Madeira Island with Kids: The Ultimate Family Travel Guide

When planning Madeira Island with Kids and what to do these spots are our top picks (orange shade on map)

• Madeira Theme Park (Santana): A mix of culture and fun with traditional houses and rowing boats. Price – Adults: €10.00 Junior (5-14 years): €8.00 Seniors (65+): €8.00 Children (under 5): Free
• Santana Traditional Houses
  Located in Santana, the traditional triangular houses feel like something straight out of a storybook — a fun photo stop and a surprisingly charming experience for kids. Free
• Whale Museum of Madeira (Caniçal): An amazing indoor museum activity—educational and interactive. Price – Adults: €10.00 Adolescents (12-17) / Students: €8.50 Children (6-11 years): €5.00 Children (under 6): Free Seniors (65+): €8.50 Family Ticket (2 Adults + 1 Child up to 11): €20.00
• Aquaparque Madeira (Santa Cruz): The island’s top waterpark may be small, but it’s ideal for a fun-filled day. Arriving early helps you make the most of your time. Open from June to November, it welcomes visitors daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Open until 7 p.m. in August, the spot features slides, toboggans, a lazy river, kids’ areas, and a swimming pool. Price – Adults 20€, children 15€, and kids under 4 get in free.
• CR7 Museum (Funchal): A “must” for any young football fan. Price standard Entry: €5.00
• Ilhapark Softplay: Perfect for rainy days or burning off steam indoors. Price(for ages 3–12) One Hour: €3.00 Half-Day: €6.00
• Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour in Funchal
  A Hop-On Hop-Off bus tour is a relaxed and family-friendly way to explore Funchal. It’s especially convenient when travelling with kids, allowing you to move around the city without long walks or tired little legs. You can stop at major attractions, viewpoints, and gardens, then simply hop back on when ready. Adults: €20–€25 Children: usually discounted (€10–€12) Family tickets often available
• Catamaran Trip: A dolphin and whale watching tour often includes a swim stop beneath the cliffs, making it a must-do in Madeira Island with kids. Enjoy swimming near Cabo Girão and sailing with favorable winds for a memorable, eco-friendly adventure. If no cetaceans are spotted, a second trip is offered free of charge. Price – Family Pack: 2 adults and up to 4 children for 100€.
• Monte Toboggan – Carreiros do Monte offers an iconic experience that’s amazing to share with kids. Usually, children as young as 2 or 3 can join the ride if seated safely between two adults. It feels like a fast-paced adventure, and as you descend from Monte to Funchal, you’ll take in unbeatable panoramic views of the bay. The ride covers about 2 km, lasts around 10 minutes, and costs roughly 52 euros for a family of four.
• Monte Palace Tropical Garden
  A magical place for children, with exotic plants, koi ponds, sculptures, and even flamingos. The cable car ride up from Funchal is often a highlight for kids. Garden Entrance Adults: €15 per person to visit the gardens. Children up to about 14 years old can enter free with a paying adult.
• Cable Car Rides in Funchal
  Even without visiting Monte Palace Topical gardens, kids usually love the cable car experience and the views as you glide above Funchal’s red-tiled roofs and green hills. The ride from the city center up to Monte is gentle and scenic — a great way for families to see the island from above. Prices: Return €18 per adult, One-way: €12.50 per adult, Children (ages 4–14): €6.50–€9 (free for younger kids)
  These fares are approximate and can vary slightly year-to-year, so it’s worth checking the official ticket page before you go.
• Tips for families for visiting Monte – A perfect family plan is to take the cable car from Funchal, explore Monte Palace Tropical Garden, and finish the adventure with the iconic Monte Toboggan ride.
  • Arrival early in the morning helps you avoid queues, especially on busier days.
  • There are cafés inside the Tropical Gardens, making it easy to take breaks with kids.

Golden Sand Beaches (yellow shade on the map)

• Praia da Calheta: A golden sandy beach perfect for kids, with a free playground just above the café on the right side.
• Praia de Machico: Another golden-sand favorite, this beach is perfect for kids, with a volleyball court and a free playground just in town. It also offers fantastic “plane spotting” views near the airport!

Volcanic Natural Pools & Black Sand (yellow shade on map)

• Porto Moniz Natural Pools: This is one of our favorites—you do have to pay to get in, but it offers fantastic pools for kids and a playground right inside the pool complex. Plus, there’s an incredible playground in the town of Porto Moniz, surrounded by charming cafes.
• Seixal Beach & Pools: There’s stunning black sand with “hidden” volcanic pools right beside it, plus a great café, making the place feel like an adventure.
• Calamar Pools (São Vicente):Free entry includes three pools: one for kids, one with salted ocean water, and another regular pool. These pools are amazing, offering great views and a perfect spot for children. There’s also a café and a restaurant on-site.
• Piscina Porto da Cruz, There’s a great pool for kids if you’re planning to explore the north, along with plenty of fantastic restaurants and cafes nearby.
• Praia do Caniçal is a true hidden gem, especially for families who find large pebble beaches a bit too hard on the feet. This rocky spot often has calm, crystal-clear waters, perfect for exploring the rocks with kids. You can even watch airplanes flying overhead, and there’s a pool complex nearby with a small entry fee if you prefer swimming there instead.
• Prainha do Caniçal is a hidden gem on the way to Ponta de São Lourenço, with a small parking area and a black sand beach reached by many stairs. It’s worth the climb down to spend some time there, as the volcanic sand feels like something straight out of a pirate movie.

Funchal Lido Area (yellow shade on map)

Lido Pools and Ponta Gorda are must-visit spots in the Funchal area. For a small entry fee, they offer the perfect setting for a fun day with kids. Enjoy direct ocean access, children’s play areas with slides, hot showers, toilets, splash zones, as well as on-site cafes and restaurants.

Playgrounds (red shade on map)

You can find plenty of great, free playgrounds around the island. Some of our top favorites include

• Parque Infantil do Jardim de Santa Luzia – Funchal
• Parque Infantil do Jardim da Ajuda – Funchal
• Parque Infantil do Pico dos Barcelos – Funchal
• Santa Catarina Children’s Park and Playground – Funchal
• Jardim das Madalenas Playground – Funchal
• Parque Infantil do Garajau – Canico
• Parque Infantil de Machico – Machico

Madeira is known for its stunning views, but these particular spots stand out as the best for kids thanks to their safety and great facilities, making them ideal viewpoints for families.

1. Cristo Rei (Garajau): This spot offers stunning views with a safe, paved walking path that’s free. You can catch sight of Funchal, and there’s also a café with amazing views overlooking Garajau Beach.
2. Pico dos Barcelos: Our top recommendation! There’s a free playground right at the viewpoint, so parents can take in the stunning Funchal view while the kids play, and there’s also free parking.
3. Cabo Girão Skywalk: One of the tallest cliffs in Europe, it’s the only one on this list with an entry fee, but it’s easy to reach via the Yellow Bus Tours—a great option if you want to hear stories about various points in Funchal. It also features a café, restrooms, and a small shop.
4. Pico do Areeiro: For the ultimate “above the clouds” experience, this is a must-do. Pro tip: Go for sunrise, but bring layers—it’s freezing even in summer. Check the sunrise time and arrive at least 40 minutes early, as it gets crowded!
5. Ponta de São Lourenço: The path isn’t exactly flat, with a few steep wooden steps along the way. It’s easily one of the most photogenic places on earth, and the sight of waves crashing against the colorful rocks is something the kids will never forget. Near the end, there’s a small café called Casa do Sardinha, though it’s quite a trek to get there with children.
6. Also, you can do a Boat Tour to Ponta de São Lourenço & Lighthouse
   A boat tour along Ponta de São Lourenço offers a completely different perspective of Madeira’s dramatic coastline. This stunning nature reserve is known for its rugged cliffs, volcanic rock formations, and crystal-clear waters. Seeing it from the sea feels adventurous yet relaxing — perfect for families.

One of the first things you’ll notice about Madeira is that the weather is unpredictable. You might wake up to clouds in Funchal, but find glorious sunshine just 15 minutes away in Calheta. Here is how to play the “Weather Game” like a pro: NetMadeira (Webcams are Life!)Before you pack the kids into the car for a 40-minute drive to Porto Moniz, check the Live Webcams.

• Tip: Madeira has webcams positioned all over the island (beaches, mountains, and cities). If it looks grey in Funchal, check the Calheta or Machico cams—the sun is usually hiding somewhere!

Because of the Atlantic breeze, you often won’t feel hot, but the sun in Madeira is very strong.

• Tip: Even on cloudy days, apply sunscreen to the kids. The reflection off the ocean and the altitude means sunburns happen fast.