Top 10 best places in Madeira
Madeira is a destination that everyone should visit at least once in their lifetime. Its landscapes, climate, cuisine, and culture are unique and will leave you wanting to come back.
I had always heard that Madeira was the "Hawaii of Europe," so I decided to go and see for myself. And indeed, they were not wrong. Being an archipelago of volcanic origin, Madeira shares many of its characteristic features with Hawaii: rugged landscapes, subtropical climate, black sand beaches, etc. It is no wonder that it is considered one of the best islands in the world.
Madeira is an ideal destination for any type of trip, whether it be adventure, family, or honeymoon. That's why I've prepared this top 10 best places you shouldn't miss when you visit the island.
Pico do Arieiro
It is the most famous hike in Madeira. It is perfect to visit at any time of day, most people go for sunrise, I did it at sunrise and sunset, it is worth going twice, although if you can only go once I recommend going for sunset when it will be less crowded. Devote about 2 hours to this peak, it has many viewpoints from the beginning of the hike. You can also do the famous Pico to Pico hike, but you need to be in good physical condition and have the whole day available to do it as it is very long.
Ponta do São Lourenço
This hike, also known as the dragon's tail, is one of the most popular, not only for watching the sunrise, but you can also do a hike that takes about 2-3 hours to complete, and you have the beach of São Lourenço. I recommend doing the miradouro de abismo, where you will have an incredible view.
Achadas da Cruz Promenade
It is located near Porto Moniz, to get here you have to take a cable car that takes you down to a practically uninhabited village. I recommend taking it in the last hour, when there is little time left until sunset, to be able to have the best light for your photos. You can do hiking to go down and up, but the route is a bit complicated and for the 6 euros that the cable car costs, it is not worth doing the hike.
Fanal Forest
This is the famous laurel forest, and when it is cloudy, the conditions make it look like a magical place. I recommend checking the weather in the area if you want to go when the fog is low, as it is one of the most remote places from Funchal. However, it is a place you should visit regardless of the weather.
Miradouro do Guindaste
This was one of my favorite viewpoints, it is perfect to visit at sunrise, it is not very well known and I had it completely to myself. Here you will find the famous glass balconies and to your right you will have a small hill perfect for taking photos of the coast.
Miradouro Ponta do Rostro
To get to this viewpoint, you must first reach the Caniçal viewpoint. From the parking lot, you will see a small hill to your left. It is one of the easiest viewpoints to access to see the sunrise, and because it is so easy to access, it is most likely that it will always be a little crowded.
Miradouro do Ponta da Ladeira
It is one of the most famous viewpoints for sunset. If you search for "miradouro ponta de ladeira" on Google Maps, it will take you exactly to the end of the road where you can park and enjoy the sunset. You will also see a path where you can go down a few meters and have a more exclusive view.
Praia de Seixal
It is the famous black sand beach, if you want to take some unique photos I recommend arriving very early so you can have the beach to yourself.
Véu da Noiva viewpoint
The "Casada Veu da Noiva" is a natural formation that looks like a bride's veil. It is located on the cliffs of the old road from São Vicente to Seixal. It is a popular tourist destination and a great place to take photos.
Pico Ruivo
Pico Ruivo is a popular hiking destination in Madeira. The hike is challenging, but the views from the top are worth it. The hike starts from Achada do Teixeira, which is a small village in the central mountains of Madeira. The trail is well-maintained and marked, but it is important to be in good physical condition.
The hike takes about 2 hours one-way. The best time to hike to Pico Ruivo is at sunrise or sunset. The views from the top are spectacular, and you will be able to see the entire island.
Where to stay?
For a short trip to Madeira, Funchal is the best option. There are affordable hotels and the island is well-connected from the capital.
Here are some recommendations for you
Where to rent a car?
Renting a car is the fastest and easiest way to get around Madeira. There are many car rental companies at the airport, and local companies often have the lowest rates. Additionally, most of them offer insurance included.
Madeira Packing List
