5 Awesome Rainy Day Activities on Madeira

Madeira is famous for it’s year-round mild weather and lush greenery – but that greenery can’t grow without every vacationer’s nightmare – rain. Having your hike or tour rained out may seem disappointing, but don’t despair! Madeira has tons of rainy-day activities – and the hidden waterfalls after a good rainstorm are my favorite part of life on the island.

Getting around the island of Madeira is easier with a rental car. We always use DiscoverCars.com to book our cars. They have a great selection, cultivate solid partnerships with the rental agencies on the island, and we haven’t had any issues yet.

For more information on renting a car in Madeira, check out this blog.

Enjoy a Spa Day

The Palheiro Spa offers day passes with multiple pools, a fitness studio, and a sauna. Day pass holders can add a massage to their treatment plan for as little as 35 dollars. The Thalasso Sea Spa offers visitors a wide range of wellness treatments, with half-day passes costing as little as 20 Euros.

If you’re coming to Madeira during the off-season (November – March), book a hotel with an in-house spa. You’ll thank me later!

Explore Funchal’s Museums

Madeira is more than epic views and amazing hikes. Downtown Funchal boasts an impressive number of museums that cater to tourists of all ages.

The Ethnographic Museum teaches about the history of the Madeiran people. If you’re a handicraft freak, like me, you can’t miss the Handicraft Museum + Embroidery Shop in Funchal.

Today, the historic crops that made Madeira famous are virtually nonexistent, but a tour through the delicious history of Madeiran sugar cane is a great rainy-day activity. The Sugar, Sacred Arts, and Quinta das Cruzes tour takes visitors on a delicious tour through the sweet history of sugar cane growth on Madeira—the Madeira Whale Museum shows visitors the rich botanical history of Madeira’s healthy marine world.

Teenagers, older kids, and photogenic adults will get a kick out of the3D Fun Art Museum in Funchal.

Go Underwater

Going on your first dive is a great way to make a vacation memorable! If you’re unsure about getting certified or diving in the ocean, the Madeira Aquarium offers a unique experience. Brave visitors can scuba dive in the main tank, surrounded by fish and rays.

If your first dive was a hit, you can get your Open Water Diver certification in three days. At over 360 dollars, it may seem expensive, but once you’re certified, it’s for life. This 3-Day Scuba Certification will give you a souvenir you’ll use and never forget!

Another fun way to embrace inclement weather is surfing. The waves on the North Side of Madeira (and Jardim Do Mar) are world famous amongst surfers. Try taking some Beginner Surfing Lessons while on vacation – this gives you an excellent excuse to be out in the rain!

Go shopping!

Madeira isn’t the best place we’ve visited for shopping, but if you want to avoid major international brands and find some one-of-a-kind fashion items, wandering around downtown Funchal is a great place to start. Our favorite streets for shopping are the Rua Fernão De Ornelas and Rua Do Aljube.

Forum Madeira

The Forum has over 80 stores, a Pingo Doce supermarket, and several kids’ play areas. Plus, it’s close to Kid To Kid, Madeira’s only children’s consignment store, and Ajuda Park, our favorite park for meeting other Expats.

Madeira Shopping

Madeira’s largest shopping center is located in the hills of Funchal, in Santo Antonio—Cristiano Ronaldo’s hometown! With over 100 shops and seven movie theaters, this mall has something for everyone. Be warned – it can get crowded on rainy days.

The Plaza Madeira

The Plaza has the best parking garage in all of Madeira – it’s wide, has multiple entrances and exits, and is close to Old Funchal, the Marina, and Santa Catarina Park. If you spend over 15 Euros at the Pingo, remember to give the cashier your parking ticket – the first two hours are free.

Go Rainbow Hunting

Our all-time favorite activity on Madeira can only be done on rainy days – Rainbow Hunting.

If Madeira’s steep slopes make you nervous, you want to enjoy a Poncha while touring the island, or you’re an inexperienced driver, try booking a private tour. Another reason to book the private tour? These guides are often from the island and know the best viewpoints. They’ll work with you (and the weather) to show you Madeira from its absolute best side.

This Classic Car Tour will cruise you around the island in style. Their fleet of classic cars make for great photos on top of the majestic hills. Adventurous groups can opt for a Range Rover Tour of the island. These off-road tours will take you down unpaved roads, up muddy hills, and hit up all the most important sightseeing spots.

If you want to drive yourself, I highly recommend renting through Discovercars.com.

Hop-On Hop-Off Tours may get a lot of bad press, but I personally love them, especially when traveling with kids. They give us a much-needed break from walking and allow you to easily explore around the most famous viewpoints on the island.

Check out my blog on Zietkoffs in Porto to hear all about our time on a hop-on hop-off bus in Porto.

One Extra Tip: Embrace the Weather

Although rain feels like your vacation has been ruined – it’s not. Madeira is a lush island, filled with greenery and tropical fruits. None of this beauty can exist without the occasional downpour.

Madeira shows off after a big storm. Waterfalls pop up all over the island, and some hikes, like 25 Waterfalls, are better after a rainstorm.

Fanal Forest is most famous for its ability to catch the clouds – something you can’t witness on sunny days.

No matter how you choose to spend your rainy day on Madeira, respect the weather conditions and warnings. The weather on this island is no joke – landslides, flooded trails, and strong winds can make some trails impassible and rescues impossible. Check the weather (and the warnings) at OpenWeather.org before heading out.