Madeira’s South – The Sunny Side of Paradise
Take a self-guided tour through Madeira’s south, where time slows down and coastal villages tell their stories. Discover traditional fishing towns, remote lighthouses at the edge of the island, banana plantations, sugar-cane rum, and local flavors — a relaxed journey through Madeira’s most timeless side.
Includes
• Ribeira Brava • Ponta do Sol • Madalena do Mar • Jardim do Mar • Paul do Mar • Calheta • Ponta do Pargo • (It covers roughly 100 km and takes around 8 hours, including all the scenic stops along the way.
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Recommended: • Swimsuit • Cash • Madeira Island Pass (for discounts) • Mobile data • Brakefast at Hotel or Rentalplace • Be at first Stop at 9:00 am (avoid croweds)
Your Guide
Banana Joe the All-Knowing
Disclaimer
Most of our self-guided tours are exclusive to Island Pass holders — available in both Digital and Printed versions. Once you grab your Pass, you’ll get a special password that instantly unlocks all our tours across Madeira. 🎧✨
The only self-guided tour you can try for free is the “Taste & Tales of Funchal City Walk.” It’s the perfect way to see how our tours work — fun, easy to follow, and full of stories, food, and local flavor!
Good To Know
Just press play and let our guide Banana Joe walk you through this awesome tour. Tip: on mobile, you can enlarge the tour by clicking the yellow button in the upper right corner.
Fishing Villages, Dramatic Cliffs & a Light-tower at the End of the Island
Press Play to meet your guide for the day and discover what today’s epic tour has in store for you — go on, tap it… the adventure starts there!
The "Madeira’s South - The Quaint Side of Paradise Tour" is currently in development and will be available end of January — stay tuned, adventure is on its way! 🌄🚗
Only those in the know have the super-secret, ultra-mega-difficult password — the rest will just have to guess… and fail gloriously. 🔒😏
Ribiera Brava
Ribeira Brava — an old town reshaped by a powerful storm not long ago.
Amazing Ride with crazy viewpoint
Let’s start the road trip on Madeira’s original coastal roads — built long before tunnels and highways, full of curves, cliffs, vintage island vibes, and dramatic views.
Onwards the old Road and some history
For the next 30 minutes, we’re sticking to Madeira’s old coastal road — the scenic route locals used long before highways and tunnels existed.
Miradouro Trigo de Negreiros
Welcome to Viewpoint Trigo de Negreiros — a stunning spot overlooking the sunny village of Madalena do Mar and the Atlantic, where you can even spot Madeira’s impressive offshore fish farms.
Poncha do Lombo Doutor
In the hills of Calheta, somewhere between the clouds and the coast, there’s a humble little spot that locals whisper about and travellers accidentally fall in love with.
Ponta do Pargo
A Lighthous which has been guiding ships along Madeira’s rugged coastline since June 1922
Faja da Ovelha
Let’s start part two of our adventure — heading back along the coast toward the fishing village of Paul do Mar.
Paul do Mar
Paul do Mar has a long and proud history tied to the sea.
The Town & the Ocean
Enjoy the views, snap a photo or two, feel very small in a very big landscape. Madeira is good at that.
Up we Go my friends
In front of you: roughly 100 steps. Not a marathon. Not Everest. But enough to make your calves suddenly remember they exist.
Coroa do Ilhéu
Yes… that’s a fishing boat. On top of a hill. No, it didn’t get lost. And no, the fisherman did not park badly.
Early life in Câmara de Lobos
For a long time, this was a rough place. A working fishing town, tough life, tough people.
Chapel of Nossa Senhora da Conceição
A true fisherman’s chapel — built not to impress, but to protect.
Rua São João de Deus
This street you’re walking along — Rua São João de Deus — became a canvas. Artists from Madeira and beyond transformed walls, doors, and corners into powerful artworks.
Igreja Matriz de São Sebastião
Back in 1426, under the orders of Prince Henry the Navigator, a small chapel was built here in honor of Saint Sebastian.
Câmara de Lobos Municipal Square
This square itself is one of the town’s social hearts. Depending on the time of year, it transforms completely.
Mercado Municipal De Câmara De Lobos
Markets like this have always been the heartbeat of Madeiran towns. This is where fishermen brought their catch, farmers sold their fruit and vegetables and neighbors exchanged news.
Tip Box
If you enjoyed this self-guided tour, a small tip helps us keep these website running smoothly. Thank you! 💛
This self-guided tour takes you on an unforgettable journey through Madeira’s South — a coastline where charming fishing villages cling to the sea, viewpoints open up to endless Atlantic horizons, and life moves at a gentler pace. Along the way, you’ll explore scenic lookouts, quiet coastal towns, and places where time feels like it simply decided to slow down.
And of course — no great Madeiran adventure is complete without flavor. On this tour, you’ll have the chance to taste local classics like lapas, fresh seafood, and for the brave ones… even octopus. Add a glass of poncha here and there, and you’re officially doing it right.
It’s the perfect mix of scenery, tradition, and laid-back island charm — all enjoyed at your own pace.
All tastings and extras are completely optional and instantly available when you show your Madeira Island Pass (digital or printed) at the recommanded stops. The best part? No need to book ahead! Just show up, join in, and enjoy everything at your own pace, all on the same day. 🍌
Facilities
Location
To start navigation on your phone, click 'View larger map' in the top left corner of the map.
Sometimes, finding the exact location of the hike can be challenging. That’s why we’ve included GPS coordinates to make it easier to reach.
32.648011425874444
-16.900141499516174
Highlights
The only pass you need in paradise
