Speckled with thriving blossoms and banana trees, steep hills turn into misty mountains covered in lush greens. Rough cliffs embracing black sand beaches kissing the ocean. Winding streets weaving along coastline views. The magic of this island seems endless. Already in love? Time to get enchanted by this Madeira travel guide.
Surrounded by the vast Atlantic Ocean far southwest of the European continent, Madeira beckons with spectacular nature just waiting to be explored.
When I arrived on the island, I was instantly blown away by the mountain landscape and the lush flora. I have never seen an island with such steep hills, enormous mountains, and diverse microclimates.
Madeira is known as the Flower Island, and I could see why already in February. It was blooming everywhere – in backyards, gardens, and even along the roadside – giving me a feeling of spring with mild temperatures of over 20 °C by the coast. The island has the perfect climate, encouraging flourishing blossoms and fertile growth.
At the same time, you enter a different world once you drive up into the mountains. Misty, cloudy, humid, and much colder. But this is exactly what makes Madeira so unique. You can experience different seasons in one day, hiking high up among mountain peaks in the clouds in the morning and spending the afternoon with a drink by the sea soaking up the sun.
The island is a paradise for hikers, outdoor enthusiasts and ocean lovers. If you’re a traveler seeking more than a typical Mediterranean beach holiday, you will love Madeira. It used to have more of an image to be a destination for seniors, but this is as mossy as the island’s forests.
Moreover, Madeira has become a heaven for digital nomads escaping the cold European winter with free co-working spaces, many colivings and an amazing community. That’s exactly how I spent almost three weeks here, giving me lots of time to explore this magical island and gathering all my recommendations in this Madeira travel guide.
Contents
Madeira travel guide | Highlights
Towns & villages
Funchal
With its relaxed, yet vibrant vibe Funchal perfectly blends the island’s natural beauty with its culture. Being the capital city of Madeira, it can get busy, yet the pace feels slower than in most cities.
The Madeiran landscape plays a big part in Funchal’s atmosphere, with towering mountains framing the city and dramatic cliffs rolling down to the blue sea.
Whether you like to stroll along the coastal promenade, enjoy a coffee (or Madeira wine) sitting outside a café, or explore the colorful local markets. There’s a lot going on. It’s also a great place for good food, a stroll through lively alleys or do some shopping.
ToDo in & around Funchal
- Rua de Santa Maria – Stroll through this iconic narrow street full of bars and restaurants
- Visit the market hall – here you can find lots of local tropical fruits which you might have never heard of
- Enjoy one of the flowery gardens
- The huge Monte Tropical garden (12 € entrance fee)
- Botanical gardens with a lovely viewpoint (10 €)
- Free Walking Tour – With the “Show me Funchal” Free Tour you can explore Funchal & learn more about its history
- Dolphin & whale watching Tour – An amazing chance to see different dolphins and whales in front of the coast of Madeira
- Rei da Poncha – Sip the typical local drink at this famous bar (they have many kinds, my favorite is the passionfruit poncha)
Impressions of Funchal
Ponta do Sol
Known to be called Madeira’s sunniest place in many Madeira travel guides, this small beach village with steep alleys and a beautiful seaside promenade has a special draw on many people.
Through its innovative idea of opening a free coworking space during the pandemic, it has grown to a digital nomad hotspot. So there are several colivings and lots of activities.
Despite being small, it’s a great location to explore the island.
I loved the vibe of this tiny village with its steep roads, the pebble beach and the small promenade.
ToDo in Ponta do Sol
- The pier – Walk up the pier for a nice view of the village & the beach
- Small organic market – Check out the small market where you can find local veggies & homemade products such as soap on Saturday mornings
- Try the vegan cheesecake at Veganaria – it’s to die for!
- Visit the Poncha Tavern – a local bar serving all kinds of the famous Madeiran drink. I loved the passionfruit poncha.
Coliving in Ponta do Sol
In case you’re curious about staying in a coliving (especially when you’re working & traveling), definitely check out Outsite in Ponta do Sol, which is the place I stayed at for 2.5 weeks. It’s not only located right next to the beach, but has the best vibe. The rooms are super beautiful, the coworking area is great and the community feeling is among the best you can experience.
Impressions of Ponta do Sol
Hotel recommendation: Socalco Nature
Located on the coast, close to Ponta do Sol, this wonderful hotel has so much more to offer than sea view and its beautiful garden full of organic fruits. Socalco Nature focuses on permaculture and invests in numerous sustainability measurements such as solar energy, collecting and reusing rainwater, and waste management. The onsite farm-to-table restaurant is spectacular as well and offers some of the island’s best sea view.
Câmara de Lobos
Nestled around a small port full of colorful fishing boats, the old center of Câmara de Lobos with its narrow alleys and bright houses is worth a stroll. The port and seafront promenade invite you to spend time by the water. The town is surrounded by terraced plantations that bring a somewhat tropical vibe.
Jardim do Mar
Being a small village, Jardim do Mar spreads a different, even more laid-back atmosphere. Small cobblestoned alleys build a maze in between colorful houses and gorgeous views. And of course, there’s a seafront promenade – and since there are no cars around, you can really soak up the sea over here.
Curral das Freiras
Tucked away in the serene Valley of the Nuns, this cute village offers an escape from the coastal crowds. Unlike most of Madeira’s charming towns, it’s not by the sea, but it more than makes up for it with stunning views of the surrounding mountains. Don’t miss the Eira do Serrado viewpoint (perched 1000 meters above sea level) – where you’re rewarded with a panorama of the village, nestled 600 meters below, and the breathtaking surrounding landscape.
São Vicente
Located on Madeira’s northern coast, São Vicente is a picturesque small village where time seems to slow down. Surrounded by spectacular cliffs and lush valleys, the surrounding nature takes center stage. You can find some traditional architecture in the village and can enjoy the scenery at the viewpoint Capela de Nossa Senhora de Fátima or opt for a wine tasting at Quinta do Barbusano winery. Also, São Vicente is more of a hidden gem that you won’t find in most Madeira travel guides.
Impressions of São Vicente
Hiking in Madeira
There’s no Madeira travel guide without hiking. And there are good reasons for it: Madeira is a paradise for everyone who loves hiking.
You can find amazing paths along the spectacular coastline, breathtaking routes in the misty mountains and above valleys with narrow paths at dizzy heights.
Iconic for the hikes in Madeira is that many of them run along a “levada”.
That’s what the man-made irrigation channels are called that you can find all over the island. The name comes from the Portuguese word “to carry”. They date back to the 15th century as an innovative way of bringing water from the mountains to the fertile but dry soil in the south of the island.
Madeira’s vast levada network spans over 3100 km (on an island that’s just 55 km long). So they’re pretty much everywhere and help as a navigation route when you’re hiking, but also offer a spectacular scene running next to a deep cliff or falling steeply into the ocean. This is amazing if you have a filter bottle, so you can refill it everywhere.
Just a few years ago, Madeira has introduced an entry fee to most of the hikes – which you can either pay in person if someone collects the money at the beginning of the hike. Or you can pay it online, as there’s usually a sign with a QR code as well.
PR1 | Pico do Arieiro to Pico Ruivo
The most epic hike on the island reaches from Madeira’s third highest to the highest mountain. Also called “stairway to heaven”, this breathtaking route leads you on top of a narrow rim with steep rocks next or under you. This could really be a challenge if you’re afraid of heights. But the view is truly spectacular.
It’s also a very popular spot for sunrise and sunset, because you can drive all the way up to Pico do Arieiro (1810m), from where it’s only a few minutes walk to the first viewpoint.
Since the wildfires in 2024, which reached Pico Ruivo, only the first 1.2 km (only a bit further than Ninho da Manta viewpoint) have been accessible.
That may change soon. In case you visited and it has been reopened, let me know, then I can update it here.
PR 1 hike in Madeira
PR6 | 25 Fountains
A totally different scenery waits for you at the PR6 leading to this amazing waterfall called 25 Fountains. The path (PR 6.1) runs along a levada and you first have to walk 4.2 km down a valley before hiking all the way up again. But it’s so worth it because the trail and the waterfall have a mystical, fairytale vibe.
On the way, you walk through a lush forest of bay trees and can see Risco Waterfall rushing down a steep rock. You can also choose to hike to the amazing Dona Beja Pool or to Risco Waterfall which is very well signposted.
When I was there, the clouds hung deep in the mountains but the sun still managed to get through every now and then.
If you’re brave enough, have a plunge into the water. There’s a pool underneath the waterfall where you can cool down. Close by is also Dona Beja Pool, another spectacular waterfall and pool.
And if you’re completely exhausted, a shuttle runs up the hill (at least a part of it).
PR 6 hike in Madeira
PR8 | Vereda da Ponta de São Lourenço
This stunning hike along the coast in the eastern tip of Madeira offers some breathtaking cliffs and sea views. With its red, dry soil you feel like you’re on a different planet.
The path leads all the way to Miradouro Ponta do Furado – an amazing viewpoint on the cliffs. It’s probably the hike with the best chances of sunshine. An absolutely beautiful one that can get a bit crowded though.
PR 8 hike in Madeira
Hotel recommendation: Quinta do Furão
Surrounded by vineyards and ocean views near Santana & close to the PR8 hike, this hotel is a true paradise. The pool is actually set in the middle of the vine – how cool is that?
Quinta do Furão keeps a clear commitment towards the environment with many principles such as generating electricity from their own solar panels, or having other own drip irrigation system to save water. Besides, they work closely with local farms trying to get produce as fresh and regional as possible and they try to minimize plastic usage.
Levada do Moinho
Another wonderful hike along a levada but with promising views is the Levada do Moinho. It’s a fairly flat route, so a physically easy hike. However, it could be challenging when you’re afraid of heights. You can enjoy the view of the deep valley with a river running through and a few small waterfalls in between. Start at the church and walk all along the levada. At the end, there will be some stairs to the right and you can walk a wonderful loop with another levada passing through tunnels and some waterfalls.
Waterproof shoes were definitely helpful here, as it had rained a lot and at some parts water was spilling over.
Levada do Moinho hike in Madeira
Fanal Forest
Awarded a Unesco World Heritage, this magical forest is the largest surviving area of laurel forest and is believed to be 90% primary forest.
Known for its misty fairytale atmosphere, Fanal Forest can be covered in deep fog. When I was there, the sun was shining brightly, giving the bay trees forest a totally different vibe.
While you can also just visit Fanal Forest for a quick stroll, there are also many hike around the area worth checking out. The nature up there is amazing.
PR18 | Levada do Rei
Being a mostly flat hike (8 km back & forth), you walk along a levada that passes through waterfalls, a short tunnel and deep forests. Every now and then, you can catch a beautiful view of the lush valley next to it. It’s an easy hike you can perfectly do when your muscles are sore from some of the steeper routes. But be prepared to talk under a waterfall on the way.
Fanal Forest & PR18
Viewpoints
As an island with vast mountains, Madeira is full of spectacular viewpoints worth a visit for sunrise, sunset, or any other time of the day. You will even come across breathtaking views all the time while you’re simply driving around exploring the island.
But there are a few that I want to highlight in this Madeira travel guide:
Bica da Cana
While I got here for sunset (and loved it, as I was above the clouds), I can imagine it’s even nicer for sunrise when you can see the sun slowly rising above Pico do Arieiro. The viewpoint is on 1600m and just a 10-minute walk from the road where you can park.
During February, it was just a handful of people up there, but I can imagine it’s way more crowded during the summer months.
Miradouro do Juncal (Pico do Arieiro)
A popular spot for sunrise and very well worth getting up early. The view of the sun rising above the ocean and the clouds is stunning. Try to be there half an hour before sunrise to get a good spot (and a parking lot).
And I highly recommend checking the webcam before you go, you can even see in the dark if it’s a clear or foggy day. And bring warm clothes! When I was up there, it was 0°C and the ground was partly frozen.
After sunrise you can start the PR1 hike from here, while the light is still soft and the mountains seem to be just waking up. Such a beautiful time of the day!
Bica da Cana & Miradouro do Juncal viewpoints
Cabo Girão
Roughly 600 meters above sea level, you can find a unique viewpoint up here, as Cabo Girão is not only the highest cape in Europe but also has a glass-bottom skywalk. You can stand up here, literally 600 meters above the ocean, looking down on impressive cliffs and seemingly tiny beaches down there.
It’s 3 Euros to enter, which you can also pay online scanning the QR code on site.
Miradouro dos Balcões
At the end of the short PR11 trail (Levada dos Balcões), you can find this lovely viewpoint with an awesome view of Pico do Arieiro and the sea on a clear day. It’s a flat 25-minute walk from the parking to reach the viewpoint. However, this also makes it a popular mini hike for cruise ship tourists, so if you’re unlucky, a coach has just dropped off a large group of senior tourists you have to share the path with. At the end, people like to feed birds, which is why they get very close to humans.
Maktub Pub
Well, this is not a viewpoint and can’t be found in a usual Madeira travel guide, but a wonderful local place to watch the sunset. It’s a cute little bar where you may even experience live music and can either sit down at one of their tables or directly on the wall next to the sea. You can sip your passion fruit margarita (which I highly recommend!) while the sun slowly sets behind the vast ocean.
Other viewpoints I didn’t get the chance to visit but heard are beautiful:
- Miradouro Eira do Serrado
- Miradouro do Teleférico das Achadas da Cruz
- Ponta do Tristão
- Veu da Noiva
Views from Cabo Girão & Miradouro dos Balcões
Beaches & pools
While Madeira is not the place to visit if you’re looking for a typical beach holiday, you still have many amazing options to enjoy the water and go for a swim.
My favorites were for sure the natural pools at the waterfalls during the hikes (such as 25 fountains). But being an island, you can also find some interesting beaches.
Cais Seixal
The deeply black sand and the mountainscape in the background gives this beach a unique flair.
There’s also a large natural pools right next to the beach where you can swim in.
Piscinas Naturais de Porto Moniz & Piscinas Naturais do Aquário
The small town of Porto Moniz is known for its natural pools. There are two locations – one of them you can enter for free and they are a bit more natural, and another set of pools where you have to pay 3 Euros to enter. On a sunny day this is the perfect place to relax and swim.
I was there after a few stormy days, so the waves were still very high and sadly it wasn’t allowed to enter. I would have loved to jump into the pools.
Calhau da Lapa
After a few hundred steep stairs down to the pebble beach, you’re rewarded with crystal clear water. Known for its cave houses, this place has some mystical vibes.
The beach can also be reached by boat from Ribeira Brava.
Porto Moniz natural pools & Cais Seixal black sand beach
Hotel recommendation: Casas da Levada
With a set of several individually decorated small houses, Casas da Levada are located amidst a lush, blooming garden. Here you can truly find peace, get lost in their love for detail and get connected with nature.
“The Earth is a living, breathing entity. Without care and affection, there will be consequences too big to ignore.” That’s what Casas de Levada state on their site and I couldn’t frame it better. They focus on permaculture, aiming to achieve long-term sustainability and promote a greener way of travel.
Madeira travel guide | Map of the highlights
Here’s a little interactive map with all the best things to do mentioned in this Madeira travel guide:
- Towns & villages
- Hiking
- Beaches
- Accommodation
Highlights & things to do in Madeira (click for interactive map)
Good to know | Madeira travel guide
Sustainable travel in Madeira
Being such a natural paradise, it’s not surprising that the locals of Madeira try to encourage sustainable travel instead of mass tourism. They have even been awarded a silver seal by EarthCheck.
This award honors all the work the island’s inhabitants have done in recent years toward ensuring the territory’s sustainability at all levels – environmental, cultural, social, and economic.
Since 2023, 26 beaches and marinas on the island have been awarded the Blue Flag. If you don’t know the Blue Flag: It‘s an environmental award for beaches fulfilling certain criteria such as great water quality, environmental efforts, and educating the public on the local ecosystems and water safety.
With the increasing tourism, the sustainable journey needs to be continued to preserve the island’s natural resources.
When looking into the topic of sustainable tourism in Madeira, you can find some tour companies such as Adventure Madeira, specializing in tours with local guides offering cultural experiences, or the Dolphin & whale watching tour.
Several hotels in Madeira have been awarded the Green Key – a program certifying standards in the field of environmental responsibility and sustainable operation within the tourism industry in Portugal. This is always something to look for when searching for sustainable hotels in Portugal.
ome eco hotels, especially in the remote north and many small businesses such as cafes, restaurants and coffee farms operating sustainably.
It’s important to support these businesses as travelers to increase the demand and contribute to a shift, so we protect the vulnerable ecosystems, wildlife and cultural heritage of the island. That’s the only way future generations – both locals and travelers – can still enjoy the beauty of Madeira as we do today.
Find out more about sustainable travel in Madeira at the official tourism site promoting local and inclusive businesses.
What can I do as a traveler?
We travelers can make a change by responsible and conscious decisions while exploring all the wonderful things to do mentioned in this Madeira travel guide. Eventually, we want to enjoy our destination, right? And the way we treat the destination significantly influences whether future travelers can still enjoy it the way we did.
And of course, we have to make sure that inhabitants, animals, and the environment don’t suffer from our visit.
I’ve written a comprehensive guide full of tips on how to travel more sustainably. Often, small things can change a lot. Check this out if you’re interested in learning more about it.
But to give you the most relevant tips for the island, here’s an overview of what you should consider to reduce the negative impacts of your time in Madeira:
- Stay in sustainable hotels or with locals: in guesthouses, small hotels or rental houses of locals instead of supporting international chains.
- Save energy & water: In your accommodation, skip on getting fresh towels & cleaning daily, use a fan instead of aircon, and take short showers. Especially on islands, fresh water is usually scarce.
- Support local businesses: Eat and shop in locally owned restaurants and shops. There are so many amazing products from Madeira.
- Cause as little waste as possible: It’s actually simple – Say no to plastic bags, straws and packaging (instead bring a tote bag). And when you’re on the beach, never leave any trash but dispose of it properly (ideally in bins with waste separation).
- Bring your own eco-friendly products: Especially on an island like Madeira, where you’re always close to the sea, make sure to use reef-safe sunscreen without chemicals that harm the ocean, a shampoo bar that saves plastic and a bamboo toothbrush.
- Bring your own water bottle: I never travel without my self-purifying water bottle with which I can filter water anywhere I go and make it drinkable.
- Avoid any activities that involve animal cruelty: such as visiting aquariums. And make sure to book a tour that pays attention to animal welfare with dolphin & whale watching tours.
- Support organizations helping stray cats and dogs and treat these cuties with some snacks. The dog shelter in Ponta do Sol organizes walks with the shelter dogs on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays. But please contact them before visiting.
- Eat responsibly: Besides eating in local restaurants where ingredients are usually from the island, try to eat less meat or even plant-based. This can radically improve your ecological footprint, as meat consumption is one of the most severe causes of climate change.
- Be respectful. When taking pictures, always ask permission from locals before and respect it if they don’t want pictures taken of them.
Besides, packing light and traveling more slowly makes your trip more sustainable as well.
Let’s keep the spectacular nature in Madeira clean
Weather & travel season
When is the best time to explore Madeira?
Madeira offers amazing weather all year round. While many Madeira travel guides promote spring as the best time to visit, I loved my stay here in February. There were mild temperatures of over 20°C almost every day by the coast. When the sun comes out, it can feel really warm. I often saw people hanging out by the beach and even went swimming in the sea in Ponta do Sol myself (and I really struggle with cold water, so it was actually not too bad).
But be aware that it gets much colder up in the mountains. I remember starting the Pico do Arieiro hike at 7°C. So bring warm clothes and waterproof shoes are also helpful for hiking.
I would probably avoid visiting during summer (July & August), not just because it can get really hot but also because this is the high season and the island gets crowded. This does not only mean full hiking paths (and I can imagine some traffic issues on those narrow, steep roads), problems finding parking and higher prices. But this is also a very exhausting season for the locals. It’s always better to spread tourism over the year instead of all visitors flooding a destination at the same time.
Sunny & rainy days in February in Madeira
Staying & getting around
Where to stay in Madeira?
Honestly, the island is not that big and you can easily reach everything within one hour with a rental car. So you can basically stay in any part of Madeira and do day trips from there.
Especially around the south coast (Funchal, Ponta do Sol, Calheta) you can find a large choice of accommodations. In the north it’s a bit calmer.
Here are my recommendations for hotels in Madeira:
- Socalco Nature – A wonderful hotel with amazing sea view and a beautiful garden full of organic fruits. They focus on permaculture and invest in numerous sustainability measurements such as solar energy, collecting and reusing rainwater, and waste management. The onsite farm-to-table restaurant is spectacular as well!
- Quinta do Furão – Surrounded by vineyards (the pool is surrounded by vine) and ocean views, this hotel is a true paradise. They have a clear commitment towards the environment with many principles such as generating electricity from their own solar panels, or having their own drip irrigation system to save water. Besides, they work closely with local farms, trying to get produce as fresh and regional as possible, and they try to minimize plastic usage.
- Casas da Levada – A set of several individually decorated small houses, located amidst a lush, blooming garden. Here you can truly find peace, get lost in their love for detail, and connect with nature. They focus on permaculture, aiming to achieve long-term sustainability and promote a greener way of travel.
- Outsite Coliving – In case you’re curious about staying in a coliving (especially when you’re working & traveling), definitely check out Outsite in Ponta do Sol, which is the place I stayed at for 2.5 weeks. It’s not only located right next to the beach, but has an amazing community vibe. The rooms are super beautiful, the coworking area is great and the community is among the best you can experience.
How many days in Madeira?
I recommend spending at least ten days on the island to explore all the highlights of this Madeira travel guide. Two weeks is even better.
I’d say one week is the absolute minimum to get a feel for the island. But there’s so much to explore, tons of amazing hikes, towns, viewpoints and activities. So the more time you have, the better. I’m sure you won’t get bored.
How to get to Madeira?
There’s just one way to reach Madeira: by plane. While there used to be a ferry to the Portuguese mainland, it doesn’t operate anymore, making Madeira one of the few European destinations that you can only reach by air travel. The airport is close to Funchal in the east of the island.
How to get around?
The best way to explore all the beautiful highlights you heard about in this Madeira travel guide is by rental car. I’d say you’ll definitely miss out a lot if you don’t have a car.
The island is not that big and you don’t have to drive more than 45 minutes to one hour to most places. Many accommodations have free parking (despite when you have an apartment right in the center of one of the towns, but you can also find free parking in many places).
Be aware that the roads are sometimes crazy steep and some alleys are tiny. So I don’t recommend driving around Madeira as a novice driver.
If you want to rent a car, I recommend booking with Discover Cars. Here, you can compare offers from countless different suppliers, and see how other travelers have rated them.
And you can customize (e.g. size of the cars, manual or automatic transition, how many drivers, customize your insurance coverage, and much more) and benefit from the Discover Cars service, which you can always contact if you have any questions or problems. I have always had good experiences with them, so I can warmly recommend this site.
Driving around Madeira
Food in Madeira
As Madeira is an island, you can get fresh fish and mussels everywhere. A typical local dish is “Espada com banana frita” (black scabbard fish with fried banana).
But I didn’t find it hard to find vegan dishes anywhere. Even in street food stalls next to hiking paths or small local restaurants, there was a vegan option almost everywhere which was quite surprising.
A local specialty you’ll find on any menu is Bolo do Caco (traditional flatbread with garlic butter). I even found a vegan one at a food truck the beginning of the PR8 trail.
Also, the island is full of tropical fruits, so make sure to try some of these. And don’t forget to try poncha – the local drink with rum from Madeira.
Language & currency
Portuguese basics
The local language in Madeira is Portuguese. Even though many locals speak English due to tourism, it’s always nice to know a few words in Portuguese.
- Hello – “Bom dia” (more formal) / “Hola” (more informal)
- Good morning – “Bom dia”
- Thank you – “Obrigada” (as a woman) / “Obrigado” (as a man)
Is traveling to Madeira expensive?
As the island belongs to Portugal, the official currency is the Euro, just as in most other European countries. I’d say travel costs are similar to the European mainland.
However, there’s a huge difference in accommodation prices and rental car prices depending on the travel season during which you visit Madeira. In the high season (July/August) you may easily pay three times the price you pay in May. In February, I found it quite affordable.
Madeira – a wrap-up
Madeira in three words: Levadas | steep hills | banana plants
Did you know? The water in the levadas doesn’t come from springs but from the humidity that sticks on the leaves, drops to the ground and creates these streams (& sometimes rivers) of water that run down due to Madeira’s steepness.
Favorite photo spot: Almost everywhere, but probably sunrise at Bica da Cana viewpoint
Favorite food: Anything with passion fruit
Can’t miss: Hiking as much as possible
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