2 Best Sights in Madeira, Portugal

A visit to the working sugar cane mill is a reminder that the industry once played a pivotal role in the region. The mill operates during April and May, immediately after the sugar cane harvest, but a visit any time of year will let you see the various stages of the steam-driven production. After walking around the mill, you can finish up in the Rum House to sample some of the beverages made with the crop.

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.