Museums & Culture

Madeira’s cultural heritage is defined by its volcanic origins and strategic maritime history. This selection features 18th-century coastal fortifications like the Fort of São Tiago and the triangular Forte de Nossa Senhora do Amparo, alongside specialized institutions like the Whale Museum and Blandy’s Wine Lodge. Visitors can explore the island's geological past at the São Vicente Caves, view contemporary works at the MUDAS museum, or discover local ethnographic traditions and the personal trophies of Cristiano Ronaldo at the CR7 Museum.

Museums & Culture — Map

Maximovich Nikolay / CC BY 3.0

A

Sao Vicente Caves & Volcanism Centre

The São Vicente Caves are caves located in the parish and county of São Vicente, Madeira.

TeWeBs / CC BY-SA 3.0

B

Fort of São Tiago

The Fort of São Tiago is a historic military fort located in the historical centre of Funchal, Madeira.

Andy Hawkins / CC BY-SA 2.0

C

Sao Lourenco Fortress-Palace

An impressive colonial fortress from the 15th century served as a seat of military and governors.

Anthony le Bourlier / CC-BY-SA

D

Madeira Aquarium

Located in a renovated fort from 18th century. Now it houses 70 tanks with wide variety of local species.

E

Whale Museum

The museum is accordingly located in a fishing village (Caniçal). The main attraction is a life-size model of whale.

Andrew Nash / CC BY-SA 2.0

F

Blandy's Wine Lodge

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

Zarco / CC-BY-SA-3.0

G

Pico Fortress

This fort used to be an important part of the defensive system of Funchal.

John Markx / CC-BY-SA

H

CR7 Museu

The Museu CR7 is a museum that is dedicated to Portuguese footballer Cristiano Ronaldo's trophies.

Mattes / CC BY-SA 4.0

I

Madeira Story Centre

If you want to know more about its history and culture, this is a place for you.

Sociedade de Desenvolvimento Ponta Oeste / Copyrighted free use

J

Mudas - Contemporary Art Museum

Modern art museum housed in an extraordinary building set on the hillside of Calheta village. Worth visiting just for the building itself.

D-Stanley / CC BY 2.0

K

Manor Estate of the Crosses Museum

Manor house surrounded by a garden full of exotic species. The museum collections encompass rich variety of antiques and paintings.

Coeli / Public domain

L

Forte de Nossa Senhora do Amparo

An 18th-century triangular fortress built in 1706 to protect the bay of Machico from pirate raids. The structure retains its stone walls and historic cannons overlooking the Atlantic.

M

Ethnographic Museum

This museum set its goal on preserving and promoting traditional culture of Madeira. The main focus is on traditional crafts.

Johan Spaedtke / CC0

N

Pregetter's Orchid Garden

This family-run orchid garden with a long tradition used to exhibit more than 50,000 plants that constituted a jungle.

Darwinius/att / CC BY-SA 4.0

O

Forte São José

A small 18th-century fortress built on the Ilhéu da Pontinha to defend Funchal’s harbor. It is situated on a rocky outcrop connected to the mainland by the port’s pier.

Pásztörperc / CC BY-SA 3.0

P

Henrique and Francisco Franco Museum

Here you can encounter work of the Madeiran artists. They have been a significant influence to the other Portuguese artists of 19th century.