Join us on this Madeira Island photo tour and immerse yourself in the breathtaking landscapes of this Atlantic gem. From the mystical laurisilva forests, the dramatic volcanic peaks, and the rugged coastal cliffs to the enchanting “levadas” and waterfalls, Madeira is an unparalleled photographer’s paradise.
Our Madeira Island Photo Tour will take place in July, offering a unique opportunity to explore the island when its vibrant vegetation and lush greenery are at their peak. The summer months bring an explosion of colors and an abundance of life, creating a landscape reminiscent of the Amazon rainforest. The captivating beauty of the island’s flora, from vibrant flowers to towering trees, will provide endless inspiration for your photography.
During this Madeira Island photography workshop, we will focus on the Northern part of the island.
Explore the magical laurisilva forest of Fanal, where ancient trees create an enchanting atmosphere, or the majestic volcanic peaks of Areeiro and Ruivo surrounded by all the levadas.
We’ll visit the renowned Ribeira de Janela beach, along with secret beaches tucked away from the tourists. We’ll shoot spectacular sunrises from locations such as the São Lourenço Peninsula and pay a visit to the traditional Santana houses and the Nossa Senhora de Fátima church. Finally, we will take some easy hikes along the island’s famous “levadas”. We are taking this tour during the new moon, so we will also venture out at night to photograph nightscapes from the volcanic mountains.
On this Madeira photo tour, our experienced guides will be by your side, assisting you in capturing the most extraordinary images. Regardless of your photography skill level or equipment, they will help you master the art of photography and make the most of every lighting condition. Whether it’s sunrise, sunset, midday, twilight, or even night photography, our goal is to ensure you achieve the best possible shots and create memorable images during your time in Madeira.
Our Madeira Island photo tour offers flexibility to adapt to varying weather conditions. Despite its small size, Madeira Island presents varying altitudes, making cloud height a crucial factor for having fog, sea clouds, or reddish skies. Depending on the desired conditions for each location, we will carefully select the best spots to photograph the island’s landscapes. The proximity of the locations and the advantage of staying at the same hotel during the entire trip allows us to swiftly adapt to changing weather and maximize the potential of each site.
We’ll prioritize the mornings and evenings, as they offer a higher probability of having fog, sea clouds, and optimal lighting conditions. However, even on cloudy or rainy days, we will also have the opportunity to take amazing pictures. These conditions are the best for capturing images with intensely saturated greens and a dramatic and moody atmosphere.
Our Madeira Island photo tour begins at Cristiano Ronaldo International Airport (also known as Madeira Airport or Funchal Airport), where we will pick you up. From there, we will drive about an hour to our accommodation, where we will be staying for the duration of the trip. Here, we will do the tour orientation and a personal gear review to make sure you are ready for the trip.
After the introduction, we will head to our first sunset location, Levada dos Balcões. This will be our first experience with the unique “levadas” of Madeira as we explore this stunning trail.
Walking alongside a levada is one of the most unique experiences to have while staying in Madeira. These man-made channels were created to transport water and irrigate the agricultural fields around the island, and they’ve been reshaped as beautiful walking paths and trails.
Our final destination will be the Miradouro do Levada dos Balcões, an overlook offering a breathtaking view of the entire levada, along with the backdrop of the Areeiro and Ruivo peaks. Along the way, we will make a couple of stops along the road, such as the Miradouro do Cabouco to capture the beauty of the valley from different angles.
On the second day of this Madeira Photo Tour, our morning will begin at the enchanting Laurisilva Forest of Fanal, renowned as one of the most magical locations on the island.
The Laurisilva Forest of Fanal is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and an ancient forest that is home to solitary and photogenic laurel trees. As you wander through the forest, you might feel as if you had stepped into a fairy tale, especially when the fog enhances the mystical atmosphere of the forest. If the conditions are not ideal, we will be flexible and ready to photograph this location another day.
After lunch in the afternoon, we will venture to the area of São Vicente, an impressive levada with a water channel that meanders through breathtaking landscapes. Along the levada, you’ll be surrounded by towering cliffs, some reaching hundreds of feet in height, all of them covered with beautiful green trees.
Our exploration will also lead us to the remarkable Capelinha de Nossa Senhora de Fátima, a unique church designed in the form of a tower. Its architectural charm blends seamlessly with the majestic mountains, creating a striking visual composition.
On the third day of our Madeira photo adventure, we will embark on an early sunrise visit to the Ribeira da Janela Beach, one of the most beautiful beaches on the island with two towering sea stacks, each over 140 ft. (50+ meters) tall. You’ll be captivated by the rounded rocks scattered across the shoreline and a small stream that adds a perfect foreground element to your photographs.
After this beach, we will make our way to the Garganta Fundão Waterfall, an impressive 300 ft. tall cascade surrounded by towering cliffs. To reach this waterfall, we will take an easy 15-minute walk along a safe pathway.
In the afternoon, we will visit and photograph the famous “Queimadas”, the local typical houses of the island, but before this we will make a stop at the Rocha do Navio viewpoint. Here, we will be treated to the sight of a waterfall flowing from the cliffs to the sea.
Then, we will proceed to the picturesque Santana village, where we will be immersed in the authentic atmosphere of the local traditional houses. Among them, we will photograph the famous Casa das Flores. These iconic houses are celebrated for their distinctive triangular shape, charming thatched roofs, and vibrant hues.
To culminate our day’s adventures, we will visit the Queimadas at the starting point of the renowned Caldeirão Verde trail. Here we will encounter not only traditional houses but also discover the beauty of the stunning stone pathways that adorn the area.
On the fourth day of our Madeira Photo tour, we will have another opportunity to witness the mesmerizing landscapes at Ponta do São Lourenço. We will photograph it in the opposite direction from the previous day’s sunset, revealing an entirely different perspective. This place holds a fascinating geological history, featuring basaltic rocks formed through ancient volcanic activity.
On our way back, we will make additional stops at two viewpoints; The Miradouro da Ponta do Rosto and the Miradouro do Caniçal. These two overlooks offer a unique perspective of the Ponta do São Lourenço peninsula, incorporating several sea stacks into the composition.
For sunset, we will venture to the Pico Ruivo area, embarking on a one-hour hike along a safe trail with some stair sections. This trail leads to an awe-inspiring cemetery of whitewashed dead trees. As we compose our shots, the backdrop will feature the majestic presence of Pico Areeiro and the intricate network of levadas.
If conditions align, we will stay until nightfall to capture some nightscapes under the moonlight.
On the fifth day of our tour, we will photograph the region of Pico Areeiro, where we will explore several viewpoints. Our first stop will be at Miradouro Eira do Serrado, offering a stunning panoramic view of the Nuns Valley and its white houses nestled between the majestic peaks of Ruivo and Areeiro.
Continuing our journey, we will make another stop at the Paredão viewpoint, located several hundred feet higher than the previous one. From here, you will enjoy a completely new perspective of the valley.
As the day progresses, we will head towards the Pico Areeiro area to capture the magical light of the sunset. Our first destination will be Miradouro do Juncal, offering a mesmerizing view of the forest-covered ridge leading to Pico Ruivo. You will have the opportunity to capture the breathtaking beauty of the landscape, with lush trees adorning the entire ridge.
To conclude our day’s exploration, we will visit the classic trail of Pico Areeiro. However, we will focus on the starting point of the trail, where we will photograph the beautiful stone path that runs along the mountain ridge. This path creates a powerful visual line, drawing your gaze and allowing for captivating compositions as the sun sets over the mountains.
On the 6th day of our photography tour in Madeira, we will begin with a laid-back sunrise session at Miradouro Furna do Porto da Cruz Beach. This location offers a unique blend of natural beauty, with a striking sea stack to one side and a towering cliff over 1,500 ft. high on the other. What makes this place even more fascinating is the volcanic rock formations that adorn the area, providing a plethora of shapes and textures to incorporate into our photographs.
For sunset, we will venture to Pico do Areeiro, one of the highest peaks in Madeira. Here, we will take a roughly 30-minute hike along a staircase path that leads to Miradouro do Ninho da Manta and offers glimpses of awe-inspiring landscapes at every turn.
The 360º view from the top is truly breathtaking, showcasing the vast network of levadas and the towering peaks that stretch as far as the eye can see. Additionally, Pico do Areeiro is known for its population of partridges, which presents a fantastic opportunity for wildlife photography.
On our last full day, our exciting itinerary involves exploring various hidden gems across the island of Madeira. We will begin the day by capturing the beauty of São Cristóvão Beach, a secret spot that remains relatively undiscovered by tourists. What makes this location truly remarkable is the natural formation created by the levada, which slices through a massive mountain, leaving behind a breathtaking peak-like structure.
Next, we will venture to the renowned area of Seixal, where we’ll make two stops. Our first stop is at Miradouro do Véu da Noiva, offering a perfect vantage point to photograph the exquisite Bridal Veil waterfall cascading directly from the cliffs into the sea. Later we’ll visit the Natural Pools of Seixal, where we’ll photograph a beautiful basaltic stone arch that has been meticulously shaped by the relentless forces of the sea.
After a refreshing stop at a local bar for breakfast and recharging, we’ll head towards the São Vicente area, which we would have previously photographed. However, this time, we’ll stop at the top of the valley where we can see all the multiple levadas and mountains. Moving to the next valley, we’ll pause at Miradouro Pico da Murta, offering a magnificent vista of a peak-shaped mountain adorned with trees, surrounded by the intricate network of levadas and charming villages.
For our final sunset, we’ll return to the enchanted forest of Fanal, widely regarded as the most magical location on the island. However, this time, we’ll photograph it during golden hour, as the atmosphere transforms dramatically with the descending sun.
On the eighth and final day of our Madeira Photo Tour, we will conclude with the final sunrise session at the tree cemetery of Pico Ruivo.
We recommend having your luggage prepared the day before, as we will depart for the airport no later than 11 AM.
Deposit: $1,500 USD
A $1,500 USD deposit is required to reserve your spot for this workshop. You can also pay in full at any time. The remaining balance is due 120 days before the start of the tour. If the remaining balance is not paid in full by the due date, you will lose your spot.
This workshop is mainly focused on landscape photography (volcanic peaks, waterfalls, seascapes, forest and levadas) with a lot of potential for aerial photography. We’ll also do some astrophotography when conditions allow.
What you learn during the workshop will vary according to your goals and skills. Your instructors are professional photographers with extensive experience who will help you take your photography to the next level.
During the tour you’ll have the opportunity to learn:
Some of the photography basics you can learn during the workshop are:
Some advanced photography techniques you can learn during the workshop are:
Some of the post-processing techniques that you can learn with the included tutorials are:
Your instructors on this Madeira Island Photo Tour
Unai Larraya will be the tour leader on this Madeira Island photo tour. He is a professional landscape photographer who will make sure you end up with the best possible images.
Unai is a real expert on Madeira after taking multiple trips to the island over the last few years. He’s very knowledgeable about the most photogenic locations, the weather patterns, and the best techniques to capture breathtaking landscape images.
Since Unai started his photography journey, he has won multiple awards in recognition of his outstanding photography and editing skills. He currently leads tours in Madeira, Finland, Iceland, and other locations with Capture the Atlas.
With Unai, you’ll learn about composition, shaping light, color theory, focus stacking, and more. He will also show you how to implement all these techniques into your workflow to take your photography to the next level!
David Aguilar will be the tour co-leader throughout this Madeira photo tour, and he will make sure that you get the best photography results from this tour. He will help you with your photography, technique, and composition in all your landscape and night images.
David is an experienced landscape and travel photographer. He has refined his photography skills while traveling around the world over the last decade and has taught many other photographers along the way. He leads tours for Capture the Atlas in Atacama, Patagonia, Lofoten, and many other locations around the world.
He’s also a skilled post-processing editor and has helped countless photographers over the last few years with his online landscape editing courses.
We will send you a complete list of everything that we recommend for this tour upon sign-up. Below, you can find a summary of things you might need:
You may be interested in this guide on photography equipment for traveling.
The weather in Madeira during July is warm, with temperatures ranging from 68°F to 81°F (20°C to 27°C). However, the climate here is very dynamic, and sudden rain and fog can cause a drastic drop in temperature.
Additionally, the temperature can change significantly between coastal areas and the mountains, with occasional lows of around 37°F (3ºC) at the highest peaks. It’s also important to note that temperatures can fluctuate during sunrise and sunset. Therefore, it’s crucial to pack a variety of clothing options suitable for different temperatures, as well as some waterproof garments.
For this reason, you should come prepared and wear the right clothing and trekking gear. Below is our list of recommendations for this Madeira tour:
Some optional items that are highly recommended are:
You will receive a list with everything that you need and that we recommend with links and examples before the trip.
The currency in Madeira, Portugal is the Euro (EUR). While credit and debit cards are widely accepted, it’s recommended to have some cash on hand for smaller establishments or local markets that only accept cash payments. ATMs are available for withdrawing EUR, and you can exchange your currency at banks or authorized offices.
As part of Portugal, Madeira follows the visa regulations of the Schengen Area. Depending on your nationality and duration of stay, a visa may be necessary. We are here to assist you with the visa application process and provide guidance. It’s essential to verify the specific visa requirements for your country of residence prior to your trip.
Visitors from most countries don’t need a visa to visit Portugal for less than 90 days. Remember to consult the official embassy or consulate of Portugal for the most up-to-date and accurate visa information based on your nationality and circumstances.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Starting from 2025, travelers from visa-exempt countries need to apply for an ETIAS travel authorization to enter most EU countries. The current list of nationalities which need to apply for an ETIAS travel authorization includes the USA and Canada.
Visit the Official EU Travel website to find more information about ETIAS.
During this Madeira Island photo tour, we’ll stay in a top-rated hotel, in private rooms with private bathrooms. Our hotel has been strategically selected to be as close as possible to our photography locations.
We will be staying at this hotel for the entire tour. This will give us the advantage of going to the location where there will be the most interesting and favorable conditions for our photographs.
There’s a discount of $600 for couples or friends sharing rooms ($300 each).
This is not a hiking photo tour, and most of the locations will be next to the parking lot or the cable car station.
However, there are some moderate hikes that we’ll take and that you should consider. Also, conditions like rain or fog can make the hikes more difficult. Some routes include several steep sections up and down with staircases.
Hike | Elevation Gain | Distance (one way) | Estimated Duration (one way) | Path |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Miradouro Levada dos Balcões | 100 ft. / | 1.1 miles / | 0.5 hours | Wide path with practically no incline, suitable for all fitness levels. |
Ponta de São Lourenço (sunrise) | 65 ft. / 20 m | 0.75 miles / | 0.5 hours | Safe stone path with one staircase section ascending and one descending. |
Pico Ruivo cemetery of dead trees | 328 ft. / | 1.4 miles / 2.3 km | 1 hour | Safe stone path with several ascents, all of them adapted with stairs. |
Pico do Areeiro | 229 ft. / 70 m | 0.6 miles / 1 km | 1 hour | Wide path with a tow rope as a handrail on both sides, with no danger at all and a pretty steep continuous hill with stairs. |
We recommend being in good physical shape to enjoy this experience |
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The estimated duration is without any stops, but during the hike, we will make frequent stops for rest and to capture photographs at different spots.
To reach Madeira, you should book your flight to Madeira Airport (FNC). The price of round-trip flights to Madeira from Europe ranges from $200 to $400, and from the US, it is approximately $500 to $800.
Several airlines operate flights to Madeira, including TAP Air Portugal, easyJet, Ryanair, and British Airways. You can find direct flights to Madeira from major European cities such as Lisbon, Porto, London, Frankfurt, and Amsterdam. If you are flying from the US, you may have to connect in a European city before reaching Madeira.
We recommend this article to find the best flights to Madeira Airport from your current location.
Meals are not included. Most days, we will have lunch at a cafe near our photography location or at the hotel, except for the days when we will be in the middle of a hike. For those days, we’ll have snacks and picnic food to maximize our time for photography.
Due to the late sunsets during summer, we might do either early or late dinners.
All transportation and fuel are included during the tour. We’ll be traveling in a private minibus for the duration of the trip. Our driver is a certified local driver who knows how best to navigate Madeira’s narrow and curvy roads.
Our workshops are completely centered on photography: finding the best lighting conditions during the trip and creating an intensive experience that is conducive to learning and taking the best images.
Our workshops are limited to small groups with a ratio of no more than six students per instructor. This is also an important factor for providing the attentive instruction you need during the tour.
During this workshop, we will photograph the famous locations in the Madeira as well as some hidden gems that we have discovered while exploring in the past that are rarely visited or photographed.
We will discuss your goals before the tour so we can create a dedicated instruction plan for you. It doesn’t matter what your age is or your skills are; we will design your plan and provide you with materials before, during, and after the workshop so the learning process is not limited to just the tour.
We have spent years designing national and international photo tours with successful results, helping photographers with everything from the simple task of getting off Auto to the ambitious goal of capturing complex images.
Beyond the photography, our photography workshops help build strong bonds that last forever. After our trip, you’ll feel like you have been with a group of friends rather than on a standard tour. We are thankful to have plenty of repeat clients who keep traveling and learning with us.
You are welcome to join us regardless of your level of photography experience. We keep our tour groups small so we can offer intimate assistance to each attendee and adapt to their skill level and needs. Together, we’ll make sure you return home with a greater knowledge of many photography topics.
Once you sign up for the workshop, we will discuss your skills and goals for this tour, and I’ll organize a teaching plan so you can make the most of this experience.
This is not a hiking photo tour, and most of the locations will be next to the parking lot or the cable car station.
However, there are some moderate hikes that we’ll take and that you should consider. Also, conditions like rain or fog can make the hikes more difficult. Some routes include several steep sections up and down with staircases.
We will be driving, walking, and taking a lot of photographs during the tour, so we recommend being in good physical shape to be able to enjoy this experience.
Please refer to the hiking section for more detailed information about all the hikes.
There is no age limit. This trip is perfect for anyone over 18 years old who wants to photograph Madeira with us.
Non-photographer companions are welcome to join the tour, and they need to book a spot under the same price and conditions as any other participant. (We don’t allow non-participant companions tagging along with the group). We have had plenty of non-photographer companions over the years and all of them enjoyed an amazing experience. As long as they enjoy nature, beautiful landscapes, and are a bit patient with the schedules of a photo tour, joining the trip can be a great experience regardless of the shooting.
We highly recommend bringing a drone if you have one. The levadas on the island offer endless opportunities for unique and diverse perspectives when photographing them from the air.
It’s important to note that you must have all the required permits and licenses as a drone operator, as well as valid liability insurance. Our guides will provide guidance on the specific places where drones can be flown and the height and distance restrictions at each location, ensuring a safe and responsible drone flying experience.
I’ve had the opportunity to work with and help countless photographers over the last years:
Madeira is one of the most photogenic hidden gems in the Atlantic Ocean.
Enchanted laurisilva forests, spectacular seascapes, lush vegetation and waterfalls, picturesque villages, beautiful dark skies…Madeira’s photo opportunities are endless.
Join a team of expert instructors and a group of passionate photographers in a unique photo adventure to the land of mystical forests!
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