Top 4 Thrill Rides in Madeira

Often called the ‘floating garden of the Atlantic’,  Madeira is probably one of the most exhaustive nature reserves in the world.

This UNESCO World Natural Heritage location has everything from the ocean to waterfalls and mountain springs, from golden sand beaches to black sand and pebble beaches, from the densest of forests to the most arid landscape, and mountains to volcanic hollows and sea shore. Home to several rare flora and fauna species, Madeira is one of the most sought after eco-tourism destinations. While walking and hiking are generally more popular ways of exploring the region, giving the tourist ample opportunity to pause and see Mother Nature up close, there is much for the more adventurous too. Madeira’s thrill rides via helicopter, cable car, toboggan and hot air balloon are great ways of catching breathtaking views of this island paradise.

Madeira Helicopter Tours

Every tourist agency in Madeira offers a helicopter ride. It is probably the best way to catch a bird’s eye view of this region. Viewed at their actual scale, the magnificence of the rocky terrain often descending steeply to the coast becomes more evident. A helicopter ride over Funchal, Madeira’s capital city is a great way to see the fabulous port of Funchal. The merging of the blue of the ocean and the green of the mountains is best seen from a helicopter. This helicopter tour also reveals the evolution of Madeiran architecture in the city. Other tours include a flight to the Porto Santo Island and either a semi or complete island tour.

Funchal Cable Car

The steam engine puffing its way up from Funchal has disappeared. In its place is the most modern of cable cars that allow a tourist to glide over this extraordinary island, just high enough to feel like flying and yet low enough that the abundant nature below seems within touching distance. This fifteen minute ride starts at the Almirante Reis Park and ends at the Monte Station near Monte Palace Tropical Garden. As the cable car moves the scenery changes from the urban landscape of the Old Town and the seaside city to the green vegetation of the mountain side with the azure ocean in the background.

Funchal Toboggan  Ride

If the slow ride up the mountain is nice and all, but not your style, why not try the Toboggan ride down from Monte to Funchal. Reaching speeds of almost fifty kilometers per hour, the journey in a wicker sledge is safe but heart pounding. Narrow winding streets whiz past as this ten minute ride comes to its end in the capital city.

Hot Air Ballooning in Madeira

Rise up to a hundred and fifty meters and be suspended above the most beautiful landscape possible in a slow moving hot air balloon for another panoramic view of the bay, the city and the surrounding mountains.

Whether high up in the air or midway between land and sky or kissing the ground at breakneck speed Madeira’s thrill rides via helicopter, cable car, toboggan and hot air balloon will make every tourist’s trip here unforgettable.

Topic:  Tips and Ideas | 1 Comment
Tags:  green travel, Portugal

About the author

Grace lives in India. She loves to travel, not as a tourist, but to soak in the secrets of the nooks and crannies of this amazing planet. She also loves words, expressed through the medium of writing. She firmly believes that a well crafted piece of writing can accomplish ANYTHING!