Location: Madeira
Top Things to do in Madeira
The 8 Best Nature & Wildlife Areas in Madeira, Madeira Islands
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. Laurissilva Forest
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 129 reviews
This type of wild and scenic forest landscape is fast becoming a rare sight along the Mediterranean, and Madeira is one of the few places where they still exist.
Reviewed By Lily-Worldtraveler - The Netherlands, null
The laurissilva is a beautiful and mystical part of Madeira. From Ribeiro Frio you can do a really easy (flat) and relaxing levada walk to Balcoes (balcony) that will end at a 'balcony' overlooking the surrounding area. I definitely recommend doing that walk when you are in the neighborhood.
2. Parque Ribeira Primeira
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 64 reviews
CARE FOR NATURE; NATURE WILL CARE FOR YOU The “Parque Ribeira Primeira” (First Creek Park) main objective is to offer a close contact with Nature. Besides fishing Rainbow Trout and tasting your catch grilled on site, it is also possible to know their life cycle and understand how they live and reproduce. The entire Park is design and thought to be as Nature wisely is and allows, working with Nature, respecting Life and the Natural succession of seasons, with a constant and beautiful change in the landscape. The open air barbecue area is not a restaurant but a place where friends can gather to taste the freshest fish in Madeira. Everything is cooked with wood and in front of everybody. We can offer you: - Normal visit or Guided visit (30 to 45 minute walk “All about Nature and how we are also part of it” - minimum 8 people) - Trout fishing (we have all that is needed) - Explanation about all the lies fisherman truly say - Explanation about what is really fresh fish - Barbecue meals (your fresh trout or traditional “Espetada (beef) on a fresh laurel stick - Sandwiches, toasts, coffee, tea, scones and home made cakes - Special events on request. You can also experience a Levada Walk along the Levada da Serra do Faial (10 minutes walk from the Park) while we prepare your meal. Please come and visit us. This a magical place where children act as children and adults become children.
Reviewed By barbararlr09 - Düsseldorf, Germany
Só tenho a dizer maravilhas do sítio!! Chegamos e fomos recebidos com uma poncha deliciosa, todo o staff muito simpático, disponível e pronto para ajudar (éramos uma família grande com crianças e uma bebe, e rapidamente disponibilizaram-se a arranjar uma outra mesa que pudéssemos estar mais à vontade). A comida estava divinal (recomendo muito o entrecosto e a espetada regional). O vinho da casa também muito bom. Depois do almoço fomos com as crianças pescar trutas. Uma vez mais o staff foi incansável e muito amável. Passou a ser um dos meus locais favoritos da ilha! Recomendo vivamente. All I have is wonderful things to say about this place! We arrived and were greeted with a delicious Poncha (tradicional alcoholic drink). The staff was very friendly, available and ready to help (we were a big family with children and a baby, and quickly made themselves available to get another table that we could be more comfortable with). The food was divine (I highly recommend ribs and meat skewer in a laurel stick). The wine was also very good. After lunch we went with the children to fish trouts. Once again the staff was tireless and very kind. It became one of my favorite places on the island! I highly recommend it.
3. Levada Caldeirao do Inferno
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 61 reviews
Reviewed By CaptChaos179 - Winchester, United Kingdom
We planned to do this as an extension of the Caldeira Verde. They final waterfall although not as full and flowing as Verde has it owns charm and their are many delights along the way. It is around 2.5 hours extra on top of the Verde taking photos and a brief lunch stop. The Levada walk has been greatly improved over last year or so, it is there fore not as dangerous as some would have you believe. It does have quite a hard climb half way along (when you get to the railway tracks it is over) One of our group got vertigo on the next bit - the usual drop to the side but still the safety wires but the Levada briefly widens significantly here perhaps making them feel more exposed. If anyone does not want to continue they can admire the views and wait for you to return on the way back. There are many tunnels (but not lower than Verde but wetter and more uneven. The second of the bridges by the two waterfalls in crag between the has dodgy metal planks so you may want to straddle the beams as the planks move a lot, make sounds but didn't give way. You hear these feeder waterfalls from the beginning of a long tunnel building the expectation. The final climb to Inferno is a little rocky but pleasant and you reach your destination. All you have to do is return by the same route. The views and experi noes are even better than the Verde and thinking about men hanging from ropes from the top of the mountain to hack out the Levadas by hand will have you in awe and respect. A bucket list walk
4. Levada dos Cedros
5. Ponta de Sao Lourenco
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,422 reviews
Reviewed By robertmC6829LO
Really enjoyed the walk across to end of the headland. Rock formation is fascinating. Great views. Dolphins seen in the bay. Tip - the excellent path is rough in places and I would recommend wearing good trainers or walking boots to support your feet.
6. Reserva Natural da Rocha do Navio
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 117 reviews
Reviewed By funq1
We visited in with ter but on a lovely sunny day. From the top there are great views along g the coast. We decided to walk down - this was fine to do - slightly slippery in places and would be tricky on a wet day but perfect ok. There were great views of the coastline and waterfalls on the way down. At the bottom it was great to watch the rollers coming in from the Atlantic. We then took the cable car back up to the top for €3 each. This was a great place to visit with spectacular views even for Madeira. This was ideal as part of a walk around the Santana area and readily accessible by bus from Funchal.
7. Miradouros Do Paredao
8. Reserva Florestal de Recreio da Silveira
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 1 reviews
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