Owner of a stunning natural beauty, Madeira deserves to be visited beyond the domains of its capital. The most curious visitor will surely want to make the road to know the riches of the island. In the eastern part of the island, in Porto Moniz, reside some of Madeira’s biggest tourist attractions: its natural pools, made up of volcanic rocks.

Still on the north coast, the parish of Seixal is also known for its natural, volcanic and crystal clear swimming pools, but also for its beaches with the same inviting tone of water, or for its varied waterfalls. In São Vicente, the obligatory spots are the Caves and the Volcanism Center, and in Santana, you can see the famous thatched houses.

On the south coast, in the municipality of Calheta, one should not miss a visit to the Arts Center – Casa das Mudas, while in Ponta do Sol, as the name suggests, the attractions are the beaches.

Returning to Funchal along the coast line you will reach Câmara de Lobos, featuring the amazing Cabo Girão, and turning inland you will come across the unrivalled Curral das Freiras. This is the starting point of some of the most interesting “levadas”, which are the hiking footpaths that will take you across Laurissilva, a laurel forest, protected as a UNESCO World Heritage site.

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