Things to do in Madeira Islands, Madeira Islands: The Best Sights & Landmarks

March 18, 2022 Flossie Demartino

The Madeira Islands are a stunning archipelago in the middle of the Atlantic — a place of lush greenery and rugged mountains 1,000km from the European mainland. where you can hike in the morning, surf in the afternoon, and finish your day in a fine restaurant where the breathtaking view is complemented by unforgettable Mediterranean or traditional Madeira cuisine.
Restaurants in Madeira Islands

1. Valley of the Nuns

Caminho da Padaria, Curral das Freiras, Camara De Lobos, Madeira 9030-314 Portugal http://www.jf-curraldasfreiras.pt/pag/historia.html
Excellent
59%
Good
31%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
2%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,153 reviews

Valley of the Nuns

The "Nuns Valley" is a small village situated in the crater of an extinct volcano, which has kept its 16th-century Santa Clara Convent where the nuns used to hide from pirates who were attacking Funchal.

Reviewed By bryanmg141 - Oldbury, United Kingdom

Our trip (with Lido Tours) included going to the top Pico de Arieiro so we could look down on the village, then onto the village itself where we enjoyed some chestnut bread and chestnut cake and had a sample of chestnut liqueur.. And we visited the chestnut museum! We didn't actually have time to eat anything in the restaurant itself, but did see people eating - you guessed it - roasted chestnuts! It's only a small place, but nice for a gentle wander - and don't miss the church, it's also pretty spectacular, especially given the size of the village. Our trip then went on to Camara de Lobos, another beauty spot where we thoroughly enjoyed a glass of poncha.

2. Santa Clara Convent

Calcada Santa Clara 15, Funchal, Madeira 9000-036 Portugal +351 291 742 602 http://www.visitmadeira.pt/en-gb/explore/detalhe/santa-clara-convent
Excellent
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Terrible
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Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 479 reviews

Santa Clara Convent

Reviewed By marg826 - Coventry, United Kingdom

If you want to step in the footsteps of the first explorers then come here and see the amazing Convent which is still in use today. It is so worth the climb up the hill!

3. Blandy's Wine Lodge

Avenida Arriaga 28, Funchal, Madeira 9000-064 Portugal +351 291 228 978 [email protected] http://www.blandyswinelodge.com
Excellent
46%
Good
39%
Satisfactory
11%
Poor
3%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 3,403 reviews

Blandy's Wine Lodge

Acquired in 1840 by Charles Ridpath Blandy, the Blandy's Wine Lodge has always been and is still an integral part of the production of Blandy's Madeira Wine. Located in the center of Funchal, Blandy's Wine Lodge allows visitors to Madeira an opportunity to experience first hand Madeira Wine in the making. Our tours will guide you through some of the history of the wine, its development and evolution, as well as the opportunity to taste the various styles of Madeira. Blandy's Madeira celebrated its bicentennial in 2011, the Blandy Wine Lodges give you a privileged perspective on 200 years of Madeira Wine. The lodge was bought by Charles Ridpath in the mid-19th century and not only was it an extremely valuable property, but was also very useful due to the fact that it was directly connected to the family's town house. Each one of the Lodge's rooms have their own character and due to the differing temperatures and humidity, the wines all have differing ageing profiles based on their location within the lodge. The eastern warehouse holds wine dating back to 1920 and the family's private vintage collection is held within thick stone walls, below the ground floor. The museum holds artefacts that include letters from Sir. Winston Churchill, coins from Blandy's bank and the island's oldest wooden lagar, dating back to the 17th Century. Murals from the renowned German artist Max Romer decorate the tasting room and references from the company's wide range of vintage wines are held in the sala frasqueira. Today the Lodge is the heart of the family's wine business where over 650 casks, tonnels and vats are stored, ageing the finest of the family's wines in the traditional canteiro method.

Reviewed By wendyanddavid536 - Solihull, United Kingdom

We did the 45 minute tour; brilliant guide, plenty to see, two different styles of Madeira wine to sample at the end of the tour, with the possibility of paying a very reasonable amount to sample many other wines, which we did! If you then buy a bottle of the wine that you sampled, the cost of the sample is deducted from the purchase price (and an additional 10% deducted if you had done the tour, so we ended up with two nice bottles of Madeira for 16.40 euros. Most helpfully, they give you a voucher to pick up the bottles at the airport after you have gone through security.

4. Cabo Girao

Camara De Lobos, Madeira Portugal +351 925 474 763
Excellent
60%
Good
31%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 6,144 reviews

Cabo Girao

Reviewed By cliffm445 - Slough, United Kingdom

Popular spot. Good place for picking up buses, taxis or the great Green Train down to the coastal resort of Camara dos Lobos You will pay through the nose at the cafe - tea, coffee and custard tarts @ €15 would almost buy a meal for two with wine locally

5. Faja dos Padres

Estrada Padre Antonio Dinis Henriques 1 Quinta Grande, Madeira 9300-261 Portugal +351 291 944 538 [email protected] http://www.fajadospadres.com/
Excellent
67%
Good
21%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
3%
Terrible
3%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 363 reviews

Faja dos Padres

An out-of-the world organic farm comprising 9 rental cottages, a beach and a restaurant, located by the sea in Madeira island southern coast. Access to the property is done exclusively by a cable car that takes you down a huge cliff with more than 300 m to Faja dos Padres, or by boat.

Reviewed By MajelleW1

Amazing place to relax and discover Madeira. The only way to get to Faja dos Padres is by cablecar that takes you down one of the most beautiful cliffs of Madeira. It operates all day long until 19:00 hours and then between 21:00 and 22:00 h. My house Julia was immediately at the sea on the cliff with a breathtaking view and with my own terrace with a lot of privacy. A lot of reading there in the sun, when I wasn't discovering the island, and enjoying the sunset every night. Faja dos Padres has its own biological farm where they grow vegetables and fruit. You'll walk in between the fruittrees to your house and to the restaurant. So in their restaurant, again immediately at the sea with a beautiful view, you always get fresh biological fruit and vegetables... and of course fresh fish. The only disadvantage is that they often already close at 17:00 hours. It would be great if that would change to at least 19:00 h. The team of Faja dos Padres is always available for questions. Tip: ask the manager Bruno for tips to discover the island. I've seen a lot of beautiful places all over the island because of that.

6. Quinta Vigia

Avenida Infante, Funchal, Madeira 9000-015 Portugal
Excellent
54%
Good
40%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
0%
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Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 63 reviews

Quinta Vigia

Reviewed By janethW4741PH

This is the President's garden and is generally open on weekdays . It is attached to the Santa Catarinha park and entrance is 1 Euro (bargain) Immaculately kept(well done to the gardeners) and full of interest with lovely views over the port . Not keen on the caged birds,macaws and peacocks which looked sad and bored and needed bigger cages and enrichment or even freedom but the gardens themselves were lovely

7. Igreja do Colegio Sao Joao Evangelista

Largo do Colegio, Funchal, Madeira 9000-000 Portugal +351 291 233 534
Excellent
69%
Good
30%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
0%
Terrible
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Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 198 reviews

Igreja do Colegio Sao Joao Evangelista

Reviewed By LindaW587 - Tewkesbury, United Kingdom

This is one of the most beautiful churches I have ever seen. It is in the centre of Funchal and the ornate interior is breathtaking with so much gold and tiling. Well worth a visit.

8. Holy Trinity Church

Rua Quebra Costas 18, Funchal, Madeira 9000-034 Portugal +351 965 653 280 [email protected] http://www.holytrinitychurchmadeira.com
Excellent
62%
Good
30%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
1%
Terrible
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4.5 based on 185 reviews

Holy Trinity Church

An Anglican (Church of England) Church in Funchal, Madeira - providing for the spiritual and pastoral needs of the english speaking community and visitors to Madeira. Holy Trinity Church - Important Information (14th March 2020) Due to the current Covid-19 Pandemic, it announced that all organised group activity in the church, its associated buildings, the grounds and the British Cemetery is suspended until further notice. This will include all organised meetings, no matter how small, as well, of course, the church services. We hope to be able to open again as soon as circumstances and the legal regulations pertaining to the pandemic allow. In the meantime, please Stay At Home and Stay Safe !

Reviewed By Jrd1208 - Manchester, United Kingdom

Services every Sunday ad Wednesday. Coffee morning on Saturday. Other events on website. Nightly concerts and also on Friday morning and Saturday afternoon. Check last only started February 2020. Visitors are made very welcome especially if they offer their services for various activities

9. Colegio dos Jesuitas do Funchal

Rua dos Ferreiros, Funchal, Madeira 9000-082 Portugal +351 291 705 060 [email protected] http://www.colegiodosjesuitas.pt
Excellent
54%
Good
40%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
0%
Terrible
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4.5 based on 565 reviews

Colegio dos Jesuitas do Funchal

Founded by royal charter of D. Sebastiao in 1569, the Jesuits' College of Funchal marked, throughout the centuries, the lives of the inhabitants of Madeira Island. For more than 400 years of history, it served a number of tenants, from British invaders to the University of Madeira, coming to serve as a military facility and a number of schools. Despite its military applications, it has always kept a close relationship with education. Portrayed as "one of the most remarkable buildings that exist in the island" by historian and professor at the University of Madeira Rui Carita, the Jesuits' College of Funchal is the stage of a cultural and scientific awareness project lead by the Students' Union meant for both local residents and visitors of the region. The inauguration of another Gaudeamus - AAUMa Academic Store at the entrance of the College was the starting point of its opening for the general public. Added to it was a circuit of autonomous tours of the College, as well as monthly gatherings for Coimbra Fado and a service of guided tours, whose circuit includes reserved areas of the University of Madeira Rectory, among others. The Students' Union has also published The Jesuits' College of Funchal - A History, by Rui Carita, a book that narrates the history of the College, its tenants and its transformations throughout the centuries. These are projects that, above all, show the spirit of this institution, which benefits from a precious asset both scarce and undervalued in this country; the volunteer work and the dedication of a solid team. Everyone's contribute will be vital, even if in the form of a simple visit to our store. Only then will we be able to continue financing all of the projects that we have to offer to both our associates and the population, whether free of charge or under a symbolic price.

Reviewed By GeorgesVer - Antwerp, Belgium

The facade is magnificent, so is the typical Jesuit interior of the church. Drop in when you are in the neighborhood, it is worth the effort

10. Miradouro Pico Dos Barcelos

Estrada Comandante Camacho de Freitas, Funchal, Madeira Portugal http://www.visitmadeira.pt/pt-pt/explorar/detalhe/miradouro-do-pico-dos-barcelos
Excellent
48%
Good
42%
Satisfactory
10%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 643 reviews

Miradouro Pico Dos Barcelos

Reviewed By 462antonv - Newquay, United Kingdom

We bought tickets on the Yellow hop-on-hop-off bus and this is one of the stops along the route. The bus stops for a few minutes for you to take photos, but if you don't get off the bus and have a walk around, you are missing the best of the views. Simply walk up the hill, through the car park and gardens and you come across a viewpoint across the whole of Funchal. It's superb and not to be missed! There is a cafe at the top - you can sit back and take in these views. Highly recommended!

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