Photo · Patrick

Your guide to Ponta do Sol & Madeira

Route context, current-source checks, Madeira food, and scenic days that leave room for weather to change. Written for people staying long enough to choose well. 🌿

ciao Madeira

A whole Atlantic island, planned one region at a time.

Madeira packs cloud-forests, sea cliffs, black-sand beaches and a 1,800-metre peak into an island you can cross in an hour. Ponta do Sol sits on the sunny south-west coast (the warmest, driest corner), which makes it the perfect base for weekend missions out and lazy Sundays back home.

The hikes What to eat Scenic spots

Hiking, with a live status check

The levadas & peaks worth the early start.

Madeira's trails follow water channels (the levadas) and high ridgelines. Compare the route, then verify its live IFCN status, reservation rules, and weather before leaving.

PR8 · easy–moderate

Ponta de São Lourenço

The island's wild eastern tip. Red cliffs, blue sea on both sides, zero trees. Best at sunrise before the crowds. ~8 km return.

PR6 · moderate

Levada das 25 Fontes

Through the Rabaçal laurel forest to a green lagoon fed by 25 springs. Bring a rain jacket. The cloud-forest makes its own weather. ~11 km.

PR1 · hard

Pico do Areeiro → Ruivo

The big one: ridgeline between Madeira's two highest peaks, often above the clouds. Stairs, tunnels, and a view you'll talk about for years. ~7 km, go early.

Also great: PR9 Caldeirão Verde Vereda do Larano coastal Cristo Rei viewpoint loop

Buen provecho

What to eat around Madeira.

Madeiran food is rustic, generous and built for after a hike. Start here, then let the house argue about the best spot for poncha.

Poncha. The island drink: sugarcane rum, honey and lemon, stirred with a caralhinho. One is plenty. Two is a story.
Espetada & bolo do caco. Beef skewers on bay-leaf branches with warm garlic flatbread. The full Saturday reward.
Lapas & fresh fish. Grilled limpets and black scabbardfish. Best eaten with your feet near the sea in Ponta do Sol.
The farmers' market. Tropical fruit you've never heard of. Yes, including the bananas. 🍌

Residents on a levada trail by a waterfall

Ordering from the Baloo gelato cart on the Ponta do Sol seafront

Where the house actually eats.

A practical shortlist for different meals and parts of the island. Check each venue's current hours before setting out.

In Ponta do Sol (walking distance)

Steak & Sun + The Old Pharmacy: same owner, both excellent
Sol Poente: fresh fish + seafood
Tasquinha do Henrique: poncha + the island's best bolo do caco

Traditional / worth the drive

Restaurante Santo António: Câmara de Lobos, best espetada
A Caravela: São Vicente, peixe-espada com banana
Taberna do Petisco: Santa Cruz, the picado
Sorrento: Câmara de Lobos, best pizza

Vegan + speciality coffee

8 hikes worth booking your weekends around.

Bring proper shoes. Download WalkMe for trail details. Pace yourself. the levadas don't go anywhere.

PR8 · coastal

Vereda da Ponta de São Lourenço

Volcanic peninsula on the eastern tip, panoramic ocean views both coasts. Rare plants, dry and wide-open. like walking on Mars over the Atlantic.

Distance: 6 km
Duration: ~2.5 h
Difficulty: Medium
Altitude: 126 m

Trail details on visitmadeira ↗

PR6 · levada

Levada das 25 Fontes e Risco

Starts at Rabaçal in the laurissilva forest, ends at a fern-rimmed lagoon fed by 25 springs. The most popular levada on the island for a reason.

Distance: 4.3 km
Duration: ~3 h
Difficulty: Moderate
Altitude: 1,288 m

Trail details on visitmadeira ↗

PR1 · summit · the big one

Vereda do Areeiro (Pico do Areeiro → Pico Ruivo)

Three of the island's highest peaks linked by volcanic tunnels and exposed ridges, above the clouds. Demanding, unforgettable. The crown jewel of Madeira hiking.

Distance: 7 km
Duration: ~3.5 h
Difficulty: Moderate
Altitude: 1,857 m

Trail details on visitmadeira ↗

PR9 · levada

Levada do Caldeirão Verde

Tunnels, waterfalls, deep laurel forest. Bring a torch.

PR11 · viewpoint

Vereda dos Balcões

90 minutes, a giant view, perfect first-week hike.

PR13 · forest

Vereda do Fanal

Thousand-year laurels in the mist. Other-worldly.

PR18 · levada

Levada do Rei

Quiet laurissilva trail. Few crowds.

Levada

Levada do Alecrim

A shorter, easier one. Good for recovery days.

Worth the drive

Scenic detours for a slow Sunday.

Cascata dos Anjos

The waterfall you drive straight under, ten minutes up the coast. Roof down optional.

Cabo Girão

A glass skywalk on one of Europe's highest sea cliffs. 580 m straight down.

Fanal forest

Thousand-year-old laurel trees in the mist. Other-worldly when the clouds roll in.

Seixal

Black volcanic sand, green cliffs and natural sea pools on the wilder north coast.

Ponta do Sol pier

A sea-level stop for a walk or swim when conditions are suitable. Check the water and access before entering.

Funchal old town

Painted doors, the cable car, and a proper city night out, 30 min east.

A house that's always cooking.

Several microclimates

Coast and mountains can feel different on the same day. Pack layers.

Rent a car

The freedom to chase good weather across the island is worth it.

Work-ready house

200+ Mbps fibre, room desks, and optional coworking nearby.

Already convinced? Compare the rooms at Banana House. Or jump to the FAQ for stays, inclusions, packing, and getting in from Funchal airport, then back to the house overview.

nós vivemos aqui

Come hike it on a Saturday.

Make Ponta do Sol your base. From €997 / month, bills included, one-month minimum.

Book your month