Welcome to your guide to exploring the captivating island paradise of Madeira, Portugal! Nestled in the heart of the Atlantic Ocean, this breathtaking destination is a haven for nature enthusiasts and adventure seekers alike. From its lush, terraced landscapes filled with vibrant flowers to its dramatic coastal cliffs that plunge into crystal-clear waters filled with marine life, Madeira boasts a stunning blend of natural beauty. You can explore its charming cobblestone-street villages, savour renowned Madeiran food and wine, soak up the breathtaking views of the levada hikes, or simply unwind on a picturesque beach. So…get ready to embark on an unforgettable escape that will leave you yearning for more and immerse yourself in the enchanting allure of Madeira!
Top left: view along waterfront in Funchal / Top right: cascading hills on Madeira / Bottom left: Mercado dos Lavradores / Bottom right: dolphins in water
Where to stay
The main town on Madeira, Funchal, is the ideal place to set yourself up for your stay. Not only is the town itself worth exploring, its close to the airport, right on the water, has good connections to other parts of the island, as well as plenty of places to eat and drink. For a good-quality (and budget friendly) accommodation option, take a look at 109 Funchal Hostel. It’s set up as more of a guest house than a typical hostel, while also offering opportunities to connect with other travelers if you’d like to.
Top left: view of the mainland from the sea / Top right: view of the mountains from a levada hike / Bottom left & right: natural rock pools in Porto Moniz
How to get around
There are plenty of options for getting around Madeira, depending on what you’re wanting to see and what time of year you’re visiting. Hiring a scooter or a car for at least a few days of your trip is a great way to see more on your own schedule. I would recommend booking in advance if you do want to take this option, as providers can sell out quickly in peak times.
Madeira also has a few different bus services running in and out of Funchal, which will get you to most of the island’s hot spots. The schedule changes depending on the time of year, so be sure to look into what’s available before your trip. You can purchase tickets with cash on the bus, or buy a rechargeable travel card. The public SAM bus is also the easiest and cheapest way to get from the airport to Funchal town, with a return ticket costing around €8.
The third option for getting around Madeira is to look at the many day trip options on offer. While it’s a slightly more expensive option, booking a day tour will remove the stress of figuring out how to get from A to B. There are plenty of tour agents along the boardwalk in Funchal or you can book online via Get Your Guide.
Top left: waterfall falling onto road in Madeira / Top right: street view in Funchal / Bottom left: View from Santa Catarina Caffe Garden / Bottom right: seaside town
Things to do
Madeira is over flowing with so many amazing things to do and places to see. I’ve tried my best to pull together my top picks for you. It’s by no means an exhaustive list, but definitely enough to give you a good taste of what this stunning island paradise has to offer…
- In Funchal itself, make sure to pay a trip to Mercado dos Lavradores,, the local farmers market in the centre of town. You can admire the vibrant colours and pick yourself up some fresh fruit while you’re at it.
- Book yourself onto a dolphin watching boat trip! This was by far the best thing we did during our stay, I’d recommend it to anyone and everyone. Between April and June is when you’ll see the most ocean wildlife out to play. We booked on Airbnb Experiences with Magic Dolphin & Whale Watching for around £27 per person, they were fantastic and went out of their way to give us a great experience with so many sea creature sightings!
- Visit the charming fishing village of Câmara do Lobos. Right around the bay from Funchal, Câmara do Lobos has a nice buzz in the afternoon, making it the perfect spot for a sundowner drink.
- No trip to Madeira is complete without taking advantage of the stunning levada hikes around the island. We opted for walking part of Levada da Serra, which offered sweeping views through the mountain valleys. Rabaçal 25 Fountains, Levada do Rei and Levada do Alecrim are also highly recommended. Some of the hikes are tricky to get to without your own transport but there are tours you can do that go to the main ones.
- For one of the most incredible views on the whole island, head to Miradouro Cabo Girao, a glass-bottomed lookout that sits on top of the Cabo Girao cliffs and treats you to a view along the entire south eastern coastline of Madeira.
- Make your way to the other side of the island where you’ll find the seaside town of Porto Moniz. The town has unique moon-like volcanic lava pools you can visit for a dip, the pools cost €1.50 to enter.
- Check out some of the many day trip tours on offer to different parts of the island.
Top left: dolphins swimming alongside the boat / Top right: view from the dolphin cruise boat / Middle left: path along a levada hike with waterfall flowing beside / Middle right: view through a valley in the middle of the island / Bottom left: Porto Monis rock pools / Bottom right: colourful Madeira sign
Where to wine & dine in Funchal
- Rua de Santa Maria – a trendy street in Funchal full of bustling bars and restaurants
- Barreirinha – great local spot for a drink with a sea view
- Venda Velha – head here to try the local Madeiran drink of poncha, with lots of different flavours on offer
- Santiago Beach Bar – for sunset drinks
- Santa Catarina Caffe Garden – a beautiful cafe in the Santa Catarina Park where you can stop for a coffee while exploring the gardens
- Mad Cuba – great for cheap and delicious Cuban food and cocktails, at happy hour you can get 2 cocktails for €4 and the margaritas are some of the best I’ve ever had!
- Madeira Rum House – another place to try some delicious homemade poncha, not to be missed
- Three House Restaurant & Cocktail Bar – beautiful decor, delish food and drinks and a rooftop bar, what’s not to love?!
Top left: fresh fruit for sale at Mercado dos Lavradores / Top right: Venda Velha poncha bar in Funchal / Middle left: Madeira Run House / Middle right: Mad Cuba restaurant / Bottom left: Santiago Beach Bar at sunset / Bottom right: Bustling restaurant next to Forte de São Tiago
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