Madeira is one of the most beautiful islands in Europe, with rugged coastlines, dramatic mountain peaks, dreamy waterfalls, ancient forests, and more! Often referred to as the Hawaii of Europe, it’s located off the coast of North Africa.
The island is seriously so beautiful and diverse, and this list will give you a great variety, from jaw-dropping hikes to cute towns for a relaxing afternoon.
But also home to some of the craziest weather. Even the airport is notoriously windy an pilots even need a special license to land here. So it’s not exactly the easiest island to get to.
So in this guide we will uncover everything you need to know about visiting Madeira, Portugal and the best things to do here. So let’s dive in.
This post may contain affiliate links. Disclosure policy.
Hiking Permits
Just a quick note about hiking permits. In 2026, Madeira instituted a timed-entry permit system for most of the hiking trails on the island. Anytime you see a PR Number, it requires a permit. So as of our visit in May 2026 it was still a relatively new system. And with that comes some issues.
Our experience using this new online permit system was anything but smooth. And I think frustration and lack of awareness has resulted in mixed results among visitors. With some people following the rules and plenty of others just risking a fine, or not even knowing there are permits. Since lots of older blogs, videos, and such don’t cover this new system.
We had trouble making an account, and then had payments charged to our card, and then later had permits canceled due to a lack of payment (but there was never a refund of the charge to our credit card). So this caused us lots of stress and frustration when attempting to play by the new rules. And admittedly, we still hiked some trails that we booked and paid for, but were later cancelled.
Overall, permit systems are often a decent compromise for controlling crowding at popular attractions. So we’ll explain permits needed for anything throughout this guide. Hopefully, by the time you visit, some of the issues will have been resolved, and the system works flawlessly to deliver uncrowded trails.
And you should plan to book permits ahead of time, especially for summer. Or book guided tours that include permits, because they will often handle transportation, permits, guiding, recommendations, and more.
But sadly, the flexibility to hike wherever and whenever you want in Madeira is a thing of the past. And in a place famous for fast changing weather, this flexibility was often key to experiencing places at the right moment.
Pico Areerio and Pico Ruivo (PR 1, PR 1.2)
These mountains are basically the crown jewels of Madeira. Pico Areerio and Pico Ruivo are the two of tallest mountains on the island, both around 1800 meters above sea level, they offer some of the most epic hikes and scenery on the island.
And between permits, trail names, transportation, and other variables, things can be quite confusing.
You can visit each peak individually or do the one-way hike between the two, AKA the Peak to Peak or Pico to Pico (PR 1).
To hike any of the trails at either peak, it requires a permit.
The Pico to Pico hike is honestly probably the best way to experience it all to the fullest. But it’s not for everyone, this dramatic trail crosses steep ridges and mountainsides and is 7kms (5.6 miles) and takes about 4 hours give or take. And importantly, it’s allowed only one-way from Areerio to Ruivo. So you need to sort out transportation from the end back to the start. This Get Your Guide tour includes a transfer from Pico Ruivo to Pico Do Arieiro (but hiking permits are NOT included).
Or you can drive to each peak separately and hike some sections of the trail starting at either side. But actually, it ends up being more distance overall, compared to just doing the one-way Pico to Pico.
Areerio is the easier peak to access, because you can drive practically right to the summit. Whereas Ruivo requires a 3.2 km (2-mile) hike one-way to reach the top from the trailhead. (PR 1.2)
Both peaks have incredible views. But Areerio has more dramatic peaks, and a more intense trail with the famous “Stairway to Heaven”.
However hiking isn’t required if you just want to enjoy the views from the summit. So you can actually come here without a permit if you just stay around the summit area and cafe, and it’s a really popular place for coming to watch sunrise.
Ruivo is the tallest mountain on the island and feels more grand. It just feels like you’re standing at the center of the island. But again, it’s 3.2km (2 miles) from the trailhead to reach the summit.
If you want to hike starting from Pico Areerio, it requires a permit for either the entire Pico to Pico (sentido único/ one way), or the two-way, bidirectional section. Which confusingly, both are labeled as PR1.
But one is called Verada da Areerio até ao miradouro da Pedra Rija. Which just translates to Areerio Trail until the Pedra Rija Viewpoint.
The out-and-back section from the top of Areerio is 2.5km (1.6 miles). This hike is famous for the “stairway to heaven” with steep stairs notched along a narrow ridge. If you are afraid of heights, this is probably not the hike for you. It’s is well-maintained and has lots of railings, but yeah, it’s still pretty scary. And that’s part of what makes it so exhilarating and scenic. Just insane views right from the beginning.
Right after the Pedra Rija viewpoint you reach the gate where you can only continue if you’re doing the complete one-way Pico to Pico hike.
The tricky part of doing the one-way hike obviously is that you need to get transportation from the end back to the beginning. But there are lots of tour operators and drivers who offer this service daily. It might be possible to get a taxi or uber, but I would suggest just setting it up ahead of time.
If you aren’t able to get permits, you can still get around it by booking a guided tour that includes permits. But MAKE SURE permits are included because there are also many tours that don’t include permits. This Get Your Guide Tour INCLUDES Tickets.
The hike just to Pico Ruivo is a little more difficult to reach because the summit is 3.2 kms (2 miles) from the trailhead at Achada Do Teixeira. This trail is somewhat less scenic and dramatic than Areerio. Which feels crazy to say because it still has incredible views.
There is a cafe at the top of Pico Areerio but it has pretty awful reviews, so I would skip it. At Pico Ruivo, there’s nothing at the peak. But at the trailhead there’s Achada do Teixeira Mountain Spot Café, which was a gorgeous spot to fuel up before our sunset hike. But beware that both places have pretty limited hours.
Like we mentioned, sunrise on Pico Areerio is extremely popular, mostly because you don’t even have to hike. But sunrise or sunset on either peak can be incredible. Though sunrise is usually recommended more often as the best chance to avoid clouds.
But either way, make sure you bring warm clothes for either. It will be about 10 degrees celsius (20 F) colder on the summits than on the coast.
And just a quick tangent about weather. This island is notorious for having microclimates that make the weather very unpredictable, especially up in the mountains. Weather apps are practically useless for Madeira. Maybe just to give you a general sense of temperature, but whenever out into the mountains in Madeira, plan for anything. High UV exposure, rain, wind, and intense temperature fluctuations. Things can and will change quickly and you want to stay safe and comfortable no matter what the weather does.
Teléferico das Achadas da Cruz
This cable car on the west coast is another one of the highlights of our trip. It descends down a steep cliff face connecting to an isolated strip of land that’s feels almost frozen in time.
And for an island packed with incredible coastlines, this area stood out to us as perhaps the most beautiful of all. The power of the ocean waves crashing against the shoreline is just so stunning. And it has even started to reclaim some of the oceanfront pathway.
The cable car is only 5€ per adult for a round trip. But there are only 2 cable cars total, that can each hold 6 people.
Tickets are sold from 8am to 4:30pm with the last ride back up at 6pm.
So with limited capacity, it’s common to wait in line for tickets, and I wouldn’t risk coming much later than 3:30pm to be sure you get tickets.
This fertile soil apparently used to be farmed extensively, and farmers would carry their harvest up a crazy trail of switchbacks to the top.
While that traditional way of life seems to be gone now, you can still hike the trail. It’s called Verada Da Quebrada Nova, and is about 2kms one-way (1.1 miles) and descends 430 meters (1,400 ft), so it’s very steep.
If you are the more adventurous type, you can purchase just a one-way ticket and then hike the other direction. Hiking up is obviously the more physically demanding way, but the descent will be tough on the knees for sure.
At the bottom you can hike along the coast for about a kilometer before it just dead ends. There is also little cafe down here, which we just couldn’t pass up. It had a small selection of drinks and breads, but it’s cash only. And it’s an absolutely gorgeous place to have a snack.
If you are more hungry than that, there’s a restaurant up top that has more options.
Oh, quick side note: Poncha is a special drink you can find all around Madeira. This traditional Madeiran cocktail is typically made with orange, lemon, and sometimes passion fruit. It’s super strong, but surprisingly delicious, you definitely have to try some while you’re on the island!
Seixal Beach (Praia Do Porto Do Seixal)
This black sand beach on Madeira’s central north coast HAS to be on your list. It’s backdropped by just incredible mountains, waterfalls, and the cute town of Sexial. It’s seriously like something out of a fairy tale.
Parking is somewhat limited and it can get a little jammed up because the roads are narrow. And don’t be fooled by a paid parking lot on your way down, because the parking is free at the lot at the bottom and along the road.
And on an island not really known for having the best sandy beaches, this is actually one of the better options for fine sand.
Being on the north coast, it can be a little harder to get sunny weather over here. But honestly full sun on black sand probably would be too hot anyway.
There are bathrooms along the road and some outdoor showers by the stairs.
Around the corner is a restaurant and free saltwater swimming pool. Which admittedly, didn’t look that inviting during our visit. But for people who don’t want to swim in the bigger waves, it’s a nice option.
But whether you come to enjoy a day at the beach, or just to admire the view, this place is just magical.
Levada Nova + Do Moinho (PR 7)
This is one of the coolest hikes here, with lots of variety, gorgeous valley views, aqueducts, waterfalls, and more. But the main attraction here is the section of trail that cuts behind this unique double waterfall.
This is a permitted hike, and numbered PR 7.
The trail can be completed as a 9.3km (5.8 mile) loop, following two different levadas, an upper and a lower. So despite the very steep terrain all around you, the trail is actually quite flat. Which, the more I thought about the design of aqueducts, makes a lot of sense. These 16th century aqueducts use nothing but gravity to carry water along a gentle slope, from the moist mountain valleys down to the drier coastal areas.
The biggest downside of this, and many levada trails in Madeira, is that they are often extremely narrow and notched into steep mountains. So you need to be very careful because a fall could be fatal. Don’t multitask! If you want to admire the views or snap a photo, find a stable spot and stop walking for a second.
There are guard rails for a lot of the trail. But definitely not all of it, and plenty of them I wouldn’t trust with my life.
And passing people going the other direction is a little bit of a pain, because there’s rarely room for two people.
A couple special tips to prepare for this hike is to bring a headlamp and footwear you don’t mind getting wet. It’s likely that there will be some water crossings or overflowing levadas to navigate.
And the headlamp is for a long dark tunnel by the famous waterfall. But a flashlight on a phone would work too.
And I recommend hiking this in the morning because you’ll have shade most of the way.
This hike has no official parking and starts right from a neighborhood above Ponta Do Sol. There is a little bit by the Lombada Church, or you need to find street parking.
And the start of the trail is not obvious, but just find the Lombada Church and take the path right behind it for the start of Levada Moinho. Or if you want to go the upper route first, Levada Nova is a little harder to find. You walk up through some streets first, and then cut off onto the path here, and turn left just after house #07.
There are several waterfalls near the top of the trail, and the connection between the upper and lower levada can be a little confusing. So I recommend using some kind of GPS tracking like AllTrails to help keep you on track.
Right near the top of Levada Nova, you’ll find this famous double waterfall. We’ve seen a lot of waterfalls in our travels, but this one feels truly unique. And as the trail circles around, it provides many different angles to admire the falls, including walking right behind them.
If you’re going to be hitting the trails in Madeira, or anywhere for that matter, it’s important to follow the principles of Leave No Trace. The biggest offense we saw all over Madeira was toilet paper and hygiene wipes not so subtly strewn all over the sides of trails. It’s definitely smart to bring TP on the trail, but also bring a baggie to pack it out with you.
Monte Toboggan Ride (Carreiros Do Monte)
This is one of the most iconic Madeira experiences. Locals used to take wickers sleds as transport down the steep streets above the capital city of Funchal.
Today, the tradition lives on as one of the most unique activities on the island. When I saw this, I knew I had to try it.
The brave and talented men steering them are called Carreiros. They wear this classic uniform. And with thick-soled boots, they guide you gracefully down the slick pavement, and also most importantly, bring the sled to a stop.
But it’s honestly a little scary, because you’re drifting sideways on pavement and sometimes get mixed with cars, because it’s just a normal road. About halfway down, I was like, “I feel like I should be wearing helmets”. But we survived.
The ride costs 30€ for one person, 40 for two, and 60 for 3. So you do get a little savings with more people.
Lines for this are known for getting really bad, especially because it’s a popular cruise ship outing. So, pro tip, we used a website like cruisesheet, to find a time when no cruise ships were docked in Funchal.
One challenge of this adventure is transportation. Because the end of the route is kind of silly. They basically deliver you to the middle of nowhere. Not close to town, or any public transportation, and a steep ass hill away from where you started.
So you’re kind of left sorting out transportation for yourself.
For getting to the beginning, one popular option is to ride the Funchal Cable Car up from town. (22€ round-trip, 16€ one-way) Which lets off right near the starting point.
Or you can drive yourself and park in one of the lots near the start, but be warned, the roads up here are very steep and narrow.
And then at the bottom, you can take a taxi or walk, either back to the starting point, or onward to another destination.
If you are sorting out transportation yourself, it’s helpful to know that on Google Maps, the beginning is labeled as Carreiros do Monte – Partida. And the end is labeled as Carreiros do Monte – Chegada.
The toboggan ride is about 1.5 km and only last about 5 minutes. So my biggest complaint is that once you add up the price of all everything involved, it’s quite expensive for such a short ride. I wish they would just include the option for transportation back to the top.
But overall, how are you gonna pass up this once-in-a-lifetime memory.
São Lourenço Trail (PR 8)
The dry rocky peninsula of Sao Lourenço offers a vastly different scenery compared to the lush green mountains on most of Madeira. It almost feels like you are stepping onto an arid desert on this easternmost point of the island. Although, ironically, it did rain while we were here.
But this area is more known for some of the most intense winds on the island. So you should always prepare for severe weather.
And before coming here, I thought there was no way it could compete with the rest of the island’s beauty. But, boy was I wrong.
These steep and rocky headlands provide views just as dramatic and majestic as the rest of the island.
And despite how brown it looks from afar, there was actually quite a lot of color. From the layers of rock, to the colorful plants adapted to this harsh environment. Some of the wildflowers and plants here were actually quite remarkable if you look closely.
What’s cool about this hike is you can make it as short or as long as you like. There are many different spurs off the trail that take you to different viewpoints. It’s like every corner you turn, you’re greeted with another stunning cliff rising out of the ocean.
It goes up to about 10km (6.5 miles) to explore all the trails on the peninsula. I clocked about 7.4km (5 miles) for us.
But there were cops directing us to park, and annoyingly they made us park about 1km from the parking lot, which actually had plenty of spots. Which wasn’t that a big of deal until we were tired and hiking back to our car an extra km in absolutely sideways rain.
And we always say, you are never too far from a cafe in Europe, and this is yet still true for this hike. And as the Europeans can’t seem to complete even the shortest hike without a cafe.
Towards the end of the trail, there’s a little cafe oasis, Casa Do Sardinha, if you need a snack or a drink.
At the tip, there is technically one more viewpoint at the top of a steep hill, called Furado. It does have a sign saying it’s closed, but it reads more like ‘use at your own risk’. And I think they were just tired of doing trail maintenance here. And the loose gravel is quite slippery, so use caution.
I wish I could tell you the last viewpoint isn’t worth it, but it was quite stunning. And gives awesome views of the outermost rocky islands.
Ponta Do Sol
This tiny little beachside town has to be one of the most charming places in Madeira. The short waterfront promenade is nestled between two cliffs, with colorful houses and idilic palm trees. It’s just such a dreamy place to explore for a couple of hours.
My first tip is don’t bother driving down to the waterfront to park. The streets practically all dead end, and it’s often a mess of people looking for parking. So honestly, it’s just not worth the stress in my opinion. There are a couple of lots and street parking just above town, which will make your life much easier.
One downside is that beach here is all rocks and no sand, so it’s not the most comfortable beach. They do have some umbrella platforms, but not sure if they are free, or for rent, or maybe part of the restaurant.
And luckily swimming is somewhat protected because a jetty blocks the waves.
It’s an excellent place to get lunch. There are a few restaurants in the town, or the iconic one of the cliffs, Restaurant Sol Poente. We got lucky and got an edge table for lunch on their deck that literally hangs out over the water.
I got the marinated octopus and Emily got a tuna sandwich, and it was a delightful meal with unforgettable views. Maybe a little overpriced, but for those views and location it kinda of makes sense.
Then don’t miss walking out to the point. There’s a cool stone bridge, and the tip has some great views of the town and the coastline in both directions.
And I saw some local kids jumping off the point, and just had to join in the fun.
But then I saw a Portuguese Man-O-War. Which despite looking like a piece of floating trash is actually one of the most fascinating but dangerous animals. Luckily they’re brightly colored and have a recognizable gas filled bladder that floats on the surface. But if their tentacles touch your skin, it causes severe burns and can induce other allergic reaction type symptoms.
So needless to say, I got out of the water pretty quick.
Bica da Cana Viewpoint
If you’re looking for an excellent viewpoint without the crowds, this one really surprised us. Sure, it’s not as dramatic as some of the other viewpoints on the island. But it’s super easy to get to, and about 100 times less busy. So it’s an excellent alternative spot for sunrise or sunset, and it’s possible to get those iconic cloud inversions.
You can drive right to the trailhead, and then it’s only less than a kilometer to the viewpoint.
This viewpoint sits on the edge of a deep valley that basically cuts the island in half. From here, you can marvel at the striking differences between east and west Madeira.
To the east, you have a line of Madeira’s tallest and most dramatic peaks. Including Pico Areerio and Pico Ruivo. This side of Madeira is famous for jagged, pointy peaks. And then to the west, the landscape is very different and appears practically flat on top in comparison.
The roads to get up here are still crazy steep, but once you reach the top, it’s mostly a giant plateau of rolling hills cut by a few deep valleys. There’s windmills, roaming cows, and some of the straightest roads in Madeira.
So for all those reasons, Bica da Cana is an epic place to admire the diversity of Madeira’s terrain, without the crowds.
Porto Moniz
This town on Madeira’s northwest coast is an awesome destination to visit, or as a place to stay on the west side of the island. It’s famous for its natural swimming pools built into the volcanic rocks. Well, semi-natural, they have been built up a little bit, but they’re still salt water.
And there’s two different spots you can go.
One free spot that is still quite natural, or the paid one that’s built up a little more like a traditional swimming pool. But even the paid one is extremely affordable at just 3€ per person.
The only bummer for us is that we never really got sunshine in Porto Moniz, so the swimming was a little less inviting. Before making the drive over here, it’s smart to check the webcams and see what it’s like.
Another cool destination nearby is Parque do Miradouro Ilhéus. This rocky beach is notable for its rock formations, specifically, this really tall and skinny one. And there’s also these cool birds that hang out near the mouth of the river (Muscovy duck (Cairina moschata))
And as a little bonus, if you drive the road up this valley you can literally drive right under the Lombinho waterfall. It’s kind of hidden gem, but the narrow road makes turning around a little tough, so large vehicles beware.
Fanal Forest
This is one of the most unique forests we’ve ever seen. Fanal Forest is just a small part of nearly 15,000 hectares of protected old-growth Lauris silva forest. Which is a rare and ancient subtropical forest. It grows only in specific climates, usually high elevation areas with high-humidity and mild climate.
In Fanal Forest, the star of the show is the Ocotea foetens, commonly called til or stinkwood. These wild looking trees grow in the oddest ways, and almost feel character-like. And when combined with fog and clouds creates a simply captivating experience.
Well, allegedly clouds are really common here. For our visit in May of 2026, I think we just got really lucky, because the top of the mountains were basically never in the clouds during our whole 10 day visit. Which was generally a good thing for seeing all the views.
But Fanal Forest is one place, where we were actually hoping for some clouds. Because that eerie and mystical vibe was missing for us.
But I think that’s what makes this destination so great. Because you really can’t have a bad time. Either it’s clear and you enjoy amazing views, or it’s cloudy and you experience the mystical vibes.
There’s also cows that roam the area, and a frog pond at the far edge.
And the other weird thing is that it has grass almost like a golf course.
There’s a large parking area, and PR 13 is the trail number for getting a permit. But the grassy area doesn’t really have trails per se. Though longer sections of trail can be started from here.
A popular spot to go is the hill up to the right, which is excellent for watching sunset.
Where To Stay In Madeira
When deciding where to stay in Madeira, we’d actually recommend choosing an area first rather than a specific hotel. The island may look small on a map, but the winding mountain roads and tunnels can make getting around take longer than you might expect. Plus, having a car gives you a lot more flexibility to stay outside of the main tourist hub.
Funchal – Best for First-Time Visitors & No Car
Funchal is the busiest part of Madeira and has the largest selection of hotels, restaurants, bars, and nightlife. It’s also the easiest place to stay if you don’t have a car since many tours and transportation options leave from here.
North Coast – Best for Nature & a Quieter Experience
For dramatic scenery and a more peaceful stay, look toward the north coast. Porto Moniz, São Vicente, and Seixal are all great options if you’re more interested in hiking, waterfalls, natural swimming pools, and rugged coastal scenery than nightlife. We’d definitely recommend having a car if you choose this area.
Santa Cruz – Best for a Quieter Stay
This is where we stayed, and we really enjoyed being away from the hustle and bustle of Funchal. Accommodation can be a little cheaper, and there are restaurants and a pretty waterfront to enjoy. We had a rental car, which made it easy to explore the rest of the island from here. It’s also conveniently close to the airport.
Machico – Best for a Relaxed Beach Town
Machico is another great option on the east side of the island, especially if you want a quieter town with restaurants and one of Madeira’s few sandy beaches. It’s also a convenient base for exploring the eastern side of the island and Ponta de São Lourenço.
Ponta do Sol – Best for Sunsets & Small-Town Charm
If you want a slower pace and beautiful sunsets, Ponta do Sol is a great choice. This little coastal town is known for being one of the sunnier parts of Madeira and has a handful of restaurants and cafés along the waterfront. A car is helpful for exploring from here.
Calheta – Best for Beaches & Resorts
Calheta is a good option if you want a more relaxing, resort-style stay. It has one of Madeira’s few sandy beaches, a marina, and easy access to attractions on the western side of the island. We’d especially consider it if you have a car and want some beach time mixed into your Madeira itinerary.
Use the interactive map below to find places in each area mentioned above.
Save This Post For Later
