Family holidays to Madeira
Madeira Island is one of Europe's oldest and safest travel locations; which make it a perfect choice for family holidays. The Atlantic beckons you to go sailing, fishing, whale & dolphin spotting, water skiing, surfing, diving and of course swimming with a warm pleasant climate all year round. Or for young ones, a dip in your resort or hotel’s pool may be a preferred option rather than the pebbled beaches. So pack your family’s cases and go discover Madeira together. Whatever your taste; you'll find something to interest you!
Family days out and attractions in Madeira
There is a wide range of opportunities and attractions to satisfy all of your leisure requirements in Madeira and here are some that your younger members of the troop will especially enjoy! You older folk will too! And don’t forget the volcanoes! But don’t get too close now!
Madeira Theme Park - This is a day out for the entire family as young and old will find themed attractions like machinery with simulations and replicas. There are also cable sliding, bungee-jumping, wall climbing and other radical sports. Dine in one of the restaurants and just enjoy a great day outdoors and learn something about Madeira’s culture and traditions at the same time!
Santa Cruz Aqua Park - Head for Santa Cruz because the news is that’s where all the cool kids are! They are chilling out at the island’s only aqua park which boasts five toboggan rides and four fast slides, two swimming pools, a lazy river running round the pools, a bar and locker rooms. That’s right, the kids all want to go; please can we, can we?
The Madeira Story Centre - This spectacular, interactive museum located in the Old Town in the Largo Almirante Reis; allows the visitor to go back in time on a virtual journey and ‘relive’ all of Madeira’s history and development right up to the present day. Kids will like this museum for sure!
Parks and Gardens - Madeira Island is often called the 'floating garden in the Atlantic'. Find a nice park where you can toss a ball with the kids and then enjoy a lovely family picnic together.
Child friendly accommodation and places to stay in Madeira
Madeira offers various choices in family friendly accommodation whether it be in a hotel, apartments or resorts; although you will need to do your homework as some can be rather expensive.
Quinta Splendida - Great complex that caters well for families with a separate children’s pool, Jacuzzi, table tennis and snooker which will keep al of the kids entertained while mum and dad enjoy a quiet drink! Self-contained and located in the middle of a private botanical garden high over the Atlantic and close to the town of Canico; your perfect holiday home awaits you.
Garajau Terrace - Self-contained and handy to public transport makes this an ideal family holiday hotel and it also features a bar, a supermarket, a hairdresser's salon and an air-conditioned restaurant with non-smoking area. And best of all, the inviting beach with its turquoise blue sea is literally just down the road!
Family restaurants in Madeira and cuisine
Fresh seafood is definitely on the menu in this part of the world! Regional dishes include espada (fresh black scabbard fish), bife de atum e milho frito (tuna steak and fried maize), lulas (squid), caldeirada (fish soup) and of course 350 varieties of bacalhau (codfish). And of course tropical fruits grow wild here; lots of bananas, avocado pear and passion fruit! Kids will love that!
Here’s some restaurants to check out that both you and your children enjoy dining in together.
Papa Manuel's - Papa Manuel's is a nice neighborhood restaurant that exudes that family owned atmosphere which is perfect for kids and adults. The food is what could be termed Italian-Madeiran with a menu that will even keep the fussiest of eaters happy!
Restaurante do Forte - A little formal in the evenings but nice and casual during the day, making it a good choice for family lunch. They offer a simple menu with fresh pastas; perfect for the family!
Madeira Palacio - This is s great inexpensive restaurant with excellent food and entertainment included. They have a different theme each night and kids love the vitality of the traditional Portugese band and dancers in indigenous garb.
Madeira – Useful facts
Madeira is famous for a fabulous gentle climate with warm summers and extremely mild winters meaning that it has just about the most perfect climate in the world. It is never too hot. During the winter it only drops by approximately 4 °C. Madeira has lots of sun and a fair bit of rain.
When you first look at the size of Madeira, you can hardly imagine that this island has so much to offer! But it sure does; so be sure to enjoy your stay in paradise with your family!
