In a nutshell
- Madeira is one of Portugal’s top travel destinations – and for a good reason! This unique island is packed with incredible sights, from towering mountains and dramatic cliffs to stunning waterfalls and more.
- But what to see in Madeira? In this article, we’ll show you the 10 best places to visit in Madeira Island.
- We also give you our personal tips for every attraction and our tour recommendations for cool activities in Madeira.
Attractions in Madeira on a Map
Here are our top 10 tips for the best attractions in Madeira, with more details on each. A week is the perfect amount of time to explore all the must-sees.
Check out our itinerary for 1 week in Madeira
To help you get an overview of where the attractions are located, we’ve marked them on a map.
Pico do Arieiro
What you need to know: Pico do Arieiro is the third-highest mountain in Madeira. From here you have a great all-round view of the island. The hike to Pico Ruivo – the highest mountain on the island – also starts at the summit. It is one of the most popular hikes in Madeira.
Is it worth it? Yes, the view is great! However, the tourists are literally swarming here.
Our tip: only go here on a clear day. Otherwise, the summit will probably be shrouded in fog, and you won’t be able to see anything of the landscape.
Our tour recommendation: hiking tour from Pico Arieiro to Pico Ruivo
Important note: The hike from Pico do Arieiro to Pico Ruivo is currently closed. For up-to-date information on trail closures, check VisitMadeira here and here.
Lava Pools in Porto Moniz
What you need to know: The lava pools in Porto Moniz are natural pools where you can swim. They are located right by the sea and are only separated from the Atlantic Ocean by rocks. It looks totally cool.
Is it worth it? Definitely! Even if you don’t want to swim, you can take some great photos here.
Our tip: Lava pools may sound like they have hot water, but sorry to disappoint – the natural pools are not much warmer than the sea. Prepare for cold water!
Important note: There are two types of lava pools in Porto Moniz: 1. the natural pools at the picture, where you can swim for free, and 2. private pools with showers, sun loungers etc., where you pay an entrance fee of 3 euros.
Ponta de São Lourenço
What you need to know: Ponta de São Lourenço is the easternmost point of Madeira and an impressive cliff. A really cool hiking trail takes you once across the headland – it is around 7 kilometers long and also very doable for beginners.
Is it worth it? Definitely. The landscape is amazing and the Ponta de São Lourenço one of the best places to visit in Madeira Island.
Our tip: Go there early in the morning. The sun is really blazing at midday and hiking can be exhausting then. It’s also less busy in the morning.
Cable Car in Funchal
What you need to know: Funchal is the capital of Madeira and the largest city on the island. The absolute highlight is the cable car that takes you from the old town up to the Tropical Garden. From there, you can whizz down in the traditional basket sledges.
Is it worth it? Yes. The view from the gondolas is great, and other must-sees in the city await you at the top.
Our tip: Go up early in the morning – before the cruise ship guests arrive. Then you’ll have to wait ages for the cable car.
Levadas
What you need to know: Levadas are artificial water pipes through which water from rainy regions is distributed to the island. Hiking trails lead along many levadas, making them cool photo motifs and one of the best places to visit in Madeira Island.
Is it worth it? Yes. You should definitely go on at least one levada hike.
Our tip: A popular, but also long levada hike is the Levada do Caldeirão Verde with a good 17 kilometers. The Levada dos Balcões hike is shorter and easier at just 3 kilometers.
Skywalk Cabo Girão
What you need to know: The Cabo Girão Skywalk is a viewing platform above a cliff in the south of Madeira. The floor is partly made of transparent glass – not for people with a fear of heights.
Is it worth it? More or less. The view is good, but no better than from many other viewpoints. The skywalk is also very busy.
Our tip: buy tickets for the skywalk online. They cost 2 euros.
Risco Waterfall
What you need to know: The hike to Risco Waterfall is one of the top attractions in Madeira. It starts on the Madeira plateau in Rabaçal and takes you through beautiful landscapes. You can combine it with the hike along the Levada dos 25 Fontes. You will be rewarded with a fantastic view of the waterfall.
Is it worth it? Yes, the hike and the waterfall are great – but it is also very busy.
Our tour recommendation: Guided hiking tour along the Levada dos 25 Fontes and Risco waterfall
Santana Houses
What you need to know: Santana is a small town in the northeast of Madeira. The town is known for its Casas Típicas – typical houses of Santana. They are characterized by their thatched roofs and colorful shutters. Some have been converted into souvenir stores, so you can see them from the inside.
Is Santana worth a visit? Yes. The town is great for a short stopover on a road trip in Madeira Island.
Our tip: Also stop at the Rocha do Navio viewpoint. The view is great and there are cable cars down to the coast.
Christ the King and Praia Garajau
What you need to know: Not only Lisbon and Rio de Janeiro have a statue of Christ – no, Madeira has one too. From the statue, you can walk down a small path down a cliff or take the cable car to Garajau beach. For us, it is one of the most beautiful beaches in Madeira.
Is it worth it? Yes, the view and the beach are definitely worth it!
Our tip: Skip the cable car and either walk or drive to the beach – you’ll get the best shots of the beach right from the street!
Fanal Cloud Forest
What you need to know: In the northwest of Madeira in the highlands there is a very special forest: Fanal. Here you can see extraordinary trees – they look particularly mystical in the fog. It is also known as the Fairy Forest.
Is it worth it? Yes, the cloud forest is a totally unusual attraction in Madeira Island.
Our tip: In the morning you have the best chance of seeing Fanal shrouded in mist.
Our tour recommendation: Transfer to Fanal Forest from Funchal
Useful Tips for your Visit in Madeira Island
Finally, we give you a few important tips that you should know when you plan to visit the top attractions in Madeira.
How to get to the attractions in Madeira
It is best to hire a car, as the bus network in Madeira is not that good. You are most flexible with your own car.
Note, however, that the roads are often steeply uphill and downhill. If you don’t want to drive yourself, you can also book guided tours to the highlights – and sometimes there are even buses.
Book guided tours for Madeira on GetYourGuide
The weather in Madeira changes quickly
On any given day in Madeira, the sun can shine, it can storm and it can rain. Sometimes the weather changes from one minute to the next.
Especially if you want to do a lot of hiking, you should always check what the weather will be like the next day. As the weather is so unpredictable, we recommend that you plan your trip to Madeira flexibly.
If you book your tours in Madeira well in advance, you may have to go hiking in the pouring rain – or even cancel the hike.
That’s why we highly recommend renting a car! Then you can decide spontaneously which places to visit on which day depending on the weather.
Discover Madeira off the beaten track
As well as the most popular places to visit in Madeira, be sure to explore some of the lesser-known places. The island is full of fantastic hidden hems.
Also read our article about hidden gems in Madeira
These were our top 10 attractions in Madeira
How did you like our tips for the best places to visit in Madeira Island? Let us know in the comments.