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Sitting pretty in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, the Portuguese island of Madeira is a haven of glorious natural scenery, ready and waiting to be explored. With so many fun Madeira things to do, and so much to see, it's up to you to find your favourite way to connect with the island. The island is brimming with beautiful beaches and friendly tavernas, but the real appeal of Madeira as a holiday destination goes far beyond just lazy days on the beach or a cold glass of beer. Whether you want to head for the mountains, soak up incredible views over the coastline, or take a whale-spotting trip out to sea, you're sure to find plenty of things to do in Madeira.
Hiking in Madeira
For avid hikers seeking adventure, or those who simply want to get out and about in nature, you'll find lots to keep you entertained on this island. From cascading waterfalls and rocky countryside, to tropical gardens and coastal walks, there are all kinds of different routes and trails to follow on this spectacular island. Remember to take your camera, because you'll want to look back on these views for years to come.
Visit Madeira's nature reserves
Madeira's famous for its stunning scenery, and a whopping two thirds of its landscape is in fact a protected nature reserve. All this means you're never all that far from unbelievable natural beauty, which needs to be seen to be believed. How about a trip to Cabo Girao? It's home to one of the tallest cliff faces on the planet, and is visited by around 1,800 visitors every day. Or what about the volcanic caves of Sao Vicente? Whatever you fancy, there's enough to visit somewhere new every day of your holiday.
Dolphin and whale watching in Madeira
Head off the mainland and you'll experience an underwater world filled with wildlife. The crystal-clear waters of the Atlantic Ocean attract a huge variety of sealife to this part of the world, including whales, dolphins and turtles. Take a look at the choice of boat tours, which run all year round, and see if you can spot some of these magnificent creatures for yourself. The tours do their best to minimise any disturbance to the natural behaviour of these beautiful animals, but if you're lucky you may see a whale 'breach', or a pod of dolphins playing in the waves.
Spend the day at Madeira Theme Park
If you're looking for exciting things to do in Madeira, big and little ones alike will love the theme park over in Santana. This place offers a different take on a theme park, and it's more of an exhibition centre that's dedicated to history, traditions and culture of the people of Madeira. You'll find everything from a Monte Train replica to adrenaline-fuelled outdoor sports in a pretty setting. So whether you want a laid-back day out or something more adventure-filled, look no further than this.
