1. Pico do Arieiro Sunrise

Madeira’s third-highest peak offers breathtaking panoramic views across the entire island’s dramatic mountain landscape. The sunrise here creates an otherworldly experience as you stand above the clouds.

Insider Tip: Arrive 45 minutes before sunrise and bring a thermos of hot chocolate. The temperature drops significantly at 1,818m elevation. For the most magical photos, walk just 5 minutes down the PR1 trail toward Pico Ruivo where fewer tourists venture—this spot offers superior views of the sun breaking through the mountain ridges.

2. Monte Palace Tropical Gardens

These stunning hillside gardens blend Japanese and Portuguese landscaping with exotic plants, artwork, and panoramic views of Funchal.

Insider Tip: Skip the traditional wicker toboggan ride down from Monte (it’s overpriced and only covers a small portion of the descent). Instead, after exploring the gardens, take the hidden stone stairway behind the Monte Church to Levada dos Tornos for a scenic 40-minute walk with spectacular views before catching the #20 bus back to Funchal.

3. Cabo Girão Skywalk

The world’s second-highest sea cliff features a heart-stopping glass platform 580 meters above the ocean.

Insider Tip: Visit between 9-10am to avoid tour buses and look for the barely marked trail to the left of the viewing platform that leads to an equally impressive viewpoint without the crowds. Bring binoculars to spot the tiny farms cultivated on the nearly vertical terraces below the cliff—accessible only by cable car.

4. Curral das Freiras (Nun’s Valley)

A dramatic village nestled in a deep valley surrounded by towering mountains, originally settled by nuns fleeing pirates.

Insider Tip: Skip the crowded main viewpoint and instead drive to Eira do Serrado, then hike 20 minutes to the true panoramic spot. Time your visit during October’s chestnut festival when locals serve traditional chestnut soup and liqueur unavailable elsewhere on the island.

5. Porto Moniz Natural Swimming Pools

Volcanic rock formations create stunning natural swimming pools filled with crystal-clear seawater.

Insider Tip: The less-visited “Piscinas Velhas” (old pools) offer a more authentic experience than the modernized main pools. Visit during late afternoon (after 4pm) when day-trippers have left and locals arrive. During winter storms, watching the powerful waves crash against the protective rocks is spectacular—but swimming is prohibited.

6. Ponta de São Lourenço Peninsula

The island’s easternmost point features dramatic red cliffs, unique arid landscapes, and panoramic ocean views.

Insider Tip: While most hikers turn around at the main viewpoint, continue all the way to the very end where a tiny stone staircase leads down to a hidden cove with crystal clear waters perfect for swimming. Bring water shoes—the volcanic rocks can be sharp but protect an incredible ecosystem of marine life.

7. Laurisilva Forest (UNESCO World Heritage Site)

Europe’s largest surviving laurel forest dates back millions of years, creating an enchanted prehistoric landscape.

Insider Tip: Explore via the lesser-known Levada do Rei trail, which features fewer tourists but equally magnificent scenery. About halfway through, look for a small unmarked path leading to a hidden waterfall where locals perform “poncha rituals”—an informal gathering to drink the traditional Madeiran rum beverage.

8. Funchal Old Town (Zona Velha)

The historical heart of Madeira’s capital features cobblestone streets, “art doors,” and traditional restaurants.

Insider Tip: Skip the touristy Rua de Santa Maria and explore the parallel street Rua de Dom Carlos I, where local artists have their workshops open to visitors. For the best pastel de nata in Madeira, visit the tiny Fabrica Santo Antonio bakery, established in 1893 and hidden on a side street behind the Mercado dos Lavradores.

9. Fanal Forest

An ancient laurel forest where centuries-old trees emerge from the mist, creating an ethereal, almost mystical atmosphere.

Insider Tip: Visit during foggy conditions for the most magical experience, typically occurring mid-morning. Local photographers know that the best photographic opportunities happen when driving along the ER209 road just before reaching the main Fanal area—here you’ll find isolated trees in meadows often surrounded by grazing cattle.

10. Pico Ruivo

Madeira’s highest peak at 1,862 meters offers unparalleled 360° views across the entire archipelago on clear days.

Insider Tip: While most tourists hike from Pico do Arieiro, start from Achada do Teixeira for a shorter (yet still spectacular) 5.5km round-trip hike. Bring a lightweight jacket even on warm days as mountain weather changes rapidly. The concrete shelter near the summit is the perfect spot to enjoy a traditional Madeira picnic of bolo do caco bread, local cheese, and poncha if you arrive during afternoon chill.