Outdoors · Madeira · Portugal
8 best outdoor things to do in Madeira
Parks, viewpoints and open-air sights for the dry, bright days.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Diego Delso, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
Start with Pico do Arieiro to Pico Ruivo hike, Monte Palace Tropical Garden and Madeira Botanical Garden. Together the 8 picks below take roughly 21–26 hours across 7 areas; 4 are free.
Key facts
- Places in this guide
- 8
- Free entry
- 4
- Time to see them all
- 21–26 hours
- Areas
- Central mountains, Monte and Funchal
Outdoors in Madeira
Nature · Central mountains
1.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
Garden · Monte
2.Monte Palace Tropical Garden
Paths are steep; allow at least two hours and start at the top so you walk mostly downhill.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Nature
- Couples
- Photo spot
- Outdoors
Garden · Funchal
3.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
Nature · Santana
4.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
5.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
Nature · Caniçal
6.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
Beach · Porto Moniz
7.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
Experience · Funchal
8.Whale and dolphin watching
Choose an operator that follows responsible-watching guidelines and offers a free second trip if no cetaceans are seen.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Kids
- Nature
- Outdoors
- Couples
Grouped by area
| Area | Places | Time needed |
|---|---|---|
| Central mountains | Pico do Arieiro to Pico Ruivo hike | 5–6 hours return |
| Monte | Monte Palace Tropical Garden | 2 hours |
| Funchal | Madeira Botanical Garden and Whale and dolphin watching | 1.5 hours + 2–3 hours |
| Santana | Levada do Caldeirão Verde | 4–5 hours return |
| Paul da Serra | Fanal laurel forest | 1–2 hours |
| Caniçal | Ponta de São Lourenço | 3 hours return |
| Porto Moniz | Porto Moniz natural pools | 2–3 hours |
Booking and timing
Of these 8, 4 free, 2 low cost, 2 mid-priced. Book ahead for Pico do Arieiro to Pico Ruivo hike and Levada do Caldeirão Verde. The longest visit is Pico do Arieiro to Pico Ruivo hike; group the rest by area to save travel time.
- Pico do Arieiro to Pico Ruivo hike: Mountain trails close after storms, landslides or fires and some now require online registration; check the official trail status before you go.
- Levada do Caldeirão Verde: Check trail status and any access requirements on the regional government's official trails information before setting out.
How to fit them into 6 half-days
Grouped by area and kept to about four hours each, so you walk more than you ride.
- Half-day 1 (Central mountains): Pico do Arieiro to Pico Ruivo hike, at least 5 hours.
- Half-day 2 (Monte and Funchal): Monte Palace Tropical Garden → Madeira Botanical Garden, at least 4 hours.
- Half-day 3 (Funchal): Whale and dolphin watching, at least 2 hours.
- Half-day 4 (Santana): Levada do Caldeirão Verde, at least 4 hours.
- Half-day 5 (Paul da Serra and Caniçal): Fanal laurel forest → Ponta de São Lourenço, at least 4 hours.
- Half-day 6 (Porto Moniz): Porto Moniz natural pools, at least 2 hours.
The best months to be outside
- June: highs of 23°C (73°F), about 1 rainy days, busy crowds. Warm and settled on the south coast, though a cloud layer called 'June gloom' can hang over Funchal.
- July: highs of 25°C (77°F), about 0 rainy days, busy crowds. Warm, dry and good for swimming; family holidays make it busy.
- May: highs of 22°C (72°F), about 2 rainy days, busy crowds. Dry, sunny and green — one of the best months for hiking and sightseeing.
The neighbourhoods they are in
- Machico — Historic first settlement with a sandy bay near the airport
- Porto Moniz — North-west corner with volcanic rock pools and Atlantic swells
More of Madeira
Questions travellers ask
+Where should I start in Madeira?
Pico do Arieiro to Pico Ruivo hike. The PR1 trail links Madeira's third-highest peak, Pico do Arieiro at 1,818 metres, with the highest, Pico Ruivo at 1,862 metres, along a dramatic ridge of stairs, tunnels and narrow ledges.
+Which of these are free in Madeira?
Pico do Arieiro to Pico Ruivo hike, Levada do Caldeirão Verde, Fanal laurel forest and Ponta de São Lourenço.