Madeira with Kids: Family Things to Do and Where to Stay

Madeira is a brilliant island for families: mild weather all year, dolphins and whales offshore, natural lava pools to swim in, cable cars and a toboggan ride kids never forget. It’s also steep and the sea can be rough, so it pays to plan. Here are the best things to do in Madeira with kids, and the family-friendly places to stay.

Quick answer: ride the Monte cable car (free for under-7s) and the toboggan back down, swim in the Porto Moniz natural pools (€3), go dolphin watching, play on the sandy beach at Calheta or Machico, and visit Monte Palace gardens (free for under-15s with an adult). Stay in Funchal’s Lido area or Calheta.

Why Madeira works for families

The flight from much of Europe is short, the island is safe and English is widely spoken. Temperatures rarely swing to extremes, so you can visit in the school holidays at Easter, summer or half-term and still get outdoor days. Distances are small on the map, though roads are steep and winding, so it helps to base yourself in one or two places and do day trips.

The best things to do with kids

Monte cable car and toboggan

Fly over Funchal in the cable car from the seafront to Monte, a ride of about 15 minutes. It reopened in April 2026 after an upgrade, and adults pay about €16 one way or €22 return (half price for ages 7–14, free for under-7s); the new glass-floor cabins cost more. Explore Monte, then ride down in a wicker toboggan steered by two men in straw hats. The run is about 2km and takes around 10 minutes. Prices are €30 for one, €40 for two and €60 for three, cash only, and the toboggans usually don’t run on Sundays. Kids love it. See the Monte toboggan and things to do in Funchal.

Monte Palace Tropical Garden

Koi ponds, pagodas, waterfalls, tile panels and winding paths to explore. Free for children under 15 with an adult. Allow one to two hours, and wear good shoes, as the paths are steep.

Porto Moniz natural pools

Volcanic rock pools filled by the Atlantic, with lifeguards, on the island’s northwest tip. The main pools cost €3 (free for children aged 3 and under), and the smaller Aquário pools next door are free. They’re usually open from 9am to 7pm in summer, closing earlier in winter. Next to them, the small Madeira Aquarium shows local sea life. The drive from Funchal takes about an hour each way, so make a day of it. See Porto Moniz natural pools.

Dolphin and whale watching

Dolphins are seen year-round and whales often, from Funchal and Calheta. Bigger boats or catamarans are more comfortable for children than fast RIBs, and trips usually last two to three hours. See dolphin-watching trips.

Beaches

• Calheta: a sheltered beach of imported golden sand in a calm bay. Perfect for little ones.
• Machico: another golden-sand beach in the east, near the airport.
• Funchal’s Lido and seawater pools: safe swimming with lifeguards.
• Porto Santo: the neighbouring island has a 9km golden beach and is reached by ferry from Funchal, about 2h30 each way. The crossing can be rough, so bring motion-sickness remedies. See Porto Santo.

Most of Madeira’s natural beaches are pebbly with strong waves, so stick to these with kids.

Madeira Theme Park (Santana)

A small park about Madeira’s history and culture, with playgrounds, a maze, a boating lake and traditional thatched houses. Combine it with the famous triangular houses of Santana. Check opening days before you drive over, as hours can change out of season.

Botanical gardens

The Madeira Botanical Garden above Funchal has bright flowerbeds, cacti and views over the bay. It’s an easy half-day with younger children. See Madeira Botanical Garden.

Easy walks

Short, flat levada walks like the Balcões viewpoint (PR11, about 3km return) are great with kids. Remember all official trails need a booked slot through SIMplifica, about €4.50 per adult. Children aged 12 and under don’t pay, but they still need a slot. Avoid trails with steep drops and long tunnels with young children. See Madeira levada walks.

The market

The Mercado dos Lavradores in Funchal, with exotic fruits and the fish market, is a fun morning out. Look for the black scabbard fish on the slabs. See more family activities.

A five-day family plan

• Day 1: Funchal old town, the market and the Lido pools.
• Day 2: cable car to Monte, Monte Palace gardens and the toboggan (not on a Sunday).
• Day 3: morning dolphin trip, then the beach at Calheta.
• Day 4: drive the north coast to Porto Moniz for the pools and aquarium.
• Day 5: Santana and the theme park, with the short Balcões walk on the way.

Family-friendly hotels

• Savoy Calheta Beach: an all-inclusive resort right on the sandy beach at Calheta, with three pools. The easiest family stay.
• Saccharum: a design resort in Calheta with pools and a kids’ playroom.
• Pestana Promenade: by the Lido seafront promenade in Funchal, with pools and easy access to the city.
• Savoy Palace: a five-star in central Funchal with huge pools and lots of space.

Or browse Funchal and Calheta.

Getting around

A hire car gives you the most freedom, but expect steep hills, hairpin bends and tight parking. Book a small automatic if you aren’t used to hill starts. Without a car, stay in Funchal and use local buses, taxis and day tours. All island buses are now one SIGA network, renumbered in March 2026, so ignore old route numbers in older guides. The Aerobus from the airport costs €6.70 one way. See getting around Madeira.

Tips for Madeira with kids

• Car seats: by law, children under 12 and under 135cm must ride in an approved seat in the back. Babies may sit in front only in a rear-facing seat with the airbag off. Book seats with your hire car, as taxis may not have them.
• Motion sickness: Madeira’s roads are steep and winding; bring something for car sickness.
• Weather: mild all year (18–26°C), but the mountains are cooler and wetter, so bring layers.
• Sea safety: stick to lifeguarded pools and sheltered beaches.
• Buggies: Funchal’s seafront is flat, but the old streets and gardens are steep and cobbled. A baby carrier is handy.
• Food: kids love bolo do caco (garlic flatbread), the island’s small bananas and fresh passion fruit.

FAQ

Does the Monte toboggan run every day?

No. It usually runs Monday to Saturday and stops on Sundays and some holidays. Bring cash: €30 for one, €40 for two or €60 for three.

Are there sandy beaches in Madeira for kids?

A few. Calheta and Machico have imported golden sand, and Porto Santo has a long natural sandy beach. Most other beaches are pebbly with strong waves.

Do children pay for Madeira’s hiking trails?

Children aged 12 and under don’t pay, but they still need a booked slot on SIMplifica like everyone else.

More: Madeira travel guide, Portugal with kids and the Azores with kids.

See also: the São Vicente caves (closed for now), the best beaches in Madeira, Monte Palace Tropical Garden and the Vereda dos Balcões.

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