The 11 best things to do with your family in Madeira

Porto Moniz is one of those places where Madeira's volcanic landscape becomes part of the fun.

The natural pools were formed between black volcanic rocks and are constantly refreshed by Atlantic seawater. For families, this is much easier than trying to find a calm place to swim directly in Madeira's often powerful ocean.

There is plenty of space to swim and relax, and the complex includes a children's pool, sunbathing areas, changing rooms, showers and other facilities.

Bird Island, or Ilha das Aves, is one of those small Madeira attractions that families often remember much more than they expected.

Instead of a huge traditional zoo, you'll wander through a peaceful tropical garden filled with exotic birds, waterfalls, ponds and colourful plants.

The paths are easy and the attraction is compact enough that it doesn't turn into an exhausting full-day mission with younger children.

Madeira sits in the middle of the Atlantic, and that means some of the island's most impressive wildlife isn't on land at all.

A whale and dolphin watching trip gives children the chance to see marine animals in their natural environment rather than behind glass.

The excitement starts before the first fin appears: you're heading away from Funchal, watching Madeira's coastline from the sea and wondering what might surface next.

The Santa Maria de Colombo is a replica of Christopher Columbus' famous ship, and for children that changes the feeling of a normal sightseeing cruise immediately.

Instead of boarding a modern catamaran, you're stepping onto a wooden sailing ship filled with ropes, masts and old-world atmosphere.

Younger children can imagine they're explorers or pirates while adults still get the beautiful Atlantic and coastal views.

The Madeira Story Centre works particularly well for families because it doesn't present the island's history as rows of objects behind glass.

Instead, the story is told through immersive rooms, sounds, scenes and interactive displays.

It is also a useful attraction to remember when Funchal gets a rainy afternoon and you need something the whole family can do.

Madeira is famous for levada walks, but many of the classic routes are simply too long or demanding for young children. Balcões is different.

Starting in Ribeiro Frio, the route follows an easy path through the Laurissilva forest before reaching a spectacular balcony overlooking Madeira's green central mountains.

It gives families the forest and mountain atmosphere without committing to several hours on a demanding trail.

Driving around Madeira with children can sometimes involve a lot of getting in and out of the car. A jeep safari turns the driving itself into part of the experience.

Routes combine mountain roads, villages, forests, viewpoints and sections away from Madeira's normal tourist routes.

Sitting high in a 4x4 and bouncing along Madeira's backroads feels considerably more like an expedition than a normal sightseeing tour.

Madeira's coastline is dramatic and volcanic. Porto Santo feels completely different.

The neighbouring island is famous for its long golden sandy beach and calmer beach-holiday atmosphere.

Once there, you can simply spend the day at the beach or combine it with an island tour depending on how active you want the day to be.

Madeira and bananas belong together, so it makes sense that the island eventually created an entire visitor centre dedicated to them.

BAM — Centro da Banana da Madeira — explains Madeira's banana story through modern displays and installations.

It is colourful, unusual and compact enough to combine with a family day exploring Ponta do Sol and Madeira's southwest.

Santo da Serra makes a particularly good family stop on Sunday, when the village market brings locals and visitors together.

Afterwards, head into nearby Quinta do Santo da Serra where children have room to move around and everyone can enjoy the cooler countryside surroundings.

Not every family day needs to be packed with scheduled attractions. Sometimes a market and a park are exactly enough.

Madeira has something many visitors don't discover until quite late in their holiday: public barbecue and picnic areas hidden all over the island.

Some sit deep in the forest, while others overlook mountains, valleys or Madeira's coastline.

Pack some espetada meat, sausages, bread, salad and drinks and you've created one of the simplest and most enjoyable family afternoons on the island.