In a nutshell
- Already ticked off the main top attractions on Madeira and ready to go deeper? You’re in the right place — these are the spots the crowds haven’t found yet.
- We’ll show you 5 genuine Madeira hidden gems well off the tourist trail — all based on our own experiences on the island.
- From under-the-radar hiking trails and secret viewpoints to local day trip ideas and hotel picks — we’ve got you covered.
Promenade of São Vicente
The promenade in São Vicente is one of our favorite spots on Madeira — barely any tourists know about it, and the views are seriously stunning.
It starts a bit east of town at the Clube Naval (where you can park for free) and ends at the Madeira Surf Center.
The promenade is about 600 meters long in total. It’s great for walking and watching surfers out on the water.
If you walk a little further along the main road past the Madeira Surf Center, make sure to stop by Hotel Calamar. It has a fantastic restaurant and a lovely natural swimming pool on Madeira where you can swim for free.
Also read our tips on eating on Madeira
Our hotel pick for São Vicente: Quinta Vale Vatis – a wonderful boutique hotel on Madeira
Caminho da Entrosa
The Caminho da Entrosa is a genuine under-the-radar hiking trail — and honestly one of the best hikes on Madeira for us.
It starts in Arco de São Jorge and takes you all the way to Boaventura. The trail is 2 kilometers long and manageable for anyone who’s reasonably fit. That said, since you’re climbing uphill for half of it, it’s still a workout.
The path follows the coastline, and you have a breathtaking view of the green cliffs and the ocean the entire way.
At the end of the trail, you’re rewarded with the São Cristovão viewpoint — there’s also a great restaurant there.
How to get to the Caminho da Entrosa
To avoid backtracking along the same route, take the bus or get a taxi. We took the bus from São Vicente to Arco de São Jorge and then back from Boaventura to São Vicente.
Check the schedules online beforehand with the bus provider Rodoeste — buses run very infrequently.
Read our tips for hiking on Madeira too:
Porto da Cruz
Porto da Cruz is a small, charming village in the east of Madeira that many tourists completely overlook. Yet it has so much to offer and is also a great place to stay on Madeira.
The village is home to one of the most beautiful beaches on Madeira, which is especially popular with surfers. Right next to it, you’ll find the Pico do Fortim, a lovely vantage point.
The real highlight of Porto da Cruz is the traditional distillery. You can watch the distillation process and sample the classic passion fruit poncha.
And another absolute Madeira insider tip near Porto da Cruz is the Miradouro do Cabo de Larano — you can reach this viewpoint in just under 15 minutes by car.
Our hotel pick for Porto da Cruz: Jaca Hostel
Read also our tips for the most beautiful places on Madeira
Watch a Soccer Game
Attention soccer fans! Here’s a really cool activity on Madeira that most visitors never think of: catching a live soccer game.
Funchal is home to two professional soccer teams that play in the first and second divisions (season 25/26).
So the chances are pretty high that one of the teams will have a home game during your visit. You can usually buy tickets on the spot directly at the stadiums.
Here are the two teams and their stadiums:
- Clube Desportivo Nacional: Estádio da Madeira
- Club Sport Marítimo: Estádio dos Barreiros
The Estádio dos Barreiros is located downtown, close to many of the sights in Funchal. You can easily get there by bus.
The Estádio da Madeira is up on a hill near Funchal — you’re better off taking a taxi or a rental car to get there. For more advice on getting around, check out our travel tips for Madeira.
By the way: CD Nacional is Cristiano Ronaldo’s home club.
Discover Hidden Viewpoints
Madeira is seriously famous for its stunning panoramas — there are endless viewpoints on this beautiful European island, some more well-known than others.
Honestly, you can skip the famous Cabo Girão and head instead to some of the less crowded overlooks — the views are just as incredible without the tour bus crowds.
Here are our 5 hidden gem viewpoints on Madeira
- Miradouro Ponta da Ladeira
- Miradouro do Paul do Mar
- Miradouro da Portela
- Miradouro do Cortado
- Miradouro do Fio
We came across these spots more or less by chance during our Madeira road trip, and we were genuinely blown away by every single one.
Our tip: For beautiful views every morning, it’s also worth booking a beach hotel on Madeira.
