53 Best Sights in Madeira, Portugal

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.

A peek into the cool interior of this hilltop church reveals several ornate carved golden altar pieces, a grand organ, and gilded chapels decorated with colorful azulejo tiles. The tiny statue above the altar was found by a shepherdess in the nearby town of Terreiro da Luta in the 15th century and has become the patron saint of Madeira. The church also contains the tomb of Emperor Karl I of Austria, the last Hapsburg monarch. He was exiled to Madeira, developed pneumonia, and died on the island in 1922. Standing in front of the church rewards you with dramatic views of the city and ocean.

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.

One of your first stops on Porto Santo should be at the Portela viewpoint, which overlooks the harbor, the town, and the long ribbon of beach. Nearby is the hilltop Capela de Nossa Senhora da Graça, one of the oldest churches on the island, dating back to 1851.

This scenic overlook at the end of a bumpy ride off the far western end of the beach offers dramatic panoramic views of the uninhabited islet of Ilhéu de Ferro rising out of the turquoise water. Look to the west and you can also see the main island of Madeira on a clear day.

On a clifftop just outside Calheta, Casa das Mudas is the unlikely setting for one of Madeira's leading art galleries. The museum is split between a 16th-century home that once belonged to the granddaughter of famed Portuguese explorer João Gonçalves and a dramatic modern building of interlocking cubes. The gallery has hosted exhibits featuring the works of Picasso, Dalí, and Francis Bacon, as well as the works of acclaimed local artists. Even if you don't go inside, it's worth visiting for its pristine location.

Dedicated to Madeiran soccer megastar Cristiano Ronaldo, this museum attracts huge numbers of fans of all ages and nationalities who flock here to admire the player's many awards and trophies, watch some of his many footballing highlights, and even pose for photos with computer-generated images of CR7 himself. Outside, a giant statue (which made headlines when many people questioned its resemblance to Ronaldo) is an obligatory free photo opportunity for any visiting sports fans.

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.

Funchal's Museum of Sacred Art has Flemish paintings, polychrome wood statues, and other treasures displayed in a former bishop's palace. Most of the priceless paintings were commissioned by the first merchants of Madeira, who traded sugar for Flemish art so they could decorate their private chapels. The Adoration of the Magi was painted in 1518 for a wealthy trader from Machico and was paid for not in gold, but in sugar. You can tell how important this commodity was to the island by examining Funchal's coat of arms: it depicts five loaves of sugar in the shape of a cross. The museum offers guided tours in English on Tuesday and Friday at 10:15 am (book in advance).

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.

Once the home of a Genoese wine-shipping family, the 17th-century building and grounds of this museum are as impressive as its collection of antique furniture, paintings, drawings, sculpture, and ceramics. Of special interest are the palanquins—lounge chairs once used to carry the grand ladies of colonial Madeira around town. Don't miss the small garden filled with ancient stone columns, window frames, arches, and tombstone fragments rescued from buildings that have been demolished around the island. It also has an alluring café.

Built in the 17th century as Madeira's first fortress, the St. Lawrence Palace is still used as a military headquarters. Sumptuous rooms, a small military museum, and gardens are normally open to the public at 10 am and 3 pm. Check the website for occasional closures.

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.

Porto da Cruz overlooks Penha de Águia, a rocky crag whose sheer cliffs tower over the neighboring village of São Roque do Faial. You can walk the steep path to the top in two or three hours, though the climb is tough and often slippery.

Ribeiro Frio's lush mountains provide an unlikely setting for this trout farm, unlike any you might have seen before. A subtropical forest circles enormous tanks fed by chilly spring water where huge shoals of trout swim freely. It's a lovely place to stroll around, perhaps before a picnic lunch.

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.

Renowned for its ceiling with intricate geometric designs of inlaid ivory, Funchal's cathedral dates from 1514 and reveals an Arabic influence throughout. Don't miss the elaborately carved and gilded choir stalls in the side entrance and in the chancel (they depict the prophets and the apostles), or the intricate tile work at the side entrance and in the belfry.

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.

Five kilometers (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, hydrangeas, and wildflowers, the route leads right into a wonderful forest. There are picnic tables and toilet facilities at the thatched-roof Casa das Queimadas, which is used by forest rangers. This marks the start of a great levada walk to Caldeirão Verde, a three- to four-hour round-trip hike to a dramatic waterfall.