Otherworldly Experiences to have in Portugal’s Magical Madeira
Welcome to your new favorite island. Madeira is an autonomous region of Portugal off the Northwest coast of Africa. This magnificent archipelago has 4 islands with volcanic landscapes, rugged cliffs, massive green mountains, black sand beaches and a year-round tropical climate. Also known as the “Hawaii of Europe”, the islands are perfect for nature lovers and have some of the best hikes in the world! Here’s the top 7 best experiences to try while you’re in Madeira.
7. Explore Funchal, the Capital City of Madeira
Funchal is the capital city of the main island of Madeira and makes for a great home base while exploring the island. While there are only barely above 100,000 residents, it is still one of Portugal’s most popular destinations and gets flooded with tourists. The city is filled with historic buildings, narrow cobble stoned streets, and steep hills between a rocky coastline and towering mountains. There’s also an endless amount of restaurants to choose from, delicious seafood, and wine tastings to try.
6. Ride the Madeira Cable Car
The best way to travel up Madeira’s hilly landscape is with the famous Funchal cable car! Enjoy the majestic ascent from the old town to the top at Monte with incredible views unlike anything you’ve seen. Be sure to purchase tickets online to avoid the long queue. We suggest buying a one-way ticket up and trying a much more exhilarating way down…
5. Conquer Your Fear of Heights at the Cabo Girão Skywalk
The Cabo Girão Skywalk is Europe’s highest cliff skywalk reaching a height of 580meters! Gaze down the massive oceanside cliff or walk along the transparent glass floor to challenge your fear of heights. It’s a quick stop but the amazing views make this one of the most scenic places on the island.
4. Take a Swim at Seixal Beach
If you’ve never seen a black sand beach then head to Praia Seixal for one of the most serene beachside retreats in Portugal. The black volcanic sand, giant green mountains, and waterfalls make this one of the most photogenic beaches on Madeira. It’s about a 45min drive from Funchal and only 15mins from Porto Moniz, another spectacular highlight of the island. The calm shores are safe to swim at, but beware of the strong tides in the open ocean.
3. Drift Through the Streets at Monte Toboggan
After riding the Funchal cable car to the Monte neighborhood, treat yourself to a thrilling downhill ride in a whicker basket! What originated as a means of fast downhill public transport in the 1850s has become one of the most fun experiences to have in Madeira. Two guys in white clothes and a straw hat drift you 2km down the mountain Mario kart style to the end point at Livramento, where you can call a taxi. You can purchase a ticket directly onsite but be sure to bring cash (€30 for a single rider, €40 for two people sharing a sled, and €60 for three people).
2. Relax at Porto Moniz
Right next to Praia Seixal is the most dreamlike swimming destination on the island. Porto Moniz is a natural complex of lava pools right along the rugged oceanside cliffs. There is a 3 Euro fee to access the maintained amenities but its 1,000% worth it to avoid the questionable cleanliness of the free section. You can also jump straight into the ocean from a diving board but be careful with the currents. If you don’t have a car, sign up for this epic day trip to Madeira’s iconic landmarks.
1. Hike the Legendary PR1 Pico do Arieiro Trail
If all the beautiful jagged cliffs hasn’t yet convinced you to plan your trip to Madeira right now, this final one should get you to pull the trigger. The legendary PR1 Pico do Arieiro might be the most beautiful hiking trail in the world. Rising almost 6,000ft into the sky, This majestic summit takes you on a heavenly journey literally above the clouds to some of the most beautiful natural scenery one could imagine. Pico do Arieiro is Madeira’s 3rd highest peak and located only 30mins from the city. To secure your spot on the hike, be sure to reserve permits online at least a couple of weeks in advance.
The one-way roundtrip PR1 trail to Pedra Rija took about two hours at a scenic pace and wasn’t too difficult. If you wish to experience all of the divine glory without any of the hassle, there’s plenty of guided tours that will drive you up. Supposedly the sunrise is one of the best times to do the trail but ain’t nobody got time for that. If you’re in search of an even greater challenge, try the entire PR1.2 trail, stretching an insane 6.1km from Pico do Arieiro to Pico do Ruvio, the highest peak on the island.
Madeira is one of the most magical islands I’ve ever been to and definitely lives up to its name as Europe’s Hawaii. The beautiful beaches and majestic mountains are more than enough to be worth a visit. But there’s so many more amazing things to do in Madeira like walking the levadas, tasting Madeira wine & Poncha, and the eerie Fanal Forest. It’s a place that needs at least 5 days if you want to explore more of the hiking trails. For more info on planning your trip to Portugal, check out this travel guide. Thanks for reading and keep leveling up!
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