Best places to Watch the Madeira Fireworks on New year’s Eve
Madeira’s New Year’s Eve fireworks are famous for a reason. Fireworks are launched from multiple points along the harbour and the hills, lighting up the entire bay. But, unless you pick a good spot, you won’t see the best of the whole spectacle. So here are the best places to watch the Madeira fireworks on New Year’s Eve.
Spectacular Madeira fireworks on New Year’s Eve.
1. From a Boat
If you want to splurge on a premium experience, watching the fireworks from a boat will give you the best perspective. In fact, that’s what you see on TV year after year. There are 12 cruises ships, Lobo Marinho (the ferry connecting Madeira to Porto Santo), sailboats and small local boats. Although tickets for Lobo Marinho and cruises sell out far in advance, you may still be able to find a spot on one of the smaller boats.
The Funchal marina is filled with private boats that sell tickets for NYE. Be prepared to pay a premium for a spot on a boat, and prepare yourself for an unforgettable night as week. The last tickets are available here, and according to the website you can still rent a private boat for up to 12 people as well. This would be a perfect and private experience for a large family or a group of friends.
2. Funchal Bay & Marina
If you can’t get on a boat, the classic choice would be staying by the waterfront, somewhere between the Yellow Fort and the Pontinha Fort (the marina is more or less in the middle). Here you’ll be at the epicentre of the festivities, where energy bursts. It’ll be like being at the frontline at a major rock concert or festival.
Now, the caveats. On the waterfront, you won’t have an elevated platform. You need to turn your back to the ocean and see the whole 180º show. And of course, you’ll be surrounded by people and you’ll have to stand. It may be hard for large groups of people to stick together.
Besides, the bay naturally echos the noise from the fireworks. Combined with music, countdown screams and the general atmosphere, this means you’ll hear a lot of noise for 10 minutes – like a loud thunder, one after the other, for 15 minutes. For those sensitive to noise or who treasure their personal space, it’s not a good choice.
3. Santa Catarina Park
Together with the waterfront, Santa Catarina is a classic loved by locals and tourists. Although the garden is large, expect it to get busy. Unlike the waterfront, the park does offer an elevated platform from which can see almost the entire bay. It’s a very nice perspective.
If this is your first time watching the fireworks in Madeira, this is one of the places I recommend the most. You’ll get the feel of the thing because it’s lively, but you won’t be crushed by the crowd. If you come early, you may actually find a place to sit down in the grass while you wait for the fireworks. Bring some champagne and enjoy the show!
4. Pico dos Barcelos
Pico dos Barcelos is one of the highest viewpoints within Funchal, 355 m above sea level. Up there, you get to see everything: the bay, the multiple launch points, and the whole scale of the show from a safe distance. It’s also great for people who want to take photographs that capture the whole thing.
Unsurprisingly, Pico dos Barcelos is beloved by locals who prefer to watch the fireworks from a higher viewpoint. If you choose to watch the fireworks in Madeira from here, it’s better to arrive early. Around 21:00 it will get harder and harder to park (maybe take a taxi or an Uber) and at 22:00 it will start to fill up. If taking a taxi or an Uber, remember they are on high demand and you may have to wait to get back home afterward.
5. Miradouro da Nazaré
In my humble opinion, Miradouro da Nazaré is another of the top spots to watch the fireworks in Madeira from a higher viewpoint. Nazaré is a big neighbourhood – the largest social housing neighbourhood on the island – so it quickly fills up with locals. But if you’re staying nearby, for example near the Barreiros stadium, it’s definitely worth it.
6. Fortaleza do Pico
Going a little uphill from the city centre, Fortaleza do Pico is another excellent spot to watch the Madeira fireworks. The fort has an advantage viewpoint over the bay, so you’ll get a pretty good angle. Again, you’ll have to survive the steep way up (and then come all the way down), but can still do it slowly by foot and you won’t be dependent on taxis.
7. rooftops (either at your Hotel or Private Lodging)
Many hotels in Funchal, especially along the Lido and central areas, have rooftop bars or sea-facing balconies with direct views of the bay. Likewise, if you’re staying at an AirBnB, many buildings have rooftops that offer high viewpoints. Depending where you’re staying, of course, you may not have a 180º view. However, even if you don’t get the whole experience, it will never be dull.
Plus, the rooftops have a great thing going for them. They’re a more comfortable option that doesn’t get as crowded as the waterfront, Santa Catarina Park, or Pico dos Barcelos. You won’t need to wait 4 or 5 hours in place – you can simply make your way up as midnight approaches. If your hotel or AirBnB does not have a rooftop, you can also look for bars and restaurants who do, although they’ll be expensive and likely sold out by now.
8. Miradouro das Cruzes
Near Quinta das Cruzes, Miradouro das Cruzes offers another viewpoint not too far from Funchal’s city centre. If you’re staying around the Plaza Madeira area (the shopping mall) and don’t feel like heading to the waterfront, this could be your spot. It doesn’t have a completely unobstructed view (there are buildings around), but it’s certainly better than staying in lower streets of Funchal – outside of the waterfront, you’ll struggle to see anything.
9. Lazareto viewpoint
This is an option you won’t see on most guides. Back in the old, old days, Lazareto had an hospital where the ill went to quarantine. In fact, this was the area that received patients during the last cholera epidemic on the island, in the beginning of the 20th century. So, it wasn’t exactly prime real estate. Funchal grew westward, and the east side of the city remained in local’s hands.
These days, of course, things have changed quite a bit. There are AirBnBs everywhere. So, if you find yourself close to Santa Maria and don’t want to go to the waterfront, or if you’re staying in São Gonçalo, the Lazareto viewpoint could become your strategic place to watch the fireworks on New Year’s Eve without mingling with a huge crowd. In fact, since the surrounding area is a little rundown, it will be even less busy than other viewpoints favoured by locals, like Pico dos Barcelos.
10. Monte & hillside viewpoints
Higher areas like Monte (Monte Park, Terreiro da Luta, Choupana), Marmeleiros or residential hills overlooking Funchal offer a quieter experience and a wide-angle view of the whole bay. You won’t hear music, the crowd noise, or even the fireworks as much, but the view can be stunning as long as there’s no rain or fog. Check the forecast to predict if the clouds will be low or not.
However, remember that smoke is hot air, so it goes up. Don’t stay close to a place where fireworks are bing shot from, because that won’t be pleasant. Try to stay at least 150 meters away!
There’s no single “best” place to watch Madeira’s New Year’s Eve fireworks. It depends on how you want to experience them! If you want energy, go downtown. If you want perspective, go up. If you want comfort, look for a rooftop. What matters is planning ahead. Do that, and Madeira’s fireworks really are one of the most memorable ways to welcome the new year in Europe.
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