Looking for great Madeira highlights? Our travel reporter Magdalena was on the “Island of Flowers” in January and experienced and saw a lot. Madeira awaits you with unique natural beauty, a hilly and volcanic landscape, many fantastic tropical gardens and parks, beautiful coastal roads, numerous irrigation canals (levadas), and charming villages. The Island of Flowers is a paradise for nature lovers, connoisseurs, and hiking enthusiasts! If you want to learn more about this beautiful island, you shouldn’t miss Magdalena’s following article. Enjoy browsing!

• Best time to travel to Madeira
• Paradise awaits
• Bom dia, Funchal!
• Admire Madeira from above
• Enchanting natural beauty
• Bizarre rock formations and steep cliffs
• Majestic mountains tower over the Atlantic Ocean
• Rio de Janeiro’s little brother
• Typical farmhouses meet cultural richness
• My accommodation – The Jaca Hostel
• Madeira Highlights – My conclusion

Best time to travel to Madeira

Due to its mild temperatures, you can visit Madeira all year round. The subtropical climate is ideal for outdoor activities such as hiking, canyoning, or mountain biking. It tends to be somewhat warmer in the south of the island, while the north has slightly more rainfall. Madeira is known for its microclimate due to its unique topography.

This means that the weather can change very quickly, several times a day. For example, you might find yourself in one place, while a few kilometers away the sun is shining. If you’re traveling with a rental car, you’re flexible and can always enjoy an activity in good weather. The sun is always shining somewhere on the island of flowers!

Paradise awaits

At the end of January, I flew to Lisbon. After a successful weekend in this lively city, I continued on to Madeira. Arriving in Funchal late in the evening, I hopped into a taxi and was provided with plenty of tips by the friendly driver. Even now, breathtaking views give me a faint foretaste of what’s to come… What a great start to another world!

Bom dia, Funchal!

In the morning, I let myself drift through the vibrant city center: a colorful mix of historical sights and modern influences. Well-kept boulevards, inviting cafés, and tropical gardens adorn the cityscape. Funchal is very easy to explore on foot. I land at the Mercado dos lavradores market hall.

Everything the island has to offer in terms of culinary and floral delights can be found here. In the entrance area, you’ll find orchids, wisteria, and, of course, strelitzias, which are considered the island’s symbol. Vegetables and exotic fruits gleam in bloom, just waiting for me to try them. The fish market is at the back of the hall. Friday is market day par excellence.

• Funchal: Walking Tour of the Old Town*
• 3-in-1 Hop-On/Hop-Off Bus Tour for 48 hours in Funchal*
• Culinary Walking Tour with Wine in Funchal*

Admire Madeira from above

I want to take a look at Funchal from above and take the bus to the villa suburb of Monte. The mountain and the town of the same name are located at 600 to 800 meters above sea level. M. What a highlight! Why? I got a little taste of the steep and winding roads. If you prefer a bird’s eye view, a cable car takes you directly from Funchal’s old town to Monte. A one-way trip costs €12.50, and a return trip costs €18, including a souvenir photo.

From there, you have a wonderful view of the city and the bay. Once at the top, I visit the Nossa Senhora do Monte pilgrimage church in Funchal. Below the church are the famous tobogganers, who slide you down the Caminho do Monte paved path to about halfway down the path towards Funchal. One trip per person €30, two people pay €25.

• From Funchal: Nuns’ Valley, Monte and basket sleigh ride*
• Old town tour by tuk tuk and traditional sleigh*

Enchanting natural beauty

Levadas are man-made irrigation channels. These lifelines capture water from numerous springs and waterfalls to carry it to the drier southern side of the island. Below the Jardim Botanico cable car station, the trail heads toward Curral dos Romeiros. From there, I start the Levada dos Tornos. Right at the beginning, I come to a very small wooden hut. I stock up on drinks and bananas. Since there are no vendors around, I put the money in the designated bowl. The path is flat and very relaxing to walk on.

It takes a long time before I meet other hikers. Countless agapanthus and hydrangeas adorn the path. Moss-covered gullies mark the enchanting route. There are several sections of the Levada dos Tornos. Depending on where you start, parts of the trail lead through tunnels. Therefore, it’s a good idea to pack a flashlight or headlamp. The complete Levada Walk from Monte to Camacha is approximately 14 km long.

• Madeira: Queimadas, Caldeirão Verde & Levada Walk*
• From Funchal: Levada Walk to the Madeira Lakes*
• Madeira Levada Walk & Caldeirao Verde Waterfall*

Bizarre rock formations and steep cliffs

I want to explore Madeira’s easternmost tip with my rental car. At the end of the road is the Baía d’Abra parking lot. The landscape on Ponta de São Lourenço is a stark contrast to the island’s interior: the semi-arid climate and prevailing northerly winds are responsible for the almost treeless landscape. Looking for spectacular views? Perfect! Fascinating views and vistas are guaranteed, and the paths are very well-maintained. On the horizon to the south, if the visibility is good, you can see the Ilhas Desertas and to the north you can see the island of Porto Santo.

• Funchal: Day trip to the east of the island of Madeira with hotel pick-up*
• Tour to the highlights of eastern Madeira from Funchal*
• Day tour through eastern Madeira with levada hike*

The mountains tower majestically over the Atlantic Ocean

Off to the lava pools! The route crosses the island, then follows the coastal road to the northwest. Porto Moniz is a small village with a great deal of charm. A landscape full of contrasts: towering mountains contrast with the seemingly endless ocean. But this dramatic effect is not only noticeable in this place. The lava pools are natural pools formed by volcanic rock. The Atlantic Ocean crashes with all its might against the black basalt lava.

The pools are naturally washed by the Atlantic Ocean. In summer, this is the perfect opportunity if you need to cool off. Along the way, don’t miss the impressive ER101 road – pure enjoyment. A very beautiful vantage point on the road of the same name, south of Porto Moniz, is the “Miradouro da Santa.” You can book a tour to the Natural Pools here*.

Rio de Janeiro’s little brother

Between Caniço and Funchal, the 14-meter-high Cristo Rei statue stands proudly on a rocky outcrop.
I don’t want to miss this opportunity and make my way to Ponta do Garajau. From the plateau, a path leads up many small steps to the top of the rock. A wonderful vantage point that offers partial views of Funchal Bay. Next to the free parking lot is a cable car.

It takes you 200 meters down to the pebble beach “Praia do Garajau,” which has high water quality and is therefore perfect for divers. The return trip by cable car costs only €3. A pretty bay and a small café await you on the beach. The Christ the Redeemer statue can be reached in about 15 minutes from Funchal.

Typical farmhouses meet cultural richness

A small town on the north coast intrigues me. Santana lies at an altitude of 300 to 500 meters and is practically a must-see when you’re on Madeira. You may have seen a picture or two of the thatched farmhouses. These houses, which were once inhabited, are now mostly empty. However, they can be visited free of charge.

The typical colors of the thatched houses are white, blue, and red. Santana is one of the most fertile regions on the island due to its rainfall. Are you looking for the perfect starting point for mountain hikes? Here we go! If you’re a hiking enthusiast, you can reach Pico Ruivo, Levada do Rei, and Caldeirão Verde from Santana, among others.

My Accommodation – The Jaca Hostel

This accommodation is very close to the center, so I could easily reach the old town on foot. The Jaca Hostel Funchal* is a lovely place to stay, very clean, and furnished with attention to detail. I highly recommend this hostel. The friendly host, Margarida, is very helpful. She’ll give you tips on day trips and much more. You can book your room here*.

Madeira Highlights – My Conclusion

This island boasts a truly unique landscape. Anyone who appreciates nature will love Madeira. Tropical jungle meets imposing mountains. The island of flowers lives up to its name: exotic plants as far as the eye can see. Both nature lovers and mountain enthusiasts will find what they’re looking for on this island. On my multi-day trip, I used a rental car*.

Absolutely worth it, as this way you can see the many Madeira highlights. After all, there’s so much to discover! An automatic car made driving fun – it was particularly helpful when climbing mountains. There are buses between towns, but they don’t necessarily go to the most remote corners. I traveled alone and felt very safe at all times. Summary: A wild beauty that I fell in love with instantly.