The Final Madeira Panorama Photography Information

Last summer time I went on an epic 7 day panorama pictures journey in Madeira! This information covers fundamentals like the place to remain, hike, {photograph} and extra!

How to Get to Madeira

Madeira is a surprising island off the coast of Portugal that has lately come extra widespread for journey due to social media. It may be difficult to get to because of the small airport and heavy winds on the island. I flew by way of Newark which is the one place in Madeira that flys direct as of now. Many locations in Eurpoe additionally fly to Madeira. Since the runway is so small and the winds may be sturdy many flights are cancelled or diverted to Madeira so preserve that in thoughts when planning journey.

Where to Stay In Madeira And How to Get Around Madeira

I stayed at an Airbnb whereas in Maderia. The condominium I stayed at may be booked here and I might reccomend this place due to its inexpensive price, AC, and proximity to strolling round Funchal. I additionally rented a automobile whereas in Maderia in order that I had the flexibleness to go the place I needed and when which is essential for timing and panorama pictures. I might extremely counsel utilizing a neighborhood firm to lease somewhat than a giant chain as you’ll save some huge cash doing that. I booked with Madpoint and had a optimistic expertise. I might additionally counsel getting the premiem automobile insurance coverage as I bought a number of scrapes on my automobile because of the slender parking areas on the Airbnb. Also plenty of opinions on-line say you want a particular sort of automobile to navigate up the steep hills and I used to be simply wonderful going with the most cost effective automated choice out there.

Day 1 – Arrival in Funchal, My Best Meal and Sunset at Ponta da Ladeira

My first day I arrived round 11am and spent the morning and afternoon settling into the Airbnb and exploring just a little of Funchal. I’ll say the stroll from Funchal again up the hill to the Airbnb was a battle and may be very steep however just a little further train by no means damage! Something else I discovered rapidly in Madeira is that at most eating places the service may be very gradual and its simply the lifestyle on the market so in case you are in a rush to be someplace you’ll simply must flag somebody down to maneuver issues alongside.

Next I headed West on the island and was amazed by the views simply driving for a brief 20 minutes. I went to Razão for dinner my first night time and would extremely reccomend! It was an unbelievable 5 course meal that’s distinctive day by day based mostly on what the chef has out there and was beneath $100 USD which is a superb deal for the standard, additionally the view overlooking the ocean was spectacular!

Next I headed to Ponta Da Ladeira for sundown. The car parking zone was very small (solely 3 automobiles or so match) however there was loads of parking alongside the street. This location concerned no climbing however was on a steep cliff so watch out! Photography right here is fairly easy, I’d counsel utilizing a large lens to seize a part of the island cliffs and the ocean. Sunset is definately the very best time to {photograph} this location as a result of it’s West dealing with with the solar setting within the distance.

Day 2 – Ponta do Rosto, Fanal Forest, and Pico do Arieiro

I began day 2 like most day, very early earlier than dawn. The good factor about Madeira is that all the pieces is a couple of 30-40 minute drive on the most from Funchal so it’s a good heart level to be at. I headed to the São Lourenço space which has an extended path and a lof of various view factors. This is without doubt one of the most well-known and well-known areas in Madeira for pictures and is East dealing with so finest for dawn pictures. This morning it was overcast and I didn’t come away with any pictures I beloved however I did scout the world just a little bit for afterward within the journey.

Next I made the drive to the additionally well-known Fanal Forest and bought extremely fortunate with some fog! Most individuals say to get right here within the morning to expertise the fog however it was round 3pm and there was a ton of fog and moisture within the air. Something key to find out about Madeira is that it may be sunny with no cloud in Funchal after which the Fanal Forest may be coated in fog only a 30 minute drive away. I additionally suppose that my go to within the fog and it being later within the day led to there being much less individuals or possibly I simply couldn’t see them past the fog! Anyways this was one among my favourite locations and moments of the entire journey, there’s a lot space to discover right here and superb spooky photographs to seize of the distinctive timber. The Fanal Forest does enable for lots of creativity and a few summary images, you possibly can deliver actually any lens you need however I might in all probability counsel a zoom lens that has the flexibility to go as much as a minimum of 100mm to get some summary photographs.

I didn’t suppose issues may get a lot better after my time on the Fanal Forest however boy was I incorrect. I drove up the treacherous steep street to Pico Do Ariero for sundown and climbed above the fog! It was superb to witness this view I’ve seen on-line in individual and naturally the pictures I noticed couldn’t examine. I actually felt as if I used to be in Heaven above the clouds! Again a large angle lens right here helps seize the magnitude of the second however a zoom lens may seize some actually highly effective photographs of the fog rolling over the mountains. When I went in summer time of 2025 the PR1 path was closed however the 1mi or so hike to the closure was nonetheless beautiful and value it. Something to remember is that the hike out is fairly straightforward however on the best way again there’s plenty of uphill elevation and it’s a little difficult. Also a ton of individuals go to this location, sundown is far much less croweded than dawn although and simply as beautiful. I got here right here for dawn one morning and truly left as a result of it was such a multitude however sundown wasn’t too dangerous.

Day 3 – Scuba Diving in Madeira and Sunset Hike at São Lourenço

This was the one day I slept in! I went all the way down to Funchal round 11am to Azul Scuba for a refresher course in prepartation of a future Scuba journey. They had been nice at protecting all the details I wanted and taking me on a cool shore dive as properly! There is a few fairly good diving across the island and I might reccomend Azul in case you are seeking to dive in Madeira.

After this I went again to the Airbnb and bought prepared for a sundown hike at São Lourenço. The viewpoint faces East and is nice for dawn however I had the thought to hike out on the strip of land which is reffered to because the PR8 hike for sundown and face again West. The hike was tremendous fairly and after the primary mile or so not crowded in any respect. This was one of many few views on the island I needed to myself to {photograph} for sundown. It was a bit overcast and I didn’t have time to return afterward this journey however woudl definatley reccomend climbing a number of miles out and dealing with again in direction of the isalnd to get some tremendous distinctive and superior panorama images of Madeira.

Day 4 – Sunrise at São Lourenço, PR9 Waterfall Hike, Miradouro do Guindaste, And Miradouro dos Balcões

This was in all probability my busiest day in Madeira though most days had been fairly go go go. I began at São Lourenço and hiked as much as probably the most photographic viewpoints on the island for some beautiful dawn photographs. These had been a few of my favourite footage I bought on the entire journey! I might suggest getting right here early to go away time for the steep hike and I might additionally deliver a large angle lens. Even although I’ve seen numerous images from this place on-line there wasn’t anybody else on the high with me, I feel the truth that you do must hike a bit might deter numerous individuals and non-photographers from getting up early and climbing to this spot. Also there isn’t a brilliant properly outlined path to get to this viewpoint so it’s important to preserve a very good eye out.

I then drove to the PR9 path which is without doubt one of the most well-known waterfalls on the island. The path parking was already just a little crowded early within the morning however once I bought completed with the hike it was an absolute mess so I might extremely counsel coming early or late within the day. Alltrails claimed that this hike had a ton of elevation achieve however there was actually none in any respect it was only a lengthy tedious hike however the forest and views of the mountains round had been nice all alongside. I might extremely counsel bringing climbing boots on the path as tons of individuals I noticed had been tip toeing across the numberous puddles and I simply wouldn’t have the ability to do this for 10+ miles. Also word that components of the path are tremendous slender and it’s important to cease and lean to the aspect to let site visitors come by way of a technique which is another excuse why I might get there early or the hike will possible take twice so long as it ought to! Regardless of the lengthy stroll I might definatley take a look at this waterfall because it is without doubt one of the greatest I’ve ever seen! It was actually a spectacular sight to achieve the tip and be rewarded with such a terrific view. Definatley deliver a large angle lens to {photograph} this location.

After the lengthy hike I had in all probability my second favourite meal at Bolo do Caco Grill & Pizza. The menu was easy, pizza and burgers, however completed the Madeira means! The meals right here was contemporary and actually superb, I’d take one among these burgers over any burger in America any day! Plus the view overlooking the ocean is unbelievable and the service is tremendous pleasant.

Next I finished by a preferred viewpoint I had seen loads on-line, Miradouro do Guindaste or the Crane Viewpoint. This is a view I might say is skippable. It was very croweded and the half to stroll out onto was closed and appears like as of early 2026 continues to be closed.

To cap off the day I drove to Miradouro dos Balcões for sundown. While driving there the fog began to change into thick throughout and I puzzled if I might hike the mile or so to the point of view and simply see nothing however fog… That did certainly wind up being the case! However, for only a few minutes the fog did decrease and I used to be in a position to get some actually cool and distinctive photographs that I haven’t seen wherever else! My drove having the ability to fly above the fog made for some superior movies and photographs as properly. Another wonderful thing about chancing this view within the fog was that I had all of it to myself and I’m unsure if that may have been the case on a nicer day as many views on the island had been touristy and croweded.

Day 5 – Sunrise at Bica da Cana, PR 6.2 Hike, More Suba Diving, and Sunset at Pico do Arieiro

This was simply my favourite dawn of the journey! Bica Da Cana was a lot much less crowded in comparison with another widespread dawn viewpoints as properly which made it extra pleasing. To be sincere there isn’t fairly something like having fun with the dawn above the clouds and seeing them roll over the mountains. The hike to this location is fairly straightforward as properly. Overall I might counsel a telephoto lens right here to seize some nice pictures of the clouds rolling round, additionally it’s a good spot to fly a drone as properly!

From Bica Da Cana I made a really quick drive to the PR6 trailhead. When I arrived simply after dawn there have been a number of different automobiles there. I can’t emphasize sufficient if you wish to do any of the PR6 hikes to get right here early! The car parking zone was completely full and the street was a multitude with automobiles parked in all places miles up the street once I bought again to my automobile. PR 6.1 is the extra well-known and well-known waterfall so I selected to hike PR 6.2 to keep away from the crowds a bit. Something as properly to notice is that Alltrails is incorrect when it comes to elevation and distance as a result of the hike had an enormous portion of straight elevation, however aside from that’s was fairly flat. I did get to benefit from the waterfall all to myself for a stable quarter-hour and bought some superior images and movies! I might counsel brining a large angle lens right here and a drone!

I spent the early afternoon again with Azul diving doing a dive on the Garajau Partial Nature Reserve which is the place the European underwater dive contest had been held. I got here nose to nose with an enormous grouper in a underwater cave that scared the crap out of me! It was a brilliant cool expertise although and once more for diving and underwater video or pictures I might reccomend it!

I capped off the night time heading to Pico Do Arieiro which I had already been to however I used to be inspired to discover the world just a little extra and discover some new views to {photograph}. I noticed just a little path off to the left of the primary viewpoint and path so I made a decision to take that out a bit. The stroll I took alongside this path wasn’t far and it led me off to the aspect the place no one else was. I bought to witness some superb views all to myself! I additionally bought to fly the drone with out disturbing a ton of individuals, which I’ve all the time tried to not do! All round Madeira and even at a number of the widespread locations you may get views all to your self when you time issues proper or simply search round a bit and don’t simply head straight to the crowds!

Day 6 – Exploring Funchal, Fanal Forest, and Sunset at Pico Ruvio

I slept in just a little extra this morning after which headed down into Funchal to stroll round and discover the city a bit. I might extremely suggest setting apart half a day to do that because the structure, historical past, and retailers are actually cool to see! They additionally had their huge farmers market happening within the metropolis heart though I’ll say the costs there are very touristy and a rip off! Most of Funchal and the eating places are fairly touristy, there’s some cool native locations round although if you recognize the place to look!

I spent the beginning of the afternoon heading again to the Fanal Forest to discover extra and get some totally different images. It was a transparent day this time on the Fanal Forest and it was loads busier than once I had beforehand visited within the fog! The great amount of individuals and no fog to cover them made it loads more durable to {photograph} the timber with out individuals getting within the body so I might definately reccomend coming early or late within the day to get some extra seperation to your self.

Next I drove to Pico Ruvio which is without doubt one of the extra well-known locations on the island. I used to be excited to go to this location as I hadn’t seen it but even after spending virtually every week in Madeira, you definately want a minimum of every week to see a very good portion of the island and nonetheless I didn’t see all the pieces. Pico Ruvio was rather less crowded than Pico Do Arieiro and I feel it’s as a result of there’s a little little bit of a hike to the highest. The hike wasn’t too difficult although and solely had one quick half with a sleep climb. I used to be in a position to get some actually cool images with my telephoto lens from the highest and would reccomend brining that. I feel there are extra distinctive mountains and shapes across the clouds from this viewpoint than Pico Do Arieiro.

Day 7 – Pico do Arieiro Sunrise Disaster, Sunset at Hidden Gems Eira Do Serrado and Miradouros do Paredão

This was my remaining day in Madeira and it definately didn’t dissapoint! I starter the morning headin to Pico Do Arieiro for dawn and once I bought there I knew immediately that it was a multitude. I arrived a very good 45 minutes previous to dawn and the higher lot was already full and the decrease lot was beginning to get packed. The strains for the ticketing machines had been additionally tremendous lengthy and a minimum of a 15 minute wait. I made a decision it wasn’t value all the difficulty and drove a number of miles again down the street. I’m unsure of the identify of the world I finished at however there was some parking and picnic tables. Fog coated all the pieces so I made a decision to ship the drone up for some photographs and movies. The views I had been in a position to get of the clouds rolling over the mountains and hills had been tremendous distinctive and funky, and once more I had the view all to myself!

I spent the center of the day exploring Funchal just a little extra and getting some good meals! I’ll say the meals in Maderia was spectacular and one thing I miss. I headed out to a random viewpoint I discovered on Google Maps for sundown. It wasn’t one I noticed on all the web searches I had completed earlier than my journey however the views seemed fairly good from what I may inform so I made a decision to go off the overwhelmed path a bit… and I can say it was properly value it! The Eira Do Serrado and Miradouros do Paredão viewpoints are each inside 5 minutes of one another so I used to be in a position to get some good night pictures gentle at each. Both viewpoints had beautiful mountains throughout and a extremely cool village down within the valley beneath. I additionally solely noticed a number of individuals at every and had the views all to myself by time the solar began setting.