A Guide to the Best Places in Madeira to Visit in 2022
Swim in Amazing Coastal Rock Pools
The natural swimming pools are formed from volcanic lava on the northern tip of Madeira. The collections are naturally filled with the sea, and the water is clear. The pools are natural, but many amenities include changing rooms, a children’s play area, and restrooms. Lockers, sun loungers, lockers, and a snack bar are available. You can also walk west of Funchal along the promenade, which leads to rock pools cut into cliffs like Doca do Cavacas or Camara de Lobos.
See Breathtaking Scenery
This stunning island is composed of lush valleys, black rocky beaches, and dramatic cliffs. It also has an interior dotted with ancient water channels (levadas). The volcanic soil on the island means that almost anything can grow there, and two-thirds of it is designated as a nature preserve. The island’s mountains and ravines, which extend beyond Funchal, are almost entirely deserted, making them available for hiking, mountain biking, and canyoning.
Enjoy One of the Largest Fireworks Shows In The World
Funchal’s spectacular fireworks display on New Year’s Eve lights up the bay with a fantastic pyrotechnics show. Because the bay is shaped like an amphitheater, fireworks can be set off from over 50 locations. This tradition dates back to the 17th Century, when bonfires of enormous size were lit on the last night each year. This event holds the Guinness World Record in 2006 for the largest fireworks display anywhere in the world and is still a great place to be on New Year’s Eve.
Visit Christiano Ronaldo’s Birthplace
In honor of Christiano Ronaldo, Madeira’s hometown hero, the island’s airport was renamed early 2017. The Santo Antonio neighborhood in Funchal was where Cristiano Ronaldo, a Manchester United Football and Real Madrid football star, was born. There are many tributes to him throughout the capital. The Pestana CR7 boutique hotel is located by the harbor and decorated with memorabilia, including signed shirts. There’s also a bronze statue of the athlete at the entrance. It is located above the Christiano Ronaldo Museum. Here you will find an extensive collection of photographs, trophies, life-size mannequins, and fan mail. There are posters, billboards, billboards, and merchandise featuring Ronaldo all over the island.
Toboggan Ride through the Streets
Toboggan rides on a subtropical island with little snow are better than taking a cable car up a mountain. Monte, a hilltop community, is a popular tourist spot to enjoy a “toboggan ride” into Funchal. The ride takes place in a wicker sled with men wearing rubber-soled boots as the human brakes. This is a traditional way to transport and dates back to 1890 when locals devised a simple way to travel down the steep, winding road to the capital. The cable car ride to Monte offers breathtaking views of Funchal Bay, the ocean, and more. It takes 15 minutes.
Taste World-Class Wine
Madeira’s warm climate and fertile soil make it a top spot for wine production. The island has been producing some of the best-fortified wines worldwide for more than 500 years. Madeira Wine can be enjoyed as both an aperitif (served steamed) or a digestif. Visit the charming fishing village Camara de Lobos to enjoy a complimentary tasting at Henriques & Henriques. Or, in Funchal, join a tour to Blandy’s, a well-known wine lodge dating back to 1811.
Enjoy Year Around Sun
Madeira is known as the “island where eternal spring” because of its subtropical climate. It is the hottest month, with temperatures reaching 26 degrees Centigrade (78° Fahrenheit). Still, it is also a popular place to find winter sunshine since temperatures hover around 19° Centigrade (66.6° Fahrenheit) in January and February. Madeira’s varied landscape means it has very dramatic microclimates. This means you will never be far from the sun, no matter where you are.
Europe’s Highest Cliff Skywalk
Cabo Girao offers breathtaking views of Madeira’s coastline, making your knees tremble. The best idea comes from a suspended glass platform in Europe’s highest skywalk. The spot, which is 580m above sea level, offers breathtaking views extending past Camara de Lobos and into Funchal. The lookout spot is free, and you can get a cup of coffee at the cafe on-site to soothe your nerves before or during your trip. You might also consider taking the Rancho cable car to Fajas do Cabo Girao.
Enjoy a delicious tasting at an Art Deco Food Market
The Mercado dos Lavradores, a Funchal Art Deco food market that dates back 40 years, gives you a glimpse of the local lifestyle. This hall has two levels filled with stalls selling fruits, vegetables, spices, and flowers. You can’t leave without trying some new fruits and watching the fishmongers at work in the separate fish hall.