Best Waterfalls in Madeira: A Complete Island Guide For Cascades You Can’t Miss

If you're planning a trip to Madeira, get ready to explore some stunning natural landscapes. One of the top highlights for nature lovers is discovering the best waterfalls in Madeira, some of which are tucked away in lush green valleys and along scenic hiking trails, while others you can drive right under.

Whether you're looking for a quick waterfall stop, or a complete waterfall adventure, you're in the right spot.

In this guide, we’ll take you through the most scenic and beautiful waterfalls to visit on the island. Whether you're looking for an easy stroll or a full-day hike, there are a stunning variety of waterfalls to explore across Madeira.

The Best Waterfalls in Madeira: Fun Facts & Info

Before diving into the list of the top waterfalls on Madeira island, let's go over some important info for exploring the island.

 Exploring the Best Waterfalls in Madeira

The island is famous for its levadas, which are old irrigation channels that now double as hiking paths. Many of these trails lead you through forests, past dramatic cliffs, and often end at beautiful waterfalls.

Some are easy to reach with just a short walk, while others require a bit more effort, making them perfect for adventurers.

 Where are the Best Waterfalls in Madeira?

Many of the best waterfalls are located along the famous levadas, which are typically in the mountains. However, there are also a lot of great ones dramatically falling off the cliffs along the coast, and a few other tucked away on small paths.

 How to Get Around Madeira

The absolute best way to experience Madeira's best waterfalls is to rent a car. This will give you flexibility in your schedule, and allow you to explore the incredible nature and hidden gems nearby each of the falls.

Don't have a car? Here is a tour you can take which brings you to a few of the best waterfalls in Madeira:

The 11 Best Waterfalls in Madeira

Now that you know a bit of the basics for exploring the island, let's dive right into our list of the best waterfalls in Madeira!

Risco Waterfall

Risco Waterfall is the tallest waterfall in Madeira, and certainly one of the most popular ones on the island. It can be reached by taking the PR6 trail. The parking lot can be found on ER105, and you can either take a shuttle down to the start of the trail or hike down. 

The shuttle is 5 euros each way, or 8 round trip, and saves about 25-30 minutes of walking each way.

From the start of the trail, it takes just 15 minutes to walk to Risco Waterfall, along a relatively flat path, leading you to a large platform. We recommend doing this hike early in the day to avoid crowds, as it was packed when we went.

25 Fontes

25 Fontes is another one of the most popular waterfalls in Madeira, and can actually be reached from the same trail as Risco Waterfall. It takes about 30-40 minutes from the restaurant, or you can combine the two waterfalls for a total of around and hour hiking time.

Don't have a car? You can also take this transfer to get you there and back.

Veu da Noiva

Some of the best waterfalls in Madeira can't necessary be reached up close, but can really be admired from afar. This is the case with Veu da Noiva, which you can get a great view of from this free viewpoint.

Rocha do Navio

Rocha do Navio is a viewpoint that features various cascades along the cliffs behind it. You can easily enjoy this free panoramic view, or you can head down to the village with the cable car to see a few different waterfalls!

There was even one with a stairscase just behind the lower cable car station. It was closed when we went (May 2025), but perhaps it'll be open again by the time to you take your trip to Madeira.

Agua d'Alto Waterfall

Looking for one of the best waterfalls in Madeira without a big hike and one you can get up close to? Agua d'Alto Waterfall was definitely one of our favorites. It's just a 5 minutes walk from the village, and is a true hidden oasis. 

Just a warning though, it is COLD! (and also pretty muddy).

Aguage Waterfall

Just a 10 minute walk from a tiny village, Aguage Waterfall was one of our favorite waterfalls in Madeira. It's easy to get to, and a bit off-the-beaten path, meaning you'll most likely have the place to yourself like we did.

Make sure to bring good shoes and watch your step, as it can be a bit muddy and slippery.

Levado do Caldeirao Verde

Looking for one of the best hikes in Madeira? Levado do Caldeirao Verde is a scenic trail that goes along a canal. Get ready to climb through 4 dark tunnels, walk under a set of streams, and hike above tall canopies. 

We started a bit late and ended up in the dark. It was intense, but truly an epic adventure! We recommend going in the afternoon to be able to catch the golden hues over the clouds on your way back, and to return to the lot before it gets dark.

The entire hike took us a little over two hours on the way in, and an hour and a half on the way back (we were walking really fast).

Cascata da Ribeira da Pedra Branca

We love this waterfall because you can find it right on the side of the road! It cascades from a cliff on one side, with views of the ocean on the other. It's an easy addition to any Madeira road trip, and doesn't cost really and time, energy, or money.

Cascata dos Anjos

Cascata dos Anjos was once a hidden gem, but has become pretty "insta famous" due to its unique cascade right on a cliffside road. What makes it really special though? Right before the sun sets it casts a gorgeous golden glow on the waterfall.

I snapped the first one quickly and all of the sudden the crowds started pouring in, with very inconsiderate travelers jumping in front to take their selfies until the sun set and the golden glow was long gone.

Make sure to get there a bit before sunset, and please be mindful to park down the road and stay in line so you don't ruin the experience for others wanting to also experience the magic.

Lombinho Waterfall

While the crowds flock to Cascata dos Anjos, many don't know about this true hidden gem - Lombinho Waterfall. It's just outside of Ribeira da Janela, and similarly drops right on the road that winds beneath it.

Cascatas Gemeas

This is an other little hidden gem we discovered by chance, and although it's not an incredibly impressive flow of water, we did love that the two cascades fell right off a cliff onto a rocky beach below it. It's also a great place to sun bathe and go for a dip if you want to escape the crowds!

The Best Waterfalls in Madeira: Final Thoughts & Tips

Now you know all of the best waterfalls in Madeira to check out! Before you go though, here are a few tips to keep in mind.

What's Next?

Now that you know the best waterfalls in Madeira, you'll probably want to know all of the other great things to see and do on the island! We have a ton of other guides coming up, so make sure to stay tuned for our weekly Madeira guides each Wednesday!

So are you ready to enjoy the best waterfalls in Madeira? The island is full of gorgeous cascades, and we're sure you're going to love waterfall chasing across it.

Want to learn more about visiting Madeira and other islands in Portugal? We have a ton of other Portugal travel guides coming up, so make sure to subscribe to our newsletter- you'll receive all of our weekly article updates, as well as exclusive discounts on our shop!

Ready to start planning an unforgettable trip to Madeira? Well, we're here to help! Scratch Your Mapa offers custom travel planning services, creating you specially-curated itineraries for your trip. Want to learn more? Simply send us an email for your free consultation!

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