Madeira is a fabulous adventure destination full of natural attractions, walks, and waterfalls. This article will focus on the ten most beautiful waterfalls in Madeira, including the most famous ones like Véu da Noiva and lesser-known ones like Garganta Funda.
Besides being one of the world’s most beautiful islands to visit, Madeira is a paradise for waterfalls enthusiasts, as we can find waterfalls for all tastes. We have waterfalls along the coast and deep inland in the Laurissilva forest. Some are huge, and others are smaller but beautiful.
Some of the best waterfalls in Madeira are difficult to access, one can only visit them via the levadas. Still, in this list, we have included a little bit of everything – some are next to the road and accessible to everyone, while others involve a few kilometers of walking.
It is important to note that Madeira Island is relatively small, so the flow size of all rivers and streams on the island depends significantly on the rain of the previous days. Thus, some of these waterfalls may have very little water in summer.
The 10 most beautiful waterfalls in Madeira
25 Fontes waterfall
The 25 Fontes (fountains) waterfall is one of Madeira’s best-known and most popular. Despite being right in the center of the island, within the pristine Laurissilva forest and only accessible via a levada, it is visited by thousands of people.
Located in Rabaçal, this waterfall is about 30 meters high and consists of several vertical waterfalls rushing down the rocks. The name of the 25 fountains comes exactly from the different streams of water falling down the cliff.
At the bottom of the waterfall, we have a small lake that flows into the famous 25 fountains levada. Thus, to access this waterfall, we have to follow the levada of the 25 fountains until its source because the waterfall is the source of the levada.
In addition to being relatively high and beautiful due to the various waterfalls, this whole area of the island is beautiful and, therefore, one of the places not to be missed in Madeira. You can see here how to go to the levada and the waterfall of 25 fountains.
- Size: 3/5
- Access: 3/5
- Beauty: 4/5
- Crowded: 2/5; it usually has lots of people
- Swim: Possible, but it’s a small little space.
Risco Waterfall
Also in Rabaçal, and very close to the 25 fountains, we have the Risco waterfall. Access is a little easier and shorter than for the 25 fonts, but basically, it’s the same. We must park in Rabaçal and follow the Levada do Risco until we reach the waterfall. It is perfectly possible to go to both waterfalls and do both levadas on the same day, as described here.
With about 100 meters high, the risk cascade is much higher than the 25 fountains. The only access to the waterfall is through the Levada do Risco, which takes us to the middle of the waterfall. There is even a tunnel that goes right through the middle of it, but unfortunately, it is closed. Or at least it was when we went there.
Although visiting the upper or lower part of the waterfall is impossible, it is an impressive sight, especially after some rains when it has a high volume.
- Size: 5/5
- Access: 3/5
- Beauty: 3/5
- Crowded: 4/5
- Swim: No
Véu da Noiva
Véu da Noiva (bridal veil) is one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Madeira and one of the easiest to visit, or rather, to see, as it is currently impossible to reach the waterfall. The curious name comes from the foam formed when the violent vertical fall of water.
Located next to the Fazenda, near Seixal (Porto Moniz), this is a waterfall a few tens of meters where the water falls from the top of a huge cliff directly to the beach/sea, but with the peculiarity of traveling over the old road that circled the island.
Access to this road is currently not allowed, but in the past, you could drive right under it, which was a unique and dangerous experience, as you can see with the large number of stones on the road and the beach.
To see Véu Noiva waterfall, you must go to the Miradouro do Véu da Noiva, next to the ER101 road that connects São Vicente to Porto Moniz. There is a place to park and a viewpoint where you can take pictures and enjoy the waterfall.
- Size: 4/5
- Access: 5/5, but only to the viewpoint
- Beauty: 4/5
- Crowded: 3/5
- Swim: No
- Location: 32.81646, -17.09414
Caldeirão Verde Waterfall
The Caldeirão Verde waterfall is one of the best-known and most beautiful waterfalls in Madeira. Despite this, access is only possible through the levada do Caldeirão Verde, which starts in Queimadas Park.
This is one of the most spectacular waterfalls in Madeira, as the water drops about 100 meters from the top of an ancient cauldron of an extinct volcano to a small lagoon at its bottom. You can swim in the lagoon in summer or if it’s hot enough.
As the name implies, the cauldron is green due to the moss and vegetation covering much of the rock in the volcano’s crater. It is a unique place of rare beauty.
The levada and waterfall make this one of the most popular spots in Madeira for adventurous travelers. This is yet another waterfall that is right in the middle of the laurel forest.
- Size: 4/5
- Access: 2/5
- Beauty: 5/5
- Crowded: 3/5, depending on the season and time of day, but sometimes many people gather there.
- Swim: Yes
- Location: 32.7747, -16.93364
Anjos waterfall
Anjos Waterfall is one of the most popular and Instagram-able waterfalls in Madeira. It is not an especially beautiful waterfall, but it has the particularity of the water falling directly onto the road that is still in operation, giving rise to some spectacular photos.
Located in Anjos, Ponta do Sol, access to this waterfall is via the old route of the ER 101 road, between Madalena do Mar and Ponta do Sol. So, to go there, we must avoid going through the tunnel (the new route of the same road) and follow the narrow old road along the coast. It’s similar to Veu da Noiva, but the road is still open here.
Although the old road has very little use, there is usually some traffic next to the waterfall because nearly everyone stops to take pictures. After all, how many times do we drive a car under a waterfall?
According to some information we collected, the waterfall is supposed to be 100 meters high, but at the site, it is only possible to see a small part – the drop from the cliff to the road. The rest of the waterfall isn’t visible from the road.
- Size: 4/5
- Access: 5/5 – Impossible to get closer to a waterfall by car
- Beauty: 3/5
- Crowded: 3/5, It depends. Sometimes it’s quite a few people; others, no one.
- Going to the water: Yes, but there is no lagoon for swimming.
- Location: 32.68676, -17.11346
Levada Nova waterfall
The Levada Nova waterfall is one of the most Instagram-able waterfalls in Madeira and therefore has become very popular in recent years.
Located in Lombada, Ponta do Sol, this cascade gives rise to a small lagoon and then the river with the same name.
The main feature of this waterfall is that it is crossed by a tunnel allowing it to pass right through the middle of the waterfall, creating an incredible visual effect and a unique feeling of crossing the waterfall.
We have to take the levada nova to access this waterfall, so access requires walking a few km.
- Size: 2/5
- Access: 3/5
- Beauty: 3/5
- Crowded: 4/5
- Swim: No.
- Location: 32.71416, -17.07801
Garganta funda Waterfall
The Garganta Funda (deep throat) waterfall is one of the least known and visited on this list, however, it is undoubtedly one of the most impressive and beautiful waterfalls in Madeira.
To get to Garganta Funda, follow the regional road between Ponta do Pargo and Achadas da Cruz. When you are in the Pedregal area, you will see some signs; just follow them until the end of that road. Park there and start a short walk to the viewpoint.
The walk is about 600 meters through the fields, but be careful because there are some slippery places, and the viewing area is exceedingly windy.
At the viewpoint, you will see a spectacular waterfall 140 meters high, which during the rainy season, creates a spectacular effect. Unfortunately, the stream that gives rise to the Garganta Funda waterfall dries up easily, so if it hasn’t rained in the last few days, there will be little or no water.
Even so, the whole surrounding environment, the gorges, and the colossal fall make this viewpoint a place not to be missed in Madeira.
- Size: 5/5
- Access: 3/5
- Beauty: 4/5
- Crowded: 5/5
- Swim: No, just access to the viewpoint.
- Location: 32.82059, -17.25032
Levada do Rei Waterfall
The Levada do Rei is one of our favorites in Madeira. In addition to taking us to Ribeiro Bonito in the heart of the UNESCO Heritage laurel forest, it is a route full of beauty and relatively accessible to everyone.
Along this route, it is possible to see several waterfalls, some of them temporary as they are only visible when it rains. However, one of them is really beautiful. As we could not discover its name, we decided to call it the Levada do Rei waterfall.
In this waterfall, the water comes from the top of a gorge, falling directly onto the levada. In other words, to continue our route, we have to cross the waterfall and take a nice bath.
It’s a beautiful place and also one of the most fun things to do in Madeira. At least for those who don’t mind getting a little better.
This is not a waterfall with a high flow, so it is possible that in the summer, in periods of the long absence of rain, it dries up completely.
- Size: 2/5
- Access: 3/5
- Beauty: 4/5
- Crowded: 4/5
- Swim: No, you won’t be diving as there’s no lagoon, but if you want to continue on the trail, you’ll have to go to the water.
- Location: Along the Levada do Rei, in Santana. It is not marked on google maps.
Waterfall of Ribeira de Água d’Alto in São Vicente
The Ribeira de Água d’Alto Cascate in São Vicente is one of the most accessible waterfalls on this list. It’s so easy that you don’t even need to stop the car to see it, as it’s right on the side of the road at the entrance to one of the many tunnels on the ER101.
Despite being visible from the road, we advise you to park your car and take a few minutes to enjoy it safely and carefully. The water from this waterfall comes out from an impressive height. However, we have not been able to confirm the exact height anywhere. On a naked eye we would say at least 80-100 meters.
Located about 1 km from São Vicente, this waterfall is marked on google maps as Cascata Água d’Alto, as it occurs in Ribeira Água d’Alto in São Vicente.
However, we must clarify that this is not the Água de Alto waterfall in Faial, Santana which is more famous. There are two different waterfalls in Madeira with similar names. Don’t confuse them. Below we talk a little about the Faial waterfall too.
- Size: 4/5
- Access: 5/5
- Beauty: 2/5
- Crowded: 5/5; usually there’s almost no one there.
- Swim: No;
- Location: 32.8101, -17.0582
Água d’Alto Waterfall
At around 150 meters high, the Água d’Alto waterfall is one of the highest in Madeira and therefore had to be included in this list.
This waterfall is sometimes forgotten and not visited in Faial, Santana. To get there, all you have to do is climb the levada, and follow its course for about 10 minutes until you reach the impressive waterfall.
The route is not challenging, but it is not well preserved, so we advise caution. It is impossible to swim or dive, but the size of the falls justifies the visit.
- Size: 5/5
- Access: 3/5
- Beauty: 3/5
- Crowded: 5/5, usually there’s nobody (or almost).
- Swim: No;
- Location: 32.7789, -16.87471
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