South Madeira

The south coast of Madeira is one of the island’s most visited areas and is famous among tourists, unlike the north coast which is rugged, humid, wild and less populated. The south of Madeira has cliffs and viewpoints that look out to sea, and is also home to Funchal, the capital, among many other attractions.

Read on to find out about the main landmarks and places of interest to see in the south of Madeira.

The south of Madeira is packed with gorges and cliffs that face the Atlantic. Leaving from the centre of Funchal (which you can read about in another blog post!), the many tunnels and viaducts of the VR1 motorway make for an easy journey along the coast.

If you leave from Funchal, one of the first stops you should make in the south of Madeira is Câmara de Lobos. It’s a charming seafaring town that is sheltered by a small bay. If you’re a wine enthusiast, you’ll be interested to know that Câmara de Lobos has one of the best wineries in Madeira: Henriques & Henriques.

Another attraction close to Câmara de Lobos is Cape Girão, the highest cliff in Europe, which has a viewpoint at an altitude of 580 m set on a glass-bottomed structure. It’s an essential stop so make sure to come and be amazed!

Continuing west, you’ll next come to Ponta do Sol, another of the most famous towns in southern Madeira. It’s a great place for enjoying the beach at sunset in total peace. Continuing further west, you reach Calheta, which has one of the few (artificial) sandy beaches in Madeira.

The south of Madeira has some of the island’s most famous viewpoints, thanks to the gorges and valleys that run down from the mountains towards the sea. Travel just a few kilometres inland and you can enjoy magnificent views surrounded by nature.

From the south, it’s a great idea to take the VE4 that leads inland. You can reach the Boca da Encumeada viewpoint in just half an hour from Funchal, and it’s one of the most spectacular in the heart of Madeira. This remarkable spot at an altitude of 1,007 m has views of the valleys in both the north and south of the island. Encumeada is also the start of some of the most famous hiking trails in Madeira.

Returning along the VE4, you’ll come to Fajã das Éguas and Terra Grande, two viewpoints where it’s well worth making a stop. And as you continue your descent, the small villages of Serra da Água and Ribeira Brava both have interesting churches.

From Funchal, another two roads climb inland and take you to wonderful viewpoints and hiking trails. One of these is the ER103, which passes the Botanical Garden and church of Nossa Senhora do Monte before leading inland towards Vereda do Areeiro, one of the highest points on the island.

As you can see, the south of Madeira is home to the big city of Funchal, coastal villages, beaches, cliffs, and takes you to the best viewpoints on this exceptional island.