Madeira’s nature is absolutely breathtaking. It’s very rare to find anything like it here in Europe. It’s like a mixture of New Zealand and Hawaii, only you don’t have to travel halfway around the world to see it. And then there’s the cheerful Portuguese way of life and hospitality.
In this article, I’ll tell you the best Madeira sights that you absolutely have to see and .
Madeira is about a third of the size of Mallorca. But there is still so much to explore here. Mystical jungle, magnificent mountain landscapes, natural beaches with black volcanic sand in small bays and phenomenal cliffs like in Hawaii with small coastal villages hidden in their plateaus.
Madeira is particularly famous for its laurel forests, which are already 20 million years old. The evergreen laurissilva forest covers around 20% of the island, mainly in the north, and is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Having such a natural treasure in Europe is really something special.
Madeira is also known as an island of flowers and for its pensioners. However, you will soon forget this tourist cliché, especially if you stay outside Madeira’s largest city, Funchal, and get involved with what Madeira’s nature has to offer.
In this article, I’ll give you all kinds of tips on the best Madeira sights.
You can also find all the Madeira sights mentioned in the article here on the map:
Still not sure whether Madeira is the right destination for you? Then take a look at this video with a few impressions of the Atlantic island:
Before we get to the individual sights, here are a few more tips for your Madeira vacation that will help you plan your trip:
But enough of the introductory words. Now it’s straight on to the Madeira sights. These are first and foremost natural highlights. They include mystical forests, breathtaking waterfalls and special landscapes along the coast. You can reach some of them directly by car and for some you have to do a few hikes.
1. 25 Fontes waterfall in Rabaçal
This 30-metre-high waterfall in the Rabaçal nature reserve is one of the most famous and easiest to reach on Madeira.
“25 Fontes” means “25 springs” and if you count carefully, you can see many more smaller ones on the red-blue, fern-covered rock face next to the large waterfall, which flow into the natural pool surrounded by rocks.
2. Risco waterfalls
Once you are at the 25 Fontes waterfall, don’t skip the Risco waterfall. Both places are quite close to each other.
The Risco waterfall is not just one, but a group of several waterfalls that plunge into the valley from a total height of 100 meters. There are various spots from which you can observe the Risco waterfalls.
In this article, I’ll tell you how to explore both waterfalls and the less-visited parts of the Risco waterfall:
3. The village of Prazeres
The picturesque municipality of Prazeres is located on a huge terrace with the best view of the coast in the remote south-west of the island. It is worth making at least one stopover here.
The Paróquia De Prazeres church stands in the middle of the village. Get yourself some sweet pastel de nata in one of the local cafés and enjoy them on a bench in front of the church. There is also a small farm with animals and an espresso bar directly behind the church grounds.
From Prazeres, there are also routes down the steep coast to Paul do Mar or Jardim do Mar. I’ll tell you more in the following article:
4. The fairy forest of Fanal
The enchanted forest in the north-west of the island in the mountains of the Paul da Serra plateau is an absolute must-do of all the Madeira sights presented here. You’ll feel like you’re in a mystical fairy tale here.
Like stubborn inhabitants, the ancient laurel trees have been rooted in this almost ghostly forest for centuries. Thick wafts of mist drift through their branching crowns, which have clearly been shaped by the wind. The air is damp. Sometimes I can’t even see 5 meters away. The gnarled trees are surrounded by fields full of ferns and green meadows where trusting cows graze. Every now and then, a few rays of light penetrate the wall of fog and provide some warmth. The raw beauty and tranquillity of this landscape leaves me speechless.
from my travel notes
You shouldn’t just visit this place once. The forest has a completely different atmosphere depending on the weather and time of day. I’ve been here three times myself and the atmosphere is always completely different. The place has a particularly mystical aura, especially in fog.
But sunsets are also a special experience here. The view of the north coast from the Fanal forest is particularly breathtaking when a few clouds still hang like a veil in the mountains and the sun casts individual warm spots on the landscape.
5. Pico Ruivo and Pico do Airerio
At 1861 meters, Pico Ruivo is the highest mountain in Madeira. Just behind it in third place is the Pico do Airerio at 1816 meters. There is a great hiking trail between these two mountains that you should definitely do on your Madeira vacation.
I’ll tell you more about this here:
While you can only reach Pico Ruivo by hiking, you can easily get to Pico do Airerio by car. There is a tourist center with a café and stores and an observatory right next to it.
The sunrises are also particularly beautiful here, especially when it is still a little foggy in the morning.
If you want to experience such a sunrise with little stress and without the crowds of tourists, then you should set off from your accommodation when it is still dark. It takes about 40 minutes by car to get here from Funchal. It’s easier if you look for accommodation directly in the area. The Riberio Frio Cottages are only a 12-minute drive from Pico Airerio.
6. The natural pools of Porto Moniz and Seixal
There are natural swimming pools in many places in Madeira. But nowhere are they as beautiful as in Porto Moniz and Seixal in the north-west of the island. Once formed by lava and now filled with crystal-clear sea water, the pools invite you to jump in.
The Pools of Porto Moniz are located right in the town and are probably the best known. There are two areas. A natural pool area right next to the Forte de S. João Baptista. Entry is free here. And there is an area a little further west for which you have to pay €1.50 entry. However, there are changing rooms with showers and a children’s pool.
The swimming here is particularly spectacular in stormy weather. Because then the waves crash against the edges of the swimming pools and create powerful water fountains.
The pools of Seixal are a little less popular but no less beautiful for that. There is no entrance fee and there are also free public toilets where you can change your clothes.
7. the west coast of the island
The westernmost tip of Madeira is rather less visited by tourists and when it is, then only briefly. This makes this area of the island an insider tip for me. There are several places along the west coast that are worth staying longer for.
Firstly, there is the lighthouse at Ponta do Pargo. Stop your car at the O Fio teahouse and walk along the green meadows with a view of the cliffs to the tower. Back again, you can treat yourself to a tea or something to eat for refreshment.
Not far from the lighthouse is the Garganta Funda. This is a particularly spectacular cliff formed by a waterfall. At around 140 meters, it is also one of the highest waterfalls in Madeira and is also very easy to reach.
One of the most beautiful roads on Madeira leads from Ponta do Pargo to Porto Moniz. Along numerous hairpin bends, you wind your way through eucalyptus forests and dense jungle. There are places to have a picnic in some places.
In Achades da Cruz, a really great cable car ride awaits you with the Teleférico das Achadas da Cruz. For just €3, it takes you down to the Fajã da Quebrada Nova headland and back up again. If you have enough time and energy, you can also walk the route. However, one way takes at least 3 hours.
8. Anjos – A waterfall over the road
This waterfall is something special, as it falls directly from a steep rock face onto a busy road, which is, however, slightly off the highway. Many tourists come here to stand under the waterfall or drive through it themselves in a rental car.
9. The historic houses of Santana
Santana is a small town nestled between the steep cliffs of Madeira’s north coast. The town is known for its Casas Típicas de Santana – small thatched stone houses.
In the Parque Florestal das Queimadas you can also discover the original construction methods of the first settlers. Some longer hiking routes also start from here. But you can also just walk around the area and discover the great miradouros.
10. Ilheus da Janela
Between Porto Moniz and Seixal, this rock off the coast of Ribeira da Janela juts out of the water like a needle. From the junction of the main road, it is only a short walk to the parking lot and from there just a few steps through a tunnel to the beach.
11. Madeira beaches
Madeira is not a typical beach destination. To find a long stretch of white sandy beach, you’ll have to take a ferry trip to Madeira’s neighboring island of Porto Santo.
On Madeira itself there are also a few cool beaches with black volcanic sand or pebbles. Here is an incomplete list of beaches that I found pretty cool:
- At the beach of Seixal, a fine black volcanic sand beach awaits you next to the cliffs.
- Slightly east of Funchal, directly under the Christo Rei statue is the Praia do Garajau beach.
- East of Porto Cruz is the beautiful stone beach Praia da Maiata
You can find many more Madeira beach tips here.
12. the São Lourenço peninsula
On the east coast of Madeira, you can expect a completely different landscape to the rest of the island. The regional government bought most of the land here at the end of the 20th century and turned it into a nature reserve.
You can walk up to the Morro do Furado from where you have a wonderful view over the whole landscape. From here you can see Porto Santo and the islands in the south-east of Madeira. Opposite is the oldest lighthouse in Madeira. Sheep and cows once grazed there. Pirates often stopped here to satisfy their need for meat.
The hike from the parking lot takes about 3 hours there and back. There is also a restaurant and bar along the way.
Here you can find more information about this hike:
13. Monte Palace Madeira Botanical Garden
The Monte Palace Madeira is a museum and a giant botanical garden. There are 1000-year-old olive trees, Japanese gardens, a series of azulejos depicting the history of Portugal from the 12th to the 20th century, several ponds with koi fish and great views over Funchal
I’m a fan of botanical gardens – especially those in Andalusia and Portugal. And I have to say that the Monte Palace Madeira really is one of the most beautiful. The €15 entrance fee is worth it. You will definitely need 2-3 hours to explore it. I even spent a whole 4 hours here
The Monte Palace Madeira is only one of 3 larger botanical gardens in Funchal. I also show you the other two in the article on Funchal.
14. the old town of Funchal
Funchal is the largest city in Madeira. In fact, almost all of the island’s inhabitants live here and most tourists also choose one of the city’s numerous hotels as accommodation for their Madeira vacation.
Despite the crowds, you shouldn’t miss a stroll through Funchal’s old town and along the marina. The Rua de Santa Maria in particular, with its many painted doors and restaurants, is a real eye-catcher.
Of course, there are many more things to explore in Funchal. That’s why I’ve written an extra article with the best tips for Funchal:
15. The Carreros do Monte in Funchal
The rides on the traditional sledges are one of the top attractions in Funchal. However, at around €30 for a 10-minute ride, they are not exactly cheap. I saved myself the trouble
But just watching the scenery was worth it. And it’s free of charge.
16. the fishing village of Camara de Lobos
The Portuguese explorer João Gonçalves Zarco is said to have been the first person to land on Madeira in Camara de Lobos at the beginning of the 15th century. He is therefore regarded as the discoverer of the island and Camara de Lobos as the first settlement and one of the oldest fishing villages on the island.
The main attraction of the village is the harbor with its colorful boats and many restaurants and bars.
There is also a miradouro where Winston Churchill once set up his easel during a visit to Madeira and painted the coast. Since then, the locals have aptly named the viewpoint Miradouro Winston Churchill. And when the local fishermen are not sailing around on their boats at sea, they are probably standing in this spot playing cards.
17. The Cabo Girao Skywalk
Although I honestly found this spot a bit touristy, it should not be missing from any list of Madeira sights. At least it’s easy to get to. Entry used to be free of charge, but now costs €2.
The Cabo Girao Skywalk is a transparent platform that hovers 580 meters above sea level. The view over the coast from here, as at many other miradouros, is of course absolutely spectacular.
Just a little further away from the skywalk, you can enjoy another great view over the coast with far fewer people on the stone steps at the Church of Santuario de Nossa Senhora de Fatima.
18. The Lost Place Swimming Pool at the Airport
On the last day of your Madeira vacation, you will certainly have to return your rental car to the airport and fill up your tank beforehand. So that the whole thing doesn’t get so boring, you can take a look at a pretty cool lost place on the way. Right next to the airport is a pretty overgrown swimming pool, which is a cool spot for photo shoots.
19. the view on the coast of Faial
On Madeira, you can actually stop anywhere and always have a breathtaking view of the landscape somewhere. I personally found one of the most beautiful miradouros to be the Crane Viewpoint in Faial.
20. The best Madeira food & drinks
One section that should not be forgotten in a Madeira sightseeing article is of course the typical local dishes. And there are quite a few of them in Madeira
Madeira is most famous for its seafood and fish. The black scabbardfish in particular is served in every restaurant.
Of course, the inhabitants of Madeira have also invented a few alcoholic drinks of their own, most notably the Poncha. This is a cocktail made from oranges, passion fruit, honey and a good shot of Madeiran brandy made from sugar cane juice. There is also Madeira wine, which tastes very much like port wine.
Some sweets are also among Madeira’s delicacies, such as Bolo de Mel, a spice cake with sugar cane syrup. You can also get it in different variations in every supermarket in Madeira.
You can find many more specialties in this Madeira Foodguide. And here is an overview of all Madeira’s sweet delicacies (English article).
As you can see for yourself: Madeira has a lot to offer. Which Madeira sights are your favorites? Write me a comment.
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About the Author: Matthias
