Madeira – Hidden Gems

UPDATED 25/01/2021

Looking for hidden gems on Madeira Island? Here is the list of our 20 favourite finds: secluded places and unusual, less-known attractions off the beaten path.

If you are looking for a complete guide to the best attractions and experiences on the island, you will those in our guide: 20 X MUST-DO THINGS ON MADEIRA. 

We love discovering less-popular spots on the island, and we even have a special category for Madeira off-the-beaten-track. See: Madeira hidden gems.

This posts sums all the interesting spots we found up in one handy list. Enjoy!

Hidden gems in Funchal

1. Buy (affordable) handmade gifts and souvenirs at this pop-up art gallery…

If you love handmade products made by local artists, do not miss this place. It is located just right be the famous Farmers’ Market Mercado do Lavradores and the Old Town, for sure it will be on your way. They also sell second-hand books in English, German and other languages:

2. Discover “Funchal’s best-rated museum”, which isn’t even actually a museum…

A beautiful, unique collection and a lovely café with a beautiful view of Funchal:

3. Visit the most photogenic rooftop café in Funchal

A must-see for all Instagrammers and fans of interesting and unusual interiors, but recommended actually to everyone. Se Boutique Café is located on the rooftop of Se Boutique Hotel, in the very center of Funchal; right next to the Se Cathedral and Avenida Arriaga, so it will definitely be on the way. It’s worth taking a look, even if it is just for the views.

Beautiful colours, flamingos, interesting decor and a great view of Funchal, the ocean and nearby Se Cathedral tower.

4. See this great mural of Ronaldo in his childhood neighbourhood…

This well-done mural of Ronaldo shows better resemblance to the famous footballer than the monument in front of his museum and his bust next to the Funchal Airport arrivals exit. For the address of this mural, check paragraph 7 of our list of 13 places associated with Ronaldo on Madeira:

5. Make your own version of the famous picture of Ronaldo

And since we are already talking about Ronaldo… Ronaldo took a couple of iconic photos, sitting on the railing of the Pico dos Barcelos viewpoint and proudly presenting all his cups, with the beautiful bay of Funchal in the background. These famous photos were published around the world. They were even parodied by a local comedian. 

If you are a fan of Cristiano Ronaldo, why not visiting the same viewpoint and making your own version of this photo?

Here is an interesting behind the scenes video:

Even if you do not intend to copy Ronaldo’s photo, Pico dos Barcelos is still a place worth visiting. It is on the way to the popular Valley of the Nuns and offers magnificent views of the entire bay of Funchal.

Here is the exact location in question – the railing on the eastern side terrace:

6. Take a look at the mysterious turquoise building

Do you love architecture and history? If so, you might want to take a look at this neglected architectural pearl:

7. Swim in a lava pool without leaving Funchal…

Volcanic lava pools complex for those who are not able to visit the famous Porto Moniz and Seixal pools. Known to many tourists in Funchal, it still remains “in the shadow” of the popular Porto Moniz complex.

8. Wave to your friends back home via this PeopleCam…

Check this post to discover the best and most useful live webcams on Madeira Islands, including the PeopleCam in Funchal, which lets you send your greetings to your loved ones back home:

9. Best place & time to photograph Madeira’s street art…

This one is more about the right time that the place itself, but it is pretty important…

If you visit the Santa Maria Street in the afternoon, once the street restaurants are open, not only you will get a headache trying to politely reject all the dinner invitations, you will also miss some door paintings. When restaurants open their doors and set up the tables on the streets, some beautiful doors are simply hidden.

So, if possible, plan your visit early in the early morning, if possible on a sunny Sunday. You will skip the crowds, and you will be able to enjoy all the painted doors.

Hidden gems around Madeira

Now, here is where it gets interesting. Here are a couple of less known, or hard to reach spots on Madeira, that deserve the title of hidden gems:

11. Discover this hidden beach and sleep in a… cave?

There is nothing more to add. This amazing hidden gem is hard to describe in one sentence. Highly recommended for all summertime visits – see for yourself:

12. Have a swim in this lovely hidden fluvial beach…

Another lovely and unusual place to swim and sunbathe on Madeira. This time, not at all in salty ocean waters, but instead…

13. Enjoy nice & affordable cocktails at this surfer bar during sunset…

When in Paul do Mar, be sure to visit Maktub Pub with its relaxed atmosphere, cheap and delicious cocktails, and a beautiful sunset view. The place has a lovely vibe and can get pretty busy.

14. Leave a small legacy at this Poncha bar…

Tourists and locals alike love this Poncha place. Its walls are covered in business cards, stickers, banknotes, messages and scarves from all over the world:

 15. Have a wine-tasting with a lovely view…

And if you prefer wine, wineries and beautiful views, try to visit the hard-to-reach Quinta do Barbusano around São Vicente.

You can have a winery tour and a wine tasting with a view of the emblematic chapel tower of Capelinha de Nossa Senhora de Fátima. A lovely place to be, all year round.

16. Use the cable car to reach this amazing, secluded spot…

I was really impressed by the mysterious vibe of this hard to reach place in Santana…

17. Get a different perspective on the fishing village Câmara de Lobos & Cabo Girao from…

Most tourists who visit Câmara de Lobos, usually stay only around the bay full of colorful boats. 5 minutes away, you will find, however, a lovely spot with a beautiful view of the village from above:

Do not miss also the Pico da Torre Viewpoint, which isn’t as popular as other viewpoints in the area, but offers you magnificent views of the entire bay from above:

18. Locate Sagrada Familia on Madeira…

Did you know that Madeira Island has its own version of the famous Sagrada Familia?

This quirky, religious place is located in the area of Ribeira Brava. In your navigation, put: Capela Miradouro Sagrada Familia.

When you visit Sagrada Familia in Madeira, you will immediately feel its uniqueness or even quirkiness. What’s actually the history of this place?

When visiting, you might meet the creator of the chapel Mr Manuel Maceda. Mr Maceda was born in this exact area of Madeira – on the hills of Lombo Furado above Ribeira Brava Valley. In his life, he emigrated to Mozambique, then to Venezuela. As he describes it “Life was good to him, but something was missing”.

He decided to return to his home village, and in 2005 he started the construction of Madeira’s Sagrada Familia. The construction was arduous, but willpower is not something Mr Maceda lacks. He kept building the chapel, piece by piece, every day, usually entirely by himself. He kept adding new elements, paths, monuments. Most of the saint images on the premises of Sagrada Familia were offered by Madeiran emigrants from Brasil, Venezuela as well as locals.

SEE SOURCE: Capela Miradouro Sagrada Familia FB account (PT)

You might find it unusual. Although it is a religious site, it also has a garden, paths, fountains, outdoor tables, barbecue areas, cement Santana houses kids love to play at… Something between a religious chapel and a quirky tourist attraction, it does not fit any of your mental models… When discovering this place, you might feel like you do not know where we are, and every corner can come as a surprise.

Although it might not look like, it is still a religious site, so of course, you should show some respect. If possible, leave a small voluntary donation. We heard from the owner that it attracts pilgrims who spend long hours on prayers in this beautiful setting. There is even a company – Peal of the Atlantic – that organizes private tours of the place. Check: Madeira Sagrada Familia Tour.

If you are not a religious person, it is worth visiting the Sagrada Familia for a while, when discovering the neighboring viewpoint Miradouro do Espigão. While you are actually standing on Miradouro do Espigão, and look far to your left, you can even see the contours of the chapel on top of the hill.

I would not say that a visit to these two places is one of the “Must do’s on Madeira“, but if you have seen a lot on the island and have time left, jump in your car and visit these two points located just 4 km away from each other:

Madeira’s Sagrada Familia to Miradouro do Espigão:

19. Hike among the banana plantations…

Madeira Island has a lovely network of mountain trails and levadas, but did you know, there is also an official trail through banana fields?

Are you a banana freak? Nearby, in Ponta do Sol, you will also find a specialty museum Bam – Centro Da Banana Da Madeira.

20. Visit this sugar cane mill…

Curious to see a still operational sugar cane mill? When in Calheta, visit the Sugar Cane Factory and Museum Engenhos da Calheta:

Have you visited any of these attractions thanks to my tips? Tag us on IG or FB: @sayyestomadeira  #sayyestomadeira

see also our CATEGORY: MADEIRA ISLAND ATTRACTIONS