Madeira: 37 Amazing Places You Have to See! + Map (2026)

We bring you a guide to the most beautiful places Madeira has to offer. Take some inspiration and plan trips along the Madeiran levadas, out to the beautiful viewpoints or into the lovely little towns.

Let’s take a look at the best of Madeira:

Map of Madeira with all the points of interest

Here we have prepared a detailed map of Madeira with all the important points worth visiting on your travels around Madeira.

You can open the map straight in Google Maps or export it and upload it into a mobile app such as Locus Map or Mapy.cz. That way the map works completely offline!

• Here you will find all our maps for planning your travels.

Accommodation on Madeira

We recommend 3 places where you can stay – Machico, Porto Moniz and Funchal.

Machico is a picturesque little town with a bay and a sandy beach a short way from the airport. Very nice accommodation with breakfast is offered by White Waters Hotel, which is very close to the beach.

Funchal I would recommend to everyone who loves coastal towns. It has a beautiful harbour and there are plenty of nice restaurants and cafés. From the airport you are in the centre of Funchal in half an hour. Beautiful apartments in the city centre near the harbour are offered by Isabella Studios Funchal.

Porto Moniz is a coastal town at the western end of Madeira, with gorgeous natural pools (the ideal refreshment for the start or finish of hiking across Madeira with a backpack). Accommodation with beautiful views is offered for example by Pérola Views Inn.

The centre of Madeira

1) Pico do Arieiro

Pico do Arieiro is the third highest mountain on Madeira and rightfully belongs among the most beautiful places to see on the island. You can reach the summit at 1,818 m by car. There is free parking here, as well as a restaurant and souvenirs. No buses come up here.

TRIP TIP: Do not miss the PR1 route to Pico Ruivo. It is probably the most beautiful ridge walk Madeira has to offer. The route is 5.3 km one way and beautiful views, tunnels, descents, climbs and more exposed but well-secured sections await you on it. Set aside a whole day for this trip (one way can easily take you 3 hours).

This route has carried a fee since 2024; at the start you will meet either fee collectors or boards with QR codes for payment (3 euros).

2) Pico Ruivo

Pico Ruivo is the highest mountain on Madeira. People love coming here for sunset or sunrise (both have their magic). If you do not see Pico Ruivo as part of the trek from Arieiro, then the shortest way to get here is the route from the Achada do Teixeira car park (2.8 km one way along a walking path). The climb from the car park takes you a little over an hour.

Pico Ruivo again ranks among the very best Madeira has to offer. This route has carried a fee since 2024; at the start you will meet either fee collectors or boards with QR codes for payment (3 euros).

TIP: If you want to stay here for sunset or sunrise, bring a warm jacket, because it is very windy up there. A few metres past the turning to the summit (towards Encumeada) there is also a nice spot for a few tents.

3) Canyoning in Ribeiro Frio

Ribeiro Frio, or “cold stream”, is above all a gorgeous canyon and a unique chance to try canyoning for yourself. Madeira is a canyoning paradise and it would be a shame not to try it. Every adventurous soul will love it. Abseiling, natural water slides and several jumps (if you want) await you. You can book canyoning with experienced guides here. Hotel pick-up included.

Alternatively you can set off from here along the Levada do Furado towards Portela (11 km away).

4) Balcões viewpoint

A path along a short levada that starts in Ribeiro Frio takes you to this beautiful viewpoint. The route is marked PR 11, is 1.5 km long and is practically level. The viewpoint itself towers above a deep green valley and from it you can see the rocky ridges with the highest peaks of Madeira. This route has carried a fee since 2024; at the start you will meet either fee collectors or boards with QR codes for payment (3 euros).

You can reach Ribeiro Frio on bus lines 56, 103 and 138.

The east of Madeira

5) Ponta de São Lourenço peninsula

The São Lourenço peninsula is another beautiful place for an almost full-day trip. São Lourenço is the easternmost part of Madeira and at the same time the spot with the least rain on the whole island. The trail from the car park to the last viewpoint is about 4 kilometres one way. Highly photogenic views of the jagged cliffs of the peninsula await you here.

You can reach the start of the trail by car or by bus (line 113 operated by SAM). If you come by car, we also recommend a detour to the Ponta do Rosto viewpoint. Entry to the peninsula now carries a fee, and at the start you will meet either fee collectors or boards with QR codes for payment (3 euros).

6) Machico

Machico is one of three places on Madeira with a sandy beach. On top of that it sits strategically in a beautiful bay near the airport and is very easy to reach (above all with the bus company SAM). For the nicest view over the whole town and the bay we recommend the Pico do Facho viewpoint.

7) Porto da Cruz

Another tiny picturesque town that is not only very photogenic but again offers the chance to swim in a sea pool. Bus connections are provided by SAM.

The north of Madeira

8) Santana

In the picturesque little town of Santana the famous traditional Madeiran cottages with thatched roofs await you. These Madeiran houses have a colourful front, a thatched roof and an A-shaped frame. If you visit the open-air museum, in some of the cottages you can also see demonstrations of traditional crafts.

You can get from Funchal to Santana by bus on lines 56, 103  and 138.

9) Levada do Caldeirão Verde

Levada do Caldeirão Verde is a levada near the town of Santana. It starts at the Casa das Queimadas house and is just under 6 kilometres one way (at the end you can carry on another 2.5 km along the Levada do Caldeirão do Inferno). Do not forget head torches for this route – four tunnels await you!

This route has carried a fee since 2024; at the start you will meet either fee collectors or boards with QR codes for payment (3 euros).

10) Levada do Rei

Levada do Rei is one of the very popular and undemanding levadas. It runs practically level all the way (apart from the final climb) and is 5 km one way. The start of the levada is above the town of São Jorge.
This lovely levada has carried a fee since 2024; at the start you will meet either fee collectors or boards with QR codes for payment (3 euros).

The west of Madeira

11) Porto Moniz

Porto Moniz is known above all for its beautiful natural pools, which you will find in two separate spots. It really is fun to wait at the edge of the pools for the waves of the wild Atlantic. But do not worry, you can also swim calmly here and relax on the shore. At the larger of the natural pools you pay a small entrance fee. The Piscinas do Aquário are free to enter.

You can also admire the beautiful coastline with the natural pools from the nearby restaurants and cafés. If you have the time and the energy, you can also walk up to the Miradouro da Santa viewpoint. Buses between Funchal and Porto Moniz run 2-3 times a day.

12) Ribeira da Janela

This small coastal village is a beautiful sight. The most visited spot is above all the beach, which offers a view of several dramatic rock formations. Do not miss walking through the short tunnel in the rock, which brings you straight out onto the viewpoint.

Buses stop here 2-3 times a day, or you can walk here from Porto Moniz over the hill.

13) Fanal laurel forest

If you like fairy-tale landscapes, you must not miss Fanal. Picture enormous trees of the strangest shapes, grazing cows and beautifully green grass right at the edge of the clouds. Personally, the Fanal laurel forest reminded me of a hobbit garden. If you are doing one of the multi-day treks, you can spend the night here (Fanal is an official campsite).

14) Rabaçal

Casa do Rabaçal is one of the popular starting points for levada walking. You cannot drive all the way to the house, you have to leave the car at the car park on road 105. From the car park you can take a minivan for a few euros or walk the roughly 2 km down to the house.

You can set off on a full-day trip straight from the car park along the Levada do Alecrim (which takes you to the waterfalls of the Lajeado canyon), then see the upper cascade of Risco and follow the Vereda da Lagoa do Vento all the way to the Rabaçal house. From there you can also head on to the 25 Fountains.

15) The 25 Fountains – levada and waterfall

The levada leading to the 25 Fountains waterfall (25 Fontes) is one of the most popular on Madeira. A nice path along the levada runs to it from the walking base at Rabaçal. The route is roughly 2.5 km one way and there is some climbing involved. The levada ends at the waterfall, into which another 25 small springs fall alongside the main stream.

16) Risco waterfall and levada

Risco is a truly impressive waterfall reached by the levada of the same name. The route starts at Rabaçal and is 2 km one way. From the Risco waterfall you can descend a few dozen metres and link your trip up with the 25 Fountains levada.

This route has carried a fee since 2024; at the start you will meet either fee collectors or boards with QR codes for payment (3 euros).

17) Levada do Alecrim and the Lajeado canyon

As you already know, the Levada do Alecrim takes you from road 105 all the way to the beautiful Lajeado canyon. And according to local canyoners this canyon is one of the most fun on Madeira. We loved it too. If you want the levada to be only the beginning of the adventure, book canyoning in Lajeado!

18) Levada da Ribeira da Janela

Do not be confused – the start of the levada is in Lamaceiros in Porto Moniz (above the village of Ribeira da Janela). This levada is almost 13 kilometres long and again you will pass through several tunnels along the way.

19) Levada dos Cedros

Levada dos Cedros is another pretty and fairly short levada. It starts at the Fanal laurel forest (which you definitely should not miss!). If you do not want to walk back the same way, there are other paths here and you can put together an 11-kilometre loop that will take you 3-4 hours.

20) Véu da Noiva viewpoint

You will come across a very nice viewpoint over a waterfall falling straight into the sea on the road between São Vicente and Seixal. The 90-metre Véu da Noiva (bridal veil) is where the Delgado canyon comes out. It is simply a very photogenic stop on a drive along the north coast.

21) Achadas da Cruz viewpoint

If you are driving near Porto Moniz, go and see the viewpoint above the Achadas da Cruz cliff as well. There is a cable car here that can take you down to a small village 434 metres below. Just the view from the viewpoint is worth it. The horizontal length of the cable car is 441 metres, while the height difference is those very 434 metres!

22) Calheta

If you are looking for a sandy beach, Calheta is the right place. Interestingly, the sand was only brought here from the Sahara in 2004. Calheta is one of the places to stay on the island. Czech travel agencies even offer complete package holidays here.

23) Garganta Funda viewpoint

If you are in the western part of Madeira, do not miss the Miradouro da Garganta Funda – one of the highest waterfalls on Madeira (a respectable 140 metres). Park the car at the end of Caminho do Pedregal street.

The south of Madeira

24) Viewpoint over the Valley of the Nuns – Eira do Serrado

Eira do Serrado is perhaps the nicest viewpoint on Madeira. From a height of 1,096 m above sea level you can look down into the deep Valley of the Nuns – Curral das Freiras – encircled by mountain massifs. The village in the valley was cut off for many years and earned its name because the nuns hid here from raids by French pirates in 1566.

Bus line 81 stops at the viewpoint.

25) Cabo Girão – viewpoint and skywalk

The Cabo Girão viewpoint sits on top of the highest cliff on Madeira, a respectable 589 metres. Views from a really great height await you here – and with a glass floor under your feet. Entry to the viewpoint is free.

It is easy to get here on buses operated by Rodoeste. There is also free parking by the viewpoint.

26) Funchal

If you like port cities, Funchal will delight you, especially its historic centre and the marina. You will find beautiful streets full of life, restaurants and bars mainly around the lower cable car station (Rua de Santa Maria and Largo do Corpo Santo). On your walk do not miss Parque Santa Catarina, the Sé do Funchal cathedral or the promenade along the harbour. Football fans may enjoy the Cristiano Ronaldo museum.

What to skip, on the other hand, is the fruit market, which many locals warned us about. Apparently they sweeten the fruit and sell it to tourists at five times the standard price.

27) Monte

Monte is a hill you certainly cannot miss in Funchal, because a cable car runs up here from the centre (near the harbour). The cable car is 3.2 km long and the ride takes 15-20 minutes. At the top you can also visit the tropical gardens – Monte Palace Tropical Gardens, which have over 100,000 species of plants. Another stop can be at the church (Igreja do Monte), where among other things you can visit the tomb of Charles I of Austria, who spent his last years on Madeira.

28) Madeiran toboggan ride

You can treat yourself to this unconventional experience in Funchal, right from the Monte hill. The roughly ten-minute ride in a wicker toboggan is a real adventure, hurtling downhill at up to 30 km/h in places – but do not worry, the toboggans are steered by professionals and at the junctions the police carefully stop the traffic for the riders. One ride for two costs about 30 euros.

29) Botanical garden

Jardim Botânico is the largest botanical garden on Madeira. Covering 80,000 m², it is home to plants from all over the world. A second, smaller cable car runs here from the Monte hill.

30) CR7 Museum – Cristiano Ronaldo

One of the most famous footballers in the world was born on Madeira – Cristiano Ronaldo. So there is a museum here dedicated entirely to him. A place no football fan should miss.

31) Cristo Rei de Garajau viewpoint

A nice viewing platform on the Garajau headland, crowned by a 20-metre statue of Christ. The statue was raised in 1927 and is meant to protect fishermen (at night it also serves as a lighthouse).

32) A cruise on Christopher Columbus’s ship

Dolphin-watching cruises are popular on Madeira, but how about a cruise on a faithful replica of Columbus’s Santa Maria? I was so taken with this ship that I went to look at it in the harbour every day. And what awaits you on board? During the three-hour cruise you get a glass of Madeira wine, you sail out to the highest cliff on Madeira and you can also swim and jump straight from the deck into the sea. Book the cruise here:

33) The village of Câmara de Lobos

Câmara de Lobos is a picturesque fishing village not far from Funchal. In the bay you will see fishing boats, and as you walk through the centre an authentic atmosphere washes over you. You can stop at a local restaurant, look into the chapel or head to one of the viewpoints over the bay.

From Funchal, 8 km away, you can get here by bus operated by Rodoeste.

The island of Porto Santo

Porto Santo is a smaller island north-east of Madeira. It draws visitors mainly for its beautiful 9-kilometre sandy beach. It is not only beach lovers who get their money’s worth here, but also anyone after an active holiday. On this island too you will find treks, viewpoints and chances to go out by kayak. You can get here from Madeira by ferry or by plane.

34) Pico de Ana Ferreira and the rock organ

In a disused quarry you can see an incredible quirk of nature – pentagonal rock columns resembling organ pipes, formed millions of years ago by volcanic activity and the gradual erosion of the surrounding rock.

35) Das Flores viewpoint

Miradouro das Flores is a very popular viewpoint on the island of Porto Santo. From here you can look out over the strait that separates the island from another small islet, Ilhéu da Cal.

36) Porto das Salemas Natural Pools

You will find these beautiful coastal pools on the north coast of Porto Santo island. It is important to say, though, that if you want to enjoy the pools for swimming, you have to wait for low tide (the window for swimming is from an hour before low tide to an hour after).

We hope this guide has given you inspiration for what to see on Madeira and that you enjoy your holiday to the full!

Map of Madeira with all the points of interest

Here we have prepared a detailed map of Madeira with all the important points worth visiting on your travels around Madeira.

You can export the map and upload it into a mobile app such as Locus Map or Maps.me. That way the map works completely offline!

• Here you will find all our maps for planning your travels.

Read also:

• Madeira from A to Z: guide, practical tips, map
• Hiking Across Madeira: All About the Trek (Map + Tips)
• The Azores from A to Z – practical tips, treks and top spots

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