If you are planning a trip to Portugal and are wondering what to see in MadeiraIn this guide, you'll find all the places we recommend visiting. Madeira is a very complete island. with lots of nature and picturesque towns, so it all depends on whether you prefer the coast, the mountains, or a mix of both. I've personally been there twice, so on this list you'll find what I consider the best. essential, even other options to complete your route depending on the number of days you have available. At the end, you'll find a map by area and a video that may be very helpful.
15 things to see and do in Madeira in 4 days or more
There are so many things to see in Madeira It's best to organize your itinerary according to your tastes. If you prefer nature, there are many mountain routes and spectacular viewpoints. If you prefer charming towns and quieter plans, there are also those. Here are our recommendations on what to see in Madeira in 4 days or more.
1) Funchal, a must see in Madeira
The capital of Madeira is a must-see. Explore the Farmers Market, go up in funicular to Monte and walk down or in the traditional wicker carts. Stroll through the seafront promenade to the Mirador do Socorro, bathe in the Barreirinha beach and returns by the Street of Painted Doors. You can also visit the Jardín Botánico and the Cristiano Ronaldo Museum. And don't leave without trying a please (typical sandwich with Bolo do caco bread and meat).
2) Câmara de Lobos, one of the towns to visit in Madeira
This fishing village is another of the Must-see places in Madeira, famous for its colorful boats and for being one of Winston Churchill's favoritesIdeal for walking along the sea and have a poncha (typical drink)If you want to take the opportunity to take a dip, from the town itself you can walk to the Vigário Beach, as we show you in the video at the end.
3) Cabo Girão Viewpoint, one of the most spectacular to see in Madeira
One of the highest viewing points in Europe, with glass platform suspended from 589 meters above sea level and incredible views. Access has a cost €3 per person and closes at 20pmFrom the same glass platform, you can see the sea below and all of Madeira's colorful lizards.
4) Typical Madeiran houses in Santana
El The Madeiran village of Santana is another stop to make in Madeira. And here you will find the traditional thatched housesIt's a short but very picturesque visit. There's a small ethnographic park with replicas of typical homes. You'll also find shops where buy crafts and flowers from Madeira.
5) Seixal natural pools and Velo de Novia waterfall
The Seixal area is one of the ones I personally like the most in Madeira. It has natural pools, Black sand beaches, waterfalls, and spectacular views of the cliffs of northern Madeira. To use the pools you have to pay €2,50 for adults and €1 for children. Before arriving at Seixal you can make a brief stop at the Bride's Veil waterfall, which falls directly into the sea. Similarly, once you pass Seixal you can stop to recharge your batteries at one of the restaurants with sea views Praia da Laje or Las Caraibas. This last one was the one we chose: the fresh tuna salad and the delicious calamari.
6) Porto Moniz Pools
If you continue driving through the north of the island, one of the things to do in Madeira are Volcanic saltwater pools of Porto MonizIdeal if the weather is good, as it's often cloudy in the north. However, keep in mind that this is a very touristy area and can get a bit crowded on sunny days. Some pools require a fee, while others do not.
7) São Vicente village and Água d'Alto waterfall
On the way between the south and the north of the island is one of the towns to visit in Madeira: São VicenteWhere its church stands out on the mountains and the famous ones grottoes of Are Vicente.
Also, very close by, on the way to Porto Moniz, you can stop to see the Água d'Alto waterfall (although it can be seen from the road).
8) Levada de los Balcones, a hiking route to do in Madeira
If you want to see the Laurisilva of Madeira, write down this route: Levada dos Balcões (The Balconies). It is a very simple hike, perfect for all levels, which takes just over an hour round trip. At the end of the trail you will reach a spectacular viewpoint overlooking the island's central calderaAnd if you dare to continue a little further (as we show in our video), you will discover a hidden stream, more vegetation, flowers and small waterfalls that seem taken from a storybook. The path in total It is just under 5 kilometers (if you do the entire route on both sides of the trail) and in approximately 1,5 hours you will have completed it.
And what is a takenLevadas are ancient waterways that run through the island and have now become very popular hiking trails. They cross mountains, forests, and valleys, and many of them allow you to hike. Discover the green heart of Madeira without the need for steep inclines. This is one of the most accessible and beautiful, ideal if you don't have much time but want to explore the island's nature.
9) Enjoy a good espetada
After making the Levada dos Balcoes, a good idea is to stop and eat at the Bar Faísca, famous for its skewered madeiran. It is a roasted meat skewer on embers, traditionally served skewered on a branch of natural bay leafThis detail is not just decorative: the bay leaf adds a very special aroma to the meat as it cooks. The espetada is often accompanied by corn fried (a kind of crispy polenta), French fries, and salad. The result is a simple yet flavorful dish, with juicy meat, melting butter, and that touch of bay leaf that makes it unique. Definitely a great plan. Madeira gastronomic what to do.
10) Ponta do Sol and Anjos Waterfall
Ponta do Sol is another of the Beaches and towns to see in Madeira. Ideal for a sunset drink. From here you can also take a trip to see nearby waterfalls and famous Anjos, which falls on the road.
11) Ponta do Pargo Lighthouse
At the western end of Madeira Island you can approach the Ponta do Pargo Lighthouse viewpoint, with the westernmost lighthouse of Madeira and stunning views over the cliffsWe can say it's not a must-see stop, but if you want to drive around the island and see every corner, this is one of them. By the way, here you'll find lots of colorful lizards again, and... look at the views!
12) Pico do Arieiro and Pico Ruivo, what to do in Madeira
El Arieiro Peak is another Madeira must-sees for mountain lovers. If you only visit the Arieiro PeakYou can get to the viewpoint by car without having to walk far. It's accessible and offers spectacular views without any effort. From there, the famous route to Pico Ruivo, the highest in Madeira. The distance between the Arieiro Peak and the Pico Ruivo along the best-known trail (PR1 Vereda do Arieiro) is approximately 7 km one way (14 km round trip) However, it is not an easy route, since it has nearly 1.000 meters of accumulated elevation gain.
13) Ponta de São Lourenço, landscapes to see in Madeira
Just at the other end of the island, lies the Ponta de Sao LourencoIf you are looking for what to see in Madeira in 5 days or more, take note of this route! It is a walk along a volcanic peninsula with sea views on both sides. Ideal for seeing landscapes that are different from the rest of the island. As you can see, the trail is perfectly marked. Of course, suitable footwear is recommended and keep in mind that it is a windy area.
14) Fanal Forest Park
If you have time to explore the interior, one of the most magical places in Madeira is the Fanal Forest Park. It is a laurel forest With ancient trees and frequent fog, it looks like something out of a fairy tale. Ideal for taking photos and taking peaceful walks. I'll leave you with a photo of the typical tree that everyone goes to take a picture of.
15) Santa Cruz, Madeira towns to see
A coastal town close to the airport (watching the planes land is a spectacle), ideal for ending your trip or stopping off if your flight is late. local atmosphere, saltwater pools for a swim, and great options for dining or strolling along the sea. We stayed in this area of Madeira at the hotel we share with you below.
And that's our list of places to visit. If you have more days and are looking for What to see in Madeira in 7 days will surely help you, as we've included things we've visited on our two trips to this fantastic Portuguese island. Below, we'll share some information about our hotel in Madeira, map of all the places we mentioned (with restaurants) and video.
Where to stay in Madeira
The two times we have been to Madeira we have stayed at the Albatross Hotel with vvantages to the sea and about 15 minutes drive from FunchalIt is a small hotel and stands out for its swimming pool with direct access to the sea and its personalized treatment. The The hotel restaurant is also very good with local cuisine dishes such as tomato soup or swordfish (swordfish), both spectacular. In any case, if you are going for several days, it may be advisable to combine accommodations in the south and in the north, to save time on the road and get to know the different areas better.
Map of places to see in Madeira
Here we leave you a map with all the points we mention so you can plan your route easily. In addition, we include the restaurants in Madeira recommended to us by the family of one of our friends from Madeira. You can save it to your phone and view it offline.
Video about what to see in Madeira
If you are looking for inspiration about what to see in Madeira in 4 days, We tell you about our experience and the places we visited in the following video of our YouTube ChannelYou will find: daily route with restaurants and tips.
Planning a trip to Madeira? Save this guide and share it with your group so you always have it handy. Remember that the Flight from the Canary Islands lasts less than 2 hours And if you're traveling from the Iberian Peninsula, it's approximately 2,5 hours. If you have any questions, we'd be happy to answer your comments in this post. Next, You can read other destination guides similar to Madeira that you will find in the Canary Islands.:
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