In Madeira, there are several attractions which may deserve your attention. We have created a selection of the most important and beautiful attractions, we hope you enjoy visiting.
Visit the São Francisco Cellars and enjoy an exhibition on the history of Madeira wine. Visitors can sample the wine and make purchases while marvelling at the building’s curious architecture.
Address: Avenida Arriaga 28, Funchal
In Madeira you will find a very special form of transport, the “Monte sledge” made of basketwork. It’s an unmissable experience.
One of Madeira Island most famous attraction are the famous sledge rides. These cars are made of wicker and wood, and has two or three seats.
These sledges are powered by two carreiros, or sledge drivers wearing white uniforms and straw hats, who control this mean of transportation by making use of their boots as brakes.
This journey takes place between Monte and Funchal and is done in about 10m. in a distance of 2 km, providing tourists with an experience filled with pure emotion.
Address: Sítio da Igreja - Monte, Funchal
The Madeira Aquarium, in the village of Porto Moniz, represents the various habitats of the Madeira marine world over the course of 12 tanks.
The Madeira Aquarium, located in Porto Moniz, next to the harbour, is an asset to the entertainment and cultural programme of Porto Moniz.
The Aquarium building was constructed in the old fort of Saint John the Baptist. The ruins of the fort were bought in 1998 by the Porto Moniz Municipal Council, which restored the fort to its original design, while its interior was adapted to its new function as an Aquarium.
The exhibition tanks display the various habitats of the Madeira marine world. The most impressive tank contains about 500,000 litres of salt water.
Address: Rua Forte de São João Batista, Porto Moniz
The Porto Moniz Living Science Centre, in the village of Porto Moniz, hosts exhibitions in the field of science, diversifying the cultural offerings of this location
The Porto Moniz Living Science Centre, in the village of Porto Moniz, is a sort of cultural centre geared towards adults and children, depicting national and international exhibitions in the field of science - to which end it signed an agreement with the Pavilion of Knowledge-Living Science in Lisbon.
In addition to the exhibition area with interactive games, this centre has an auditorium for 150 people, which allows it to host conferences and symposia.
Address: Rotunda do Ilhéu Mole, Porto Moniz
Anyone visiting the historic "Engenhos do Norte - SóRum (Northern Milling) in the village of Porto da Cruz gets to experience one of the main pieces of living evidence of the island’s glorious sugar production, at the beginning of the 20th century.
Built in the beginning of the 20th century (1927), although equipped with machinery from the 19th century, the Porto da Cruz mill is one of the most striking examples of the importance of sugar cane trade in Madeira. In terms of heritage it is also a museum of major significance.
It is dedicated exclusively to the production of sugar cane rum according to the original process, including the “Branca” rum and the "Envelhecida 970 Reserva" rum.
If you visit the island between the months of March and May when the sugar cane harvest begins you can witness the sounds, movements and smells of fermentation, albeit from a safe distance due to modern safety restrictions. During the rest of the year it is possible to observe the machines and to understand the mechanism through interactive devices. At the end of the tour we suggest a visit to the Rum House, right next to the mill, where you can taste a variety of rums.
Address: Casas Próximas, Porto da Cruz
Opened in 1922, the lighthouse is situated on the westernmost tip of the island, a cliff rising 290 metres above sea level.
Erected at Ponta da Vigia, 290 metres above sea level, the Ponta do Pargo lighthouse was first lit on 5th June, 1922.
Dominating the top of the cliff, the tower is 14 metres high and its light is at an elevation of 312 metres above sea level.
The lighthouse received electricity in 1989 and ten years later, in 1999, the regional government declared it as having local cultural value in the region.
A small museum centre was created in 2001 where a range of articles relating to Madeira’s lighthouses are on exhibition, from photographs to documentation; this museum gathers in one place the story of these monuments that are so important in the history of the islands.
Address: Ponta da Vigia, Ponta do Pargo
Formed 890 thousand years ago, these are among the first caves of volcanic origin to be opened to the public in Portugal.
The São Vicente Caves were formed by a volcanic eruption, which occurred in Paul da Serra. The outer part of the lava that was exposed to lower temperatures, solidified rapidly while the inside remained liquid with lots of gases, forming a series of lava tubes.
The caves were first reported in 1885 by locals, and opened to the public on October 1st, 1996.
They were among the first volcanic caves to be opened to the public in Portugal and may be visited by following an underground route running for over 1,000 m. The height of the caves varies between 5 and 6 metres.
At the end of the tour, visitors may access the Volcano Centre, a pavilion offering a range of educational and entertaining audiovisual displays that recreate the geological evolution of the caves, the eruption of a volcano and even a simulation of the birth of the Madeira Islands.
Address: Sítio do Pé do Passo, São Vicente
The Farmers' Market, inaugurated on 24th November 1940, featuring New State architecture, including large tile panels that decorate the facade, the entrance and the fishmonger.
This project designed by Edmundo Tavares (1892-1983), features New State architecture, and reflects the intention to make it the major supply point of the city.
Large Batisttini Faience tile panels of Maria de Portugal, dated 1940 and painted with regional themes by João Rodrigues, adorn the facade, the main entrance and the fishmonger.
Today, this venue still carries out the functions for which it was created. Here all kinds of products are sold, mixing colours, sounds, smells and multiple nationalities.
Address: Largo dos Lavradores, Funchal
The Centre for Traditional Santana houses presents some of the typical houses of Santana, where you can get regional products.Close to the Santana Municipal Council you can find the Centre for Traditional Santana houses. This is a preservation area, expanded by the municipality of Santana, in memory of local heritage.
Here we find some typical Santana houses, all adapted to their current use, where you can buy a wide variety of local products and traditional crafts.
Address: Rua do Sacristão - Sítio do Serrado, Santana
The Madeira Theme Park in Santana is a magnificent space dedicated to the history, science and tradition of the Madeira Islands.
The Madeira Theme Park, located in the city of Santana, is a fantastic exhibition centre dedicated to the history, science and tradition of the Madeira Islands. It occupies an area of 145,000 m2 and should not be missed by visitors; it is the only one of its kind in Portugal.
The Park's main attractions are the four multimedia pavilions; "Discovery of the Islands", "Future of the Earth", "Fantastic Voyage in Madeira" and "A World of Islands, The Islands of the World". A replica of the Monte train, traditional oxcarts and nets, a traditional Santana house, a windmill, a maze and even a lake are some of the Park’s attractions.
The visit to the garden area is open to all, an open space area disclosing some specimens of the island indiginous flora, and footpaths, which are also amongst some interesting features of this cultural and scientific attraction.
Address: Estrada do Parque Temático, nº 1 - Fonte da Pedra, Santana
The historical centre of the city of Funchal, better known as the “Zona Velha” (Old Town), presents the Painted Doors Project that transforms this area into a permanent art gallery.
This public art project intends to stimulate one of the most emblematical areas of downtown Funchal in order to turn it into a more significant and attractive cultural centre and a permanent art gallery, joining several guest artists to work on decorative paintings on doors of houses, shops and other premises along Rua de Santa Maria, becoming into works of art.
This project results from a partnership between José Maria Zyberchema, João Carlos Abreu, former Regional Secretary of Tourism and Culture, the Municipality of Funchal in collaboration with a couple of private entities.
Among the various renowned personalities from the Madeira art scene, who teamed up with this project, stands out the architect Paulo David and the designer Nini Andrade Silva.
Address: Zona Velha, Funchal
This journey offers magnificent panoramic views from Funchal towards Monte.
This cable car will take you from the old part of Funchal to Monte in around 15 minutes.
Enjoy a spectacular view of Funchal’s bay and valleys from one of the 39 seven-seater cars.
The Funchal station is in Campo Almirante Reis and the Monte station in Largo das Babosas.
You can get from Funchal to Monte in a few minutes while taking in the surrounding landscape.
In Monte you can take the opportunity to visit the magnificent Monte Palace Tropical Gardens and also the Church of Our lady of Monte where lays the tomb of the last Austro-Hungarian Emperor Charles I.
Address: Rua do Sacristão - Av. do Mar e das Comunidades Madeirenses, Funchal
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