Fanal is one of the most photographed landscapes in Madeira - a centuries-old Til (laurel) forest, part of a UNESCO World Heritage site, where the trees grow gnarled and fog rolls in and out within minutes. It's also one of the places where visitors most often get the planning wrong.
When to go
In the morning, before fog rises from the north coast. Fanal sits above 1,000 metres and the fog can blanket the forest completely from mid-morning onward, especially between May and September. If visibility for photos is the goal, earlier is always better.
Getting there
The access road to the Fanal plateau is mostly unpaved, narrow in places, and lightly signposted. On dense-fog days visibility can drop to a few metres. A 4x4 isn't strictly required, but most visitors prefer going with a local guide who knows the road and knows when it's worth waiting out the fog.
What to bring
- A jacket - Fanal is always colder than Funchal, even in summer
- Shoes with good grip - the ground gets slippery when damp
- A charged camera battery - it's the spot people photograph most on the whole route
Good to know
- There's no food or drink on site - bring water
- The forest is larger than it looks in photos; plan at least 45-60 minutes to explore at a relaxed pace
- Pairs well with Porto Moniz (natural pools) on the same day, given how close they are
How we visit it
Our Northwest Tour (full day, 8 hours) includes Fanal as one of the main stops, alongside the Cabo Girão skywalk and the Porto Moniz natural pools - we depart early enough to catch the forest with good visibility before the typical afternoon fog.