What to do in Madeira on Rainy Days
Everybody pictures Madeira as an island of eternal good weather, with a lush forest and stunning trails. However, there’s a reason why those trails are so lush: water. So what can you do on a rainy day in Madeira?
Certainly, not hikes and trails. Besides not being a pleasant activity in the rain, the trails get too slippery and there may be landslides. You should not downplay the risks of venturing into the mountains on windy and rainy days in Madeira.
However, there’s still plenty of things to do when it rains in Madeira. Don’t let that ruin your holidays and pivot to another great plan. Plus, remember that it rarely rains for a whole day in Madeira!
First, check the webcams
Madeira is full of microclimates. It may be raining on one part of the island, and sunny in another. So one of the absolute best tips on your trip to Madeira is to check the webcams and see what the weather is like on other parts of the island. It may be sunny somewhere else and you can have a picnic with a view!
Even if it’s windy and raining throughout, it’s not the end of the world. You need to pivot: don’t let a rainy day spoil your cherished holidays, for which you’ve waited and saved for so long. In this article, I’ll give you a few suggestions of things you can do in Funchal and beyond.
Visit a museum or a gallery
It’s raining? Take the opportunity to dive into Madeira’s history. In Funchal, you can visit Madeira Story Centre, which covers six centuries of Madeiran history. Let’s not forget it was the first European colony ever, and in many ways set the stage for what would happen later in Latin America and Africa. The centre is open from 09:00 to 19:00, and tickets cost 5€.
Apart from Madeira Story Centre, there are also other museums sprinkled throughout the city, including the Sacred Art Museum (tickets cost 10€ without a guide), the Museu da Quinta das Cruzes (tickets cost 3€), the Francisco Franco Museum (free) or the Cidade do Açúcar Museum (also free). If you like sports, there’s also the CR7 Museum dedicated to Cristiano Ronaldo, of course. The Sacred Art museum has a very nice café and restaurant too.
The 3D Fun Art Museum, with optical illusions, is not Madeira-specific, but still an entertaining activity to spend some time while you wait for the rain to go away. It costs 11€ per adult, or 28€ for a family ticket. Outside of Funchal, you can visit another amusing museum in Ponta do Sol: the Centro da Banana da Madeira, open from 09:00 to 18:00 every day. There’s a small banana path, banana queijada, banana beer, and just the right amount of history.
Tour a wine cellar
For centuries, Madeira’s biggest exports were not bananas. Shocking, I know! Rather, the top spot belonged to Madeira wine. In the beginning, cane sugar was used to stabilise the wine for long sea journeys. But when exposed to the intense heat and the movement of the ships, the taste became even more full-bodied.
Madeira producers then started to look for ways to age and heat the wine on land to mimic that flavour, creating a unique process. They succeeded, and sailors were faithful customers. By the 18th century, Madeira was extremely popular in North America, Great Britain, and even Russia. Madeira wine and walnuts were often served together as a last course in Washington, where it was also used to toast to the Declaration of Independence.
Therefore, an indoor guided wine cellar tour is a great way to spend a rainy day in Madeira. In the city centre, you can take a tour of the Blandy’s Wine Lodge (from 15€), which offers a rare insight into the wine making process and showcases vintage equipment. The Pereira d’Oliveira, near Igreja do Colégio, is another classic where you can taste different wines and take a bottle home. Outside of Funchal, you can visit Barbeito in Câmara de Lobos (tickets also from 15€).
Afternoon Tea
Funchal thrived during the Belle Époque, when Madeira cemented its fame as “tge pearl of the Atlantic”. The British influence during this period was undeniable, and cafés and tea houses thrived. Perhaps due to this influence, there are still plenty of places where you can have an excellent rainy afternoon tea.
The obvious place for afternoon tea is Reid’s Palace, where Churchill himself retreated to write his war memoirs (35€ per person, vegan options available if you book beforehand). In the city centre, you have Choux, a french-inspired patisserie with a privileged view over the Municipal Garden. For a more budget-friendly option, you have Loja do Chá at Rua do Sabão 33 (close to the free Cidade do Açúcar museum).
Visit the (many) churches
Did you know that it took three generations before Madeirans started to live in brick houses? Priority was given to churches, as a way to show gratitude for protection during the voyages – and to bless the new colony. And, as time went buy, churches remained a simbol of the prosperity of the new colony.
The highlight is usually the Sé, or the Cathedral, which welcomed every new comer to the island. But there’s also Igreja do Colégio, a spectacular Baroque show of force, and Convento de Santa Clara, which dates from the 15th century and is close to Museu da Quinta das Cruzes (in case you’re in the vicinity). Students from the University of Madeira offer free tours of the Igreja do Colégio. For 14.90€, and if the rain is not too heavy, you can also book the historical walking tour.
Plus, there’s the Anglican Church, or the Holy Trinity Church, which organises several concerts and activities every month.
Enjoy a day at the spa
Many hotels have wellness areas and spas where you can retreat for a day and give your legs a little rest from hiking. Even if you’re not staying at a hotel with a spa, you can usually purchase a one-day spa experience with thalasso treatments, massages, and indoor pools.
I’d suggest the detox day at the Savoy (75€ per person, including all-inclusive access to the spa area, a light lunch, and parking) or the spa at Quintinha de São João (several treatments and prices available). The Palheiro Spa offers a somewhat more budget-friendly option, at 30€ per person or 50€ per couple, providing you a nice experience à deux. Outside of Funchal, you can try the spa at Saccharum in Calheta (57€ per person).
Bolo do Caco workshop
If you’re in Madeira, you’ve probably seen bolo do caco stands all around. (But I urge you to try other breads too.) So, a cool rainy day activity is making bolo do caco with a local family. And if you really want to try Madeiran cooking, you can book a whole farm to table experience. Just bear in mind you’ll likely need a car to go to these activities.
Disclosure: This page contains affiliate links to tours and activities on GetYourGuide. If you book through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I do not earn any commissions for any other links published on this article, and I only recommend activities I can vouch for.