Madeira certainly has its share of unique accommodations, including glamping (luxury tents), eco-lodges, and tiny houses.
While these are not the most common types of accommodation in Madeira, you can still find them if you look in the more rural areas.
This type of nature-focused accommodation in Madeira is clustered mostly in the mountainous interior as well as in the more remote southwest part of the island. These parts of the island are easy to recommend if you’re looking for a quiet stay well away from the hubbub around the capital.
To make things easier, we’ve curated some of the best options here!
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Soul Glamping
This is the highest-rated glamping accommodation in Madeira! This dome has a large balcony offering incredible ocean views. While being a luxury tent, it will feel almost like a studio, with a typical Portuguese “salamander” heater making it cozy even in winter.
You’ll be located in nature, just up the cliff (and a 5-minute drive) from Jardim do Mar, which is one of our favourite villages in Madeira. You’ll also be within walking distance from Madeira’s only tiki bar, Pukiki, where you can grab Polynesian-style cocktails at night.
Mountain Eco Shelters
In Madeira, nature is never far away! These wooden eco shelters are located in the Parque Ecol贸gico do Funchal, which is only a 30-minute drive north of the capital, Funchal. Despite being so easy to reach, this collection of holiday homes will feel like a secret hideaway, giving you expansive island vistas, blissful quietness, and beautiful starry skies at night.
Since this is a nature retreat, there is only WiFi at reception. You can take this as your chance to be offline for a little while! If you intend to do any mountain hiking, it’s a perfect place to be based.
If you’re not self-catering, then an onsite tavern has everything you need. The nearby ecological park features a plant nursery (which supports reforestation on the island), and a campsite, and has several animals including donkeys, which will be great to visit with kids.
Calheta Glamping Pods
These pod-style glamping cabins offer a nature retreat near Calheta, in the southwest part of the island. The property includes 5 of these wooden bungalows, each with fully equipped kitchenettes, AC/heating, and offering ocean views and (shared) outdoor pool access.
Fresh bread is provided every day and there is a garden with fresh vegetables available for meals, which is definitely a unique feature we haven’t seen anywhere else!
We love this part of the island which is much less urbanized and feels more remote than the central region around the capital. You’ll be within a 30-minute drive of some excellent hiking trails, such as the Levada do Moinho hike and the misty forests of Fanal.
Vi Naturae Glamping
These luxury tents offer gorgeous ocean views and come equipped with AC, flatscreen TV, private bathroom and shower, and kitchenette, making this truly a glamping experience. You’ll be in perfect comfort while also feeling closer to nature.
This glamping is situated up on the cliffs near the Miradouro da Raposeira viewing point. A short drive to the coast will take you to Paul do Mar, one of our favourite seaside villages, where you can enjoy the beach bar, eat fresh fish at the restaurants, or swim by the harbor.
The Tiny Black Bird
For the ultimate remote getaway in Madeira, simply stay at this wooden cabin in the far west of the island, near Faja da Ovelha. This is one of the less populated areas in Madeira, with gorgeous landscapes and dramatic cliff views, such as at the Miradouro do Massapez.
You’ll be within easy driving distance of off-the-beaten-path sights like the Garganta Funda waterfall and the Achadas da Cruz cable car.
The Tiny House-style cabin includes a kitchenette, balcony, outdoor BBQ, a cozy bedroom, and stunning ocean views.
