One of my absolute favourite places was the natural swimming pool close to São Jorge in the north. After visiting the ruins of some mills that used to grind the sugar cane, you pass a cemetery and finally reach a small path that descends the rocky coast to the old jetty. This is where fishermen used to transport their fish. Today there remains only a wooden bridge on the steep rock face, which has already collapsed partly. Anyhow, if you dare to cross the bridge, you will be rewarded with a unique view over the north coast and the most beautiful natural swimming pool of Madeira! If the weather is good, consider spending a whole day here, so bring food and drinks!

In many places in Madeira there are cable cars that take you either down the cliffs or up the mountains. Most of them are worth a ride. However, there is one, about 20 minutes from Porto Moniz, that is different from all of them. It is written that the beginning of the cable car in Achadas da Cruz has a slope of 98%, making it the steepest in Europe. For three euros, it is certainly also the cheapest one in Europe. The whole scenery there is breathtaking. When you reach the valley, it seems like you are in another world. Here you will find only a few houses, fields where local products, mainly vines and vegetables, are cultivated and a small beaches with waterfalls plunging into the sea.

São Lourenço is definitely a well-known destination for those exploring Madeira. It is the most easterly point of the island. Hiking trails lead through the desert-like landscape of the nature reserve and there are breathtaking views over the north and south of Madeira, especially from the various high viewpoints. Actually I felt like in Lord of the Rings here.  If the weather is good, you can even see the neighbouring island of Porto Santo. Rugged cliffs and unique vegetation dominate the picture here, a place where it almost never rains. In some places you can even climb down to the shore. This is also the case at Casa do Sardinha, a former farmhouse that now serves as a visitor centre. (The lazy among us can reach tour by motorboat leaving at the parking.) However, only very few people know that you actually can camp there. There is a fireplace and a spot for tents or hammocks. São Lourenço at night is breathtaking and magical, since the moon and stars shine so brightly. It’s also worth admiring the sunrise at the viewpoint behind Casa da Sardinha. The next day you can chillout at Prainha, a small and beautiful sandy beach nearby.