Things to do in  Madeira

Located 5,000 feet (1,500 meters above sea level, the Paul da Serra Plateau is the flattest part of Madeira and offers panoramic views of emerald valleys and mountains. On a clear day you can see as far as the North Atlantic Ocean.

Pico do Arieiro is a mountain on the island of Madeira, off the coast of Portugal. At 5,965 feet (1,818 meters), it’s the island’s third highest peak and one of its most popular tourist attractions, thanks to incredible views from the summit and challenging hiking trails.

With its dramatic sea cliffs soaring more than 1,903 feet (580 meters) above Madeira’s south coast, Cabo Girão is the highest promontory in Europe. The clifftop is one of the island’s most-visited attractions, with a glass-floor skywalk lookout point affording spectacular panoramic views.

As the landing point for the discoverers of Madeira in the 15th century, the town of Machico boasts a rich history. It’s home to Capela dos Milagres—one of the island’s oldest churches, the historic fortresses of São João Baptista and Nossa Senhora do Amparo; and a beach that’s backed by a fountain-flanked promenade.

Built against a cliff overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, the charming seaside village of Porto Moniz on the north-west tip of Madeira is known for its natural salt-water swimming pools surrounded by volcanic rock formations. Life here revolves around the outdoors; the village started out as a fishing and farming outpost and you’ll see the tropical fruit plantations along the hillside as you walk around.

Located on the north coast of Madeira, Santana is a small town famous for its traditional-style whitewashed A-Frame houses with thatched roofs, painted blue window frames, and red shutters. The town is also home to the Madeira Theme Park, a popular family-friendly attraction.

Madeira is home to a piece of history that goes far beyond the ruins of Rome and the battlefields of France. The vegetation found in the Laurel Forest (Laurisilva used to carpet all of southern Europe—it’s believed that this forest is at least 15 million years old, one of many reasons that Madeira’s Laurel Forest boasts UNESCO World Heritage status.

Dating back to 1741, the Church of Our Lady of Monte (Igreja de Nossa Senhora do Monte is the most important pilgrimage site on the island of Madeira. Notable relics inside the church include the tomb of Charles I of Hapsburg, an Austrian emperor exiled to Madeira, and a silver sculpture of the Virgin Mary.

One of Madeira’s key natural attractions, the Laurisilva Rainforests are also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Though similar laurel forests were once widespread across Europe, Madeira's Laurisilva Rainforests are now the largest-surviving example of the ecosystem in existence, and are home to many rare plant and animal species.

Surrounded by steep mountains, the village of Curral das Freiras (Valley of the Nuns) seems like an impossible place to access when viewed from the Eira do Serrado lookout point. But its remote location is exactly why it was embraced by the escaped slaves and nuns who fled from pirates in Funchal.

As one of Madeira’s most-accessible viewpoints, Pico dos Barcelos Viewpoint (Miradouro Pico dos Barcelos promises panoramic island views without the strenuous hike required to reach most Madeiran miradouros. From this 1,200-foot (355-meter vantage point, you can enjoy 360-degree views of Funchal Bay and the Ilhas Desertas.

One of Madeira’s loveliest green spaces, the island’s Botanical Gardens (Jardins Botânicos da Madeira) debuted in 1960. Stretching across 20 acres (9 hectares) and home to more than 2,000 species of exotic plants, the oasis is best known for its colorful geometric flower beds and carefully groomed topiary gardens.

Formed by volcanic eruptions more than 890,000 years ago, the Sao Vicente Caves are a network of underground lava tubes beneath the north coast town of Sao Vicente on Madeira island. Follow pathways around the caverns, rocks, and lakes before exploring the Volcanism Centre with explanatory audio-visual displays.

The Portela Viewpoint (Miradouro da Portela), nestled between Porto da Cruz and Machico, provides an unrivaled vantage point to marvel at the beautiful landscapes of Madeira. From mountains to villages, the sweeping coastal panorama showcases the island's captivating scenery. A visit to this lookout is a must, and dining at Restaurante Miradouro da Portela nearby will make it all the more memorable.

Poised on a hilltop overlooking the city of Funchal, the Monte Palace Tropical Gardens are home to thousands of rare plant species, water features, and sculptures. The gardens are spread out across some 17 acres (seven hectares and also comprise the Monte Palace Museum.