Places to visit
in Madeira

Find your part of the island, from Funchal’s streets to the north-coast pools. Explore by area, then follow the guides to the places you like.

Explore the island Choose your base

By Michael Martinez, born and raised in Madeira · Updated 30 October 2026

Madeira, by area

Keep nearby places together. Each number leads to a short area guide below.

Relief map of Madeira with five numbered links to the area guides below. Markers show general locations, not regional boundaries.

1 Funchal 2 East 3 West 4 North 5 Mountains

Funchal & Câmara de LobosCity, food & boat trips
The eastSea cliffs & swimming
The westVillages & sunset
The north coastBlack sand & lava pools
Mountains & forestPeaks & forest walks

Mountains and forest are a separate planning group, reached from different parts of the coast.

Compare the areas →

Colourful fishing boats in Câmara de Lobos Bay below houses and terraced hillsides

Funchal & Câmara de Lobos

Old Town lanes, the seafront and a fishing bay. Give the city its own day.

A day here: Funchal in the morning, then a boat trip or Câmara de Lobos. Choose the boat or the fishing bay rather than rushing both.

Swimmers in deep blue water off the concrete sunbathing deck and sea steps at Praia da Pedra da Eira, Caniçal

The east

The São Lourenço headland, Machico’s bay and the swimming spots around Caniçal and Caniço.

A day here: PR8, lunch in Caniçal, then Machico if you have time. Save Santana and the north-east for a separate day.

Painted wooden fishing boats pulled up on the ramp at Paúl do Mar harbour, below a waterfall on the red cliff

The west

Beach towns under high cliffs, banana terraces and slow afternoons on the south-west coast.

A day here: Ponta do Sol, Calheta or Jardim do Mar, then sunset at Paúl do Mar. Walking the PR6? Make Rabaçal the main event and keep one coastal stop.

Black sand, swimmers and green cliffs at Porto do Seixal Beach

The north coast

Green cliffs, Seixal’s black sand and the lava pools at Porto Moniz.

A day here: São Vicente, Seixal and Porto Moniz along the coast. For a long swim, make one beach or pool your main stop. Fanal is an inland detour.

Michael standing at Pico do Arieiro just before sunrise, above a sea of clouds, with the horizon glowing orange behind him

Mountains & forest

Arieiro’s ridges, Ribeiro Frio’s forest and the valleys inland. Choose the outing around the weather.

A day here: Arieiro viewpoints, then Ribeiro Frio and the short PR11 to Balcões. The full PR1 needs its own day. Nuns Valley and Fanal are separate outings.

Explore further: hiking trails map, things to do, or my hidden gems.

Three quick comparisons

East or west?

East: The PR8 sea cliffs, Machico and a swim in Caniçal.
West: Coastal villages, Calheta and sunset at Paúl do Mar.

Give each its own day if you want time to walk or swim.

North or south?

North: Green cliffs, black sand and lava pools.
South: Funchal, pebble beaches and the towns towards Calheta.

Visit both coasts; choose where to sleep around your evenings and transport.

Beach or mountains?

Beach: A swim and a slow lunch, with room to stay longer.
Mountains: Viewpoints or a PR walk, planned around suitable weather.

A full PR walk is the main event for the day; a viewpoint visit leaves more room.

Already chosen your places? See how they fit into a 3, 5, 7 or 10-day trip →

Want your days planned for you?

Our family puts the places you like into a day-by-day plan. A personal plan from our family is €149 for up to 5 days (€199 for 6 to 8), ready in 48 hours.

Get a personal plan

Before you go

Which places should I see on a first visit?

Start with Funchal, Seixal and Porto Moniz, then a mountain outing. Add São Lourenço for a coastal walk and the south-west for villages and sunset.

Can I explore Madeira without a car?

Yes, but choose stops around bus connections or day tours. Central Funchal is the practical base; avoid copying a driving itinerary stop for stop.

Beach and pool descriptions: Porto Moniz council and Visit Madeira. Local planning suggestions by Michael Martinez and family.