Madeira, Portugal
I know you have heard of Lisbon. But have you heard of Madeira, Portugal? TripAdvisor rated this place as the #1 Trend for 2026 for family travel. Madeira is an island about 500 miles off the coast of Lisbon. Its greatest tourist attraction is its exuberant and diverse vegetation.
The Madeira Natural Park, created in 1982, covers 2/3 of the island and has a unique range of flora and fauna. It has numerous trails and Levadas (irrigation channels), creating breathtaking views over the mountains for hikers.
For Divers, the turquoise waters of the Marine Nature Reserve of Garajau are an exploration into some of the larger fish, such as Dusky Sea Perches. The Desertas Islands are the last sanctuary in the Atlantic for the monk seal. And the Selvagens Islands are considered a bird sanctuary.
If you are looking for fun, the Carnival celebration runs February 3-14, 2027 and is one of the region’s liveliest festivals. The Madeira Flower Festival, or Festa da Flora, runs through the month of May, 2027. The Festival of the Atlantic in June, with concerts every Saturday evening blending fireworks with the music, and the Madeira Wine Festival in September, when the grape harvest begins will keep you entertained in the fall. In October, Madeira hosts the Festival of Nature, with a wide range of activities that combine sports, entertainment, ethnography, and Madeira’s culture. The hallmark of Madeira’s festivities is the New Year’s Eve Celebrations. Wide programs cover the entire month of December, until January 6. Lighting up the skies of Funchal with fireworks lasting about ten minutes marks the occasion.
Endless choices make this destination a vacation that can be done any time of the year. Check out the YouTube video below to see more of Madeira.
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