Sightseeing in Madeira

Funchal Madeira Funchal Old Town — Funchal Old Town

Top Madeira sightseeing places for your next walking holiday

Madeira is known as the island of eternal spring, and it’s easy to see why. With sunshine all year, green mountain peaks, colourful towns and tropical gardens that bloom no matter the season, it’s a dream for nature lovers and sightseers alike.

Read on to discover the best sights to see on your next holiday to Madeira. From the cobbled streets of Funchal to the coastal cliffs of Caniço, this Atlantic island is packed with things to see and do.

Whether you’re into gardens, viewpoints, history or just love a relaxed seaside stroll, Madeira is full of beautiful places waiting to be explored.

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Top Madeira sightseeing places

Funchal’s botanical gardens and charming old town
Funchal's historic port
The cable car ride up to Monte for sweeping island views
Cristo Rei statue in Caniço
Levada walks through UNESCO Laurissilva Forest
Cabo Girão skywalk: Europe’s highest cliff viewpoint
The traditional thatched houses of Santana Natural lava pools of Porto Moniz

Sightseeing in Funchal, Madeira

Explore Funchal's bustling streets, exciting activities, and tasty food & wine in this year-round summer destination.

Funchal Madeira Head To Funchal For Cultural Sites

Funchal is Madeira’s lively capital, famous for its harbour views, mountain backdrop and flower displays. The city is made up of several distinct neighbourhoods, each with its own character, from elegant shopping streets to narrow lanes filled with cafés and live music.

Between historical landmarks, tropical gardens and museums, there’s plenty to see. Wander along the seafront promenade, visit the cathedral and local markets, and stop for a coffee in one of the shady squares surrounded by palms and jacaranda trees.

Gardens and parks

Funchal’s subtropical climate, with average temperatures around 18°C in winter and 25°C in summer, makes it a paradise for plant lovers.

Funcha Maderia Botanical Gardens — Funchal botanical gardens

The Funchal Municipal Garden is a peaceful retreat in the city centre, home to hundreds of botanical species from around the world. There’s a lake with ducks and swans, an open-air amphitheatre for cultural events, and plenty of shady corners to relax in.

Take the cable car to Monte for one of the best views in Madeira. At the top, you’ll find the Botanical Gardens, filled with vibrant colours and intricate designs that are especially beautiful in summer.

Explore Funchal's Botanical Gardens

Funchal is the perfect holiday destination for garden and flower enthusiasts. Flowers thrive in Madeira’s tropical climate so you’ll see a whole host of floral displays. Madeira Botanical Gardens have five hectors to explore with tropical plants and array of colourful flowers, while Monte Palace Tropical Gardens are a must-see in the summer with over 100,000 species of plants and 70,000m² of gardens.

The Palheiro Gardens sit within a large estate on the outskirts of Funchal and are also worth a visit. There are a variety of plants to see as well as a great hill-top location, allowing for wonderful views towards the Funchal bay.

A number of our hotels offer fantastic gardens but the Quinta Splendida in Caniço is truly spectacular. You’ll find 30,000m² of Botanical Gardens with an abundance of plants and flowers to admire.

Street art and culture

In the old town, Rua de Santa Maria is a must-see. Nearly 200 doors have been painted by local artists, transforming the street into a colourful open-air gallery. It’s a lively spot to explore, full of cafés, murals and Madeiran charm.

For walkers who want a full-day adventure, our Caldeirão Verde guided walk is a highlight. The trail passes through the UNESCO-listed Laurissilva Forest, leading to a majestic waterfall and incredible mountain views.

Caldeirão Verde

Join us for this full-day walk where you'll find a majestic waterfall, wonderful views over the village São Jorge, a variety of plant species, and dramatic mountains. Half way through the walk you'll find yourself at a Levada located in the Laurissilva Forest which has been a UNESCO world heritage site since 1999. Make sure to pack your torch! Along the way you will find some tunnels to walk through, finishing the walk at Caldeirão Verde where you will see the huge waterfall cascading on the crystalline lagoon – dreamy! Once you've reached the waterfall you'll walk back the way you came.

Grade: Moderate
Distance: 13km
Duration: approx. 8 hours (walking time approx. 4 hours, 30 minutes)
Ascent/descent: 100m ascent and descent
Terrain: Mostly level, uneven in a few places along the way
Useful information: You’ll be picked up from your hotel and taken to the start of the walk, with return transport included. Bring a packed lunch. There’s a café en route (Cafetaria das Queimadas), but it may not always be open. A public toilet is available at the starting point (€0.50 per person). For this walk, we recommend bringing a torch as you’ll pass through around five tunnels. Some are long, narrow, dark, and low in places, so you may need to crouch. There are no alternative routes around them, but they’re an unforgettable part of the adventure, carved dramatically into the rock

This full-day walk will run on Tuesdays.

Image copyright: Francisco Correia

The Port of Funchal

Discover Funchal Port, the vibrant gateway to Madeira. With its mix of history, scenic views and seaside charm, it’s the perfect starting point for exploring the island, especially if you’re arriving by cruise ship.

Funchal Maderia Historial Port And Marina — Funchal's historical port and marina

Funchal Port has a rich history dating back several centuries. What began as a small fishing harbour has grown into a modern cruise terminal that welcomes thousands of visitors each year. Its development reflects Madeira’s rise as an important maritime hub in the Atlantic, connecting the island to global trade and tourism.

The marina is a lovely spot for a stroll and a bit of boat spotting. If you’re after a dose of history, head to Forte de São Tiago. Nearly 400 years old, this striking fort was built to protect the city from pirate attacks. You can still see the marks the sea has left on its walls. Sometimes it’s open to visitors for a small local fee, so it’s worth checking if you can wander inside.

Sightseeing in Caniço, Madeira

Summer holidays in Caniço offer a laid-back base for exploring Madeira. Caniço is a quiet, coastal village that combines sea views, scenic walking routes and easy access to nature.

Wake up to ocean views, wander down to the cliffs with a coffee, and spend the day walking along the hills or relaxing by the water. The area is also known for excellent snorkelling and diving at the Garajau Marine Reserve, where you can spot a variety of marine life in the clear Atlantic waters.

Cristo Rei statue

One of Caniço’s highlights is the Cristo Rei (Christ the King) statue, standing high above the cliffs of Garajau. It dates back to 1927 and offers panoramic views of Madeira’s south coast. You can take a taxi from the village centre, as the climb is steep, but the views are worth it.

Matriz do Caniço Church

In the heart of the village, the Matriz do Caniço Church dates to 1783 and blends Baroque and Rococo styles. Its white and gold interior and paintings by Nicolau Ferreira make it a lovely spot to visit for a touch of local history.

See it all, step by step

With our walking holidays, you’re not just ticking off the sights, you’re stepping right into them.

See Madeira the way it was meant to be seen.

View our Madeira walking holidays

See more with our Madeira excursions

- Pre-bookable excursion
Flavours of Funchal

Various destinations

From £50 per person
- Pre-bookable excursion
Classic Madeira mountains and valleys

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From £27 per person
- Pre-bookable excursion
Classic west side tour

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From £36 per person
- Pre-bookable excursion
Santa Cruz walk

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From £36 per person
- Pre-bookable excursion
Maroços and Mimosa Valley

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From £27 per person
- Pre-bookable excursion
Ribeiro Frio

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From £36 per person
- Pre-bookable excursion
Rabaçal and the 25 Fontes

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From £36 per person
- Pre-bookable excursion
Mountain bike tour

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From £67 per person
Make the most of Caniço's coastal location

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Delight in the flowers of Madeira

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Admire local monuments

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Hop to another island

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Culture seekers head to Funchal

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Enjoy Madeira's calendar of events

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Explore Funchal's Botanical Gardens

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Try Funchal's local food and drink

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Admire Funchal's historic port and marina

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Wander Funchal's old town

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Funchal's museums

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Island hop to Porto Santo

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