Half a Day Elopement Photosession in Madeira’s Stunning Northwest

Many newlywed couples choose Madeira as an elopement destination, and we understand why. On this tiny Atlantic island, you’ll find the UNESCO-listed Fanal laurel forest, black volcanic sand beaches, dramatic cliffs, stunning ocean views, and towering mountains above the clouds. With such a diverse landscape, Madeira is a truly unique place for a memorable elopement photosession.

When all these breathtaking spots fit within a 57 km long and 22 km wide island, it seems easy to plan a half-day photosession. However, Madeira only looks small. Once you start driving on its winding, mountainous roads with endless ups and downs, you quickly realize that four hours is barely enough to explore just one side of the island—either east or west.

Elopement photosession in Madeira and the way we do it

This time, we headed northwest (you can check examples of the east side of Madeira here). Seixal’s black volcanic sand beach, the picturesque rock formations at Ribeira da Janela, and the misty Fanal laurel forest are some of my favorite locations for elopement photography.

UNESCO heritage site – Fanal forest, Madeira

Starting in Fanal early in the morning is a must to avoid crowds. After 9 a.m., the area becomes quite busy. There are some truly remarkable trees here, and I know the best spots to capture them. Sometimes, we’re lucky to have rolling fog (clouds), creating an enchanting atmosphere, while other times, the sun bathes the forest in warm golden light. Usually, 1.5 hours is enough to cover most of the key spots. The most challenging weather conditions in Fanal are heavy rain and strong winds—you can’t stand them for more than five minutes.

Photosession in Ribeira de Janela, Madeira

After the laurel forest, we made our way down to the ocean. Our next stop was Ribeira da Janela, a place famous for its powerful waves and two striking rock formations standing together in the Atlantic. There’s also a small cave surrounded by black lava rocks, offering a unique setting for photos. Around 20–30 minutes is enough to capture the best angles here.

Seixal Beach is a great place for elopement photosession in Madeira

Next, we arrived at Seixal, a place that looks like something straight out of Avatar with its lush green cliffs and black sand beach. The best time to shoot here is during low tide when there’s more space to explore. Like Fanal, it can get crowded, but there’s always a way to find a quiet spot. Normally, we spend about an hour or a little more capturing the best shots.

The drive itself takes about one hour from Funchal to Fanal Forest and 30–40 minutes from Seixal Beach back to Funchal. In total, it’s a true half-day session with 4 hours of shooting and 1.5 hours of driving. By the end of the day, the couple receives a stunning collection of photos—from the mystical forest and rugged ocean shore to the black volcanic sand beach and intimate close-ups at every location.

Even though an elopement photosession in the northwest of Madeira involves some travel, the variety of breathtaking landscapes makes every moment worth it.