Best of Madeira's Sunny West

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.

Man-made golden-sand beach inside a sheltered marina. Calm water — good for families.

Natural black volcanic-sand beach on the dramatic north coast, framed by green cliffs.

Long, wild levada through dense laurisilva on the north-west plateau. Multiple tunnels — headlamp required.

Two-levada loop above Ribeira da Janela passing waterfalls, banana terraces and dripping tunnels.

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.

UNESCO laurisilva plateau famous for its ancient til trees, otherworldly when fog rolls in.

Short, easy walk from Rabaçal to the Risco waterfall through laurel forest. Often combined with PR6 25 Fontes.

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

Pebble beach in the centre of Ribeira Brava with a long seafront promenade and cafés.

Small pebble beach in Paul do Mar with a long pier and consistent west-coast surf.

Wild west-coast viewpoint over a 300 m waterfall that drops straight into the ocean.

Lighthouse on the western tip of Madeira, perched on a 312 m cliff with classic sunset views.

Wide, easy levada across the Paul da Serra plateau — open moorland with endemic flowers and panoramic skies.

Quiet branch off the 25 Fontes route descending steeply to a hidden waterfall and lagoon — slippery, not signposted.

Tunnel-heavy levada along the wild Ribeira da Janela valley — five long tunnels, requires a headlamp and waterproofs.

Short, very steep descent (or cable-car) to a tiny farming fajã on Madeira's western tip, 450 m below the cliff.

Long, quiet pebble beach in a banana-growing village west of Ponta do Sol.

Hidden pebble cove below the cliffs of Campanário — reached by a steep, narrow trail. Almost no one comes here.

Coastal saltwater lagoon between Ponta do Sol and Madalena do Mar — protected bird habitat with a wooden walkway.

Cliff-top lookout above Ribeira Brava with a sweeping view of the south coast all the way to Cabo Girão.

Cliff-edge lookout above Madalena do Mar with a banana-terrace foreground and ocean views.