17 iconic Instagram spots in Madeira, Portugal

Madeira is almost unfairly photogenic, so finding Instagram spots in Madeira is not exactly difficult. The harder part is trying not to stop every 10 minutes for “just one more photo.”

Madeira gives you misty forests, dramatic cliffs, waterfalls, volcanic pools, mountain peaks, colorful houses, and coastal roads that look way too good in real life.

In this guide, I’m sharing my favorite Madeira Instagram spots and photo locations, including famous viewpoints, waterfalls, hikes, coastal stops, and a few places that simply look incredible in photos. Enjoy!

1. Fanal Forest

Fanal Forest is part of Madeira’s Laurissilva Forest, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and it honestly feels like stepping into some strange, moody fairytale – the twisted, ancient trees, the moss, the grass, the fog – everything looks a bit unreal.

Fog is what makes Fanal Forest special, and it turns it into one of the most unique Instagram spots in Madeira. On a sunny day, Fanal Forest is beautiful. But when the fog arrives? That is when this ancient forest looks magical.

Sunny day or fog, visiting this magical forest must be on every Madeira bucket list!

We waited for a foggy day to visit this forest. It really was one of those places where you keep taking the same photo from 10 slightly different angles because every tree looks like it deserves its own dramatic portrait. 🤩

There is parking next to Fanal Forest. When we visited, we could freely wander around the forest, but from what I understand, they are building a designated path, and visitors may only be allowed to walk along that path in the future.

But it still should be absolutely magical. Just note that the weather can change quickly in this area. Bring a jacket, good shoes, and maybe a little patience, because fog in Madeira likes to arrive and disappear whenever it wants.

Location: Fanal Forest

2. Miradouro do Pico do Areeiro

Miradouro do Pico do Areeiro is one of the most famous Instagram spots in Madeira, especially if you want those dreamy mountain photos above the clouds.

This iconic Madeira viewpoint sits at 1,818 meters, or 5,965 feet, and you can drive almost all the way to the top. So yes, this is one of those rare Madeira places where you get huge mountain views without doing a huge hike.

A small miracle, honestly. 😂

We visited Pico do Areeiro twice for sunset, and both times were absolutely magical. The best part is when the clouds sit below the summit and the mountain peaks rise above them, making the whole place look like it is floating.

Just remember that the weather here can be completely different from the coast, so always check the Pico do Areeiro webcam before driving up.

There is paid parking near the viewpoint, but it gets busy around sunrise and sunset. Also, bring a jacket, because Pico do Areeiro can be cold and windy even when the coast feels warm.

Location: Miradouro do Pico do Areeiro

3. Stairway to Heaven

Okay, while you are there at Pico do Areeiro, have you heard about the Stairway to Heaven? The one in Madeira?

Yep, that narrow stone stairway you’ve seen on the internet stretching along a mountain ridge with dramatic peaks and deep valleys to both sides (and sometimes even clouds) is just 600 meters from the Miradouro do Pico do Areeiro viewpoint.

The Stairway to Heaven is one of the most famous photo spots in Madeira, and it is part of the PR1 Pico do Areeiro to Pico Ruivo hike.

The full Pico do Areeiro to Pico Ruivo hike is very popular, but it is also demanding, with stairs, tunnels, exposed sections, and lots of up and down.

If you only want the photos, you don’t need to do the full hike, because the Stairway to Heaven is right at the beginning of the trail near Pico do Areeiro. Just follow the stone path from the viewpoint, and you will reach this famous section pretty quickly.

Location: Stairway to Heaven

4. Miradouro Ponta do Furado

Another dramatic photo spot, but with completely different scenery, is Miradouro Ponta do Furado.

This viewpoint sits at the end of the Ponta de São Lourenço peninsula, where Madeira suddenly swaps its green mountains and forests for dry volcanic cliffs, rocky hills, and ocean views on both sides.

To reach the viewpoint, you need to hike the PR8 Vereda da Ponta de São Lourenço trail. The full route is around 6 kilometers, or 3.7 miles, round trip, but the views start long before the end.

For photos, this place is amazing because you get so many different angles – narrow trails, colorful cliffs, blue ocean, rugged coastline, and that “end of the island” feeling. The whole trail is photogenic, not only the final viewpoint.

The hike is not the hardest in Madeira, but there is barely any shade. This part of the island can be windy, sunny, and dry, so bring water, sunscreen, snacks, and a hat.

There is a large car park at the start of the trail, but this is one of the most popular hikes in Madeira, so arriving early is a good idea. You currently need to pay an entry fee for PR8 Ponta de São Lourenço, so do that before you go.

Location: Miradouro Ponta do Furado

5. Cascata dos Anjos

Cascata dos Anjos is probably the most fun Instagram spot in Madeira because this is not just a waterfall you look at – you can actually drive or walk through it.

The Cascata dos Anjos, or Waterfall of the Angels, falls directly onto the old coastal road near Ponta do Sol, so the water literally pours down in the middle of the road like a free car wash, Madeira edition. 😆

Everyone seems to turn into a happy child here, haha.

For photos, sunset is a great time to visit, because the light hits the coast beautifully. That is when we visited, and those sunset gradients made the whole place feel extra special – one of my favorite memories from our trip!

Just be careful when walking around because the road can get slippery and cars may pass through. Also, don’t stand in the middle of the road for too long for photos – the waterfall is fun, but not worth annoying every driver in Madeira.

Location: Cascata dos Anjos

6. Traditional Madeiran houses in Santana

The traditional Madeiran houses in Santana town are one of the most recognizable photo spots in Madeira. These little triangular houses look almost too cute to be real, with their steep thatched roofs, white walls, red doors, and colorful details.

They honestly look like they were built for a fairytale film set. But they are actually inspired by traditional Madeiran houses that locals used to live in years ago, especially in rural parts of the island.

The easiest place to see them is in Santana town center, where several houses are grouped together and you can visit for free. This makes it a very easy stop if you are road-tripping around the north or east side of Madeira.

I loved these colorful houses – after all the cliffs, waterfalls, and moody forests, they were a nice surprise. This is a popular spot, and it does get busy during the day, especially when the tour buses arrive.

Location: Traditional houses in Santana

7. Ilhéus da Ribeira da Janela

Ribeira da Janela is a small town on the north coast of Madeira. It is known for its dramatic coastline views and the Ilhéus da Ribeira da Janela, the unique volcanic rock formations rising out of the Atlantic Ocean.

It is one of the most dramatic coastal photo spots in Madeira.

The rocks look sharp, dark, and a little mysterious – exactly the kind of scenery that makes Madeira feel so wild. The beach itself is covered in large rounded rocks, so it is not really a soft beach day kind of place. But for photos? It is perfect.

There is also a small tunnel-like opening near the parking area that frames the ocean rocks beautifully. If you want an easy photo idea, that is probably the classic shot here. But photos from the beach also work great.

We visited Ribeira da Janela on a very windy day (very normal on the north coast of Madeira). You can park your car right by the beach. The weather made it feel even more dramatic, but we definitely didn’t hang around for a peaceful picnic, haha.

Location: Ilhéus da Ribeira da Janela

8. Miradouro do Véu da Noiva

Miradouro do Véu da Noiva is one of the most famous viewpoints and one of the best photo spots on the north coast of Madeira because you get the Véu da Noiva waterfall, the cliffs, the old coastal road, and the ocean all in one view.

The name Véu da Noiva means “Bride’s Veil” in Portuguese, and once you see the waterfall (one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Madeira, by the way), the name makes sense – the water drops in a thin white stream down the dark cliffside, almost like a veil falling over the rock.

The old road below the waterfall is no longer safe to access because of rockfalls and unstable cliffs, so the viewpoint is the best and safest place to take photos. This is also a very easy stop – you can park right next to the viewpoint and enjoy the view!

Location: Miradouro do Véu da Noiva

9. Miradouro dos Balcões

Miradouro dos Balcões viewpoint is located near Ribeiro Frio, a small mountain area surrounded by lush forests, levadas, and that fresh, slightly damp Madeira air.

To reach the viewpoint, follow the PR11 Vereda dos Balcões trail. The walk is around 1.5 kilometers, or 0.9 miles, one way, and the path is mostly flat, shaded, and easy to follow. It is one of the best places to visit if you want huge mountain views without doing a huge hike.

Miradouro dos Balcões is a natural “balcony” overlooking deep green valleys and Madeira’s central mountains. On a clear day, you can see Pico Ruivo, the highest mountain in Madeira, rising to 1,862 meters, or 6,109 feet.

And yes, this is also the famous place where you can feed the little birds. They are pretty brave, but you still need patience if you want one to land on your hand.

Parking is along the road in Ribeiro Frio, close to the start of the trail. It can get busy when tour groups arrive, so arriving earlier is better. We arrived here at around 8:30 AM. 🙃 Yep, I know.

Location: Miradouro dos Balcões

10. Levada Nova waterfall

Levada Nova waterfall is one of my favorite waterfalls in Madeira and also one of my favorite photo spots. I’ve seen quite a few waterfalls in my life, but not like this one – the trail actually takes you behind the falling water!

The waterfall is part of the Levada do Moinho – Levada Nova hiking route near Ponta do Sol. Most of the walk follows the side of a valley with levada paths, green hillsides, and open views. But then comes a part that is carved into rock in a canyon.

At one point, the path bends into the canyon and passes behind the waterfall through a small carved-out tunnel section. The water falls right in front of you, and it feels like one of those places that should be more famous than it is.

After the waterfall, the trail continues through a darker tunnel, so bring a flashlight or a fully charged phone. Seeing where your feet are going is always helpful, especially in Madeira tunnels.

The full route is around 10 kilometers, or 6.2 miles, and you can start next to the church in Lombada da Ponta do Sol. For me, this was one of the best waterfall hikes in Madeira because it gives you views, levada paths, a tunnel, and a walk-behind waterfall.

A pretty perfect combo, in my opinion.

Location: Levada Nova waterfall – Parking places

11. Miradouro da Eira do Serrado

Miradouro da Eira do Serrado is one of the most unique and photogenic places in Madeira. This stunning viewpoint overlooks Curral das Freiras, also known as the Valley of the Nuns, a small village surrounded by steep mountains in the middle of Madeira.

From above, the village looks tiny, almost like someone dropped it into the bottom of a giant mountain bowl. The story behind Curral das Freiras makes the view even more interesting.

The name means “Valley of the Nuns,” because nuns from the Santa Clara Convent in Funchal once used this hidden valley as a refuge when pirates attacked the city in 1566.

And when you stand at Eira do Serrado and look down at the village, the story makes total sense. The valley is surrounded by steep mountains and hidden far away from the sea. Honestly, if I had to hide from pirates, I’d probably choose this dramatic little bowl too. 😃

You can drive almost all the way to the viewpoint, and there is a parking area next to the hotel, café, and souvenir shop. From there, it is only a short uphill walk to the main viewpoint.

Location: Miradouro da Eira do Serrado

12. The 25 Fontes waterfall

25 Fontes waterfall is among the most famous waterfalls in Madeira, and it is also one of the most popular photo spots on the island.

Its name means “25 springs,” and when you arrive, you can see why – several streams of water flow down the rock wall into a small lagoon below. Yes, I did try to count them, and yes, there really are a lot of little water streams there.

To reach 25 Fontes, you need to hike from the Rabaçal parking area. The official PR6 Levada das 25 Fontes route is around 4.3 kilometers, or 2.7 miles, one way, so around 8.6 kilometers, or 5.3 miles, round trip.

For photos, the waterfall itself is beautiful, but it gets very busy during the day. If you want a quieter experience, arrive early or later in the day.

We actually started the hike in the evening, when most hikers were already heading back, and we had the waterfall all to ourselves. That felt very special.

You currently need to pay an entry fee for PR6 – Levada das 25 Fontes.

Location: 25 Fontes

13. Risco waterfall

If you really decide to hike the 25 Fontes hike, you need to visit Risco waterfall, too.

This amazing waterfall is located on the same hike – you just need to do a short detour from the main 25 Fontes route to the waterfall and then hike back and continue the main route to 25 Fontes.

Risco waterfall is super picturesque and completely different from 25 Fontes. Instead of many small streams falling into a lagoon, Risco drops in one tall ribbon of water from around 100 meters, or 328 feet.

You can’t even see the full bottom of the waterfall because the lower part disappears behind trees and rocks. Also, you can’t see exactly what is happening at the top because the cliff rises high above your head.

That is what makes it feel so impressive. It is tall, dramatic, and very different from 25 Fontes, even though both waterfalls are part of the same hiking area.

Location: Risco Waterfall

14. Miradouro do Guindaste

If you are getting tired of all the hiking to the beautiful photo spots in Madeira, then the Guindaste viewpoint is what you need. It is one of the most beautiful viewpoints on the north coast of Madeira, and it is also one of the easiest ones to visit.

You can drive almost all the way there, park close to the coast, and suddenly you are looking out over some of Madeira’s most dramatic cliff scenery. Very little effort, very big reward – always a win. 

On a clear day, you can see along the rugged north coast of Madeira, with steep cliffs, green slopes, and the Atlantic Ocean stretching out in front of you. The views here feel wild and open, especially when the waves are crashing below.

There are also glass platforms at the Guindaste viewpoint. You can walk out, look down toward the ocean, and pretend you are much braver than you actually feel. I loved this viewpoint!

Location: Guindaste viewpoint

15. Porto Moniz

To me, Porto Moniz is easily one of the most picturesque places in Madeira, especially if you want something different from mountains and waterfalls.

This small coastal town on the northwest corner of Madeira is known for its volcanic rock pools, scenic coastal views, and rock formations in the water near the coast. This is definitely a must-visit place in Madeira.

For photos, the best place here is the Porto Moniz volcanic pools, which were naturally formed by lava rock and filled with seawater. There are two main volcanic pool areas – the more natural pools right by the ocean and a larger, more organized swimming complex.

But honestly, Porto Moniz is not just about the pools. You can also stroll along the seafront promenade, watch the waves crashing into the rocks, and find little viewpoints along the coast.

There are also some cool rock formations near the shoreline – the large one with a lighthouse on top is called Ilhéu Mole (see it in the photos!), and it’s one of the most recognizable coastal features in Porto Moniz.

The weather makes a big difference here. On a sunny day, the water looks bright blue and almost tropical. On a windy or stormy day, the waves hitting the black rocks make the whole place feel much more dramatic.

Porto Moniz is also a great stop for lunch if you are exploring this side of Madeira. There are a couple of wonderful restaurants with a view.

Location: Porto Moniz

16. Hilltop chapel in São Vicente

Capelinha de Nossa Senhora de Fátima is one of the most beautiful photo spots in São Vicente. We actually stayed in São Vicente during our first trip to Madeira, and I looked at this charming hilltop chapel every day.

Capelinha de Nossa Senhora de Fátima sits on a hill above São Vicente, with a long staircase leading up to it. From below, the whole scene looks so photogenic – the chapel, the steps, the green valley, and the mountains around it.

But you can also walk up to the chapel for views over São Vicente and the surrounding valley. There are some parking spots at the bottom of the hill, so this is an easy stop if you are already exploring the north coast, Seixal, Porto Moniz, or the São Vicente valley.

Location: Capelinha de Nossa Senhora de Fátima

17. Levada do Caldeirão Verde

Caldeirão Verde is one of the most impressive, challenging, and photogenic hikes in Madeira because it gives you forest paths, levadas, tunnels, cliffs, and multiple waterfalls along the way.

And I would say it definitely deserves the hype.

This trail takes you deep into the green mountains of Madeira, following a levada path through forests, steep valley views, narrow sections, and dark tunnels. And if you continue all the way to Caldeirão do Inferno, you will cross 24 tunnels in total.

The most popular photo spot on the trail is the Caldeirão Verde waterfall. It drops from around 100 meters, or 328 feet, into a small lagoon and sits about 6.5 kilometers, or 4 miles, from the start of the trail.

Most hikers walk to Caldeirão Verde waterfall and then return the same way. And honestly, that is already a great hike.

But if you want a bigger adventure, you can continue further to Caldeirão do Inferno. This extra section is more demanding, with more tunnels, stairs, waterfalls, uphill and downhill parts, and some incredible views into the valley.

The final waterfall at Caldeirão do Inferno is much smaller and, for me, not nearly as impressive as the hike itself. But that is not what’s important here – this hike is more about the full experience than just the final stop.

The full walk to Caldeirão Verde and Caldeirão do Inferno is quite demanding and can take most of the day, so bring water, snacks, proper shoes, and a jacket. Parts of the trail can be wet and slippery, especially around the tunnels and waterfall sections.

You also need to pay an entry fee for PR9 Levada do Caldeirão Verde, as Madeira introduced a new fee and reservation system for official walking trails in 2026. You can check the trail status and pay through the official page here: PR9 – Levada do Caldeirão Verde.

Location: Levada do Caldeirão Verde

FAQs about Instagram spots in Madeira

Read more about traveling in Madeira

Madeira is one of those places where your camera roll fills up embarrassingly fast. Between the foggy forests, waterfalls, volcanic pools, mountain views, coastal cliffs, and tiny villages, there is always another photo spot around the corner.

For me, the best Instagram spots in Madeira are not just the famous ones. Yes, places like Fanal Forest, Pico do Areeiro, Cascata dos Anjos, and Ponta de São Lourenço are absolutely worth the hype, but some of the smaller stops also surprised me.

If you are planning your trip, I’d recommend mixing easy roadside photo spots with at least one or two hikes. That way, you get the classic Madeira views, the fun quick stops, and a bit of that muddy-shoes Madeira adventure too.

For more Madeira travel inspiration, check out my other Madeira guides:

• 20 best things to do in Madeira, Portugal
• 10 must-see waterfalls in Madeira, Portugal
• 17 best viewpoints in Madeira, Portugal
• 5 impressive must-do hiking trails in Madeira, Portugal

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