If you’re planning a trip to the picturesque island of Madeira and you need inspiration to make your holiday unforgettable, look no further! Whether you’re a foodie, a history buff or an adventurer, there are plenty of things to do in Madeira.
This Portuguese paradise known for its beautiful scenery, natural beauty and year-round warm weather, was the fourth most visited region in Portugal in 2023. Today at Civitatis, we’ve compiled a list of our 14 favourite things to do in Madeira—if you want to experience the Portuguese island for yourself, keep reading!
The Best Things to Do in Madeira
- Explore Funchal
- Visit the Madeira Botanical Garden
- Enjoy a Boat Cruise of Funchal
- Visit the CR7 Museum
- Stroll around Monte Palace Gardens
- Take a Ride on Monte Sledges
- Hike through the Levadas
- Visit Cabo Girão
- Discover the Valley of the Nuns
- Visit Santana’s Traditional Triangular Houses
- Go Scuba Diving in Garajauat
- Take a Dip in the Natural Pools at Porto Moniz
- See the Sunrise from Pico do Arieiro
- Taste Typical Portuguese Food
1. Explore Funchal, the Capital of Madeira
Funchal, the capital city of Madeira, is not only one of the most popular tourist destinations in Madeira but also in all of Portugal. Famous for being a beautiful and vibrant city, Funchal’s location overlooking the Atlantic makes it even more charming.
Beyond the incredible views of the bay, the historic centre is home to iconic historical buildings such as the Cathedral, whose construction began in 1492 by order of King Manuel I of Portugal. Another interesting monument is the Fort of São Tiago, which stands out for its yellow façade. This bright building was erected to defend the city from attacks by pirates and currently houses the Museum of Contemporary Art.
For those who love a good city break, Funchal will not disappoint! If you want to see the city’s main monuments and tourist attractions, one of the best ways to do so is by taking the Funchal Hop-On Hop-Off sightseeing bus.
2. Visit the Madeira Botanical Garden
If you have green fingers, Madeira’s Botanical Garden is sure to blow you away! Spanning over an area of approximately eight hectares, of which five are landscaped, the garden is home to a wide variety of tree species and ornamental shrubs, a beautiful section with orchids, well-groomed lawns, and viewpoints with unparalleled views of Madeira’s capital.
Located just outside of Funchal, The Madeira Botanical Garden is a must-see during your time on the island. We recommend taking plenty of time to walk around and admire its beauty—with over 2000 exotic plants, you could spend hours there!
3. Enjoy a Boat Cruise of Funchal
Funchal’s coastline is one of the most popular in Madeira for boat trips thanks to its rugged coastline which provides spectacular views. Imagine skirting the coastline and admiring the different villages on the shore while relaxing on a boat… If this tickles your fancy, we recommend booking our Funchal Bays Cruise.
However, if you’re looking for something a bit more historical, why not sail on an exact replica of the ship that took Christopher Columbus to the New World? You’ll feel like a discoverer onboard this boat trip on the Santa Maria caravel!
4. Visit the CR7 Museum
If you’re a football fanatic, this could be the whole reason you’re visiting Madeira! It’s no secret that Cristiano Ronaldo hails from Funchal, where he was born on February 5th 1985. This true king of sport, proud of his roots, set up an official exhibition narrating the tale of his famous career. The Cristiano Ronaldo Museum houses trophies and memorabilia of the Portuguese player, as well as a life-size wax statue.
With everything from photographs, videos and interactive content, football fans flock to this museum to relive the best moments of Cristiano Ronaldo’s career in the different clubs he’s played for, such as Manchester United, Real Madrid, Juventus, Andorinha or Sporting.
If you want to see it all for yourself, why not book our Madeira Tour + Cristiano Ronaldo Museum? As well as visiting the museum, you’ll get to take a guided tour through the city’s historic centre.
5. Stroll around Monte Palace Gardens
Another place in Madeira that you should add to your list is Monte, which you can travel to via cable car from Funchal. While there, you simply cannot miss a visit to Monte Palace Gardens. With more than 100,000 species of plants spread over 70,000 square metres (75,000 square feet) of green spaces, lakes, ponds and waterfalls, the tropical gardens of Monte Palace are a sight to behold.
This space, located on a hill near Funchal, dates back to the 18th century when an English consul acquired the land. In 1897, the estate’s new owner decided to build a palatial residence, which today is the Monte Palace Hotel. The environment surrounding this building has become increasingly lush, creating a truly idyllic setting. Not only can you find plants from all over the world, but also swans, Asian carp and peacocks.
6. Take a Ride on the Monte Sledges
As well as being a charming place to visit and full of history, the one thing you have to do in Monte is take part in its peculiar tradition: descending the hills in a wicker basket.
This unusual means of transport has become one of the most entertaining tourist attractions on the island. It basically consists of a dizzying descent down the steep streets from Monte to Funchal. The baskets are pushed by carreiros, dressed in traditional straw hats. The thrilling two-kilometre (1.2-mile) journey takes about 10 minutes—we highly recommend it!
7. Hike Through the Levadas
Madeira Island has an extensive and intricate system of water channels known as levadas, which span over 1,400 kilometres (869 miles) of the island. The first ones which date back to the 16th century, came after the appearance of the first settlements on the island, and were used to transport water to the sugar cane fields and later to the vineyards.
However, over the years, Madeira’s levada walks have become a major attraction. These walks follow the passage of these aqueducts through plantations and laurel forests. Nowadays, hikers come from far and wide to experience the lush vegetation, waterfalls and tranquillity along the routes.
There are routes for all types of travellers, from the simplest, around 3 kilometres (1.8 miles), such as the Balcoes, to others that can be as long as 10 kilometres (6.2 miles), such as the Caldeirao Verde. If you’re an avid hiker, you should join this 5-hour-long hike through the levadas.
8. Visit Cabo Girão, One of The Best Viewpoints in Madeira
At a height of 580 metres (1,902 feet), Cabo Girão is the highest promontory in Europe. As we’re sure you can guess, you’ll be able to admire jaw-dropping views of the Atlantic Ocean with the towns of Câmara de Lobos and Funchal in the background. In addition, the viewpoint has a glass floor walkway with a plunging view of the sea—not suitable for those afraid of heights!
You can also make out the faja do Rancho, the remains of ancient volcanic eruptions—today, you can see small cultivated areas at the foot of the cliff. Its fame among tourists has made it one of the most photographed spots in the archipelago. A great way to explore this area is by booking this tour to Cape Girão from Funchal.
9. Discover the Valley of the Nuns
The Curral das Freiras, or the Valley of the Nuns, is one of the most breathtaking places in Madeira. Considered one of the most impressive valleys on the island, this town of white houses is located in an extinct crater and offers splendid panoramic views of Funchal and the surrounding mountains.
Its curious name comes from the 16th century when the Poor Clares sought refuge in this inland area of the island. Their choice of location was strategic—they were fleeing pirate attacks, and the rugged terrain of the mountains meant that their hiding place was impossible to spot from the sea.
While in the area, it’s definitely worth paying a visit to the Eira do Serrado viewpoint, which you can see on this excursion to the Valley of the Nuns.
10. Visit Santana’s Traditional Triangular Houses
Santana is a municipality located in the north of Madeira that has been declared a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. It’s famous for its characteristic traditional thatched houses known as palhoças. Their well-preserved state has much to do with the inaccessibility of the terrain. For centuries, access to this area by both land and sea was extremely difficult, which is why its traditional spirit has stood the test of time.
The triangular-shaped houses and coloured doors and windows make Santana look like a fairytale village. What’s more, they are completely free to visit, as many are now shops. Alternatively, if you’re also looking for a bit of adventure, why not visit them on this Santana & Machico 4×4 Day Trip?
11. Go Scuba Diving in Garajauat
For diving enthusiasts, scuba diving in Garajau Partial Marine Reserve should be at the top of your list of things to do in Madeira. This protected area is home to a huge abundance of marine life such as turtles, groupers, dolphins and manta rays.
The crystal clear waters of the reserve allow you to admire its great biodiversity, even at 20 metres (65 feet) down! If you have no experience in scuba diving, you can experience it for the first time by booking this beginner’s scuba diving activity in Garajau.
12. Take a Dip in the Natural Pools at Porto Moniz
If you’re more of a paddler than a scuba diver, a trip to the town of Porto Moniz could be on the cards. Located on the north coast of Madeira, it’s best known for its natural pools of volcanic origin. These pools attract a multitude of tourists who come to bathe in a truly unique environment—the ideal place for a morning or afternoon of relaxation. If this is up your alley, you’ll love this Northern Madeira 4×4 and Porto Muniz Pools Tour.
Continuing west from Porto Moniz, you’ll reach the village of Seixal, which also has its own natural pools and black sand beaches, or the magnificent Velo da Novia waterfall. This waterfall, which falls directly into the Atlantic from a high cliff, is very popular with visitors to the north-west coast of Madeira—its viewpoint is a hidden gem!
13. See the Sunrise from Pico do Arieiro
The third-highest peak in Madeira, Pico do Arieiro is a perfect place for hiking and enjoying panoramic views of the island. It measures a total of 1818 metres (5,964 feet) and, on a clear day, is an amazing place to watch the sunrise or sunset over the island.
On the plus side, if you rent a car, you can enjoy this viewpoint without a long hike as the car park is just five minutes away from the top—it’s only 40 minutes from Funchal! However, reaching the top of the peak requires some effort as the final stretch on foot is quite steep. If you don’t have your own vehicle, you can book our Pico do Arieiro and Ruivo sunrise hike. Ideal for exploring these beautiful corners of the island!
14. Taste Typical Portuguese Food
We may or may not have saved the best for last… If you’re a foodie, this is for you! Portuguese cuisine is known for its traditional spirit and homely flavour. Two characteristics that are enhanced in Madeira thanks to the abundance of exquisite fresh Atlantic products. Although fish and seafood are among the typical dishes to eat in Madeira, there’s no shortage of mouth-watering meat dishes on the island.
We highly recommend trying lapas grelhadas, or grilled limpets, as an appetizer, accompanied by bolo do caco, a bread made with potato and spread with garlic butter. Another recommendation is the island’s most famous stew, caldeirada de pescado (fish stew). If you’re more of a meat lover, you can opt for an espetada madeirense, a beef-based skewer.
If you want to learn more about the island’s gastronomic richness, why not book a trip to the Santo da Serra market? Or, if you’d prefer to learn about the island’s viticulture, you can’t miss this winery tour with a tasting of local wines.
No matter what type of trip you’re looking for, Madeira has something for everyone! If you’re still not sure about what activity to do during your visit, why not check out all of the activities offered by Civitatis in Madeira?
