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Madeira is a volcanic island in the Atlantic Ocean, a Portuguese autonomous region lying off the coast of northwest Africa. Its steep mountains, green ravines and terraced slopes give it a dramatic profile, and a mild climate year-round has drawn visitors for generations. A network of levadas, old irrigation channels cut along the hillsides, now doubles as a system of walking paths.
Funchal, the capital, has a compact old town with a Manueline cathedral and painted doors on Rua de Santa Maria. The Mercado dos Lavradores sells tropical fruit, flowers and fish. A cable car rises to Monte, home to gardens and the traditional wicker toboggans that slide down the streets with drivers steering on foot. West of town, the Cabo Girão skywalk looks down a sheer sea cliff, and Câmara de Lobos is a fishing village. Inland, the trail between Pico do Arieiro and Pico Ruivo crosses the island's high peaks. Popular levada walks include the 25 Fontes and Rabaçal area and the Caldeirão Verde in the north. The misty Fanal plateau is known for its gnarled laurel trees. On the coast, Porto Moniz has natural lava pools, Seixal has a black sand beach, and Santana is known for its triangular thatched houses.
Madeira suits hikers, nature lovers and those seeking a mild escape. Weather varies sharply between coasts and mountains, so layers help.
WiserMap travel guideMadeira Portugal Levada Walks and Cabo Girão CliffsPlan a Madeira trip with this guide to Funchal, Monte, Cabo Girão, Pico Ruivo, levada walks, Porto Moniz pools, island food, seasons and getting around.Read the guide
The old quarter of Funchal, the Zona Velha, has narrow lanes with painted doors along Rua de Santa Maria and seafood restaurants. Nearby, the Sé Cathedral from about 1500 has a carved wooden ceiling. Walk the seafront promenade between the old town and the marina.
Porto Moniz on the northwest tip is known for natural swimming pools formed in black volcanic rock and filled by the Atlantic. A short drive east, Seixal has a black sand beach backed by green cliffs and waterfalls. Calm days are best for swimming in the pools.
A village on the north coast known for its traditional triangular thatched houses, painted red, white and blue. Some can be visited near the town hall, and the area is part of a UNESCO biosphere reserve. It is a good base for walks such as the Caldeirão Verde levada.
Funchal's main market in an Art Deco building from 1940, with tiled panels, stalls of exotic fruit, flowers, vegetables and a fish market selling black scabbardfish. Friday mornings are busiest. Taste fruit before buying, as some stalls charge tourist prices.
A hillside parish above Funchal, reached by cable car, with the Monte Palace Tropical Garden full of exotic plants, tiles and koi ponds, and the Church of Our Lady of Monte. Ride down in a traditional wicker toboggan steered by two drivers in white.
A garden on the hillside above Funchal with plants from Madeira and around the world, including cacti, palms and patterned flower beds, plus views over the bay. A cable car links it with Monte. Allow about two hours, and visit in the morning before the heat.
Cabo Girão is one of the highest sea cliffs in Europe, about 580 meters, with a glass-floored skywalk over the drop. Nearby Câmara de Lobos is a colorful fishing village with boats on the shore, once painted by Winston Churchill. Combine the two in a half-day trip.
Madeira's high peaks, joined by the spectacular PR1 trail along a jagged ridge with tunnels and stairs. Pico do Arieiro can be reached by car, and Pico Ruivo is the island's highest point at 1,862 meters. Check trail status before going, as it closes after storms.
A popular walk along an irrigation channel from Rabaçal into a green valley, ending at a pool fed by many small waterfalls. A side path goes to the Risco waterfall. Shuttle buses run down from the parking area on the main road, and the paths get crowded by midday.
A levada walk from Queimadas near Santana through laurel forest and tunnels to a tall waterfall in a green cauldron of cliffs. It is about 13 kilometers round trip and fairly level. Bring a flashlight for the tunnels and a raincoat for the spray.
The rocky eastern tip of Madeira, a dry and windswept peninsula of red and black cliffs. A trail of about 8 kilometers round trip leads to a viewpoint at the end, passing a small rest stop. It is very exposed, so bring sun protection and plenty of water.
A high plateau in the laurel forest of the northwest, known for its ancient twisted til trees growing on grassy slopes. When mist drifts through, it becomes one of the most atmospheric places on the island. Arrive early or late for fog photos, and keep to the paths.
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