Madeira attractions

The Sé Cathedral of Funchal (Sé Catedral do Funchal), also known as the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption, is Madeira’s key religious landmark. Built in the late 15th century, the cathedral is one of the island’s longest-standing buildings and features classically Madeiran design elements, including volcanic rocks.

Located 3,200 feet (975 meters above sea level, the Eira do Serrado observation point offers some of the best views in Madeira. From the spacious deck you can soak up vistas that encompass the mountainous interior of Camara de Lobos and the parish of Curral das Freiras.

Ponta de São Lourenço is an arid peninsular at the easternmost tip of Madeira, from where the island’s volcanic origins are most evident. While it might not boast the lushness that characterizes most of Madeira, it offers exceptional views of the north and south coasts and the deep blue sprawl of the Atlantic Ocean.

The three rocky Desertas Islands are often the first glimpse travelers get of Madeira, before landing at Funchal’s airport. Protected from development, they are a haven for local bird species.

Tucked away in the lush hills east of Funchal, you’ll find the Palheiro Gardens (Quinta do Palheiro) and their myriad flowers and plants, ranging from camellias and centennial trees to a rainbow-colored rose garden. There are also lakes dotted with water lilies, a sunken garden, and a teahouse overlooking vivid New Zealand metrosideros and Brazilian araucarias.

One of Funchal’s prettiest streets, Santa Maria Street (Rua de Santa Maria) is a quaint and cobbled road in the heart of Madeira’s capital. Its star attraction is its painted doors, which depict everything from natural landscapes to mythical creatures. It’s also full of cafés and restaurants serving hot drinks and local specialties.

Begin your Madeira excursions at the Madeira Story Centre, a modern multimedia museum that tells the archipelago’s story, from its volcanic origins 14,000 years ago to the present day. Open since 2005, the museum’s family-friendly exhibitions are complemented by a large gift shop, a terrace restaurant, and a rooftop viewing deck.

When Columbus set sail for the New World in 1492, he did so on the Niña, the Pinta, and his flagship vessel, the Santa Maria. While the original Santa Maria did not survive the voyage, this recreation has been a highlight of Funchal and the Madeira region since its debut in 1998, and welcomes visitors aboard for sailing trips.

Located in the heart of Funchal’s Old Town, Armazém do Mercado is a commercial hub that combines traditional and contemporary Portuguese culture. Home to everything from art galleries and museums to boutiques and restaurants, the market provides an alternative to standard malls and souvenir shops.

Occupying a prime perch on Funchal Bay, Santa Catarina Park (Parque de Santa Catarina) is one of Madeira’s most popular outdoor spaces. At 387,500 square feet (36,000-square meters), it’s home to lush trees and flowerbeds, sculptures commemorating Prince Henry the Navigator and Christopher Columbus, and the Chapel of Santa Catarina.

The small but charming Funchal Natural History Museum (Museu de História Natural do Funchal) is the oldest museum in Madeira and full of well-preserved characters—its collection includes thousands of plant and animal species native to the archipelago. The museum is located in a historic manor with a garden.