wine lodges during harvest season where you'll see how Madeira wine is made. São Lourenço Peninsula walks are particularly good now as the coastal plants turn golden. We've found mixing walks with local culture works really well - you might spend your morning in the Laurisilva Forest then visit Santana's traditional houses or learn to make Madeiran bread in a local kitchen. The folks who travel with Explore consistently mention how well-organized their tours are, and their guides really know their stuff inside out. Though TourRadar works as a booking platform, we've heard from quite a few travelers who ran into some hiccups with their reservations - which is why many people end up booking directly through operators like MB Travel instead. MB Travel has built up a solid reputation for getting the basics right: they're on time for pickups, choose good places to stay and start things off with really detailed orientation sessions. It's those little touches that make such a difference when you're just starting your trip. The picture isn't quite as rosy over at Headwater Travel UK though, particularly when it comes to meals. Several of their customers have mentioned the food wasn't up to par, which really matters since meals are often included in the package price. It's worth checking exactly what's covered in your meal plan before you book - sometimes paying a bit more upfront for better food options or having the flexibility to find your own restaurants works out better in the long run. This mix of feedback gives you a good sense of what to expect from each operator: some excel at logistics and local knowledge, while others might need to step up their game when it comes to certain aspects like food quality and booking processes.

  • November 2025 popular 17 tours
• Winter 2025 / 2026

  Winter brings something different to Madeira with a mix of clear-day hikes and evening festivities. Our tours blend daytime mountain walks with local Christmas and New Year's celebrations that make evenings special. The levadas are at their best now - you'll see the water channels full and active as you walk alongside them. We've found our guests really enjoy staying at traditional quintas with their warm atmosphere, exploring Funchal's holiday markets and getting prime spots on hotel terraces for the firework displays. Some tours take you to unique seasonal events like midnight mass at the Sé Cathedral or the lively December 23rd market where locals come together for an all-night feast and celebration.

  • December 2025 31 tours
  • January 2026 27 tours
  • February 2026 popular 35 tours
• Spring 2026

  Spring is when Madeira's trails really come alive and our hiking tours make the most of it. The eastern island walks consistently get top marks from our travelers - you get those clear views from Pico do Arieiro and might spot the native Madeira Firecrest birds along the coastal paths. The levada walks show off rich plant life this time of year, and you'll pass through farming areas where three daily harvests are happening. We've designed several tours that mix up the walking with cultural stops - you could spend your morning in the Laurisilva Forest and later visit Reid's Hotel to learn about when Churchill stayed there. After a good walk, Porto Moniz's natural pools are just right for cooling off.

  • March 2026 popular 41 tours
  • April 2026 39 tours
  • May 2026 41 tours
• Summer 2026

  Summer tours work with the warm weather and calm ocean conditions. Our most popular trips combine morning levada walks with afternoon boat rides where you'll often see dolphins and whales out in the Atlantic. The Porto Moniz routes get great feedback since you can jump into the volcanic pools after walking. Some tours head up to higher ground like Paul da Serra plateau where it's cooler and you get long views across the island. Our customers really like how we schedule early morning hikes, leaving afternoons free for a swim at Funchal's lido or taking the cable car up to explore Monte's gardens.

  • June 2026 popular 43 tours
  • July 2026 37 tours
  • August 2026 29 tours