Public transport on Madeira is fine for getting between Funchal and the main towns. But the island’s real highlights sit far off the bus routes. Steep levada paths, hidden viewpoints, and coastal villages with no tour buses pulling in. The only way to reach them on your schedule is with your own wheels.
After years of exploring Madeira by road, including both the fast expressways and the old mountain tracks, here are 12 spots where having a car makes all the difference.
Quick Overview
| Location | Region | Road Type | Best Time to Visit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ponta de Sao Lourenco | East | Easy expressway | Morning |
| Fanal Forest | Northwest | Narrow mountain road | Early morning (fog) |
| Cabo Girao | South-central | Easy access | Midday |
| Porto Moniz | Northwest | Coastal road + tunnels | Afternoon |
| Boca da Encumeada | Central | Winding mountain pass | Clear days only |
| Pico do Arieiro | Central highlands | Well-paved, steep | Sunrise |
| Santana | North | North coast road | Morning |
| Seixal Beach | North | Tunnel access | Low tide |
| Levada do Caldeirao Verde | North | Access road from Queimadas | Morning |
| Curral das Freiras | Central | Very steep, tight turns | Midday (clearest views) |
| Paul da Serra Plateau | West | Open highland road | Any time |
| Camara de Lobos | South | Easy from Funchal | Early morning |
The 12 Locations
1. Ponta de Sao Lourenco
Madeira’s eastern tip looks nothing like the rest of the island. Dry, rocky, and dramatic. You park at the end of the road and walk the peninsula. No bus gets you here.
2. Fanal Ancient Forest
Centuries-old laurel trees covered in moss. When morning fog rolls in, it looks genuinely prehistoric. The road up is narrow but manageable with a standard car. Worth every kilometer.
3. Cabo Girao
One of Europe’s highest sea cliffs. The glass-floor viewing platform sits 580 meters above the Atlantic. Easy to reach from Funchal, roughly 20 minutes west.
4. Porto Moniz Natural Pools
Volcanic rock pools filled by the ocean on the island’s wild northwest coast. Getting here by public transport takes most of your day. By car, it is a scenic 90-minute drive.
5. Boca da Encumeada
A mountain pass where you can see both the north and south coasts on clear days. Completely off the tourist trail and worth stopping for 20 minutes.
6. Pico do Arieiro for Sunrise
At 1818 meters, this is Madeira’s third highest peak. Drive up before dawn. Watching the sun come up above the clouds from here is something you will not forget.
7. Santana and the Traditional Houses
The triangular thatched houses are Madeira’s most photographed symbol. The village itself is quiet and authentic. Drive the surrounding roads for farms and valley views.
8. Seixal Black Sand Beach
A small dark-sand beach on the north coast, reached through a tunnel. Not easy to find on maps. Worth it when you do.
9. Levada do Caldeirao Verde Trailhead
One of the best levada walks on the island starts from Queimadas. You need a car to get to the forest park at the start. No other realistic option.
10. Curral das Freiras (Valley of the Nuns)
A village hidden in a volcanic crater. The road down involves dozens of tight hairpin turns. Spectacular views on the way. Local restaurants serve chestnut soup in autumn.
11. Paul da Serra Plateau
An open highland plain, completely unlike anywhere else on the island. Good for cycling, walking, or just stopping to take in the scale of it.
12. Camara de Lobos at Dawn
Churchill painted the harbour here. It is most beautiful before the tourist boats arrive. Drive over from Funchal early, grab a coffee, and walk the old fishing quarter.
Practical Notes for Renting a Car on Madeira
- A standard hatchback handles most routes. For Fanal and some mountain tracks, a higher clearance helps but is not essential.
- Fuel stations are sparse in the northwest and highlands. Fill up in Funchal or Porto Moniz before heading inland.
- Parking is generally free outside Funchal. In the city, use the blue-zone meters or underground car parks near the cable car.
- Many roads have tunnels. Madeira has over 200 km of tunnel network, which makes cross-island trips much faster than the old coastal roads.
- Mountain roads can close in heavy fog. Check conditions at the trailhead before committing to a long drive.
Renting Without a Credit Card or Deposit
Most tourists assume you need a credit card and a large security deposit to rent a car on Madeira. That is not always the case. Some local operators offer vehicle hire in Madeira with flexible payment options, no credit card required, and no deposit. RosCar Madeira is one such option worth checking if you want to keep things simple and budget-friendly.
Booking direct with a local company also tends to mean better customer service and someone who actually knows the roads when you have a question.
How to Plan Your Route
- Base yourself in Funchal and do day trips in different directions.
- North coast and Fanal work well as a single full-day loop going west.
- Ponto de Sao Lourenco and Santana can be combined going east and north.
- Save the highland roads (Arieiro, Paul da Serra, Encumeada) for days with clear weather forecasts.
- Allow more time than Google Maps suggests. The views will slow you down.
Madeira is small enough to cross in two hours on the expressway, but rich enough in detail that one week barely scratches the surface. A rental car turns a beach holiday into something much more interesting.
Salut. Numele meu este Daniliuc Marcel Catalin. Mă consider o persoană melancolică iar, de cele mai multe ori, starea mea de spirit este influențată de poveștile auzite, cărțile citite, filmele văzute etc.