Top locations in Madeira

🏙 Funchal - the capital of the island

This is where everyone starts. Here’s what you can see in 1–2 days if you have limited time.

Start with the Botanical Garden - a lovely place for a walk. Then take the cable car Botanical Garden Cable Car up to visit Monte Palace Tropical Garden.

After that, go down by the famous Madeira toboggan ride -a wicker sled with two drivers: 2 km downhill at up to 50 km/h, around €35 for two.

Back in the city centre:

• visit Mercado dos Lavradores (exotic fruits)
• explore the Old Town
• visit CR7 Museum (€5)
• relax in Santa Catarina Park and watch cruise ships at sunset 

🌊 Boat trip

On the next day (choose based on weather), take a catamaran tour from Funchal marina to see dolphins and whales.

Price: around €30–35 for 3 hours.
Many companies operate several times a day.

🚌 Hop-on / hop-off buses

To explore around Funchal, try:

• City Sightseeing
• Yellow Bus

You can get on and off at any stop. Tickets are valid for 1 or more days.

🌳 Fanal Forest
Magical forest - foggy or sunny depending on the weather.

🌊 Porto Moniz Natural Swimming Pools
Natural lava pools — ocean swimming but safe and very scenic.

🏝 Seixal Beach
Black volcanic sand beach — one of the most beautiful on the island, with waterfalls nearby.

🏡 Santana Houses
Traditional triangular houses — a symbol of Madeira.

🌊 Cabo Girão Skywalk
One of the highest sea cliffs in Europe (580 m) with a glass platform.

🌴 Câmara de Lobos
A picturesque fishing village where Winston Churchill loved to paint.
Also home to Pestana Churchill Bay — a hotel I really liked.

🚡 Cable cars:

• Teleférico das Achadas da Cruz
• Teleférico das Fajãs do Cabo Girão
• Cristo Rei Cable Car
• Santana Cable Car
  

For hiking lovers:

⛰ Pico do Arieiro (PR1 route)
1818 m — stunning sunrises and clouds beneath your feet

⛰ Pico Ruivo
1862 m — panoramic views

⛰ Ponta de São Lourenço (PR8 route)
Moderate trail on the eastern side

🌿 Levada das 25 Fontes
Levada walks — easy trails through lush jungle scenery

💡 Plan at least 5–7 days and rent a car 🚗