Madeira's most iconic ridge hike, connecting the island's second and highest peaks across exposed ridges, stairs and tunnels.
A classic laurel-forest levada walk from Queimadas to a tall waterfall in a green amphitheatre. Mostly flat with several tunnels — bring a headlamp.
The arid eastern peninsula. Volcanic colours, dramatic sea cliffs, almost no shade. A complete contrast to the green interior.
Walk through Rabaçal's laurisilva to a lagoon fed by 25 springs. One of the most popular routes — go early.
Short walk through the otherworldly Fanal laurel forest — best in fog. Often photographed for its ancient til trees.
Volcanic-rock pools naturally filled by the Atlantic on Madeira's north-west tip. The signature swimming spot of the island.
Madeira's longest beach: a mix of pebble and black sand on the western edge of Funchal. Easy to reach by bus.
Man-made golden-sand beach inside a sheltered marina. Calm water — good for families.
Yellow-sand beach in the bay of Machico, Madeira's first settlement. Sand was imported from Morocco.
Natural black volcanic-sand beach on the dramatic north coast, framed by green cliffs.
Madeira's capital and largest city. Home to the cable car to Monte, the historic Old Town and the cruise port.
Colourful fishing village just west of Funchal, famously painted by Winston Churchill.
Northern town known for its triangular thatched-roof houses (palheiros) and access to the laurisilva.
Volcanic-pool town on Madeira's north-west tip, famous for its naturally-formed lava swimming pools fed directly by the Atlantic.
The first settlement on Madeira, in a wide eastern bay close to the airport.
Glass-floor viewing platform on one of Europe's highest sea cliffs, 580 m above the Atlantic.
Madeira's third-highest peak, reachable by car — the easiest place to be above the clouds at sunrise.
Easy 30-minute levada walk to a panoramic balcony over the central mountain massif.
Viewpoint over the dramatic valley of Curral das Freiras.
Roadside viewpoint on the old north road overlooking the 'Bridal Veil' waterfall.
Annual spring festival in Funchal: flower carpets, parades and the children's 'Wall of Hope' ceremony.
Every Saturday in June: international fireworks competition over Funchal bay, paired with classical music week.
Late-summer harvest festival celebrating Madeira wine with grape-picking re-enactments and tastings.
Former Guinness world-record fireworks show over Funchal's natural amphitheatre. Best seen from the bay or a cruise ship.
Open-air electronic-music festival on Praia Formosa kicking off the Madeira summer season.
Coastal cliff walk from Porto da Cruz toward Larano with sweeping Atlantic views, narrow ledges and a long tunnel near the end.
Quiet laurel-forest walk from São Jorge to the spring of Ribeiro Bonito. Less crowded than 25 Fontes and equally green.
Steep ridge ascent to one of Madeira's most striking peaks, with 360° views over Curral das Freiras.
Long, wild levada through dense laurisilva on the north-west plateau. Multiple tunnels — headlamp required.
Vereda do Pico Ruivo (Achada do Teixeira)
Shortest route to Madeira's highest summit (1862 m) starting from Achada do Teixeira — paved path, accessible to most fit walkers.
Two-levada loop above Ribeira da Janela passing waterfalls, banana terraces and dripping tunnels.
Extended version of PR8 including the descent to Casa do Sardinha — extra 2 km of dramatic cliff exposure.
Small natural black-sand beach on the São Lourenço peninsula — Madeira's only naturally sandy beach.
Lido-style natural-pool complex carved into volcanic rock on Funchal's west side.
Pebble beach in the sunniest town in Madeira, with a long seafront promenade and cafés.
Round-stone beach known internationally as a big-wave surf break.
Long pebble beach below dramatic cliffs, popular with surfers.
South-coast town at the mouth of a wild river, with a pebble beach and 16th-century church.
North-coast town in a deep green valley, known for the volcanic caves and historic chapel.
South-west municipality with the island's main golden-sand beach and a contemporary art centre (MUDAS).
Madeira's sunniest town and a hub for the digital-nomad community.
UNESCO laurisilva plateau famous for its ancient til trees, otherworldly when fog rolls in.
Madeira's highest peak at 1862 m. Above the trade-wind cloud layer most mornings.
Lookout over the entire São Lourenço peninsula and Porto Santo on a clear day.
Cliff-edge lookout over the 'Nuns' Valley', a deep volcanic crater village.
Samba-style street parades in Funchal in the days before Lent — the island's biggest winter event.
Week of guided hikes, paragliding, canyoning and ocean activities in early October.
Round of the FIA European Rally Championship on Madeira's winding mountain roads.