Free Things to Do in Madeira

The PR9 Levada do Caldeirão Verde is a 17.4 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.

Official 10.8 km route (about 4 h) from Assobiadores on the Paul da Serra plateau down through laurel forest to the Fanal forestry post, famous for its ancient til trees in the fog.

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 erosion-carved valley of Curral das Freiras.

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.

Clifftop lookout above Santana on Madeira's north coast, gazing down on the Rocha do Navio marine nature reserve and the 94 m Ilhéu da Viúva sea stack. The reserve, created in 1997, takes its name from a Dutch ship wrecked here in the 19th century. A steep rock path and a five-minute farmers' cable car drop from here to the fajãs below.

Coastal cliff walk from Porto da Cruz toward Larano with sweeping Atlantic views, narrow ledges and a long tunnel near the end.

Quiet 10.6 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.

Shortest route to Madeira's highest summit (1862 m) starting from Achada do Teixeira, paved path, accessible to most fit walkers.

Unclassified two-levada circuit 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. Not the classified PR7 Levada do Moinho in Porto Moniz. Mostly flat concrete edge-path with steep drops; easy underfoot but exposed.

Not a separate official route: PR8 Ponta de São Lourenço walked to the end and back with its side climbs, so it needs the PR8 ticket (€4.50).

Short waterfall walk above Ponta do Sol following the Levada Nova past several cascades, including the iconic shower-through-the-waterfall section.

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.

Classic point-to-point levada from Ribeiro Frio to Portela through dense laurisilva, one of Madeira's most popular all-day walks.

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.

Atmospheric levada from Fanal to Curral Falso through ancient laurel forest, often shrouded in mist.

Levada from Ginjas (São Vicente) to the Ribeira do Inferno, 3.9 km each way (7.8 km return, about 3 h 30), with tunnels and views over the São Vicente valley. Almost level: the official sheet gives 600 to 630 m altitude.

The PR20 drops 1.9 km down the old cliff path from Prazeres to the surf village of Jardim do Mar, through stone-walled terraces and past a restored water mill. Check the live IFCN status before planning it.

A 4.6 km geological route across the Paul da Serra plateau from Bica da Cana, tracing the marks of the ice field that covered the plateau 25,000 years ago, a glacial valley, a cinder cone, moraine boulders and the Fajã Redondo cirque. Check the live IFCN status before planning it.