ViewpointsFree
Pico do Arieiro Sunrise
Pico do Arieiro
A mountaintop above the clouds, famous for sunrise and the start of a dramatic ridge trail.
- Suggested time: 4 hrs
- No booking needed
Open-air; sunrise draws crowds
Madeira
A subtropical island of levada walks, dramatic peaks and flower-filled valleys.
Overview
Why go to Madeira
Madeira is a green Atlantic island of steep mountains, hand-cut irrigation channels called levadas, and cliff-hugging roads. It is wonderful for walking, whale-watching and gardens, with a mild climate all year round.
Madeira is an island, so places are spread across roughly 60 km of mountainous roads. A hire car or organised tours make it far easier.
- Where
- Madeira Islands, Portugal
- Recommended stay
- 5–8 nights
- Best time to go
- Year-round mild weather; April–October is driest, while spring brings peak flowers.
- Approx. daily budget
- £55–115 a dayPer person, excluding flights. Indicative.
Things to Do
See all 9 Top picks in Madeira
9 places with prices, timings and booking advice.
Hidden GemsFree
Levada do Caldeirão Verde
Queimadas
A walk along a water channel through laurel forest to a waterfall, with a few tunnels.
- Suggested time: 5 hrs
- No booking needed
Open-air; best in dry weather
Viewpoints~£2
Cabo Girão Skywalk
Câmara de Lobos
A glass-floored platform on one of Europe’s highest sea cliffs.
- Suggested time: 45 min
- No booking needed
Daily, roughly 9:00–19:00
Beaches~£3
Porto Moniz Natural Pools
Porto Moniz
Seawater pools formed in volcanic rock at the island’s north-western tip.
- Suggested time: 3 hrs
- No booking needed
Daily, roughly 9:00–19:00 in season
Hidden GemsFree
Ponta de São Lourenço Walk
Caniçal
A dry, dramatic peninsula with orange cliffs, sea stacks and clear water.
- Suggested time: 3h 30m
- No booking needed
Open-air; check heat before setting off
Hidden GemsFree
Santana Triangular Houses
Santana
Thatched, triangular cottages painted in red and blue, a symbol of the island.
- Suggested time: 1h 30m
- No booking needed
Open-air; small paid park nearby
Food & drink
What to eat and drink in Madeira
A few local favourites to look out for. Ask where locals go rather than following the menu with photos.
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Espetada
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Bolo do caco
-
Poncha
Day trips
Worth leaving Madeira for
ViewpointsFree
Pico do Arieiro Sunrise
Pico do Arieiro
A mountaintop above the clouds, famous for sunrise and the start of a dramatic ridge trail.
- Suggested time: 4 hrs
- No booking needed
Open-air; sunrise draws crowds
Hidden GemsFree
Levada do Caldeirão Verde
Queimadas
A walk along a water channel through laurel forest to a waterfall, with a few tunnels.
- Suggested time: 5 hrs
- No booking needed
Open-air; best in dry weather
Hidden GemsFree
Fanal Laurel Forest
Fanal
Ancient twisted laurel trees wreathed in mist on a high plateau, dreamlike in fog.
- Suggested time: 2h 30m
- No booking needed
Open-air; visibility varies with cloud
Where to stay
All hotels Hotels in Madeira
Sample data. Sample hotels with indicative prices, not live rates or availability. A live hotel provider will be connected in a later version.
Sample listing
Levada Lodge
Santana, Madeira
A cosy mountain lodge on the green north coast, ideal for early levada walks.
£70–115per room / night · indicative
Sample price for two adults, not live. Availability is not checked.
Sample listing
Porto Moniz Ocean Hotel
Porto Moniz, Madeira
A clifftop hotel with sea-view rooms and a pool, close to the natural pools.
£95–150per room / night · indicative
Sample price for two adults, not live. Availability is not checked.
Sample listing
Calheta Sun Resort
Calheta, Madeira
A family resort on the sunny south-west coast, with pools and a small beach.
£100–165per room / night · indicative
Sample price for two adults, not live. Availability is not checked.
A suggested Madeira itinerary
3 nights Couple
Madeira · Highlights
Madeira in 3 nights
A balanced first-visit plan built from our Madeira picks: the headline sights, a local favourite or two and time to breathe.
- Day 1 · Santana Triangular Houses, Porto Moniz Natural Pools
- Day 2 · Pico do Arieiro Sunrise, Cabo Girão Skywalk
- Day 3 · Câmara de Lobos Fishing Village, Ponta de São Lourenço Walk
Plan Madeira your way
Tell us your dates, who’s travelling and what you enjoy. We’ll build a first draft you can edit.