Viewpoints
Fanal
Thousand-year laurel trees, best in fog
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The place
A high pasture ringed by ancient, wind-twisted laurel trees. It is the one place on the island where bad weather is the point: in clear sun it is a nice meadow, and in fog it is the most photographed landscape on Madeira.
When to come
Fog or low cloud, which on the north-west plateau is most mornings and many afternoons.
Worth knowing
- Drive up via Paul da Serra; the road is exposed and can be in cloud
- Cold and damp even in summer
- No facilities — nearest anything is in Porto Moniz or Seixal