Madeira Island: 10 highly photogenic spots you cannot miss for incredible pictures
Planning a trip to Madeira?
My top 10 favourite spots to take amazing photos in the island.
Top 1: Pico do Arieiro
Pico do Arieiro is the highest point in Madeira Island (1817m). It offers great possibilities in terms of photography, especially at sunset and sunrise. If you are an active person, it’s the starting point to one of the nicest walks on the whole island (Pico Arieiro – Pico Ruivo).
#BenTips | From a local
For you to catch amazing photos here, you need to make sure that the clouds are lower than the mountain itself. To do this, you just need to check the live webcam on the web.
By doing this you don’t spend useless energy going there on a cloudy day and seeing… nothing.
Ideal spot for couples photography, family, engagement and wedding photography.
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Top 2: Fanal Forest
Fanal is, for me, an iconic place in Madeira. The forest of Fanal is protected by the UNESCO program because some of the trees here are more than 200 years old. If you want to feel all the magnetism of the island, this is the place you want to be. With clouds or sun, in summer or winter, this place is always worth it. The mood here is somewhat unique. If you are a nature lover, just go.
#BenTips | From a local
It’s good to spend a little time in Fanal. The road to find it is so beautiful that you’ll definitely stop a few times. You can enjoy the nature up there by walking for hours in the valley of Fanal. The feeling is amazing and the view up there is something else, the trees are very special!
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Top 3: Ponta de São Lourenço
Ponta de São Lourenço offers some great landscapes. It’s a place I like to go when it comes to couples photography. Be careful as it is often very windy but often worth it.
#BenTips | From a local
- It’s oriented East, perfect for sunrise photography!
- Go in the mornings! It’s less cloudy and there’s fewer people around. If you have time, do one of the best walks in Madeira; Levada de Ponta Sao Lorenzo.
- Ideal spot to shoot the moon and milky way. With “Ponta de são Lourenço” you have the best scenery for these kinds of photos.
- Ideal scenery for drone photos!
Top 4: Seixal Beach
Seixal is one of the largest black sand beaches that you can find in Madeira. It offers great possibilities for romantic couple photography. It’s for sure a spot to put on your list for amazing photography around the island!
#BenTips | From a local
- Include Seixal into a north coast tour. All the north coast is amazing and full of scenic spots to take amazing pictures.
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Top 5: Encumeada
#BenTips - Advice from a local
Go when the clouds are LOW in Funchal. It means that you’ll easily pass over them and get even more of this “WOW” factor. Also, as always, sunrise and sunsets in Encumeada are something else and will take your photos to the next level.
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Top 6: Tropical Garden
From all of the garden’s in Madeira, the Tropical Garden is for me, one of the most photogenic places on the island. If you buy the cable car ticket from Funchal, the entrance to the Tropical Garden is included. You can also get there easily from Funchal by bus. The entrance to the garden is 10€.
#BenTips | From a local
There is another little garden that you can walk through, completely for free. To find it, you just need to pass the big bridge in Monte and go down, don’t hesitate to walk around and explore. Lose yourself in the green vegetation under the bridge. This little garden is so beautiful.
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Top 7: Faja dos Padres
In my opinion, Faja dos Padres is one of the most underrated treasures of Madeira. Close to Funchal, you’ll find a small piece of heaven, a unique place that only Madeira can offer. Here you’ll find some organic farms and a lovely restaurant with direct access to the beach. The only way to access this place is by cable car which makes the experience even more enjoyable as you enjoy the view on your way down.
#BenTips | From a local
- Faja is amazing at sunset time
- It’s good to spend half a day there.
- You can rent some of the rustic houses there which are lovely. Visit site here.
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Top 8: Craneview Point
Very famous on instagram, the crane view point is a bit hidden on the north coast. It’s a very scenic place that will give you amazing photo possibilities.
#BenTips - Advice from a local
- It’s oriented East, perfect for Sunrise photography!
- Go in mornings! It’s less cloudy, and it has fewer person around. And you have then all the time to the one of the best levada in Madeira: Levada de Ponta Sao Lorenzo.
- Ideal spot to shoot moon and milky way. With “ponta sao lorenzo” you have here the top scenery for this kind of photos.
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Top 9: The door on the sea
You’ll find this door in Faial, close to the ruins of Sao Jorge. A unique place where you can take some awesome photographs like this one. The ambiance here is very special. I would definitely recommend passing here while doing a North Coast Tour.
#BenTips - Advice from a local
- To get a photo like this you need to come at the end of summer so the sun is nice and low, that’s how I got this photo.
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Top 10: Funchal
Funchal has many spots where you can take lots of cool photographs. Whether it’s fashion or couple shots, you’ll find lots of hidden spots all over Funchal. Your creativity can be limitless with all of the colours and scenery that you’ll find downtown.
#BenTips - Advice from a local
- Go to Sé Boutique Rooftop! A unique hotel rooftop in the heart of Funchal.
- Try to visit the Forte sao Tiago, you’ll have some great views there.
- Walk and explore the little streets of Funchal, they are the best for fashion photography
- Check my Funchal Top 10 Photography Spot Article.
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- Let's go for photos ?
Holidays in Madeira ? A little tip that might change your vacation
Are you on holidays in Madeira ? Lucky you ! But, even if you plan everything before to come, weather in Madeira is unpredictable.
In order to realise all the activities you expected, here is my little tip to get the best of Madeira, every time. When i’m programming my photo tours with clients (Click here to know more) i always check Madeira’s webcams and adapt my trip and make sure i get the best photos.
In Madeira Island there are webcams scattered throughout the various geographical points. This way you can watch what is the weather on the island live! Since it always have sun somewhere in Madeira, you can adapt your program depending the place you wanted to visit.
For exemple, if you plan to go Pico do Arieiro, you better check before and make sure the webcam show a clear sky. You can see on this website how’s the weather look like (LIVE), check also the last 24H time lapse, and many other options. Fantastic isn’t it?
