Madeira Island Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Ponta do Sol featuring a coastal town and rocky coastline
Funchal which includes a coastal town, a sunset and mountains
Camara de Lobos which includes a bay or harbour and a coastal town
Camara de Lobos featuring boating, a bay or harbour and general coastal views
Funchal which includes landscape views, general coastal views and mist or fog

Madeira Island Travel Guide Video

Visit this dream-like island, home to lush vegetation, charming towns, haunting volcanic rock formations and mist-covered mountains.

Madeira Island offers truly spectacular natural scenery and warm temperatures year-round. Follow walking trails that run parallel to man-made irrigation channels and take in views of clear blue waters and green cliffs. Spot brightly colored and sweetly scented flowers in the spring. Chill out on sandy beaches, participate in exhilarating watersports or delve into the island’s fascinating cultural heritage.

One of the best ways to take in Madeira’s idyllic natural scenery is to enjoy a levada walk. The levadas are a series of mini-canals developed by early settlers to distribute water around the island. Explore a network of more than 870 miles (1,400 kilometers) of trails to find waterfalls and lagoons, as well as valleys, mountain ranges and laurel forests.

Brave the glass-floored skywalk at Cabo Girão, one of the highest ocean cliffs in the world. Standing 1,902 feet (580 meters) above the water, you can spot Funchal and Câmara de Lobos from this dramatic location.

Visit the gorgeous village of Santana, known for its multicolored A-framed cottages, called palheiros. These charming thatched-roof residences are unique to the island and well worth a visit.

See the ornate geometric patterns decorating the roof of Funchal's cathedral, Sé. Constructed in the 16th century, this Moorish-influenced cathedral also features beautiful Baroque altars, gilded choir stalls and intricate tiling.

Don’t miss the views over Funchal from Jardim Botanico, a beautiful botanical garden. Walk along the well-labeled paths and admire collections of cacti and anthuriums. Look for the overlapping roots of an ancient heather tree, which is said to be more than 10 million years old.

Calheta Beach may be man-made, but its golden sands and clear waters are nonetheless scenic. Canoe, windsurf, swim or stop for some fresh seafood at one of the restaurants found along the beach. Be sure to sample the region’s unique white rum called aguardente.

Madeira Island is located about 350 miles (563.3 kilometers) from Morocco. Regular flights leave daily from Lisbon.

Where to stay in Madeira Island

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Old Town Funchal

If you're spending some time in Old Town Funchal, Funchal-Monte Teleferico and Funchal Farmers Market are top sights worth seeing.

Old Town Funchal
Museum of Natural History featuring a city and street scenes

Sao Pedro

5/5(1 area review)

Sao Pedro is known for its colourful gardens, and you can plan a trip to Santa Clara Monastery and Holy Trinity Church while you're in town.

Sao Pedro
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São Roque

São Roque is well liked for its restaurants. If you'd like to do some sightseeing in the greater Funchal area, you might plan a trip to Madeira Congress Center or Monte Palace Gardens.

São Roque
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Santana

Visitors to Santana rave about its fantastic nightlife, breathtaking beach views and beautiful gardens. You might also want to make some time to see Madeira Theme Park or Santana Traditional Houses while you're exploring the neighbourhood.

Santana
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Estrela da Calheta

Estrela da Calheta might not have many top sights, but 25 Fontes and Cascada da Risco and Paul do Mar Beach are two attractions nearby that you can check out.

Estrela da Calheta
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Imaculado Coracao de Maria

Visitors to Imaculado Coracao de Maria like its gardens and seaside views, and Quinta Palmeira is a sight worth a stop.

Imaculado Coracao de Maria
Reid's Palace, A Belmond Hotel, Madeira

Reid's Palace, A Belmond Hotel, Madeira

5 out of 5
Estrada Monumental 139, Funchal
The price is AU$1,226 per night from 7 Sept to 8 Sept
AU$1,226
7 Sept - 8 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Funchal. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular attractions ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (581 reviews)
"-"

Reviewed on 23 Jun. 2025

Reid's Palace, A Belmond Hotel, Madeira
 Saccharum Resort

Saccharum Resort

5 out of 5
Rua Serra de Água, 1, Calheta
The price is AU$626 per night from 26 Aug to 27 Aug
AU$626
26 Aug - 27 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Calheta. Enjoy free WiFi, 2 outdoor pools, and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the property condition ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (920 reviews)
"I stayed at Saccharum Resort & Spa and while the stunning views are an obvious highlight, what really stood out to me was the hotel’s design. It honours its past as a former sugar cane factory — with original machinery cleverly integrated into the lobby and hallways. Think softened brutalism: raw ..."

Reviewed on 5 Aug. 2025

Saccharum Resort
Dreams Madeira Resort Spa & Marina - All Inclusive

Dreams Madeira Resort Spa & Marina - All Inclusive

5 out of 5
Sitio da Piedade, Machico, Madeira
The price is AU$667 per night from 1 Sept to 2 Sept
AU$667
1 Sept - 2 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Machico. Enjoy free WiFi, 3 outdoor pools, and a full-service spa. Popular attractions Madeira Whale Museum and Sao Lourenco ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (107 reviews)
"Beautiful! A lovely stay."

Reviewed on 12 Jul. 2025

Dreams Madeira Resort Spa & Marina - All Inclusive
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Florasol Residence Hotel

Florasol Residence Hotel

3 out of 5
Estrada Monumental 306, Funchal
Stay at this 3-star eco-certified aparthotel in Funchal. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and onsite spa services. Our guests praise the helpful staff ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (202 reviews)
"Amazing staff especially Marcia"

Reviewed on 15 Jun. 2025

Florasol Residence Hotel
Dom Pedro Garajau

Dom Pedro Garajau

3 out of 5
Estrada do Garajau, 131, Santa Cruz
Stay at this 3-star family-friendly aparthotel in Santa Cruz. Enjoy 2 outdoor pools, a 24-hour front desk, and daily housekeeping. Our guests praise the helpful ...
7.2/10 Good! (450 reviews)
Nice place for a few days
"Nice place. Welcoming/check in was ok, but not exceptional. No explanation on the wifi (just available in the lobby), the pools, and other services available to us. The room was clean but dated. No AC and no Wifi in the room."

Reviewed on 16 Jul. 2025

Dom Pedro Garajau
Terrace Mar

Terrace Mar

3 out of 5
Travessa do Valente 7, Funchal
Stay at this 3-star spa aparthotel in Funchal. Enjoy free WiFi, a rooftop terrace, and room service. Popular attractions CR7 Museum and Barreiros Stadium are ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (99 reviews)
4 star all round
"very helpfull would stay again"

Reviewed on 18 Feb. 2025

Terrace Mar
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Activities

Cities near Madeira Island