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Best things to do in Madeira Portugal
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items Madeira Island is a must for nature lovers! The island has dramatic coastlines, ancient forest and a year-round spring-like climate. Enjoy levada-hikes, drink Poncha or Madeira wine, and visit the capital Funchal. Madeira Portugal offers a perfect mi...
Map
We start the journey in Funchal, as most travellers will stay here on the first night or plan all trips from the capital of Madeira. Many locals live in the city, which is the largest on the island. The old town is located close to the harbour, and y...
30 Best Things to Do in Funchal (Portugal) - Discover Portugal
Take the Teleférico Funchal-Monte to visit the Monte Palace Tropical Garden. You can board the cable car on Rua Dom Carlos I near the water. You can book a round-trip ticket or take a toboggan ride down to Funchal again!
Funchal Cable Car, Madeira - Book Tickets
Discover the stunning natural beauty of Porto Moniz, famous for its volcanic lava pools and breathtaking coastal views. Located on Madeira’s northwest coast, this charming town is a must-visit for nature lovers. Join a tour from Funchal to explore sc...
Porto Moniz Tours and Excursions from Funchal
Although it is very touristy, the toboggan ride in Monte was one of your favourite things to do in Madeira! The wicker basket has space for one to three people, and two riders, known as Carreiros, will steer the toboggan down the hill. The wicker bas...
Monte Toboggan Ride, Funchal - Book Tickets & Tours
Near Funchal, you can visit the coastal town of Câmara de Lobos. This colourful fishing village was a favourite of Winston Churchill, and there are some lovely sights to discover. Find the seal street art made by Bordalo II, or see the statue of Chur...
Câmara de Lobos - GetYourGuide
From Câmara de Lobos, you can head to the next sight: the Cabo Girão Skywalk. The Madeira Skywalk is perfect for thrill seekers who aren’t afraid of heights! You’ll enjoy a magical view from a viewpoint at 580 meters above sea level! It’s one of the ...
Cabo Girão: Immersive Private Tour
One of the most famous towns in Madeira is Santana. You’ll find this gem on the north coast of Madeira, and it’s well known for its A-frame-shaped houses. Some traditional houses are open to the public, and it’s a great spot to buy some souvenirs.
Madeira: Santana 6-Hour Full-Day Tour from Funchal
Porto Moniz is a lovely coastal town on the northwestern shores of Madeira. The place is mainly known for its natural swimming pools, and you can visit the Piscinas Naturais next to the Madeira Aquarium and near Hotel Aqua Natura Madeira. The water w...
Porto Moniz Tours and Excursions from Funchal
When you’re close to Porto Moniz and Seixal, you can also visit the famous Fanal Forest. The Laurel trees create an enchanting experience, especially when covered in fog! We came on a sunny day, and the forest looked completely different!
Fanal | Madeira Islands Tourism Board official website
Stay a little longer near Seixal and Porto Moniz, as it’s worth stopping at Miradouro da Eira da Achada. From here, you have a stunning view over the north coast. Keep following the windy road down, and stop at Miradouro Ilheus da Ribeira da Janela.
Mirador Ilheus Da Ribeira Da Janela - All You Need to Know ...
Madeira is world-famous for its rich, flavourful wines, and there’s no better way to experience them than with a guided Madeira wine tasting or winery tour. Visit historic wine cellars, learn about the unique aging process, and sample a variety of Ma...
Amazing Madeira Wine tasting & winery tours
For an exhilarating and challenging hike, climbing the summit of the Pico Ruivo is perfect! The Pico Ruivo is Madeira’s highest peak, which is 1.862 meters tall. The perfect mountain to climb! There are two ways to get to the top. The PR 1.2 Vereda d...
Pico Ruivo, Madeira - Book Tickets & Tours
On the island’s southern coast, you can visit the Anjos waterfall. It’s a stream of water that lands on the ER101 road and onwards into the sea. The ER101 is located between Ponta do Sol and Madalena to Mar on the island’s south side.
Cascata dos Anjos
One of the tallest waterfalls in Madeira is at Miradouro da Garganta Funda, also known as Miradouro da Vaca. Sometimes, the waterfall has run dry, but the views at this point are stunning nonetheless. The Garganta Funda Waterfall drops 140 meters dow...
Epic Garganta Funda Waterfall in Madeira – The Ultimate Guide
From the harbour in Funchal, there is a wide selection of whale and dolphin-watching tours available. It’s an amazing way to see the majestic marine creatures in their natural habitat, and you can spot various whale and dolphin species along the coas...
From Funchal: Madeira Dolphin and Whale Watching Tour
Poncha is a traditional drink of Madeira, and Taberna da Poncha is the perfect location to try one. This speciality is made from Aguardente de Cana (alcoholic sugar cane juice), honey, sugar, and lemon rind.
Taberna da Poncha
Visit Blandy’s Wine Lodge in Funchal to learn more about Madeira Wine. A sweet Madeira Wine also tastes delicious after a meal! The wine tour is in a stunning historical building, and during the tour, you will learn more about the traditional Janeiro...
Blandy's
You can also enjoy a full-day wine tour, including tastings and lunch! You will stop at several wineries and see the vineyards near São Vicente and Câmara de Lobos.
Amazing Madeira Wine tasting & winery tours
If you prefer to stay in Funchal for a wine tasting, the H.M. Borges Winery is amazing option.
Funchal: H.M. Borges Winery Guided Tour with Wine Tasting
If you want to combine dinner with a folklore show, you can join a traditional Madeiran dinner in a typical Madeira restaurant. You’ll enjoy a 3-course meal as well as traditional performances with dance.
Madeira: Folk Dancing Show and Traditional Local Dinner
Visit the Valley of the Nuns for some of the best views of Madeira. From Funchal, you reach the valley in about 40 minutes, and you can see it from the village and from above! We first drove to Miradouro da Eira do Serrado to check out the views, and...
Valley of the Nuns Guided tours
Funchal boasts several museums, the most famous of which is the CR7 Cristiano Ronaldo Museum. The footballer was born in Madeira and started his impressive career here.
CR7 Museum
There are some sandy Madeira beaches to discover. Praia de Machico is probably one of the most beautiful beaches, and it’s near the town of Machico.
Praia de Machico
The waters surrounding Madeira are inviting for anyone who loves the ocean! It’s the perfect place to learn how to dive! If you already have your PADI, venture out to some amazing diving sites in Madeira!
Learn how to scuba dive in Madeira
Canyoning is also very popular in Madeira, and thankfully, you can join guided tours to enjoy this adventure! Canyoning excursions for beginners will teach you about the safety equipment and how to splash your way through the canyons. You’ll be absei...
Madeira: Full Canyoning Experience
Many hikes in Madeira are within the lush green landscape and near stunning waterfalls. The PR8 Vereda da Ponta de São Lourenço is completely different, and this hike suits most fitness levels. The round trip is 7.2 kilometres (4.47 miles) long and w...
Ponta de São Lourenço, Machico - guided hike
Madeira is a volcanic island with very rich soil. You will see many plants, trees, and also fruits! So, it’s a lot of fun to visit an actual banana plantation!
Madeira: Private Banana Farm Tour with Pickup
Make a reservation at the Belmond Reid’s Palace to enjoy afternoon tea with an ocean view! You will taste freshly baked scones, sandwiches, and amazing pastries, and there are many teas to choose from!
High Tea at Reid's Palace in Funchal
On the west coast of Madeira, you can see a familiar statue. It is the Cristo Rei statue, that looks a lot like the one in Rio de Janeiro in Brazil. From Miradouro do Cristo Rei you have some amazing views over the ocean, and you can even take the ca...
Miradouro do Cristo Rei do G…
Another highlight is the Porto Santo Biosphere Nature Reserve, since 2020, part of UNESCO’s World Network of Biosphere Reserves. The biodiversity on the island is amazing, and the best way to explore this is by hiking.
Porto Santo - Visit Madeira | Madeira Islands Tourism …