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The best things to do in Madeira : From volcanic coastlines to colorful gardens
Madeira packs an unusual amount of variety into a small island: volcanic coastline, mountain villages, centuries-old churches and subtropical gardens, often within a short drive of each other. Follow a levada, one of the old water channels cut into the hillsides, through laurel forest or along a cliff edge, and you'll see why they're seen as the Portuguese island's signature walking routes. Prefer to start with your toes in the sand? Madeira's beach vacation side is just as easy to tap into.
There's just as much to explore beyond the outdoors. Start in Funchal, where the old town, colorful markets and several of Madeira's best museums sit within easy reach of one another. Beyond the capital, coastal roads lead toward nature parks and miradouros with views across the mountains and the Atlantic. Even a short drive can carry you between very different landscapes.
Book your flight to Madeira today on discover-airlines.com and explore all of the wonders of Portugal’s flower island.
Madeira sightseeing and what to know before you go
Madeira’s compact size works in your favor. High mountains, deep gorges, volcanic rock formations and botanical gardens can all fit into a single day, since nothing on the island is too far from anywhere else. Book a local guide for a day trip or themed tour to learn even more about the island and its culture.
That variety is easiest to see on foot. Follow a levada beneath dense laurel trees or along a steep rock face and you’ll move straight into Madeira’s green interior. Levada do Rei and Levada das 25 Fontes are both worth seeking out.
Between walks, stop at the miradouros scattered across the island. Some look out over waves crashing below sheer cliffs, others across green terraces and mountain slopes. Many have a small parking area, a picnic spot or a café attached, making them great places to break up a day of driving.
Funchal's streets mix Portuguese colonial architecture with houses trimmed in colorful doors and facades. Look up as you walk and you'll spot them everywhere. Head north to Santana for a completely different look: thatched, cottage-like houses called Casas de Colmo, unlike anything in the capital. The Madeira Story Centre, the Museum of Sacred Art, Blandy's Wine Lodge and the CR7 Museum, dedicated to island-born soccer star Cristiano Ronaldo, are all worth an hour or two, and smaller museums in Santana and Calheta cover regional history and crafts.
Madeira sits under the influence of the Gulf Stream and has a mild oceanic-subtropical climate year-round. Winter temperatures usually stay between 16 and 20°C (61 and 68°F), while summer temperatures rarely rise above 27°C (81°F). Conditions vary across the island, though: the south coast around Funchal is generally drier and sunnier than the north or mountainous interior, and even in summer, Pico do Areeiro, Madeira's third-highest peak, can turn cool and misty.
Visit from March to May to see Madeira's famous flowers at their peak. June through September is warm and sunny, but not oppressively hot. Fall and winter see occasional rain, though sunny days are still common and temperatures stay mild. Outside summer, you'll also find smaller crowds at the island's main attractions.
The most beautiful places in Madeira
Practical tips for sightseeing on Madeira
Renting a car gives you the freedom to visit viewpoints, villages and other sights around the island at your own pace. Guided tours and buses are another option, though many routes only run a few times a day and can’t get you to every single point on the island. Check the timetable carefully if you’re planning on using public transportation.
Wear comfortable clothes and sturdy shoes when your plans include outdoor activities. Cabo Girão and Eira do Serrado are well equipped for visitors, but the roads to get there can still be steep and winding.
Give yourself enough time at Jardim Botânico and Monte Palace Tropical Garden. Both have extensive grounds with exotic plants, ponds and small museums, so a short visit won’t do them justice. Check current garden and cable-car ticket options before you go.
Cover your shoulders and avoid short shorts when visiting churches and chapels such as Sé do Funchal or Nossa Senhora do Monte. During Mass, be respectful and refrain from taking photos.
For a quieter visit to the Madeira Story Centre or Blandy’s Wine Lodge, go in the morning. At Blandy’s, join a guided tasting to learn more about Madeira’s long history of winemaking.
June through September is the busiest period at many of Madeira’s attractions, so start early in the day or aim for the low season if you’d rather beat the c.
Book your flight to Madeira on discover-airlines.com and start planning your route around the flower island.
January
Avg. Temperature:
15°C/15°C
Rainy days per month:
80-150
February
Avg. Temperature:
14°C/14°C
Rainy days per month:
70-120
March
Avg. Temperature:
15°C/15°C
Rainy days per month:
60-110
April
Avg. Temperature:
15°C/15°C
Rainy days per month:
40-80
May
Avg. Temperature:
16°C/16°C
Rainy days per month:
30-60
June
Avg. Temperature:
18°C/18°C
Rainy days per month:
10-30
July
Avg. Temperature:
20°C/20°C
Rainy days per month:
5-20
August
Avg. Temperature:
21°C/21°C
Rainy days per month:
5-25
September
Avg. Temperature:
21°C/21°C
Rainy days per month:
20-60
October
Avg. Temperature:
19°C/19°C
Rainy days per month:
60-120
November
Avg. Temperature:
17°C/17°C
Rainy days per month:
80-140
December
Avg. Temperature:
16°C/16°C
Rainy days per month:
90-160