Top Sights & Things to Do in Madeira

Madeira's unmissable sights: Monte and its cable car, Fanal's fairy-tale forest, the Lavradores market, gardens, caves and the Cristo Rei at Garajau.

In and around Funchal

Mercado dos Lavradores – the lively farmers' market in Funchal with tropical fruit, flowers and fish. Watch for hard-sell fruit stalls.
Zona Velha (Old Town) – cobbled streets, restaurants, and the painted doors of the Arte de Portas Abertas project.
Monte – reached by cable car; visit the Monte Palace Tropical Garden and the Nossa Senhora do Monte church, then ride the wicker toboggan (carros de cesto) downhill, steered by two carreiros in straw hats.
Funchal gardens – the Botanical Garden, Monte Palace Garden, and Quinta do Palheiro (Blandy's Garden).
CR7 Museum & waterfront – dedicated to Cristiano Ronaldo, Madeira's most famous export, on the Funchal marina.
Madeira wine lodges – tour and taste at historic lodges such as Blandy's in the city centre.

Pico do Arieiro – drive almost to the 1,818 m summit for one of the island's great viewpoints, often above a sea of clouds.
Fanal – an ancient, often misty laurel forest with gnarled, fairy-tale trees on the Paul da Serra plateau.
Ponta de São Lourenço – the wild, arid eastern tip with colourful volcanic cliffs.
Cabo Girão – one of Europe's highest sea cliffs, with a glass skywalk platform over the ocean.
Porto Moniz – famous volcanic natural swimming pools on the northwest coast.

Whale and dolphin watching – boat trips depart from Funchal, Calheta and Machico; sightings are common year-round.
Canyoning, coasteering and jeep safaris – popular adventure activities in the interior.
New Year's Eve in Funchal – a world-renowned fireworks display over the bay.
Flower Festival (Festa da Flor) in spring and Wine Festival in late summer are major events.