In a nutshell
- Madeira is one of the most spectacular travel destinations in Portugal — and it’s easy to see why. This island is unlike anywhere else, packed with highlights: towering mountains, dramatic sea cliffs, waterfalls, and so much more.
- In this article, we’ll show you the Madeira attractions you absolutely cannot miss — from the cloud forest of Fanal to the lava pools of Porto Moniz.
- We also share our personal tips for each highlight and the best tour recommendations for activities on Madeira — so you can make the most of every day.
Our Top 10 Highlights of Madeira on a Map
Let’s dive into our ten picks for the best places to visit on Madeira. One week is the perfect amount of time to explore all the must-sees.
Also read our itinerary for 1 week on Madeira
To give you a quick overview of where each sight is located, we’ve pinned them all on a map.
Pico do Arieiro
What you need to know: Pico do Arieiro is the third-highest peak on Madeira. From up here, you get a fantastic panoramic vista across the whole island. The summit is also the starting point for the hike to Pico Ruivo — the island’s highest mountain — which is one of the most popular trails on Madeira.
Is Pico do Arieiro worth it? Yes, the view is seriously amazing! That said, it does get very crowded.
Our tip for Pico do Arieiro: Only head up on a clear day. Otherwise the summit is likely to be buried in fog and you won’t see a thing.
Hiking tour from Pico Arieiro to Pico Ruivo
To all tips for the Pico Arieiro hike
Lava Pools in Porto Moniz
What you need to know: The lava pools in Porto Moniz are natural swimming pools carved out by volcanic rock formations right at the ocean’s edge — separated from the Atlantic by nothing but lava. They look incredibly cool.
Are the lava pools worth it? Absolutely! Even if you don’t feel like swimming, the photo opportunities alone make it worthwhile.
Our tip for the lava pools: Don’t let the name fool you — the water isn’t warm. The natural pools are barely any warmer than the open ocean.
Important note: There are two types of lava pools in Porto Moniz: 1. The natural pools shown at the top of the photo, where you can swim for free, and 2. private pools with showers, lounge chairs, etc. Those cost €3 entry.
Read all our tips on the natural pools in Madeira
Ponta de São Lourenço
What you need to know: Ponta de São Lourenço is the dramatic easternmost tip of Madeira — a rugged sea cliff peninsula with a really spectacular trail running its full length. It’s about seven kilometers and totally manageable, even for beginner hikers.
Is São Lourenço worth it? Definitely. The landscape is seriously stunning!
Our tip for São Lourenço: Go early in the morning. By midday the sun is relentless and the hike gets exhausting fast. Plus, you’ll have far fewer people around you.
To all tips for Ponta de São Lourenço
Cable Car in Funchal
What you need to know: Funchal is Madeira’s capital and its largest city. The absolute standout experience is the cable car that whisks you from the historic center all the way up to the Tropical Garden. From there, you can zoom back down in the famous wicker toboggans.
Is the cable car worth it? Yes. The views from the gondolas are great, and there’s plenty more to see once you reach the top.
Our tip for the cable car: Get there early in the morning — before the cruise ship passengers arrive. Otherwise you’ll be waiting in line for ages.
Read our article with all the tips for Funchal
Levadas
What you need to know: Levadas are man-made irrigation channels that carry water from the island’s rainier highlands to drier areas. Hiking trails run alongside many of them, making levada walks some of the most rewarding things to do in Madeira — great scenery and genuinely unique to the island.
Are the levadas worth it? Yes. A levada hike is an absolute must during your visit.
Our tip for the levadas: One popular — though longer — option is the Levada do Caldeirão Verde at just over 17 kilometers. If you’d prefer something shorter and easier, the Levada dos Balcões is just three kilometers.
Read our tips on the Levadas in Madeira too
Skywalk Cabo Girão
What you need to know: The Cabo Girão Skywalk is a viewing platform perched above a sea cliff on Madeira’s southern coast. Part of the floor is made of transparent glass — not ideal if you’re afraid of heights.
Is Cabo Girão worth it? It’s okay. The view is nice, but honestly no better than many other viewpoints on the island. And it gets really crowded.
Our tip for Cabo Girão: Buy your Skywalk tickets online. They cost €3.
Risco Waterfall
What you need to know: The hike to Risco Waterfall is one of the top attractions on Madeira. It starts on the island’s highland plateau at Rabaçal and takes you through gorgeous scenery. You can easily combine it with the Levada dos 25 Fontes trail — and your reward at the end is a breathtaking view of the waterfall.
Is the Risco Waterfall worth it? Yes, both the hike and the waterfall are fantastic — though it does get very crowded.
Guided hike along the Levada dos 25 Fontes and Risco Waterfall
More tips for the hike can be found in our article on hiking in Madeira:
Houses of Santana
What you need to know: Santana is a small town in the northeast of Madeira, famous for its Casas Típicas — the traditional thatched-roof houses with their colorful shutters. Some have been converted into souvenir shops, so you can actually step inside and have a look around.
Is Santana worth it? Yes. It’s perfect for a quick stop on a road trip around the island.
Our tip for Santana: Also stop at the Rocha do Navio viewpoint nearby. The panorama is great, and you can take a cable car down to the coast.
Read our tips for the most beautiful places on Madeira
Christ Statue and Praia Garajau
What you need to know: Not only Lisbon and Rio de Janeiro have a Christ statue — Madeira has one too. From the statue, a short cliff-side path leads down to a cable car that takes you to Garajau Beach. For us, it’s one of the most beautiful beaches on Madeira.
Is the Christ statue worth it? Yes — the views and the beach absolutely are!
Our tip for the Christ statue: Walk down to the beach on foot or drive there by car. The best photos of the beach are taken from the road.
Cloud Forest of Fanal
What you need to know: Hidden in the highlands of northwestern Madeira is one of the island’s most special places: Fanal. The ancient trees here are extraordinary, and when the mist rolls in they look genuinely otherworldly — it’s often called the fairy forest, and you’ll see why the moment you arrive.
Is Fanal worth it? Yes, the cloud forest is a completely unique sight on a Madeira vacation.
Our tip for Fanal: Head out in the morning for the best chance of finding the forest wrapped in fog.
Round-trip transfer to Fanal from Funchal
Read our tips on the Fanal Fairy Forest
Practical Tips for Sightseeing on Madeira
So, are you convinced? Ready to visit one of Europe’s most beautiful islands? Here are a few key things to know before you go.
Also read all our travel tips for Madeira
How to get to the sights on Madeira
Your best bet is to rent a car — the bus network on Madeira is pretty limited, and having your own wheels gives you the flexibility to follow the weather and explore at your own pace.
Compare rental car deals on Discovercars
Just keep in mind that the roads are often steep — both up and downhill. If you’d rather not drive yourself, you can book guided tours to the main highlights, and some spots are also reachable by bus.
Book guided tours for Madeira on GetYourGuide
The weather on Madeira is unpredictable
On any given day on Madeira, you might get sunshine, storms, or rain — sometimes all three in the same afternoon.
If you’re planning to hike, always check the forecast the night before. Because conditions change so fast, we strongly recommend keeping your itinerary flexible.
If you book your excursions on Madeira too far in advance, you might find yourself hiking in a downpour — or having to cancel altogether.
That’s exactly why having a rental car is such a game-changer. It lets you decide on the fly which sight to visit based on where the weather is best that day.
Check out our tips on the best time to visit Madeira:
Discover Madeira off the beaten path
Beyond the most popular Madeira points of interest, it’s really worth seeking out some lesser-known spots too. The island is full of fantastic under-the-radar places that most visitors never find.
Also read our insider tips for Madeira
Where to stay on Madeira?
There are some wonderful areas to base yourself on Madeira, with everything from beautiful hotels to budget-friendly accommodation. You’ll find all our recommendations here:
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