Where to stay in Madeira? Best Cities + Hotels -

Looking for the best place to stay in Madeira?

Follow the guide, we have tested, listed and detailed for you the best places to stay in Madeira, as well as the best accommodation on this paradise island.

The Island of Flowers is one of the periphrases that try to faithfully paint the intrinsic, unspoilt qualities of this floating jewel more than five hundred kilometres from the Moroccan coast and around a thousand kilometres south-west of Lisbon.

Nature lovers can enjoy a breath of fresh air in its lush gardens. If you love the sea air, then head west to flirt with the waves at the island’s top surfing spots. You can also wade in the natural pools. Madeira is quite simply the ideal destination for anyone looking for a beneficial nature cure.

⏰ Don’t have time to read everything?

Here are our 3 favourite accommodations in Madeira classified by price category:

🚨 These hotels are among the most popular, so don’t delay in booking. Plus, they offer free cancellation, so don’t worry if you change your mind.

(€) Jaca Hostel Funchal A friendly, inexpensive hotel in Madeira 10 minutes from the beach. The rooms are superb and the breakfast excellent! The location is ideal for visiting Funchal. Book here.

(€€) Quinta Santo Antonio. Superb cottage full of charm located in the countryside and close to the main points of interest. The rooms are very bright and comfortable. Breakfast included! Book here.

(€€) ❤️ Casa do Piquinho. A great holiday home for 2 located in a favourite area for travellers ,10 minutes from the beach. If you like to have breakfast facing the sea, this hotel is for you! Book here.

🏨 Se e other accommodation at the best price 👈

Table des matières

Where to sleep for the first time in Madeira: Funchal

It’s certainly its short distances, mild climate and various sites that make Funchal one of the best places to stay in Madeira.

In the heart of Funchal you’ll find various monuments, places of interest, stalls, restaurants, bars, lush gardens and other wonders in a very small area.

There are plenty of historic monuments to visit in the city centre, such as the sumptuous 16th-century cathedral and the Jesuit college. Or the former episcopal palace on the Largo do Município square. It houses an art museum where you can admire various works of Flemish art.

The botanical garden, almost perched on the heights of the city, is well worth a visit. Here you can discover a rich variety of local flora and fauna. You can also take the cable car there and admire the breathtaking panoramic views over the city and the ocean.

5 things to do and see in Funchal

Visit the city’s Museum of Contemporary Art in the Fort of São Tiago
Visit the Botanical Gardens and admire the views of the city and ocean from the cable car
Visit the Old Town, the heart of Funchal, where you can find places to eat and drink, and at the same time feel the pulse of the city.
Visit the Church of St John the Evangelist, the Church of Nossa Senhora do Monte or the Town Hall and its panoramic tower, which dates back to the 18th century.
Take a day trip from Funchal to discover the island’s main attractions, such as the cliffs of Cabo Girao

Here are our favourite hotels in the best city to stay in Madeira

(€) Jaca Hostel Funchal A friendly and inexpensive hotel in Madeira 10 minutes from the beach. The rooms are great and the breakfast is excellent! The location is ideal for visiting Funchal. Book here.

Where to stay in Madeira with your family: Machico

Machico is also one of the most important towns on the island. Stretched out in the hollow of a small cove, it is being built up in the hinterland, between the heights and the ocean.

There is a wide choice of places to stay in Machico, but it all depends on what you want. There are hotels close to the beaches, others in the hills, and from there you can discover the famous levadas. These are canals almost carved out of the hillsides in the mountains, used to water sugar cane plantations or provide hydroelectric power.

In Machico, you’ll find the Levada dos Maroços, a 220-metre-long path dotted with terraced crops and gardens, with beautiful views over the valley.

The Fort of São João Baptista, built at the dawn of the eighteenth century, is also a must-see, as is the Balcões lookout, which you can reach via a path that runs alongside the Levada do Furado.

You can take the opportunity to spend a beautiful day on a magnificent sand and pebble beach.

5 things to see and do in Machico

Visit the Fort of São João Baptista
Spend a lazy day on an admirable beach of golden sand and pebbles
Diving in a marine reserve not far from this beach
Visit Caniçal and its picturesque Whale Museum
Hike from the Pico do Facho lookout to Ribeira Natal beach and admire the natural features of the island’s north and south coasts. Discover the contrasts and watch the unforgettable sunset.

Where to stay in Machico Here are our favourite hotels

(€) Jaca Hostel Funchal A friendly, inexpensive hotel in Madeira , 10 minutes from the beach. The rooms are superb and the breakfast excellent! The location is ideal for visiting Funchal. Book here.

Where to stay in Madeira for the beach: Porto Santo

If you like to stay in Madeira Robinson Crusoe style, you’ve come to the right place. The island of Porto Santo, also known as the “Golden Island”, has everything to seduce you: a desert landscape and endless golden sandy beaches. Hiking and swimming at Praia do Porto Santo are also on the menu, and are sure to please.

Located around 64 kilometres from the island of Madeira, Porto Santo’s main attraction is its peace and quiet, and its charm has the magic to leave those who visit it in awe.

The Christopher Columbus House Museum is the island’s most important cultural icon. Here, you can feel and experience the original atmosphere that the island is trying to revive around this mythical figure.

5 things to see and do in Porto Santo

Spend a day on the golden sandy beach or swimming in the natural pools
Treat yourself to seawater-based treatments at the thalassotherapy centre
Visit the House Museum of Christopher Columbus
Visit the Vereda do Pico Branco and Terra Chã
Go snorkelling, windsurfing and stand-up paddling, and even take courses given by professionals.

Where to stay in Porto Santo? Here are our favourite hotels

Where to sleep in Madeira as a couple: Jardim do Mar

This small village where to sleep in Madeira, set between green cliffs and the ocean, is a real Eldorado with lots of character, thanks to its labyrinth of sloping streets, dotted with houses framed by gardens enclosed by stone walls, where, as you stroll along, you can breathe in the heady scent of frangipani, bougainvillea and various fruit trees. A true haven of peace for fans of nature and tranquillity.

Here too, in this authentic and picturesque village, you will discover another Madeira. The tone is set as soon as you set foot in the village: you can’t drive into the village, you have to leave your car in the designated car park. Totally pedestrianised, the “garden of the sea” lends itself wonderfully to wandering and lazing around in a serene atmosphere.

Jardim do Mar is also popular with surfers in search of new sensations. But you can also go hiking, particularly to Paúl do Mar, the colourful town, or Prazeres.

5 things to see and do in Jardim do Mar

Explore the village itself with all its streets, and the seafront promenade
Indulge in a local fruit juice and savour the exotic dishes served in its restaurants
Visit its church, built in the 20th century
Go surfing on its 3 pebble beaches
Take a leisurely stroll to the nearby village of Paúl do Mar

Where to stay in Jardim do Mar Here are our favourite hotels

Porto Moniz

Located in the north-west of Madeira, this town is known for its magnificent natural pools formed by volcano lava. It’s the perfect place to stay in Madeira to recharge your batteries and admire the masterpieces that nature has carved out here on this part of the island.

The atmosphere in the town is one of relaxation and idleness, just like this tiny village which for a long time was isolated and difficult to reach.

The town is usually very busy in the morning when tourists come to swim in its natural pools, but the village quickly regains its serenity in the late afternoon. There are also countless seafood restaurants and various bistros that close late in the summer.

Hiking aficionados won’t be able to resist the charms of the Levada da Ribeira da Janela for long, which is undoubtedly one of the most splendid walks on the island. This route offers a wide range of panoramic views, divided between lush green valleys and lush mountains.

5 things to do and see in Porto Moniz

Swim in its natural pools
Take a hike to the Levada da Ribeira da Janela
Wander around the town to your heart’s content
Savour the local cuisine in the seafood restaurants
Visit the Queimadas forest park near the town

Where to stay in Porto Moniz? Here are our favourite hotels

Câmara de Lobos

Situated to the west of Funchal, this tiny fishing town has managed to retain its charm and authenticity. Its pleasant little fishing port with its illustrious colourful boats is the perfect place to try espada (swordfish), one of Madeira’s succulent dishes. Its small village atmosphere makes this region a quality destination for those in search of tranquillity.

Camara de Lobos also boasts a flourishing historical past, and is home to the São Sebastião church and the Nossa Senhora da Conceição chapel, two must-see tourist attractions that are well worth a visit.

Its proximity to Cabo Girao, a belvedere nestling at around 600 metres above sea level, is another plus. From here, you can enjoy breathtaking panoramic views over the ocean and the city.

5 things to do and see in Câmara de Lobos

Visit its small fishing port
Discover the islet of Câmara de Lobos and its small garden
Visit the São Sebastião church
Visit the chapel of Nossa Senhora da Conceição
Visit Cabo Girao, and admire the impressive view over the ocean

Where to stay in Câmara de Lobos? Here are our favourite hotels

Caniçal

Very popular with nature lovers, the town of Caniçal is recommended for those who want to stay in Madeira while staying off the tourist itineraries. When the sun goes down, it’s dead calm in an especially exotic setting.

Despite its austerity, Caniçal offers travellers one of Madeira’s most impressive landscapes. The Ponta de São Lourenço, with its adjoining islet, is a veritable ode to natural beauty.

In fact, this pleasant fishing village has it all. Here you can enjoy fabulous delicacies at extremely attractive prices, such as limpets and caco cake, to name but a few.

But Caniçal is also a beautiful destination where you can also go to the beach or walk along fantastic paths through the mountains.

So, if you love swimming, Prainha beach, with its natural black sand of volcanic origin, is the perfect destination. If you’re a keen hiker, the most famous routes are the Vereda Ponta de São Lourenço and the Levada do Caniçal.

5 things to see and do in Caniçal

Laze on Prainha beach, with its natural black sand
Go hiking along the Vereda Ponta de São Lourenço trail and the Levada do Caniçal
Visit the port and the Industrial Free Zone, where factories are located
Visit the church of Caniçal, built in 1783
Visit the 16th-century chapel of Our Lady of Piety, of great heritage interest

Calheta

This is where you’ll find the two artificial sandy beaches that are so popular with visitors and locals alike. Calheta is also home to the illustrious Casa das Mudas Arts Centre, a masterpiece by architect Paulo David.

Perfectly set on a cliff, this arts centre houses the treasures of local culture. You can admire exhibitions by world-famous artists such as Picasso and Dali. The museum also organises concerts and choreographic performances.

Calheta is also home to a marina where you can enjoy daytime and evening cruising, and along the way you’ll find a myriad of terraced restaurants and bistros perfect for a stopover to recharge your batteries.

5 things to see and do in Calheta

Visit the Casa das Mudas Arts Centre
Visit the marina and indulge in one of its restaurants
Visit the local distillery, which specialises in producing the best brandy on the island
Take a walk along one of the many footpaths
Spend a few hours lounging and relaxing on one of its sandy beaches

Santana

Located in the north of Madeira, the municipality of Santana generously offers its visitors a wide range of attractions. It also boasts fantastic views and admirable hiking trails.

The town also has no shortage of cultural facilities, such as the Vine and Wine Museum at Arco de São Jorge, the theme park and the unforgettable thatched-roof Casas de Santana.

From Santana, you can enjoy fabulous hikes that take you to a wide variety of points: Queimadas, Pico das Pedras and Pico Ruivo, perched at an altitude of 1,861 metres. It’s also here that you’ll find the incredible Domaine do Furao, surrounded by vineyards, at the top of a cliff and offering breathtaking panoramic views of the wild northern sea.

The town also boasts other attractions that will leave you breathless, such as the Ribeiro Frio Trout Pond and the Quinta do Arco de Saõ Jorge Rose Garden.

5 things to see and do in Santana

Visit the Vine and Wine Museum at Arco de São Jorge, the theme park and the Casas de Santana
Visit the Domaine do Furao and its vineyards
Discover Foz da Ribeira, go-karting in the seaside area of Faial
Visit the trout pond at Ribeiro Frio and the rose garden at Quinta do Arco de Saõ Jorge
Attend the folk music and dance festival: the “48 Hours of Dancing” if you’re there in July

Ribeira Brava

Ribeira Brava, named after the rebellious river that runs through it, is a small village with plenty to offer if you want to stay in Madeira.

In order to charm visitors, the seafront has been laid out in such a way that you can find cosy spaces for sunbathing, lazing around and, of course, enjoying all the attractions of the seaside.

The town even invites you to discover its beautiful landscapes and the magnificence of its much sought-after paths. The “Folhadal Path and Pinnacle” is a living example of this.

Or you can take your time wandering through the alleys of the old town, so picturesque and welcoming.

The Madeira Ethnographic Museum is a real gem, housing a rich collection of ethnographic objects.

You should also visit the São Bento Church in the city centre. You’re sure to admire a very varied collection of very old frescoes and sculptures.

5 things to do and see in Ribeira Brava

Spend a few hours on the beach
Stroll along the town’s various footpaths
Visit the Madeira Ethnographic Museum
Visit the São Bento Church
Visit the fortress of Saint-Benoît

And let us know in the comments if you have any other hotels to recommend. In the meantime, enjoy your trip!