Tourist Attractions & Monuments Madeira

On the way to São Lourenço Point, the green of Madeira disappears, the dry rock is covered with a thin and yellowed grass, the cliffs fall steeply into the ocean... Here you are in front of one of the most singular landscapes of Madeira made of reddish lands surrounded by the blue of the ocean. The semi-arid climate of this eastern peninsula has favored the appearance of a dry Atlantic flora, including immortals and halophytic plants, great adepts of salty environments. Berthelot's Pipit of Madeira, Ashen Shearwater, Canary Island Serin... There are also many birds nesting at São Lourenço Point. On the islet of Desembarcadouro, which can be seen in the extension of the point, the Yellow-legged Gull has installed one of the most important colonies of its species (as in the deserted islands). Hiking in this magical place (named after the caravel of a certain João Gonçalves de Zarco...) is a must!

At the exit of Caniçal, shortly after the place called "Prainha", a small natural beach of dark sand, congested in summer, one reaches a traffic circle; a road in very good condition leads on the left to a parking lot, and, more substantially, to a superb viewpoint on the cliffs' indentations. A small path leads to a point where the winds can be extremely violent. Be careful not to get too close to the cliff, there are no guard rails. For a picture of the coast with the wind turbines, it may be more interesting to go back to the initial traffic circle and stop, with great caution, on the right side of the road, in a flared bend at the level of a yellow and black barrier; you are closer to the cliffs and the view is even more striking. The wind is also less disturbing.

Once back at the traffic circle, turn left (right if you are coming from Caniçal). Shortly afterwards, you will see a new marina on the right; the road then leads to a larger, more touristy parking lot. It is impossible to get lost along this marked trail, which is punctuated by breathtaking landscapes: the layers of colors, oscillating from gray to red, give the site all its mineral beauty. There is no significant difficulty, except for a few short stairs, but the walk can still be exhausting (especially under the sun, so bring as much water as possible!). Count 8 km and 5 hours round trip. The walkers often stop for a picnic at the Casa do Sardinha (exhibition on the local fauna and flora). It is possible to swim on a small pebble beach below.

The Madeira Botanical Garden is a wonderful opportunity to discover the exceptional flora of Madeira and beyond. Species from all over the world have been introduced in this lush garden. Its colorful expanses dominate the city, at an altitude of 200 to 350 m. An exceptional and immense site that covers an area of 8 ha, including 3.5 ha just for the garden. More than 2,000 exotic plants are cultivated on 35,000 m², from orchids to "birds of paradise" (strelitzia), including splendid magnolias, azaleas and cacti. In addition to the section reserved for endemic plants (observe them well to find them during your hikes!), appreciate the beautiful collection of cacti and succulents, the superb geographical beds or "choreographic gardens", translating the meticulous and creative work of the landscape designers, the fruit trees (papaya, guava, Mexican sapodilla...), the aromatic and medicinal plant garden or the numerous species of palm trees presented at the end of the tour.

The Reid family lived in the quinta do Bom Sucesso from the middle of the 19th century, and the botanical garden was installed there in 1963. It is also a place of study for scientists, with a small natural history museum (not so young!), with various stuffed birds and marine species in jars, and even a herbarium (24,000 plant samples). The view is breathtaking over the whole bay of Funchal.

Here lava secretions have formed a small flat overhang at the foot of the cliff and the fringe of this flat, bordering the water, has created pools that the sea has transformed into swimming pools. A few trowels later, Porto Moniz, until then mainly known for its cattle fair, became a popular little seaside resort. The site, although concreted, remains impressive. In summer, don't expect to enjoy it alone. There are free natural swimming pools and wilder ones to be discovered near the aquarium. Watch the flags before you swim!

It was the foundation of the Portuguese businessman José Berardo who bought the Monte Palace in 1987. Nestling beneath the Monte Cathedral, spread over seven hectares, rich with more than 10,000 species of plants from the five continents (some of which are endangered), this exuberant park is well worth a visit (some even prefer it to the Botanical Garden!). Ponds, covered walkways, Japanese-style gardens, art gardens, azulejos, skilful architecture of the green spaces, viewpoints overlooking the bay of Funchal, and everywhere a restful calm. Don't miss the important collection of cycads (between the palm tree and the fern, this plant is said to be even older than the dinosaurs!), nor the section reserved for the island's endemic flora (zone E). Glass of Madeira offered at the end of the tour (in the café).

Monte Palace Museum. We meet it at the beginning of the visit. This small, modern museum has two temporary exhibitions, one dedicated to Zimbabwean sculpture and the other to a collection of minerals.

Quinta Monte Palace. In the middle of the vegetation, this residence was built at the beginning of the 20th century by a wealthy merchant, Alfredo Guilherme Rodrigues, who was inspired here by the castles on the banks of the Rhine that he discovered during a trip to Germany. It was later the headquarters of the Monte Palace Hotel, which remained in operation until the 1940s. Today, the estate is home to the social solidarity foundation of billionaire José Berardo.

Inaugurated in 1497, the convent was founded at the instigation of João Gonçalves da Câmara, one of Zarco's sons. Today it is the home of a small community of Franciscan sisters composed of about twenty nuns. There you will learn that each sister had her own chapel for recollection. The most splendid of them, on the first floor, is adorned with magnificent azulejos with camellia motifs. Part of the convent has now been transformed into a school. Its church, covered with polychrome azulejos, is well worth a visit.

In 1569 King Sebastian I had the Jesuit College built, the seat of the administration of the University of Madeira (the students organise the guided tours). It must be said that the Colegio is a high point in the history of the city. From its creation, it had a pedagogical vocation and was later occupied by English assailants before being mobilized by the Portuguese army. In today's reception hall, the piano of Charles I, the last Austrian Emperor exiled to Funchal in 1921, is enthroned. The church surprises by its sumptuous decoration.

It was the first church of importance built overseas by the Portuguese. Ordered by King Manuel I in 1514 and built by the master Pêro Annes, it has a sober whitewashed façade surrounded by black basalt and red tufa. The architectural beauty of the building is associated with its Hispano-Arabic and Romano-Gothic lines. Inside, the ceiling has a Manueline inlay of wood and ivory, and a representation of the world and scenes depicting the great discoveries. The gilded Flemish style choir is flamboyant.

This rum distillery exists since 1927 (it still works with steam!). You will discover the process of creating rum the old-fashioned way in an area where the machinery and copper stills are exposed, distilling the precious beverage (between April and May). Breathe in the smells of cane juice and rum! Right next door, the Casa do Rum offers you to taste the referenced rums and the famous poncha (agricultural white rum and honey flavoured with orange/lemon or passion fruit).

The site is very touristy but it is worth a look! The skywalk at the top of this vertiginous cliff offers an incredible view of Madeira's coastline, Funchal and Câmara de Lobos. In the late afternoon, the colors are softer but photographers will appreciate the backlighting in the morning, especially if the fog is present. Restaurants and souvenir stores are located in front of the lookout. The view from the Miradouro Cruz da Caldeira, just before the detour to Cabo Girão, coming from Câmara, is also very beautiful.

Made of lime and basalt, the Church of Our Lady of the Mount houses the statue of Nossa Senhora do Monte, the Virgin who took Madeira under her protection. According to legend, the first chapel built here in 1470 was built by the first inhabitants born on the island. In 1748, an earthquake swept through the building, which was finally rebuilt in 1818. The crypt next door houses the tomb of Emperor Charles I of Austria (1887-1922), who fled to Madeira after the First World War.

In the city centre, on a surface area of 8,300 m², it offers an astonishing density of species. For the record, this garden, established in the 1880s, also took the name Jardin Dona Amélia between 1897 and 1910. The convent of São Francisco once stood there, as some ruins show. At the entrance to the garden, observe the bust of Simón Bolívar (nicknamed el Libertador), the dragon trees or the Canary palm trees. A kiosk with a terrace installed under the trees invites you to make a restorative stop.

Just before the tunnel to Caniçal (at the top of the village), a path to the right leads to the top of the peak. Perfect for a walk or a picnic. A lookout (accessible by car), with tables, offers a magnificent view of the bay of Machico, the ballet of planes taking off and landing, and the points of the southern coast of the island; this side is sheltered from the wind that storms on the other side. Count 2 hours of walk (rocky path, bring good shoes). Departure from the bus station of Machico (in front of the supermarket).

It starts at the end of the harbour and climbs gently up to Quinta Vigia, the working residence of the Governor of Madeira. In an area of 36,000 m², you can admire numerous plants such as poinsettias(euphorbia pulcherima or"Christmas stars", native to Mexico), palms from the Canary Islands or summer lilacs (lagerstroemia indica) from China. Beautiful walks in perspective in the alleys, in the middle of a small lagoon, laughter of children and whispers of lovers. The small chapel was commissioned by Dona Constança de Almeida (Zarco's companion).

The "ploughmen's market" is located in the square of the same name at the entrance to the old town. It is the largest market on the island... and also the most touristic! It is impossible to miss this building, inaugurated in 1940 and representative of the new state (Portuguese Salazarist fascist period). To be visited, at least for the pleasure of the eyes and to take some nice pictures! Particularly animated in the morning and on Fridays, the market charms by its festival of colors and smells which attracts many tourists around 10:30 am: come earlier if you don't like the crowd (let's repeat it, then it's very touristy!).

Flowers. Take a stroll through the flower market in the central patio, for example, with its vendors in traditional costumes. They can pack the pretty flowers (birds of paradise/estrelícias, fire tongues/antúrios, orchids/orquídeas, próteas...) for your return trip (if, of course, this is allowed by your airline).

Praça de peixe. At the bottom, in the morning, the fish market is also worth a look. A fishmonger's tunny, a 30 kg tuna in one hand and a machete in the other, is haranguing the barge, while next to it, a stiff dead "espada" is being weighed, with its tail wrapped in its beak. This is the time to watch this fish cooked in all kinds of sauces!

Tropical fruits. Upstairs, multicoloured and fragrant exotic fruits in profusion (with the little known: English tomatoes, banana-pineapple, banana-apple, anone-apple, cayenne cherries...) and tropical vegetables (chayote, manioc...) or a small herbal shop; downstairs, a few other first fruits and a few shops selling alcohol, liquor, sweets, postcards and souvenirs. Don't miss this market on the traditional Christmas Friday, for the market feast, a major event of the end of year festivities in Funchal, captivating the crowds until the end of the night with carols, entertainment and kiosks overflowing in the heart of the city.

Too touristy? But beware, even if some of them make you taste their products sympathetically, compare prices and quality before you decide and avoid stands without a price sign, which often work at the customer's head. Many visitors shout scam after being forced to buy a maracujá at the full price! Beware or take a look around for the pleasure of the eyes... Fruit is usually much cheaper on the small stalls that are set up in the street (much less choice though!).

On the way back to São Vicente, shortly after Seixal, it is a good idea to stop on the left side of the road, at the place called "Veú da Noiva" (Veil of the Bride) where, according to a Madeiran legend, the veil of a young bride who ran away with her husband, against the advice of her parents, fell. From this viewpoint, you can contemplate the Véu da Noiva waterfall, whose height and the amount of water that gushes out are reminiscent of a bride's veil. At 110 meters high, it flows into the ocean above the old road now closed to traffic. Impressive!

The São Lourenço Fortress now serves as the residence of the Military Governor and the Minister of the Republic (the representative of the Lisbon Government). Most of the building is closed to the public, but the gardens and some of the halls and lounges can be visited on certain days, and a mini military museum briefly telling the story of the fortress built in the 15th century can be visited. It was attacked by the French in 1566.

It is often said that the famous beach of Porto Santo, formed more than 30,000 years ago, rivals those of the Algarve, that it is even the most beautiful in Portugal... One thing is certain: it is immense and very engaging, with its 9 km of fine sand. Surprisingly for a volcanic island, its sand is golden, and is supposed to have healing properties for skin diseases. Sand with orange reflections, blue tinged with emerald... The more you move away from the center of the city, the more the beach finds its wild and desert aspect.

To the southwest of Santana, you reach the Achada do Texeira plateau, located at an altitude of 1,592 m, by an asphalt road all the way after taking the ER 218. Two watchtowers along the way offer wonderful views of Madeira's north and east coasts. However, as the fog is often present, it is quite possible that there is nothing to see... On the plateau itself, don't miss the amazing geological structures surrounded by century-old heather (Erica arborea): "Homem-em-Pé", a natural sculpture of piled up basalt blocks representing a standing man, or the "Cara", another sculpture evoking a face.

Hikes above the clouds. We highly recommend the accessible and sublime walk to Pico Ruivo (1,862 m). Departure from the large car park in Achada do Teixeira. Approximately 2 hours of walking (5.6 km return). Easy until the last refuge, after that dry climb to reach the summit (stairs), but it's fast. A relatively easy hike for breathtaking views of the mountains.

Another option, which is more for experienced walkers, is the hike to Pico do Arieiro, on the rooftops of Madeira! Emotions are guaranteed, but be sure to plan ahead, as this is a really difficult walk. Avoid it if you are totally inexperienced (unless you hire a mountain guide). Count 4 to 7 hours according to your level (nearly 12 km). A sensational ridge trail linking two of the highest peaks on the island.

Three galleries punctuated by different rooms with crystal-clear water lakes and lava formations in places. You will not be able to admire stalactites or stalagmites, but rather speleothems of basaltic origin. The longest tunnel is 1 km long and can reach a height of 2 metres. These caves were formed nearly 900,000 years ago as a result of a volcanic eruption. Phenomenon explained at the interactive volcanism centre (kitsch but funny simulator!).

It is a beautiful small beach of black sand, also known as praia da Jamaica (Jamaica beach) because of its palm trees. It is reached by a sort of "criss-cross", from the entrance of the city from Porto Moniz. Nothing spectacular, just a small cove, the surrounding cliffs, the incessant swirls of the ocean waves... Developed a few years ago, this hidden bay is not very popular and is a pleasant surprise, as the best possible alternative to the crowded beaches of the south coast of the island.