10 must-see waterfalls in Madeira, Portugal

Waterfalls in Madeira are one of the biggest reasons this island feels so wild and dramatic. Thanks to Madeira’s steep mountains and humid north coast, you can find waterfalls falling over old roads, down cliffs, into lagoons, and even toward the Atlantic Ocean.

And honestly, once you start noticing them, you see waterfalls everywhere. Especially on the north side of Madeira, where the island is wetter, greener, and much more lush than the sunnier south coast.

Some of the best waterfalls in Madeira are easy roadside stops, while others are spectacular waterfalls hidden at the end of levada hikes. In this guide, I’m sharing the most beautiful waterfalls in Madeira, with photos, locations, and tips. Enjoy!

1. Cascata dos Anjos (Angels Waterfall)

Chasing waterfalls was one of my favorite things to do in Madeira, and Cascata dos Anjos was a special one. It is probably the most fun waterfall in Madeira because you don’t just look at it from a viewpoint – you can actually drive (or walk!) through it!

This waterfall falls directly onto the old coastal road near Ponta do Sol. Yep, the water literally pours down in the middle of the road.

You can drive under the waterfall, stop nearby, and walk back to take photos or get completely soaked. And honestly, that is half the fun. Everyone seems to turn into a happy child here, haha.

Waterfall of Angels is especially beautiful around sunset, when the light hits the coast (this is when we visited), but you can visit any time of day. It is also very easy to add to your Madeira itinerary if you are exploring the south coast.

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

2. Véu da Noiva waterfall (Bride’s Veil waterfall)

Véu da Noiva waterfall is one of the most famous waterfalls in Madeira, and it is probably one of the easiest ones to visit!

Its name means “Bridal Veil” in Portuguese, which makes sense once you see it. The waterfall drops in a thin white stream down the dark cliffside, almost like a veil falling over the rock.

What makes this waterfall special is not just the waterfall itself, but the whole setting – you get the dramatic north coast cliffs, the Atlantic Ocean below, the old coastal road carved into the rock, and the waterfall dropping toward the sea. I loved it!

In the past, the old road passed much closer to Véu da Noiva waterfall, but that section is no longer safe to access because of rockfalls and unstable cliffs. So today, the best way to see the waterfall is from the Miradouro do Véu da Noiva viewpoint.

And honestly, I think the viewpoint gives you the best overall view anyway. From there, you can see the waterfall, the coastline, the ocean, and the old road all in one frame.

Another good thing is that this is a no-hike waterfall stop – you can park right next to the viewpoint, walk a few steps, and enjoy the view without needing hiking shoes, snacks, or any “why did I agree to this?” energy. 😅

Location: Miradouro do Véu da Noiva

3. Água d’Alto waterfall

Água d’Alto waterfall is probably one of the easiest waterfalls to visit in Madeira, especially if you are driving along the north coast near São Vicente (which is something everyone should do, because it’s beautiful).

This is a roadside waterfall, with only a short walk from where you stop, so you don’t need to plan any hiking at all – you can stop nearby, walk a few steps, and see the water dropping down the green cliffside.

What makes the Água d’Alto waterfall special is how close you can get to it. Unlike some Madeira waterfalls that you only see from a viewpoint, here you can stand almost right below the falling water.

Just be careful on the road, because the waterfall is right next to a tunnel exit and cars are driving fast, so make sure it is safe to cross the road. Also, the ground can be a bit wet and slippery there.

Location: Água d’Alto waterfall

4. The 25 Fontes waterfall

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

Its name means “25 springs,” and once you arrive, you will 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 area (this is where you park your car). 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.

This levada trail includes downhill and uphill sections, stairs, levada paths, and narrow parts. It is not the hardest hike in Madeira, but it is not just a tiny stroll either.

We actually started the hike in the evening, when most hikers were already heading back, because we knew we could do the route quite quickly.

This way, we had the waterfall all to ourselves, which felt very special. I even dipped my feet into the cold water for a moment and probably scared some fish, haha.

During the day, 25 Fontes gets very busy, so arriving early or later in the day (or late like we did!) is a good idea. 25 Fontes waterfall is easily one of those classic Madeira bucket list stops that belongs on every Madeira itinerary.

You currently need to pay an entry fee for PR6 Levada das 25 Fontes. Before going, check the latest trail status and book through the official page here: PR6 – Levada das 25 Fontes.

Location: 25 Fontes waterfall – Parking lot

5. Risco waterfall

Risco waterfall is a beautiful waterfall you can visit during the same 25 Fontes hike, because both waterfalls are located in the same Rabaçal area.

The path to Risco waterfall starts the same way as the route to 25 Fontes waterfall. But at one point, you will see a small marked detour from the main 25 Fontes trail that takes you to Risco waterfall. It makes sense to visit both on the same hike.

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

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

Location: Cascata do Risco

6. Levada Nova waterfall

Levada Nova waterfall is one of the most beautiful and unique waterfalls in Madeira because the trail actually takes you behind the falling water. It is part of the Levada do Moinho – Levada Nova route, a levada walk near Ponta do Sol.

Most of the route follows the side of a valley, with open views, narrow levada paths, and steep green hillsides. It is a beautiful walk already, but the waterfall is definitely the part that makes this hike stand out.

At one point, the path bends into the rock and leads behind the waterfall through a small carved-out tunnel section. The water falls right in front of you!

After the waterfall, the trail continues through a darker tunnel, so bring a flashlight or a fully charged phone. It is not the scariest tunnel in Madeira, but seeing where your feet are going is always a nice bonus.

The full route is around 10 kilometers, or 6.2 miles. The hike is mostly flat in terms of elevation, but some sections are narrow and very close to the cliffside, so you still need to pay attention.

You can start the walk near the church in Lombada da Ponta do Sol, where many hikers leave their cars.

For me, this is one of the best waterfall hikes in Madeira because it gives you views, levada paths, a tunnel, and a walk-behind waterfall – the perfect combo, in my opinion. That said, those 10 kilometers still gave me sore muscles afterward. 🙃

Location: Levada Nova waterfall – Parking places

7. Caldeirão Verde waterfall

Caldeirão Verde waterfall is one of the most impressive waterfalls in Madeira, but this is definitely one of those waterfalls you have to earn.

The waterfall is located along the PR9 Levada do Caldeirão Verde hike, one of the most famous levada walks on the island. The trail takes you deep into the green mountains of Madeira, with forest paths, steep valley views, narrow sections, and dark tunnels.

The waterfall drops from around 100 meters, or 328 feet, into a small lagoon. After walking for a while through the forest and levada paths, suddenly arriving at this huuuuge waterfall felt pretty special.

The hike to Caldeirão Verde is around 6.5 kilometers, or 4 miles, one way, so you are looking at a long walk there and back. It is not extremely difficult in terms of elevation, but the distance, narrow path, and tunnels make it feel like a proper adventure.

You will need a flashlight or fully charged phone for the tunnels. Some of them are dark, wet, and narrow, so this is not the moment to rely on your phone at 9% battery, haha.

Bring water, snacks, proper shoes, and a light jacket, because parts of the trail can be wet, slippery, and cooler than you expect.

You currently need to pay an entry fee for PR9 Levada do Caldeirão Verde. Before going, check the latest trail status and book through the official page here: PR9 – Levada do Caldeirão Verde.

Location: Levada do Caldeirão Verde

8. Garganta Funda waterfall

Garganta Funda waterfall is a dramatic waterfall on the western side of Madeira, near Ponta do Pargo.

Its name means “deep throat” in Portuguese, which sounds intense, but it makes sense when you see the setting.

The waterfall drops into a deep ravine surrounded by steep cliffs and wild greenery. This is one of the easier waterfalls in Madeira to visit because you don’t need a long hike to see it.

There is a short walking path from the parking area to the viewpoint, so it is more of a quick viewpoint stop than a proper waterfall hike.

However, the experience depends a lot on recent rain. When we visited in the summer, there was not a huge amount of water, so it was not the most powerful waterfall on the island. The waterfall looked quite… sad. 🫠

But I still think it is worth adding to your route if you are already exploring the western part of Madeira. After rainy days (and during the winter/rainy season), I imagine this waterfall looks much more impressive.

Location: Miradouro da Garganta Funda

9. Poço das Pulgas waterfall

Okay, for those of you who enjoy hidden gems and exploring off the beaten path, Poço das Pulgas waterfall is a great option to consider.

Poço das Pulgas waterfall is hidden inside a green river gorge with mossy rocks, hanging plants, and a small natural pool at the bottom. It is on the smaller side, but it certainly is beautiful.

What you actually don’t see in the picture is that the waterfall has two parts. The first part with the highest fall actually fills a small lagoon, where you can dip in for a swim, if you want.

To reach Poço das Pulgas waterfall, you need to follow a hiking trail from Boaventura, which is where we parked our car. The trail follows a muddy, slightly slippery, and sometimes overgrown forest path, so good shoes are a must.

The hike is not long. From our car to the waterfall and back, it was only 2.8 kilometers, or 1.7 miles, round trip, and we did the hiking part in about 1 hour.

But there was also around 300 meters, or 984 feet, of elevation gain, which was definitely the demanding part.

There was also one section with a makeshift ladder and a rope, where we had to pull ourselves up a little. Nothing too crazy, but definitely enough to make the trail feel more adventurous.

What I loved most about this place was how quiet and wild it felt. We only saw a couple of other hikers around, and they seemed to be hiking a different route – probably the longer route Jackson from Journey Era wrote about.

If you are up for a longer hike, that route includes a couple more waterfalls, including Rabo do Burro waterfall and others nearby.

If you like lesser-known places and don’t mind a slightly more adventurous trail, Poço das Pulgas is a beautiful waterfall to add to your Madeira list.

Location: Poço das Pulgas waterfall – Parking places

10. Cascata do Paúl do Mar

Cascata do Paul do Mar is one of the more unusual waterfalls in Madeira because the setting feels completely different from the lush levada waterfalls.

This waterfall is located along the PR19 Caminho Real do Paul do Mar, the old path that connects Paul do Mar with Prazeres.

Instead of deep green forest, you get dry cliffs, rocky mountain walls, ocean views, and a steeeeeeep historic trail climbing above the coast.

Honestly, it felt like climbing a vertical cliff. 😅 But the hike was short, intense, and very rewarding.

The name Caminho Real means “Royal Path,” but don’t imagine anything fancy and royal here, haha. This was a hard old access path locals used before modern roads.

So yes, when your legs start burning on the climb, you can think about the people who used to do this for real life, not just for a scenic hike.

We started from the fishing port of Paul do Mar, right by the fishing boats, and climbed up where the gorge begins.

One moment you are standing near the ocean, and the next you are following the old stone path up the cliffs with the village getting smaller below you.

From what I understand, Cascata do Paul do Mar is the waterfall falling right next to the shore by the fishing boats. But when we visited, that waterfall was completely dry (see photo above).

The surprise was higher up inside the gorge. As we climbed above the houses, we saw where the water comes from – a much bigger and higher fall dropping between the steep rocks (see the first photo). It was so scenic!

If you only come to see the oceanside waterfall, this can be an easy stop by the fishing port. But if you want to see the bigger waterfall inside the gorge, you need to do a short climb above the houses.

And if you want to hike the full route from Paul do Mar to Prazeres and back down, expect stairs, narrow paths, and a serious uphill workout. I added our route below.

Since this is an official walking route, it is also worth checking the trail status before going, especially after bad weather.

Our full round trip was only 3.5 kilometers, or 2.2 miles, and took us about 1 hour, but the ascent was around 500 meters, or 1,640 feet.

Yep, you heard that right. I don’t know how we did that either – I just know my legs felt it. 😅

For me, this place was less about standing in front of a huge cascade and more about the whole hiking experience – the cliffs, the old path, the ocean views, and that wild west coast scenery.

If you are already exploring Paul do Mar or the southwest coast of Madeira, this is a great waterfall hike to add to your route.

It feels quieter and more rugged than the famous levada walks, and that is exactly what makes it memorable. We only met a couple of people during the whole hike!

Location: Cascata do Paúl do Mar

FAQs about waterfalls in Madeira

Read more about traveling in Madeira

Madeira is definitely a paradise for waterfall lovers. When you drive around the north coast, just look toward the mountains and you will probably spot water streams falling down the green cliffs somewhere in the distance.

Some waterfalls on the island of Madeira are quick roadside stops, while others are hidden at the end of long levada hikes, so it is worth planning your days carefully.

If you are planning a trip to Madeira, I also recommend checking out my other Madeira travel guides for more Madeira travel inspiration:

• 20 best things to do in Madeira, Portugal
• 15 iconic Instagram spots in Madeira, Portugal
• 5 epic must-do hiking trails in Madeira, Portugal
• 9 most beautiful viewpoints in Madeira, Portugal

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