These are the top 5 Must Do´s in Madeira, Portugal from our trip. Watch our full video for more info! Madeira is an incredibly beautiful island and we have so many more things we want to do on our next trip.
Sunrise at Pico do Arieiro-
Standing above the clouds and watching the sunrise is an epic way to start the day. We took an
early tour ride with @picotransfers and were dropped off at Pico do Arieiro, the starting point for the Pico do Arieiro to Pico Ruivo hike. The weather was very cold up there at 8 in the morning so you´ll definitely want to layer up. If you´re not up for the hike, the amazing sunrise is reason enough to go. If you decide to do the hike, it takes about 3-4 hours one way and you will overcome an incredible 1,000 meters of altitude. There are 5 tunnels along the trail and you need your phone flashlight for some of them. Also, there are no food, drink or toilet stations along the hike so take enough provisions with you. It was a truly incredible experience and we highly recommend it.
Pico Transfers Price: 32€ per person including pick up at hotel, drive up to watch sunrise at starting point for hike and return ride to hotel from the ending point at Achadas do Teixeira. We definitely took advantage of this so we didn't have to hike the entire route back to the starting point.
Levada Walks-
Levadas are aqueducts used for agricultural irrigation. They gather the water of mountain streams and during rainy periods, they supply water to the southern parts of the island. The Levada "Walks" are walking trails along the maintenance paths beside the Levadas that are a great way to enjoy nature in Madeira.
Unfortunately, the day we chose to try a levada walk was rainy and dreary but we didn't let it stop us. We chose one of the easiest ones, the Levada do Risco, that is only about 2 hours and ends at a waterfall. We arrived at the parking lot and there were 2 options to get to the starting point, we either catch a 3€ ride (5€ roundtrip) or we walk 1.2 miles in the rain. The van showed up and it was an obvious choice for us to catch a ride. We grabbed a delicious bite to eat at @rabaçalnaturespotcafe before heading out on Trail PR 6.1, which goes along Levada do Risco, at 1000 meters above sea level. It also connects with the 25 Fontes levada walk that is more challenging if you´re adventurous.
Monte Palace Tropical Garden and toboggan ride-
This serene, beautiful garden is the perfect place for a stroll admiring cascades, sculptures and exotic plants from all over the world. We spent a few hours @montepalacemadeira and were in awe everywhere we looked.
There's also a museum with a collection of minerals including precious gems and diamonds displayed in a setting meant to depict how they form in their natural element that really gave it a unique ambiance. The museum also houses a collection of contemporary Zimbabwean sculpture from the period 1966 to 1969.
We saw riders on the infamous toboggans from a lookout over the side of the garden and couldn´t resist. We exited the garden and took an exhilarating downhill ride from Monte to the suburb of Livramento. The ride was about 10 minutes and was a fun way to end the afternoon but it does not get you all the way back down to Funchal so you´ll need to walk or grab a taxi.
Garden Entry Price:
Adults 12.50 Euros
Children under 15 years old free with adult admission
Toboggan Ride Price:
30.00 Euros for 2 people
Porto Moniz Natural Volcanic Pool-
Located 30 miles from Funchal is the charming little town of Porto Moniz. This isolated place is home to natural swimming pools formed over a 1,000 years ago through the cooling of volcanic lava.The panoramic views of the coast and the rugged cliffs with the sounds of the crashing waves are simply amazing! Annual water temperatures are between 68 and 70 degrees, so we took a dip and it was wonderfully refreshing. There are 2 pools and we visited the natural one that is free of charge. The adapted pools next door charge an entrance fee. We had no problem finding parking at the free lot when we went but heard spaces are usually hard to come by and there is a 5€ day car park nearby. There are changing rooms, lockers and a snack bar open in the summer season too. We decided to try the Cachalote restaurant built on the lava rocks there and were happy we did. The ocean views were superb and the salmon steak delicious.
Entrance fee for man made swimming pool 3€
Cabo Girão Skywalk-
We drove up to the popular viewing point Miradouro Cabo Girao, sitting 1,900 feet above the raging Atlantic ocean. The glass floor skywalk is quite intimidating, but the views are fantastic. There was no fee to enter when we were there and the parking lot is free. There is a cafe, some souvenir shops and toilets are .50€. It opens at 8:30am and we recommend going early in the morning to avoid all the tourist buses.
