Madeira Island Essentials

Madeira’s landscape is defined by its volcanic origins, featuring the 580-meter-high Cabo Girão cliff and the rugged peaks of Areeiro and Ruivo. The island preserves the world's largest laurel forest, a UNESCO World Heritage site, alongside the 15th-century Funchal Cathedral and the tiled Mercado dos Lavradores. Coastal highlights include the natural seawater pools at Porto Moniz and the arid Ponta de São Lourenço peninsula. Cultural traditions are represented by the wicker toboggan rides from Monte and the historic Blandy's Wine Lodge.

Madeira Island Essentials — Map

Unukorno / CC BY 3.0

A

Cabo Girão

Highest promontory in Europe featuring a suspended glass platform with panoramic views over the south coast and local agricultural landscapes.

Ondřej Žváček / CC BY 2.5

B

Arieiro Peak

Mountain peak with an altitude of 1,818 meters, featuring panoramic views of the surrounding mountain massif and the Atlantic Ocean.

Stephen Colebourne / CC BY 2.0

C

Porto Moniz Natural Pools

Natural seawater pools formed by volcanic rocks, featuring extensive swimming areas and panoramic coastal views. The pools include supporting infrastructure and are accessible year-round.

Richard Bartz / CC BY-SA 3.0

D

Ponta de Sao Lourenco

Volcanic peninsula and protected nature reserve with hiking trails, unique flora and fauna, and panoramic coastal views.

Alexander Baxevanis / CC BY 2.0

E

Farmers Market

Historic farmers market featuring fresh regional produce, seafood, and traditional Azulejo tile panels. Known for its vibrant atmosphere and cultural heritage status.

Allie_Caulfield / CC BY 2.0

F

Monte Palace Tropical Garden

One of the most beautiful botanical gardens in the world. Surrounding the Monte Palace, a former hotel, it contains an abundant collection…

G

Ruivo Peak

Pico Ruivo is the highest peak on Madeira Island. It can be reached only by foot, usually either from Pico do Areeiro after a strenuous hike…

Luismiguelrodrigues / CC BY-SA 3.0

H

Laurel Forest

UNESCO World Heritage Site. Endemic Laurel forest with an abundance of biodiversity and rare species. A must see.

Stephen Colebourne / CC BY 2.0

I

Funchal Cable Car

This cable car connects the lower areas of Funchal with Monte. Operating since 2000, it is popular with both locals and tourists since it…

Hans Olav Lien / CC BY-SA 3.0

J

Madeira Toboggan

One of the most popular tourist attractions that Monte offers - a ride down the mountain on a wicker sledge.

Stephen Colebourne / CC BY 2.0

K

Funchal Cathedral

The Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption in Sé, Funchal, Madeira, Portugal, is the cathedral of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Funchal,…

Unukorno / CC BY 3.0

L

Véu da Noiva

Coastal waterfall on the northern shore that drops directly into the Atlantic Ocean. The name translates to "Bride's Veil," referencing the white foam created as the water cascades down the cliffside.

Unukorno / CC BY 3.0

M

25 Fontes Falls

The 25 Fontes is a group of waterfalls located in Rabaçal, Paul da Serra on Madeira Island.

N

Casas de Colmo-traditional houses

Iconic triangular-shaped dwellings in Santana featuring steep, thatched roofs made of straw. These traditional structures were historically used by local farmers as residences and storage spaces.

Andrew Nash / CC BY-SA 2.0

O

Blandy's Wine Lodge

One of the famous Madeira wine lodges dedicated to presenting and promoting the traditional way of making Madeira wine.