![\"what](\"https:\/\/madeiralovers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/best-things-to-do-eastern-madeira-visit.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\nThis opinion is completely independent<\/strong>, based on our experiences. We made our own choices, visited the area anonymously, and paid our bills in full.<\/p>\n\n Funchal, Madeira’s capital, is much more than just a transit point. This dynamic city blends historic heritage, contemporary architecture and lively neighborhood life. We enjoyed the old town with its cobbled streets, azulejos and colorful markets. But we were most excited by the Monte garden, the cable car<\/a> up to it and the traditional toboggan ride down. The S\u00e9 Cathedral will not leave you indifferent either! Funchal is also the gateway to many of the island’s excursions<\/a>, and boasts a gastronomic, cultural and hotel offer unrivalled in Madeira. We recommend spending at least a full day here, or two if you want to explore several museums and gardens.<\/p>\n\n Read our article on what to do in Funchal here.<\/a><\/p>\n\n Our independent picks for the accommodation of your dreams<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Pico do Arieiro is one of Madeira’s most iconic spots. This peak at 1,818m is accessible by car via a well-paved road, making it accessible to everyone – even non-hikers. We were won over by the scenery. Steep ridges rising out of a sea of clouds at sunrise. We strongly recommend that you get up there at least 45min before sunrise to find a place to rest before the crowds. If you don’t want to do the long hike, it’s also possible to walk a few hundred meters along the PR1 trailhead to reach the Ninho da Monta platform, with an even clearer view than from the main viewpoint. You can opt for an organized tour<\/a> so you don’t have to worry about logistics.<\/p>\n\n Read our article on Pico do Arieiro here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n The Levada do Caldeirao Verde hike<\/a> (PR9) is, in our opinion, one of the most beautiful in Madeira. This 13km round-trip trail passes through the majestic Laurissilva Forest, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and follows one of the fascinating 16th-century irrigation canals that wind their way across the island. What we particularly liked was the diversity of the route: the dense, lush vegetation, the breathtaking views over the valley, and above all the adventure in the 4 tunnels dug into the rock, dark and damp, which give this walk an unforgettable character. At the end of the path, the Caldeirao Verde waterfall – the “green cauldron” – nestles in a moss-covered cavity, creating a picture of striking beauty. For exploration enthusiasts, an optional detour takes you to the Caldeirao do Inferno waterfall (check trail conditions before setting off).<\/p>\n\n See our tips<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n C\u00e2mara de Lobos<\/a> is one of Madeira’s most typical villages. Nestled in a natural cove 15 minutes from Funchal, this traditional fishing port is charming. We were seduced by its colorful boats, cobbled streets with whitewashed houses and the giant seal mural by artist Bordallo II. The site even inspired Winston Churchill, who painted there during a visit in 1950. A 10-minute drive to the west is Cabo Gir\u00e3o<\/a>, Europe’s highest cliffs (589m), with a glass platform that makes you dizzy. We preferred the Rancho cable car, which runs down the cliffs, less crowded than the platform and more impressive in our opinion.<\/p>\n\n Machico<\/a> is one of Madeira’s oldest towns and the island’s historic gateway. The town boasts a beach of imported fine sand, the Praia de Machico, rare in Madeira, protected by a seawall that guarantees calm family bathing. We enjoyed strolling through the old town center to admire its monuments: the 15th-century Gothic Igreja Matriz de Machico, the chapel of S\u00e3o Roque founded in 1400 and the bright yellow Fort de Nossa Senhora do Amparo, built in 1706 to protect the town from pirates. The Miradouro Francisco Alvares N\u00f3brega, on the hills to the south, offers in our opinion the best views of the city and valley, as far as the Ponta de S\u00e3o Louren\u00e7o peninsula in the distance.<\/p>\n\n The PR11 Vereda dos Balc\u00f5es hike <\/a>is our favorite. It’s perfect for visitors discovering Madeira for the first time, or who don’t want to tackle a difficult trail. This 3km round trip, almost entirely flat, follows the Levada da Serra do Faial through the laurel forest, a Unesco World Heritage site. We loved the atmosphere of this dense, silent vegetation, with its gnarled trees and giant ferns forming a setting of their own. At the end of the path, the Balc\u00f5es viewpoint reveals an imposing panorama of valleys covered in intense green. It’s also a great place for observing endemic birds: Madeira kinglet, tree finch, trocaz pigeon.<\/p>\n\n Catamaran tour to see dolphins and Madeira’s giant cliffs. – View the schedule and availability\u2014and make a reservation!<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Canyoning among the rocks! – View options and availability<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Gastronomic tour to discover local specialties – View options and availability<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n Ribeira Brava<\/a> is, in our opinion, one of the most pleasant towns on Madeira’s south coast. Its name “Rivi\u00e8re Sauvage” recalls the power of its watercourse. We loved its lively waterfront and restaurant terraces. The Matrice de S\u00e3o Bento Church, built in the 16th century, is quite pretty with its azulejo bell tower. In addition, the ER208 road to the north of the town isone of Madeira’s most beautiful<\/a>, with the Miradouro de Terra Grande offering spectacular views over the valley. Ribeira Brava is best visited during a stopover on the road between Funchal and Porto Moniz.<\/p>\n\n1. Stroll around Funchal<\/h2>\n\n
![\"Funchal](\"https:\/\/photos.smugmug.com\/Travel\/Madeira\/6j-Funchal\/i-MdtHfn9\/2\/FDfpKfM26f95sQgDFshjvW94dHs4gNVKFkhbKKPgZ\/L\/Funchal_Madeira-7173280-L.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\nWhy it’s a must<\/h3>\n\n
![\"\"\/](\"https:\/\/photos.smugmug.com\/Madeira-Lovers\/Funchal\/Gardens\/Monte-Palace-Tropical-Garden\/i-8VKJ5tS\/1\/KhgHdCrhcHFQRR7svrNZ8XqBTW55WDDntLbZXmTsg\/L\/Monte_Palace_Tropical_garden_Madeira-7194038-L.jpg\")
Practical advice<\/h3>\n\n
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WHERE TO STAY IN Madeira<\/span><\/h5>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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![\"Engenho](\"https:\/\/photos.smugmug.com\/Travel\/Madeira\/Accommodation\/i-TtZHSRZ\/1\/7f80cf7d\/L\/Arco_da_Calheta_hotel_Madeira-8896-L.jpg\" "\\"\\"\/")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n2. See the sunrise from Pico do Arieiro<\/h2>\n\n
![\"Pico](\"https:\/\/photos.smugmug.com\/Madeira-Lovers\/Pico-do-Arieiro\/Pico-Areiro-sunrise\/i-qGRp62T\/1\/KngttWt7hkpBZvTHjnqQ3JqDdjZ2jHxf2LFwSc8ch\/L\/Pico_areiro_Pico_ruivo_hike_Madeira-7224759-L.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\nWhy it’s a must<\/h3>\n\n
![\"Pico](\"https:\/\/photos.smugmug.com\/Madeira-Lovers\/Pico-Ruivo\/Pico-Ruivo-views\/i-bv4Hg6X\/1\/D3HQPCHKpKWV5XBK6S5ZBFWWnDNDZP22GtP3fLSZj\/L\/Pico_Ruivo_viewpoint_Madeira-7235821-L.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\nPractical advice<\/h3>\n\n
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3. Marvel at the Levada do Caldeirao Verde hike<\/h2>\n\n
![\"Caldeiro](\"https:\/\/photos.smugmug.com\/Madeira-Lovers\/Levada-Caldeira-Verde\/Caldeirao-do-Inferno\/i-rFwHpKV\/1\/LZj5tkLr8XNT94SmdPFrRP2fCqHZ75xnSDQ2RZvKP\/L\/Caldeirao_do_Inferno_Madeira-7240886-L.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\nWhy it’s a must<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n
![\"Levada](\"https:\/\/photos.smugmug.com\/Madeira-Lovers\/Levada-Caldeira-Verde\/Caldeirao-Verde-waterfall\/i-3nf3ms2\/1\/MwH9NRZ29RxXtzqSZGdCs9KJBLzKzK9Q79RJL5WfD\/L\/Caldeirao_verde_waterfall_Madeira-7240837-L.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\nPractical advice<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n
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OUR ADVICE FOR RENTING YOUR CAR AT \nMadeira<\/span><\/h5>\n\n\n\n
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![\"Car](\"https:\/\/photos.smugmug.com\/Travel\/Madeira\/2i-Miadouro\/i-j86nfB5\/2\/DRCCwrZmGLt2TxcQqRkkLrm3JR55K3NLchGxDNsx6\/S\/driving_Madeira-7130748-S.jpg\" "\\"\\"\/")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n4. Discover C\u00e2mara de Lobos and Cabo Gir\u00e3o<\/h2>\n\n
![\"Fishing](\"https:\/\/photos.smugmug.com\/Madeira-Lovers\/Camara-de-Lobos\/Town\/i-V7vhL8x\/0\/FP83CtxgHnGHsc4nkxVwBSsNfJkkPRS8RHVPJWzKS\/L\/camara_dos_Lobos_Madeira-7173018-L.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\nWhy it’s a must<\/h3>\n\n
![\"Cabo](\"https:\/\/photos.smugmug.com\/Madeira-Lovers\/Cabo-Girao\/Skywalk\/i-fPzkXBr\/1\/CpG4Q5zQJLtVGHxdCZcfvMRcRPtMCkVr5zxKLV5k3\/L\/Cabo_Girao_platform_Madeira-7172981-L.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\nPractical advice<\/h3>\n\n
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![\"inpost](\"https:\/\/madeiralovers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/inpost-Madeira-Lovers-EN.jpg\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n5. Visit Machico Village and Beach<\/h2>\n\n
![\"Machico](\"https:\/\/photos.smugmug.com\/Madeira-Lovers\/Machico\/Beach\/i-GXVL3FW\/1\/Cpcct5dBRskKmkMSvJqmdDfJ9gTwzMfVhh9kB4GGD\/L\/beach_Machico_Madeira-7230283-L.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\nWhy it’s a must<\/h3>\n\n
![\"Miradouro](\"https:\/\/photos.smugmug.com\/Madeira-Lovers\/Machico\/Miradouro-Francisco-Alvares-Nobrega\/i-8ZTLMST\/1\/qtmdVxpjbhXFNhxK6b2STgvkGpMMnmzNBgKxbK3H\/L\/Miradouro_Francisco_Alvares_Madeira-7230249-L.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\nPractical advice<\/h3>\n\n
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6. Hiking Vereda dos Balc\u00f5es<\/h2>\n\n
![\"View](\"https:\/\/photos.smugmug.com\/Madeira-Lovers\/Ribeiro-Frio\/Verada-dos-Balcoes\/i-DZNQwJQ\/1\/KzS6SB2FQX3FhbXXSsSQRMZnJ9PHHXSfzmNQQHtFX\/L\/Verada_dos_Balcoes_Madeira-7225275-L.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\nWhy it’s a must<\/h3>\n\n
![\"Viewpoint](\"https:\/\/photos.smugmug.com\/Madeira-Lovers\/Ribeiro-Frio\/Verada-dos-Balcoes\/i-hLcmfqW\/1\/LXb9JbDfM3kvQ2tVN7Rd6J5zmgmFqjwxWpWrVNPHS\/L\/Verada_dos_Balcoes_Madeira-7225277-L.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\nPractical advice<\/h3>\n\n
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OUR FAVORITE ACTIVITIES IN Madeira<\/span><\/h5>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/photos.smugmug.com\/Travel\/Madeira\/9c-Dolphins\/i-whpFzdc\/1\/2fa5ccf1\/L\/dolphin_cruise_boat_Tour_Madeira-7204502-L.jpg\" "\\"\\"\/")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n7. Walking in Ribeira Brava<\/h2>\n\n
![\"Ribeira](\"https:\/\/photos.smugmug.com\/Madeira-Lovers\/Ribeira-Brava\/Ribeira-Brava-town\/i-rqFkgNH\/1\/C7kvRJzJnjBCTBZDpCWhBSRxJQhS53zWc9Gbbbtk2\/L\/Ribeira_Brava_Madeira-7162659-L.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\nWhy it’s a must<\/h3>\n\n
![\"Seafront](\"https:\/\/photos.smugmug.com\/Madeira-Lovers\/Ribeira-Brava\/Ribeira-Brava-town\/i-cVq2fHt\/1\/GR5FKdQC2ktf8smcSvmJFw39JhWKfhk8q6tXrMq2\/L\/Ribeira_Brava_Madeira-7162649-L.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\nPractical advice<\/h3>\n\n
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