--- okf_version: "0.2" type: "Article" title: "Madeira, the Island of Flowers: 19 Tips for Activities and Attractions." description: "Madeira is a paradise for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts. Located in the Atlantic Ocean off the northwest coast of Africa, the Portuguese island impresses with its lush vegetation, rugged rock formations, and jagged volcanic landscapes." resource: "https://travelmemo.com/portugal/madeira/madeira-19-tips-activities-attractions" language: en author: "Katja Birrer" publisher: "Travelmemo" tags: ["Experience", "Hiking", "Madeira"] entities: - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/places/madeira" - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/places/ponta-de-sao-lourenco" - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/places/africa" - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/places/levada-25-fontes" - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/places/pico-do-arieiro" - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/places/pico-ruivo" - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/topics/experience-travel" - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/topics/hiking" - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/topics/golf" - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/topics/sea-travel" - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/topics/nature-tourism" - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/topics/restaurant" - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/topics/culture" - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/topics/design" - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/topics/itinerary" - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/topics/resort" - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/topics/vehicle-rental" - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/topics/boutique-hotel" - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/topics/museum" - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/topics/round-trip" - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/topics/scuba-diving" - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/organizations/edelweiss-air" - "https://travelmemo.com/author/katja-birrer" generated: { by: "human:https://travelmemo.com/author/katja-birrer", at: 2026-07-04T14:24:03+00:00 } verified: - { by: "human:https://travelmemo.com/author/walter-schaerer", at: 2024-02-10T18:09:44+00:00 } timestamp: 2026-07-04T14:24:03+00:00 --- # Madeira, the Island of Flowers: 19 Tips for Activities and Attractions. > Madeira is a lush Portuguese island in the Atlantic Ocean renowned for its year-round mild climate, dramatic volcanic landscapes, and rich flora, making it a prime destination for nature lovers, hikers, and outdoor enthusiasts. ## Destination Madeira is a Portuguese island located in the Atlantic Ocean off the northwest coast of Africa. It is approximately 57 km long and 22 km wide. ## Getting there The article suggests renting a car and exploring independently, starting from the capital Funchal and traveling clockwise around the island. Traffic is described as civilized and navigation is straightforward. ## When to go Madeira's climate is mild year-round, and it is described as an ideal all-year destination, including for golf due to its 'eternal spring.' ## Why visit Madeira offers lush green valleys, volcanic rock formations, dramatic coastlines, abundant exotic flora, excellent hiking, biking, and golf, all within a compact and accessible island. ## What to see - **Old Town of Funchal (Rua de Santa Maria)** — Lively alleyways famous for street-art-painted restaurant doors; very touristy but charming. - **Mercado dos Lavradores** — Colorful market hall selling fresh fish, exotic fruits, vegetables, and traditional handicrafts. - **Botanical Garden (Jardins Botânicos da Madeira)** — Located in the Monte district above Funchal, housing over 2,000 exotic plant species. - **Cabo Girão Skywalk** — Glass-floor viewing platform atop a 580-metre cliff near Câmara de Lobos; admission €1 per person. - **Piscinas Naturais, Porto Moniz** — Natural swimming pools formed over millennia from black lava rock at the island's northwest tip. - **Miradouro Ilheus da Ribeira da Janela** — Striking sea-rock formation resembling a needle rising from the ocean on the north coast. - **Caves of São Vicente** — Volcanic caves formed over 890,000 years ago; temporarily closed for maintenance, with the garden and Volcano Center open. - **Casas Tipicas, Santana** — Traditional thatched-roof houses with blue window frames and red shutters illustrating local culture. - **Ponta de São Lourenço** — Nature reserve at the easternmost tip of Madeira with bizarrely shaped coastal rock formations. - **Câmara de Lobos** — The oldest fishing village on the island, known for its colorful boats that fish for 'peixe espada preto' at night. - **Cais da Ponta do Sol** — A mid-19th-century stone pier connecting the mainland to a small rocky island on the south coast. - **Santa Maria Caravel Replica** — A replica of Columbus's flagship is moored in Funchal harbor. - **CR7 Museum** — Museum dedicated to Cristiano Ronaldo, located in Funchal. ## What to do - **Hiking the Levada do 25 Fontes** — A popular, relatively easy levada trail recommended for waterfall lovers. - **Hiking Ponta de São Lourenço** — A scenic coastal hike along the eastern cape, described as fantastically beautiful. - **Hiking Pico do Arieiro to Pico Ruivo** — The top hiking highlight on the island, ascending to the 1,862-metre peak of Pico Ruivo. - **Biking** — Madeira offers well-developed trails for various difficulty levels; e-bike rentals are available. - **Golf at Palheiro Golf Course** — Championship course high above Funchal with panoramic city views and hilly, undulating greens. - **Golf at Santo da Serra Golf Course** — 27-hole course with wide fairways and views of the Eastern Cape; recommended as the superior of the two courses. - **Cable Car (Teleferico do Funchal)** — Ride from Funchal old town to Monte takes 15–20 minutes with great views over the city and bay. - **Swimming at Piscinas Naturais** — Bathing in natural lava-rock pools overlooking the open Atlantic at Porto Moniz. - **Calhau Beach Club at Saccharum Resort** — Stylish beachfront restaurant and bar on the promenade at Calhau for drinks and snacks. ## Good to know The article recommends allocating 2–3 days in Funchal alone. A rental car is the suggested mode of transport for island exploration. The Cabo Girão Skywalk fee (€1) is paid via vending machine on site.