The Portuguese archipelago of Madeira is known as the "island of eternal spring" and rightly so because the climate there is pleasant almost all year round.
However, springtime in Madeira is the best time to enjoy its breathtaking landscapes, rich culture, and outdoor activities.
Flower Festival
Madeira offers a varied calendar of events throughout the year. One of the highlights is the Flower Festival, which takes place every year after Easter.
The festival, which runs from May 5 to 29 in Madeira's capital, Funchal, celebrates spring and the flowers that bloom during this time of the year.
The festivities begin with thousands of children flocking to Praça do Município in eye-catching dresses to help build a mural of flowers known as the "Wall of Hope."
The next day, dozens of floats decorated with the island's most typical flowers take part in the Flower Parade, which leaves a wonderful scent in the air.
In addition, Madeiran artists lay out flower carpets in various places. Competitions are also held to choose the best decorated store windows.
There are a whole host of activities you can do in Madeira during spring that will make your experience authentic and enriching.
Let's take a look at how you can spend your time in this beautiful archipelago.
Sightseeing
If you want to enjoy Madeira's scenery with a panoramic view, the double-decker tourist busses that take you through Funchal's historic districts to the town of Câmara de Lobos are the ideal means of transportation.
On these busses, there's an audio guide in several languages that will help you better understand the history of the places and monuments you visit along the way.
In Madeira, there are several companies that organize such excursions and send along professional guides to help you make the most of your trip.
Speaking of attractions, these are some of the places that are very popular among tourists:
- Ajuda Gardens
- Madeira Botanical Garden
- Vila Guida Viewpoint Garden
- Casa-Museu Frederico de Freitas
- Christopher Columbus House Museum
- Madeira Modern Art Museum
- S. Francisco Wine Cellars
- Madeira Aquarium
- Madeira Casino
- Ponta do Pargo Lighthouse
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Mountain biking
If you want to discover Madeira on wheels, you should ride a motorcycle or an off-road bicycle along rugged dirt tracks and along the levadas, the stone irrigation canals or aqueducts that are typical of this part of the world.
Canyoning
Canyoning in Madeira is a unique way to get to know the lesser known parts of the archipelago. Besides, you'll get an incredible dose of adrenaline since you'll have to overcome different obstacles with different techniques. You can practice this sport in different places such as Ribeiro Frio, Ribeira da Pedra Branca, Ribeira das Cales, Ribeira do Passo, Ribeira da Hortelã, and Ribeira do Inferno.
Climbing
If you're an adventurous traveler, you should put climbing Madeira's beautiful cliffs on your bucket list. If you're a beginner, you can practice climbing with the help of local professionals.
Karting A karting track in a cove on the north coast of Madeira, surrounded by a beautiful landscape, will surely excite and impress you. We recommend trying out Faial's karting track which is 1,040-meter long.
Golfing
The golf courses in the Madeira archipelago come to life in the spring and offer a picturesque setting. On the main island of Madeira, you can play at two courses, Palheiro Golf and Santo da Serra Golf Club. There's also a picturesque golf course on the neighboring island of Porto Santo, located 40 kilometers off Madeira.
Geocaching
One of the most exciting activities that treasure hunters can do in Madeira in the spring is geocaching. Geocaching is a recreational activity in which participants hide and search for containers called "geocaches" or "caches" in specific locations. To go in search of the geocaches, all you need is a GPS or a smartphone. You can enjoy this activity alone or with your friends. Both experiences will be equally great.
Orienteering
Have you ever heard of orienteering? It's a group of sports that require navigational skills, a map, and a compass to move at high speed through mostly unfamiliar terrain. Madeira, with its mild temperatures and large forest areas, is the perfect place for those who want to improve their sense of direction. There are several clubs that organize and promote orienteering events throughout the year. So be sure to check them out.
Hang gliding and paragliding
Is the sky the limit for you? If so, you should discover Madeira hang gliding and paragliding. From the sky, you can enjoy fantastic views of the mountains and the coasts. The areas of Porto da Cruz and Prazeres, Pico da Cruz, and the Madalena do Mar viewpoint are some of the best places to practice this activity.
Taking a boat tour
Madeira has many maritime attractions to offer that will make your trip unforgettable. One of the best ways to explore them is by taking a boat tour where you can spend a relaxing day in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. Renting a boat in Madeira is an option for those who want a personalized maritime experience. You can choose to rent a boat with or without a crew.
Whale and dolphin watching
One of the reasons some people travel to Madeira is to have a close encounter with some of the 30 or so species of cetaceans that live or visit there. To have this experience, you must go out to sea in a boat. If the thought of seeing different species of dolphins, whales, and turtles excites you, then this activity is for you.
Surfing and Bodyboarding
Madeira's extensive coastline, frequent waves, and excellent weather make the island a paradise for those who love surfing and bodyboarding. Many even refer to Madeira as the "Hawaii of the Atlantic" because of its beauty. You can practice these sports there almost all year round. In Madeira, there are several schools specialized in these sports.
Coasteering
Have you ever heard of coasteering? Coasteering is an exciting activity that combines rappelling, climbing and jumping into the sea on a route along the coastline. It's becoming increasingly popular in Madeira, especially in the Ponta de São Lourenço Nature Reserve.
Scuba diving
Are you looking for an unforgettable underwater experience? Then try scuba diving in Madeira because it's one of the best areas in Europe for this activity. Diving in temperate, crystal clear waters, you can observe cnidarians such as black coral, anemones, different species of fish, and even monk seals—the rarest seal in the world. You can go diving in Garajau, Machico, Caniçal, and Santa Cruz. We also recommend divers to visit Madalena do Mar. There you'll find the "Bowbelle", a ship that sank there a few years ago and is now an artificial reef.
Standup paddleboarding
If you like the feeling of "walking on water", standup paddleboarding offers the possibility to have a similar experience. This peaceful sport, suitable for the whole family, is one of the best ways to enjoy the landscape of the Madeira archipelago. There are several schools that offer lessons and equipment for both beginners and advanced paddlers.
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Don't miss the spring experience in Madeira
Are you ready to enjoy these experiences? Then book your ticket now and head to Madeira, which has a lot to offer for those looking for a relaxing outdoor experience or extreme sports with an adrenaline rush.
If you're planning to visit Madeira as a digital nomad, consider staying at locations where the Digital Nomads Madeira Islands initiative is being implemented.
The project has attracted thousands of international remote workers to the archipelago since its launch in February 2021.This means that Madeira is bursting with new life and energy.
Flatio is an official accommodation partner of the project. So if you're looking for affordable, quality and cheap accommodation in Madeira for your stay, be sure to check out our listings.
