Best Attractions in Madeira: 10 Places to Visit

by Portugal Getaways Team

July 10, 2026 • 6 min read

The best attractions in Madeira, in short

Quick answer: Madeira's must-see attractions mix dramatic nature with island culture. Do not miss Funchal and its market, the Cabo Girão skywalk, sunrise at Pico do Areeiro, the Laurisilva laurel forest, the Porto Moniz natural pools, the toboggan ride at Monte, and the wild Ponta de São Lourenço. Most sit within an hour or two of Funchal, so a few days lets you see the highlights.

What is Madeira famous for?

Madeira is best known for its dramatic volcanic scenery, its levada walking trails through UNESCO-listed laurel forest, and its fortified Madeira wine. Add year-round mild weather, the lively capital of Funchal, and viewpoints like Cabo Girão and Pico do Areeiro, and you have an island that packs a lot into a small space. Here are the ten attractions to build a trip around.

Top 10 attractions in Madeira

1. Funchal

Madeira's capital is the natural starting point. Wander the old town, visit the Sé cathedral and the Mercado dos Lavradores (the farmers' market), ride the cable car up to Monte, and stroll the seafront. Funchal blends history, gardens and good restaurants, and most island tours begin here.

A sunset view over Funchal Bay in Funchal, Madeira Island, Portugal, with the city lights, harbor, and Atlantic coastline below. The image shows Madeira’s coastal capital surrounded by hills and evening sky. — Funchal Bay, Funchal, Portugal

2. Cabo Girão Skywalk

One of the highest sea cliffs in Europe, Cabo Girão has a glass-floored skywalk suspended high above the Atlantic. The view straight down to the terraced fields and the ocean is not for the faint-hearted, but it is one of the island's most photographed spots, a short drive west of Funchal.

A view from Cabo Girão Viewpoint in Câmara de Lobos, Madeira Island, Portugal, looking down over steep coastal cliffs, small cultivated terraces, and the Atlantic Ocean. The image shows Madeira’s dramatic cliff landscape from one of the island’s highest viewpoints. — Cabo Girão Viewpoint, Câmara de Lobos, Portugal

3. Pico do Areeiro and Pico Ruivo

Pico Ruivo is Madeira's highest peak at 1,862 m, and Pico do Areeiro is one of the most accessible high viewpoints, reachable by road. The sunrise above the clouds here is a classic Madeira experience, and the ridge walk between the two peaks is one of the most spectacular hikes on the island.

4. Laurisilva Forest

Madeira's laurel forest is a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the largest surviving areas of this ancient woodland in the world. Damp, green and often misty, it is the backdrop for many of the island's levada walks, such as those around Rabaçal and the Caldeirão Verde.

A sunrise view from Pico do Arieiro on Madeira Island, Portugal, with purple Pride of Madeira flowers in the foreground and mountain ridges stretching toward the Atlantic Ocean. The image shows Madeira’s highland landscape at golden hour. — Pico do Arieiro, Madeira Island, Portugal

5. Porto Moniz Natural Swimming Pools

On the northwest tip of the island, Porto Moniz is famous for its natural pools formed by volcanic rock and filled by the Atlantic. You can swim in the sheltered, sea-fed water with waves breaking just beyond the rocks, one of Madeira's most distinctive places for a dip.

Visitors relax at the Porto Moniz Natural Swimming Pools in Porto Moniz, Madeira Island, Portugal, surrounded by volcanic rock formations and Atlantic Ocean views. The image shows the clear seawater pools and coastal landscape on Madeira’s northwest coast. — Porto Moniz Natural Swimming Pools, Porto Moniz, Portugal ©Ricardo Faria Paulino

6. Monte and its Toboggan Rides

Above Funchal, the hillside parish of Monte is home to the Nossa Senhora do Monte church and the tropical Monte Palace gardens. It is also where you can take the famous wicker toboggan ride, steered downhill by two drivers in traditional white outfits, a tradition dating back to the 19th century.

Visitors ride a traditional wicker toboggan through the streets of Monte in Funchal, Madeira Island, Portugal. The image shows the famous downhill sled experience guided by two carreiros in traditional white uniforms. — Monte Toboggan Ride, Funchal, Portugal

7. Ponta de São Lourenço

At the island's eastern tip, Ponta de São Lourenço is a dramatic contrast to Madeira's green interior: a bare, wind-sculpted peninsula of red and ochre cliffs. A well-marked trail runs out along it, with the ocean on both sides, and it is one of the best walks for big coastal views.

Ponta de São Lourenço in Caniçal, Madeira Island, Portugal, with rugged volcanic cliffs, blue Atlantic water, and boats anchored near the coastline. The image shows the island’s eastern peninsula and its distinctive coastal landscape. — Ponta de São Lourenço, Caniçal, Portugal

8. Madeira Wine Cellars

Madeira wine has been made here for centuries, and a tasting is part of any visit. In Funchal you can tour historic wine lodges to learn how the fortified wine is heated and aged, and sample the range from dry to sweet. It is an easy, cultural break between the outdoor sights.

Learn more about the Madeira Wine here!

Visitors stand inside a Madeira wine cellar in Funchal, Madeira Island, Portugal, surrounded by wooden barrels used for ageing fortified wine. The image shows a traditional wine lodge setting connected to Madeira’s historic wine culture. — Madeira Wine Cellars, Funchal, Portugal ©Ricardo Faria Paulino

9. Câmara de Lobos

This colourful fishing village just west of Funchal is where Winston Churchill once painted, and it still has working boats pulled up on the harbour. It is a scenic stop for lunch and the local drink, poncha, and a good base for the drive up to Cabo Girão.

Visitors look out over Câmara de Lobos Harbour in Câmara de Lobos, Madeira Island, Portugal, with fishing boats, volcanic cliffs, and hillside houses in the background. The image shows one of Madeira’s traditional coastal villages near Funchal. — Câmara de Lobos Harbour, Câmara de Lobos, Portugal ©Ricardo Faria Paulino

10. Levada Walks

Madeira's levadas are irrigation channels that double as walking paths, threading along hillsides and through forest across the island. Trails range from gentle strolls to full-day hikes, and they are the best way to see the interior. See our guide to the best hikes and levada walks.

Do not miss also: the traditional A-frame houses at Santana, the black-sand beach and pools at Seixal, and the sea village of São Vicente on the north coast.

Hikers stand facing the waterfall at Levada do Risco in Calheta, Madeira Island, Portugal. The image shows one of Madeira’s best-known levada walks, surrounded by steep rock walls and dense green vegetation in the Rabaçal area. — Levada do Risco, Calheta, Portugal ©Ricardo Faria Paulino

How long do you need?

Two to three days covers the main attractions if you base yourself in or near Funchal. Add more time for extra levada walks, a day out to the north coast, or a trip to the neighbouring island of Porto Santo. For activities and experiences beyond the sights, see the best things to do in Madeira.

Frequently asked questions about Madeira's attractions

What are the best places to visit in Madeira? Funchal, the Cabo Girão skywalk, Pico do Areeiro, the Laurisilva forest, the Porto Moniz natural pools, Monte, Ponta de São Lourenço, the Madeira wine cellars, Câmara de Lobos, and the island's levada walks.

What is Madeira famous for? Madeira is famous for its volcanic scenery, levada walking trails through UNESCO laurel forest, fortified Madeira wine, mild year-round weather, and viewpoints such as Cabo Girão and Pico do Areeiro.

What should you not miss in Madeira? The sunrise at Pico do Areeiro, the Cabo Girão skywalk, a levada walk in the laurel forest, the Porto Moniz pools, and the toboggan ride at Monte, plus the traditional houses at Santana.

How many days do you need to see Madeira's attractions? Two to three days covers the highlights around Funchal. Add extra days for more levada walks, the north coast, or a trip to Porto Santo.

What is the most picturesque village in Madeira? Câmara de Lobos and Santana are among the most picturesque, the former a colourful fishing harbour and the latter known for its triangular thatched A-frame houses.