Free things to do · Madeira · Portugal
10 free things to do in Madeira
Madeira without the ticket prices: sights, walks and views that cost nothing.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: H. Zell, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
You can fill at least 3 days in Madeira without paying an entry fee: Mercado dos Lavradores, Pico do Arieiro to Pico Ruivo hike, Rua de Santa Maria and the Old Town and Funchal Cathedral are all free. Hiking levadas, swimming in the sea, and visiting Santa Catarina Park, the cathedral and the market cost nothing.
Key facts
- Free sights in this guide
- 10
- Low-cost extras
- 4
- Cost level
- Affordable
- Lowest hotel prices
- November
Free sights and experiences
Market · Funchal Old Town
1.Mercado dos Lavradores
Go on a weekday morning for the fish market at its fullest; be cautious of fruit stallholders offering tastings and then charging high prices per kilo.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Free
- Food
- Photo spot
- Shopping
Nature · Central mountains
2.Pico do Arieiro to Pico Ruivo hike
Bring a head torch for the tunnels, warm layers and plenty of water; it is cold at dawn even in summer.
- Time needed
- 5–6 hours return
- Cost
- Free
- Views
- Active
- Outdoors
- Nature
- Photo spot
- Iconic
Street · Funchal Old Town
3.Rua de Santa Maria and the Old Town
Walk it in the morning to see the doors, then come back at night for dinner and poncha.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Art
- Photo spot
- After dark
- Food
Religious site · Funchal
4.Funchal Cathedral
Look up as soon as you enter; the wooden ceiling is the highlight and is best seen in the morning light.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
- Architecture
Waterfront · Câmara de Lobos
5.Câmara de Lobos harbour
Try a freshly made poncha in one of the small bars by the harbour, where it is mixed with a wooden stirrer called a caralhinho.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Photo spot
- Food
- History
Nature · Santana
6.Levada do Caldeirão Verde
Take a torch or headlamp for the tunnels and waterproof clothing; the path is narrow and slippery in places.
- Time needed
- 4–5 hours return
- Cost
- Free
- Nature
- Active
- Outdoors
- Photo spot
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Nature · Paul da Serra
7.Fanal laurel forest
Visit on a misty day for the classic spooky photographs, and bring a warm layer; it is much cooler than the coast.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Nature
- Photo spot
- Outdoors
Historic site · Santana
8.Santana traditional houses
Combine Santana with the Queimadas levada walk or the coastal viewpoints on the road to São Jorge.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
- Architecture
- Kids
- Photo spot
Nature · Caniçal
9.Ponta de São Lourenço
There is no shade; set off early with water and sun protection, and expect strong winds.
- Time needed
- 3 hours return
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Views
- Active
- Nature
- Outdoors
Park · Funchal
10.Santa Catarina Park
Visit at sunset with a drink from the park's café terrace.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Views
- Kids
- Outdoors
Free sights by area
| Area | Free sights | Time needed |
|---|---|---|
| Funchal Old Town | Mercado dos Lavradores and Rua de Santa Maria and the Old Town | 1 hour + 1–2 hours |
| Central mountains | Pico do Arieiro to Pico Ruivo hike | 5–6 hours return |
| Funchal | Funchal Cathedral and Santa Catarina Park | 30 minutes + 45 minutes |
| Câmara de Lobos | Câmara de Lobos harbour | 1–2 hours |
| Santana | Levada do Caldeirão Verde and Santana traditional houses | 4–5 hours return + 45 minutes |
| Paul da Serra | Fanal laurel forest | 1–2 hours |
| Caniçal | Ponta de São Lourenço | 3 hours return |
Worth a small ticket
Viewpoint · Câmara de Lobos
Cabo Girão
Go early or late in the day to avoid tour coaches, and check the sky first; low cloud can hide the view completely.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Low cost
- Views
- Iconic
- Photo spot
Garden · Funchal
Madeira Botanical Garden
Combine it with Monte by taking the connecting cable car across the João Gomes valley.
- Time needed
- 1.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Nature
- Views
- Outdoors
Museum · Funchal
CR7 Museum
It takes under an hour; combine it with a walk along the marina and the seafront gardens.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Low cost
- Kids
- Rainy day
Beach · Porto Moniz
Porto Moniz natural pools
Drive there via the north coast road through São Vicente and Seixal and return along the south for a full loop of the island.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Kids
- Outdoors
- Nature
- Photo spot
More ways to save
- Hiking levadas, swimming in the sea, and visiting Santa Catarina Park, the cathedral and the market cost nothing.
- Hotels and car hire cost much more over Christmas, New Year's Eve and the Flower Festival; book months ahead or travel at other times.
- Eat a 'prato do dia' (dish of the day) at lunchtime in local cafés for a filling meal at a low price.
- Hiring a car for a few days is usually cheaper than several guided tours for two or more people.
- Supermarkets sell Madeira wine and bolo de mel at lower prices than souvenir shops.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Madeira expensive to visit?
Madeira is affordable for most visitors, but 10 of its best-known sights are free, which makes a tight budget workable.
+What is the best free thing to do in Madeira?
Mercado dos Lavradores: Go on a weekday morning for the fish market at its fullest; be cautious of fruit stallholders offering tastings and then charging high prices per kilo.