Company retreat in Madeira

Combine productive work with hiking in the stunning nature of an Atlantic island

Relocate your team to this green island with an average yearly temperature of 20°C / 68°F.

Work productively in this beautiful location, and then take breaks to hike in subtropical rainforests or for whale watching.

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Why 

Madeira

?

Why choose 

Madeira

for a retreat?

Madeira is a Portuguese island with a unique, distinctive, always-green and hilly landscape.

You’ll be surrounded by rainforests and exotic fruits, but still find yourself based in the European Union.

Madeira is famous for its hiking, suited to all levels of hikers, as well as numerous other team building activities on offer, such as canyoning, coasteering, and whale & dolphin watching.

Or, you can just enjoy the great weather and amazing land & ocean views with local Madeira wine.

You will be based in the capital town of Funchal which has all the infrastructure you could possibly need with restaurants, bars, and stores.

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Team building activities in

Madeira

We've put together a list of

team-building activities for company retreats in

Madeira

, including options that work well for both small and large teams.

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Sample

Madeira

Retreat Itinerary

Set between Funchal’s Old Town, Monte hillside views, and Madeira’s dramatic coastline, this Madeira retreat agenda brings together focused sessions, nature-based experiences, and relaxed evenings by the ocean.

Day 1: Arrival & Island Welcome

Scenic arrival, ocean views & relaxed evening

  • 13:00–17:00Airport transfers & hotel check-in (Funchal center)
  • 18:00–19:30Cable car ride to Monte with panoramic views
  • 20:00–22:00Group dinner in Funchal Old Town
  • 22:00+Optional drinks along the marina

Day 2: Work & Nature Break

Focused sessions with island exploration

  • 08:00–09:00Breakfast at hotel
  • 09:00–10:30Plenary session (team alignment & goals)
  • 10:30–11:00Coffee break
  • 11:00–12:30Breakout workshops
  • 12:30–14:00Lunch near the hotel
  • 14:00–15:30Workshops or brainstorming
  • 15:30–19:00Main activity: Levada walk through lush landscapes or coastal viewpoint tour
  • 20:00–22:30Dinner with ocean views

Day 3: Team Experience & Celebration

Shared activity & memorable evening

  • 08:00–09:00Breakfast at hotel
  • 09:30–10:30Wrap-up session & reflections
  • 11:00–15:00Main activity: Dolphin & whale watching
  • 15:00–18:00Relaxation or exploring Funchal
  • 21:00–lateFarewell dinner in a traditional Madeiran restaurant

Day 4: Departure

Slow finish

  • 08:00–10:00Breakfast & informal chats
  • FlexibleAirport transfers & departures

Visit Portugal for an amazing corporate retreat

FAQs about company retreats in

Madeira

What makes Madeira a good destination for a corporate retreat or team offsite?

Madeira is a strong choice for teams that want a nature-driven island experience without long travel distances between locations. It combines ocean views, mountains, and a mild climate year-round, creating a setting that feels both remote and easy to navigate.

How do teams travel to Madeira for a retreat?

Most teams fly into Madeira Airport (FNC), located about 20 minutes from Funchal. There are direct flights from major European cities, and connections via Lisbon are frequent, making travel relatively straightforward.

When is the best time of year to plan a retreat in Madeira?

Madeira works well year-round due to its mild climate. Spring and autumn offer the most comfortable conditions for outdoor activities, with temperatures around 18–25°C, while summer is warmer and more lively.

Where should teams stay in Madeira during a company retreat?

Funchal is the most practical base, offering restaurants, accommodation, and easy logistics. For a more secluded experience, areas just outside the city or smaller coastal villages can provide quieter settings with similar access.

What activities can teams include in a Madeira retreat?

Popular options include levada walks, hiking in the mountains, boat trips, dolphin and whale watching, canyoning, and wine tastings. Many activities are within 30–60 minutes of Funchal.

How long should a company retreat in Madeira last?

A 4 to 5 day format is common, as it allows enough time to explore different parts of the island while still keeping a good balance between work and activities.

What makes Madeira different from other island retreat destinations?

Madeira stands out for its dramatic landscape and variety within short distances. Teams can experience coastal cliffs, forests, and mountain views all in one trip, without long transfers.

Do teams need transportation during their stay in Madeira?

Yes, transport is recommended. While Funchal is walkable, most activities require short drives, so teams typically arrange vans or private transfers.

What kind of food experiences can teams expect in Madeira?

Madeira offers a mix of traditional and modern cuisine. Teams often enjoy seafood, espetada (meat skewers), local wine, and group dinners with ocean views.

What should companies consider when planning a retreat in Madeira?

The terrain is mountainous, so travel times can be longer than expected despite short distances. Weather can also vary between different parts of the island.

💛 Wall of love 💛

The SurfOffice team helped me organise a great offsite abroad for my distributed team of 16 and the experience was seamless. Their clear communication made planning easy, and they thought of everything we might need. They have a great selection of hotels and experiences, helping us stay within budget without compromising on quality. What especially stood out was their real-time availability during the event, which helped us quickly solve a few last-minute issues.

Laura
Community & Events Manager

We recently worked with Surf Office to organize a company retreat in Lisbon, and the experience was nothing short of exceptional. From the very beginning, Simon was incredibly patient and supportive, helping us navigate multiple destination changes until we finally landed on Lisbon. His calm demeanor and willingness to ensure we found the perfect location made the planning process much smoother. Once we signed the contracts, Cristi took over and was an absolute star. Her patience, clear communication, and flexibility made all the difference. She understood our brief, even in its most creative form, and worked tirelessly to bring it to life. Cristi kept us on budget, coordinated seamlessly with the right production team, and managed everything through an intuitive dashboard on Coda. She was always a step ahead, anticipating our needs before we even voiced them. On the ground, Fernanda was a force to be reckoned with! She ensured that venues delivered on time and to the highest standards, making sure every detail was executed flawlessly. What truly set Surf Office apart was their ability to make us feel like a collective team rather than just another client. They handled sensitive information with discretion, tackled challenges with calm professionalism, and ultimately delivered an unforgettable retreat. We would work with Surf Office again in a heartbeat and highly recommend them to anyone looking to plan a seamless, well-executed offsite.

Medhavi
Talent Acquisition Manager

From the very first contact to the last goodbye, Surf Office was an incredible company to work with for our company retreat in Portugal. The customer service was top tier and every single person I interacted with was absolutely lovely, professional and so helpful.

Tracy
Head of Human Resources

We recently had our company retreat in Spain which was organized together with Surf Office and the experience exceptional. From the initial planning stages to the final details, the Surf Office team was professional, attentive, and incredibly helpful. They provided tailored recommendations for a venue and their local expertise and network made the entire process smooth and stress-free. The seamless coordination of accommodation, transportation, and activities allowed us to focus on creating meaningful connections within our team without worrying about logistics. The retreat itself was a huge success, and a big part of that was thanks to Surf Office's ability to anticipate our needs and adapt to last-minute changes. I would like to give a special shoutout to Romane who is an organization wizard and made sure everything works out as planned, Fernanda who was our on-site support and did an exceptional job even for the very short-term requests. If you're looking for a reliable partner to help organize your next retreat, I highly recommend Surf Office. Their expertise, attention to detail, and dedication to creating memorable experiences are unmatched. Thank you!

Alisha
Culture Manager

We have organized company retreats for our distributed 30 people team multiple times with Surf Office and the team has loved it every time. Surf Office has some great venues as part of their portfolio and do a great job helping to facilitate pretty much everything from accommodation, food, activities, airport transfers etc.

Kaylie
Director of People

Candela over at Surf helped us to organise our first ever team retreat in Portugal for 30 odd people (which included +1s and small children.) It honestly couldn't have been more perfect. Every detail was seen to and we felt completely supported. Our team came away from that trip feeling like a proper little family. Such wonderful memories. We honestly could never have done this without Surf and would recommend to anyone.

Gemma
Studio manager

Surf Office made planning our 20 person offsite a breeze! They found the perfect location for us, advised on places we weren't originally considering, and the organization/logistics were very smooth. As a small people team, having this extra help makes a world of a difference. Our team had a great time!

Leila
Head of People

We had a fantastic experience partnering with Surf Office for our 3-day company retreat in Costa Brava. From the early planning stages to the end of the event, everything ran smoothly and professionally. We first worked with Anthony, our Company Retreat Consultant, who helped us choose the right package. He was responsive, approachable, and clearly experienced—making it easy to select the hotel, which suited our needs perfectly. From there, we were supported by Romane, our dedicated Retreat Manager. She was absolutely great—well-organized, proactive, and always ready with thoughtful recommendations and local insights. Whether it was fine-tuning the schedule, adjusting logistics, or booking group activities like kayaking and hiking, she made sure every detail was handled. The mix of work sessions, team-building, and social time was just right. The hotel was comfortable, the activities were fun and well-coordinated, and the team dinners and beach events added a special touch. Everyone had a great time and felt the experience helped strengthen our team dynamics. Surf Office made it easy to plan and execute a retreat for 65 people without stress. We’d absolutely recommend them to any team looking to run an effective and memorable offsite—and we’ll definitely be working with them again.

Giulia
International HR Advisor

We had the pleasure of working with Surf Office to organise our annual company offsite in Portugal and the experience exceeded all expectations. From the initial planning stages to the final event, the team demonstrated outstanding professionalism, attention to detail and a true commitment to making our event a success. Every aspect of the offsite was handled seamlessly, including venue selection, team-building activities and logistics. They have a deep knowledge and network of local and trusted vendors.

Helen
Director of Market Intelligence

Team building activities

The most popular team building activities are surf lessons, SUP lessons and tapas night but there are plenty more to choose from.

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