9 Things to Do in Madeira That You Shouldn't Miss

December 10, 2017 Emerita Lamoureux

Breezy Madeira is an eponymous island in the Madeira Islands, a Portuguese archipelago. The capital city of Funchal was settled in the 15th century and is a colorful collection of gardens, religious sites, and quirky tourist attractions like the thatched-roof Madeira Story Centre. Hike to the summit of Pico Ruivo and you’ll feel like you’ve climbed through the clouds. Unwind over a glass of Madeira wine, an historic fortified beverage that’s musky and subtly sweet.
Restaurants in Madeira

1. Monte Cable Car

Avenida do Mar | Jardim do Almirante Reis, Funchal, Madeira 9000-900, Portugal +351 291 780 280
Excellent
54%
Good
36%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 11 reviews

Monte Cable Car

Reviewed By Penny.M - England

We were staying in Madeira and purposely chose to do the cable car when there were no cruise ships in to avoid the queues. It is a good trip that provides great views over Funchal. It is probably one of the must dos in Madeira. No good if you are afraid of heights but we felt very safe. The cars run continuously and it is all very organised. We felt it was good value for money. You would not need to be on an organised trip to do this. Just walk to the entrance and pay, avoid paying the inflated cruise trip prices. It is a 10-15 minute walk on the flat Promenade from the cruise ship port in Funchal.

2. Pico do Arieiro

E 202, Funchal, Madeira 9000-900, Portugal +351 912 752 587
Excellent
76%
Good
19%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 5 reviews

Pico do Arieiro

Reviewed By scorpio001 - UK

Our visit here was part of an organised tour. It was well-worth the visit It does to get the views above the cloud line. It does get very busy, so be prepared for crowds at the summit. Take a warm coat/hat as it does feel very cold at 1800m above sea level!

3. Ponta de Sao Lourenco

Baia da Abra, Machico, Madeira, Portugal
Excellent
73%
Good
23%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1 reviews

Ponta de Sao Lourenco

Reviewed By Lesterbeach - Winnipeg, Canada

There is a large parking lot but no washrooms. The trailhead is easy to spot behind the sign. The walk is quite desolate. There are no trees but lots of wildflowers. We walked halfway to Esperito which is quite a climb. The stairs are good but there are hundreds of them. There are some gorgeous lookout points where you can see the sea on both sides. It was rainy in Funchal but beautiful blue skies here.

4. Universo de Memorias Joao Carlos Abreu

Calcada Pico 2 | Centro Cívico e Cultural de Santa Clara, Funchal, Madeira 9000-206, Portugal +351 291 225 122
Excellent
80%
Good
17%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5 based on 153 reviews

Universo de Memorias Joao Carlos Abreu

Reviewed By nadi O o - Israel

One of the most interesting places in Madeira. This person Abreu did a wonderful job and the collection is marvelous. The house itself is a pearl. The stuff is nice and welcoming. Do not miss!!!!Thank you for your kind words and thank you for your testimony. You're always welcome

5. Levada Caldeirao Verde

Parque Florestal das Queimadas, Santana, Madeira, Portugal
Excellent
75%
Good
22%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 539 reviews

Levada Caldeirao Verde

Reviewed By MichaelGorm - Denmark

Not for people with vertigo, as the trail takes you on a narrow levada walk. At the end, continue the 100 meters up to the green lagoon with a stunning waterfall. 100s of photo opportunities on this walk!

6. Miradouro da Ponta do Rosto

Off ER109 | Saída da ER109, Canical, Madeira, Portugal
Excellent
77%
Good
19%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 97 reviews

Miradouro da Ponta do Rosto

Reviewed By GadiGi - Tel Aviv, Israel

An amazing site. From one site you can see the Northern and eastern costs of Madeira. Amazing photos, winds and good place to enjoy nature in it's best

7. Igreja do Colegio Sao Joao Evangelista

Rua Ferreiros 105 | 9000-082, Funchal, Madeira 9000-082, Portugal
Excellent
66%
Good
33%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 110 reviews

Igreja do Colegio Sao Joao Evangelista

Reviewed By Terry W - Bracknell, United Kingdom

Whilst meandering around the streets, you must visit this wonderful church, even if you are not religious. The sheer splendour of the architecture and the ornate works inside are beautiful.
Do ensure that your flash is turned off as a curtesy to others, also no sound on the cameras too.

8. Porto Moniz Natural Swimming Pools

Rua do Lugar, Porto Moniz, Madeira 9270-156, Portugal +351 291 850 190
Excellent
63%
Good
30%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 2 reviews

Porto Moniz Natural Swimming Pools

Reviewed By Nik R - Varna, Bulgaria

It is an interesting natural formation created when hot lava met the cold ocean and it is turned into a public swimming pool with amenities (showers, changing rooms, etc) therefore you have to pay 1.50 € to use it. If it is windy or the sea is rough, the waves crash into the natural barrier and jump inside the pools. A number of restaurants and a nice cafeteria are close-by, and a free parking lot is there on a large gravel area. You can find a similar formation about 200 meters away from the main one but no life-guards are there. We'd love to try it but we didn't have our swimming suits :).

9. Cabo Girao

Camara De Lobos, Madeira, Portugal +351 925 474 763
Excellent
63%
Good
29%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 4 reviews

Cabo Girao

Reviewed By Anne001_12 - Bristol, United Kingdom

We took the yellow tourist bus from Camara de Lobos where it was sunny. As we drove up the mountain it got more and more cloudy. At the top we could not see a thing but had to wait 40 minutes for the next bus. There is a small cafe and a rather tacky gift shop but nothing else. No doubt the glass walkway would be spectacular on a clear day but the weather let us down.

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