Surrounded by the warm seas of the Atlantic some 600km off the west coast of Morocco, the Portuguese island of Madeira is a place of wild mountains, precipitous valleys and sheer cliffs - including the second-highest sea cliffs in the world at Cabo Girão. The island's dramatic scenery makes for some fantastic walking, and it also boasts a diverse array of colourful semi-tropical vegetation, gently cultivated terraces and rocky beaches.  The island's year-round mild climate, excellent hotel facilities, splendid botanical gardens and extremely low levels of crime have long attracted older visitors, though these days a much younger crowd is being lured by a growing reputation for cool architecture and hotels, for the excellent levada walks (along a network of irrigation canals) and for the growing number of sports on offer, such as golf, deep-sea fishing, diving and surfing.

Madeira DIRECTIONS has all you need to get the most out of the island: the best places to stay, eat, drink and party, whatever your budget; the most happening clubs and bars; the best day trips and walks... in short, the best Madeira, and the neighbouring island of Porto Santo, have to offer.

Browse the full-colour ideas section for a wide range of things to do. Then flip to the places section to explore the island, with every resort, restaurant, bar and club located on our easy-to-use maps.

It's like having a local friend plan your trip.