Towns & Regions of Madeira

Funchal and the south

Funchal, the capital, sits on the sheltered, sunnier south coast and is the natural base for most visitors. Just west, Câmara de Lobos is a picturesque fishing town (a Churchill painting spot) famous for poncha and seafood. Continuing west: Ribeira Brava at a river mouth, sunny Ponta do Sol and Madalena do Mar, and Calheta with its marina and golden-sand beach. The southwest gets the most reliable sunshine.

The east

Near the airport lie Santa Cruz and Machico (the island's first capital, with a sandy beach). Caniço and Caniço de Baixa / Garajau are resort areas just east of Funchal. The far east is the dry Caniçal area and the Ponta de São Lourenço peninsula, with the Garajau Christ statue overlooking the sea.

The north

The north coast is greener, wetter and more rugged. Santana is known for its triangular thatched A-frame houses (casas de colmo) and is the gateway to Pico Ruivo and Caldeirão Verde. São Vicente has caves (Grutas) and a volcanism centre. Porto Moniz in the northwest is famous for its natural lava pools. Seixal has black-sand beaches and natural pools. Porto da Cruz is a surf and rum town in the northeast beneath the Penha de Águia ("Eagle Rock").

The interior and high country

The central mountains hold the highest peaks (Pico do Arieiro, Pico Ruivo) and the deep valley village of Curral das Freiras. Ribeiro Frio is a forest trout-farm and trailhead area. The high Paul da Serra plateau is a windswept moorland leading to Rabaçal (25 Fontes) and the misty Fanal laurel forest. Monte, above Funchal, is reached by cable car.

Porto Santo

The neighbouring island of Porto Santo is flatter, drier and golden — its 9 km sandy beach is the archipelago's standout for sunbathing and swimming. It has a relaxed, low-key feel compared with the main island.