Madeira Island Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Ponta do Sol showing rugged coastline and a coastal town
Funchal showing mountains, a coastal town and a sunset
Camara de Lobos featuring a bay or harbour and a coastal town
Camara de Lobos featuring boating, general coastal views and a bay or harbour
Funchal featuring mist or fog, landscape views and general coastal views

Madeira Island Travel Guide Video

Visit this dream-like island, home to green jungle, quaint villages, haunting volcanic rock formations and misty mountains.

Madeira Island has stunning natural landscapes and hot temperatures all year-round. Get on the hiking trails that run alongside the man-made irrigation channels. Enjoy unforgettable views over clear blue waters and cliffs covered in green vegetation. Spot brightly coloured and sweetly scented flowers in the spring. Chill out on sandy beaches, try out thrilling water sports or delve into the island’s enthralling cultural heritage.

Take in Madeira’s idyllic natural scenery with a levada walk: the levadas are a series of mini-canals developed by early settlers to distribute water around the island. Explore a network of more than 870 miles (1,400 kilometres) of irrigation canals and follow them to waterfalls and lagoons, as well as valleys, mountain ranges and laurel forests.

Brave the glass-floored skywalk at Cabo GirãoOpens in a new window, one of the highest ocean cliffs in the world. Standing 1,902 feet (580 meters) above the water, you can spot FunchalOpens in a new window, the island’s largest city, and Câmara de Lobos from this dramatic location.

Visit the gorgeous village of Santana, known for its multicoloured A-framed cottages, called palheiros. These charming thatched-roof residences are unique to the island and well worth a visit.

See the ornate geometric patterns decorating the roof of Funchal's cathedral, Sé Catedral de Nossa Senhora da Assunção. Constructed in the 16th century, this Moorish-influenced cathedral also features beautiful Baroque altars, gilded choir stalls and intricate tiling.

Don’t miss the views over Funchal from Jardim Botanico, a beautiful botanical garden. Walk along the well-labelled paths and admire collections of cacti and anthuriums. Look for the overlapping roots of an ancient heather tree, which is said to be more than 10 million years old.

Calheta Beach may be man-made, but its golden sands and clear waters are nonetheless scenic. Canoe, windsurf, swim or stop for some fresh seafood at one of the restaurants found along the beach. Be sure to sample the region’s unique white rum called aguardente.

Madeira Island is located about 350 miles (563.3 kilometres) from Morocco. Regular flights leave daily from Lisbon.

Portugal is a great location for a bit of sun, sea and sand. If you like beach holidays in Algarve then you're sure to love our cheap beach holidays to the AlgarveOpens in a new window or our Albufeira beach holidaysOpens in a new window. Book with Expedia and find out why.

Where to stay in Madeira Island

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Old Town Funchal

If you're spending some time in Old Town Funchal, Funchal-Monte Teleferico and Funchal Farmers Market are top sights worth seeing.

Old Town Funchal
Museum of Natural History which includes a city and street scenes

Sao Pedro

4.5/5(77 area reviews)

Sao Pedro is known for its colourful gardens, and you can plan a trip to Holy Trinity Church and Quinta das Cruzes Museum while you're in town.

Sao Pedro
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São Roque

São Roque is well liked for its restaurants. If you'd like to do some sightseeing in the greater Funchal area, you might plan a trip to Madeira Congress Center or Monte Palace Gardens.

São Roque
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Santana

Visitors to Santana rave about its fantastic nightlife, breathtaking beach views and beautiful gardens. You might also want to make some time to see Madeira Theme Park or Pico Das Pedras while you're exploring the neighbourhood.

Santana
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Estrela da Calheta

Estrela da Calheta might not have many top sights, but 25 Fontes and Cascada da Risco and Paul do Mar Beach are two attractions nearby that you can check out.

Estrela da Calheta
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Imaculado Coracao de Maria

Visitors to Imaculado Coracao de Maria like its gardens and seaside views, and Quinta Palmeira is a sight worth a stop.

Imaculado Coracao de Maria
 Saccharum Resort

Saccharum Resort

5 out of 5
Rua Serra de Água, 1, Calheta
The price is £263 per night from 29 Jul to 30 Jul
£263
29 Jul - 30 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Calheta. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, 2 outdoor pools and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the property condition ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (907 reviews)
"Beautiful resort and property. Room was just as pictured. We loved the location and the beach and beach club across the street. Only negative I would say is all the fees and automatic tips taken out. I did not like how they added tips on to all meals at the location. So if you tipped yourself they ..."

Reviewed on 18 Jul 2025

Saccharum Resort
Dreams Madeira Resort Spa & Marina - All Inclusive

Dreams Madeira Resort Spa & Marina - All Inclusive

5 out of 5
Sitio da Piedade, Machico, Madeira
The price is £318 per night from 7 Aug to 8 Aug
£318
7 Aug - 8 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Machico. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, 3 outdoor pools and 7 restaurants. Popular attractions Madeira Whale Museum and Sao Lourenco Point ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (102 reviews)
"Beautiful! A lovely stay."

Reviewed on 12 Jul 2025

Dreams Madeira Resort Spa & Marina - All Inclusive
Reid's Palace, A Belmond Hotel, Madeira

Reid's Palace, A Belmond Hotel, Madeira

5 out of 5
Estrada Monumental 139, Funchal
The price is £627 per night from 30 Jul to 31 Jul
£627
30 Jul - 31 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Funchal. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (580 reviews)
"-"

Reviewed on 23 Jun 2025

Reid's Palace, A Belmond Hotel, Madeira
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Dom Pedro Garajau

Dom Pedro Garajau

3 out of 5
Estrada do Garajau, 131, Santa Cruz
Stay at this 3-star family-friendly aparthotel in Santa Cruz. Enjoy 2 outdoor pools, a 24-hour front desk and daily housekeeping. Our guests praise the helpful ...
7.2/10 Good! (449 reviews)
Nice place for a few days
"Nice place. Welcoming/check in was ok, but not exceptional. No explanation on the wifi (just available in the lobby), the pools, and other services available to us. The room was clean but dated. No AC and no Wifi in the room."

Reviewed on 16 Jul 2025

Dom Pedro Garajau
Florasol Residence Hotel

Florasol Residence Hotel

3 out of 5
Estrada Monumental 306, Funchal
Stay at this 3-star eco-certified aparthotel in Funchal. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and on-site spa services. Our guests praise the helpful staff ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (200 reviews)
"Amazing staff especially Marcia"

Reviewed on 15 Jun 2025

Florasol Residence Hotel
Sea and Sun 4 You - Villa Oliveira

Sea and Sun 4 You - Villa Oliveira

3 out of 5
Caminho das Romeiras, Funchal, Madeira
Stay at this 3-star golf villa in Funchal. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and private pools. Popular attractions CR7 Museum and Barreiros Stadium are located ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (7 reviews)
"Amazing from the start, no issue no hassle! Highly recommend. Get the Mountain View."

Reviewed on 25 Jun 2025

Sea and Sun 4 You - Villa Oliveira
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Cities near Madeira Island