The most beautiful coastal route on Madeira is not a perfect ring road running right beside the sea — the terrain is too steep for that — but a spectacular loop that follows the coast as closely as possible, occasionally diverting through tunnels or along higher terraces. Ideally, allow three to five days so you can do more than just drive and also take in viewpoints, villages and short walks.

The coastal loop
Drive clockwise from Funchal:

Funchal → Câmara de Lobos → Cabo Girão → Ribeira Brava → Ponta do Sol → Madalena do Mar → Calheta → Ponta do Pargo → Porto Moniz → Seixal → São Vicente → Santana → Machico → Ponta de São Lourenço → Funchal.

The south coast is sunnier, more urbanised and dotted with terraces of banana plants and grapevines.

The west coast takes you to high headlands and expansive views over the Atlantic.

Along the north and northwest coasts, Madeira is at its wildest: damp green slopes, waterfalls, high cliffs and black lava beaches.

The east side becomes drier and more open, with the strikingly volcanic Ponta de São Lourenço peninsula.

Use the VR1 mainly as a fast route when needed, but choose the old coastal roads — where they are accessible and safe — for the scenery. Madeira’s network of tunnels saves a lot of time, but sometimes bypasses exactly the most beautiful views.

Why the roads are so steep
Madeira is the summit of an enormous volcanic shield volcano, built on oceanic crust. The island’s base rises from a depth of about 4,000 metres to Pico Ruivo, at 1,862 metres above sea level. The volcano formed first beneath the sea and later through successive, mostly fissure eruptions on land.

Rain, streams, landslides and the surf then carved deep ravines and high cliffs. The central mountain ridge channels water through short, steep valleys straight to the coast. As a result, the coastal road is often squeezed between the rock face and the ocean, with hairpin bends, steep junctions, bridges and tunnels. The north coast is especially known for its high, steep sea cliffs; the southern slopes are often deeply cut by erosion too.

Ten stops along the way
# Highlight Why stop?
# Highlight Why stop?
1 Câmara de Lobos Colourful fishing harbour, traditional boats, poncha and local fish restaurants
2 Cabo Girão Glass skywalk at a height of 580 metres, with spectacular vertical views over coastal terraces and the Atlantic Ocean
3 Ponta do Sol Sun-drenched coastal village, beautiful sunsets and views of the steep south coast
4 Madalena do Mar Walk among banana plantations; a fine example of how agriculture adapts to narrow coastal terraces
5 Ponta do Pargo The lighthouse at the western tip and sweeping views of the open Atlantic Ocean
6 Porto Moniz Natural pools in black volcanic rock, fed by the surf
7 Seixal Dark volcanic beach, green mountain slopes and waterfalls; one of the most photogenic coastal panoramas
8 Miradouro do Véu da Noiva Views of a high waterfall cascading down the north coast into the ocean
9 São Vicente Green valley with volcanic scenery, a traditional village and a good connection between the north and south coasts
10 Ponta de São Lourenço Dry, rugged and open peninsula with colourful volcanic rocks and sweeping sea views
According to Visit Madeira, the north coast, including Seixal, São Vicente and Arco de São Jorge, is known for its many natural viewpoints and expansive coastal panoramas.