Things to do in Madeira

Madeira is a paradise for hikers, nature lovers and those seeking a gentle pace of life.

Levada walks

Madeira has more than 2,000 kilometres of levadas, many with paths beside them. The Levada das 25 Fontes and Levada do Risco at Rabaçal lead to waterfalls. The Levada do Caldeirão Verde passes through tunnels and laurel forest. The Levada dos Balcões is an easy walk to a viewpoint. Bring a torch for tunnels and check trail status, as some trails close after storms. Non-residents over 12 pay a €3 fee per classified walking route (PR trails), introduced on the most popular routes in October 2024 and on all classified routes from 1 January 2025. Pay online through the regional Simplifica platform or at the ranger posts at trailheads; fines of up to €50 apply for walking without paying.

Pico do Arieiro to Pico Ruivo

This classic mountain hike connects the island's third highest peak, Pico do Arieiro (1,818 metres), with the highest, Pico Ruivo, via tunnels and stairs along dramatic ridges. Sunrise at Pico do Arieiro above a sea of clouds is unforgettable. Parts of the trail have closed due to fires and damage, so check before going.

Ponta de São Lourenço

The eastern peninsula's barren, multicoloured cliffs contrast with the green interior. The trail to the end is about 8 kilometres round trip.

Funchal

Visit the Mercado dos Lavradores, a 1940s market with exotic fruit and fish such as espada (black scabbardfish). Ride the cable car up to Monte, visit the Monte Palace Tropical Garden and the church where Emperor Charles I of Austria is buried, then descend by wicker toboggan cars (carros de cesto), pushed by drivers in straw hats. The Madeira Botanical Garden and Blandy's Wine Lodge are also worth seeing, as is the CR7 Museum.

Cabo Girão

One of the highest sea cliffs in Europe, Cabo Girão has a glass skywalk 580 metres above the ocean.

Natural pools

At Porto Moniz, swim in the volcanic rock pools. Seixal has black-sand beaches and natural pools surrounded by green mountains.

Whale and dolphin watching

Madeira's waters host various species, including sperm whales and bottlenose dolphins. Trips leave from Funchal and Calheta.

Madeira wine and food

Madeira wine is fortified and heated in a unique process. Try espetada (beef skewers on bay laurel sticks), bolo do caco (garlic butter bread), lapas (limpets), black scabbardfish with banana and poncha, a traditional drink made with sugarcane rum, honey and lemon.

Festivals

The Flower Festival in spring features parades and flower carpets. New Year's Eve fireworks over Funchal Bay are spectacular. The Atlantic Festival in June offers fireworks competitions.

Mercado dos Lavradores in detail

The Farmers' Market opened in 1940 and is decorated with azulejo tile panels showing local scenes. Downstairs, the fish hall displays the long, black espada and huge tuna each morning. Upstairs, fruit sellers offer passion fruit varieties, anonas (custard apples) and the banana-like monstera fruit, but ask for prices before tasting, since visitors are sometimes charged high rates per kilo.

Blandy's and the wine lodges

Blandy's Wine Lodge, in a former Franciscan monastery in central Funchal, offers tours explaining the estufagem and canteiro ageing methods, in which wine is heated or slowly aged in warm lofts. The four classic styles are named after grapes: Sercial (dry), Verdelho, Bual and Malvasia or Malmsey (sweetest). Old vintages can last for more than a century once opened.

Gardens of Funchal

Beyond Monte Palace, the Madeira Botanical Garden on the slopes above the city has native plants, succulents and a topiary garden. Palheiro Gardens, east of the city, were created by the Blandy family and are famous for camellias that bloom in winter. The small Quinta das Cruzes museum has gardens and fragments of old buildings.

Santana and the north-east

Santana's triangular thatched houses are among the most photographed sights on the island, and the village is the starting point for Queimadas and Caldeirão Verde. Nearby, Faial and Porto da Cruz are framed by the Eagle Rock (Penha d'Águia), and Porto da Cruz has a working sugarcane mill that produces rum.

Snorkelling and diving

The Garajau Marine Nature Reserve, created in 1986, is known for groupers and clear water, and dive centres in Caniço run trips. The sea around Madeira is cooler than many expect, from about 18°C in late winter to 23 to 24°C in late summer. Porto Santo's warmer, calmer beach is the place for long swims.

Levada walking etiquette

On narrow levada paths, walkers heading uphill or carrying heavy packs have priority, and you should step to the mountain side, never the drop side, to let others pass. Start popular routes such as 25 Fontes before 9:00 to avoid queues on the narrow sections.

Porto Santo

The neighbouring island of Porto Santo, reachable by ferry in about two and a half hours or a short flight, has a 9-kilometre golden sand beach. Christopher Columbus lived there.

Planning a levada walk: trail status and fees

Walking beside Madeira’s historic irrigation channels is one of the island’s best experiences. Start with a short, well-maintained route, check the official trail status on the morning of your walk, and check whether a trail fee applies for non-residents. Bring a head torch for routes with tunnels.

Seeing the island without driving

If you don’t want to drive mountain roads, base yourself in Funchal and combine city buses, the Monte cable car, taxis hired for half a day, and organised tours to reach the north coast, the peaks and the natural pools.

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