Calheta: One of Madeira’s few sandy beaches, Calheta is just under 40 kilometres from Funchal. With golden sands, crystal clear waters and excellent facilities, this charming location is hugely popular with both tourists and locals. The beach is the perfect place to relax, hire a canoe, try windsurfing or enjoy a trip on a catamaran. Calheta also boasts some excellent seafood restaurants serving local specialities, best sampled with a cold white wine or beer. Just remember not to drink and drive.
Volcanism Centre & Caves of São Vicente: Sitting at the end of the valley where the formation of the island started, the charming village of São Vicente is located 35km from Funchal. The Volcanism Centre offers a fascinating insight into how the island was created by volcanic eruptions from beneath the Atlantic Ocean’s bed. The series of lava tubes, which can be viewed in around 30 minutes, present a stunning subterranean landscape complete with stalactites and lava accumulations stretching for around 700 metres.
Laurisilva Forest: Situated towards the higher altitudes of Madeira around 16 kilometres from Funchal, the Laurisilva Forest is an outstanding relic of a previously widespread laurel forest that once covered most of southern Europe. Today, this UNESCO World Heritage Site makes up about 20% of the whole island — and is home to a diverse range of flora and fauna which cannot be found anywhere else in the world.