MADEIRA TRAVEL GUIDE

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Madeira is one of the most beautiful islands I have ever visited, with stunning scenery and a beautiful coastline. An island paradise for walkers, photographers and nature lovers.

This travel guide will tell and also show you with photos everything you need to know about planning your trip to Madeira, best places to visit and things to do and also provide detailed maps and itinerary.

 

Madeira is one of the most beautiful and greenest islands with stunning mountainous and coastal scenery. It is located In the Atlantic Ocean, west of Africa & north of the Canary Islands, and is part of an autonomous region of Portugal, together with the island of Porto Santo.

Madeira is often called the island of eternal Spring or “Garden of the Atlantic” and it has a sub-tropical & mild climate throughout the year making it an ideal destination all year around.

It’s a great place for a holiday in the sun and sea, although with mainly pebble beaches, and also for people looking for something more adventurous or cultural, with hiking opportunities in the mountains and forests, amazing views and the beautiful city of Funchal.

Because of its mild climate, the best time to visit Madeira is all year round with temperatures staying around 18-20°C even in winter. Also because of its mountainous topography and ocean currents, Madeira has diverse microclimates and it can get cloudy and rainy any time of the year depending on which part of the island you are.

For a beach holiday, the best time to visit Madeira is the summer months of June to September with average temperatures of 25°C, a lot more sunshine and possible to swim in the sea.

For me, the best time to visit Madeira will be Spring (from March to May) with ideal temperatures for hiking, fewer crowds and lower prices.

Madeira is quite a big island, (801sqkm) so I would recommend staying on the island for at least a full week if you would like to explore it, but 10 days would be even better if you want to visit most of the sights in a more relaxed pace and also combine a day trip to Porto Santo.

Because of the mountainous interior, travelling from one side of the island to another can be time-consuming, especially if you want to stop at every viewpoint along the route to enjoy the views.

For me, the best place to stay in Madeira is the near capital Funchal with a large choice of accommodation, restaurants and all tourist amenities. It is also quite centrally located for exploring the island.

The most popular place to stay in Madeira is the capital Funchal, either in the centre, around the Lido area (Hotel Zone) or close to the Praia Formosa. It is worth considering having a hotel with a pool as the beaches in Madeira are not the best.

I would recommend staying in the centre of Funchal so you can explore the city on foot, but at a hotel that also offers parking. The Lido Area and Praia Formosa are a bit further away from the centre of town (40min on foot).

Some other places to stay are Canico with a few luxurious hotels, and for the best sandy beaches is either Machico or Calheta.

Generally for the best sunshine, the best place to stay is in the south of the island, while the north coast and mainland Madeira can be considerably cloudier and gets more rain.

Best hotels in Madeira

• Hotel Catedral: Perfect location in the centre of Funchal with free parking
• Hotel Porto Santa Maria: 4* hotel located on the Funchal seafront offering rooms with sea views and a swimming pool.
• The Vine Hotel:  Luxurious hotel in Funchal centre offering a fusion restaurant with views and a rooftop infinity pool plus free private parking.
• Pestana Casino Park Hotel: Luxurious hotel offering rooms with sea views, infinity pool and a restaurant with great views, Parking at an extra fee. 15min to Funchal centre.
• Pestana Ocean Bay Resort: Located next to Praia Formosa offering rooms with balconies, sea views and an outdoor pool.
• Allegro Madeira: Located in Lido, just a 5-minute walk from the oceanfront promenade in Funchal, the hotel offers great views from the rooms and rooftop bar.

Click here to check and compare prices on accommodation for the whole island.

By Plane

Cristiano Ronaldo Madeira International Airport is connected to Lisbon and Porto (2h flight) all year round and also with the island of Port Santo (15min flight). During summer, the airport receives charter flights from many European countries.

For the best website to book your flights, check the link below. Always check prices in advance for the best deals.

 

Getting from/to the airport

The airport is located about 20km away from Funchal (20m drive). Upon your arrival, you can rent a car (highly recommended) in one of the rental offices at the airport. The airport is the best place to book if you haven’t done it before you arrive.

There is also a taxi rank at arrivals, on the Ground Floor (0). The journey to Funchal is about 20min and costs €30 euros.

There is a shuttle service, the Aerobus, which departs from the Arrivals area towards the Formosa beach, with stops at Funchal centre and near several hotels. The price for one way is €5.

There are also several bus services to various locations on the island

By Ferry

There are currently no ferries running from mainland Europe. There used to be a ferry (Naviera ARMAS) from Portimao to the Canaries and Madeira during the high season but it’s unknown if this route is going to be operational again.

However, there is the “Lobo Marinho” ferry that transports passengers and vehicles daily between Madeira and Porto Santo, on a trip that lasts approximately 2 hours and 15 minutes.

Madeira is also part of the itinerary of many cruise ships from all over the world.

 

By Car

I would definitely recommend hiring a car if you would like to explore the island.

I always try and rent a car whenever I travel as it just gives you the freedom to plan your trip as you like it and stop wherever you like. Madeira offers too many amazing viewpoints that are only accessible by car.

Car rental for a day is usually 60 euros in high season. Better to book in advance before your travel for the best deals. For the best prices check the car rental at the airport. Check the link below to book and compare car rental prices.

 

By Scooter/Motorbike

A cheaper alternative to the car is renting a scooter or motorbike if you are comfortable with it, but you need to be more cautious on the road.

By Taxi

There are taxi stands in most towns but taxis can be a bit expensive if you plan to go further distances.

Taxis are yellow with a blue stripe and operate with a taximeter in Funchal but with set prices depending on the destination outside Funchal.

Bolt & Uber (taxi apps) operate in Madeira providing lower prices than traditional taxis.

The association AITRAM provides taxi services to various tourist routes in Madeira by buying a taxi voucher online.

 By Bus

There are 4 companies with their own website for checking public transport in Madeira: Horários do Funchal, SAM, EACL & Rodoeste.

Horários do Funchal serve Funchal city and its suburbs up to Monte and Camara de Lobos.

SAM and EACL bus services serve the east of Madeira (Caniço, Santa Cruz, Madeira Airport, Machico, and Porto da Cruz).

Rodoeste, serves the west side of Madeira (Câmara de Lobos, Ribeira brava, Ponta do Sol, Madalena do Mar, Calheta, Porto Moniz and São Vicente).

Best places to go for a meal are Funchal city centre and the Lido Area where most hotels are located. The food in Madeira

Best restaurants in Madeira

• The Ritz Madeira          
• Taberna Madeira          
• Doca do Cavacas          
• Restaurante Gavião Novo: Authentic dining in the heart of the Old Town for sampling the local cuisine 
• Il Gallo D’Oro: Michellin star gourmet restaurant
• Regional Flavours       
• Restaurante Vila do Peixe: Great seafood restaurant with a view.
• Casa Madeirense Restaurant
• Dona Amelia: A long-established restaurant
• Galáxia Skyfood | Skybar

You can check the location of these restaurants on this map.

Local Specialities

• Espetada: Barbecued beef skewers 
• Bolo de Mel: A traditional cake
• Bolo do Caco: Flatbread with garlic
• Lapas: Grilled limpets with garlic butter
• Bacalhau: Salted Cod
• Espada: Scabbard fish
• Picado: Fried pieces of beef with garlic and peppers
• Prego: Grilled steak sandwich
• Chestnut sweets from Curral Das Freiras
• Local fruits: passion fruit varieties, banana, delicious fruit (monstera deliciosa), anona (custard apple), guava, loquat, prickly pear & pitanga
• Madeira wine: a fortified wine for drinking and cooking. There are four major types of Madeira wine: Malvasia, Bual (or Boal), Verdelho, and Sercial, the latter two being drier.
• Poncha: a traditional alcoholic drink made of sugar cane rum, honey and lemon juice.

1. Funchal

Funchal is the capital of Madeira and the main hub. It is a beautiful city, built amphitheatrically on the surrounding green hills and Funchal’s suburbs spread all the way up to Monte. It is the best place to stay as it offers all the tourist amenities and has lots of attractions and things to do. It has a nice old town with atmospheric narrow streets and mosaic pavements, historical buildings, public parks and a nice marina.

Best attractions and things to do in Funchal:

1. Funchal Old Town (Zona Velha): The historic centre of Funchal is known for its narrow streets, colourful houses, and wide selection of restaurants and bars. It’s a great place to wander and soak up the local atmosphere.
2. Mercado dos Lavradores (Farmers’ Market): This bustling market is a fantastic place to sample local fruits, vegetables, flowers, and traditional Madeiran products. It’s also a great spot to buy souvenirs.
3. Funchal Cathedral (Sé Catedral de Nossa Senhora da Assunção): The cathedral is an impressive example of Portuguese Gothic architecture. Its interior is equally stunning, with beautiful wooden ceilings.
4. Visit Monte with its beautiful gardens: Jardim Botanico & Monte Palace Tropical Garden.
5. Madeira Cable Car: Take a cable car ride from the Old Town to the picturesque village of Monte. The views of Funchal and the surrounding landscapes are breathtaking.
6. Palheiro Gardens: These magnificent gardens are set on a hill overlooking Funchal. You can explore the beautiful gardens and enjoy the views. The adjacent Palheiro Golf Course is also a great place for golf enthusiasts.
7. CR7 Museum: For football fans, the Cristiano Ronaldo Museum celebrates the life and career of the famous Portuguese footballer. It’s located in Funchal’s port area.
8. Quinta das Cruzes Museum: This museum is located in a beautiful old manor house and contains an impressive collection of art, furniture, and artifacts from Madeira’s history.
9. Santa Catarina Park: This peaceful park offers a relaxing escape from the city’s hustle and bustle. It features lush greenery, walking paths, and beautiful sea views.
10. Madeira Wine Cellars: Madeira is famous for its wine. You can visit one of the wine cellars in Funchal to learn about the winemaking process and sample different types of Madeira wine.
11. Quinta da Boa Vista: Another historical garden, this one features a range of exotic plants, fountains, and statues, making it a great place to stroll and enjoy the serene atmosphere.
12. Funchal Marina: The marina is a lively area with restaurants, shops, and a great place for a leisurely stroll along the waterfront.

2. Monte

Monte village is located on the hill above Funchal and used to be a healthy retreat from the busy capital in the 18th century. Now it still has this cool, clean country air. The best way to reach Monte is by cable car from Funchal. It is a beautiful ride providing great views of the city and the surrounding mountains and coastline. The best way to return is by ridding a toboggan back to Funchal.

Best attractions and things to do in Monte:

1. Monte Cable Car: The cable car is a popular way to reach Monte from Funchal. It offers spectacular panoramic views of the city and the coastline as you ascend the hill.
2. Nossa Senhora do Monte Church: This charming church is dedicated to Our Lady of the Mount.
3. Monte Palace Tropical Garden: This beautiful botanical garden features a wide range of exotic plants, koi ponds, and panoramic views of Funchal. You can also explore the Madeira Story Centre nearby.
4. Madeira Botanical Garden: This botanical garden showcases an extensive collection of Madeiran and exotic plants. The garden is set on a hillside and offers lovely views of the city.
5. Monte Toboggan Rides: A fun and unique experience in Monte is taking a traditional wicker toboggan ride down the hill. Riders are dressed in white and straw hats, and two men guide the sledges on the steep streets.

3. Curral Das Freiras (Nun’s Valley)

This hidden valley with a little village is a stunning spot surrounded by dramatic cliffs and chestnut woods. It was used by the nuns of the Santa Clara Convent as a refuge. The highlight of any visit is the spectacular view of the valley from the miradouro of Eira do Serrado. You can walk also walk down to the village from there along the cobbled footpath. At the village, you can try some of the traditional chestnut specialities (Chesnut cake and liqueur).

4. Pico do Aireiro   

This is one of the best spots to enjoy the views over the mountain peaks of Madeira. It’s the third highest peak on the island but is easily accessible by car. It is usually wrapped in clouds and can be windy and cold even in the summer months. There is a cafe close to the car park and from there you can reach the summit (marked by a concrete post) with a short walk.

5. Ponta de São Lourenço

This easternmost peninsula is a scenic place for a walk and offers great views of the rocky coastline.

6. North Coast of Madeira

Driving this impressive coastal road and admiring the views of the rocky coastline and the various tunnels is one of the best things to do in Madeira. There are so many great miradouros along the way that you can stop to enjoy the views.

7. Ribeiro Frio & Levada dos Balcões

This is a scenic place next to a valley and a river with a trout farm. It is also the start of a short walk – Levada dos Balcoes. This is a beautiful levada walk through the forest leading to a platform offering magnificent views of the valley and green hills.

8. Madeira Botanical Garden (Jardim Botanico)

Jardim Botanico (Price: €‎6) is a beautiful botanical garden located above Funchal and easily accessible by cable car from Monte (price: €9,25 one way). It’s a great place to experience the unique plants of Madeira, but it also provides great views of the whole of Funchal and the surrounding mountains. The best view of the city is from ‘Lover’s Cave’. There is a great selection of cacti, coastal plants, endemic trees, a parrot park and a Natural History Museum.

9. Pico Ruivo

This is Madeira’s highest peak and it can be reached by car and then by an easy hike via a well-paved path to the summit (1862m). It provides great views over Madeira’s peaks, volcanic landscape and forested hills.

10. Cabo Girao

Madeira’s highest sea cliff above the sea includes a glass-floored viewing platform offering great views of the surrounding cliffs, coastline and the city of Funchal.

11. Rabacal & Risco Waterfall

Rabacal marks the start of two popular signposted levada walks. The first is 30min walk to the impressive Risco Waterfall and the second is a 1.5h walk to the 25 Fontes (a pool with many waterfalls).

12. Dolphin & Whale Watching

There are various catamaran tours from Funchal marina that take you by the Madeira coastline in search of dolphins and whales. Tours usually last for 3 hours and sightings of dolphins are generally guaranteed. Pilot whales can often be spotted.

13. Sao Vicente Caves

These volcanic caves can be visited by a guided tour. They are located near Sao Vicente in the north of the island. There is also a short film that explains the volcanic origins of Madeira.

 

1. Funchal
2. Monte
3. Câmara De Lobos
4. Ponta Do Sol
5. Machico
6. Porto Moniz
7. Ribeira Brava
8. Sao Vicente
9. Curral Das Freiras
10. Santana
11. Santa Cruz
12. Paul Do Mar
13. Jardim Do Mar
14. Camacha
15. Caniçal

Madeira is not known for its sandy beaches. Instead, it offers natural swimming pools, pebble beaches, and rocky shorelines.

For the best chance of sunshine, it’s better to stay on the south coast.

Here are some of the best places for beach and sea swimming in Madeira:

Below is a list of the 12 best beaches on the island.

1. Praia de Calheta
2. Praia do Porto do Seixal
3. Praia Formosa
4. Praia de Machico
5. Beach Santa Cruz
6. Praia da Ponta do Sol
7. Prainha do Caniçal
8. Garajau Beach
9. Praia do Almirante Reis
10. Porto Moniz Natural Swimming Pools
11. Praia Da Ribeira Brava
12. Piscina do Porto da Cruz
13. Praia de Vigário
14. Praia da Fajã dos Padres

You can click on the map below for the location of the best sights, restaurants & hotels, as well as the best villages and beaches to visit in Madeira.

You can check the best photographs and slideshows from the island of Madeira here.

Here is a list of the best viewpoint locations on the island where you can enjoy great views.

1. Miradouro do Cabo Girão
2. Miradouro Eira do Serrado 
3. Miradouro do Bom Jesus
4. Miradouro da Beira da Quinta
5. Miradouro dos Balcões            
6. Farol da Ponta do Pargo          
7. Cristo Rei    
8. Miradouro Ponta Delgada       
9. Viewpoint Pico do Areeiro       
10. Ponta do Rosto            
11. Fortress of Faial: This is an old fort that provides great views of the village of Faial and the surrounding coastline.
12. Miradouro da Santinha            
13. Miradouro do Paúl do Mar
14. Miradouro da Portela
15. Miradouro da Bica da Cana
16. Miradouro Pico dos Barcelos
17. Miradouro da Torre

You can check these viewpoints locations and the best photo spots on the island in the above map.

• Hiking & Levada Walks. Walkme is a good website and app with lots of information on hiking routes in Madeira. Some popular walks on the island are:
  • Vereda da Ponta de Sao Lourenco (PR8) – 7km/2 to 3h return – beautiful coastal walk
  • Vereda dos Balcoes (PR11) – 2.5km/1h return – the easiest levada walk with a beautiful viewpoint
  • Levada das 25 Fontes & Risco Waterfall from Rabacal (PR6) – 11km/3 to 4h – famous levada walk
  • Pico Ruivo from Pico do Arieiro or Achada do Teixeira (PR1)
• Surfing: Jardim do Mar and Paul do Mar are the most popular surfing places.
• Golf: Two scenic golf courses are located to the east of the island (Santo da Sera & Palheiro Ferreira)
• Bird Watching: Madeira has a variety of unique birds that can be enjoyed by bird watchers.
• Whale and dolphin watching. Various companies offer daily boat tours starting at €30-40, bookable online or from touts at the marina.
• Deep sea fishing: Fishing trips can be booked at Funchal marina. Any caught fish has to be returned back to the sea.
• Paraglading
• Top Events
  • Carnival: Colorful parades in fancy dress and carnival costumes in February or March before Shrove Tuesday
  • Flower festival: Floats in competition
  • New Year’s Fireworks: It’s the world’s largest firework display and a great spectacle in Funchal.
• For Kids:
  • Theme Park Madeira: Kid-oriented park with lakes and pavilions showcasing Madeira’s cultural traditions and heritage.
  • Aquaparque: A water park with slides, rapids and pools close to the airport.

Ferry Trip to Porto Santo

If you have plenty of time in Madeira, you can take the ferry from Funchal to Porto Santo (2h & 15min journey) and explore this pretty island. There is the “Lobo Marinho” ferry that transports passengers and vehicles daily between the islands.

It can be done on a day trip, but it will be worth staying more than a day to enjoy this small island with the most beautiful sandy beach in the Archipelago.

Dolphin & Whale Watching Tour

There are various catamaran tours from Funchal marina that take you by the Madeira coastline in search of dolphins and whales. Tours usually last for 3 hours and sightings of dolphins are generally guaranteed. Pilot whales can often be spotted.

Some of the best priced tours on offer are:

• Seaborn catamaran (€30 per adult).
• Magic Dolphin Catamaran (€25 per adult).

Madeira Island Tour

This is a good way of seeing the island if you don’t have your own transport. The best tour on offer is:

• Around The Island – Two Days Tour From 9am to 5pm:  This is a small group tour from Funchal over two full days to see top places around the island (€60 per adult).

More information about excursions & tours in Madeira can be found here.

It is worth staying on the island for at least 7 to 10 days if you want to explore it. The following itinerary includes things to do for 7 days on the island, but if you have more time to spend, you can change this itinerary to allow a more relaxed pace. I have taken Funchal as a base & overnight stay for the duration of the holiday; this itinerary might work slightly differently if you stay in other parts of the island.

Day 1

• Whale & dolphin tour
• Funchal Town Centre & Marina
• Cable Car to Monte
• Jardim Botanico or Monte Plalace

Day 2

• Curral das Freiras
• Pico do Aireiro
• Ribeirio Frio
• Levada dos Balcoes

Day 3

• Camara de Lobos
• Cabo Girao
• Ribeira Brava
• Encumeada Pass
• Paul da Serra
• Porto Moniz
• Seixal

Day 4

• Serra de Agua
• Sao Vicente
• North Coast
• Santana
• Porto da Cruz

Day 5

• Ponta do Sol
• Madalena Do Mar
• Calheta
• Jardim Do Mar
• Paul Do Mar
• Funchal Hotel Zone
• Praia Formosa

Day 6

• Canico
• Santa Cruz
• Machico
• Canical
• Ponta de Sao Lourenco
• Camacha

Day 7

Porto Santo Day Trip

Check the following video slideshow to get further inspiration to visit Madeira 🙂

The best destination for souvenir shopping is Funchal with various souvenir shops as well as shops with handmade crafts. Some typical souvenirs to buy are: Madeira wine, Rebuçados de funcho (fennel sweets), madeira embroidery & bolo de mel (honey cake).

A unique souvenir to buy is handmade wicker baskets and the best place to purchase it and see the work in action is at the village of Camacha.

You can check the following posts:

• Madeira Beaches
• Town & Villages of Madeira

Other useful websites for more information about Madeira

• Visit Madeira: The official tourist website of Madeira
• ZigZagonearth: The most comprehensive guide about Madeira

Some good travel guides to buy before your visit to Madeira in paperback and kindle

• DK Eyewitness Top 10 Madeira (Pocket Travel Guide)
• Lonely Planet Pocket Madeira

• Flights: I always use Skyscanner as my first choice as it’s so easy to use and you can search best deals by month. Momondo is another very good search engine as well as Google Flights.
• Accommodation: I always use Booking.com as my first choice, as it offers a great choice of accommodation at affordable prices and it’s so easy to use. TripAdvisor and Trivago are the best search engines to check deals from different websites; however not as good for checking the actual properties & rooms. Airbnb is a great alternative to find out homes and apartments to rent by real homeowners.
• Ferries: For Porto Santo check Lobo Marinho
• Car Rental: I always check Skyscanner for the cheapest car rental options.
• Public Transport: There are 4 different companies with their own website for checking public transport in Madeira: Horários do Funchal, SAM, EACL & Rodoeste
• Day Trips & Tours: Viator provides the most comprehensive list of day trips and you can book directly with them. TripAdvisor is also a great place to search for tours & activities to do.
• Travel Insurance: SafetyWing is a great choice for long-term travellers and digital nomads. Alternatively, you can use one of the price comparison websites for cheaper quotes.

 

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