I swear to whatever god it is that you may or may not believe in that Madeira, Portugal is the only place I’ve ever visited that, while I was actively visiting, was already planning my next trip there. It’s truly one of the most beautiful places and my jaw was dropping at every turn. And as if that natural beauty isn’t enough, there are literally so many amazing things to do in Madeira. Whether you have a 2 day trip or a 7 day trip, I am convinced you’ll never run out of activities, but if you need a little help planning or figuring out the best things to do in Madeira, I’m here to help. Here were all of my favorite things I did on my trip, as well as some things I didn’t get the chance to do but are already on my Madeira itinerary for my next visit.
The Short Version
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The Long Version
In addition to what I think are the best things to do, here are my recommendations for where to stay in Madeira and how to get around.
How to Get to Madeira
Madeira is a stop on many cruises, but for this trip we flew in during a trip around Europe from Lisbon. We used TAP Air Portugal which ended up being an absolute breeze and so easy. So if you’re planning on squeezing Madeira into a Eurotrip, I highly recommend using TAP Air as the cost was great and the experience was hassle-free.
Additionally, TAP Air does fly out of a good amount of US cities, so if you’re going straight to Madeira it also might work for you there! My friend flew straight from Chicago to Lisbon without any issues.
Related: 3 Tools to Find Cheap Flights
Where to Stay in Madeira
We stayed in Funchal, the capital of Madeira, and it was a really good center point for driving around the island visiting all of the amazing sights Madeira has to offer. We stayed in this VRBO, and it was amazing and our host was an absolute gem. But there are also a ton of Funchal, Madeira hotels to choose from that would be great.
Rent a Car in Madeira
I highly recommend renting a car and road tripping at least a few days while you’re in Madeira. I was impressed by how good the roads were and the island turned out to be so easy to navigate. I had a blast on my Madeira road trip, and would highly recommend renting a car to check off all the items on this “top things to do in Madeira” bucket list!
Madeira Itinerary Map
Trying to plan the perfect Madeira itinerary but trying to figure out what is where? Here’s a map so you can know driving distances and how to properly plan your Madeira trip.
Best Things to Do in Madeira
Sunrise at Pico do Areeiro
When asking friends and locals what the best thing to do in Madeira was, so many recommended getting up and out of bed to view a sunrise at Pico de Areeiro. And you know what? They were right. Pico de Areeiro has to be the best sunrise view on Madeira, as well as one of the most magical ones I’ve ever personally seen. This is a must-add to any Madeira itinerary, whether it’s two days or seven.
I highly recommend getting there at least 30-45 minutes before sunrise is slated to occur, so that you can park as close to the top as possible. Once parking at the top runs out, you’ll have to trek up from one of the far lower lots and that… doesn’t sound like fun. So take me for my word, set the early alarm, and thank me later!
Go on Madeira’s Best Hikes
Madeira is often referred to as the “Hawaii of Europe” and a lot of that has to do with its countless amazing hikes and vistas. Whether you want a super challenging hike where you’re trekking from mountain peak to mountain peak, or more of a coastal stroll, Madeira’s best hikes cover the whole gambit. Here are some that I recommend:
- Pico do Areeiro > Pico Ruivo – rated hard, 6.7 miles
- Pico Ruivo sumit – rated hard, 3.7 miles
- Ponta de Sāo Lourenço – multiple hikes with different ratings and lengths
Go Whale & Dolphin Watching
I am a huuuuuge sucker for whale watching and at this point I go whenever and wherever I can. One of the best things to do in Madeira, in my opinion, is going on a dolphin and whale watching tour! This was one of my favorite whale watching trips specifically because we saw so many pilot whales and multiple sperm whales! It was truly special and I couldn’t recommend this enough for your Madeira itinerary.
Book a whale watching tour in Funchal:
Sunbathe on Madeira’s Black Sand Beach
What is an island vacation without some beach time? Lucky for you, Madeira has lots of amazing beaches ready for you to explore. BUT, my personal favorite was Praia de Seixal, a black sand beach. Perfect for lounging and swimming, and with an absolutely amazing view of dramatic Madeiran coastal cliffs. And lastly? The black sand makes it look even more magical and out of this world.
Explore the Fanal Forest
The Fanal Forest is a truly magical place unique to Madeira. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is located high up in Paul da Serra Plateau and is full of ancient Til (Ocotea foetens) trees. These trees are part of an indigenous forest that predates human discovery of the islands, and they’re incredibly special. Not only are there these countless magical-looking trees, but there are more sweeping coastal views of the area to continue making your eyeballs happy.
There are also hiking trails and adorable cows hanging out. I visited on a particularly sunny, clear day, but the Fanal Forest is particularly special when it’s foggy and moody. To see that vibe, I’d recommend getting here as early in the morning as you can.
Book a tour that includes the Fanal Forest:
Go to the Tallest Beach Cliff in Europe
Cape Girão is the highest coastal cliff in Europe, and one of the highest in the world! It’s got an amazing skywalk that allows visitors to wander safely out to its edge and absorb the amazing coastal views of Madeira, as well as a shop and restaurant on premises. Entry is only 2€, making this an inexpensive and beautiful spot to add to your Madeira itinerary.
Visit the Countless Miradouros
In case you can’t tell, I personally was obsessed with all the sweeping coastal views of the island during my 5 day Madeira trip. Madeira is truly one of the most magical islands I’ve ever been to, and I was endlessly amazed by how easy it was to access and view its amazing landscapes. We spent a majority of our Madeira road trip days driving from miradouro (viewpoint) to miradouro, and simply soaking in the views. These were some of my favorites:
- Véu de Noiva
- Riberio Frio Balcões Viewpoint
- Miradouro da Ponta do Rosto
- Miradouro do Guindaste
Ride the Cable Cars
There are two cable cars in Madeira; the Funchal Cable Car and the Botanical Garden Cable Car. Not only do these transport riders across the island, they provide them with some of the most amazing views of Madeira from above. I personally took the Funchal one and thoroughly enjoyed it; the ride lasts about 15 minutes and a round trip ticket costs 18€ per adult.
Drive Beneath a Waterfall
Cascata dos Anjos is a waterfall you can literally drive under. How cool is that?! When you enter this into Google Maps, it’s going to take you into the tunnel, but the waterfall is just one street closer to the coast, so keep an eye out for a turn and take the coastal road until you reach the waterfall.
Explore Funchal
Something that surprised me was just how big and bustling Funchal was! Lots of shopping, eating, bars, and activities to be done in Madeira’s largest and capital city. Whether you’re planning to stay in Funchal or just visit, exploring this town is definitely a must-add to any Madeira itinerary.
Book a tour for Funchal:
Other Top Things to Do in Madeira
Like I said, I was already planning a return trip to Madeira while I was literally in Madeira, that’s how much I loved it. And here are some of the things I didn’t get to do on my first trip, but will add to my Madeira itinerary for my return trip:
- Monte Tobaggan Run
- Natural pools of Porto Moniz
- Monte Palace Tropical Garden
- Explore the wineries
So there you have it, my list of best things to do in Madeira. If you have any questions about any locations on this best-of-Madeira list, feel free to contact me! And to see more on-the-ground views of Madeira, check out my Madeira highlight on Instagram and my Madeira collection on TikTok. Happy planning!
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Love all these suggestions! There’s so much to explore in Madeira you could make a top ten things to do for everyday of the week.
This is SO true!