What to do in Madeira, Portugal? Dive deep into our Madeira guide as we trek from the scenic heights of Pico Rouvio to the majestic cliffs of Cabo Girão. Unearth Madeira’s hidden gems, engage in exciting activities and learn about some truly unique and romantic experiences the island has to offer.
Considering a zero-cost adventure? There are plenty of free things to do both island-wide and specifically in the charming city of Funchal. From picturesque views, quirky attractions to cozy romantic spots, Madeira promises something for every traveler. Looking for unusual things to do in Funchal? The city’s vibrant culture and history offer surprises at every turn.
Are you planning for romance? Madeira is dotted with intimate spots and breathtaking landscapes, making it one of the most romantic places in Europe. Candlelit dinners, sunset cruises, or simply wandering hand in hand through the lush gardens, the choices for romantic things to do in Madeira are endless.
For the adventurers, the island is filled with thrilling things to do. Hike the impressive mountain trails, surf the rolling waves, or explore the underwater world with scuba diving. The natural beauty of Madeira is your playground.
And let’s not forget about sightseeing. From traditional villages, remarkable museums, and stunning gardens to modern architectural wonders, Madeira sightseeing is as diverse as it is fascinating. Whether it’s your first time or a return visit, there’s always something new to discover.
Thinking of moving? Madeira’s places to visit aren’t just for tourists. It’s also home to some of the best places to live in Portugal. With a pleasant climate, friendly locals, and a vibrant expat community, it’s a dream destination for many to call home.
It’s no wonder that Madeira stands out as one of the must-visit islands in Europe. It’s a canvas of experiences, from the ordinary to the extraordinary, waiting to be explored. Whether you’re chasing romance, seeking the unusual, or simply exploring, Madeira’s allure is irresistible. Truly, Madeira is a romantic treasure in Portugal and a delightful place to visit!
What is Madeira and where is Madeira island?
Madeira is a Portuguese island located in the Atlantic Ocean. Very often it is called the land of eternal spring. All because of the mild climate with an average temperature of around 22 degrees Celsius. If you are planning to visit a warm place in Europe this Spring, Madeira should be on your list too.
The island of Madeira is an amazing place that combines breathtaking views, great cuisine and charming towns. Yes, there are no beaches on the island of Madeira (apart from a few artificially built with sand from Morocco).
But there are many fantastic places with beautiful nature, amazing mountain treks and roads raising the level of adrenaline! Madeira is an island for active people. If you go to Madeira to rest, it means you haven’t really experienced Madeira!
Visiting Madeira – car hire
We have rented cars many times during holidays in Portugal and we always used discovercars.com
Check out our guide to the best car hire company in Portugal or simply explore the options directly on discovercars.com if you need a car during your next holiday on Madeira Island.
So, what to do in Madeira Portugal? We have prepared our pick of the best things to do and see in Madeira Island.
Where to stay in Madeira?
Madeira best places to stay? Funchal, the capital of Madeira, is a good choice if you prefer to be in a city. There is no shortage of amazing places to stay during your holiday in Madeira.
So, what is the best place to stay in Madeira? Please see below some of the TOP hotels we have selected for you:
“Boasting 450 yards of the private seafront, this 5-star property offers spacious rooms all with balcony and views of the Atlantic and the Deserted Islands. There are 3 pools, 2 at the sea level with seawater and private access to the sea and 1 at the hotel level with heated water.”
“Overlooking the valleys of São Vicente, this restored 18th-century manor house features a garden with a heated swimming pool. Guests can enjoy the on-site wellness facilities and the traditional restaurant.”
We stayed in the Sao Vicente region, in northern Madeira – make sure you rent a car if you prefer your hotel to be in a more quiet area.
Need more inspiration? Find a hotel in your favourite part of the island.
Wherever you stay, we hope you will love your time on the Island of Eternal Spring! 🙂
Top Things to do in Madeira: At a Glance
- Cabo Girão
- Pico Ruivo
- Funchal
- Levada das 25 Fontes
- Santana
- Ponta de Sao Lourenco
- Pico do Arieiro
- Porto Moniz
- Balcoes
- Ribeira da Janela
Madeira is still kind of unattached by mass tourism – which is obviously great news for you! Despite having spectacular hiking trails and many phenomenal coastline views, Madeira is definitely less popular than Lisbon or Algarve.
But, if you are looking for a perfect winter destination in Europe, The Island of Eternal Spring will be a perfect place to go!
Explore the top things to do on Madeira island and top Madeira attractions:
11 Unusual Things to do in Madeira island
1. Look down from Cabo Girão Skywalk
Must see Madeira island? If you are wondering what to do in Madeira island, this is the number one place to visit! Cabo Girão, a glass skywalk, is nearly vertically dropped above amazing cliffs (just only around 580m 😉 ) and it offers an incredible view of the fajãs of Rancho.
You can even take a cable car to admire the cliffs from the bottom.
Don’t panic! You don’t have to be very brave to add this to your bucket list of things to do in Madeira – the views are definitely worth going there!
And most importantly… it’s absolutely FREE! What a starting point with your adventure in Madeira, Portugal! Cabo Girão is one of the best places to visit in Europe so we couldn’t skip it on our list of unusual things to do in Madeira.
(TIP: the best time to go there is during… a part-cloudy day! You will see how the view is quickly changing once the clouds are gone. With or without (clouds), you will definitely love the panorama from the suspended glass platform!
2. Pico Ruivo – amazing hiking trail
Looking for the best places to visit on Madeira? Madeira’s mountains have to be on your travel bucket list!
We couldn’t forget to shout out Pico Ruivo as one of the best places to visit in Madeira, could we? You can reach the peak (1,861 meters) following one of two amazing hiking trials:
1. from Achada do Teixeira village
or
2. from the summit of Pico do Arieiro
The first hike will take you around 1.5 hours compared to 5 hours from Pico do Arieiro. Pick the one, which suits you better depending on the time you have.
You can park your car at both of the starting points.
We recommend taking the trial from Achada do Teixeira – as we did.
During your hike, the landscape will change dramatically as you will have to climb over 300m. From its 2,8km long route, the last few 100s meters of this hike are a bit challenging – massive stone-made stairs are not what you wish to have after 2kms of hiking 😉
But keep going!
Don’t stop!
The awesome views and phenomenal landscape from Pick Ruivo are worth a few drops of sweat! This hike is one of the best free things you can do on the Portuguese Island of Madeira.
(TIP: be aware that the weather can change very rapidly. As always in the mountains – be prepared for the worse)
3. Enjoy remarkable coastline views
What to see in Madeira? Some people say that Madeira is the most enviable island on earth.
It’s hard to disagree! All across the island, it’s filled to the brim with some of the best coastline views to see in Madeira.
But this European island doesn’t have amazing beaches like the beaches in Algarve or a very intensive nightlife. It’s rather quiet and sleepy. You can notice that time goes much slower there – just no-one is rushing.
So, what makes it so special?
The answer is VIEWS!
Spectacular, breathtaking and sometimes even thrilling views!
No matter where you go: east of the island to the Ponta de Sao Lourenco, south – to have dizziness from looking down from Cabo Girão or you climb one of the highest peaks – you can be sure:
The spectacular views will be there! And you will LOVE them! This really is one of the best spots in Portugal!
4. Visit Funchal
What to do in Funchal? Whether you are visiting Botanical Garden, Cristiano Ronaldo Museum or you try the Sledge Ride you will not be bored in the capital of Madeira. It’s one of our favourite cities in Europe and possibly one of the best places to visit in Madeira.
We visited Madeira in December – wintertime is just perfect to visit Madeira!
Who wouldn’t like to escape from cold Europe to 20 Celsius degrees in the Island of Eternal Spring?!
If you are looking for romantic things to do in Madeira, visit Funchal during Christmas time. The atmosphere is just fantastic and you can feel the romance in the air! Yes, you will love Madeira Island! 🙂
5. Levada das 25 Fontes
Best place to go in Madeira? Madeira is famous for its levadas. There are about two hundred of them on the island of Madeira! What exactly are levadas? It is a network of irrigation canals supplying water from the mountainous areas to the south of the island. Many paths were additionally built along the canals to keep the system clear.
The water on the levadas does still flow and the permanent paths are one of the main attractions in Madeira providing an unforgettable experience on this Portuguese island. Ready to hike Levada das 25 Fontes?
You will have to park your car in Rabaçal on the E.R. 105 and from there you can start an amazing day 🙂 It really is one of the best things to do in Madeira island. Please note that the “real” hike starts at The Rabaçal Forestry House which is about 2km from the place you left your car.
You can take a bus, which will take you to the Forestry House – we would recommend taking it if you don’t start your hike early morning. You will be able to overtake a few tourists on the way 😉
If you are an early bird, as we are, you will be better off by going down on foot – the scenery is worth it!
After 4.5km and two hours hike, you will finally see the spectacular waterfall.
But be careful! A rumour says that whoever is to dive there will never come back up to the surface again…
Ups… Have you seen Gosia?! 😉
(TIP: This is one of the most visited levadas on the Island. With its narrow path, it is very easy to be stuck in “traffic” – there will be many tourists willing to see the spectacular waterfall. Make sure you start the hike as early as possible)
6. Feel like a 16th-century farmer in Casas Típicas de Santana
Madeira tourism is huge! And Santana is one of the most popular places to visit in Madeira island Portugal.
Make sure you visit Santana to take a picture in front of the thatched triangular small houses – there are just cute! We fell in love with Santana straight away and it’s really up there with the best places to visit in Madeira.
It really is one of the most beautiful villages in Europe.
Just don’t understand how in 16th-century farmers could live there?! I guess, there were not as tall as I am 🙂
Just head to the north side of Madeira and you will be able to visit some of the houses – many are operating as tourist attractions.
7. Ponta de Sao Lourenco – one of the best things to do in Madeira
WOW! This really is one of the must-see places in Madeira island!
Mother Nature has spent a bit of time there – creating this phenomenal landscape.
The Ponta de Sao Lourenço walk is really something you have to experience while visiting Madeira. A combination of basalt rock formations and the rough sea is just breathtaking!
This is the most eastern part of Madeira and it is a nature reserve since 1982 – hence, it’s probably the most untouched area in Madeira. Of all the amazing things to do in Madeira, this one was one of the tops we enjoyed most. It really is a very unique place to visit!
A dream for all hike-lovers!
(TIP: This part of Madeira island is often very windy – make sure this doesn’t surprise you)
8. Porto Moniz Natural Pools
Best things to do in Madeira Portugal? The highlight of Porto Moniz town – one of the must-see towns in Europe!
The natural lava-made saltwater pools are one of the main attractions in this part of the island. It really is a contender for the most unusual things to do in Madeira.
Just jump in and enjoy the swim! 🙂
9. Driving above the clouds – a free thing to do in Madeira 😉
Have you ever dreamt to be above the clouds? Is this on your BUCKET LIST? A picture like that would be amazing, right?
Great news!
This is possible in Madeira! You will honestly be blown away by how beautiful this place is and really is one of the best things to do in Madeira.
If you love our pictures, we can share with you the secret location.
It’s the ER110 road – you can take it after your hike to Levada das 25 Fontes and on the way to Porto Moniz.
But, please keep this secret to yourself! 😉
10. Visit Balcoes
What to do in Madeira? This is a very easy Levada walk in Madeira. It’s totally flat so no climbing is needed 🙂
Your starting point will be at Ribeiro Frio where you can park your car and start the hike.
In less than 60 minutes you will get to the Vereda dos Balcões – Fab! Is that not right?!
On a sunny day, you will be able to admire Madeira’s highest peaks Pico do Areeiro (1817m) and Pico Ruivo (1861m).
Look right and you will also see the Penha D’águia – a stunning rock formation.
(TIP: highly recommended for a family hike with children)
11. Go to Ribeira da Janela – unusual thing to see in Madeira
Is this stunning place on your Madeira things to-do list? Not far from Porto Moniz is home to the Ribeira da Janela – one of the longest valleys on the island. It really is one of the best places to visit in Madeira.
Make sure you take a picture of the bottle-shaped rock through a nature-made window.
Up for a challenge? I bet you can’t build that formation from the stones! 😉
ROAD TRIP AROUND MADEIRA ISLAND:
Driving the roads of Maderia Island definitely counts as an adventure. The island is chock full of long tunnels, steep hills and sharp turns right by cliff edges. It makes for an exhilarating driving experience, as long as you drive with care and awareness.
This six-day route will take you around the island and give you plenty of time to explore the island as your travel.
Madeira road trip: DAY 1 – Funchal
Funchal is packed with things to do, so spending an entire day here is no challenge at all. There are so many things to visit and do that you should make a plan to spend at least a day here. Remember that the town is set on a steep hill, and you don’t want to be trekking up and down it any more than you need to. With this in mind, it makes sense to plan your day before you set off. Here are a few highlights you should consider.
- Explore the old town
This is one of the liveliest areas of the town; there are plenty of restaurants and shops to explore. Just wandering around, you will see some fantastic buildings and street art. There is a walking tour you can do to see it all.
- Monte cable car
This 15 – 20-minute cable car ride takes your from the old town in Funchal to Monte in the suburbs; the views are stunning.
- Monte Palace tropical garden
Maderia is a haven for flora, and this is one of the best gardens on the island. It’s right by the cable car station. Walking around these gardens makes you feel like you’re in a fairytale.
- Church of Our Lady of Monte
While in Monte, progress up a steep flight of stairs to find the church. The views over the bay and Funchal are amazing. Inside the church, you will find some stunning collections of painting and statues to admire.
- Ride the Wicker Toboggan
A tradition in Maderia, this sledge ride is not for the faint of heart. You start near the Church of our Lady of Monte and hurtle down the mountain. Thankful you have two runners who keep you safe as you spend 10 minutes hurtling down the mountainside back towards Funchal.
- Relax by the Waterfront
A great way to see out your day in Funchal is by relaxing on the waterfront. There are plenty of places to eat, relax and just sit and watch the boats.
Madeira road trip: DAY 2 – drive VR1 and VE3
VR1 was the first motorway in Maderia. The name means ‘fast road 1’ in English. You’re going to be heading out west on the VR1 from Funchal. After driving through a few tunnels, you’ll be ready to leave the motorway to find our first recommended stop in Cabo Girao.
- Cabo Girão Skywalk
The clifftop in Cabo Girao is the tenth highest in the world. As you can imagine, the views are amazing. You can see down to the coast. The skywalk on the cliff is entirely free of charge, which makes it a popular spot for daredevils and Instagrammers alike.
- Fajã dos Padres
The drive to our next recommended destination will take you along a road that has everything that driving in Maderia is famous for. You will wind your way up and down the hills to travel a short way along the coastline.
Fajã dos Padres is a small resort on the coast that you can only access via cable car. The ride down the cliffs is breathtaking. Once you are down, you should take the time to explore the beach. It’s also a great place to stop for lunch.
- Calhau da Lapa
For your next stop, you need to travel one junction along the VR1. Just off the main road, you can find a hidden gem of a beach. To get down to the crystal clear waters, you need to take a short 1.5km walk. On this short walk, you will drop around 200 meters from the cliffs down to the beach. Here you will find a quiet beach with incredibly inviting waters. Perfect for a cool-off swim.
- Praia da Calheta
The last stretch of driving for this day is the longest. You finish up on the VR1 and join the VE3. This road will carry you along the coastline, offering some amazing views as you travel to the final destination.
Praia de Calheta boasts a man-made beach and a wide range of bars and restaurants. It’s the perfect spot to wind down in after your day of exploration.
Madeira road trip: DAY 3 – drive VE3 and ER101
The drive for Day 3 contains one of the more challenging sections of the whole trip. If you have bad weather on this day, you might want to plan a detour to avoid ER101. The route is impressive for passengers but can be a little nerve-wracking for the driver. There are narrow roads, long tunnels and sections where, depending on the weather, you might have to drive through a waterfall or two.
- Ponta do Pargo Lighthouse
The first stop of the day is at Ponta do Pargo Lighthouse. The lighthouse is perched on a clifftop that offers stunning vistas across the ocean and back to the island. Once you’ve taken in the views, you can explore the small garden and museum before you set off again.
- Pico Vermelho
If you want to stretch your legs before you tackle the challenges of driving on ER101, a great place to stop is just down the road. Pico Vermelho is a lovely hill to climb. At 420m, you get some great views back across the island and over towards the Ponta do Pargo Lighthouse. There are several great walking trails to explore.
- Porto Moniz natural swimming pools
The next section of the drive is where a lot of the challenge lies as you climb up and over the mountains. At the other side, you should take some time to enjoy the pleasures of the Porto Moniz natural swimming pools. The pools have been built so that you get a comfortable and safe swimming pool experience while you’re in the ocean. It is amazing. You can easily while away the hours here.
- Piscinas Naturais Velhas
Once you’ve explored the Porto Moniz pools, you can take a quick trip around the bay to compare and contrast in the slightly wilder pools of Piscinas Naturais Velhas.
Madeira road trip: DAY 4 – drive VE2
The majority of today’s drive is spent on the VE2. It’s a much easier drive than Day 3. The road, for the most part, is wide and easy to follow. There are several tunnels along the way which keep it far from a boring drive.
- Miradouro da Fajã do Barro
Before setting off for the day, you might want to take a small detour to stop at Miradouro da Fajã do Barro. It’s a lovely summerhouse with some stunning views over the coast.
- Viewpoint of Eira da Achada
The viewpoint at Eira da Achada is a great spot to stop for a picnic. You can get a great view of the island as it curves away from you into the ocean.
- Seixal
Seixal is one of the larger towns on the island. It is renowned for its natural beaches. There are tons of great spots to swim and walk in the city.
- Ponta do Poiso
Ponta do Poiso is known as the wild northern coast of Maderia. Most people will see the main waterfall here. However, if you are willing to stretch your legs, there is a trail that you can follow down to see the second waterfall. It’s worth it for the views.
- São Vicente Caves
For anyone with a passing interest in geology, these caves are a must-see. You can wander through the old lava tubes, which takes around 30 minutes, it is a fascinating spot.
Madeira road trip: DAY 5 – drive ER101 and VE1
This stretch of the ER101 is considered the most scenic road in the world. It is also one of the most challenging drives. This is another section that you might want to avoid if the weather is not on your side.
- Casas Típicas de Santana
This spot is a favourite with tourist. There are four fully restored traditional homes. These triangular thatched buildings are something to behold. You can also pick up some local produce and souvenirs while you’re here.
- Miradouro do Curtado
A short turn off on the ER103 will find you at the Curtado viewpoint. The view is utterly dazzling. The village below you looks like a tiny model sat amongst the jagged coastline.
- Crane Viewpoint
After the challenging drive of ER101, you will be glad to find a tranquil spot to sit, rest, and enjoy a picnic. The Crane viewpoint is a perfect location just to sit back and take in the crashing waves.
- Viewpoint Portela
It has been a day filled with unbelievable views, so it only seems right to end the day with another one. At 670m you can get some unbeatable views over the island. There are trails to explore, and the trees and flowers have to be seen to be believed. It is an idyllic spot.
Madeira road trip: DAY 6 – drive VE1 and ER109
The final loop of the trip takes you out to the very eastern tip of the island before you finish up with a relaxing drive back.
- Ponta de São Lourenço
If you don’t mind an early morning, this is one of the best places to watch the sunrise. There are also miles of trails to explore and spectacular views of the coast. You can easily spend 2 hours or more exploring here.
- Praia de Machico
After six days spent exploring the island, you deserve a chance to lie on a sandy beach. The best ones on the whole island are found at Praia de Machico. Thre is plenty of sand to enjoy, and the marina keeps the waves low, making for a gentle spot for a swim.
- Funchal
You finish your trip back where you began. It’s an excellent chance to visit any spots you missed on day one. You can also just sit back and enjoy the waterfront while you enjoy all the wonderful memories you made.
Any other things to do in Madeira island?
There are definitely many more that we haven’t explored.
If you know any interesting, please DO let us know!
Madeira island FAQ:
When it comes to ferries between Portugal and Madeira there is only one current route. This route runs between Funchal and Porto Santo and is operated by the Porto Santo line. The crossing will take around 2 hours and 15 minutes.
On the island, they use a standard voltage of 230V and a frequency of 50Hz. The type of plug that the sockets take are different from those in the UK and you will need to make sure that you take an adaptor.
It is perfectly safe to drink the tap water whilst you are spending some time in Madeira. However, if you are concerned, then you can always buy bottled water from one of the many shops.
It is not necessary to take any medical precautions if you are travelling to Madeira. This includes organising any vaccinations against diseases that you can develop during travel.
If you are concerned about visiting a safe holiday destination, then you need not worry about Madeira. It is not only a safe place to visit with your family, but it is also a beautiful place too.
There are a variety of ways that you can get around Madeira. The cheapest (although slowest) is to take a bus. If you need to get somewhere quickly then you can either drive yourself or, if you prefer you can take a taxi, although you will need to remember that this can be expensive.
The best way to get between Lisbon and Funchal is to take a flight that travels directly between the two. The flight won’t take long (around 2 hours) and you can easily take a taxi to either resort once you land.
The island is NOT the ideal place to go on holiday… if you are hoping for sandy beaches for your family to spend the day on. However, what Madeira does have to offer is volcanic sand and plenty of amazing places to see.
Looking for flights to Madeira? The distance from Portugal to Madeira is around 1,000km. This will exactly depend on the destination on the mainland in Portugal. The distance from Funchal to Lisbon is 975km and to Porto 1200km. The flight time is just under 2 hours.
No. Madeira doesn’t belong to Spain! It’s a Portuguese island situated in the North Atlantic Ocean, southwest of Portugal’s mainland. If you love Spain, there are many cheap flights connecting Spain and Madeira.
Is it worth visiting Madeira island?
Yes! This green Atlantic garden and one of the highest volcanoes in the world is definitely worth visiting. Madeira is not without reason called the land of eternal spring.
To us, it’s one of the best islands in Europe. You can enjoy great weather all year round on this Portuguese island. It is an ideal place for holidays for both enthusiasts of active leisure and for sightseeing lovers.
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If you’ve ever wondered about what to see in Madeira, this island offers an exquisite tapestry of experiences. A haven for adventure enthusiasts, Madeira brims with activities from mountain hikes to deep-sea dives. For those looking for unusual things to do, the island’s hidden gems range from untouched forests to quaint, lesser-known cafes in Funchal. Those on a budget will find numerous free things to do in Funchal and beyond, ensuring a memorable trip without breaking the bank.
Couples seeking romantic places will be enchanted by Madeira’s sunsets, intimate beach coves, and candlelit vineyards. Moreover, with some of the best places to live in Madeira, Portugal, it’s not just a tourist’s paradise but a dream home for many.
Whether it’s the allure of Madeira attractions, the promise of unique experiences, or the sheer beauty of its landscapes, a trip to Madeira is not just a vacation – it’s a lifetime memory in the making.
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