What are the must-see places to visit in Madeira?
The must-see places in Madeira are Pico do Arieiro and Pico Ruivo above the clouds, Funchal's Old Town and market, the Cabo Girão skywalk, the Porto Moniz rock pools, Fanal Forest, the Ponta de São Lourenço peninsula, and the 25 Fontes waterfalls at Rabaçal. With a car, all of them are within about an hour of Funchal.
The list
- Pico do Arieiro (1,818 m): sunrise above the clouds, and the start of the hike to Pico Ruivo (1,862 m), the island's highest point. Permit needed for the hike.
- Funchal: the Old Town, the Mercado dos Lavradores, the cable car to Monte and the wicker toboggans.
- Cabo Girão: a glass skywalk on one of Europe's highest sea cliffs, 20 minutes west of Funchal.
- Porto Moniz: volcanic rock pools filled by the Atlantic on the north-west tip.
- Fanal Forest: centuries-old laurel trees, at their best in the mist.
- Ponta de São Lourenço: a bare volcanic peninsula at the eastern end. Permit needed.
- 25 Fontes and Risco at Rabaçal: a levada trail to two waterfalls. Permit needed.
- Santana and Seixal: thatched A-frame houses on the north coast, and a black-sand beach under green cliffs.
How to fit them in
Group them by area: Funchal and Cabo Girão in the south, Pico do Arieiro and Santana in the centre and north-east, Porto Moniz, Seixal and Fanal in the north-west, and Ponta de São Lourenço in the east. Four days covers the list with a car.
Permits
The hikes at Pico do Arieiro, Ponta de São Lourenço and 25 Fontes are classified trails that need a dated permit from the government (4.50 EUR per visitor over 12; 10.50 EUR for Pico do Arieiro to Pico Ruivo). Book them before you plan the rest.
FAQ
- What are the must-see places in Madeira?
- Pico do Arieiro and Pico Ruivo, Funchal, Cabo Girão, Porto Moniz, Fanal Forest, Ponta de São Lourenço and the 25 Fontes waterfalls.
- What is Madeira's most famous view?
- Sunrise above the clouds at Pico do Arieiro, the island's third-highest peak, which you can drive to.
- Can I see Madeira without hiking?
- Yes. Pico do Arieiro, Cabo Girão, Porto Moniz, Fanal Forest and Funchal are all reachable by car with short walks.