last edited Dec 11, 2019
What to See in Madeira
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Location Map of Madeira
Madeira
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UNESCO World Heritage Sites
Madeira has one site inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list:
Madeira Natural Park (1999)
This park covers about two-thirds of the island. It offers stunning landscapes and forests, including the famous UNESCO-listed laurel forests. The area is very popular with hikers.
This park covers about two-thirds of the island. It offers stunning landscapes and forests, including the famous UNESCO-listed laurel forests. The area is very popular with hikers.
Madeira
Calheta
A municipality in western Madeira with nearby beaches ideal for surfing (Jardim do Mar, Paul do Mar). You can also observe whales and dolphins off the coast.
A municipality in western Madeira with nearby beaches ideal for surfing (Jardim do Mar, Paul do Mar). You can also observe whales and dolphins off the coast.
Funchal
This is the capital and where most services are located. The city has several beautiful gardens and a few historic buildings in its northern part (Monte), which can be reached by cable car. Funchal and its bay are also a stopover for many cruise ships.
This is the capital and where most services are located. The city has several beautiful gardens and a few historic buildings in its northern part (Monte), which can be reached by cable car. Funchal and its bay are also a stopover for many cruise ships.
Machico
The third-largest settlement in the archipelago, Machico is nestled at the head of a bay with some beautiful beaches. It’s a starting point for hikes.
The third-largest settlement in the archipelago, Machico is nestled at the head of a bay with some beautiful beaches. It’s a starting point for hikes.
Porto Moniz
Located on the northwest tip of Madeira, Porto Moniz is known for its natural seawater pools, formed by volcanic activity along the coast.
Located on the northwest tip of Madeira, Porto Moniz is known for its natural seawater pools, formed by volcanic activity along the coast.
Ribeira Brava
Beaches, a viewpoint offering a beautiful panorama, and hiking opportunities are the attractions of this town on the southern coast.
Beaches, a viewpoint offering a beautiful panorama, and hiking opportunities are the attractions of this town on the southern coast.
Santana
On the northern coast of Madeira, Santana is home to an "open-air ecomuseum" showcasing the history, culture, traditions, and types of housing in Madeira.
On the northern coast of Madeira, Santana is home to an "open-air ecomuseum" showcasing the history, culture, traditions, and types of housing in Madeira.
São Vicente
This is a small municipality in the north of Madeira Island, featuring a series of volcanic caves to explore.
This is a small municipality in the north of Madeira Island, featuring a series of volcanic caves to explore.
Natural Heritage
Cabo Girão
In the south of the island, these cliffs, nearly 600 m high, rank among the tallest in the world. They are "developed" for sightseeing, featuring a glass floor that overlooks the void.
In the south of the island, these cliffs, nearly 600 m high, rank among the tallest in the world. They are "developed" for sightseeing, featuring a glass floor that overlooks the void.
"Levadas"
These small irrigation channels are found all over Madeira, spanning over 1,000 km. They are typically accompanied by maintenance paths, which also offer stunning hiking trails through nature.
These small irrigation channels are found all over Madeira, spanning over 1,000 km. They are typically accompanied by maintenance paths, which also offer stunning hiking trails through nature.
Madeira Natural Park
This park covers about two-thirds of the island. It offers stunning landscapes and forests, including the famous UNESCO-listed laurel forests. The area is very popular with hikers.
This park covers about two-thirds of the island. It offers stunning landscapes and forests, including the famous UNESCO-listed laurel forests. The area is very popular with hikers.
Pico Ruivo
This is the highest peak on Madeira (1,862 m). It can be reached by hiking through beautiful landscapes and offers a stunning panorama at the summit.
This is the highest peak on Madeira (1,862 m). It can be reached by hiking through beautiful landscapes and offers a stunning panorama at the summit.
Nun's Valley
A beautiful valley surrounded by mountains near the village of Curral das Freiras. Hiking is possible here.
A beautiful valley surrounded by mountains near the village of Curral das Freiras. Hiking is possible here.
Other Islands
Desertas
This is an uninhabited archipelago southeast of Madeira. Closed to the public, you can still see seal colonies from the boats that take you near its shores.
This is an uninhabited archipelago southeast of Madeira. Closed to the public, you can still see seal colonies from the boats that take you near its shores.
Porto Santo
This small island about forty kilometres from Madeira is quite touristy thanks to its lovely sandy beaches and beautiful desert landscapes.
This small island about forty kilometres from Madeira is quite touristy thanks to its lovely sandy beaches and beautiful desert landscapes.
Must-see & highly recommended
Madeira Natural Park
★★★★ This park covers about two-thirds of the island. It offers stunning landscapes and forests, including the famous UNESCO-listed laurel…
Recommended
"Levadas"
★★★ These small irrigation channels are found all over Madeira, spanning over 1,000 km. They are typically accompanied by maintenance paths…
Pico Ruivo
★★★ This is the highest peak on Madeira (1,862 m). It can be reached by hiking through beautiful landscapes and offers a stunning panorama at…
Worth a look / Other
Camara de Lobos
★★ A charming and pleasant little fishing town that is now a suburb of Funchal.
Cabo Girão
★★ In the south of the island, these cliffs, nearly 600 m high, rank among the tallest in the world. They are "developed" for sightseeing…
Funchal
★★ This is the capital and where most services are located. The city has several beautiful gardens and a few historic buildings in its…
Porto Moniz
★★ Located on the northwest tip of Madeira, Porto Moniz is known for its natural seawater pools, formed by volcanic activity along the coast.
Porto Santo (Madeira)
★★ This small island about forty kilometres from Madeira is quite touristy thanks to its lovely sandy beaches and beautiful desert landscapes.
Ribeira Brava
★★ Beaches, a viewpoint offering a beautiful panorama, and hiking opportunities are the attractions of this town on the southern coast.
Nun's Valley
★★ A beautiful valley surrounded by mountains near the village of Curral das Freiras. Hiking is possible here.
Calheta
★ A municipality in western Madeira with nearby beaches ideal for surfing (Jardim do Mar, Paul do Mar). You can also observe whales and…
Desertas
★ This is an uninhabited archipelago southeast of Madeira. Closed to the public, you can still see seal colonies from the boats that take you…
Machico
★ The third-largest settlement in the archipelago, Machico is nestled at the head of a bay with some beautiful beaches. It’s a starting…
Ponta do Sol
★ It's a large seaside town on the southwest coast, not really touristy.
Santana
★ On the northern coast of Madeira, Santana is home to an "open-air ecomuseum" showcasing the history, culture, traditions, and types of…
São Vicente (Madeira)
★ This is a small municipality in the north of Madeira Island, featuring a series of volcanic caves to explore.
Selvagens
★ This uninhabited archipelago between the Canary Islands and Madeira is a nature reserve.