Is Madeira just for older travellers? Madeira for young people

In April 2011 this blog took on a stubborn cliché: “Madeira is just for oldies.” Our answer then was that people who say it have not discovered the real Madeira yet, or are loyal visitors trying to keep the island to themselves. In 2026 the answer is even clearer. The island has become a base for surfers, trail runners, climbers of every kind and remote workers, and it is easy to reach on low-cost flights.

Adventure

Canyoning and coasteering. Abseiling down waterfalls in the laurel forest and jumping into the Atlantic from volcanic rocks are two of the most popular activities on the island. Go with a licensed guide. See adventure sports.
Surf. The west coast, around Jardim do Mar and Paul do Mar, has powerful reef and boulder breaks for experienced surfers; beginners do better with a school. See surfing in Madeira.
Paragliding. Tandem flights take off above the south coast and land by the sea.
Diving and snorkelling. Clear water, volcanic reefs and the Garajau marine reserve. See diving and snorkelling.

Hiking and running

Sunrise at Pico do Areeiro, then the ridge walk to Pico Ruivo, the island’s highest peak. See sunrise at Pico do Areeiro and the PR1.
Levadas through the laurel forest. See levada walks. Classified trails need a booking and cost €4.50 (€10.50 for the PR1). See trail fees.
MIUT. Every year in late April the Madeira Island Ultra-Trail sends runners across the island from Porto Moniz to Machico: about 115 km with 7,100 m of climbing, with shorter races too.

Going out

The Old Town (Zona Velha) in Funchal is the centre of the island’s night life, with bars, live music and restaurants along Rua de Santa Maria and its painted doors. See things to do in Funchal.
Poncha is the drink to try: rum, honey and lemon, served in small bars all over the island. See poncha.
Festivals. Carnival in February or March, the Atlantic Festival with fireworks on Saturdays in June, and New Year’s Eve, one of the biggest firework displays in the world. See all events.

Working remotely

Since 2021 Ponta do Sol has had a digital nomad village with free coworking, and Funchal has several coworking spaces and a large community of remote workers. Mobile data is fast across most of the island. See mobile internet in Madeira.

On a budget

Getting there. Low-cost airlines fly to Madeira from many European cities. Book early for summer and holidays. See getting to Madeira.
Getting around. Buses cover the island; for the mountains, share a hire car. See buses and car hire.
Sleeping. Funchal has hostels and simple guesthouses, and there are official campsites. See camping in Madeira.
Eating. A prato do dia, the dish of the day, is the cheapest proper lunch. See eating on a budget and what a trip costs.
Small extras. The tourist tax is €2 per night for up to seven nights. See tourist tax.

Madeira is still a wonderful place to relax. It just is not only that, and it never was.