We cannot stretch enough how Madeira is beautiful and unique, but Madeira is also home to a collection of great cities and towns which will no doubt make your stay worthwhile. With exceptional sights and surroundings to discover, Madeira has plenty of options when it comes to exploring the island.
Funchal – Madeira’s biggest city and capital, Funchal, has a lot to offer and you will find plenty of things to see and to do in Funchal.
Despite its small size and a population of just over 100,000 inhabitants, Funchal offers a range of authentic architecture to witness, historic sites, museums, botanical gardens, and traditional restaurants to try. Some of the city’s most known attractions are away above sea level and best reached by cable car. That is part of the fun, too.
Funchal’s old town is fairly flat and easy to navigate on foot. Make sure to not miss the wicker toboggans comprising two seats each and for that reason ideal to share.
Câmara de Lobos – With its quaint harbour full of colourful fishing boats and lined with seafood restaurants, Câmara de Lobos is a must-see while in Madeira. It was this small town that inspired Sir Winston Churchill to paint its beautiful landscapes and some of his paintings may be viewed today in his former home in Kent.
But Câmara de Lobos is much more that its lovely landscapes. It is also famous for having the best poncha, a ubiquitous drink from Madeira island. The original version (make sure to ask for regional) is made from a sugar cane spirit, honey, sugar, lemon rind and either lemon juice or a mixture of orange and lemon.
Porto Moniz – Porto Moniz is a charming little town best known for its unique seawater lava pools, which allow the cool, fresh water to enter every tide and offer warm and safe waters for bathing and paddling. Make sure to feel the waves at Porto Moniz natural swimming pools.
Ponta do Sol – Home to rocky beaches and great views. You can enjoy good views of the coast by walking along the small promontory to the left of the beach.
Machico – Machico is the perfect starting point for those looking for adventurous hiking trails. Laze on one of the best beaches in Madeira in Machico, with its sandy golden sand.
Ribeiro Frio – This beautiful village is part of the Ribeiro Frio Forest Park where you can find several Laurissilva forest species. At Ribeiro Frio you can also find the starting point for several hiking trails and levada walks.