Madeira & Porto Santo luxury travel - top accommodations & 30 hidden gems
- Authentic Chica
- Jul 7
- 13 min read
Updated: Jul 24
Situated in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, Madeira is a unique volcanic island that has consistently earned its title as the 'Leading Island Destination in Europe and the World' since 2013 at the renowned World Travel Awards, together with Porto Santo.
These distinctions are based on many factors such as natural beauty, safety, culture, golf and Unesco sites, such as the ancient Laurissilva forests of Fanal. But also on its unique hotel offering, gastronomy and sustainability efforts, as well as the long golden beach of its sister island Porto Santo.
This Portuguese archipelago, also known as the Hawaii of Europe, is a true subtropical paradise with its unique mix of lush landscapes, heritage and rich culture. However, after 3 visits I found out that it also has plenty of modern luxury to offer, making it perfect for indulgence as well.
Despite misconceptions that Madeira is mostly suitable for retirees, hikers or budget travelers, its luxury offerings are world-class, with opulent accommodations, gourmet dining, and curated experiences, while fortunately still staying authentic and not overrun with tourists yet.
Last week, half June 2025, I had the pleasure to revisit this unique island and discovered many more hidden gems, like Porto Santo on a day visit, several lesser-known nature spots and many impressive viewpoints which you can still have all to yourself.
But we also experienced some of the luxury that this island has to offer, such as unique high-end accommodations, bespoke luxury experiences, Michelin star restaurants, and more, which I will happily share in this blog.
Why Madeira & Porto Santo luxury travel?
Madeira's allure lies in its diversity of dramatic cliffs, volcanic beaches, ancient forests, and a mild climate year-round, which makes it versatile and attractive to many. Its recognition as a leading island destination comes from its unique levada walks, vibrant Funchal markets, and rich culinary scene with historic Madeira wines and fresh seafood.
While it's neighbor Porto Santo is renowned for its long golden-sand beach with healing properties and unique spa treatments, read more about this ultimate hidden gem at the end of this blog.
For luxury travelers, Porto Santo has the 5-star Pestana Hotel & spa, while Madeira also offers several private villas, 5-star hotels like Reid’s Palace, Michelin-starred dining, and exclusive activities like private yacht charters.
Unlike overcrowded tourist hubs, Madeira offers exclusivity and tranquility, with boutique hotels and hidden gems that feel personal and authentic.
Its accessibility, with direct flights from the UK and the Netherlands in just 4 hours, makes it even more attractive and easy to reach from Europe.
From our luxurious stay at Saudade Residence, a high-end private pool villa, to the iconic high tea at Belmond Reid’s Palace, here’s how to experience Madeira in style. Plus 30 hidden gems to uncover on your own trip, including Porto Santo, all pinned on a custom map for your convenience further below.
Where to stay? - Luxury holiday home near Ponta do Sol
To stay in a private pool villa on holiday is the ultimate form of luxury to me, especially when it's one like Saudade Residence of Prometheus International, an award-winning real estate developer.
This was our home base during our week on Madeira, near Ponta do Sol, on the island’s sunny south coast.
With my photo partner and friend Martine Hauwert, I tested and experienced this stunning villa packed with high-tech amenities, which is perfect for holidays or shoots!
The villa features:
3 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms and 1 extra toilet
A fully equipped spacious kitchen
And open-air living room with floor-to-ceiling glass offering amazing sea views
It's surrounded by terraces and lounge areas
It has a magnesium infinity pool and plunge/kids pool
A heated jacuzzi with outdoor cinema
Spacious garden with home-grown vegetables and meditation pit
Direct levada walk access and is surrounded by nature with unobstructed views upon Ponta do Sol
It also has a private gym and so much more!
You can now rent it yourself from 2 nights or more and get 10% off when you mention AuthenticChica.
Find more info and pictures on ClubPrometheus and get a taste of this villa, its many terraces, stunning pools and unique settings, in this gallery of my own pictures:
The villa is also for sale at €3,4 million, and you get €50,000 off the asking price when you mention AuthenticChica when speaking to the developer.
Or perhaps you know someone interested in buying? You can earn a €50,000 commission by introducing us to a successful buyer!
Just send an e-mail for all details: contact@authenticchica.com.
This architectural marvel combines a futuristic design with high-tech facilities, surrounded by nature and unobstructed ocean views. This makes it a serene retreat that feels both modern and deeply connected to Madeira’s natural beauty.
The villa’s stylish interiors feature floor-to-ceiling windows, a minimalist decor, and state-of-the-art amenities and facilities, like the magnesium infinity pool and smart home technology.
Each morning, we woke up to panoramic vistas of the Atlantic, with a breakfast of fresh tropical fruits and local pastries enjoyed on our private terrace.
The villa’s location in a quiet neighborhood, just above Ponta do Sol, known for its warm climate and charming coastal vibe, was perfect for exploring nearby attractions like Câmara de Lobos and Fajã dos Padres. The most central place to stay on Madeira in complete privacy and luxury.
Authentic chic high tea at Reid’s Palace
If you prefer a hotel, this classic 5-star accommodation is thé place to stay in luxury and style in Funchal. With its stunning cliffside location and unique pink building filled with history and old-world charm, a visit to this Belmond hotel should not be missed! Even if it’s only for a day.
No Madeira luxury trip is complete without experiencing the iconic afternoon tea at Reid’s Palace. This historic hotel has welcomed many renowned personalities like Winston Churchill since 1891.
Of course, you can stay here overnight too, which would be my pleasure next time I visit the island, but the afternoon tea, served on the panoramic Tea Terrace of the 1891 Bar, is open to non-residents as well. A sophisticated ode to the island's British tradition.
If you also want to stay overnight here, find all info and book your stay on: Reid's Palace-Funchal.
Think: delicate finger sandwiches, warm scones with clotted cream, and homemade pastries paired with a refined selection of loose-leaf teas and champaign.
The setting, surrounded by subtropical gardens with spectacular ocean and Funchal views, is highly Instagrammable and truly unique.
Tip: Book longer in advance, as spots go fast and are often filled weeks before, especially for weekend sittings. Make sure to request a table on the terrace for the best views.
30 Hidden gems on Madeira & Porto Santo
In my last blog I already shared many Instagrammable spots and restaurants on the island, which you can also find pinned on my custom Google map below. And with this blog I added 30 more unique spots that combine Madeira’s natural beauty, and photogenic character perfectly.
Find the map here for your convenience and read on for more tips and info for all 30 hidden gems, accompanied by many of my own pictures:
1. Fajã dos Padres
Accessible only by a thrilling cable car ride, the second steepest of the island (costs €12 p.p. return), Fajã dos Padres is a secluded coastal oasis beneath towering cliffs.
This organic farm and beach offer a tranquil escape with vineyards, tropical fruit groves. And a rustic restaurant serving delicious local dishes, fresh sea food and more with organic ingredients from their own farm.
This is the perfect place to relax, enjoy the pebble stone beach with sun loungers and take a stroll through the extensive gardens and vineyards.
Fun Fact: The area was once a retreat for Jesuit priests in the 16th century, who cultivated its fertile land.
2 - 12. Viewpoints in the north & east for sunrise
Ponta do São Lourenço in the northeast and Pico do Arieiro in the north are stunning sunrise spots, yet sadly also very popular and therefore sometimes overcrowded. Therefore, I’m happy to share some other nice viewpoints in this area instead, which you can still have (almost) completely to yourself!
All of them are easy to reach, without extensive hiking, most have parking spots and offer impressive panoramic ocean and mountain views:
Miradouro da Ponta do Calhau da Furna do Bode
Furna do Porto da Cruz
Miradouro do Cortado – Faial
Miradouro do Véu da Noiva – Seixal
Miradouro do Guindaste
Miradoura Porto da Cruz
Miradouro da Ribeira da Janela – Porto Moniz
Bica da Cana if you want to be above the clouds
Pico do Facho – Machico
Miradouro do Beira da Quinta
Miradouro de São Cristovão
Fun Fact: Madeira as a destination has one of the highest densities in scenic spots and viewpoints, with plenty of them also easy to reach by car.
Tip: bring a drone for even more impressive shots of the cliffs.
13 & 14. Lava pools & waterfalls near Seixal & Porto Moniz
The north coast is a true must visit for its rugged natural beauty. Make sure to visit Seixal for the natural lava pools, amazing views and black sandy beaches.
Here you will also find waterfalls just by the side of the road, like:
Cascata da Ribeira da Pedra Branca and Cascata Água d'Alto
While Porto Moniz is famous for its accessible natural pools and oceanfront viewpoints.
Fun Fact: These lava pools were formed by volcanic activity thousands of years ago.
Tip: Have lunch at Porto Moniz Beerhouse for direct views upon the natural pools and pack water shoes for swimming in the lava pools.
15. Quinta do Furão
Set on a cliff in Santana, this unique 4-star boutique hotel and restaurant are surrounded by vineyards, with views of a secret waterfall cascading into the Atlantic.
The hotel is a true must stay in the north, with its spa, historic building and unique setting in the Unesco-listed Biosphere Reserve of Santana and near the famous Casas Tipicas.
But you can also just have lunch or dinner here. The restaurant serves modern Madeiran cuisine, like tuna and meat skewers with smoked mashed potato.
Tip: Dine here at sunset for magical views from the terrace, and pair your meal with a glass of local wine from their vineyard. See the hidden waterfall from the frontside of the hotel and get the best shots from above with a drone!
If you want to stay overnight here, check their availibility and rates on Quinta do Furao.
16 - 23. Viewpoints in the south & west for sunset
But there are also plenty of nice viewpoints in the south and west, that are quiet and perfect to watch the sunset, which Madeira is renowned for.
All easy to reach by car, most with parking spots and some even with a bar or restaurant:
Praia Formosa – Funchal
Miradouro da Neves – Funchal
Miradouro do Pico – Funchal
Miradouro do Rancho - Camara de Lobos, even has a restaurant and cable car
Miradouro de São Sebastião – Ribeira Brava
Praia and Cais da Ponta do Sol
Miradouro do Precipício – Paul do Mar, also has a bar and parking
Miradouro do Ponta da Ladeira, wide view of the west side and parking
24. Covered market Funchal
There's much to see and do in Funchal as it’s a vibrant city with beautiful pavements and unique spots.
We did a walking and tasting tour through the city with our lovely guide Graça Lopes, who took us to authentic spots like the Fabrica Sto António for traditional cookies and Uau Cacao for the best chocolates. Although my favourite here was the Mercado dos Lavradores.
This covered market is an Art Deco gem bursting with exotic fruits, flowers, and local crafts. The fish market shows Madeira’s famous scabbard fish with impressive teeth and all.
And in the weekends there are stunning fruit stalls here, which are very photogenic, but unfortunately not cheap, I found out:)
Fun Fact: The market’s colorful and traditional tiles and architecture date back to 1940.
Tip: Visit on a Friday or Saturday for the liveliest atmosphere, and the fruit stalls for the most Instagrammable shots.
25. Historic wine tasting Funchal
Blandy’s Wine Lodge in Funchal offers tours and tastings of Madeira’s famous fortified wine, a favorite since the American Declaration of Independence was signed in 1776. You can book tours starting from €15- €54, depending on the type of tour or a private tour of max. 4 persons for €140.
These tours also include a wine tasting of the different grape variations, which is a must. And make sure to also bring a few bottles of your favourites home with you.
Fun Fact: Blandy’s is the second largest and oldest wine producer of Madeira, which has been family-run for 7 generations, with cellars dating back over 200 years.
Tip: Book a Vintage premium tour to sample rare vintage wines and photograph the historic barrels.
26. Reid’s Palace gardens & spa
The subtropical gardens at Reid’s Palace are a lush, 10-acre oasis with exotic plants, unique flowers and wide ocean views. Open to non-guests for guided tours twice a week on Wednesday and Friday at 3.30 pm, this is a photographer’s dream.
Book here: Belmond activities and get a taste already via my own pictures:
Fun Fact: The gardens feature more than 500 plant species, although some say it might be more than 1,000, including rare orchids.
Tip: Visit in spring when flowers are in full bloom and book a spa day, as their spa is hidden amidst the gardens and is perfect for a luxurious treatment.
27 - 29. Quaint towns in the south: Ribeira Brava, Ponta do Sol & Camara de Lobos
These charming south-coast towns have quiet beaches and historic architecture and are still less busy and so picturesque.
We were lucky to see all of them decorated for the festivals of the saints in June, which made them even more beautiful, as you can see here:
Ribeira Brava has a 15th-century church and nice local shops, while Ponta do Sol is ideal for sunset strolls along the promenade.
Camara de Lobos is a cute fishing village, just a 10-minute drive from Funchal. A postcard-perfect gem with colorful boats in the harbor and cliffs framing the scene. Winston Churchill famously painted here, inspired by its charm.
For dinner in Camara de Lobos, head to Vila da Carne or Vila do Peixe, renowned for traditional Madeiran dishes like espetadas (grilled meat skewers) and filetes de peixe espada (scabbard fish with banana).
Fun Fact: Camara de Lobos is the birthplace of poncha, a local drink made with rum, honey or sugar, and lemon or passion fruit.
And Ponta do Sol is one of Madeira’s sunniest spots, with over 2,500 hours of sunshine annually.
Tip: All these towns are perfect for golden-hour photos and sunset dinners by the beach.
30. Madeira’s little sister Porto Santo
A 2,5-hour ferry ride from Madeira, you will find this unique hidden gem and the golden island: Porto Santo. It has a 9 km golden-sand beach in the south, the longest and only natural sandy beach in the archipelago, sunny and protected from the wind.
This makes it a popular holiday destination for all types of travelers, with its vibrant nightlife, 10 hotels and many spa treatments offered.
The north coast is more rugged with 4 small bays and is mostly suitable for hiking with beautiful pure nature and plenty of hiking trails. The island has a total of 20 km of trails and you can walk all around the island in about 6 hours.
Porto Santo is just 11 km long and 6 km wide and has a unique geology, which makes it quite versatile and renowned among geologists too.
While small, there is much to see, with many 360-degree viewpoints, impressive basalt structures, resembling Iceland, a historic house museum and the smallest desert of Europe, all indicated on my custom Google map.
It takes just 40 minutes to drive all around the island, which has only 5,000 inhabitants. lt's most busy in August with many visitors from Madeira and Portugal, who can fly in directly, as Porto Santo has its own airport too.
The island has 1 village, which is very picturesque, with an offering of several 4-star and just one 5-star hotel and 30% of the houses being holiday homes.
The Porto Santo Line ferry departs from Funchal daily (in summer departing from Funchal at 8 am and returning with departures from Porto santo at 7 pm, costs €69.70 return). Find more info and book your ferry tickets in advance.
I would certainly recommend to combine your trip with a private 3-hour jeep safari tour around the island, like we did via: Lazermar. Perfect to explore off-road viewpoints and the island's unique landscapes quickly, as Nuno will show you all the best spots. Get an impression through this gallery:
Fun Fact: The soil is said to have healing properties, which historically made it a famous retreat destination.
Tip: Get ferry tickets early for summer travel and make sure to book first class for more space and convenience, including an à la carte dinner at the onboard restaurant for the 7 pm ferry.
And a visit to Pé na Agua Restaurante & Beach Bar for delicious food and nice beach beds, located on a quieter part of the beach, is also a must in my book!
Practical tips for Madeira & Porto Santo luxury travel
Getting around: Renting a car is very convenient to see more of the island, especially for remote gems like Seixal or Fajã dos Padres. I would however higly recommend an automat to navigate Madeira’s winding and steep roads more comfortably.
Porto Santo trip combination: When visiting this small island avoid August, which is the busiest month. Make sure to stay overnight at the 5-star Pestana Porto Santo Hotel to experience the renowned spa treatments, as well as the stunning sunsets and vibrant nightlife of the island.
Best time to visit: May, July, August and December are busiest, but spring (March-April) or autumn (September–October) have mild weather and fewer crowds. Also the weather in November is still nice, with temperatures around 20 degrees Celcius. And June, when we visited, is perfect in temperature too (between 22-30 degrees Celcius) and unique to experience the annual festivities and firework shows of the Atlantic Festival from 5-28 June! Find even more info about that on Visit Madeira.
Curated experiences: There are also many tours offered on Madeira and Porto Santo, book these through your hotel or villa rental agent for the best and exclusive tours, like a private boat to the Desertas islands.
Dining: For a true luxury experience on Madeira reserve tables at Michelin-starred William Restaurant at Reid’s Palace or Quinta do Furão for elevated Madeiran cuisine.
Madeira’s and Porto Santo's repeated wins as the world’s leading island destination reflect its ability to cater to diverse travelers. Both islands are unique, pure, versatile and combine luxury perfectly with authenticity and style.
Have you visited yet and experienced luxury travel on Madeira and Porto Santo? Find even more inspiration and several other restaurants for your visit in my previous Madeira blogs. And if you've been already do share your favourite hidden gems as an addition in the comments!
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