Fanal Forest - Tips & info on Madeira's fairytale forest.

Laurel forests are no longer common in Europe. Only the Azores, Canary Islands and Madeira still have these special, subtropical forests. Fanal Forest contributes to the island's total of 15,000 hectares of laurel forest, giving Madeira the largest, best remaining laurel forest in Europe. During foggy conditions, the forest will transform itself into a veritable fairytale forest, but you just have to be lucky with the weather.

The average Instagram or Google photo will show more fog than daytime photos with blue skies (like mine). Hopefully it won't stop you from reading on with practical information about this unique UNESCO attraction!

Visiting the magical fairytale forest

From Funchal, it is a 1 hour drive to Fanal Forest. Depending on your travel planning for the day you want to visit Fanal Forest, there are 2 routes: via Ribiera da Janela or via Paul da Serra (flattest point of the island). If you travel via Paúl da Serra you will pass Miradouro Lombo do Mouro, Bica da Cana and Pico Ruivo do Paul: viewpoints that are definitely worth stopping for!

Once you arrive at the Fanal Forest parking lot, you can walk straight into the laurel forest and surround yourself among the beautiful laurel trees. If you are lucky, you'll have foggy conditions and you will find yourself in a real magical, fairy tale forest. The forest is large enough to take a nice walk. Also make sure to walk to the hills for a nice view (if it is not too foggy of course).

The Pinnacle is a nice viewpoint with low-hanging clouds on the ocean side. With a bit of extra luck, they hang so low that they'll fill the valley!

The best time to visit Fanal Forest?

When it's foggy! Unfortunately I don't have an answer to the question of when the greatest chance of fog is. Madeira's climate is so variable and Fanal is located above the clouds (1150 meters above sea level) you may just experience fog on your way up, but it is no longer there when you're above the clouds. So, that means you will definitely need a little luck to get the perfect conditions.

There are plenty of highlights nearby, like Ribiera da Janela (viewpoint)/ Seixal. Thus, you can always drive by and see if you have the perfect weather conditions for an (extra) cool photo and to experience the real fairy tale feeling. I, despite several attempts, did not manage to find the fog, but still managed to get a cool picture at the Pinnacle and at the trees!

Good to know!

The forest is also a place where many cows have found their new home. During your walk through the forest you will encounter plenty of them. Also on the way to Fanal Forest you may encounter some cows, so be careful while driving! There is a warning sign along the road a few times.