Best Hikes and Other Things to Do in Madeira, Portugal
Right in the middle of the Atlantic, just a few hundred miles off the coast of West Africa, lies a small Portuguese archipelago of Madeira. Referred to as the “Hawaii of Europe”, the island is a haven of natural beauty. With springtime temperatures felt all year round, Madeira has no shortage of outdoor activities. You can go on walks along the network of levadas (irrigation channels), relax in the natural swimming pools or admire the cloud inversions at Pico do Arieiro.
Madeira is the hiker’s paradise. But what if you are not into hiking? Not a problem! Enjoy the history and the gastronomic scene of Madeira’s capital, Funchal, sunbathe by the pool in one of the many luxury hotels along the rugged volcanic cliffs, party at the Flower festival or Carnival parade or go searching for whales and dolphins on a private boat tour.
Madeira has activities for any type of traveler. Whether you are into open air activities, luxury travel, relaxing at the beach or eating your way through a destination, this beautiful island has things to offer for everyone. The blue ocean waters, the volcanic black sand beaches, the dramatic scenery, and the stunning vistas will make you want to come back here again and again!
Madeira Essentials
Hike the volcanic cliffs at Vereda da Ponta de São Lourenço – PR 8
This hike is one of the most popular hikes in Madeira. In fact, when you are flying into Madeira, you’ll be able to see it from the plane as you approach the island.
The trail follows the rocky cliffs of the Easternmost Peninsula of the island. Along the way, you’ll stumble across stunning ocean views with waves crashing at the volcanic rock formations. This hike is very unique with stunning views around every corner.
The hike is a moderate one, as you’ll be going up and down quite a lot. The most challenging part of the hike is the scorching sun. The trail provides no shade, so be sure to bring lots of water and sunscreen.
Duration: 3 – 4 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
Total distance: 8 km (5 miles) roundtrip
Starting point: The parking lot at the end of the road near Canical
Accessibility: Car, taxi, or bus #113 (Canical). Guided tours from Funchal are also available
Go for a walk at Levada do Caldeirão Verde – PR 9
Another popular activity that is very unique to Madeira is going on a Levada walk.
The levadas are a system of channels or aqueducts, mostly bordering mountains and sometimes going through them, where the water runs from the mountain top to its final destination. The water is used for human consumption, agricultural purposes, and the production of electrical energy.
What makes the hike special is the thick Queimadas forest that you pass through as you follow the levada on the way to several smaller waterfalls. As you make your way to the end of the trail, where you’ll be rewarded with a stunning view of the levada’s largest waterfall, you’ll walk through several dark tunnels (bring a headlamp).
At a certain point, you’ll also walk on a very narrow path with a levada full of water on one side and a steep ravine on another (don’t worry, there are railings). The view of the surrounding mountains is simply amazing!
If you can only do one outdoor activity on this trip and are not into strenuous hiking, then this levada walk must be on your list!
Duration: 5 – 6 hours
Difficulty: Easy to moderate
Total distance: 17.4 km (10.8 miles) roundtrip
Starting point: Queimadas Forest Park parking lot
Accessibility: Car and guided tours from Funchal
Visit the Ronaldo Trophy Museum
Madeira is the birthplace of one of the greatest football players in the world, Cristiano Ronaldo. Everywhere you go on the island, you’ll see his posters and souvenirs sold at the local shops.
So, it’s no surprise that the island would have a museum dedicated to Cristiano. The museum is conveniently located just on the outskirts of Funchal in the Pestana CR7 Hotel. And you guessed it right – one of the owners of the hotel is Ronaldo himself.
The visit to the museum shouldn’t take more than an hour and if you have a chance, stay at the hotel. It’s a beautiful and modern hotel with a rooftop pool overlooking the waterfront promenade. From here, you’ll be able to witness all the hilarious photos taken with the Ronaldo statue in front of the museum.
Relax at the Natural Pools of Porto Moniz
After you’ve hiked to your heart’s desire, spend a day relaxing at the natural pools in the small town of Porto Moniz on Madeira’s northwestern coast. These pools are considered to be one of the best natural pools in Europe, if not the world.
Located about an hour’s drive from Funchal, you’ll have a choice of not one but two natural pools to enjoy (yes, you can do both). The first one is a free public pool that is gorgeous in its own right. The only downside is there are no lockers, and the surfaces are covered in algae making it quite slippery.
The other pools have a small entrance fee (about 4 euros) and offer lockers, changing rooms with showers, and a café overlooking the crashing waves of the Atlantic Ocean.
Just a short ride from here, you’ll find the hidden gems of Praia de Ribeira da Janela and Seixal black sand beach.
Go paddle boarding at Seixal black sand beach
Being a volcanic island, Madeira has plenty of beaches with volcanic rock formations. But the Seixal black sand beach offers smooth and fine sand perfect for a relaxing afternoon by the water. It’s tucked away against lush emerald-green cliffs and the views are phenomenal.
Here, you can take surfing lessons, go paddle boarding or swim in the gentle waves.
Watch the birds at Vereda dos Balcões viewpoint – PR 11
This is probably the shortest and easiest hike in Madeira. It’s suitable for all ages and fitness levels. At the end of the walk, on a clear day, you’ll be able to see Madeira’s three highest peaks – Pico do Arieiro, Pico Ruivo and Pico das Torres. It’s also a great place to see some native birds.
In my opinion, this hike was a bit underwhelming, so I wouldn’t go out of your way to visit it. But if it’s on your way to another destination, then it’s worth a quick stop.
Duration: 0.5 – 1 hour
Difficulty: Easy
Total distance: 3 km (1.86 miles) roundtrip
Starting point: Ribeiro Frio (road 103)
Accessibility: Car or public bus #56, 103 or 138
Explore Funchal and its painted doors
Funchal is the capital of Madeira and its largest city. You can easily spend a whole afternoon strolling through its narrow streets and beautiful parks. Walk alongside the marina and try to spot a dolphin or buy a souvenir from a local vendor.
Consider riding the Funchal Cable Car and visiting the Botanical gardens or opt for a traditional and exhilarating toboggan ride in a wicker basket.
Don’t forget to indulge in the gastronomic scene of the old town. Being so close to the water, Madeira is known for its seafood.
Another fun activity is to check out the painted doors of the old town. “The Art of Open Doors” is the name of the project that started in 2010 and transformed the old town of Funchal into a colorful open-air gallery. The doors of old buildings were painted by local artists with the full support of the government making this charming town a perfect backdrop for your Instagram photos.
Watch the sunset or sunrise at Pico do Arieiro
This activity is an absolute must! And the best part is you don’t have to do any hiking to enjoy the stunning views from this mountain top.
Sitting at 1,818 m (5,965 ft) above sea level, Pico do Arieiro is easily accessible by car, but make sure to arrive early as the parking lot gets filled up pretty quickly. You can also reach this point as part of an organized tour. Not a fan of early mornings? Book a sunset tour, which is just as memorable.
From the parking lot, make a short walk to the viewing platform (the platform is wheelchair accessible). If time permits, walk for half a mile to a mile towards Pico Ruivo (just don’t do it in sandals!). The trail is gorgeous and offers magnificent views in every direction.
“Pico to Pico” hike – PR 1
The hike between Pico do Arieiro and Pico Ruivo is arguably the most famous hike in Madeira. It was also the main reason why I wanted to go to Madeira in the first place. Little did I know about all the other fantastic places this island had to offer!
The hike itself offers incredible views of the surrounding mountains, rich fauna and flora, and if you are lucky, you’ll even get to see some cloud inversions. This is also where the infamous “Stairway to Heaven” is located (about a 30-minute hike from Pico do Arieiro).
But don’t underestimate this hike! It’s a strenuous uphill/downhill battle with many steep steps and you should have some hiking experience and be in decent physical shape to do it.
The logistics of getting there are a bit complicated, as there is no public transportation to get to the starting point, but the taxi system is rather efficient, though quite expensive. You should pre-arrange your one-way transport if you plan to hike only in one direction.
Or you can do what I did and hike roundtrip. Was it exhausting? Absolutely! But the convenience of getting into my own car at the end of the hike instead of dealing with arranging for transportation was well worth it.
Having said that, this hike alone was worth purchasing the plane ticket for!
Duration: 5 – 6 hours
Difficulty: Moderate to difficult
Total distance: 6.7 miles (10.7 km) roundtrip
Elevation: 1,230 m (4,038 ft)
Starting point: Pico do Arieiro parking lot
Stand over the highest cliffs in Europe at Cabo Girão Skywalk
Cabo Girão is a great place to visit for spectacular views of the highest sea cliffs in Europe soaring 589 m (1,932 ft) above sea level. For those of you not afraid of heights, there is also a suspended over the edge of the cliffs glass-floored platform, called Cabo Girão Skywalk.
It’s quite special to see the steep rugged cliffs under your feet. If you are afraid of heights, you can still admire the views from the side.
Get lunch at Câmara de Lobos
Another popular destination is the fishing village of Câmara de Lobos. This charming harbor is located just 15 minutes away from Funchal and offers all the authentic feels of a small village.
Stop here for lunch and experience one of the best seafood cafes on the island.
Visit the Tropical Gardens at Monte Palace
Considered to be one of the most beautiful gardens in the world, Monte Palace Gardens is a vast, tropical garden located in the village of Monte, on Funchal’s mountainside.
The design of the garden is influenced by both Asian and African cultures with traditional Japanese red bridges and African statues. Its walls are lined with Portuguese tile art that depict the history of Madeira throughout the centuries.
You can easily spend half a day here wandering through its intricate alleys, smelling the myriad of flowers, or exploring the art galleries. You can combine the visit to this tropical paradise with a visit to another beautiful garden, Jardim Botânico da Madeira.
Take gorgeous waterfall photos at the 25 Fontes hike – PR 6
Another popular and easy levada walk is the Vereda das 25 Fontes, located deep inside the interior of the island. There is a pretty steep descent at the beginning of the hike, but after that it’s mostly flat.
The highlight of the hike is the 25 fountains that feed the canal that runs along the hike. At the end of the trail, you’ll reach a beautiful waterfall that cascades into a small pool with tiny fish.
Duration: 3 – 4 hours
Difficulty: Easy to moderate
Total distance: 5.7 miles (9.2 km) roundtrip
Starting point: Parking lot on ER road 110 near Rabaçal
Accessibility: Car and guided tours from Funchal
Look over the Valley of the Nuns
This is another popular spot famous for the incredible views.
Just 45 minutes away from Funchal, by car or bus # 81, lies the village of Curral das Freiras. But the main reason for the visit is not the village itself, though it’s charming. It’s the jaw-dropping view of the Valley of the Nuns from Eira do Serrado. The viewpoint sits at 1,094 m (3,590 ft) above sea level and provides unparalleled views of the village at the foot of the canyon.
