Madeira is a volcanic island located about 1000 km from Portugal. Portuguese sailors discovered the archipelago in 1419 and settled there shortly afterwards. It is often referred to as the “Hawaii of Europe” because of its mountainous landscapes, volcanic features, crystal blue water, dramatic coastlines and lush green hills. Flying to Madeira is quite affordable from Lisbon so it was easy to add this onto our schedule after the Algarve portion of our trip. We timed our visit to coincide with the annual carnival celebration in Funchal and budgeted 8 days to experience the best of what the island had to offer. Basing ourselves out of Funchal, we quickly determined we would be able to do a series of day trips to see the island’s highlights. Renting a car is the best way to explore Madeira but don’t accept an oversized vehicle from the rental agency! We had requested one of their most compact cars but ended up with a behemoth, making it very difficult to find adequate parking and to avoid side swiping other vehicles on the narrow roads. After a couple of frustrating days into our trip, we ended up swapping back out to our originally requested vehicle and were so much happier with our compact car! Our Madeira itinerary included the following highlights: hiking the Ponta de São Lourenço trail which is the easternmost part of the island (just spectacular…don’t miss this), stopping at every miradouro (viewpoint) for fantastic coastal views, driving through Dos Anjos Waterfall (free car wash on the E.R. 101 road), hiking along levadas to the 25 Fontes and Risco Waterfall (one of the island’s most popular hikes so start early to beat the crowds), checking our the lovely seaside village of Porto Moniz and its salt water pools, catching sunrise at Pico do Arieiro Mountain, feeding friendly birds at Vereda dos Balcoes, checking out the colorful traditional homes of Santana, stumbling upon the cute fishing village of Camara de Lobos, admiring the bird’s eye view over Nun’s Valley (Cural das Freiras), visiting the original Christ the King statue at Garajau (Rio erected a larger replica 4 years later), getting lost in the ancient laurel forest of Fanal, taking photos of the 100 colorful doors found on Santa Maria street in Funchal, exploring the gorgeous botanical gardens of Monte Palace with the bonus of enjoying folk dancers performing in traditional clothes during our visit and last but not least, getting a front row vantage point to enjoy the spectacle that is carnival. What an amazing trip we had in Madeira which blew us away with its raw, stunning beauty. This gorgeous Portuguese island has flown under our radar but now that we have discovered it, we are huge fans and would not hesitate for a return trip here.
The view from Miradouro Nobrega which overlooks the town of Machico
The Vereda da Ponta de São Lourenço hike is one of the most popular hikes on Madeira Island
Ponta de São Lourenço from Baixas do Guincho, the vicinity of the island's new port
Ponta de São Lourenço is the easternmost point of the island of Madeira
Cliff formations on the Ponta de São Lourenço hike
Ponta de São Lourenço's hiking trail is along a narrow stretch of rugged coastline
Stunning viewpoints along the 7 km Ponta de São Lourenço trail
Spring flowers on the Ponta de São Lourenço trail
We enjoyed the stunning views on the Ponta de São Lourenço trail
Volcanic layers are visible on the coastal cliffs of the Ponta de São Lourenço trail
Reaching the turn around point on the Ponta de São Lourenço trail
What a beautiful day to hike the Ponta de São Lourenço trail!
Spectacular scenery on the Ponta de São Lourenço hike! What a great way to kick off our visit to Madeira Island
Becky at Cape Girão, the highest cape in Europe. It is popular with its suspended glass platform offering a lovely panoramic view
View looking down 589 meters below the platform at Cabo Girão
Coastal view from Cabo Girão
The seaside village of Ponta do Sol
Robby on the old stone bridge in Ponta do Sol
Rock arch near Ponta do Sol
House of 1000 faces in Ponta do Sol
Mural of folk dancers; Ponta do Sol
Dos Anjos Waterfall (Cascata dos Anjos) on the old ER101 road between Ponta do Sol and Madalena do Mar
Posing at Ponta do Pargo Lighthouse Viewpoint
View of the ocean at a lookout point below Garganta Funda Waterfall
The picturesque town of Porto Moniz
Wheelbarrow planter; Porto Moniz
Formed by volcanic rocks, the natural pools of Porto Moniz are a highlight to any visit to Madeira
São João Baptista Fort in Porto Moniz
A visitor does a backflip into a salt water pool at Porto Moniz
Robby sits in a Porto Moniz sign
An irrigation channel on the Levada das 25 Fontes hike
Stone steps leading up to 25 Fontes Falls
The beautiful scenery on the levada (mini-canal) hike to 25 Fontes Falls
At long last, we reach the 30 meter tall 25 Fontes Waterfall ("25 springs")
A beautiful pool at the base of the 25 Fontes Falls
Risco Waterfall, a 100 meter high waterfall located in Rabaçal
Revisiting Porto Moniz's natural swimming pool on a sunny day
Ribeira da Janela - a set of rock pillars in the sea
Coastal view from the village of Seixal
The picturesque village of Seixal
The black sand beach of Seixal
Veu da Noiva is a beautiful waterfall that plummets into the sea
Agua D’alto waterfall plummets next to the coastal road!
The beautiful drive on Madeira's northern coast. Hiring a rental car to explore here is a no-brainer
Fried squid, potatoes and a delicious salad for dinner at MadMarket Restaurant
Becky watching sunrise at Pico do Arieiro Mountain
Robby enjoying sunrise at Pico do Arieiro
A crowd gathers at Pico do Arieiro Mountain for sunrise. Get there early because parking is limited!
Pico do Arieiro is Madeira's third highest peak at 1,818 m above sea level
Hiking trail at the top of Pico do Arieiro
Pico do Arieiro is one of Madeira's most popular sunrise spots
Robby at a viewpoint on Pico do Arieiro
Becky admiring the view at Pico do Arieiro
Robby enjoying our hike on Pico do Arieiro
Irrigation channel on our hike to Vereda dos Balcoes
Becky feeding a friendly bird at Vereda dos Balcoes
Terraced fields on a mountain in Madeira
Stunning views like this are commonplace in Madeira
One of Santana's charming traditional houses
Typical traditional Santana houses
Many of the traditional Santana houses can be found in the city center
A traditional Santana house at a tourist restaurant
Interior of a traditional Santana house
View from a lookout at Camara de Lobos
Colorful fishing boats line the harbor at Camara de Lobos
A fisherman hauls his boat out of the harbor the old fashioned way (with ropes and pulleys)
Monk seal artwork by one of our favorite Portuguese artists, Bordalo II, near the harbor in Camara de Lobos
View of Camara de Lobos from the Ilhéu Gardens
Yoda quote about recycling. Artwork on a wall in Camara de Lobos
Massive wall mural showing that travel is educational for children; Camara de Lobos
Becky at the Eira do Serrado lookout point overlooking Cural das Freiras (Nuns’ Valley)
Dizzying view of Cural das Freiras (Nuns’ Valley)
Interior view of São Vicente Church
The village of São Vicente
Cave view of the 'Capelinha do Calhau' (chapel on the rock); São Vicente
Rocha do Navio viewpoint. Sadly, the cable car wasn't running when we visited
Becky at the Guindaste Viewpoint in the village of Faial
A small pebble beach at Foz da Ribeira do Faial, located on the north coast of Madeira
Engenhos do Norte - a rum distillery in Porto da Cruz
Rum barrels at the rum distillery in the small coastal village of Porto da Cruz
The beautiful surfers' beach at Porto da Cruz
Outdoor swimming pool at the village of Porto da Cruz
The windy road leading to Garajau Beach
Garajau's Christ the Redeemer statue is an exact replica of the one in Rio
Robby enjoying our sushi buffet dinner at Nagoya
Our good luck with the weather came to an end this morning as we woke up to heavy rain and an overcast day
The ancient laurel forest of Fanal is one of the largest surviving areas of laurel forest (which is believed to be 90% primary forest) in the world
This UNESCO Natural Heritage site of the Laurissilva Forest is famous for its ancient, crooked trees; Fanal Forest
Becky on a tree at the ancient laurel forest of Fanal
A waterfall plummeting into the ocean
Peace and Freedom Monument; Funchal
Municipal garden in Funchal
Palace of the Governing Board; Funchal
Interior detail of Funchal Cathedral
Azulejos tilework at the Funchal Cathedral
Trilogy of Power statue in Funchal old town
Varadouros Old Gate (City Gates); Funchal
Statue of wine being transported; Funchal
One of over 100 doors on Santa Maria Street that has been painted. This one depicts a black eel like fish known as a "Madeiran Sword Fish" or a scabbard
Painted door on Rua de Santa Maria; Funchal
Mermaid on a swing petting a dolphin; Rua de Santa Maria
Old town section of Madeira
Quaint cafe on Rua de Santa Maria
Photo of a man holding up a scabbard; Funchal
The Chapel of Corpo Santo is a 15th century chapel at the end of the old town section of Funchal
Painted door on Rua de Santa Maria
"Keep Calm and Drink Madeira Rum" - painted door on Rua de Santa Maria in Funchal
Interior of the Catholic Church of Saint Mary the Great (Socorro); Funchal
Robby at the Fortress of São Tiago; Funchal
Staircase section of the Fortress of São Tiago
Classic cars parked outside the Fortress of São Tiago
São Lourenço Palace Museum; Funchal
Christopher Columbus monument; Santa Catarina Park
A swan in the pond at Santa Catarina Park; Funchal
Our tasty meal at Le Bistrot Jacaranda. The set menu is excellent value at 18 Euros for starter, main and dessert!
The Ritz Madeira is a cafe in Funchal
Interior view of the Cathedral of Funchal. Notice its unusual style with wooden floors, wooden cedar ceiling, and ivory decorations inspired by Moorish architecture
The ceiling of the Cathedral of Funchal gets lit up daily at 11 am. Check out the detail of the Mudéjar ceiling!
Alleyway view of the Cathedral of Funchal
Fountain at Largo do Chafariz; Funchal
Robby with Madeira carnival representatives
Carnival shacks selling food and drink; Funchal
Cobblestone street in the historical part of Funchal
Santa Clara Convent Church
Rear wall of the Santa Clara Convent's church
Angel detail on the church at Santa Clara Convent
São João Baptista do Pico Fortress
Drawbridge leading to São João Baptista do Pico Fortress
View overlooking Madeira from São João Baptista do Pico Fortress
Nice views over Madeira from São João Baptista do Pico Fortress
Dracaena draco (dragon tree) at São João Baptista do Pico Fortress
The square in front of the Church of Saint John the Evangelist of the College of Funchal
Interior view of The Church of Saint John the Evangelist; Funchal
Painted ceiling of the Church of Saint John the Evangelist in Funchal
Chapel of the Eleven Thousand Virgins; Church of Saint John the Evangelist in Funchal
Angel defeating a devil; Church of Saint John the Evangelist
Courtyard at Funchal's Town Hall
Becky in front of a Madeira sign in Funchal
Nelson Mandela memorial in Funchal
Replica of the Santa Maria ship in the Funchal Harbor
Balloon man walking downtown Funchal the day before carnival kicks off
Becky petting a friendly dog at Residencial Melba in Funchal
Sitting in a cute wagon in front of a traditional Madeira house; Funchal
Church of Our Lady of the Mount
Ceiling detail at the Church of Our Lady of the Mount
Sledge drivers offer a wicker basket ride down a steep hill from Monte to Funchal
A smiling sledge driver awaits his first customer
A sledge driver performing maintenance to the bottom of his wicker basket sled
A statue at the lovely Monte Palace botanical garden
African sculptures on display at Monte Palace
Monte Palace botanical garden
Path through the Oriental Garden section of Monte Palace
One of dozens of tile panels placed along the walkways at Monte Palace Madeira
Japanese Pagoda at Monte Palace Garden
A swan swims in the pond at Monte Palace
Becky in a stone window frame at Monte Palace
View of Monte Palace Hotel
Flamingo at Monte Palace Garden
Close up of a flamingo at Monte Palace Garden
Tourists enjoying their wicker basket rides down a back road in Monte Village
Cherub detail on a fountain at Monte Palace
Monte Palace is one of Madeira's highlights boasting an exotic plant collection, a central lake, and two museums
Luckily for us, a folk dance performance was held the day we visited Monte Palace as a pre-carnival celebration
Madeiran folk dancers in their traditional attire
The hallmark of Madeiran folklore is the 'Bailinho" which is dancing accompanied by traditional musical instruments
For over an hour we were treated to different traditional dances by this folk dance troupe
These dancers put on an enthusiastic show for an eager crowd at Monte Palace
Accordion player at Monte Palace
One of several musical instruments played at the folk dance performance
Drum player; Monte Palace
A man plays the rajão (a 5-stringed instrument with the origins of the ukulele) at the folk dance show
Folk dancers showcasing their dance moves
We loved the traditional costumes worn by the folk dancers at Monte Palace
It was nice to see a few younger members get involved in preserving Madeira's traditional folk dances
Bravo to these amazing performers for putting on a show at Monte Palace
A Japanese shrine and torii gate at Monte Palace Tropical Garden
Becky at the Japanese shrine; Monte Palace
Waterfall at Monte Palace
Japanese garden section of Monte Palace
A traditional Madeira house; Monte Palace
Dragon tree at Monte Palace
Pink petals line a footpath at Monte Palace
Carnival in Madeira is held 40 days before Easter
One of over 1000 dancers in the carnival parade in Madeira
Fantastic costumes on display at the Madeira carnival
Carnival dancers in Funchal
Beautiful dancers on a float at the Madeira carnival
Beautiful dancers paraded past us for over 3 hours during Madeira's carnival
What a fantastic dragon costume at the Madeira carnival
Huge smiles and flamboyant costumes...carnival in Madeira was a highlight of our visit there!
A dancer takes a moment's rest during the carnival parade in Funchal
Gorgeous dancers on a float; Madeira carnival
We loved the music and colorful costumes of carnival
Two angels in the carnival parade
Carnival participants made eye contact with the crowd for motivation to dance some more
A sea of revellers as far as the eye can see at the carnival parade
There were far more female dancers than males in the carnival parade so the male participants really stood out
Gorgeous costumes at the carnival parade
Countless feathers went into the making of the carnival costumes
Close up of a male dancer at the carnival parade
It was non stop action until way past midnight during Madiera's carnival parade
Pretty costumes; Madeira carnival
Costumed performers; Madeira carnival
Choreographed dancers at the Madeira carnival
Get there early to have a front row position for the carnival parade in Funchal
A beautiful carnival float
The queen and king representatives of this dance troupe; Madeira carnival
What an ornate costume with vibrant colors!
Pretty in purple - a carnival dancer entertains the crowd
Despite the chilly temperature, the carnival dancers are not feeling the cold
Sexy dancers on a simple carnival float