Madeira's most iconic ridge hike, connecting the island's second and highest peaks across exposed ridges, stairs and tunnels.
The PR9 Levada do Caldeirão Verde is a 13 km out-and-back walk from Queimadas Forest Park above Santana, following an 18th-century laurisilva levada to a 100 m waterfall dropping into a green rock amphitheatre. Almost flat, four unlit tunnels, moderate exposure — one of the two most famous levada walks on the island.
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.
The Curral das Freiras viewpoint — a 1,095 m belvedere on Madeira's central ridge, looking 600 m down into the glacial crater village.
Roadside viewpoint on the old north road overlooking the 'Bridal Veil' waterfall.
Clifftop belvedere above Boa Ventura on Madeira's north coast — sweeping views of green volcanic cliffs plunging into the Atlantic, with the Arco de São Jorge coastline to the east. Reached by a short walk from the village.
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 (late Aug–mid Sep) celebrating Madeira wine. Avenida Arriaga in Funchal becomes a street party with the Madeira Wine Lounge, light-and-sound shows and folk parades, while Estreito de Câmara de Lobos hosts the live grape harvest, barefoot treading and ethnographic parade.
Former Guinness world-record fireworks show over Funchal's natural amphitheatre. Best seen from the bay or a cruise ship.
Three-day open-air urban-music festival in the amphitheatre of Parque de Santa Catarina, Funchal, kicking off Madeira's summer season with a hip-hop, R&B, reggaeton, samba and electronic lineup — Atlantic and Funchal bay as the backdrop. 2026 edition (12th) runs 2–4 July with headliners Orochi, Matuê and Pedro Sampaio, plus Morad, Mizzy Miles, Xinobi, Trikk and more.
Three-day May festival in Caniço celebrating the island's traditional Caniceira onion with food stalls, music, a parade and agricultural displays.
Coastal cliff walk from Porto da Cruz toward Larano with sweeping Atlantic views, narrow ledges and a long tunnel near the end.
Quiet 10.4 km out-and-back levada walk from São Jorge on Madeira's north coast to the spring of Ribeiro Bonito. Deep laurel forest, one short unlit tunnel, and a fraction of the crowds of 25 Fontes for a very similar green-wall payoff.
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 Ponta do Sol linking Levada Nova and Levada do Moinho — banana terraces, two waterfalls you can walk under, and a short head-torch tunnel. Mostly flat concrete edge-path with steep drops; easy underfoot but exposed.
Extended version of PR8 including the descent to Casa do Sardinha — extra 2 km of dramatic cliff exposure.
Short waterfall walk above Ponta do Sol following the Levada Nova past several cascades — including the iconic shower-through-the-waterfall section.
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.
Samba-style street parades in Funchal in the days before Lent — the island's biggest winter event. The 2026 edition runs 11–22 February with the main Allegoric Parade on Saturday 14 February and the satirical Trapalhão (Slapstick) Parade on Tuesday 17 February. From 2027 the allegoric parade is being split across two nights — Saturday and Sunday — with a draw deciding which troupes march on each night; the Trapalhão keeps its Carnival Tuesday slot.
Regional government-backed week of guided outdoor activities across Madeira — hiking, canyoning, paragliding, mountain biking, sea kayaking, diving and nature workshops. 6–11 October 2026, island-wide with a Funchal base.
Classic point-to-point levada from Ribeiro Frio to Portela through dense laurisilva — one of Madeira's most popular all-day walks.
Extension of Caldeirão Verde reaching a wilder, deeper amphitheatre — long, exposed sections, several tunnels.
Short, easy walk from Rabaçal to the Risco waterfall through laurel forest. Often combined with PR6 25 Fontes.
Short, mostly flat levada walk from Ribeiro Frio to the Balcões viewpoint — panoramic balcony over the central massif.
Forest loop above Machico through the Funduras protected area — quiet, easy and rarely busy.
Quiet high-altitude levada walk on the southern slopes of the central massif, with views over Funchal.
Wild north-facing levada from Encumeada through tunnels to a hidden laurel forest — one of the lushest walks on the island.
Historic royal road across the central mountain pass linking Boca da Corrida to Encumeada, with views into Curral das Freiras.
Atmospheric levada from Fanal to Curral Falso through ancient laurel forest, often shrouded in mist.
Loop link-up combining PR14 Levada dos Cedros and PR13 Vereda do Fanal — a full circuit through the ancient Fanal laurel forest, often wrapped in mist.
Short, dramatic levada from Ginjas (São Vicente) ending at a cliff-pierced tunnel above a green ravine.
Long, gently sloping levada around the eastern flank of the central massif. Many entry points — good for half-day walks.
Cliff-edge coastal walk from Maroços above the north coast to Porto da Cruz — windy, panoramic, exposed.
Forested valley walk through Seixal's Chão da Ribeira — known for chestnut groves and the January 'Cozido nas Caldeiras' festival.
Off-trail scramble to Madeira's second-highest peak — only for experienced mountaineers; no marked path.
Forested loop up Porto Santo's iconic conical hill — easy, family-friendly, with island-wide views.
Long, demanding traverse from Encumeada to Pico Ruivo — exposed ridges, no shelter, requires good weather.
Pebble beach reached by cable car below the Cristo Rei statue. Inside a marine reserve — great for snorkelling.
Quiet pebble beach in a small fishing cove east of Funchal, with seafront restaurants.
Funchal's main municipal seawater swimming complex with Olympic pool, children's pool and direct ocean access.
Compact bathing complex in Funchal Old Town with rock platforms and a small pebble cove.
Small natural pebble beach beneath the São Tiago fort in Funchal Old Town.
Hidden pebble beach below Cabo Girão's 580 m cliffs, reached by a dramatic cliff-side cable car.
Black-sand and pebble beach in the surfing village of Porto da Cruz, framed by the Penha de Águia rock.
Pebble river-mouth beach on the north coast at Faial. Crystal-clear water, popular with locals.
Lava-rock saltwater pools on the wild north coast at São Vicente — calm even when the sea is rough.
Pebble beach in the centre of Ribeira Brava with a long seafront promenade and cafés.
Nine kilometres of fine golden sand on Porto Santo island — one of Europe's longest natural beaches, with therapeutic sands.
Hidden pebble cove on Porto Santo's wild south-west coast, reached only by hiking or boat.
Pebble beach in Seixal on the north coast, sheltered below dramatic cliffs with clear Atlantic water.
Seawater swimming complex with platforms and ladders into the Atlantic on Funchal's west promenade.
Resort town east of Funchal close to the marine reserve and the Cristo Rei statue at Garajau.
Coastal municipality home to Madeira's international airport and the Aquaparque waterpark.
Fishing town on the eastern peninsula, base for São Lourenço hikes and the Whale Museum.
North-east coastal village famous for its sugarcane rum distillery (Engenho do Norte) and surf.
Quiet north-coast parish below the towering Penha de Águia rock, in the Santana municipality.
North-coast parish in Santana known for its lighthouse, terraced fields and the Quinta do Arco rose garden.
Dramatic north-coast village with black-sand beach, natural pools and the Véu da Noiva waterfall nearby.
'Valley of the Nuns' — a village hidden inside a steep volcanic crater, famous for its chestnut festival in November.
Westernmost parish on Madeira, home to the island's most photographed lighthouse and a cliff-top apple-cake tradition.
Capital of the neighbouring island of Porto Santo, with cobbled streets, the Columbus House museum and a 9 km golden beach.
Inland parish in the heart of Madeira's wine country, host of the September Wine Festival.
Hillside parish above Funchal, reached by cable car, home to the Monte Palace gardens and famous wicker toboggan ride.
Pass viewpoint at 1007 m linking the north and south coasts — on clear days you can see both seas at once.
'Buzzard's Nest' — vertiginous cliff balcony just below Pico do Areeiro, often above the clouds.
Suspended platform over the north coast near Faial — sea views from a glass walkway hanging off the cliff.
Wild west-coast viewpoint over a 300 m waterfall that drops straight into the ocean.
High-altitude trailhead and viewpoint at 1592 m — gateway to Pico Ruivo and home to the 'Homem em Pé' rock formation.
Easy roadside viewpoint above Funchal at 355 m, with a 360° panorama of the bay and amphitheatre.
Statue of Christ the King on the Garajau headland east of Funchal, with a cable car descending to the beach.
Viewpoint above Machico bay, overlooking the airport runway extending into the sea.
Lighthouse on the western tip of Madeira, perched on a 312 m cliff with classic sunset views.
Cliff-edge platform looking back at Santana's traditional houses and the green Faial coastline.
Mountain pass with views over Porto da Cruz, Penha de Águia and the north-east coastline.
Sub-alpine plateau at 1620 m on the Paul da Serra, often used as an alternative to Pico do Areeiro for sunrise above clouds.
Conical hill in central Porto Santo with island-wide views from a forested summit.
Volcanic peak on Porto Santo with the unique 'Piano' basalt columns and views over the long sandy beach.
One of the world's toughest ultramarathons — 115 km traversing the island from Porto Moniz to Machico over the central massif.
Three-day open-air jazz festival in the Santa Catarina Park overlooking Funchal bay, every July.
Three-day free world-music festival at Parque de Santa Catarina in Funchal celebrating the cultural roots of the Atlantic islands — 11–13 June 2026.
67th edition of Madeira's biggest annual motorsport event (formerly Rali Vinho Madeira) — 15 special stages, ~205 km of mountain tarmac across Funchal, Santa Cruz and Santana. 30 July – 1 August 2026.
Santana's flagship folklore festival — 41st edition on 4–5 July 2026 at Casas de Santana. Twenty-four straight hours of Madeiran folk groups dancing and singing on the main stage, plus regional gastronomy, poncha and free entry. Organised by Casa do Povo de Santana.
Mostra Regional da Banana (Banana Festival)
Regional festival celebrating Madeira's emblematic banana — free two-day arraial in the seaside village of Madalena do Mar (Ponta do Sol) with banana-based sweets and dishes, plantation visits, folklore, live bands and traditional food stalls. 2026 edition: 18–19 July.
One of Madeira's biggest summer festivals — five days of live concerts, seafood gastronomy, canoe regatta, DJ sets and beachfront animation on Porto Moniz's north-coast waterfront. 2026 edition: 22–26 July, held right after the Santa Maria Madalena religious festivities (21–22 July).
39th edition of Machico's flagship summer festival — ten days of regional gastronomy stalls, live concerts, DJ sets and folklore on the seafront promenade. 2026 edition: 31 July – 9 August, bridging the Rali da Madeira weekend and the run-up to Assumption Day.
Festival Gastronómico da Madeira – SAL (Sabores do Atlântico)
Regional Tourism's flagship food festival at Praça do Povo in Funchal — eight themed gastronomic routes showcasing Madeiran identity, guest chefs, live cooking, Madeira wine and poncha pairings and nightly music. 2026 edition: 10–19 July.
Caniço's biggest summer festival — seven days of food stalls run by local restaurants, live headline concerts and street animation in the town centre. 2026 edition: 14–20 August, organised by Junta de Freguesia do Caniço.
Midsummer festival on the eve of St John (23–24 June) — bonfires, marchas populares and street parties across the island.
Madeira's largest religious pilgrimage — nine days of novenas from 5 August culminating in the grand procession on 15 August at the Church of Nossa Senhora do Monte in Funchal. Peak celebrations 14–15 August; 15 August is a Madeira regional public holiday.
Traditional two-day autumn chestnut festival in Curral das Freiras organised by the local Casa do Povo — roasted chestnuts, chestnut liqueur, cake and soup, a big allegorical parade on the Sunday, and folk music in the village square. 42nd edition on 31 October – 1 November 2026.
Traditional apple harvest festival in Camacha organised by the local Junta de Freguesia — apple picking, cider tasting, apple-based pastries, folk groups and craft stalls. 2026 edition: 2–4 October.
Machico's biggest religious festival — commemorates the 1803 flood that destroyed the chapel and left only the image of Christ intact. Solemn candlelit procession from the bay, mass and community festivities. 8–9 October 2026.
Feira do Mar (Sea & Fisherman Fair, Caniçal)
Three-day fair on Caniçal's harbour celebrating the fishing village's maritime heritage — seafood tastings (tuna, black scabbardfish, limpets), fishing-gear exhibits, boat rides and evening concerts. 9–11 October 2026.
International mountain-bike gathering in Porto Moniz across two windows — May and late-Sept/early-Oct — with organised rides on the north-west trails, enduro descents and skills workshops. 2026 autumn window: 28 September – 3 October.
Historic and classic-car rally on Madeira's mountain roads — vintage rally cars, competitive stages and a paddock display in Funchal. Traditionally staged at the end of October.
Long-running international bridge tournament at the VidaMar Resort in Funchal — ITF-affiliated rankings, teams from across Europe. Full window 29 October – 9 November 2026; main events 2–8 November.
São Martinho / Magusto (Saint Martin's Day)
Island-wide 11 November tradition — magustos (community chestnut roasts) with the season's new wine (água-pé) and poncha, folk music and small parish street parties across Madeira's rural villages.
7th edition of the ITF World Tennis Tour W50 women's professional tournament at the Quinta Magnólia tennis courts in Funchal — singles and doubles. 8–15 November 2026.
Cider Fest Madeira (Festa da Sidra Madeira)
Regional cider festival organised by APSRAM and the Regional Government at the Praça Central of Avenida Arriaga in Funchal — tastings, producers' stalls, live music. 2026 edition: 23–28 June.
Mostra da Sidra (Santo da Serra Cider Festival)
Traditional late-September cider festival in Santo da Serra, organised by the Casa do Povo do Santo da Serra to coincide with the apple and pear harvest — tastings from local producers, folk music and regional food.
Late-February to mid-March bloom of cherry orchards above Câmara de Lobos — Madeira's answer to hanami.
January food festival in Seixal where a traditional Portuguese stew is slow-cooked underground for hours.
Funchal's official Christmas & New Year season — from 1 December 2026 to 10 January 2027 the city fills with millions of lights, decorated stalls, nightly concerts, Ethnographic Village at Largo da Restauração and daily animation across Avenida Arriaga, Praça do Município and Praça do Povo.
Traditional Christmas market on Avenida Arriaga with wooden chalets selling Madeira wine, poncha, sugarcane honey cake (bolo de mel), fresh fruit, poinsettias, handicraft and regional Christmas gastronomy, all wrapped in seasonal music and lights.
Living Christmas village at Largo da Restauração recreating a traditional Madeiran hamlet — folklore groups, weavers, embroiderers, wickerwork, sugar-cane liquor stills and regional food demos throughout December.
Nine dawn masses (16–24 December) honouring Our Lady before Christmas. Held in parish churches across Madeira before sunrise; after mass locals gather in the church square for carne vinha d'alhos sandwiches, poncha, homemade liqueurs and Christmas carols — one of the most authentic Madeiran traditions.
23 December all-night market in Funchal's Mercado dos Lavradores — the most beloved Madeiran tradition of the year. Locals fill Rua Fernão de Ornelas until dawn buying fruit, flowers and meat for Christmas Eve while poncha, folklore groups and impromptu singing take over the streets.
Christmas Eve midnight mass in Funchal Cathedral (Sé) and parish churches across the island, followed by the traditional Madeiran Christmas Eve dinner of roast pork, carne vinha d'alhos and bolo de mel.
Free open-air concert at Praça do Povo on 5 January reviving the Madeiran tradition of singing the Kings, followed on 6 January by Epiphany celebrations with Bolo-Rei cake shared across the island.
Steep descent from the central plateau to the north-coast hamlet of Boaventura through laurel forest and old farming terraces.
One of Madeira's longest levadas — 60 km total, most walked between Cabo Girão and Boa Morte through banana and vine country.
Wide, easy levada across the Paul da Serra plateau — open moorland with endemic flowers and panoramic skies.
Steep, demanding climb up the iconic 'Eagle Rock' between Faial and Porto da Cruz — short distance, brutal gradient.
Quiet branch off the 25 Fontes route descending steeply to a hidden waterfall and lagoon — slippery, not signposted.
Loop from Rabaçal along the rosemary-lined Levada do Alecrim with a steep descent to the Lagoa do Vento waterfall and lagoon — quieter alternative to the 25 Fontes crowds.
Tunnel-heavy levada along the wild Ribeira da Janela valley — five long tunnels, requires a headlamp and waterproofs.
Branch of PR17 reaching one of Madeira's densest laurel forests — moss-covered til trees, constant drip from the canopy.
Short, very steep descent (or cable-car) to a tiny farming fajã on Madeira's western tip, 450 m below the cliff.
Forgotten footpath linking Curral das Freiras to Boaventura over the central ridge — wild, faint trail for experienced walkers.
Easy, low-altitude levada from Maroços to Caniçal across the dry eastern foothills, mostly in open sun.
Short out-and-back from PR1 to a side-summit of the central massif — same exposed ridges, fewer hikers.
Climb Porto Santo's highest peak (450 m) through the only patch of indigenous forest left on the island.
Wild rocky cove at the very end of the São Lourenço peninsula — only reachable on foot via the extended PR8 hike.
Long, quiet pebble beach in a banana-growing village west of Ponta do Sol.
Pebble beach next to the Lido in Funchal, with platforms and steps into the sea.
Restored ocean swimming platform on Funchal's west promenade, with direct ladder access to deep, clear water.
Small pebble beach with a swimming pool complex in the centre of Santa Cruz, close to the airport.
Hidden pebble cove below the cliffs of Campanário — reached by a steep, narrow trail. Almost no one comes here.
Black pebble beach and natural pool on the north coast at São Jorge, framed by terraced fields.
Coastal saltwater lagoon between Ponta do Sol and Madalena do Mar — protected bird habitat with a wooden walkway.
Sandstone cliffs and freshwater springs at the wild northern tip of Porto Santo — striking erosion shapes, popular at sunset.
Sparsely populated north-coast parish in São Vicente, surrounded by waterfalls and terraced farms.
Tiny north-coast parish best known for the Quinta do Arco rose garden, one of Europe's largest rose collections.
Banana-growing village on the south-west coast — said to be where the exiled Polish king Władysław III lived in the 15th century.
Cliffside village in Calheta with cobbled lanes, no through-traffic and an internationally known surf reef break below.
High plateau parish in Calheta with a 19th-century church, panoramic views and the popular Quinta Pereira animal park.
Westernmost parish of Porto Moniz, perched 450 m above its own fajã reached only by foot or cable car.
Rural parish in Ribeira Brava with the chapel of Nossa Senhora da Piedade and the Calhau da Lapa cove.
Inland plateau parish on the Machico/Santa Cruz border, home to Madeira's only 27-hole golf course and apple orchards.
Hill town above Funchal famous for wickerwork, folk music and as the birthplace of football in Portugal (1875).
Quiet Ribeira Brava parish with terraced farms and the Levada do Norte threading through it.
Roadside lookout above Câmara de Lobos with a clean view down to the fishing harbour Churchill painted in 1950.
Cliff-top lookout above Ribeira Brava with a sweeping view of the south coast all the way to Cabo Girão.
Trailhead at 1235 m above Jardim da Serra, with a direct view across to Pico Grande and the start of the Caminho Real.
Forest park and lookout at 850 m above Santana — popular family picnic spot with views down to the coast.
High lookout on the road from Encumeada to Paul da Serra, with views over both north and south slopes.
Cliff-edge lookout in Câmara de Lobos overlooking Fajã do Rancho, the south coast and the Cabo Girão sea cliffs. A cable car (teleférico) connects the viewpoint down to the fajã, where there is a restaurant and parking.
South-side balcony just off the Pico do Areeiro car park — easiest spot on the island for an above-the-clouds view at sunrise.
Cliff platform overlooking the green coastline of São Jorge and the Arco de São Jorge valley.
Cliff balcony along the Larano coastal trail with vertical 300 m drops into the Atlantic.
Atmospheric pedestrian cave-tunnel cut through the cliff on Funchal's western seafront, linking Doca do Cavacas to the islet at Praia Formosa — a short, scenic walk between natural pools, crashing waves and the pebble beach.
Patron-saint festival in Câmara de Lobos on 29 June, with boat-blessing, fireworks and a fishermen's procession.
Rural apple harvest festival in Ponta do Pargo organised by the Casa do Povo — cider, apple cake, western-Madeira folk groups and a musical programme. 41st edition on 19–20 September 2026.
Spring lemon festival in Ilha, Santana — lemon cakes, drinks and a parade celebrating the island's citrus harvest.
Annual road marathon and half-marathon along Funchal's seafront promenade, every January.
Columbus Festival (Festival Colombo, Porto Santo)
Four-day historical re-enactment in Vila Baleira on Porto Santo recreating Christopher Columbus's 15th-century stay on the island — period costumes, mock caravel arrival, medieval market, street theatre and concerts. 17–20 September 2026.
Week of concerts by Portuguese and international classical ensembles, paired with the Atlantic Festival fireworks.
Festa das Vindimas do Estreito (Estreito Grape Harvest Festival)
The rural, harvest-based side of the Madeira Wine Festival — live grape-picking, traditional foot-treading in old lagares, ethnographic parade and folklore in Estreito de Câmara de Lobos. Live harvest day: 5 September 2026; concerts in the vineyards on 5, 6, 12 and 13 September.
Contemporary Portuguese tasting menus inside a restored 200-year-old salt warehouse in central Funchal. One of the island's most consistent fine-dining rooms.
Fine-dining inside the 17th-century São Tiago fortress overlooking Funchal's Old Town and the Atlantic. Views and atmosphere as much as the food.
The reference espetada house: laurel-skewered beef grilled over an open fire and served hanging from a stand, with bolo do caco and house wine. A Madeira institution.
Espetada em pau de loureiro (laurel-skewered beef)
Fresh fish grilled to order, sold by weight, on a terrace above Câmara de Lobos harbour. Pick your fish at the counter and watch the boats come in.
Tasca Literária Dona Joana Rabo-de-Peixe
Tiny, character-packed tasca on Rua de Santa Maria in Funchal's Old Town. Daily-changing chalkboard menu of small Portuguese plates, strong on vegetables and offal.
Old-school grocery-shop-turned-poncha-bar in Câmara de Lobos. Pungent, shaken-by-hand poncha (rum, honey, lemon) served over the original wooden counter. The classic stop before or after a fish lunch.
Lively tapas-and-cocktails bar in Funchal Old Town, popular with locals well past midnight. Strong poncha, decent cocktails, big petiscos plates.
Open-air terrace bar set into the cliff below São Tiago fortress, hanging over the Atlantic at the east end of Funchal's seafront. Sunset drinks, occasional DJ nights in summer.
Tiny eco-conscious cocktail bar in central Funchal — short, well-made cocktail list using local fruit and herbs, low waste, packed at weekends.
New venue from the Mini Eco Bar team — a shipping-container cocktail bar in Caniço de Baixo with the same low-waste ethos, local-fruit cocktails and a relaxed outdoor seating area near the coast.
Small craft cocktail bar in Funchal's Sé district where drinks are prepared calmly and with soul. Tables are capped at five people, there's outdoor seating, and the owners and staff are known for a warm welcome. Cash only.
Tuesday–Saturday 16:00–23:30. Sunday 17:00–23:30. Closed Monday.
A beloved local spot in Caniço de Baixo with a warm, welcoming atmosphere and diverse menu. Open 9 AM to 11 PM — ideal for breakfast, lunch or dinner.
Beachfront restaurant in Caniço de Baixo serving traditional Madeiran cuisine with serene coastal views. Great for Madeiran tapas right on the seafront.
Relaxed beachside dining with a focus on fresh local flavours. Friendly service, affordable prices and scenic sea views in Caniço de Baixo.
Family-run spot in Caniço renowned for Eastern European specialties — borscht, hearty stews and Madeiran staples. Often has live music.
Rua Dom Francisco Santana, Edifício Ventur Bloco II, Caniço
Monday–Friday & Sunday 09:00–23:00. Closed Saturday.
Tucked-away tasca in Caniço serving proper old Madeiran home-cooked food — big portions of espetada, grilled limpets, black scabbard fish, proper local sides. The kind of place where locals eat.
Espetada and limpets — locals' favourite
Estrada José Avelino Pinto, Ed. Vip IV 64G, Caniço
Monday 11:00–17:00 (lunch only). Tuesday–Saturday 11:00–23:00. Closed Sunday.
Cozy seafood specialist in Caniço, known for fresh fish dishes like scabbard fish and grilled octopus in a warm relaxed setting.
Charming Caniço bistro with a warm ambiance and a menu blending Madeiran flavours with international dishes. Strong service and consistent quality.
Elegant modern restaurant at the Porto Bay group serving Mediterranean cuisine and fine wines with spectacular Atlantic views over Funchal Bay.
Mediterranean tasting menu, Atlantic views
Stylish Funchal restaurant where detail and service matter as much as the beautifully plated international cuisine.
One of Madeira's most exciting new openings — a chef-driven dining experience with bold flavours and creative presentation.
Rua Imperatriz Dona Amélia 104, 9000-018 Funchal
Tuesday–Saturday 12:30–15:00 & 18:30–22:00. Closed Monday & Sunday.
More than a restaurant — a design space inside an iconic fortress with gourmet cuisine and sweeping views over Funchal.
Wholesome plant-forward dining at Porto Bay — Horta reimagines vegetarian cuisine with seasonal flair, rooted in local produce.
Rua de Leichlingen 11, São Martinho, Funchal (PortoBay Residence)
Wednesday–Sunday dinner 18:30–22:00, with selected lunch services Wed–Sun. Closed Monday & Tuesday.
Stylish, modern Funchal restaurant — not too formal, with food as good as the atmosphere and great cocktails.
Tuesday–Sunday 18:00–22:30. Closed Monday.
Bright, lively spot in the Casa Branca area of Funchal serving comforting international favourites and casual cocktails.
Popular Italian-style restaurant on the Funchal promenade — relaxed pasta, pizza and seafood by the sea.
Charming Funchal Old Town spot near the waterfront serving classic Madeiran cuisine on a sea-view terrace.
Rustic-style Funchal restaurant blending a warm atmosphere with inventive Portuguese dishes and friendly service.
Historic Funchal landmark on Avenida Arriaga — terrace seating, ideal for a relaxed lunch, coffee break or afternoon tea in the heart of the city.
Eco-conscious, beautifully styled Funchal restaurant putting quality ingredients and sustainability at the heart of every dish.
R. Câmara Pestana 32, 2nd floor, Funchal (relocated from Rua do Bispo 12)
Tuesday–Friday 18:00–23:00. Saturday 17:00–23:00. Closed Monday & Sunday.
Trendy, health-conscious brunch spot in Funchal — colourful bowls, protein-rich dishes and excellent coffee in a contemporary setting.
Favourite of locals and visitors alike — creative breakfast dishes, matcha drinks and a modern vibe in central Funchal.
Affordable local eats in a relaxed setting by the sea at Praia Formosa — ideal for a quick bite or casual dinner.
Authentic Irish pub in central Funchal — Irish food, live music, multi-screen sports and a great choice of drinks. A reliable expat-and-locals favourite.
Friendly Irish-style pub in Funchal serving generous portions, beers on tap and live sports — a great place to unwind.
Estrada Monumental 238 A, São Martinho, Funchal
Country-house restaurant on the north-coast cliffs above Santana, serving regional dishes — bolo do caco from the wood oven, espetada, fresh local fish — with a panoramic vineyard-and-Atlantic view.
Classic espetada house in Estreito de Câmara de Lobos — beef threaded on laurel branches, grilled over a wood fire and served hanging from an iron stand, with bolo do caco, milho frito and house wine.
No-frills seafood specialist on R. Dom Carlos I in central Funchal — lapas (limpets) flame-grilled with garlic and lemon, fresh black scabbard with banana, gambas al ajillo. Locals' choice for affordable seafood done right. Previously known as Marisqueira Tropicana.
Mountain restaurant outside Santana with sweeping valley views, known for its slow-cooked clay-pot stews (cozido em panela de barro) and traditional Madeiran sides. A rewarding stop after a north-coast drive or a Caldeirão Verde hike.
Cozido em panela de barro (clay-pot stew)
Friendly all-you-can-eat taberna on Caniço's main road, run by Chef Tério. Generous Madeiran plates — espetada, bolo do caco, grilled fish — with vegan options and outdoor seating. Reliably one of the best-value sit-down meals on the south-east coast.
Funchal's main LGBTQ+ club (formerly 23 Vintage), in the city centre. DJ sets, dancefloor and late hours — the default gay night out on the island.
Rooftop bar at the Nini Andrade Silva design centre, set inside the 17th-century Forte de São Tiago — Funchal Bay below, the Old Town directly underneath, cocktails and small plates above.
17th-floor rooftop bar on top of the Savoy Palace hotel on Avenida do Infante — the highest cocktail terrace in Funchal, with an infinity pool, full bay view from Câmara de Lobos to the Old Town, and a dressier sunset crowd. Open to non-guests.
Av. do Infante 25, 9004-542 Funchal (Savoy Palace, 16th floor)
Tuesday–Thursday & Sunday 12:00–00:00. Friday–Saturday 12:00–01:00. Closed Monday.
Independent rooftop cocktail and brunch bar in central Funchal — small terrace, signature cocktails, DJ sets on weekend evenings. One of the few non-hotel rooftops in the city.
Rua Brigadeiro Oudinot 2, 9060-209 Funchal
Rooftop bar Wednesday–Saturday 15:00–01:00 only (closed Mon, Tue, Sun). Restaurant Mon–Fri 12:00–15:00 & 18:00–22:00; Sat–Sun 10:00–15:00 & 18:00–22:00.
Rooftop bar on top of the Savoy Next hotel near the centre — pool deck, cocktails and Atlantic-facing loungers. Quieter than the Palace's Galáxia and a shorter walk from the Old Town.
Pretas Rooftop — Castanheiro Boutique Hotel
Rooftop bar and pool deck at the Castanheiro Boutique Hotel on Rua das Pretas — restored 18th-century townhouse below, panoramic Old Town view above. Cocktails, light menu, sunset crowd.
Rooftop bar on top of the Sé Boutique Hotel next to Funchal Cathedral — small pool, terrace and cocktail menu with a direct view over the Sé and the bay. Open to non-guests.
Small late-night club near Funchal's port with a house-music focus and resident DJs. Doesn't really get going until around 11 PM and runs through to about 4 AM — an intimate dancefloor rather than a big-room club.
Belle-époque café tucked into the courtyard of Funchal's Baltazar Dias municipal theatre — outdoor tables under jacaranda trees, full espresso menu and small bites. A locals' meeting point since the 1970s.
Classic Funchal pastelaria — bolo de mel, pastéis de nata, queijadas and a constant queue of locals at the counter. Stop for traditional Madeiran pastries in the centre.
Rua do Vale da Ajuda 120, São Martinho, Funchal
Outdoor café at the top of the Monte cable car, beside the Largo das Babosas — espresso, bica, a glass of Madeira wine and the famous toboggan riders launching just below. A short stop, but the location is unrepeatable.
Quiet tea house in a restored Funchal townhouse — leaf teas, homemade cakes, vegetarian quiches and a courtyard garden. A calm alternative to the Old Town's busier cafés.
Caminho dos Pretos 40, São Gonçalo, Funchal
Tuesday–Saturday 10:00–17:00. Closed Monday & Sunday.
Long, almost-flat unclassified levada walk linking Monte and Camacha above Funchal, passing the famous Hortensia and Jasmin tea houses. Free to walk — no IFCN booking.
Parque Ecológico do Funchal — Ribeiro Frio Trail
Network of reforested mountain trails in Funchal's municipal ecological park above Monte. Unclassified — free entry, no Simplifica ticket required.
Cliff-edge coastal walk past the Cristo Rei statue at Ponta do Garajau down to Caniço de Baixo. Mostly paved, big Atlantic views, no booking required.
Short, steep walk from Machico marina up to the 322 m Pico do Facho viewpoint, with views over Ponta de São Lourenço. Unclassified, free, no ticket.
Ponta do Pargo Coastal Walk (Boa Morte to the Lighthouse)
Unclassified clifftop walk along Madeira's western tip from Boa Morte viewpoint down to the Farol da Ponta do Pargo lighthouse. Big skies, terraced pasture, no IFCN ticket required.