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 May & June, 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, with the opportunity to also capture the Milky Way at its best time
During this Madeira Island photography workshop, we will focus on the Northern part of the island.
We’ll 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 a favorable moon phase, so we will also venture out at night to photograph the Milky Way from some of the best locations in Madeira.
On this Madeira photo tour, our experienced guides will be by your side, assisting you in capturing the best possible 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 allow 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 to our accommodation in the northwest, where we will be staying for three nights. 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 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.
To end the day, we’ll head to Miradouro Pico da Murta, one of the finest viewpoints in the area. From here, we’ll enjoy panoramic views over the rugged mountains and the verdant São Vicente valley, with the Atlantic Ocean providing a stunning backdrop. The changing light at sunset often creates dramatic contrasts between the illuminated peaks and the shadows filling the valleys, offering fantastic photographic opportunities.madei
On the second 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.
We will go for sunset to 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. We’ll photograph the forest throughout the golden hour and sunset, taking advantage of the ever-changing light and moody conditions.
If the weather cooperates and the skies remain clear, we’ll stay after dark for a Milky Way session, capturing the ancient laurel trees beneath Madeira’s star-filled night sky.
This morning is yours to relax and recharge before we continue exploring Madeira’s spectacular landscapes.
Next, we will venture to the renowned area of Seixal, where we’ll visit the Natural Pools of Seixal. There, we’ll photograph a beautiful basaltic stone arch that has been meticulously shaped by the relentless forces of the sea.
In the afternoon, we’ll head to Miradouro da Bica da Cana, where we’ll photograph panoramic views of Madeira’s dramatic mountain landscape. If we’re lucky, we’ll also witness the famous sea of clouds that frequently blankets the valleys below.
We’ll begin the day photographing the beautiful Véu da Noiva Waterfall at sunrise. This iconic waterfall cascades directly down the dramatic cliffs of Madeira’s north coast, creating one of the island’s most recognizable landscapes.
After our morning session, we’ll drive to the south coast of Madeira and check in to our new accommodation in Caniço, where we’ll stay for the remainder of the tour.
In the evening, we’ll head to Miradouro do Juncal, near Pico do Areeiro, for our sunset session. From this spectacular viewpoint, we’ll capture the island’s dramatic mountain peaks, which are often surrounded by a sea of clouds and illuminated by the warm light of sunset.
We’ll start the day at Miradouro de São Cristóvão, a spectacular viewpoint overlooking Madeira’s rugged northeast coastline. From here, we’ll photograph the dramatic sea cliffs, volcanic rock formations, and the Atlantic Ocean stretching into the horizon.
In the afternoon, we’ll head to the Levada dos Balcões, where a short and easy walk will lead us to one of Madeira’s most iconic viewpoints. Surrounded by the island’s lush Laurisilva Forest, Miradouro dos Balcões an overlook offering a breathtaking view of the entire levada, along with the backdrop of the Arieiro 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.
We’ll begin the day with a sunrise session at Ponta de São Lourenço, Madeira’s easternmost peninsula. We’ll photograph the dramatic volcanic landscape from Miradouro do Caniçal and Miradouro Ponta do Bode, where rugged cliffs, colorful rock formations, and the Atlantic Ocean create striking photographic compositions.
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.
We’ll begin the day with a sunrise session at Pico Ruivo, Madeira’s highest peak. From this spectacular location, we’ll photograph the dramatic mountain ridges as they are illuminated by the first light of the day, often rising above a sea of clouds.
After sunrise, we’ll explore the traditional village of Santana, famous for its colorful triangular thatched houses, one of Madeira’s most iconic cultural landmarks.
Next, we’ll visit Queimadas, the starting point of the renowned Caldeirão Verde Trail. Surrounded by the island’s ancient Laurisilva Forest, this peaceful area offers beautiful woodland scenery and excellent opportunities to capture Madeira’s lush natural landscapes.
We’ll conclude the day with a sunset session at Miradouro do Paredão, overlooking the breathtaking Nuns Valley (Curral das Freiras). From this panoramic viewpoint, we’ll photograph the dramatic peaks and deep valleys as they glow in the warm evening light, providing a spectacular finale to another unforgettable day.
We’ll conclude our Madeira photo tour with a sunrise session at Miradouro Quinta do Furão. This spectacular viewpoint overlooks Madeira’s dramatic northeast coastline, offering stunning views of the cliffs, the Atlantic Ocean, and the surrounding mountains—the perfect setting for our final photography session before the tour comes to an end.
We recommend having your luggage prepared the day before, as we will depart for the airport no later than 9:30 AM.
Deposit: $2,000 USD
A $2,000 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:
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!
Portuguese photographer João Prego will be the co-leader of our Madeira Photo Tour. As an experienced landscape and night sky photographer, guide, and instructor, he brings a deep understanding of Portugal’s landscapes and the changing conditions photographers can expect in Madeira.
João has photographed a wide variety of environments, from dramatic coastlines and mountain peaks to ancient forests and night skies. He has also taught landscape photography workshops in destinations such as Northern Spain and worked as a night sky guide at the Dark Sky Alqueva Observatory in Portugal.
Throughout the tour, João will help you capture Madeira’s diverse scenery while offering practical guidance on camera settings, composition, and field workflow. His approachable teaching style will help photographers of all experience levels make the most of every photography session.
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 late May and early June 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.
Update on ETIAS:
A new travel authorization system called ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorization System) is expected to launch in the last quarter of 2026. Once implemented, travelers from many countries — including those who currently do not require a visa, such as the United States and Canada — will need to apply for ETIAS before entering the EU.
You can find more details on the official ETIAS website.
During this Madeira Island photo tour, we’ll stay at two carefully selected four-star oceanfront hotels. All participants will have a private room with a private bathroom.
By staying in Porto Moniz and Caniço, we’ll be strategically positioned on different sides of the island. This will reduce unnecessary driving and give us greater flexibility to follow Madeira’s changing microclimates and photograph the locations with the most favorable weather and light.
For the first part of the tour, we’ll stay at Aqua Natura Bay, a modern hotel overlooking the Atlantic Ocean and the dramatic mountains of Madeira’s north coast. Its location in Porto Moniz gives us convenient access to the island’s rugged northwestern landscapes and the UNESCO listed Laurissilva Forest.
Rooms feature balconies and direct Atlantic views, making this an especially scenic place to relax between photography sessions. You’ll also have complimentary access to the famous Porto Moniz natural swimming pools. Hotel facilities include an outdoor pool overlooking the ocean, an indoor pool, sauna, Jacuzzi and Turkish bath.
For the second part of the tour, we’ll stay at The Views Oásis, located directly on the seafront beside Reis Magos Beach. The hotel offers direct access to the coastal promenade and beautiful views toward the Desertas Islands and Ponta de São Lourenço. Its location also places us within easy reach of Madeira’s eastern and southern photography locations.
After our photography sessions, you’ll be able to enjoy the outdoor saltwater pool overlooking the Atlantic, a heated indoor pool, Jacuzzi, sauna, Turkish bath, spa and gym. The hotel also offers several restaurants and bars featuring Portuguese and Madeiran cuisine.
Couples or friends sharing a room will receive a $600 discount per room, equivalent to $300 per person.
This is not a hiking photo tour, and most of the locations will be next to the parking lot.
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, except breakfast at the hotel. 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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