24 Best Sights in Madeira, Portugal

At 1,900 feet, Cabo Girão is on one of the highest sea cliffs in the world, and the observation platform—with a clear glass floor so you can gaze straight down—gives you a bird's-eye view down to the coast. From here you can see the ribbons of terraces carved out of steep slopes where farmers daringly cultivate grapes and garden vegetables. During high season, the walkway can get crowded with bus tours, so get there early if you want to beat the crowds.

The village of Monte is home to one of Madeira's oldest and most eccentric attractions: a snowless sled ride down the mountain. The toboggan sleds were first created to carry supplies from Monte to Funchal. Nowadays the rides are just for fun, and no visitor to Madeira should miss out on this white-knuckle adventure.

Dressed in white and wearing goatskin boots with soles made of rubber tires, drivers line up on the street below the Igreja de Nossa Senhora do Monte. Resembling big wicker baskets, the sleds have wooden runners that are greased with pig fat so they'll go even faster. Two drivers run alongside the sled, controlling it with ropes as it races downhill on a 10-minute trip halfway to Funchal. At the end of the ride there are several souvenir shops where you can pick up a photograph of yourself taken by a sneaky photographer shooting you somewhere on the ride. To get back to Funchal, walk about 1 km (½ mile) or take one of the many waiting taxis.

About 16 km (10 miles) northwest of Funchal, this miradouro (viewpoint) overlooks the Grande Curral, once thought to be the crater of a long-extinct volcano in the center of the island. Local legend says the surrounding peaks are the fortress of a princess who wanted to live in the clouds so badly that her father—the volcano god—caused an earthquake that pushed the rocky cliffs high into the sky. Today the views are breathtaking in all directions; you can appreciate them even more if you stay the night or dine at the panoramic Eira do Serrado Hotel & Spa. If you are driving here from Funchal, head north toward Curral das Freiras and turn at the sign for Eira do Serrado. The roads do get a little narrow and nerve-wracking at times, but they're worth embracing for the view.

The Botanical Garden is on the grounds of an old plantation 3 km (2 miles) northeast of Funchal. It's home to more than 2,000 well-labeled plants—including anthuriums, bird-of-paradise flowers, and a large cactus collection—hailing from four continents. From the grounds, it is possible to savor wonderful views of Funchal, and check out the petrified trunk of a 10-million-year-old heather tree. There's also a natural history museum and a small birds garden. You can get here on Bus 29, 30, 31, or 31A, or you can ride the cable car, departing from the small hilltop settlement of Monte.

This 30-acre estate 5 km (3 miles) northeast of Funchal is a lovely spot to see the many colorful plants that bloom year-round in Madeira. Visitors will see hibiscus and bougainvillea most of the year, while jacaranda and bauhinias crop up seasonally. Owned by the wine-producing Blandy family, the manicured gardens make for a pleasant afternoon, and the teahouse here serves delicious homemade cakes and tarts. It's a steep drive—Nos. 36, 37, and 47 buses pass several times a day, and it's a popular stop on organized tours of the island.

This colorful garden is known around the world, and for good reason. Tiled panels recall the adventures of Portuguese explorers, pagodas and gateways lend touches of Asia, and cannons pour their salvos of water from a stone galleon in a lake. The garden was once part of a luxury hotel that closed in 1943 and languished for years. Fortunately, millionaire entrepreneur José Manuel Rodrigues Berardo bought the property in 1987 and transformed it into the garden you see today.

Though not a beach per se, the otherworldly natural sea pools in Porto Moniz are one of the most popular sites in Madeira, with children and adults splashing in the waters around the volcanic rocks or soaking up some sun on the concrete "beach." There are pools of varying sizes, some shallow and calm (perfect for kids), and some deeper and rougher for more adventurous types (one even has a diving board). Several pools have wheelchair access. You can rent deck chairs and umbrellas and dine at the snack bar during the summer months. The water here is significantly colder than elsewhere on the island. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards; showers; toilets. Best for: swimming.

When you think of the perfect tropical beach, you're probably envisioning something like this quiet, pretty swath of white sand nestled around a series of coves carved out of black volcanic rock. This beach—not to be confused with the beach of the same name on Maderia's main island—is made for staring out at the impossibly blue sea and the interesting rock formations on the uninhabited islet of Ilhéu de Baixo. Though swimming is dangerous on the western end at Ponta da Calheta, a little farther east you'll find calmer waters perfect to wade in. There's no shade, so bring an umbrella. Amenities: food and drink; parking (no fee); showers; toilets. Best for: solitude; sunset; walking.

The closest beach to the town of Vila Baleira is family-friendly Praia da Fontinha, which offers soft, clean white sand and calm, warm waters ideal for swimming. About half a mile in length, the beach seems quiet even when it's packed. You can eat lunch at Pizza N'Areia, right next to the beach, or grab a drink and a plate of barbecued meat at the beach bar, O Corsario. Beach chairs and umbrellas are available for a small fee. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards; parking (no fee); showers; toilets. Best for: swimming; walking.

The sleek, Austrian-engineered cable car service travels from Funchal's waterfront up to Monte at 1,804 feet above sea level. The trip takes 15 minutes each way, and there are great views to enjoy as you float silently up and over the city's white-washed houses. The orange roofs form a patchwork from above, complemented by swooping birds of prey, scampering mountain goats, and new blooms on the trees. A great option is to ride the cable car up, then take one of the renowned snowless "basket toboggans" part of the way back down.

The robust yellow fortaleza dates to 1614, if not earlier, when French corsairs began to threaten Funchal's coveted deepwater harbor. Thanks to continuous use—by British troops when their nation was allied with Portugal against Napoléon, and during the visit of Portuguese King Dom Carlos in 1901—much of the military stronghold has been preserved, though it's now a bit decrepit. You can wander around the ramparts, which offer interesting views over the old town and sea below.

Just outside the village of São Vicente, you'll find a series of underground caves formed during Madeira's last volcanic eruption around 890,000 years ago. Half-hour tours led by enthusiastic guides descend about 1 km (½ mile) into the chocolate-colored rock caverns. Next door, the Centro do Vulcanismo is a slightly dated but still interesting interactive exhibition detailing the region's volcanic past, complete with a 3-D film that transports you to the center of the earth. Note that the caves are currently closed for maintenance and scheduled to reopen in 2023, so check before you visit. Dress appropriately: it's slippery underfoot and you'll often get dripped on from above.

Fun for children, this museum is a great introduction to Madeira for first-time visitors. It's not high tech, but a series of models, paintings, archival footage, and multimedia displays explain the history and culture of the island, from volcanic beginnings through the days of pirates to the flying boats that brought the first plane passengers to Funchal. There's a rooftop terrace with fine views over town—including the cable car that glides past—as well as a souvenir shop, café, and daily activities for kids.

This innovative museum tells the story of Caniçal's whaling-focused past and conservation-minded present through exhibits of antique fishing implements, vintage photographs of fishermen, and life-size replicas of whales and dolphins. If you have kids, opt for the 3-D movie that takes you under the sea inside a submarine.

The Funchal Natural History Museum, the oldest museum in Madeira, displays more than 41,000 specimens of animals and plant life found on Madeira and in its seas—including a ferocious-looking collection of stuffed sharks. Attached is a small aquarium where you can watch the graceful movements of an octopus and view a family of sea turtles. The museum is just a short walk from the city center, near the Sao Pedro Church.

Abloom with flowers all year-round, Santa Catarina Park covers an area of nearly nine acres, making it one of the largest parks on the island. It offers fantastic views over Funchal and its bay up to the Ponta do Garajau. In the center of the park rests the tiny Capela de Santa Catarina (St. Catherine's Chapel), built by Madeira's discoverer João Gonçalves Zarco in 1425. Just above the park is a pink mansion called Quinta Vigia, the residence of the president of Madeira—it's closed to the public but you can visit its 18th-century chapel, lined with beautiful tiles.

About 5 km (3 miles) west of Santana is a detour where the road quickly turns into a rough mountain track. Along a trail that passes by gorse bushes, the route leads into a wonderful forest. There are picnic tables and restrooms at the thatched-roof Casa das Queimadas, which is used by forest rangers. This marks the start of a great walk to Caldeirão Verde, a three- to four-hour round-trip hike to a dramatic waterfall.

Popular with families, the Parque Temático da Madeira features educational and just-for-fun activities set amid 17 acres of landscaped grounds. The term "theme park" is perhaps an overstatement, as the attractions are pretty tame. There's a playground, boating lake, miniature train, and a craft village demonstrating carving and weaving.

Vast cruise ships dock at Funchal's central port, which has been given a major face-lift over recent years, and the surrounding promenade now features marinas, cafés, and manicured green spaces. The backdrop, with cloud-shrouded mountains in one direction and blue sea in the other, makes it a more than picture-worthy spot, and it's also a good place to pick up leaflets about boat tours and excursions or to stop for a bite at one of the refreshment kiosks and food trucks.

With golden sand shipped in from Morocco, this calm, sheltered beach makes for enjoyable ocean swimming and strolling in the gentle surf. There isn't any shade, but you can rent beach chairs and umbrellas. Summer weekends can be extremely busy with sunbathers, who crowd onto every inch of sand. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards; parking (fee); showers; toilets; water sports. Best for: swimming; walking.

One of the most popular beaches in Madeira, Praia de Machico has calm, warm waters that are perfect for swimming. Swaying palms and rugged hills make for a picturesque backdrop. The busy promenade extending around the beach lends itself to great people-watching. Machico provides more amenities than most Madeira beaches, with two kiddie pools, chair and umbrella rentals, and a variety of water sports. There are several snack bars and restaurants, plus an excellent ice cream kiosk on the water's edge. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards; parking (no fee); showers; toilets; water sports. Best for: partiers; swimming; walking.

The island's main town is little more than an attractive village clustered round the palm-lined main square, Largo do Pelourinho. From here, it's a short walk to a fantastic swath of beach and the town's elongated jetty, a popular spot for evening walks and gazing out to sea.