I’ve been recently in Madeira Island for a long weekend getaway. This was my second time in this Portuguese Island located in the Atlantic Ocean at the same latitude of Morocco. I loved to spend some time again in Madeira and to discover new amazing places, so I’m happy to share with you my list of 15 Madeira Bucket List Places.
Madeira is part of the Madeira archipelago composed by two inhabited islands – Madeira and Porto Santo (check my blog post about Porto Santo) – and two other desert islands – Desertas and Selvagens.
The proximity with North Africa has influenced both the climate and the geography of Madeira Island (which means “wood” in Portuguese), making it a all year round destination with subtropical Mediterranean weather. This means that average temperature varies little throughout the year, from 20 to 26 degrees Celsius. It doesn’t rain a lot and when it does, it occurs mostly in Winter months.
I recommend to spend at least 4 to 5 days in Madeira to be able to explore the diverse range of experiences that the island has to offer. But one week would be ideal to cover all the different spots in my guide of 15 Madeira Bucket List Places.
Renting a car is probably the best option to travel around the island, but there are also many tour operators and public transport available if you are not in the mood of driving. Please be aware that (especially in peak season) there is a lot of demand for car rental, so make your reservation quite in advance.
Regarding the ideal location to stay in Madeira, it really depends on your travel goals. Many people prefer to stay located in Funchal and to do day trips to other parts of Madeira (that’s what I’ve done in my first trip there many years ago). The offer is terms of accommodation is very good, from luxury resorts to smaller boutique hotels or Airbnb.
This time I preferred to stay located in Calheta, as many of the attractions that I was planning to explore were located in that area of the island.
But after all, what to see in Madeira? I will share with you my list of 15 Madeira Bucket List Places, based in my own experience and some additional research.
Funchal is Madeira’s capital and a vibrant city that is the perfect starting point to explore the island. I recommend to spend some time walking around the city and don’t missing some of its highlights:
Not far away from Funchal, you will find the hightest promontory in Europe at an elevation of 580m, Cabo Girão. From the viewpoint, the views to the surrounding area, the ocean and the municipalities of Funchal and Camara de Lobos are amazing.
This viewpoint is also famous for the skywalk, a suspended glass platform which is a unique experience to admire the views – at least if you are not afraid of heights.
Calheta is a beautiful and typical village in the south of the island which is also a great point to stay located while in Madeira.
It has sand and pebble beaches which are the perfect plan for a Summer day. In the harbour area you will also find many great restaurants with typical food.
Cascata dos Anjos which means Angel’s Waterfall, is one of my favourite places in the entire island.
Can you imagine a waterfall falling down a rock into the road and the sea? And to cross the road by car, you have to literally pass under the waterfall? This place actually exists in Madeira and it is located near Ponta do Sol in Calheta, in the old road ER101.
Try to go early in the morning to avoid the crowds, but don’t miss it. This is an epic stop for any roadtrip in Madeira
This is probably the less known spot of my list, but it was one of my favourite viewpoints in Madeira.
Located in the way from Calheta to Achadas da Cruz, it’s worth a stop to admire the views to the beautiful coastline framed by the typical flowers from the island.
This is another place not to miss when in Madeira! Drive until Achadas da Cruz small village and look for the signs to the cable car. Get ready for the steepest cable car ride ever (trust me, I’ve been in many cable cars in different locations), but it’s totally worth it. Besides of the experience of the cable car itself, it will take you to the isolated and off-the-beaten path Fajã da Quebrada Nova.
This is one of the most remote locations you will visit in Madeira, as it is nestled at the bottom of the hill. Surrounded by mountains in one side and by the sea in the other side, I believe it’s only accessible by the cable car or by boat. And the views… are unforgettable!
One of the most touristic spots in Madeira, Porto Moniz is also worth a visit. It is quite famous for the natural swimming pools, which are a good option to refresh in a warm Summer day.
Take some time to walk by the seaside or to have a typical meal in one of the many restaurants and bars in the area.
Near Porto Moniz, you will find great viewpoints in Ribeira das Janelas, a calm parish nestled between the mountains. It is named Ribeira das Janelas (Window’s Small River) due to an impressive rock in the coastline with an opening resembling a window.
There are two different viewpoints in completely different locations. The first one is near the pebbles beach. If you go by car, look for the parking area. Near that area you will find a staircase and a tunnel in the rocks. This will drive you to a beautiful viewpoint facing the sea from where you can admire the unique rock formations.
The second viewpoint is at the top of the hill, offering breathtaking views to the north cost of the island. If you are a swing fan, there is a new swing perfectly placed in a viewpoint facing Seixal village.
One of the most beautiful beaches in Madeira is undoubtedly Seixal Beach, located at the north cost of the island.
The black sand and breathtaking surrounding landscape with lush green cliffs and waterfalls, makes it a must visit place when in Madeira. It has some facilities nearby, as well as a complex with natural pools and sun loungers.
Be aware that it gets extremely busy on Summer. I tried to go there on a Sunday afternoon and I couldn’t find a place to park the car. So my recommendation is to go either on a week day, or early in the morning,
Near Seixal Beach don’t miss another beautiful viewpoint to a famous waterfall falling down the mountain directly to the sea – Veu da Noiva, which in Portuguese means “bridal’s veil”.
Located on the Northern side of Madeira near Seixal, Fanal Forest is undoubtedly one of the most magical places of the island. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1999 and it is also considered a Natural Heritage of Humanity.
Fanal is one of the largest Madeira’s laurel forests (laurissilva), with many endemic species of vegetation and centenary unique trees adorned with ferns and lichens. Quite often due to the humidity of the climate, it is covered by a mysterious fog and mist which creates a fairytale atmosphere.
When I visited Fanal I had the chance to see it with sunlight in a beautiful sunny Summer day. But still I felt like entering an enchanted forest and back in time to ancient ages.
If you like trails, take PR13 (Vereda do Fanal) starting in this forest and taking you through the heart of the typical laurissilva forest of the island.
Also at the Northern coast of the island, Santana is one of the most visited places in Madeira.
This picturesque village is home to the typical Santana houses, small thatched triangular houses with colourful doors and windows adorned with flowered gardens.
Many of those houses had been transformed in souvenir shops, but they are quite unique, so add them to your Madeira bucket list.
Near Santana you will find another must visit place in the island, Queimadas Forest Park. From this point starts some of the best trails in Madeira – PR9 to Levada do Caldeirão Verde and the path leading to Pico das Pedras.
But even if you’re not doing the trails, you should visit the forest park. At the entrance, take some time walking by the few typical houses that seem to be taken from a fairytale. They are now transformed in a restaurant and a touristic info point.
The surrounding area is also magical, with enchanted laurel woods and a dense vegetation common to this area of Madeira.
At the easternmost part of the island, don’t miss Ponta de São Lourenço with its beautiful sea and cliff wild landscapes.
There are several viewpoints to admire the rugged coastline. And if you like trails, spend some time in Vereda da Ponta de São Lourenço. This 8km round path is considered one of the most unique walks in Madeira for the sea views.
With 1818m, Pico do Arieiro is the third highest point in Madeira and you should add it to your Madeira Bucket List.
It is also the most easily accessible mountain peak in Madeira, as it has direct access by car. From the parking you only have to walk a few minutes to get to a viewpoint with dramatic mountainous views.
That viewpoint is also the starting point to one of the most famous trails in Madeira – PR1 leading to the highest point in the island, Pico Ruivo. It is a challenging 4h hike to get there, but I’ve read it’s totally worth it.
Anyway if you don’t have enough time to hike up to Pico Ruivo, you won’t regret visiting the stunning Pico do Arieiro. I recommend to go there at sunrise or sunset for an unforgettable experience. I saw there one of my favourite sunsets ever.
When in Madeira, don’t miss the opportunity to have a walk in one of the typical “Levadas”, a hydraulic system made of a network of stone channels that is unique in the world.
Dating rom the 15th century, it was created to capture the rain water falling in the mountain areas and take it to the fields. This network of “levadas” has around 2200 kms of canals and 40 km of tunnels. In total there are more than 200 “levadas”.
Due to the fact that they are located in amazing locations spread across the island, they became quite popular for walks in the nature. You will find paths in the “levadas” with different levels of difficulty, from beginners to advanced hikers. So choose the one and the location that better fits within your profile.
For more inspiration about Madeira archipelago, don’t miss my Porto Santo Travel Guide.