A Charming Island: 10 Best Things To Do In Madeira, Portugal

things to do in madeira portugal
Paolo
Paolo 
Updated
| 5 min read

Madeira is one of Portugal’s autonomous regions, and it dates back to the 15th-century. Apart from the stunning mountains, blue sea, and rich plant life, the island also has historical sites worth seeing. The locals are well-known for their hospitality, which is a perfect representation of the country’s kind and laid-back vibes. It’s definitely no surprise why this island continues to attract tourists from all over the world. With that being said, here’s a list of the ten best things to do in Madeira. An exciting sightseeing experience awaits you.

1. Cabo Girao

Base of Cabo Girao from viewpoint
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Bjørn Christian T... used under CC BY-SA 3.0

The 580-meter-high (1,903 feet) cliffs of Cabo Girao are considered to be the highest in Europe, and they offer splendid views of the ocean and the towns of Camara De Lobos and Funchal. You can fully enjoy the sights from the glass skywalk on top. The viewing platform is also the perfect spot to admire the sunset. No need to worry if you’re afraid of heights, the structure is completely safe. Take photos of the surroundings or just see how beautiful the island is. Cabo Girao can be reached by car, taxi, or bus from Camara De Lobos and the ride takes about 15 minutes.

Cabo Girao

Address: Camara De Lobos, Madeira, Portugal

Opening Hours: 8:00 am to 9:00 pm

Price: Free

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2. Pico Ruivo

A CAMINHO DO PICO RUIVO 7
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Jcunha123 used under CC BY-SA 3.0

Standing at 1,862 meters (6,109 feet) above sea level, Pico Ruivo is regarded as Madeira’s highest summit. A trek to this famous mountain guarantees to satisfy your appetite for a real adventure. You can choose from two routes, namely Pico do Areiro and Achada do Texeira. Pico do Areiro is the more challenging trail because you will encounter a few tunnels and steep paths. As for the roundtrip hike, it will take around 5 to 6 hours. Achada do Texeria is the easier route, and takes around 3 hours to complete. Whatever you choose, you will certainly enjoy the views of Ribeira Seca Valley, Queimadas Forest Park, the cliffs of Faial and Santana, and the fields of Achada do Marques. The lush vegetation also promises to astound you.

Pico Ruivo

Address: Pico Ruivo, Madeira, Portugal

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3. Madeira Botanical Garden

July 2016 vacation: Botanical Garden above Funchal, Madeira.

Posted by Gregory Newton on Friday, 12 August 2016

Established in 1960, Madeira Botanical Garden is where you can appreciate the diverse plant life of the island. It houses over 2,500 rare plants of different shapes and colors. Some of them are from Madeira while the others are foreign. There’s also an area called “The Parrot Park” where you can see exotic birds such as Macaws and Dwarf Parrots. Over 300 winged creatures can be seen in this section. You can ride the cable car from Monte for around 8 USD to reach Madeira Botanical Garden. Entrance fee to the site is included in the price. From Funchal, you can take the buses leaving Rua Artur S. Pinga or Avenida do Mar.

Madeira Botanical Garden

Address: Caminho do Meio, Bom Sucesso, 9064-512 Santa Maria Maior, Funchal, Portugal

Opening Hours: 9:00 am to 6:00 pm

Price: from 3 USD

Phone: +351 291211200

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4. MUDAS: Contemporary Art Museum

Posted by MUDAS. Museu de Arte Contemporânea da Madeira on Friday, 18 March 2016

It used to be in the historic Fort of Sao Tiago, but in 2015, it moved to Calheta in an equally stunning structure overlooking the sea and the hills. MUDAS Contemporary Art Museum was designed by architect Paulo David, and its unique look was able to win several international awards. Inside, you will see over 400 contemporary artworks from renowned Portuguese artists such as Patricia Garrido, Martha Telles, Jose Berardo, Joaquim Rodrigo, and Artur Rosa. It also organizes plays, musical performances, and different workshops for those who want to explore their creative side. MUDAS is just 30 minutes away from Funchal, and you can park in the underground area for free.

MUDAS: Contemporary Art Museum

Address: Estrada Simão Gonçalves da Câmara, nº 37 9370-139 Calheta, Madeira

Opening Hours: 10:00 am to 5:00 pm (closed on Mondays and public holidays)

Price: from 3 USD

Phone: +351 291820900

Website: MUDAS

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5. Monte Palace Tropical Garden

Monte Palace Tropical Garden
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Edwinb used under CC BY-SA 3.0

Monte Palace Tropical Garden in Caminho do Monte occupies an area of 70,000 square meters (753,474 square foot), and it contains over 100,000 species of tropical and indigenous plants. Some of the plants you will see here are the cycads from South Africa and the very rare Mocanu from the Laurislva Forest in Madeira. At the lake, you will see the lovely swans and ducks floating peacefully. The tropical scenery is sure to astound you as well. There’s also an area where you can admire over 1,000 sculptures made by the best Zimbabwean artists. Monte Palace Tropical Garden can be reached by cable car from the Old Town of Funchal. Cable car rides cost around 23 USD, and it includes the admission fee to the attraction.

Monte Palace Tropical Garden

Address: Caminho do Monte, 174, 9050-288 Funchal, Portugal

Opening Hours: 9:30 am to 6:00 pm

Price: from 11 USD

Phone: +351 291780800

Website: Monte Palace Tropical Garden

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6. Praia Formosa

Praia Formosa - Black Pebble Beach
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user muffinn used under CC BY 2.0

On the west of Funchal is Praia Formosa, which is known as Madeira’s largest beach. What makes it unique is that instead of sand, Praia Formosa consists of basalt stones all throughout. It’s also calmer compared to the other beaches in town. You can swim in the blue water or go for a walk to admire the views of the sea and the town and explore the volcanic cave. There are restaurants and bars nearby if you want to eat, drink, or unwind.

Praia Formosa

Address: Estrada Monumental, Funchal, Madeira Funchal 1000, Portugal

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7. Madeira Story Centre

MadeiraStoryCentre1
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Joãofcf used under CC BY-SA 3.0

Get to know the history and culture of Madeira through your five senses in this interactive museum. Madeira Story Centre in Rua D. Carlos was built in 2005, and it consists of 9 areas where you can see, smell, touch, feel, and hear the most significant events on the island. You will learn everything about Madeira from its volcanic beginnings to the modern period. Indeed, both adults and kids are sure to enjoy the exhibits. The museum also has a souvenir shop and a restaurant serving the best local dishes.

Madeira Story Centre

Address: Rua D. Carlos I 27, 9060-051 Funchal, Portugal

Opening Hours: 10:00 am to 7:00 pm (closed on Christmas Day)

Price: from 11 USD (adults); 5 USD (children)

Website: Madeira Story Centre

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8. Funchal Old Town

Funchal - Rua de Santa Maria, Old Town
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Hilmil1 used under CC BY-SA 2.0

Go for a walk on the cobblestone streets of Funchal Old Town and let the historical buildings enthrall you. Despite being centuries old, the structures are well-maintained. If you just want to sit down and enjoy a lovely meal, then head to one of the many restaurants in town. The area is known for its delightful traditional dishes. Another highlight is the Arte de Portas Abertas in Rua de Santa Maria. It’s an art program where hundreds of colorful masterpieces are painted on the doors. Expect to be mesmerized when you see the works of the artists up-close.

Funchal Old Town

Address: Rua das Hortas. 4C, Madeira 6160-206, Portugal

Opening Hours: 24 Hours

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9. Cathedral of Funchal

2016 Catedral de Funchal. Madeira. Portugal-37
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Luis Miguel Bugal... used under CC BY-SA 4.0

Built in 1514 by Pero Enes under the order of King Manuel I, the Cathedral of Funchal is one of the most well-preserved buildings in town. The exterior of the gothic structure is simple, but on the inside, you will see its architectural wonders. Take a look at the wooden ceiling and be mesmerized by the ivory ornaments. You will see animals and plants if you look closely. At the chancel, the intricate carvings of apostles and prophets painted in gold and blue are sure to leave you in awe.

Cathedral of Funchal

Address: Funchal, Madeira, Portugal

Website: Cathedral of Funchal (Portuguese Website)

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10. Blandy’s Wine Lodge

Madeira wine kegs
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Paul Mannix used under CC BY 2.0

Wine is very popular in Madeira, and you will learn more about it on your visit to this historic lodge owned by the Blandy family. The Blandys are famous for being the founders of the wine trade on the island. Take a tour of Blandy’s Wine Lodge to see the oak, mahogany, and satinwood barrels and to learn more about the system used for the ageing process of the beverages. When you reach the museum, you will see old coins, letters written by Winston Churchill, and the 17th-century wooden lagar. A lagar is a device used to acquire the juice from the grapes.

At the tasting room, you can enjoy a glass of one of the company’s fine wines while admiring the wall paintings of German artist Max Romer. The murals depict the traditional harvesting of the beverage in Madeira. Tours can be arranged at the official website, and for the languages, you can choose from English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, or German.

Blandy's Wine Lodge

Address: Av. Arriaga 28, 9000-064 Funchal, Portugal

Opening Hours: 10:00 am to 6:30 pm (Monday to Friday); 10:00 am to 1:00 pm (Saturday); closed on Sunday

Price: from 6 USD

Phone: +351 291740110

Website: Blandy’s Wine Lodge

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Visit Madeira anytime

It is spring all year round in Madeira, which means anytime is a good time to visit and explore. Indeed, the island is where you can finally fulfill your dream vacation. Check out the marvelous sites, interact with the friendly locals, and appreciate the mild climate. You will certainly fall in love with Madeira in an instant.

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Any must-sees we missed? Tell us about them in the comments section or write a post here to help out fellow travelers!
Disclosure: Trip101 selects the listings in our articles independently. Some of the listings in this article contain affiliate links.

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Freelance writer by day, rap artist by night. When he's not making music or joining rap battles, Paolo writes about anything under the sun. Throughout his eight-year experience as a copywriter, he...Read more

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