27 OF THE BEST THINGS TO DO IN MADEIRA.
On our recent visit to Madeira we explored the island from top to bottom. It’s fair to say that it is now one of our favourite places to be.
From lush gardens, to mountain hikes and beach walks. Madeira is simply beautiful. But there’s also buzz and plenty going on in the cosmopolitan capital of Funchal.
Based on our experience of travelling in Madeira, here is are 27 of the best things to do on the island.
27 of the best things to do in Madeira
Are you looking for the best things to do in Madeira? Here are the 27 best activities to incorporate into your itinerary in Madeira.
1. Take a food tour in Funchal
One of our favourite things to do when we land in a new country or city is to take a food tour. We had a great experience with the Madeira Food on Foot Tour.
This Funchal based tour, Madeira Food on Foot Tours offer a mix of culinary delights and cultural information delivered by a knowledgeable local host. The fantastic tour includes the chance to taste Madeira wine, Portuguese wine and cocktails. A sociable, fun and unique way to spend a few hours in Funchal.
You must do this food tour in your first few days in Madeira so that you can try all the local favourites. Tuna fish, Black Scabberdfish, Pastel de Nata and the unique Bolo do Caco (a bread made from Sweet Potato.) Then, go back for more later in your trip!
FUNCHAL FOOD TOUR
✅ 3 – 4 hours
✅ Multiple food stops
✅ Wine and cocktail included
2. Visit Funchal market
The Funchal food market is a super spot in Funchal for foodies. We loved visiting on Friday and Saturday mornings when the place fills up with farmers offering all of their fresh produce.
Visit in the morning for the best fish and fruit and flowers. There are also some cute cafes in the market where you can mingle with locals. There’s even a chocolate shop in the market which uses ingredients from the island to flavour their chocolate.
3. Dine at local spot A Bica in Funchal
There are many restaurants in Funchal. We had a few iffy experiences with a some of the restaurants. Although Madeira has incredible produce, many restaurants cater too much to tourists and don’t cook food in the traditional way.
One exception to this is the fantastic restaurant A Bica. It looks unassuming from the outside, but head in and downstairs to the basement to find a local hang out with properly good food. We recommend the fresh tuna steak, with a glass of Vinho Branca.
4. Do at least one Levada walk
Levada’s are a unique phenomenon in Madeira. They are irrigation channels that were built centuries ago to allow water to get from the higher wetter regions, to the drier parts of the island.
I’m not sure if it was ever envisaged that hikers would walk along these Levadas. But, I can tell you that it is worth doing at least one Levada walk during your visit to Madeira.
The most popular is PR9 Caldeirao Verde Levada Trail, a magical jungle with lots of waterfalls. For a quieter hike, you could try Levada Nova – Levada do Moinho.
Find more information on the best hikes in Madeira, including Levada walks here.
5. Watch sunrise at São Lourenço
São Lourenço is a special place. A peninsular, shaped like a dragon’s tail, to the east of the island.
Being on the east, this is a fabulous spot to watch the sunrise over the water. There is a hiking trail, the PR8, which follows the peninsular. We do recommend this, but it can get quite crowded later in the day.
If you have the legs for it, enjoy the hike and take some time to enjoy the special views.
Find our guide to this hike here.
6. Swim in Seixal Tidal Pool
My favourite spot on Madeira island is Seixal tidal pool. There are four tidal pools on the island, Seixal is the only one that is free to enter. I also think that it is the most beautiful.
The Seixal pool,is actually two main pools and a small children’s section. When I visited, there were a handful of locals there enjoying a languid Sunday swim. I even had the joy of sharing my swim with a beautiful dog.
The water is sheer bliss and there are plenty of spaces around to relax. Don’t forget a towel and refreshments to keep you going. There is a cafe there, but it’s a little over priced.
You can find our detailed guide to visiting Seixal here.
7. Look out at Vereda dos Balcões
Verada dos Balcoes is a look out point at the end of a very short walking trail, the PR11.
At the end of the trail, you’ll find a balcony with incredible panoramic views. One of the easiest ways to get a great view in Madeira. The walk is also in a lovely village Ribiero Frio with cosy cafes.
Bird watchers will love this view point as there’s a chance to see many species.
Find out more about this walk here.
8. Watch the waves at Porto Moniz
Porto Moniz is a small coastal town to the North West of the island. It is a popular tourist destination to visit, offering a few places to enjoy lunch.
We were particularly wowed by two things in Porto Moniz. One was the waves, which can become huge in certain weather. We loved sitting out enjoying the epic waves.
The second thing that Porto Moniz is known for is the lava pools. These are tidal pools built into lava rock. A vast complex, which has won awards for being the best tidal pool in Europe.
Unfortunately when we visited the pools were shut (owing to the aforementioned waves). But we would recommend a visit if you can. There is a small charge, just three Euros for adults and less for children.
9. Take an epic coastal hike
By far our favourite coastal hike on the island is Vereda do Larano – Boca de Risco to the North East of the island. This is a great alternative to the busier PR8 walk further south.
The hike takes a couple of hours and offers incredible views out across the ocean and to the peninsular. Stop into the surf town of Porta da Cruz after the hike.
Find the full details of this hike here.
10. Walk to a secret lagoon
Whilst many people choose to walk the PR6, otherwise known as the 25 fountains hike, we recommend an alternative. The PR 6.2.
This is a short walk, only around 45 minutes each way and relatively flat. A great option for anyone who doesn’t want to work up a sweat.
Aside from being a short walk, we love it because it is a quiet route. And, it ends at a lagoon, which felt like our own little secret.
The bonus, you can swim in the lagoon under the waterfall.
Find out more about this walk here.
11. Visit the Botanical Gardens
Madeira is a tropical island and has some of the prettiest and most interesting plant life. Although you can see a variety of excellent flowers and plants around the island, the best place to see the full spectrum is in the Madeira botanical gardens.
You can take a taxi, bus or walk to the botanical gardens. Just keep in mind that the walk is quite steep, even though the distance is short.
Spend around two to three hours in the botanical gardens. There’s also a cafe with incredible views over Funchal. Entry is 7 Euros per person.
12. See dolphins and whales on a boat tour
A boat tour from Madeira offers the chance to see dolphins and whales. Although sightings are not guaranteed, most people do see one or the other in the ocean.
The best part about these boat tours is that they are really inexpensive. We’ve traveled to other destinations where such a boat trip might cost an excessive price.
In Madeira, you can expect to pay around 30 Euros for a three to four hour boat tour.
✅ Three to four hours
✅ Catamaran boat tour
✅ Chance to see dolphins & whales
13. See street art in Funchal
In Madeira old town, there is a particularly special street. This is Rua de Santa Maria, here you will find the Art of Open Doors.
The history of this area, is that it was once a street with poverty and many people with drug or alcohol problems. To improve the area, local government initiated the project of street art.
Now the area is re-generated and there are many restaurants and cafes that otherwise would not be there.
We can’t really recommend a particular restaurant on the street, but it is worth a walk down to take some photos and pause for a drink and a snack.
14. Watch sun set at Ponto Pargo
Ponto Pargo is the area to the extreme south west of Madeira. Being on the west, this is the ideal spot to enjoy an epic sun set.
There is also a lighthouse here. We didn’t find the lighthouse that remarkable, but enjoyed the area for sunset views. It felt like being right on the edge of the island.
15. Chill out at Maktub Pub & Bar de Pedra
We drove through Paul do Mar on a whim on the way back from Ponto Pargo. And I am so glad we did!
An otherwise sleepy coastal village, Paul do Mar is a quiet place. But, drive to the end of the road and you’ll find two wonderful bars. The first is Maktub Pub, known for it’s chilled out vibes, cocktails and reggae.
The second is Bar de Pedra. Which has colourful picnic tables and sea views.
Both are busy, fun and have tables out front to enjoy the scenery.
16. Visit a black sand beach
The small town of Seixal is the gift that just keeps giving on Madeira. We loved the tidal pool, but there is also a famous black sand beach in Seixal.
Spend a few hours here marveling at the black sand, or relaxing until your heart is content. It is a unique experience.
17. Explore Monte Palace
The Monte Palace Tropical Garden, located in the hills of Monte in Madeira, Portugal, is renowned for its exotic plants, charming pathways, and impressive views.
It also houses a remarkable tile museum showcasing Portuguese artistic heritage. Visitors can explore the diverse flora, water features, and art exhibitions at the Cultural Center.
The garden’s historical significance as a former luxury hotel adds to its allure, making it a must-visit destination in Madeira for travelers seeking natural beauty and cultural experiences.
Admission is 17 Euros, so may not suit anyone with just a passing interest. But enthusiasts for history and plant life with love it.
18. Visit Fanal park for a picnic
Fanal is a park area towards the west of Madeira, part of the indigenous Laurissilva forest and with trees that are centuries old.
It is an open area of space, with fantastic views, and a completely different contrast to the more tropical parts of the island.
Here you can find cows grazing, stunning Til trees and if you visit when there is mist it takes on an enchanted and atmospheric quality.
19. Take photos at the Miradouras
Around the island, you’ll find incredible view points – Miradouras. Simply pull over the car and take time to appreciate the scenery or take some photos.
Miradouro do Ninho & Miradouro do Guindaste are two popular ones. But there are plenty around the island to choose from.
20. Climb to the highest peak on the island
The PR1, also known as Vereda do Areeiro, stands as a renowned hiking trail in Madeira, Portugal, offering magnificent panoramic vistas of the rugged mountain landscapes.
Starting from Pico do Areeiro, the third-highest peak on the island, this trail presents challenging terrain, including steep ascents and narrow ridges.
For intrepid hikers, the ultimate delight awaits at Pico Ruivo, Madeira’s highest peak at 1,861 meters, offering awe-inspiring 360-degree views of the island and the Atlantic Ocean.
There are many hikes in Madeira with comparable beauty and interest, but the PR1 is unique as a mountain peak to peak hike.
Find out more about this hike here.
21. Take a toboggan ride from Monte
The Monte Toboggan sledges are somewhat of a legend. Historically, these toboggans were used for locals wanting to descent quickly from Monte to Funchal.
Today, they are mainly used for the entertainment of tourists. A high octane experience, travelling down the hill in what looks like a giant basket!
Take the cable car up and the toboggan down!
22. Visit the CR7 museum
Full disclosure, we didn’t visit the CR7 museum. But I felt I ought to include it on this list as I know it is a popular activity for football fans visiting Madeira.
In case you are not aware, famous footballer Cristiano Ronaldo is from Madeira. There’s a big clue when you land at the airport, as it is actually named after him.
The CR7 is a museum on the edge of Funchal dedicated to all things Cristiano Ronaldo.
Entry is 5 Euros and it offers enough to browse for a few hours – if you’re a big fan!
23. Drink poncha
Poncha is a traditional drink in Madeira made from rum. The recipe includes lemon, honey and sugar cane.
Being completely honest, the first one tastes a little like a citrus flavoured paint stripper. But, after a few they are quite enjoyable.
Expect to pay around 3 to 4 Euros for a poncha at any of the local spots in Funchal. And choose from with or without ice. (With ice is better for the Poncha newbies!)
Our favourite bar to enjoy Poncha in Funchal is Rei da Poncha. The bar does get full, but you can stand with a drink until one becomes free.
24. See traditional houses in Santana
Santana is known for the ‘casinhas de Santana.’ These are triangle shaped houses with thatched roofs, unique to the area.
You can visit the Núcleo de Casas Típicas, which is a collection of typical houses arranged in a sort of museum.
25. Hike through tunnels and waterfalls
Our favourite hike on Madeira is the PR17. A long trail of around 13 miles. The reason that it was our favourite is that it involves walking through some epic long tunnels.
There are also countless waterfalls. So many that we almost stopped noticing them. Each one was an adventure, especially the waterfalls that we had to run through!
The PR17 is a super alternative to the popular Pico to Pico PR1 hike.
More details on this hike can be found here.
26. Bica da Cana view point
Bica da Cana was our favourite view point in Madeira. We came across it when hiking the PR17, but you don’t have to break a sweat to get there.
On a clear day, it offers panoramic views of Pico Ruivo (the highest peak in Madeira) and Nuns Valley. If it’s cloudy, stick around and sometimes the weather will burn off, offering incredible views.
Simply park up on the road and walk a short distance to the view point. There’s a picnic bench if you want to spend some time there.
27. Try canyoning in Madeira
Fancy trying something totally different? Madeira is a great place to try the adventurous sport of Canyoning. Level One classes are offered, so you don’t have to have any experience.
Where to stay in Madeira
It can be difficult to decide exactly where to stay on Madeira to get the best from your hiking holiday. Here are a few of our recommendations to help you decide.
Funchal
Funchal is the capital of the island and is where we chose to base ourselves for hiking and exploring the island. We really enjoyed the city, which has a good blend of culture, bars, restaurants and green space. Although we hiked every day, we also appreciated the chance to relax in one of Funchal’s many quaint streets with a glass of wine in the evening.
If you’re planning to hike and explore extensively and you want to have one base on the island, Funchal is a good choice. It is possible to park in one of the multi-story car parks overnight (they are reasonably priced at around 4 Euros for 24 hours.)
If you don’t have a car, Funchal is the best chance to get public transport and taxis or tours to see the rest of the island.
Funchal is also the best choice for travellers who want to complete a few hikes on the island but combine this with sight seeing too.
Where to stay in Funchal:
BUDGET: Jaca Hostel is a budget choice in the centre of Funchal. Although it is hostel style accommodation, it does not offer dorm rooms but instead single rooms for a budget price. Guests love the garden and sea views.
MID-RANGE: If staying in Funchal, we recommend getting an apartment with a central location. There are many great apartments with kitchens and even balconies for mid-range budget in Funchal. Apartament Burgo, Apartment Pracos, and Apartment Tanoieros (where we stayed) are great options.
LUXURY: Luxury doesn’t come more luxurious than The Reserve (a Savoy Hotel). With sea views, epic roof top pools, restaurants and immaculate service, this hotel is the height of Funchal fancy. As an alternative, if you’d rather a self-catered apartment, check out the plush Wine Lodges
Machicho
Machicho is the best place to stay to explore the east and south east of the island. It is a large town, with lots of accommodation and close to the PR8 and the Coastal Walk to the North West.
Find accommodation in Machicho here.
Seixal
Seixal is a small coastal village and one of our favourite places on Madeira, not least because it has a beautiful tidal pool and a beach. This is a good location for a couple of days and provides a chance to explore hikes and sights inland and around Fanal.
Find accommodation in Seixal here.
Ponta do Sol
Ponta do Sol is a small coastal town on the South of the island. This can be quite a good strategic location to get access to the roads north, east and west.
Find accommodation in Ponta do Sol here.
Getting around Madeira
There are many ways to get around Madeira. A public bus system exists and you can use this to get to some areas of the island, but not all.
Taxis are also available. Many people use Bolt to get around.
Finally, you can hire a car. We would strongly recommend hiring a car in Madeira if you plan to explore the island.
Find out more about how to drive in Madeira here.
Getting to Madeira
Regular flights run to Madeira from mainland Portugal, Spain, Germany & the UK. From London, the flight time to Madeira is just short of 4 hours.
There is also one direct flight per week from JFK in New York. Alternatively, Americans can fly to Madeira via Lisbon.
Written by Emma
Wine Lover. Yogi. Hiker. Writer.
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[…] You can find our full list of the 10 best hikes in Madeira here. And our guide to the 27 best things to do in Madeira here. […]
[…] it can grow bananas, avocados, sweet potato and they have an abundance of tuna fish too. We took a very fun food tour in Funchal, which showcased a selection of Madeira cuisine, including the famous wine. At latest count, there […]