Madeira is a port I have been fortunate to call into many times when working onboard P&O cruise ships. It was also the port of call I was most looking forward to during our recent family cruise around the Canaries and Mediterranean. Anyone who has visited the Portuguese island of Madeira will understand why. Simply put, the island of Madeira is stunning. An island of paradise in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. Located near the Canary Islands and off the coast of North West Africa. The island has so much to offer for visitors which makes it difficult to know how to make the most of a cruise ship call into Madeira.
I have written this article to give future cruise ship passengers into Madeira a little helping hand! During my three years working onboard cruise ships I experienced many of the most popular attractions and excursions in Madeira. A jeep ride through the mountains, afternoon tea at the famous Reid’s Palace Hotel, a whale/dolphin spotting adventure on a high-speed boat…
I can honestly say, these experiences are all truly memorable. If however you are visiting the island for only one day there are five experiences that you absolutely CANNOT miss! Fortunately, if you are visiting onboard a P&O Cruises ship you can book a tour via your shore excursions department which includes all five of these experiences!
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1. A scenic cable car ride up to Monte
Our four-hour excursion started with a short drive to the Funchal cable car station. We then jumped on a cable car, (similar to a ski lift) for the 12,000 foot long, 15 minute ride which rises over 1,800 feet to the peak of Monte.
The views from the cable car are breathtaking. My boys loved ‘flying’ over Madeira and excitedly pointed out the dramatic mountains, colourful gardens and banana plantations.
The instagram image above shows Funchal Harbour from Monte. The harbour is known for being one of the most spectacular in the world. Apparently it is now common to see four cruise ships in port at any one time.
2. A thrilling toboggan ride in a wicker basket
In complete contract to our relaxing slow ride up to Monte, the two-mile ride down the hillside was exhilarating! The sledge drivers you see below are known as “Carreiros”. They wear all white, a straw hat and most importantly, rubber soled boots to run behind the toboggan, pushing and steering along the curvy roads, using only their boots as brakes!
Our Carreiros expertly dropped us off at a cafe half way down the hillside. The atmosphere at this meeting point was contagious, everyone excitedly discussing the curvy roads, the skill of the drivers and the smell of heated wood created by the friction of the basket against the road.
3. Experience views over Madeira from 6,000ft
The panoramic views from Pico dos Barcelos are incredible. We were able to view the Funchal bay and city, with the Desertas Islands in the background.
4. Tasting the famous Blandy’s Madeira wine
Of course it would be rude to visit Madeira without trying its famous wine! Our excursion included a short tour and wine tasting at Blandy’s Wine Lodge which was a perfect way to end our morning. The wine lodge has a gift shop where we picked up a bottle as a souvenir of our time at the island.
5. Take a stroll in Funchal to people watch and soak in the atmosphere
The last not to be missed experience, for making the most of a cruise ship call into Maderia, is a stroll along the cobbled streets of Funchal. We enjoyed soaking in the atmosphere, people watching and searching for souvenirs in the many craft and flower shops.
Madeira is famous for its flowers and it is worth noting that the local flowers, including birds of paradise and flamingo flowers, can be packed into special boxes for safe transport home for cruise ship passengers.
Booking a shore excursion verses exploring Madeira independently
You can of course explore independently and enjoy these five unmissable experiences in Madeira without booking through the ships shore excursions department. However, to attempt to replicate this excursion independently would involve paying for the cable car, toboggan ride and wine tasting, the inconvenience of arranging several taxi rides, hunting down the toboggan ride meeting point and Blandy’s wine bar all without the experience and knowledge of a local guide.
The cost of the P&O Cruises Cable Car and Toboggan shore excursion is £49 per adult and £25 per child (over the age of 3). As an ex Shore Excursions Manager for P&O Cruises, I firmly believe this offers good value for money and most importantly, ensures passengers make the most of a cruise ship call into Madeira.
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Disclaimer – We travelled as guests for our tour of Madeira in return for this honest review. All opinions and words are, as always, my own.
Copyright – All images are copyright Travel Loving Family
Lisa it looks amazing, Madeira is somewhere I have always wanted to go, the flowers are meant to be incredible. Fab post with so many great tips x
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You would love it Sarah! I can imagine you coming home with a suitcase full of flowers;)
What a great way to see the island. And I think you’re right. It would be difficult to do this all in a day without being on an excursion. I love the sound of the cable car ride and the views from the top #MondayEscapes
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I can thoroughly recommend Claire!
I’ve never heard of Madeira but only the wine, so glad that I read your post :) I’m now curious about the toboggan ride, must be fun! #citytripping
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Great fun Kat!
It looks like a really beautiful place! Those carriages! That must be really fun! I like the idea of someone being in control of your “sledge”, here on the mountains, they are usually very much out of control! :D #citytripping
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Ha ha yes I would not have gone on with my boys if they didn’t look they knew what they were doing!
Great suggestions. I’d never have thought of visiting Madeira but it sounds wonderful….although the ride down the mountain slightly hair-raising! The views from the top of the cable car are fantastic. Thanks for linking #citytripping
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I would love to go back to Madeira for longer Elizabeth. Stunning island
I can’t believe somewhere the size of Madeira has room for four cruise ships at a time! Lovely to see how much there is to do – I knew about it mostly for its nature and wildlife, but that basket descent would be amazing. And the wine, obviously, #citytripping
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Yes obviously Cathy! The wine is delicious;)
Some fantastic suggestions. Those carrieros look like so much fun and my two would love a ride on the cable car. #MondayEscapes
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Glad you liked it Clare. Can definitely recommend a visit to Madeira
I loved Madeira! We did the cable car but wasn’t brave enough for the Toboggan ride!
Great post xdonn
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Good excuse to return Donna!
The toboggan ride looks awesome! I would love to do that. #mondayescapes
The tobogan ride in a wicket basket sounds like a lot of fun. I have never been to Madeira but I know my Mum is a fan
The views just look absolutely stunning and this isnt something I ever thought of with cruise ships – taking in the views x
Madeira looks lovely, I’d never heard of it before and would definitely ride on a cable car there if I visit it..
I’ll be honest I never really thought Madeira would be so lovely. It looks stunning though and I’d love a trip in the cable cars at the very least!
I have read and seen pictures of Madeira before but I find your suggestions more interesting. It feels great to get recommendations from a person who has visited many times. I would love to do all five experiences. And, like you mentioned the excursion rises to the top of options if all these want to be done in a day.
My parents go to Madeira 3 times a year and are always telling us we should visit with our children. I honestly didn’t know how much there was to do there for kids. My boys would love the cable car ride and toboggan ride back down to the bottom.
Wow this island looks so amazing! Pics are wonderful. I would love to visit this place shortly. Thank you for sharing :)
Beautiful pictures of the island! Hopefully you guys ate a few pasteis de nata while you were there, too. (My faves.)
OMG this island looks so amazing! I’ve never heard of it before but I certainly pinned yours and more! Thanks for introducing me to something new! #MondayEscapes
I love the shot of all the Carrieros! This is a really helpful post even if you’re not on a cruise – as you say, you can book these highlights independently, and it’s good to know which ones are the must-dos. I’m growing to love the idea of a cruise experience though, where you get to see so many different exciting new places! #MondayEscapes
I’ve never been here but would love to go! Great list #mondayescapes