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Madeira has one of the most diverse landscapes we have ever seen. You will find yourself surrounded by photo opportunities almost everywhere you go, from rugged volcanic cliffs, magical forests and mountain peaks above the clouds.
I’ve put together this guide to help you find some of the best spots on the island, whether you want to get that Instagram banger or simply just to admire the beauty of the Island!
Chloe Butcher
1. Pico Do Arieiro
Starting with the most famous viewpoints on Madeira Island, and it’s easy to see why! There are more photo spots in this area than I could mention but the most popular (not necessarily the best) is the viewpoint just across from the car park.
I would recommend doing the hike that starts here and ends at Pico Ruivo, the highest peak, as you will be able to make the most of the constantly changing landscape.
If you don’t have enough time to do the hike (or like us you’re back for the 5th time), I’d recommend walking down the start of the path and finding your own spot for a much less crowded experience – much better for photography!
Pico do Arieiro is incredibly easy to get to as you can drive 95% of the way there, making it one of the best sunrise and sunset locations on the island. After a 30 minute drive from Funchal, you will reach the third highest peak in Madeira, sitting at 1,818 meters.
Alternatively you can book a transfer to take you from your hotel to the peak all in time for sunrise!
2. Ponta De Sao Lourenco
Ponta de São Lourenço is located on the most eastern part of the island and it really does looks like another planet. This 6km hike along the volcanic cliffs takes you all the way out to the end of the island, with a number of viewpoints along the way. You could easily take up a whole day here, finding yourself stopping to take pictures every five minutes!
3. Seixal Beach
Madeira doesn’t have many sand beaches, but Seixal Beach more than makes up for it! With soft black sand and a stunning mountain backdrop, you really can’t afford to miss it.
If you’re visiting this beach with photos and videos in mind, you will want to make sure that you arrive early – we arrived at 7am and it was empty, but by 9am the beach was getting fairly busy. Either way it makes for a great atmosphere and a nice swim.
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4. Posto Florestal Fanal Forest
If you’ve already done some research on Madeira (or seen it on Instagram!), then you’ll probably know about this magical and mysterious forest called Fanal Forest, also known as the fog forest.
This place has to be one of the most unique photography spots on the island and is very well known for its eerie vibe when covered in a blanket of fog. The fog allows you to create more minimalistic photos, as when it’s not in fog it can look a little busy with all the trees.
We have actually visited around 6 times in total and only had the fog once, but the weather does change very quickly so it’s worth hanging around if you have time.
5. Levada Do Caldeirao Verde
There are countless trails throughout Madeira island leading to beautiful rainforest waterfalls such as Caldeirão Verde. After a stunning walk along the Levada and through the caves (you will need a torch), you will come to a pool at the bottom of 100m high waterfall.
Chloe Butcher
If you set off early this will be one of the most peaceful places you will visit, but like anywhere else, it’s a small area will get busier later in the day. It’s also worth being aware of what season you’re visiting, as in the summer there won’t be so much water flowing from the waterfalls.
6. Miradouro Do Guindaste
Also known as Crane Viewpoint, this Instagram favourite is tucked away in the village of Paul do Mar and offers breathtaking views of the rugged coastline and the Atlantic Ocean below.
The viewpoint itself is just off the main road and very easily accessible from the carpark, we found ourselves returning to this spot every time we passed through the area.
7. Praia Da Ribeira Da Janela
Another beach in Madeira that is perfect for some photography is Ribeira Da Janela. This beach is located on the North West part of the Island, and isn’t too far from Seixal Beach to make it your next stop. The unique rock formations and waves on this beach make for some awesome aerial shots!
8. Bica Da Cana
Another favourite sunrise spot of ours is Bica da Cana, and in our opinion it’s one of the best view’s in Madeira! In clear conditions, the balcony will give you a view of the highest mountains on one side and the ocean on the other.
Just be aware that there is a 10 – 15 minute walk to get to the spot, so leave leave more than time if you’re heading for up for sunrise.
9. Faial Old Bridge
This old bridge is another one that looks amazing from a drone, just be careful of the nearby powerlines! It is a bit difficult to locate and we had definitely driven over it before without even noticing, so we had to do some digging to find it.
It is located along the ER 103 in Faial at the entrance of the road towards Central Eléctrica da Fajã da Nogueira you will drive over the bridge.
10. Rocho Da Navio Viewpoint
Leaving the best till last, this viewpoint is a bit of a hidden gem and it is guaranteed to take your breath away.
It’s somewhere we didn’t actually know existed the first time we came to Madeira but now it’s one of our favourite spots on the whole island.
The mountains are a luscious green, and the water is the perfect colour of blue, and to top it off, there is a waterfall into the ocean – the Hawaii of Europe!
11. La meraviglia
This spot is a hidden gem that not many people know about, as it’s not an official place. In our opinion, It's one of the best spots on the island for photography and filmmaking!
You get an incredible view of the surrounding valleys, ocean and the epic ridge lines of the mountains. This spot is called 'La meraviglia' or 'boca do buraco' on google maps and it's located at Pico Do Arieiro, approximately 2 minutes from the official car park. You'll see a gap in the wall along the road and a dirt track leading out to the rocky landscape.
Be mindful when visiting - this area is rocky with steep drops, so only attempt it if you're confident in your scrambling abilities. Avoid parking on the roadside and use the official car park whenever possible for safety.
12. Pico Ruivo
Most people go straight to Pico do Arieiro when looking for epic mountain viewpoints in Madeira, but Pico Ruivo, the island’s highest peak, offers a unique perspective of the island for just an hour's walk.
The hike to the summit is filled with incredible photo opportunities, as the trail winds along lush green mountains with the turquoise ocean shimmering in the distance. At the top, you're rewarded with 360-degree views of the rugged peaks stretching across the island.
13. Balcões viewpoint
One of the most accessible yet rewarding viewpoints in Madeira is Balcões Viewpoint, a stunning balcony that has panoramic views over the lush green valleys, dramatic peaks and often cloud inversions that give Madeira its magical feel. On clear days, you can spot Madeira’s highest peaks and the ocean in the distance. It’s accessed by a short, easy levada walk from Ribeiro Frio.
14. Miradouro da Beira da Quinta
Located on a mountain road near Sao Jorge, this is a lesser-known spot that offers beautiful views across the terraced hillsides and quaint villages of the northern coast. There’s plenty of photo opportunities here, the cliffs and ocean create epic leading lines!
15. Miradouro da Ponta do Rosto
Ponta do Rosto is a stunning viewpoint that's easily accessible by car which makes it a great sunrise photo spot. Located on the far east of the island, this viewpoint provides breathtaking views down the coastline towards the rugged tip of Madeira, showing off the red volcanic cliffs and turquoise ocean crashing below.
Rory Watson
It can get busy at sunrise and throughout the day, so if you prefer a quieter spot, try Ponta do Bode, located slightly further up the coast with similar views of this part of the island!
16. Miradouro do Véu da Noiva
This viewpoint, located on the old road between São Vicente and Seixal in Madeira, offers a beautiful view of the north coast and the Véu da Noiva Waterfall. You can capture Madeira’s lush green cliffs, turquoise ocean and the epic waterfall crashing down the middle.
17. Ruins of St. George
A unique spot that not many people visit is the Ruins of St. George, which are ruins from sugar cane mills built in the early days of the island's settlement. This spot is tucked away on a remote beach in Sao Jorge, and although it’s a fair walk down a steep hill (which you have to come back up), it's well worth it for the beautiful stone archway and ocean views.
18. Ponta do Bode
Ponta do Bode is a unique spot showing off Madeira’s volcanic mars-like landscapes, which looks amazing in photos. Ponta do Bode is actually a protected ecosite because of its red soil, so make sure to wander around this spot and capture the unique and rocky landscape.
19. Pico dos Barcelos viewpoint
This viewpoint offers beautiful views over Funchal and is great for cityscape photography and timelapses. Come at sunset or blue hour to capture the city lights twinkling against the mountains or ocean, and bring a telephoto lens to pick out details.
20. Vulcão Penha de Águia (road to Ponta do Rosto Viewpoint)
Just a short drive from Ponta do Rosto, you’ll find this incredible photo spot where a winding road leads your eye straight towards dramatic cliffs and the ocean. It’s a perfect natural leading line and looks awesome with a subject in the frame, whether it’s a person walking along the road or a car driving toward the horizon.
Make sure to bring both a wide-angle and a telephoto lens to experiment with different perspectives; the wide lens captures the full scale of the landscape, while a tighter focal length can compress the road, cliffs and ocean into a layered, cinematic composition.
21. Miradouro do Ninho da Manta
This is one of our favourite spots on the island which we kept coming back to! Located along the PR1 Pico do Arieiro to Pico Ruivo trail, this balcony looks over the rocky peaks and ridges of the surrounding mountains. Sunrise and sunset are the best times to visit, with the golden light and colourful cloud inversions creating incredible scenes that are perfect for photography.
22. Miradouro da Garganta Funda
On the west coast of the island is a beautiful viewpoint of the Garganta Funda waterfall, which in itself is a cool photo spot. However, when we visited the waterfall had dried out (due to the summer months), so we focused on the epic cliffs and ocean views instead which looked incredible, especially at sunset!
23. Miradouro Pedra Rija
This iconic spot, often referred to as the ‘stairway to heaven,’ features a dramatic rocky staircase winding through the mountains, seemingly leading straight into the sky. You'll find it along the PR1 trail at Pico do Arieiro, about 10 minutes from the start. It’s an epic spot for photos, especially if you have a drone to capture it from a higher angle, just don't look down!
24. Miradouro da Terra Grande
For mountainous landscapes and endless forested valleys, Terra Grande Viewpoint is where you need to go. It offers a breathtaking view of Madeira’s lush green valleys and terraced hillsides. Misty mornings add atmosphere, while late afternoon light brings out textures and depth, a great location for layered landscape shots.
25. Cascata dos Anjos
This photo spot features a waterfall that cascades onto one of Madeira’s old coastal roads. You can capture cars driving through the waterfall or people standing underneath, and if you have a drone you can capture unique angles from above.
26. Rua de Santa Maria
Rua de Santa Maria is a street in Funchal’s Old Town that is perfect for vibrant street photography with its famous painted doors, colorful murals and bustling atmosphere. It's a great spot for creative detail shots and capturing local life.
27. Typical Houses of Santana
Photographing the charming thatched-roof houses of Santana is an absolute must. These iconic triangular houses, set against mountain backdrops, make the perfect subject for travel photos. This spot can get busy so we’d recommend visiting in the early morning or late afternoon, which will also give you the best light.
28. Porto Moniz
Famous for its natural volcanic pools, Porto Moniz is a great location for coastal landscape photography. You can capture the pools, crashing waves against volcanic rocks and the surrounding cliffs. You can also get creative with long exposure shots!
29. Monte Palace Madeira
For those who love artistic compositions, Monte Palace Garden offers endless photo opportunities. From koi ponds and lush greenery to sculptures and tiled walkways, it’s a dream for capturing colorful and serene scenes.
30. Lagoa do Vento
If you’re willing to hike, Lagoa do Vento is a perfect spot for photos. It’s an incredible waterfall plunging into a tranquil pool surrounded by forests. If you have a drone, you’ll be able to spot that it’s actually a tiered waterfall which creates an even better photo opportunity.
The track to this waterfall is also just as photogenic, with ancient laurel trees twisting around the path creating a dreamy atmosphere.
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