Africa
Americas
Asia
Europe
Oceania
Call us for free now. 24/7
Book with an expert:
+44 20 76 60 34 10
What to see in Portugal
Madeira
Tourist attractions Madeira
An archipelago in the North Atlantic Ocean, Madeira is an autonomous region of Portugal. With dramatic, tropical landscapes, year-round sunshine and exuberant culture, this island treasure is an incredible holiday destination for any type of traveller. There’s much to see here, from black sand beaches to traditional villages, towering peaks and the cosmopolitan capital of Funchal. The archipelago is composed of two main islands: Madeira and Porto Santo, along with the small Desertas island group.
The appeal of travel to Madeira can be found in its bountiful natural beauty and charming artisan traditions. Stroll through UNESCO protected laurel forests, watch embroiderers hand make intricate wares, go wine tasting and discover the ancient art of basket weaving on a tour of Madiera. Other popular pursuits to enjoy on a holiday to Madeira range from hiking trips through the lush highlands, discovering the intricate network of irrigation canals, known as ‘levadas’, taking a fast-packed basket ride in Monte and visiting the thatched-roof houses of Santana. Furthermore, the Atlantic waters surrounding the islands are rich in marine life, so there are plenty of opportunities to take whale and dolphin-watching cruises if you travel to Madeira.
From the romance of downtown Funchal to the idyllic coastal town of Ponta do Sol and the age-old traditions of Monte, there’s much to explore here. Many choose to travel to Madeira from mainland Portugal, whilst it’s also a perfectly complete travel destination to explore in its own right. Consistently voted as one of the top island holiday destinations on earth, put Madeira on your travel itinerary, you won’t regret it!
Things to see in Madeira
If you’re taking a tour of Madeira, a good starting point is the capital city of Funchal. Located on the southern coast, Funchal is backed by rolling hills and is known for its extensive Madeira wine cellars. A fun place to explore, there’s much to see and do in Funchal, from sightseeing in the downtown area to exploring the elaborate Monte Palace Tropical Gardens or soaking up the sunshine on the cities lively beaches. Down in the old town you’ll find charming cobblestone streets and cheerful street murals, the perfect backdrop to a lazy afternoon spent people watching from one of the cafe terraces.
To get to the heart of traditional Madeiran culture, a trip to this island would be incomplete without visiting the village of Santana. Situated on the north coast, Santana is famous for its traditional stone houses, with steep, triangular thatched roofs. The style of these houses dates back to the days of the first settlers on the island when they were used as the homes of local farmers. Today, they are maintained and a source of great interest for tourists. If you visit Santana, be sure to spend some time at the Madeira Theme Park to learn more about the culture and early history of these islands.
One of the most charming places in Madeira, Ponto do Sol is home to picturesque seaside villages and dramatic coastline. Furthermore, it’s considered the sunniest part of the island. Here you can stroll along the seafront and admire the historic buildings, many of which are painted in bright colours. The pebble beach and surrounding hilltop trails are also popular with tourists.
For the more adventurous, one of the best things to do in Madeira is to pay a visit to the mysterious Sao Vicente Caves. Formed by a volcanic eruption, these extraordinary caves can be explored as part of a tour of the Volcanism Centre. After learning about the unique geology of Madeira, visitors can explore more than 700 metres of the cave system, home to volcanic stalactites and lava accumulations.
To truly appreciate the marvellous natural environment, a visit to Garajau’s Nature Reserve is one of the best things to do if you visit Madeira. A beautiful area of coastline, here you will also find a Marine Reserve, the best place on the island for scuba diving or snorkelling excursions! Some of the most abundant species found in these waters include dusky groupers, moray eels and sea urchins.
Finally, for a further chance to connect with the incredible nature of Madeira, be sure to explore the UNESCO protected Laurisilva of Madeira, an ancient laurel forest situated within the Parque Natural da Madeira. Home to incredible biodiversity, including endemic bird species, a number of walking trails offer spectacular views and the chance to immerse yourself in a natural paradise, often shrouded in an atmospheric mist that only adds to the mystery of this unique environment.
OUR BEST TRIPS TO MADEIRA
YOU ALSO LIKE
Tourist attractions portugal
Points of interests
- Trips to Albufeira
- Trips to Algarve
- Trips to Azores
- Trips to Braga
- Trips to Coimbra
- Trips to Douro Valley
- Trips to Evora
- Trips to Faial Island
- Trips to Fatima
- Trips to Guimaraes
- Trips to Lisbon
- Trips to Madeira
- Trips to Monsanto
- Trips to Nazarè
- Trips to Obidos
- Trips to Pico Island
- Trips to Pinhão
- Trips to Porto
- Trips to Régua
- Trips to São Jorge Island
- Trips to Sintra
- Trips to Tavira
- Trips to Tomar
Other Points of interests
- Trips to A Rúa
- Trips to Agrigento
- Trips to Alhambra
- Trips to Alsace
- Trips to Amalfi Coast
- Trips to Amsterdam
- Trips to Annecy
- Trips to Arzúa
- Trips to Assisi
- Trips to Athlone
- Trips to Avignon
- Trips to Barcelona
- Trips to Bath
- Trips to Beaune
- Trips to Belfast
- Trips to Bermeo
- Trips to Bilbao
- Trips to Blarney Castle
- Trips to Bologna
- Trips to Bordeaux
- Trips to Bristol
- Trips to Budapest
- Trips to Caen
- Trips to Cambridge
- Trips to Cannes
- Trips to Capri
- Trips to Catania
- Trips to Cefalu
- Trips to Chambord
- Trips to Champagne Wine Region
- Trips to Cinque Terre
- Trips to Cliffs of Moher
- Trips to Colmar
- Trips to Connemara National Park
- Trips to Consuegra
- Trips to Córdoba
- Trips to Cork
- Trips to Costa Dorada
- Trips to Danube
- Trips to Delft
- Trips to Donegal
- Trips to Dublin
- Trips to Edinburgh
- Trips to El Born district
- Trips to Enniskillen
- Trips to Eze
- Trips to Florence
- Trips to French Riviera
- Trips to Galway
- Trips to Gaztelugatxe
- Trips to Getaria
- Trips to Giant's Causeway
- Trips to Girona
- Trips to Glasgow
- Trips to Gran Canaria
- Trips to Inverness
- Trips to Ischia
- Trips to Isle of Skye
- Trips to Keukenhof
- Trips to Kilkenny
- Trips to Killarney National Park
- Trips to Kinderdijk
- Trips to La Rioja
- Trips to Lake Como
- Trips to Leeds
- Trips to Limerick
- Trips to Lisse
- Trips to Liverpool
- Trips to Loire Valley
- Trips to London
- Trips to Londonderry
- Trips to Lourdes
- Trips to Lyon
- Trips to Madrid
- Trips to Manchester
- Trips to Milan
- Trips to Monaco
- Trips to Mont Saint-Michel
- Trips to Montecatini Terme
- Trips to Montjuic
- Trips to Mosque of Cordoba
- Trips to Mulhouse
- Trips to Naples
- Trips to Nice
- Trips to Normandy
- Trips to Orvieto
- Trips to Oxford
- Trips to Padua
- Trips to Palas de Rei
- Trips to Palermo
- Trips to Paris
- Trips to Pisa
- Trips to Pompeii
- Trips to PortAventura
- Trips to Portomarín
- Trips to Ragusa
- Trips to Reading
- Trips to Ring of Kerry
- Trips to Rock of Cashel
- Trips to Rome
- Trips to Rotterdam
- Trips to San Sebastian
- Trips to Santiago de Compostela
- Trips to Santuario de Loyola
- Trips to Sardinia
- Trips to Sarria
- Trips to Scottish Highlands
- Trips to Seine river
- Trips to Seville
- Trips to Sherwood Forest
- Trips to Sicily
- Trips to Sorrento
- Trips to Speyside
- Trips to St. Andrews
- Trips to Stirling
- Trips to Stonehenge
- Trips to Strasbourg
- Trips to Stratford-Upon-Avon
- Trips to Syracuse
- Trips to Tenerife
- Trips to The Hague
- Trips to Toledo
- Trips to Tours
- Trips to Trossachs
- Trips to Tuscany
- Trips to Valencia
- Trips to Venice
- Trips to Versailles
- Trips to Waterford
- Trips to Windsor
- Trips to York
- Trips to Zaragoza
- Trips to Zarauz
Countries Nearby
- Albania Trips
- Austria Trips
- Baltic States Trips
- Belgium Trips
- Croatia Trips
- Cyprus Trips
- Czech Republic Trips
- Denmark Trips
- England Trips
- Faroe Islands Trips
- Finland Trips
- France Trips
- Germany Trips
- Greece Trips
- Holland Trips
- Hungary Trips
- Iceland Trips
- Ireland Trips
- Italy Trips
- Liechtenstein Trips
- Montenegro Trips
- Northern Ireland Trips
- Norway Trips
- Poland Trips
- Portugal Trips
- Romania Trips
- Russia Trips
- Scotland Trips
- Slovakia Trips
- Slovenia Trips
- Spain Trips
- Sweden Trips
- Switzerland Trips
- Ukraine Trips
- United Kingdom Trips
Trip Styles
Subscribe to our newsletter and join Exoticca GO
The best travel deals
Exclusive promotions
Expert travel tips