Madeira Island is famous for its spectacular scenery, sheer cliffs and lush valleys. But Madeira also offers a range of picturesque towns and villages to discover in different corners of the island.
Here’s our selection of Madeira’s most beautiful towns and villages.
This opinion is completely independent, based on our experiences. We made our own choices, visited the area anonymously, and paid our bills in full.
Madeira’s most beautiful towns and villages: summary + Map
Map
Madeira offers a small variety of towns and villages, mainly at the foot of the cliffs.
Here’s the map with our top 10 places to visit, but it’s really hard to choose!
Which towns in Madeira to visit? Quick response:
If you only need to visit 3, to get an overview of the different styles:
- The old center of the capital
- Câmara de Lobos
- Jardim do Mar
Which cities in Madeira to stay in?
This article talks about towns and villages to visit.
If you’d like to discover the best towns to stay in Madeira, read this other article instead.
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1. Funchal old town
Why do we love it?
Old Funchal, the historic heart of the capital, is full of charm and offers a journey back in time. We really enjoyed strolling along its cobbled streets, pastel-colored houses and monuments steeped in history.
We also enjoyed the atmosphere of the old town, with its terraces, markets, small museums, beautiful trees and waterfront.
Find out more about Funchal’s attractions.
Attractions
- Gothic cathedral dating from the 16th century
- São Lourenço Palace
- Cable cars to visit the Botanical Gardens and the Monte Palace Gardens
- Various museums: historical, sports, religious…
- The waterfront stroll
- The richly decorated São João Evangelista do Colégio do Funchal church
- More photos in our article on Funchal attractions (coming soon).
Learn more about the city on a guided tour – see program and availability
2. Câmara de Lobos
Why do we love it?
Câmara de Labos is one of Madeira’s most visited villages. And we understand why.
The old center is built around a small port filled with colorful fishing boats, and the houses have orange roofs and pretty colors.
We particularly like the whole seafront promenade and the terraced plantations around the town.
A little historical note: Churchill liked to sit around the port and paint. One of his favorite spots is immortalized.
Attractions
- Views from the port
- The seafront promenade
- The center with its terraces
- The pebble beach to the west of the town: Praia de Vigario
- Views from the rock-top garden
- More photos in our Camara de Lobos attractions article
Location and access
- South coast, west of Funchal
- Easy access
- From Funchal = 15 min drive
- From Porto Moniz = 45 min
- From Machico = 30 min
- Parking near the port (except on market days). A popular spot, it’s difficult to park in the afternoon.
If you don’t want to drive, one of Funchal’s hop-on-hop-off buses will take you to the village: see the advantages and book your tickets.
WHERE TO STAY IN Madeira
Our independent picks for the accommodation of your dreams:
3. Ponta do Sol
Why we love it
The small town of Ponta do Sol has a charming little center and a not very long but charming waterfront.
The buildings are indeed colorful, surrounded by steep but verdant cliffs.
Ponta do Sol has the distinction of being one of the first places to be colonized on the island. The village is said to have been founded in 1501 and produced sugar cane. Its main attraction is the bridge and pier. It’s very photogenic with the shades of blue.
And finally, Ponta do Sol is famous for being Madeira’s sunniest spot.
Attractions
- The beach
- The colorful waterfront
- The bridge and pier
- Nossa Senhora da Luz church
- The view from Parque Infante D. Henrique
- More photos in our Ponta do Sol attractions article.
Location and access
- Middle of Madeira’s south coast
- From Funchal = 30 min drive
- From Porto Moniz = 45 min
- From Machico = 45 min
- Parking near the seafront and on the heights of the town. Parking in the middle of the day can be very tricky.
If you don’t want to drive, most guided tours of western Madeira stop at Ponta do SOl: see the program and book your tickets.
4. Jardim do Mar
Why we love it
The first three were more small towns. Here, you really get to know a village. And he’s really charming and quite different from the others.
It has a labyrinth of alleyways with colorful houses, cobblestones and beautiful views.
It also offers the most beautiful seafront promenade, away from cars… it’s just a little too short (700m).
Location & Attractions
- The alleys of the city
- The church and central square
- The seafront promenade
- The ruins of the old sugar cane factory
- More photos in our article on Jardim do Mar attractions.
Access
- West of the south coast
- From Funchal = 40 min drive
- From Porto Moniz = 45 min
- From Machico = 1h
- easy access from the main road
- Parking lots in the village center and near the beach.
OUR TIPS FOR RENTING YOUR CAR AT Madeira
- Compare prices on our preferred platform: DiscoverCars – one of the best rated sites.
- Take a car with a good engine for hilly roads, but not too big for manoeuvring.
- There’s plenty of demand and few cars, so book early.
5. Porto Moniz
Why we love it
Porto Moniz is one of the island’s most important cities.
It’s not particularly beautiful in terms of architecture, but its waterfront is magnificent, with views of the cliffs, its fort and, above all, its natural pools set in lava rocks. It’s a place not to be missed, even just for a swim!
Attractions
- Natural pools
- The fort and its aquarium
- The artificial waterfall
- The view from Miradouro da Santinha
- More photos in our article on Porto Moniz attractions.
Location and access
- West of the north coast
- From Funchal = 50 min drive
- From Machico = 1h05
- Easy to reach by car, with ample parking (not all paved)
- Most West Madeira tours include a visit to the natural pools of Porto Moniz – see options and availability
6. Sao Vicente
Why we love it
Sao Vicente is a slightly different town, scattered throughout the valley.
We really liked the views from the waterfront or the viewpoint.
It’s a place full of hidden treasures, with its little botanical path, the chapel built inside a basalt rock and its volcanic caves.
Attractions
- The seafront with its sheer cliffs and waterfalls
- The chapel in the grotto
- Hiking trails
- Volcanic caves
- More photos in our Sao Vincente attractions article.
Location and access
- Mid north coast
- From Funchal = 35 min drive
- From Porto Moniz = 20 min
- From Machico = 50 min
- Easy access on main roads
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7. Porto da Cruz
Why we love it
Porto da Cruz is one of our island favorites. It’s not a very popular town, but we loved its atmosphere and the views from its waterfront, one of the most interesting on the island.
Porto da Cruz is protected by the huge Penha de Aguia hill, with its troglodytes and seawater pools.
We love the atmosphere and the historical aspect, especially with the museum in the sugar cane factory.
Attractions
- The seafront promenade
- And seawater pools
- The beach
- The church and the small center with its locals chatting and looking at the view
- The sugar cane factory with its small museum
- More photos in our article on Porto da Cruz attractions.
Location and access
- East of the North Coast
- From Funchal = 35 min drive
- From Porto Moniz = 1h
- From Machico = 15 min
- Short detour from the VE1 main road, access between the tunnels
8. Ribeira Brava
Why we love it
It’s the most central town for visiting Madeira, with a mix of tourists and locals.
The town is laid-back and organized around the Sao Bento church, one of the oldest on the island, and the beach.
It doesn’t have the most beautiful views, but we particularly appreciated its ambience.
Attractions
- The magnificent church
- The beach and seafront
- Fast access to the north coast and the Bica plateau
- More photos in our Ribeira Brava attractions article.
Location and access
- In the middle of the south coast
- From Funchal = 25 min drive
- From Porto Moniz = 45 min
- From Machico = 40 min
- At main road crossings
OUR FAVORITE ACTIVITY IN Madeira
Catamaran tour to see dolphins and Madeira’s giant cliffs.
9. Paul do Mar
Why we love it
Paul do Mar is a village nestled between the cliffs and the sea.
We particularly liked the views from the access road of lush plantations and the long gray pebble beach.
The location is calm and relaxing.
Attractions
- Narrow streets with decorated floors and colorful houses
- Banana plantations
- The waterfall behind the port
- More photos in our Paul do Mar attractions article.
Location and access
- West of the south coast
- From Funchal = 45 min drive
- From Porto Moniz = 45 min
- From Machico = 1h
- We recommend arriving at the village from the north on the ER223 road, which offers some very fine views.
10. Madalena do Mar
Why we love it
The village of Madalena do Mar itself isn’t as interesting as Paul do Mar or Jardim do Mar, but we were won over by the banana plantations and the Rota da Banana mini-hike in Madalena do Mar (RB1). Wedged between the cliffs and the sea, the agricultural discovery is fascinating, with the irrigation system and the lushness of the giant leaves.
Attractions
- Rota da Banana: 500m along irrigation canals and between trees.
- The seafront and the pebble beach
- The joyful little church and its pebbled forecourt
- The view of the village from the top of the cliffs at Miradouro dos Moledos
- More photos in our article on Madalena do Mar attractions.
Location and access
- West of the south coast
- From Funchal = 30 min drive
- From Porto Moniz = 45 min
- From Machico = 45 min
- Easy access road
- Ample parking near the waterfront
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5 other Madeira towns and villages not to be missed
Choosing the top 10 was really difficult, so we’ve added a few other towns and villages we hesitated about.
11. Seixal
Seixal is a pretty little town near Porto Moniz with its own natural lava rock pools and black sand beach.
The views of the church and the cliffs of the north coast are unforgettable.
See our article.
12. Machico
Machico is one of the few towns in Madeira with an imported golden sand beach.
If you’re looking for a moment of relaxation on the sand, there’s a large parking lot close to the beach (but be warned, it can still be difficult to park during the day).
See our article.
13. Faial
Faial is a pretty village where the church and the center are a little higher up and the beach lower down. The views all around are exceptional, especially from the beach.
We love this place, especially for the views.
14. Curral das Freiras
Yet another place of interest for its panorama.
This village is located in a cirque surrounded by mountain walls. That’s pretty impressive. It’s the center of chestnut production (and quite a tourist spot).
15. Quinta do Lorde Marina
It’s not a historic place… But for those who enjoy shopping, the Marina atmosphere and photogenic places, this is a place you’ll love.
Nestled between volcanic rocks, the buildings are colorful and the atmosphere pleasant.
Santana and its village of traditional houses
The town of Santana didn’t make much of an impression on us, but it’s still a must-see destination for its village of traditional houses. Called “palheiros”, they have a thatched roof that goes down to the ground on each side. And they have colored stripes.
Today, it’s home to craftsmen and artists.
See our article.
PLAN YOUR STAY IN Madeira
Best of
Things to do in Madeira
Most beautiful viewpoints
Madeira’s most beautiful beaches
Most beautiful gardens
Natural pools
Most beautiful hikes
Most beautiful roads
Secret places
Practical advice
Getting around Madeira
Rent a car in Madeira
Driving in Madeira
Itineraries: 3 days – 4 days – 5 days – 6 days – 7 days – 10 days
