Madeira Island Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Ponta do Sol featuring a coastal town and rocky coastline
Funchal which includes a coastal town, a sunset and mountains
Camara de Lobos which includes a bay or harbour and a coastal town
Camara de Lobos featuring boating, a bay or harbour and general coastal views
Funchal which includes landscape views, general coastal views and mist or fog

Madeira Island Travel Guide Video

Visit this dream-like island, home to lush vegetation, charming towns, haunting volcanic rock formations and mist-covered mountains.

Madeira Island offers truly spectacular natural scenery and warm temperatures year-round. Follow walking trails that run parallel to man-made irrigation channels and take in views of clear blue waters and green cliffs. Spot brightly colored and sweetly scented flowers in the spring. Chill out on sandy beaches, participate in exhilarating watersports or delve into the island’s fascinating cultural heritage.

One of the best ways to take in Madeira’s idyllic natural scenery is to enjoy a levada walk. The levadas are a series of mini-canals developed by early settlers to distribute water around the island. Explore a network of more than 870 miles (1,400 kilometers) of trails to find waterfalls and lagoons, as well as valleys, mountain ranges and laurel forests.

Brave the glass-floored skywalk at Cabo Girão, one of the highest ocean cliffs in the world. Standing 1,902 feet (580 meters) above the water, you can spot Funchal and Câmara de Lobos from this dramatic location.

Visit the gorgeous village of Santana, known for its multicolored A-framed cottages, called palheiros. These charming thatched-roof residences are unique to the island and well worth a visit.

See the ornate geometric patterns decorating the roof of Funchal's cathedral, Sé. Constructed in the 16th century, this Moorish-influenced cathedral also features beautiful Baroque altars, gilded choir stalls and intricate tiling.

Don’t miss the views over Funchal from Jardim Botanico, a beautiful botanical garden. Walk along the well-labeled paths and admire collections of cacti and anthuriums. Look for the overlapping roots of an ancient heather tree, which is said to be more than 10 million years old.

Calheta Beach may be man-made, but its golden sands and clear waters are nonetheless scenic. Canoe, windsurf, swim or stop for some fresh seafood at one of the restaurants found along the beach. Be sure to sample the region’s unique white rum called aguardente.

Madeira Island is located about 350 miles (563.3 kilometers) from Morocco. Regular flights leave daily from Lisbon.

Where to stay in Madeira Island

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Old Town Funchal

If you're spending some time in Old Town Funchal, Funchal-Monte Teleferico and Funchal Farmers Market are top sights worth seeing.

Old Town Funchal
Museum of Natural History which includes a city and street scenes

Sao Pedro

5/5(1 area review)

Sao Pedro is known for its colourful gardens, and you can plan a trip to Holy Trinity Church and Quinta das Cruzes Museum while you're in town.

Sao Pedro
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São Roque

São Roque is well liked for its restaurants. If you'd like to do some sightseeing in the greater Funchal area, you might plan a trip to Madeira Congress Center or Monte Palace Gardens.

São Roque
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Santana

Visitors to Santana rave about its fantastic nightlife, breathtaking beach views and beautiful gardens. You might also want to make some time to see Madeira Theme Park or Pico Das Pedras while you're exploring the neighbourhood.

Santana
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Imaculado Coracao de Maria

Visitors to Imaculado Coracao de Maria like its gardens and seaside views, and Quinta Palmeira is a sight worth a stop.

Imaculado Coracao de Maria
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Estrela da Calheta

Estrela da Calheta might not have many top sights, but 25 Fontes and Cascada da Risco and Paul do Mar Beach are two attractions nearby that you can check out.

Estrela da Calheta
 Saccharum Resort
Saccharum Resort
5 out of 5
Rua Serra de Água, 1, Calheta
The price is AU$403 per night from 6 Apr to 7 Apr
AU$403
includes taxes & fees
6 Apr - 7 Apr
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Calheta. Enjoy free WiFi, 2 outdoor pools, and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the property condition ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (852 reviews)
Great stay
"Had a great stay all the staff were great. We had an upgrade to a suite what was very nice of them. The location was lovely and allowed easy travel to all places. Overall would recommend hotel to anyone, I would also gladly return to this hotel."

Reviewed on 11 Feb. 2025

Saccharum Resort
Dreams Madeira Resort Spa & Marina - All Inclusive
Dreams Madeira Resort Spa & Marina - All Inclusive
5 out of 5
Sitio da Piedade, Machico, Madeira
The price is AU$484 per night from 1 Apr to 2 Apr
AU$484
includes taxes & fees
1 Apr - 2 Apr
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Machico. Enjoy free WiFi, 2 outdoor pools, and 7 restaurants. Popular attractions Ponta de Sao Lourenco and Madeira Whale ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (49 reviews)
"What a beautiful hotel! We loved the pool cafe/bar. The staff are extremely welcoming and the property is very clean. The drinks at the bars are also very good. We loved our stay here."

Reviewed on 24 Mar. 2025

Dreams Madeira Resort Spa & Marina - All Inclusive
Reid's Palace, A Belmond Hotel, Madeira
Reid's Palace, A Belmond Hotel, Madeira
5 out of 5
Estrada Monumental 139, Funchal
The price is AU$1,058 per night from 7 Apr to 8 Apr
AU$1,058
includes taxes & fees
7 Apr - 8 Apr
Book a stay at this beach hotel in Funchal. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular attractions ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (560 reviews)
"Unique experience"

Reviewed on 26 Mar. 2025

Reid's Palace, A Belmond Hotel, Madeira
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Village Cabo Girao
Village Cabo Girao
4 out of 5
Rua 1º de Julho, nº 2, Camara de Lobos
Stay at this 4-star spa aparthotel in Camara de Lobos. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the property condition in our ...
9/10 Wonderful! (182 reviews)
Last-minute
"This was a last-minute booking as i had mislaid my passport. I made it to check-in with 1 minute to spare"

Reviewed on 4 Jan. 2025

Village Cabo Girao
Dom Pedro Garajau
Dom Pedro Garajau
3 out of 5
Estrada do Garajau, 131, Santa Cruz
Stay at this 3-star family-friendly aparthotel in Santa Cruz. Enjoy 2 outdoor pools, a 24-hour front desk, and daily housekeeping. Our guests praise the helpful ...
7.2/10 Good! (436 reviews)
"Ideal spot if staying in Madeira for the first time. Easy access to Funchal and the place is really quiet and safe."

Reviewed on 29 Dec. 2024

Dom Pedro Garajau
Florasol Residence Hotel
Florasol Residence Hotel
3 out of 5
Estrada Monumental 306, Funchal
Stay at this 3-star eco-certified aparthotel in Funchal. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and onsite spa services. Our guests praise the helpful staff ...
8/10 Very Good! (182 reviews)
"Very good location. Would recommend highly"

Reviewed on 19 Feb. 2025

Florasol Residence Hotel
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Activities

Cities near Madeira Island