Best Places to Visit in Madeira: With its diverse landscape and rich cultural heritage, Madeira, is a tourist destination that captivates travellers from around the world. Among its various gems, some destinations offer everything from dramatic landscapes to vibrant festivals, providing unique and unforgettable experiences for visitors.
In this article, we will explore the top 10 places to visit in Madeira during your vacation, each with its own magic and irresistible attractions. From picturesque villages to dizzying viewpoints, get ready to discover the hidden treasures of this charming island.
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Madeira Island
Madeira is a Portuguese archipelago in the Atlantic Ocean, consisting of two main islands (Madeira and Porto Santo) and two groups of uninhabited islands (Desertas and Selvagens). It is a highly sought-after tourist destination for its natural beauty, wine, cuisine, and traditions.
Madeira has a volcanic origin and a diverse geography. The island is covered by a laurel forest, which is a UNESCO natural heritage site and a refuge for many endemic species of flora and fauna. Madeira also has a rich culture, influenced by its history of discovery, colonization, and trade. Some of its symbols are the Santana houses, honey cake, and poncha, as well as popular festivals like Carnival and the Flower Festival.
The climate of Madeira is subtropical, with mild and stable temperatures throughout the year. The island benefits from the trade winds, which bring humidity and rain, mainly to the north coast and highlands. The south coast is drier and sunnier, where most cities and tourist accommodations are concentrated. The best time to visit Madeira depends on individual interests and preferences, but there is always something to see and do at any time of the year.
10 Best Places to Visit in Madeira on Your Holidays
Caniçal
Our first best places to visit in Madeira is Caniçal. It is a fishing village on the east coast of Madeira Island, belonging to the municipality of Machico. It is the oldest parish on the island, with a strong religious tradition. On the third weekend of September, the feast of Our Lady of Mercy, the patron saint of fishermen, takes place, involving a maritime procession and a decorated boat contest.
In addition to its heritage, Caniçal also offers beautiful natural landscapes, such as Ponta de São Lourenço, the easternmost point of the island, which has a pedestrian trail with stunning views of the sea and rocks.
Curral das Freiras
Curral das Freiras is a village situated in a deep valley surrounded by high mountains. Its name means “nun’s corral,” as it was the place where the nuns of the Convent of Santa Clara took refuge from pirate attacks in 1566. This is one of the few places on the island not visible from the sea, giving it a unique isolation and tranquillity.
Curral das Freiras also has several attractions and activities for visitors, such as the Church of Our Lady of Deliverance, built in the 19th century, the Ethnographic Museum, which showcases the traditions and customs of the local population, and various hiking trails, allowing exploration of the region’s nature and culture. Additionally, the village is famous for its typical cuisine, based on chestnuts, used in various recipes.
Santana
Santana is a municipality on the north coast of Madeira Island, distinguished by its natural and cultural richness. One of Santana’s main attractions is its typical houses, which are a symbol of tradition. These houses have a triangular shape, with white walls and thatched roofs, protecting them from cold and humidity. Some of these houses can be visited in the Santana Typical Houses Center.
Santana also has a strong culture and tradition, manifested in its popular festivals, handicrafts, and gastronomy. Among the most important festivals are the Feast of St. Peter in June, the Feast of St. John in July, and the Feast of Our Lady of Help in August. During these occasions, there is music, dance, folklore, and much animation. Santana’s handicrafts include embroidery, baskets, hats, and wooden toys.
Seixal
Seixal is a parish in the municipality of Porto Moniz, on the north coast of the island of Madeira. It is a place of great natural beauty, with mountain, sea, and forest landscapes. Seixal has a beach with black sand, formed by volcanic rocks, which contrast with the green slopes and the blue of the ocean and offers good conditions for practicing water sports such as bodyboarding, kayaking, or stand-up paddleboarding. Seixal also has other natural attractions, such as the Véu da Noiva viewpoint, which offers a panoramic view of a waterfall.
Ribeiro Frio
Ribeiro Frio is a forest park located on the north coast of Madeira Island, in the municipality of Santana. It is a privileged place to observe the lush nature and landscapes of the laurel forest, which is a UNESCO natural heritage site. In this park, you can find several endemic species of plants and animals, such as laurel, til, bis-bis, and Trocaz pigeon.
Ribeiro Frio is also a starting point for trails and outdoor activities, allowing exploration of the region’s beauty and diversity. One of the most popular trails is the Vereda dos Balcões, leading to a viewpoint overlooking the valley and mountains. Another trail is the Levada do Furado, following an irrigation canal to Portela.
Funchal
Funchal is the capital of the Autonomous Region of Madeira and the largest city in the archipelago. Located in a beautiful bay on the southern coast of the island, Funchal is a highly sought-after tourist destination for its natural beauty, mild climate, wine, cuisine, and culture.
The city of Funchal has a rich culture and tradition, reflected in its architectural, artistic, and religious heritage. Some of its most emblematic monuments include the Cathedral, the Convent of Santa Clara, São Tiago Fortress, São Lourenço Palace, and the Municipal Theater Baltazar Dias. Funchal also has several museums, such as the Museum of Sacred Art, CR7 Museum, and the Museum of Quinta das Cruzes. Also, Funchal hosts various popular festivals, such as Carnival, Flower Festival, Atlantic Festival (see the Madeira Atlantic festival onboard of Bonita da Madeira), and New Year’s Eve.
Funchal also offers a varied and tasty cuisine, based on local products such as black scabbardfish, espetada, bolo do caco (sweet potato bread), fried maize, poncha (traditional alcoholic drink), and honey cake. Funchal also has a wide range of restaurants, bars, cafes, and terraces where you can enjoy its nightlife and entertainment.
Cabo Girão
Cabo Girão is a cliff located on the southern coast of Madeira Island, in the municipality of Câmara de Lobos. With a height of 580 meters, it is the second-highest cliff in the world. Cabo Girão is a highly visited tourist spot, offering panoramic views of the sea.
One of Cabo Girão’s main attractions is its viewpoint, which has a glass floor that allows you to see the abyss and the fajã below. This suspended platform, called the skywalk, is an impressive and dizzying experience, but also very beautiful.
Pico do Areeiro
Pico do Areeiro is a mountain located on Madeira Island, with an altitude of 1818 meters. From its peak, you can enjoy a panoramic view of the Madeiran mountain massif and the Atlantic Ocean. On days with good visibility, you can even see Ponta de São Lourenço and the island of Porto Santo.
Pico do Areeiro is an ideal place for nature and adventure lovers, as it offers several trails and outdoor activities. One of the most popular trails is the Vereda do Areeiro, which connects Pico do Areeiro to Pico Ruivo, a route of about 7 km that crosses several tunnels carved into the rocks.
Porto Moniz
Porto Moniz is a village on the northwest tip of Madeira Island, known for its volcanic natural swimming pools, very popular among locals and visitors in the summer.
Why Porto moniz is the best places to visit in Madeira? The Rocks of volcanic origin form the natural pools of Porto Moniz, creating small saltwater lagoons that the action of the tides constantly renew. The pools vary in depth and size and come equipped with changing rooms, sun loungers, and bars.
Porto Moniz also offers various aquatic and recreational activities, such as boat trips, diving, surfing, fishing, and dolphin and whale watching. There are also hiking trails that allow you to explore the nature and culture of the region.
Câmara de Lobos
Câmara de Lobos is a village on the southern coast of Madeira Island, known for its fishing culture, oceanic landscapes, and unmistakable traditions. The origin of the name of this village is due to the fact that, when the island was discovered, the navigators found a large number of sea lions in the cove that can still be seen with the same configuration today.
One of Câmara de Lobos’ main attractions is its bay, which is one of the postcards of this village. In the calm waters surrounding it, you can find its characteristic fishing boats.
Câmara de Lobos also has a strong culture and tradition, manifested in its popular festivals, handicrafts, and gastronomy. Among the most important festivals are the Feast of St. Peter in June, the Feast of St. Sebastian in July, and the Wine Festival in September. On these occasions, there is music, dance, folklore, and much animation.
Conclusion
As this article comes to an end, it is evident that Madeira Island is truly a paradise for travellers in search of adventure and natural beauty. From Seixal to Porto Moniz, passing through places like Funchal and Santana, each place reveals a bit of the rich cultural and geographical tapestry that defines this unique island. Whether exploring the mountainous landscapes of Curral das Freiras or admiring the grandeur of Cabo Girão, each experience promises moments of admiration and contemplation. Finally, as visitors leave Madeira, they take with them lasting memories of a land of impressive contrasts and warm hospitality, eager to return and discover more wonders of this stunning island.
