madeira travel map

Madeira Travel Guide: everything you need to know

Welcome to our ultimate Madeira travel guide, specifically written for backpackers. Ancient Greek geographers referred to the archipelago region of the Madeira Islands as Macaronesia, meaning “Islands of the Blessed”, a name that holds true to their beauty, nature, history, culture, and traditions. If the Madeira Islands were not already on your travel radar, they will be by the end of this complete guide!

What are the Madeira Islands?

The Madeira Islands are cradled i n the North Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Europe and Africa and are recognized as Natural Reserves. This region of Portugal is autonomous and is made up of four islands: Madeira , Porto Santo , Desertas, and Selvagens . These islands are known for rich biodiversity, impressive waterfalls, hiking routes, and landscapes.

Not all these islands are inhabited. Can you guess why? A beautiful landscape is not always a livable one. The natural landscape in Madeira and Porto Santo permit people to live on these two islands.

The names of the Desertas and Selvagens Islands are a clue as to why they are uninhabited. In English, Desertas means Deserted, and Selvagens means Savage. Their rugged and harsh natural environment makes them difficult for people to access and live on.

HIKING : With over 130 hiking trails, there’s a trail for every backpacker! The Vereda dos Balcões is a great trail for beginners, and the hike from Pico do Areeiro to Pico Ruivo is great for the well-seasoned hiker!

No question, the Madeira Islands are a hot spot. This dormant shield volcano is known for its vibrant and lush vegetation thanks to the mineral-rich volcanic soil. With volcanic soil comes rocky and hilly terrain.

Craving the views below water? Say no more! Go diving and see the beauty surrounding the Islands. Or hit up the waves and go surfing.

Getting Around Madeira Island

There are different ways of getting around Madeira Island depending on where you begin your trip and what your budget is.

🚌 GO BY BUS ON MADEIRA ISLAND:

Busses are reliable but a bit chaotic in Madeira. Each town has its own public transportation service, while different towns are connected by different bus companies, depending on the area. You have 4 main companies: Horarios do Funchal , SAM , EACL and Rodoeste .

In Funchal and suburbs: Horários do Funchal is a company that can easily get you in and out of Funchal. Besides Funchal suburbs and Câmara de Lobos, this urban bus service will also take you to several tourist attractions, such as Pico dos Barcelos, Monte or the Botanical Garden.

A bus ticket costs €1.35 EUR ($1.53 USD) if you purchase it ahead of time, €1.95 EUR ($2.21 USD) if you buy it on board and €4.50 EUR ($5.09 USD) for a day pass. For bus times , be sure to check out the timetable for urban and interurban trips.

On the go? Download the HF Bus App to know the schedule wherever you are.

From Funchal: by using SAM and EACL bus services you can go east to Caniço, Santa Cruz, Madeira Airport, Machico, Santo da Serra and Porto da Cruz. Rodoeste , whose buses stop in Câmara de Lobos, Ribeira brava, Ponta do Sol, Madalena do Mar, Calheta, Porto Moniz and São Vicente, ensures transportation to the western part of Madeira. Ceck out this map to see different areas served by Rodoeste, and the relative fares. The most expensive bus ticket is 6€, and allows you to reach Porto Moniz from Funchal.

🚗 GO BY CAR ON MADEIRA ISLAND:

The most common way to get around Madeira Island is by car. The roads are in great conditions pretty much all over the island, however they may be narrow or very steep at some points. Also, you will be driving on the right side of the road.

Here is everything you need to know about getting around by car on Madeira:

TAXI: The initial fare for your average taxi ride in Funchal starts at €3.50 EUR ($4 USD) and will cost approximately €3 EUR ($3.40 USD) per 5km. You can use the Táxi Madeira App to help plan your travels.

UBER: The base price for an Uber ride in Funchal starts at €1.00 EUR ($1.13 USD).

BOLT: The base price for a Bolt ride in Funchal starts at €1.09 EUR ($1.23 USD) and will cost € 0.59 EUR/km ($0.67 USD/km) and € 0.27 EUR/min ($0.31 USD/min). The minimum fare is € 2.50 EUR ($2.83 USD) /ride.

CAR RENTAL: For a standard sedan, renting a car will cost about €25 EUR ($28 USD) /day in low season. For a larger car or during busier seasons, expect to pay closer to €40 EUR ($45 USD) /day or more. Before booking, contact the rental agency via email to learn more about prices and what cars are currently available. We recommend booking your car rental prior to your arrival or renting it directly in Funchal, not at the airport. You can always ask for a pick-up at the airport!

GAS STATIONS: Unlike other European countries where you can find different prices depending on the brand, in Madeira, the price of gas is pretty much the same across the whole island, with differences of just a couple of cents. Also, you’ll have to refill the tank on your own. How does it work exactly? First, you park your car, you tap the amount (in €) that you’d like to refill and then you put the gas. Once you’re done with the refueling you will look for the cash desk and pay.

VISITING THE DIFFERENT ISLANDS:

PORTO SANTO : To reach the largest Island, Madeira, you can arrive by air at its capital Funchal. If you wish to start your travels in Porto Santo, you can fly to its capital Vila Baleira. Ferry rides allow you to travel to and from the Islands with the Porto Santo line . A roundtrip ticket (tourist class) for 1 adult is €59.44 EUR ($67 USD) for April-September and €48.60 EUR ($55 USD) for the rest of the year. NOTE: During the low season (usually January), the connection may be suspended as the ferry undergoes maintenance.

THE DESERTAS: You can reach the Desertas Islands by boat from Funchal, the capital of Madeira. The Deserta Islands are made up of Chão Islet, Bugio, and Deserta Grande. You’ll need to book a group tour to visit this island as access is restricted.

THE SELVAGENS: Visiting the Selvagens Islands can be a bit tricky. The freshwater surrounding the two Islands (Selvagem Grande and Selvagem Pequena) are filled with coral reefs that make accessing the Islands difficult. As a protected Natural Reserve, you need to obtain permission from the Madeira National Park to visit.

B est Time to Visit Madeira

The climate of the Madeira Islands is mild and people often refer to the weather as an ‘ eternal Spring ‘. Sound enticing?

If you are looking for a warm, sunny destination, the summer months June-September would be the ideal time to visit. Temperatures are around 20-25°C from May to October, while they go down to 13-16°C during winter months, with higher chances of rain.

However, while the summer months may be the most ideal for hiking and beach, waterfalls will most likely be at their minimum in terms of their water flow. Also, during the winter months you will have higher chances to find moody clouds on your hikes, and the island will be greener in general.

Top Things to Do in Madeira

• The Madeira Islands are crawling with waterfalls! Most of them are located at the end of a Levada, which are usually very well-mantained trails. Our favourites are the Levada do Caldeirao Verde and the 25 Fountains Levada.
• Looking for an epic hike? The summit with the highest peak on the Madeira Island is the Pico Ruivo (1,861m high). Don’t miss the Pico do Arieiro to Pico Ruivo hike!
• Did you know the largest surviving laurel forest is the Laurisilva Forest of Madeira and it’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site? Its trees are over 500 years old and are found in Fanal!
• Catch dolphins and monk seals in the waters surrounding the Desertas Islands.
• Don’t miss the viewpoints! At the Cabo Girão lookout point (elevation of 580 m), you will have a breathtaking view of the coast from the glass platform known as the Skywalk. Miradouro do Juncal in Pico do Arieiro is another viewpoint you don’t wanna miss.

Where to Stay in Madeira

Choosing where to stay in Madeira is quite easy as your location doesn’t have a huge impact on what you are going to see. In fact, you can travel from either end of the island in just over an hour, making it very easy to explore.

This means that no matter what your favourite activities are, you could either choose to spend your entire stay in a single accommodation or change it up every few days.

Understanding Madeira, however, is really important. There is a major difference between the northern and the southern side .

THE NORTHERN SIDE: The northern side of Madeira receives a considerably larger amount of rain and significantly less daylight. This means that this part of the island is usually slightly colder and dominated by more lush vegetation.

THE SOUTHERN SIDE: The southern side of the island is much sunnier and slightly warmer than the northern side. Places like Ponta do Sol rarely receive rain even during the winter months, and you can expect to have a good 1.5 hours more of sunshine every day. Also, don’t forget that you get to see the sunset on the ocean from Funchal to Calheta!

FUNCHAL – Funchal is the largest city and the capital of Portugal’s Autonomous Region of Madeira. It’s where most hostels are located, it’s convenient to the airport (which is just 20km away) and it’s dotted with bars and restaurants. It’s the best base for travellers seeking parties, connections, fun, and experience the vibrant lifestyle of Madeira.

RIBEIRA BRAVA & CAMARA DE LOBOS – These two areas are also located on the southern coast of Madeira. The coast here has the most stunning cliffs of the whole island, including the one of Cabo Girão Skywalk. Riberia Brava is also the gateway to Calhau da Lapa , a must-visit place in Madeira. Consider sleeping in one of the old caves of Calhau da Lapa !

PONTA DO SOL & CALHETA – This area is dotted with some of the best surfing spots in Madeira. Ponta do Sol , Paul do Mar , Calheta , Jardim do Mar , Madalena do Mar are all stunning places to stay. This side of the island receives a considerably lower amount of precipitations and at least 1.5 hours more sunlight each day. These towns are also quite convenient for those who want to explore the western side of the island, as well as the north-western side. Stay at Canto das Fontes for an amazing glamping experience.

PORTO MONIZ & SAO VICENTE – This part of Madeira is is all about laid-back island vibes. Like in Ponta do Sol and Calheta, here you will find some great waves if you like surfing. Porto Moniz is popular for its natural swimming pools, and the town itself is pretty nice.

SANTANA – Santana is a good base for those who want to explore the Mountain range of Madeira but don’t like the idea of living in a big city like Funchal. Stay in one of the many accommodations in Santana, Sao Jorge, or Faial.

MACHICO – Porto da Cruz isn’t Machico’s main town. However, it is a cozy town of just 2500 people on the northern coast of the island and it’s the best place to surf for beginners in Madeira. Consider staying in Porto da Cruz as a base for your daily trips to the mountain or just to stay away from the hustle of the city. Porto da Cruz is also a good option for solo travellers and backpackers: we loved the atmosphere at Jaca Hostel , a place we would definitely recommend. Also, the town of Machico is quite interesting, on the southern side of the region.

SANTA CRUZ – Santa Cruz is a calm fishing village located near the airport of Madeira, not far from the city of Funchal. The village of Santa Cruz is one of the oldest on the island, characterized by palmeras, beaches, cliffs, and a stunning view of the Deserted Islands.

Useful Apps & Websites for Madeira

• HIKING: Check out the WalkMe App for maps and tips for hiking across Madeira. The app is free but we highly recommend paying the 4.99€ for the “explorer” version to grant access to all 60+ walks in Madeira, download the offline maps and more. Maps.me is also another great app to have on your phone. It’s free and you can download the map of the island.
• WEATHER: Netmadeira.com is the go-to website for checking weather conditions on the island. The homepage features live webcams from different areas of Madeira. The island is famous for having many different bioclimates, so if you’re having back luck in one area, just visit this website and cross your fingers! Sun may shine not far from where you are! Windy is also very reliable when it comes to the weather forecast.
• BUSSES: Visit Sam Bus Website for detailed information on bus rides around the island of Madeira.
• ISLAND NEWS & TRAILS: Check out VisitMadeira.pt for updates and info on trail status. Some hiking trails may be closed in specific dates for safety reasons, so make sure to check their status before going.

Is Madeira Expensive to Visit?

This is usually one of the toughest questions to answer as the budget largely depends on one’s lifestyle. However, we tried to list here some of the most common expenses you will encounter on your trip, dividing them by category.

• Accommodation
• Transportation
• Total Budget

ACCOMMODATION

Transportation.

AIRPORT SHUTTLE INFO: A bus ticket from the airport to Funchal only costs €5 EUR ($6 USD).

The local delights put the FUN in Funchal. Tasty, healthy, and seasonal food is what Madeira is all about. It’s also quite affordable! A one-course meal costs €10 EUR ($12 USD), and a multiple course meal including a main dish, side dish, dessert, and water will cost €20 EUR ($23 USD). An espresso costs anything from €0.60 EUR ($0.70 USD) to €1 ($1.15 USD). Tips are not included in the bill.

Foods to try are the renowned Espetada Pau Louro (skewered beef) €14 EUR ($16 USD), Milho fritto (corn and cabbage fried cubes), Polvo (octopus) €10 EUR ($12 USD), Lapas (limpets on a pan) €7 ($9 USD), Bolo do Caco (traditional bread with garlic butter) €3 ($4 USD), and the Prego (steak sandwich) €4 ($5 USD). Expect to pay slightly more in the Funchal area, while prices drop as soon as you go on the northern side and at some local restaurants.

Drinks to try are the Poncha , Madeira Wine, Green Wine and Licor de Ginja da Madeira (Cherry liquor).

Madeira offers a wide range of free and paid activities. The prices below are intended per person.

TOTAL BUDGET

BUDGET BACKPACKERS: If you want to stretch your dollar while still being able to explore Madeira, you should budget for about 30-40€ ($34-$45 USD) a day. This involves travelling in a group (possibly of 4) to split the costs of transportation, housing and more. Expect to rent one of the cheapest Airbnb’s on the island for 4 people ($12 USD/night per person), share a rental car for your day trips ($8 USD/day per person + gasoline), stick to the free activities and eat most of your meals at home. Total cost for 14 days: €420-€550 per person ( $480-$630 USD ).

MID-BUDGET COUPLE : Expect to pay around €60-€70 ($67-$78 USD) a day per person for a bit more comforts. For this budget, you will be sleeping in a mid-budget double room ($20-$30 USD/night per person), split the cost of a rental car ($15 USD/day per person + gasoline) and eat one meal per day at a restaurant ($15-$25 USD per person). Total cost for 14 days: €840-€980 per person ( $950-$1.100 USD ).

SOLO MID-BUDGET TRAVELERS: Madeira isn’t that friendly to solo travellers when it comes to budgeting. This is mainly due to transportation. A car is essential to explore the island and if you don’t have anyone to split the cost with, it can be pricy. Budget for about €70-€80 ($80-$90 USD) a day if you are on your own. Sleep in a hostel ($20-$25 USD/night per person), rent your own car ($30 USD/day + gasoline) and eat one meal per day at a restaurant ($15-$25 USD). Total cost for 14 days: €980-€1.120 per person ( $1.100-$1.270 USD ).

FLASHPACKER: Budget for about a similar amount as the previous 2 categories, plus add a few activities or more expensive accommodations here and there. Your daily average budget will need to be around €100-€120 ($110-$135 USD) if you are travelling solo, a bit less if you split some of the costs with others. Total cost for 14 days: €1.400-€1680 per person ( $1.580-$1.900 USD )

Is Madeira Safe?

Madeira was voted the European Safest Destination in 2021, also due to its effort to apply measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19. In fact, the island is very safe to travel to, even if you’re going solo.

Crime is very low in Madeira. Crimes that do take place tend not to target travellers.

Hiking dangers do exist in Madeira, mainly around waterfalls along the Levada trails and on the drops of the Veredas. These are the trails that are nearby water sources like falls and you can expect some areas to be quite wet and slippery.

Driving risks in Madeira are due to its natural mountainous landscape. Many sites to explore on the island are the easiest to get to by car. If you’re driving here for the first time and you aren’t used to mountainous roads, be vigilant and take your time as some of the roads are winding and steep.

Swimming and surfing in Madeira can be wild (both in a fun and risky way). Things to keep in mind when taking a dip: the waves can be quite strong (especially in winter) and be aware of the large rocks below your feet.

What to Eat and Drink?

Have you heard of Madeira wine ? This fortified drink is a must to try. Madeira has a huge tradition when it comes to wines. In fact, wine has been produced here for over 500 years, and ancient traditions are well preserved. On the island, everywhere you look there are terraces, where grapes grow in abundance. The harvesting starts in August all the way to October.

And that’s not all! Don’t forget to taste Poncha , a typical drink with a lemon or orange juice base made with distilled alcohol (Aguardiente) made from sugar cane.

The food will get you going too! Try fish and seafood like lapas (limpets), octopus, grilled trout, or try the espetada – beef cubes (that melt in your mouth) served on a laurel skewer or the Bolo de caco wheat bread! And don’t forget to try the tropical fruits like Anona, Guava, Passion fruit and Tabaibo among many others.

Looking for a place to eat? Check out our favourite restaurants and bars recommended by locals.

How Long Should You Stay?

While the island may seem small on a map, there is actually a lot to see. It may seem hard to believe, but there are about 200 Levadas, 30 Veredas and countless waterfalls in Madeira. So, how long should you go for? The answer is very subjective.

Plan the length of your stay depending on the activities you are interested in. For example, if you’re a hiking enthusiast, consider you can only do 1 “major” or 2 smaller Levadas/Veredas a day. Most of these trails, in fact, take up to 5 hours to complete, and you could spend a whole month exploring the over 60 recommended trails.

On the other hand, if you’re just coming to relax and visit a few sights, 7 to 10 days would be enough.

Recommended duration: 15 days – 20 days

Best Tips for Backpacking Madeira

• There are two groups of hiking trails in the Madeira Islands: Levadas and Veredas . The first group are the Levada s trails. These trails are quite clean and near water sources. The second group, the Veredas trails, can be more challenging. These trails are more rugged and take you along the mountains. One thing is for sure – both types of trails will blow your mind!
• Wear comfortable clothing and shoes . The right clothes and being comfortable can make your trek more enjoyable. Also, even though the weather is mild all year round it can get quite cold if you hike up the highest mountains. Snow is rare, but it can fall even in Madeira. Get yourself prepared.
• Stay on the trail . This tip is for your safety and prevent dammage to local wildlife habitats and preserve the local environment. Bring a cellphone and let someone know where you’re going hiking, even someone at your place of accommodation.
• Always bring a rain-jacket with you. It’s better to be prepared when the weather turns.
• Don’t forget about electronics! The standard voltage in Madeira is 230V with a frequency of 50Hz. The sockets are categorized as type F , also known as Schuko. Type F (like other European countries) and is also compatible with Types C and E. Consider buying a power adapter for your electronics if the plugs don’t match that of the sockets.

Useful Covid-19 Travel Information

MADEIRASAFE.COM – When travelling during the pandemic, stay up-to-date with all the travel requirements for visiting the Madeira Islands on Madeirasafe.com . Register on this portal before flying there to speed up the process upon arrival. If you submitted valid documentation before arriving in Madeira (Green Certificate, Vaccine, Test or Recovery), you can request a free Antigen test to return to your country.

VISITMADEIRA.PT For more information about requirements of entry, testing, exceptions, and testing upon departure read more on the region’s official website visitmadeira.pt . They have a handy App, the Madeira Tourism App that will keep you informed the whole way.

MORE! You can take a free rapid antigen COVID-19 test in Funchal. You’ll see several tents advertising tests with medical staff. But if you run out of time, don’t worry, you can take a test at the airport. Just be sure to arrive well before your boarding time in case there is a queue. The rapid antigen will cost €30 EUR ($34 USD) and take 30 minutes to receive results.

Disclaimer: The availability and costs of the rapid antigen test at the Madeira airport in Funchal are based on our trip in January 2022. This may be subject to change. You can check the airport’s website to stay informed on what measures and services they offer for travellers.

You will have a memorable time exploring and chasing adventure in the Madeira Islands. Be sure to share with us your thoughts on backpacking in the Madeira Islands, what’s useful in this guide/tips to add, and tag @backpackersintheworld . The Madeira Islands are calling!

Would you like to write a blog post for backpackersintheworld.com? Send us an email at [email protected] or send us a DM on Instagram .

50 Best Things to do in Madeira – Ultimate Bucket List

Canyoning in madeira: the ultimate thrill seekers’ guide.

[…] can read our Madeira Travel Guide: everything you need to know to learn more about getting around the island with different types of […]

• More Networks

Madeira Travel Guide: 20 useful Things To Know Before You Go

Have you got some questions about travelling to Madeira? In this ultimate Madeira travel guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know for planning your trip to the Portugese island.

We’ll take a look at how to make the most of all that Madeira has to offer, the logistics of your trip and the sensible planning stuff. So read on for the full Madeira travel guide plus 20 things to know before you go…

Madeira is a Portuguese island situated off the west coast of Morocco and north of the Canary Islands. The volcanic island’s striking terrain makes it an incredibly unique place. Its dramatic slopes are densely populated with green vegetation and a skyline of jagged mountain peaks beckon you to explore.

Madeira is known by many as the ‘pearl of the Atlantic’ for many reasons including a constant subtropical climate, exotic fruits, spectacular coastlines and extraordinary landscapes .

Madeira’s skyline of jagged mountain peaks makes it a hiker’s dream destination

The island’s staggering geological formations are down to it essentially being a plate of a volcano that once thrusted up out of the Atlantic Ocean. Its basalt rock crags, coastlines and mountain peaks have shaped much of its tourism and visitors are encouraged to discover its history.

One of the island’s main charms is its web of walking trails . From calm coastal rambles to challenging mountain scrambles , there are routes for every hiker. The trails are found on most good navigation apps which means there is scope to get creative and plot your own route.

For such a small island, it has a mighty amount to offer tourists, especially for adventure-seekers . The valleys are carved out by roaring waterfalls and gushing streams which has provided a constant supply of canyoning openings making Madeira one of the best places in the world for canyoning. 

Madeira’s elements also provide a playground for rock climbing , surfing, snorkeling, cycling, paragliding… the list goes on…

Cynthia and I took two weeks to explore Madeira in January, but we needed far more time! The island has such a peaceful energy and while there’s so much to physically do, it’s also a place to relax. 

We wanted to pass on everything we learned from our trip and help you have just as much fun. So please read on for our ultimate Madeira travel guide!

Tip: See our  Madeira Travel Page  for a complete overview of all our travel guides about Madeira!

Disclaimer: This posts might contain affiliate links, meaning that if you make a purchase through these links, I may earn an affiliate commission. Thank you for helping to support this website!

Madeira experiences & travel resources

Top experiences.

• Sunrise hike from Pico do Arieiro to Pico Ruivo
• Walking Tours in Madeira
• Whale watching & Sunset sailing tour
• Canyoning Adventures in Madeira

Madeira Travel Resources

• Rent a car in Madeira
• Book your stay in Madeira
• Travel Insurance for outdoor adventures in Madeira
• Madeira Hiking Guide

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Visiting Madeira: Madeira entry requirements

Schengen zone citizens Schengen zone citizens can travel visa-free to Madeira.

Non-EU/EEA and UK citizens Non-EU/EEA and UK citizens can enter Portugal without a visa and stay there for up to 90 days within 180 days for tourism, business trips, visiting family or friends, or any other short-term purposes.

US citizens US citizens are allowed to travel to Portugal for up to 90 days for tourism or business without a visa.

2. When is the best time to visit Madeira?

This totally depends on what you want to get out of your adventure but Madeira is a superb destination anytime of year. Thanks to its subtropical climate, Madeira gets sunshine all-year round with warm temperatures ranging around 18C-22C in winter, spring/autumn 20-24C and around 24C-28C in summer.

What I loved about Madeira was that it had diverse microclimates .

In the southern town of Ponta Do Sol, you’ll get sun all-year round. The east of Madeira, which was the first to thrust up out of the Atlantic as a shield volcano, is the driest. Meanwhile the central mountainous part can get more changeable weather because of the higher elevation. The northern area is more green, more humid and more likely to have rain. 

2.1) What is the best month to go hiking in Madeira ?

During our trip in late January to early February, we had average temperatures of 22°C which was pleasant for hiking. Some of the trails had little shade, but in those temperatures it was just lovely to be out in the sunshine without any serious risk of heat stroke/dehydration. 

Hiking in summer would make for a sticky time and it’s not easy schlepping up a mountain with the sun bearing down on you. You’d also probably have to go on your adventures in the morning and evening which makes it a little harder to plan. If you want to explore the best of Madeira’s mountains and trails, organize your trip for winter, early spring or autumn.

The handy guide to hiking in Madeira including our 7 favourite hike

2.2) What is the best month to go canyoning in Madeira?

With about 128 canyoning openings in Madeira, you can do it all year round. The water temperatures in the water runs don’t vary too much, but the air temperature will make a difference especially if you’re spending hours in the water.

If you’re travelling to the island purely for canyoning, I’d recommend booking a trip in spring/summer/autumn when it will be over 25C outside.

Canyoning in Madeira: everything you need to know

Madeira is known for being one of the best destinations in the world for canyoning

2.3) When is the tourist season in Madeira?

As a result of its alluring all-year round sunshine, Madeira is popular with tourists throughout all seasons. Locals have told me that Madeira gets incredibly busy in July .

If you want to head to some of the popular trailheads, it’s important to plan your activities earlier or later in the day due to parking and busy coach-loads of people (even in winter!).

2.4) What is the hottest month in Madeira?

The hottest month in Madeira is August, with an average temperature of 27°C. July also hits a similar temperature. If you’re planning to do some hiking during this time, I’d stick to other months. The levada walks are very sheltered by the forests, but the mountainous region is very exposed to the sun .

2.5) Should I visit Madeira in winter?

Cynthia and I traveled to Madeira in the height of winter and we both agreed it was a brilliant time to be out there. We both would love to come back again in this time of year.

I live in England and Cynthia lives in Belgium . In January, gloomy gray clouds hog the sky and it’s miserable… we were both desperate for some sunshine and beautiful surroundings. Madeira gave us more than enough vitamin D and was such a good tonic for the winter blues . 

Practically, we found that the winter temps in Madeira were ideal for hiking and exploring the island. The sea was around 20C (very warm for that time of year) but I was told it is usually a little cooler at 18C in winter. If you’d like to swim in warmer waters, hold off booking a trip until the autumn when the sun has heated up the sea.

3. Travel insurance for Madeira

‘Oh, I won’t need insurance’. Stop it. Yes you do. Accidents happen when you least expect it and if you don’t have insurance you can get in all sorts of sticky situations. 

Funnily enough, on our trip in Madeira, we were staying with a friend of Cynthia’s. For context, she had explored some really remote parts of the Earth and hadn’t had any accidents. When we were there, she severely sprained her foot just by walking to the shop and she couldn’t walk for weeks! 

It just goes to show that anything can happen at any time so spend a few quid and get yourself insured. We recommend HeyMondo as a reliable all-round insurer.

Need  Travel Insurance for Outdoor Activities in Madeira ? I use and highly recommend   HeyMondo Travel Insurance .  As a reader of Journal of Nomads, you get a 5% discount off your insurance plan!

4. What is the best way to get to Madeira?

The only way to get to Madeira is by flying into its airport (Aeroporto do Funchal). The airport is 13km away from Madeira’s capital Funchal. 

Although the airport is commonly known as Aeroporto do Funchal, it was officially renamed Cristiano Ronaldo International Airport in 2016. Ronaldo was born in Funchal and grew up in the nearby parish of Santo António.

The architecture of the runway is pretty spectacular as the structure is a huge platform supported by hundreds of pillars! 

The airport mainly hosts flights from Europe, so if you’re flying outside of Europe you may have to consider transfers into your journey. The most important thing to mention is Madeira has one of the only airports in the world with wind limits in place .

This means if there are strong winds, flights will be diverted or canceled . It does happen pretty regularly, so remember to get good travel insurance covering flight issues.

5. Transportation in Madeira: do I need to rent a car in Madeira?

In short, yes, you will need to rent a car in order to get about the island . Many of the trailhead and canyoning starting points are remote and near impossible to reach without a car. 

5.1) Car rental services from Funchal airport

Hiring a car is a fantastic way to access the island’s myriad of mountains, beaches and forests . Madeira is a small island and if you’re located centrally, most places take one hour or less to drive to. The best place to rent a car is at Funchal Airport.

I’ve written a full guide on everything you need to know about driving in Madeira which you can read here. It’s got lots of helpful tips and advice that we learned during our trip.

The full guide on how to rent a car in Madeira and driving rules.

5.2) Parking in Madeira

Visitor parking for visitors seems to be a total bugbear for the locals and we were on the receiving end during our stay. We thought it was important to include in this Madeira travel guide.

When we arrived at our accommodation, we were loosely told of a parking spot. It was clear of private parking signs, wasn’t near a yellow line (which means no parking in Madeira) and there were plenty of spaces available in the surrounding area.

On our third day, we walked down and found a threatening note pinned on our car from a resident who said they would call the police if we parked there again and some *other lovely language*. Within minutes, some locals came out of their homes and stared us down. We scuttled away before they got out their pitchforks. 

We couldn’t help finding the situation funny (Cynthia kept the note as a token of our stay) but we were obviously confused because we had played everything by the rules. Even other locals said we had not done anything wrong.

It was probably some tetchy neighbors who hated visitors. Nevertheless, it’s something to bear in mind. Also just make sure you double check with your accommodation about delegated parking spaces , don’t park in spots that are labeled ‘estacionamento privado’ and don’t park on yellow lines .

5.3) Public transport in Madeira: Buses

In our time on the island, we didn’t see many buses. I did some research while I was there to see if it was possible to travel to other parts of Madeira from Ponto do Sol but the timetables were pretty difficult to navigate and the services weren’t regular.

Timetables for buses leaving from Funchal to urban areas can be found here, while timetables for buses leaving Funchal to the inter-urban areas can be found here .

5.4) Public transport in Madeira: Taxis

Taxis in Madeira are yellow saloon cars with two blue stripes across the vehicle’s body. Taxis that drive outside of Funchal don’t use a taxi-meter and work on a kilometer basis. The government sets prices for pre-defined routes which can be found on the back of the front seat.

From what I’ve read online , you can usually haggle on the price with the driver – just do it before you set off on your journey. 

The app Bolt is in operation on the island, but it doesn’t have many drivers using it outside Funchal. I tried to use it twice from Ponto do Sol but didn’t have any success. 

Note: If you can’t drive but want to make your Madeira trip happen, there are ways where you could organize transfers (sadly it won’t come cheap!). Take a look at GetYourGuide and get in touch with local tour companies.

5.5) Hitchhiking in Madeira

Cynthia and I passed hitchhikers during a trip. Annoyingly, we couldn’t pick them up because one time they waited in dangerous parts of the road where it was impossible to stop. The following time we passed another hitchhiker, they started wildly flapping their arms and jumping up and down while running towards us. It wasn’t the way to say ‘hey, I’m going to be chill in your car’.

Needless to say, if you’re going to hitchhike here, make sure you wait on a part of the road where it’s safe for the driver to pull over, and flag down a car safely .

6. How many days do I need in Madeira?

Madeira is an amazing destination for adventure-seekers. There are endless activities to get stuck into… these include hiking , canyoning , rock climbing , coasteering , surfing, paragliding, diving, trail running and cycling.

However, Madeira is also a destination to rest. There are numerous yoga days and mountain meditation retreats to choose from. The island has so many forces of nature and it’s good to take some time to appreciate it. 

Cynthia and I spent two weeks on the island and we were desperate to extend our trip. There was so much more to explore!

The magic of Madeira is that you can pack in a lot of activities and also take everything in at an easy pace. The people living here are very relaxed and we felt a calm energy with the quality of life. I’d recommend anytime from 10 days to two weeks to get a taste for everything Madeira has to offer.

7. What activities can I do in Madeira?

7.1) hiking along the levadas and veredas.

Hiking is definitely one of Madeira’s main attractions. From calm coastal rambles to challenging mountain scrambles, there are routes for every walker.

Levada, meaning to carry , is an irrigation system that collects water and transports it across the island. The routes often start perched up high in the mountains and snake their way down into villages, towns and cities. 

The island’s web of waterways span about 3,100km and are some of the longest irrigation systems in the world . Some of the channels are about 600-years-old and the structures are synonymous with Madeira. 

Nowadays, the channels are used for human consumption, electrical energy and agricultural uses. However, they are also a brilliant source of inspiration for hikes because the systems wind into some seriously beautiful and remote places on the island! They are known as levada walks .

The word vereda translates to path . Madeira’s veredas can widely vary from a simple route in the forest to a trickier mountainous path.

In the mountainous region, the trails are named by PR which are a useful tool to find trailheads and plot your distance/difficulty.

Madeira is pretty unique in that its trails are clearly marked and maintained. This means it’s really easy to shorten/lengthen versions of routes and link up mountains and beauty spots. 

The handy guide to hiking in Madeira including our 7 favourite hikes

7.2) Canyoning in Madeira

The valleys are carved out by roaring waterfalls and gushing streams which has provided a constant supply of canyoning openings. Madeira is known for being one of the best places in the world for canyoning and it’s synonymous with outdoor lovers on the island.

Adventure groups can cater for total beginners to experts and Madeirans really encourage you to give canyoning a go. 

7.3) Rock climbing in madeira

Contrary to what you’ll find written online about climbing in Madeira, there are a lot of varied climbing routes here. 

There are venues for sport, trad, multipitch, bouldering and deep water soloing dotted all over the island. I was really impressed how even at the easier venues, there were magnificent coastal views. 

The climbing community here is really welcoming and it’s easy to link up with locals. Alternatively, if you’re new to climbing and want to give it a go, there are groups that can provide equipment and training for the day.

Climbing in Madeira: the full guide for rock climbing on the island

7.4) Coasteering in Madeira

If canyoning seems a little too daring and you want to opt for an activity more chill, why not try coasteering?

Coasteering takes place exclusively on the coastline and involves lots of cliff jumps, swimming and some scrambling. 

Coasteering is less committing than canyoning – if you want to sit it out, you can! Large groups can be taken for this reason and is more inclusive than canyoning. Many tour operators on the island also offer this activity.

7.5) Snorkeling and diving in Madeira

Staggered all along the volcanic coastline are rocky outcrops which harbor incredible marine wildlife. The eastern shores are some of the finest for seeing thousands of unique fish and sealife. 

I’d really recommend heading to Beach Pedra D’eira, Caniçal for snorkeling. It’s a tiny pier that’s tucked away from the tourist spots. The turquoise waters here shimmer in the sunlight so it’s generally a lovely place to chill. Once you start exploring beneath the water, there are so many brightly-coloured fish, marine animals and plants to swim up to. 

If you’re wanting more of an organized snorkeling or diving trip, here are some tours we recommend:

7.6) Surfing in Madeira

Did you know Madeira is a surfing destination? The island is known for having constant swells which attracts surfers from across the globe . 

Something to note is that Madeira is a volcanic island with rocky crags and very little sand . This means it isn’t the easiest, especially when you’re just starting out learning.

Madeira Surf Centre has a great article with a map locating spots across the island . They also provide lessons ranging from total beginners to advanced. 

According to Surfer Today , the best site with one-to-six foot waves for beginners is Fajã da Areia (north of the island). Meanwhile, the west coast is a hit with intermediate and advanced surfers. There are also spots which can whip up 50-foot waves, like in Ponta do Pargo!

Note: If you’re heading out to Faja, be careful of where you put your feet. There are lots of sea urchins there!

8. Madeira travel guide: Where are the best hiking spots in Madeira?

Madeira’s skyline of vibrant jagged peaks and its web of walking paths makes the island a hiker’s dream destination.

The island’s trails are clearly established and widely available on navigation maps. This energized me to create routes that linked the heavily-trodden tourist ones to peaceful wild paths.

Here are our recommendations for some lesser-known trails which are varying in ability and terrain. You can read my full hiking guide for Madeira here .

• Caldeirão Verde Levada Trail :  13km out and back, 3 hours, easy-moderate, bring torch (tunnels) 
• PR 8 – Footpath of Ponta de São Lourenço : 6km out and back, 3 hours, easy-moderate, can get very busy (go early or in late afternoon)
• Pico Grande via Caminho Real da Encumeada PR 12 :  9.5 km out and back, 4.5 hours, moderate-hard
• PR14 Levada dos Cedros : 10.5km circular, 3 hours, easy-moderate, not very busy
• Levada do Larano – Boca do Risico : 9.2 km out and back, 3 hours, easy, part of bigger 24 km trail:  Caniçal’s Levada Larano Footpath
• Levada do Moinho – Levada Nova :  10km loop, 3.5 hours, moderate, bring torch (tunnels)
• Chao dos Louros to Pico Ruivo:   Point-to-point 13km, +1600m -1000m descent, 5 hours, hard

9. Money and currency in Madeira

9.1) currency in madeira.

The currency in Madeira is the Euro. Currently €1 equates to $1.01 USD or £0.85 British sterling.

9.2) ATMs in Madeira

The majority of hospitality businesses take credit/debit cards but it’s a good idea to have some cash with you, especially for parking in touristy spots or hiking trailheads.

9.3) Exchanging money in Madeira

Currency exchange offices are open Monday to Friday and Sundays from 09:00 to 19:00, closing for an hour between 13:00 to 14:00. On Saturdays the offices open from 09:00 to 19:00. Outside these hours, exchanges can be made at some hotels.

9.4) Tipping in Madeira

While tipping isn’t expected like it is in the United States, the wages in Madeira for hospitality services are fairly low so it’s a good idea to tip.

10. Packing list for Madeira

• Waterproof coat and trousers : Madeira has a whole range of microclimates and the thunderstorms here are whoppers. It’s best to bring a lightweight coat that will battle a heavy, but short, shower.
• Trail runners/ walking boots . What shoes should I bring to Madeira? Ah, the age-old question . This completely depends on what you prefer on your feet. I prefer trail runners that aren’t waterproof so they can drain and dry quickly. It also helps me move faster. Other people prefer better ankle support and waterproof boots. Keep in mind it is hot and you’re only really likely to get your feet wet if it rains or if you’re heading on some of the levada walks.
•  Small ankle gaiters. I didn’t need to use these but brought them out with me just in case. Small lightweight gaiters help prevent dust/small rocks/mud from getting in your shoes. If you accidentally get caught in rain, they’re a pretty useful item to have.
• Head torch . On average, Madeira gets about 8 hours of sunshine daily, so you’ll probably grasp as much of the day as you can. If you’re out hiking and you haven’t made it down to a village in time for dusk, it will get dark awfully quick. Also on some of the levada trails, there are long tunnels so a head torch is an essential piece of kit.
•   Hiking pole s . Granted, you probably won’t need these on the shorter hiking routes, but Madeira does have some steep trails. Poles are like an extra pair of legs and are so useful for boosting you up high ascents, preventing falls and stabilizing you across streams.
• Lightweight t-shirt. If you’re hiking on the island, you’re likely to sweat a lot. Don’t wear cotton because it absorbs moisture and is a nightmare to dry out. Stick to polyester.
• Shorts/skort . Cynthia and I didn’t anticipate how hot the island would be, even in January. We had to head to Decathlon and pick up some skimpier clothes to hike in!
• Longer leggings/midlayers . In the evening, temperatures can get cooler and it’s always smart to pack warmer bottoms and a fleece.
• Battery pack and cords for phone/camera . Always an essential if you’re heading out for a long day.
• European plug adapter . Madeira uses TYPE C, like many other EU countries.
• Swimwear. It became a daily ritual for Cynthia and I to go swimming in the sea after a long day of hiking. Even when we went in January, the water temperatures were 22 degrees. Bliss.
• Beach shoes . The island is essentially a whole plate of volcanic rock so many of the coastlines are pebbled beaches or rocky outcrops. Beach shoes are super useful to stick on your feet to get into the sea with ease or to explore the waterfalls.
• Mosquito repellent . Sadly, yes you need this. Madeira has a sub-tropical climate meaning it has hot summers and mild winters.
• Water bottle . Hiking in hot temps means it’s essential to keep hydrated. The water is clean in Madeira and you can drink from the taps.

11. Food and drink in Madeira

It won’t come as much surprise that Madeira is a seafood paradise . Most restaurants serve octopus, salmon, sardines and prawns accompanied with fries. 

The supermarkets are packed with typical Western food, great bakeries and super fresh fruits and vegetables.

11.1) What is Madeira’s signature dish?

One of the island’s specialties is its Bolo do Caco. This is basically a slab of garlic bread stuffed with delicious herbs. Many cafes serve Bolo do Caco with fillings like ham, cheese or octopus. We loved this dish and ate it really regularly!

Filete de Espada, also known as scabbard filet , is a type of black fish that swims deep in Madeiran waters. The dish is typically made with passion fruit and banana sauce. Head to Funchal for the best restaurants. 

Another seafood speciality to try are the lapas (limpets). These are usually fried and then served with a splash of lemon juice and some butter. 

Another common dish you can find is insalata di polpo (octopus salad). Let’s just say it wasn’t Cynthia’s favorite thing in the world… she likened it to pickled octopus on vinegar lettuce.

11.2) What is Madeira’s signature drink?

Poncha is Madeira’s signature boozy drink. It’s made up from rum, lemon and honey. The strength will hit you like a sack of spuds but it’s very tasty. Many restaurants and bars make the drink up in a huge jug, like rum punch. Look out for other variations too – I tried passion fruit and it was delicious.

12. Accommodation in Madeira

12.1) airbnb in madeira.

There are plenty of Airbnb rental properties available in Madeira , but they don’t come cheap. I’d recommend widening your search to camping pods, tipis or basic huts… there are some gorgeous little places tucked away in secluded spots that are often much cheaper than apartments.

12.2) Hostels in Madeira

There are a range of hostels to choose from dotted all along Madeira’s coast, but I struggled to find any situated in the mountainous regions. Take a look at Booking.com to check them out.

12.3) Co-living in Madeira

If you’re planning to stay longer than a fortnight and don’t want to fork out thousands on an apartment, there are co-living spaces available for like-minded people on the island. Search for co-living groups on Facebook here .

12.4) Camping in Madeira

With the island’s vast hiking opportunities, why not combine it with a camping trip? There are campsites across the island which you can find on this useful website .

If you fancy a multi-day hiking trip, the trails provide endless wild camping spots and you’ll be guaranteed some of the most magnificent views of the island .  Set up camp at dusk, pack away in the morning and follow the no trace rules .

13. What area to stay in Madeira

There’s no hard and fast rule about which area is best to stay in Madeira. As heads up, it’s not cheap to find accommodation on the island and you’ll likely be based around what can fit your budget (see above). 

Your location doesn’t matter too much because most places on the island take one hour or less to travel to . 

Cynthia and I stayed in the stunning southern town Ponta do Sol (it means point of the sun and it gets the most sun on the island) . It was a fantastic base for us to explore Madeira. There was a rocky beach, gorgeous sunrises and levada walks from the town. Practically, Ponta do Sol had a small shop, bank, post office and gas station. 

If you’re more drawn towards the mountains, you’ll likely want to base yourself in the north/south, ideally below or above the mountainous region. The west is known for surfing , while the east has some of the best swimming spots . The north of the island is far less touristy and is considered wilder. 

If you can’t drive, you’ll likely have to base yourself in Funchal and arrange transfers from the capital. However, I’d highly recommend hiring a car for your trip. It’s near impossible to get to some of the wilder spots in nature without a hire car.

14. What languages are spoken in Madeira?

Madeira is an autonomous region of Portugal so the primary language is Portuguese . English is taught as a second language in schools, so many Madeiran people speak it.

14.1) Useful phrases to know for your trip in Madeira

I also suggest you install the Google Translate App for Portuguese and download it so you can use it offline.

15. What religions are practiced in Madeira?

The majority of people in Madeira practice Christianity , with Catholicism being its largest denomination. You’ll see that a lot of the houses are adorned with small shrines of saints and some of the trailheads have tiny chapels which are intricately decorated.

16. How is the internet in Madeira?

16.1) mobile data.

I use a British SIM card called EE. I bought a European add on and my coverage was excellent for the entire time I was there. The only time I obviously didn’t have coverage was in lowlands of the mountains and deep in the forests. 

Cynthia had the same experience with her Belgium SIM. Most European and American SIMs will have easy add on options available for your trip.

16.2) Wi-Fi

You won’t struggle to find Wi-Fi. It’s very established in hospitality facilities, homes and tourist destinations. 

17. Is it expensive in Madeira?

17.1) accommodation.

I’ve touched upon this earlier, but compared to other Portuguese areas, Madeira is more on the expensive side with rental homes. There are ways around this though, like co-living during your stay. Scroll up to 12. for more information.

17.2) Supermarkets

Madeira is a small island, so most things need to be imported which is why you have to be careful what you pick at the supermarket (for some bizarre reason pasta sauce was €6?). 

There’s always ways to eat cheaply though, and we found groceries that worked for our budget. 

On the plus side, some of the island’s fruits and vegetables come at a total bargain. Fish too is caught locally and is good value.

17.3) Restaurants

Cynthia and I ate out at a few cafe bars where the dishes were good value with good portion sizes. We were able to get a plate of food and a glass of wine for around €12-15.

18. Are drones allowed in Madeira?

Yes, drones are allowed in Madeira. You don’t need to declare anything but ensure you pack it in with your hand luggage , not hold luggage.

Also, please be respectful and safe when flying. If you’re at the top of a summit or in a precarious place, think about hikers and climbers who could be scared easily by the sound of a drone. Same goes for wildlife being disturbed by the sound or movement or a drone.

19. Culture and etiquette in Madeira

Although many of the elderly people practice Catholicism, the majority of people dress according to the weather and there aren’t any strict dress codes to adhere to. 

Spitting and littering is a big no-no in Madeira. Madeira is such a green clean island and its vast amount of thriving plants are no doubt partly down to Madeirans keeping their surroundings clean.

20. Tours in Madeira

There are plenty of tour groups and guides to choose from for all kinds of activities and excursions. 

During our trip, the adventure group Epic Madeira took us out for some climbing and canyoning. Their guides were super knowledgeable and friendly, with their focus being combining safety with having a laugh. 

Epic Madeira offers rock climbing, coasteering, climbing and hiking trips. If you’re looking for equipment or a specific transfer, they’ll also be able to help you out. The staff are really into supporting the island’s tourism so if you want to do an activity they don’t offer, they’ll be able to put you in touch with a popular tour group. Contact them here for more information . 

If you’re looking for transfers or heading to busy trailheads, take a look at GetYourGuide and get in touch with local tour companies.

I hope this Madeira travel guide covers all of your questions and helps you with planning your trip. Madeira is such a spectacular place and we’re really excited to share what we’ve learned with you. If you have any other queries or insights, please comment below or contact us !

Related posts

Car hire in Madeira: The full guide on how to rent a car and driving in Madeira

The Handy Guide to Hiking in Madeira Portugal with Our 7 favourite Madeira Hiking trails

Climbing in Madeira: The Full Guide For Rock Climbing On The Island

Canyoning in Madeira: Everything you need to know

Leave a comment cancel reply.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Madeira map

Discover all the tourist spots of Madeira Island with this interactive map. The Flower Island, located in the heart of the Atlantic Ocean, is full of magnificent sceneries: the capital Funchal and its gardens, the valleys and Picos, Porto Moniz and its Natural Pools, without forgetting the levadas, beaches and numerous waterfalls of the island. Find in a few moments with this Madeira map the most beautiful things to do or see on the archipelago!

Other maps of Madeira :

If you don't know where Madeira is located on the world map, you can refer to our page: where is Madeira located on the world map? . To help you prepare for your trip, we also offer you other maps that will help you get to know the island better. These different maps will give you the necessary indications to prepare your activities or to get around easily.

Map of Funchal

Discover the points of interest of the capital

Map of Porto Santo

To find your way around the small island of the archipelago

Choose your hiking routes

Madeira Road Map

Get around the main roads

Madeira Relief Map

Discover Madeira Mountains

Madeira essentials on a map

Don't know where to start? Discover Madeira's essentials on this map. The best spots and best-of not to miss during your trip on the Flower Island!

MADEIRA’S no 1 OFFICIAL GUIDE since 1997

• Madeira-Web

Madeira Island's complete tourism destination guide!

Exciting Madeira… a holiday destination with so much to offer!

Visit Webcamtaxi for live events , Madeira Airport Spotting and news from around the world .

Madeira Island is one of Europe's most beautiful travel locations with many thousands of tourists returning year after year. Why?

It offers not only an all year round summer climate, as well as wonderful fauna and flora, but it is also virtually crime-free and one of the safest holiday destinations in the world!

Our award winning up-to-date Madeira guide has hundreds of pages of essential information on where to go, when to go, what to do, how to get there and where to stay, including maps , detailed reports about the weather, geography and history , plus the lowdown on nightlife , people, places and culture… This is definitely the first 'SITE SEEING' you should do!

ESSENTIAL INFORMATION

You'll find all the information you need to plan and prepare for your holiday, plus a wealth of related material.

THINGS TO DO

In addition to the stunning views, Funchal’s famous cuisine and relaxing promenades, for the more adventurous and energetic the opportunities are endless with so much to choose from: levada walking, mountain walks, hiking, sailing, dolphin and whale watching, scuba diving, big game fishing, canyoning, surfing and paragliding.

Book a table for the Ritz Madeira's traditional English afternoon tea between 13:00 and 16:30 every day of the week.

Discover the new look of Guindaste Viewpoint in Faial, Santana.

Shopping in Madeira

Eating out in madeira, madeira levada walking and hiking, whale & dolphin spotting safaris, scuba diving, madeira leisure activities, gardens of madeira island, beaches and pools of madeira.

This web-site is updated daily with new articles and photos from around the island. One of our most popular pages is the ' Live Web Camera ', which shows current views over the harbour and surrounding areas of the city and our ' People Cam ' where you can see family and friends on the Internet. Take a look at our videos for that extra-special experience, browse through our extensive dynamic image libraries for stunning photos , or visit our Madeira Island News page for the most recent TOP stories on tourism and activities around the island.

PLACES TO SEE

Whatever your taste, you'll find something that interests you! From wonderful parks and gardens with exotic flowers, seascapes with blue ocean and towering cliffs to rustic villages in quiet valleys to seriously good views and sheer mountains whose lofty peaks are higher than Scotland's — we show you all the places to go!

Funchal – Europe’s most picturesque and cleanest capital

Calheta municipality, municipality of porto moniz, câmara de lobos municipality, machico municipality.

Get away from the cold grey skies! Leave winter behind and enjoy a fabulous short break in the stunning all year round summer destination of Madeira.

WEATHER & CLIMATE

Check out the current weather in Madeira, the forecast, satellite images and annual averages for this year-round destination.

WHERE TO STAY

If you are looking for a holiday accommodation in Madeira, we show you our top recommended Hotels , Apartments, Resorts, Villas and Hostels, which you can book online. Plus, a car hire will help you get around.

Book your Madeira airport transfer with us and enjoy a hassle-free travel experience with our convenient and reliable services. Explore Madeira with peace of mind and comfort.

LIVE WEBCAMS

Discover our great selection of madeira-web live HD Webcams — Funchal Marina , Funchal city (São Roque), The Ritz and the newly added webcams in Câmara de Lobos , Machico , Doca do Cavacas , Praia Formosa Beach , Caniçal , Porto da Cruz , Santana , Madalena do Mar , Paul do Mar , Porto Moniz , Calheta , Ponta Delgada and the Porto Moniz Natural Pools . We also have live cameras in mainland Portugal , namely in Lisbon and Porto . And if you want to travel the world, Webcamtaxi offers you live cams all around the globe.

Our NEW additional WebCams are located along the oceanfront and provide views of the fantastic Fortim/Jardim do Lido , Lido Swimming Complex , Ponta Gorda Beach , Barreirinha Beach Complex ,  CR7 Museum in Funchal, and Praia dos Reis Magos in Caniço de Baixo.

Funchal Marina LiveCam 1

The people cam, av. do mar livecam, ritz livecam, funchal city livecam, funchal marina livecam 2.

Enjoy your visit to our website and find out for yourself why this small island in the Atlantic Ocean really is where Europe blends with the Tropics! We hope you choose this paradise isle as one of your future holiday destinations.

Madeira Web's design team also publishes a ' daily digicam image ' with stunning photos from around the island and the capital, Funchal.

EVENTS AND ATTRACTIONS

From the exciting Carnival , the beautiful Flower Festival and the stunning colourful light effects of the Atlantic Festival to the Christmas and New Year’s festivities, as well as many other parades, festivals, cultural and sports events — there is always something going on!

Images & Videos

Your photos, christmas festivities, madeira carnival, madeira videos.

Check out our Images and Videos for a true taste of Madeira.

© COPYRIGHT 1997-2024 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Madeira Island: Travel Guide

This is a complete travel guide to Madeira Island, Portugal. I’m sharing tips of the best places to go, how to go around the island, where to stay and what to eat.

I spent one week in Madeira in January 2021 and wanted to share a bit of knowledge to guide you through a visit to this amazing island. It’s known as the Pearl of the Alantic for a reason!

When to go to Madeira?

If you ask me, the ideal time of the year to come to Madeira would be between April and June. Why?

• If you’re looking to do whale and dolphin watching, just like in Azores , it’s the best time of the year.
• April and May also feature a spectacle with all the flowers in full bloom.
• It’s also perfect for hiking: past the rainy season but still not on the unbearably hot summer months.

Weather in Madeira

Madeira is an all-year destination. The very mild climate allows for very stable temperatures throughout the entire year. To give you an idea, in early January I got 20 C / 68F temperatures which were perfect for a swim in the sea! However, if you’re looking for the best chance of sunbathing, then anywhere from April to September is your best bet, with the months of June and July being particularly dry.

Keep in mind that the weather can change quickly and unexpectedly all year, specially in the mountain areas in the center of the island.

Crowds in Madeira

Like any destination, avoid summer holidays (August) if you want to avoid crowds. Apart from this, Madeira has several popular events scattered throughout the year, which are also busy periods:

• Carnival – a highly festive period traditionally filled with street parades and parties.
• Flower Festival (Festa da Flor) – taking place in April/May when the flowers are at their best, it features a parade of hundreds of performers and beautifully decorated floats.
• Christmas – The mild temperatures lure many tourists to choose Madeira as a Christmas family destination.
• New Year’s Eve – Madeira is well known for the amazing light & music fireworks in Funchal bay – it was once considered the best firework show in the world!

That said, with the exception of the capital Funchal , Madeira hardly feels crowded. Venture out to the more rural areas and you’ll find plenty of space to relax. The northern coast is particularly less crowded compared to the southern coast.

How many days in Madeira?

I recommend staying for at least 5-6 full days. While the island seems tiny on the map, there is plenty of things to do. You also need to account for the driving time to get around the island and for the changing weather which can prevent you from visiting some places.

If you want a less rushed trip and extra time to do more hikes, aim for 8-9 days instead and throw in a few lazy days to lay around the pool or go to the beach.

What to pack for Madeira

Keep in mind that Madeira has a very diverse range of landscapes with ever-changing weather. It might be bright and sunny in the beaches in the southern coast, but you’ll quickly start to regret not bringing a warmer jacket on the way up to Pico do Arieiro , 1,8km above the sea level.

My point is when packing for Madeira, be prepared for that diversity. Have a range on your clothing and equipment:

• Water bottle – keep yourself hydrated
• Sunscreen – it gets HOT
• Hiking shoes – needed for the rural areas of the island
• Rain jacket – you’ll never know
• Headlamp – some of the hiking trails feature long tunnels!
• Day backpack – to bring all this gear
• Warmer jacket – don’t play around if you’re coming during winter time; it snowed in the highest areas of the island this year.

Where to stay in Madeira

I recommend staying in Funchal. Not only it has the largest offer of places to stay in Madeira, it’s also where you’ll find the largest offer of restaurants, bars, and shops. Being close to the geographical center of the island, where most roads lead to and depart from is also an advantage for any trip.

That said, Funchal is also the most crowded, expensive, and touristy place in the island. If you are looking for a more relaxing and “closer to nature” kind of trip, perhaps consider staying elsewhere for a few days.

Hotels in Funchal

When looking for a place to stay in Funchal, I recommend looking for a hotel or apartment with free parking to avoid headaches at the end of the day. Being in walking distance to Avenida do Mar, the main seaside promenade (and the city center!), and not having to worry about parking, was also a great addition to my evenings.

Best hotels in Funchal

A shortlist of the best-rated hotels and apartments in Funchal with free parking and Superb rating.

My choice: ARTS IN Hotel

A restored Madeiran mansion with great breakfast and beautiful views over Funchal bay.

How to get around Madeira

Driving in madeira.

I have driven in many places but Madeira definitely wins the Craziest Roads Award. Long tunnels, narrow lanes, sharp curves, viaducts, steep roads and sometimes all of them at the same time. It felt like an intense Mario Kart course!

That said, you should be fine as long as you drive slowly and carefully. Maybe it’s part of the Madeira charm! Here are some tips for renting a car in Madeira:

• Get full insurance (Super CDW) – potentially saves you a lot of nerves.
• Rent a place with a parking spot/garage included – it’s almost impossible to find a spot in the narrow steep roads of Funchal.
• Get a compact but powerful car – there isn’t a lot of space in Madeira but at the same time, any extra horsepower is welcomed when going up 30-degree roads.

To give you an idea, I paid 220 Euros for a fully insured car during a full week.

Taxis in Madeira

If you haven’t that much experience driving, I recommend getting around using tours or taxi drivers. Hiring a taxi driver for the day is the best way to stay independent while exploring Madeira, but is also the most expensive option: around 100 Euros/day.

Buses in Madeira

Public transport is inexpensive and works pretty well in the capital Funchal, but quite frankly, to explore the rest of the island it’s very inefficient. Planning a day out by bus is like solving a complex puzzle of bus schedules and routes that will still never get you to the most remote and awesome places.

Bus is still the cheapest option to get around. There are 3 types of buses in Madeira:

• Horários do Funchal – orange buses operating in Funchal.
• SAM – red buses operating in Eastern Madeira (Machico, Caniço, Santa Cruz, etc).
• Rodoeste – green buses operating in Western Madeira (Câmara de Lobos, Ponta do Sol, Porto Moniz, Calheta, etc).

Places to go in Madeira

Madeira island map.

To help you get around the island and plan your trip, I’ve created this Madeira map with everything I’ve mentioned in this article: my favorite viewpoints, main points of interest, hiking trails, and restaurants.

In the meantime, here is an overview of my top 10 places to visit in Madeira.

1 Pico do Arieiro

Standing at 1,8km high in the heart of Madeira, Pico do Arieiro is one of those landscapes that crush you and make you feel tiny. My favorites! Once you’re up there, watching the clouds revealing and hiding mountains, lush forests, and huge ravines is mesmerizing.

For extra adventure, you can start here the Vereda do Arieiro PR 1 hiking trail that goes to the highest peak in Madeira: Pico Ruivo.

You can go there by car, but keep in mind the road is curvy, steep and frequently has fog and strong winds. Tip: get there by sunset or even sunrise for extra beauty.

2 Porto Moniz

Almost. I almost got a glimpse of sun that would have motivated me to go for a swim at Porto Moniz lava pools. It’s the highlight of this little seaside village although there a few paths that lead to whale watching viewpoints ( vigia da baleia ).

The natural swimming pools are open year-round but obviously summer months is when they get real popular. Entrance fee: 1,50 EUR. To try and avoid crowds, there are other free smaller pools nearby, right next to the Cachalote restaurant.

Tip: On the road to Porto Moniz, arriving Seixal, stop by Véu da Noiva viewpoint ( Miradouro do Véu da Noiva ) for beautiful views of the Northern Coast of Madeira and for this incredible sight of a waterfall plunging into the ocean.

3 Monte Palace Tropical Garden

Many say that Madeira is a garden, so this technically is a garden inside another garden. Jardim Tropical Monte Palace is located in Monte, high up in Funchal , and boasts an incredible collection of exotic flowers and trees from all over the world.

The garden also has a collection of typical portuguese tiles describring social and cultural events of the country throughout the centuries. Entrance fee is 12,50 Euros (2021 prices) and the easiest way to get there is to hop on the Funchal-Monte cable car (prices and operation hours here ).

4 Ponta de São Lourenço

Ponta de São Lourenço was probably my favorite place during my week in Madeira. It’s the most eastern point in the island and has an entirely different landscape. No crowds, no trees, just stunning ocean views.

This is a great hiking spot, with almost 10km of trails to discover. I encourage you to park your car and adventure yourself a little bit to explore viewpoints with stunning ocean views. Get there early – the parking is limited!

5 Fajã da Quebrada Nova

Scary? Yes. Crazy? Yes. Immensely beautiful? Also yes. Fajã da Quebrada Nova is possibly one of the most unique places you can find in Madeira.

You can get to this little fajã by driving to Achadas da Cruz and then get down there by three ways: by boat, a steep 1h30 hike down or an unusual cable car ride. Keep in mind the cable car works from 10am to 6am, weather permitting.

6 Ponta do Garajau

Above the natural reserve of Garajau, this headland is famous for the Christ statue (Cristo Rei). Originally built in 1927 to welcome whoever arrived to Madeira by sea, it’s a great photo opportunity, with amazing views over Desertas (uninhabited islands) and the beaches of Reis Magos and Galo.

7 Balcões Viewpoint (Miradouro dos Balcões)

This viewpoint is the finale of a small 1.5km levada trail (PR11 – Levada dos Balcões) starting at Ribeiro Frio . You’ll be rewarded with an awe-inspiring 300-degree panorama over the laurissilva forest of the heart of the island as well as the largest peaks of the island – Pico do Arieiro and Pico Ruivo .

Miradouro dos Balcões is also a mecca for birdwatching enthusiasts. Pro tip: bring a bit of bread and you’ll have several curious little winged creatures flying around you.

8 Cabo Girão

Standing atop a 580-meter high cliff, Cabo Girão has some of the most incredible views over Funchal and the wild Atlantic Ocean. This viewpoint is the highest cape in Europe and is essentially a suspended glass-floored skywalk so it can be a… breathtaking experience (in every sense of the word!).

I visited it during pandemic times and it was still busy, so I recommend to come early in the morning to avoid crowds.

9 Curral das Freiras

Nested in a mountain valley almost a kilometer deep, the small village of Curral das Freiras is certainly a dramatic sight. It’s literally translated as “corral of the nuns” because nuns from Santa Clara Convent in Funchal seeked refuge here to escape attacks from French pirates.

To take in the scenery in full, head to one of the viewpoints in the surrounding mountains. Miradouro do Paredão and particularly Eira do Serrado have amazing views over this special place. The little town is worth a visit to, just to have a glimpse of what is living at such a remote place. Make sure to try the local chestnut cornbread ( broas de castanha ).

Last but certainly not least: the capital of Madeira. Funchal was a surprise for me. Not only it’s much bigger than I anticipated, but the city was literally built on a natural amphiteather so everywhere you go you’ll set to enjoy stunning ocean views.

Because it’s so catered to tourists (expect crowds all-year round!), the streets are extremely neat, clean, and filled with restaurants and shops. It’s a joy to walk in. These are some of the sights to see in Funchal:

• Avenida do Mar – the main seaside promenade
• Botanical Garden (Jardim Botânico) – boasting flowers from all over the world
• Funchal Cable Car (Teleférico) – a 15-min ride all the way up to Monte where you can visit Monte Palace Madeira
• Funchal Cathedral – gothic 15th-century cathedral
• Lido – bathing complex with saltwater pools

Tourist traps in Madeira

Not everything was perfect though! I had the chance to visit Madeira in pandemic times, which clearly benefited my experience. But it’s clear the island can suffer a bit of the overtourism virus, specially around the Funchal area (where you pay just to go for a swim in the ocean!) and in some crowded hiking trails (which takes away the whole experience, if you ask me).

• Mercado dos Lavradores – even though the largest market in Funchal is worth a visit, beware of the sellers giving you exotic Madeiran fruits to taste. They’re usually flavor enhanced with a bit of syrup and you can easily pay dozens of euros for a few pieces of fruit!
• Santana Traditional Houses – I was expecting to see an entire village filled with the triangular-shaped iconic houses you see in postcards and are marketed as typically Madeiran. The reality is that there’s only a 3/4 of them in Santana, selling souvenirs and traditional food to tourists. A disappointment.

Things to do in Madeira

Hiking in madeira.

Madeira is a paradise for hiking lovers. The typical levadas – trails that follow old water canals through the forest – range in size, difficulty level, and landscape giving a bit of everything for everyone.

• Levada das 25 Fontes PR6 – the most popular levada of them all leads to a stunning waterfall surrounded by lush forest. Avoid arriving late morning or early afternoon due to crowds!
• Vereda da Ponta de São Lourenço PR8 – the beautiful remote eastern tip of Madeira boasts amazing views over the ocean and the other islands of the Madeira archipelago.
• Levada dos Balcões PR11 – easy and entirely flat 30-min path to one of the most iconic views over the Madeira forest.
• Vereda do Arieiro PR1 – connects Pico do Arieiro to Pico Ruivo in something that can be described as walking on clouds. This trail was closed when I was there due to a landslide (January 2021).
• Levada do Caldeirao Verde PR9 – another hidden waterfall, but you need to go through a few long tunnels to get there. Bring a flashlight or headlamp!

Swimming spots in Madeira

Although Madeira is not exactly known for being a beach destination, there are some spots around the island where you can go for a swim in the ocean.

Man-made swimming pools or even small harbors are great spots to dive into the Atlantic and they’re all across the island ( check my map !). Here are some of my favorites:

• Porto Moniz – natural lava pools in the northwestern tip of the island, quite popular in summer.
• Calheta – a couple of artificial beaches between breakwaters.
• Prainha – small beach in Caniçal hidden among the hills, popular amongst SUP and scuba diving enthusiasts
• Garajau – acessible by cable car or to a steep descent by car.
• Machico (Banda D’Além) – artificial yellow sand beach (one of the largest in the island), imported from Morocco in 2008.
• Porto do Seixal – volcanic beach surrounded by green cliffs and mountains.
• Porto Santo – if you have some extra time, head to the neighbor island of Porto Santo for one of the best beaches of the country!

Other things to do in Madeira

These are other tours and outdoor activities you can find in Madeira:

• Canyoning – the geological conditions of Madeira are fantastic to try out this sport.
• Coasteering – jumping, swimming, and snorkeling amongst the rocky coastline
• Cooking Class – food in Madeira is delicious, so this is something I highly recommend. Check Portugal Farm Experience for farm-to-table cooking classes!
• SUP – experience Madeira from a different perspective: from the sea!

Food in Madeira

What to eat and drink in Madeira

You’ll eat extremely well in Madeira. The level of restaurants in Madeira is pretty high and there’s a bit of everything: from hole-in-the-wall hidden gems to Michelin-worthy restaurants. Honestly, it’s great value for money overall.

These are some of the delicacies to try in Madeira:

• Bolo de mel – made with dark sugar cane and nuts, it can last for a whole year after baked.
• Bolo do caco – delicious flatbread, served with garlic butter. Served virtually everywhere as a starter.
• Espetada – meat skewer with beef, bay leaf and garlic, grilled on charcoal.
• Peixe-espada – black scabbardfish served battered and then fried along with a banana or/and with passionfruit sauce.
• Lapas – limpets are my favorite seafood, also typical from my homeland Azores and I couldn’t be happier to find them in Madeira too!
• Poncha – the most traditional Madeiran drink, made with aguardente , honey, sugar, and different fruit juices. You’ll hardly believe this has alcohol!

Restaurants in Madeira

Last but not least – some of my favorites restaurants and bars in Madeira.

• Cachalote – not exactly the best value, but it’s compensated by good quality food is and the beautiful views over the Porto Moniz coastline.
• Doca do Cavacas – even if the food was average, the ocean view would make any visit worthwhile. But the food is absolutely delicious. Specialized in seafood – order lapas !
• Santo António – meat-focused restaurant in Câmara de Lobos. This is a great place to try the traditional espetada .
• Taberna da Poncha – located in Serra D’Água, this is the place to try the typical poncha.
• Taberna Madeira – all the Madeiran specialties can be found in this restaurant in Funchal, from milho frito to lapas and bolo do caco .

What else did you do in Madeira island? Let me know what I’ve missed in this travel guide!

You might also like these articles 💬

Japan Travel Tips: 34 Things to Know In 2024

Paiva Walkways, Arouca: All You Need To Know

Portugal Road Trip: Itinerary & Planning Tips for 2024

Destinations🌎

Travel to the Madeira Islands

Madeira is a Portuguese island group located just off the west coast of Africa (about 300 miles from Morocco) that has become a popular American tourist destination in the winter season. However, while winter may be a popular season for travelers, spring is a great time to visit to see the lush vegetation of the islands in full bloom.

Madeira Island and the nearby Tenerife Island are both called "the island of eternal spring" since the  climate  is rather enticing in both destinations year-round. For instance, the average high in December hovers around 69 degrees Fahrenheit, and in the summer, the average highs don't crack 80. 

As a result, this small archipelago provides ample opportunities for outdoor adventures throughout the year. Although there aren't many cities to visit on Madeira Island, it's easy to stay a week in its capital, Funchal, which can serve as a hub while you explore the life and culture in smaller towns nearby.

Geography of the Islands: Getting to Madeira

Madeira was discovered by Portuguese sailors in 1418. The archipelago is made up of the main island of Madeira, the Madeiran's island paradise of Porto Santo, and the pair of deserted islands called Selvagens and Desertas.

Madeira Island, the largest of the island group, is 57 kilometers long and has over 150 kilometers of coastline. Located on the island, Funchal is the largest town and capital of the Madeira Autonomous Region, with a population of just over 100,000 people.

Unlike the green Madeira, Porto Santo , called the "Golden Island," has little vegetation but its 9 kilometer-long beach and moderate climate make it a major tourist draw for folks looking for tranquility if not desolation at the edge of Europe. Most of the population of Porto Santo lives in Vila Baleira, where you can visit a Christopher Columbus museum in the house reputedly occupied by the famous explorer. However, the rest of the island provides ample outdoor adventures worth discovering as well.

There are two airports in the island group, on Madeira (FNC) and Porto Santo (PXO), and Madeira and Porto Santo Islands are the only populated islands among them. However, there are ferry routes to Porto Santo, Selvagens, and Desertas from Madeira, which depart every morning around 9 a.m., which you can use to access the islands once you arrive by plane.

What to Do in Madeira

There's no shortage of fun things to do on the island of Madeira, from outdoor adventures through World Heritage sites to annual festivals and events in the island's major cities. Whatever time of year you visit, you're sure to find the perfect activity to add a little extra to your trip to the Madeira Islands.

• Madeira Carnival: A big attraction in Funchal with events  year-round. In spring, there are the flower celebrations, and in summer, the city hosts a Limpet festival.
• Blandy's Wine Lodge :  Located in the heart of Funchal, this destination offers tours featuring 200 years of Madeira wine. You can also book a stay at the famous lodge or attend one of the events hosted there throughout the year.
• Monte Toboggan Rides:  There are plenty of  unusual ways to get around  Madeira, but taking a toboggan sled from Monte down to Livramento, Funchal, has been a local favorite since the 1850s. You can start your journey down the two-kilometer hill at Nossa Senhora do Monte Church.
• Madeira Story Center : An interactive museum in Funchal that tells the history of the Archipelago through permanent and rotating exhibits.
• Laurisilva :  A UNESCO World Heritage site easily accessible from anywhere on the islands that features a laurel forest full of unique wildlife like the Madeiran long-toed pigeon.
• Levada Walks: Travel down shallow canals carved by 16th century Madeirans carrying water from the wet areas in the north to the more parched areas of the south. Since these canals pass through the forests of the island, they tend to be quite scenic for a day-long walking tour.

Where to Stay on the Madeira Islands

When it comes to finding a place on the islands to stay overnight, Funchal is the most popular destination on Madeira for overnight accommodations. Here, you'll find a variety of waterfront resorts and cost-efficient room rentals perfect for any budget or travel itinerary.

For budget travel, you can enjoy a fabulous stay at the Pestana Carlton Madeira on the waterfront of Funchal. The site offers a low price guarantee, which is quite reasonable for the quality of the hotel.

If you'd rather escape into the woods that surround the city, you can choose from one of many pousadas in the Luarissilva forest like the Pousada Dos Vinhaticos. In Portugal, a pousada is a government-owned and operated hotel or resort that serves traditional cuisine and is often housed in a converted historic landmark. 

You can also head up to the luxurious  Quinta do Monte is in the heart of Monte in the hills of Funchal, or for an intimate escape, spend Valentine's Day at Reid's Palace Hotel, which offers special couples' retreat packages during romantic holidays and celebrations throughout the year.

One Week on Madeira Island, Portugal: The Ultimate Itinerary

The Top Islands to Visit in Portugal

Travel Guide to the Azores Islands

A Food Guide to the Alentejo Region in Portugal

The Best Time to Visit Portugal

Ponte de Lima, Portugal Travel Guide

May in Portugal: Weather, What to Pack, and What to See

9 Top Reasons to Visit the Island of Madeira

The Top 12 Things to Do on Terceira Island, the Azores

The Top Things to Do in Nazaré, Portugal

The 12 Best Things to Do on Sao Miguel Island, the Azores

How to Travel From Lisbon to Aveiro by Train, Bus, and Car

Porto Travel Guide

Traveling From Spain's Seville to Portugal's Faro

Road Maps of Spain and Portugal

Portugal's Chapel of Bones: The Complete Guide

Madeira itinerary: The perfect 7-day Madeira road trip

Madeira Island is a place that exceeded all my expectations. I was there for five weeks, exploring its breathtaking landscape, unique nature and hiking trails, and can confidently say that it’s one of the most spectacular islands I’ve ever seen. In this blog post, I’m sharing a 7-day Madeira itinerary that showcases the most beautiful places I discovered during my time on this mesmerizing island.

Madeira lies in the Atlantic Ocean, 1000km (620 miles) from mainland Portugal and is often called the Hawaii of Europe. Its lush vegetation, subtropical climate and volcanic landscape will make you feel like you’ve stepped foot on a remote paradise island when in reality you’re less than a 2-hour flight from continental Europe. 

The best way to explore the island is to rent a car and embark on an epic Madeira road trip. Although some places in this itinerary are accessible by bus, having a car will give you the freedom to stop wherever you want and allow you to get around Madeira much faster. 

Ready to start planning your trip? Below I’ve outlined my 7-day Madeira itinerary that includes the most scenic hikes and levada walks, volcanic beaches , viewpoints, picturesque towns and more. At the end of the article, you’ll also find a map with all the stops on this travel itinerary as well as my recommendations for where to stay in Madeira.

Disclosure: This article contains affiliate links from which I may make a commission at no additional cost to you if you make a purchase.

7-day Madeira itinerary: The perfect Madeira road trip

Day 1: funchal.

On the first day of this Madeira itinerary, discover the island’s charming capital city Funchal.

Although you won’t need a car on the first day, you will need it very early the next day so I recommend picking it up right away. You can rent a car either at the airport or in Funchal.

Below, I’ve listed the best places to visit in Funchal. If you don’t manage to see much of the city on the first day, don’t worry because you’ll also have some time here on the final day of this Madeira itinerary.

Monte Palace Tropical Gardens

Monte Palace Tropical Gardens are located in the hills above Funchal and feature a large collection of exotic plants, various sculptures and walkways spread over a 7-hectare (17-acre) area. As you walk around the gardens, you can see peacocks, swans and koi fish. It’s a gorgeous place to explore with something exciting around every corner. The entrance fee to the gardens is 12.50 euros.

The easiest and most fun way to get to Monte Palace is to take a cable car from the city. The Funchal Cable Car station is located at the waterfront near the old town and the ride costs 11 euros one way (16 euros round-trip).

Funchal Farmers Market

In the heart of the city, you’ll find the bustling Funchal Farmers Market (Mercado dos Lavradores). Full of colorful stalls selling fresh produce, flowers, spices and seafood, the market is a real feast for the eyes.

What I loved most about Mercado dos Lavradores was its wide variety of exotic fruits. Make sure to taste the various types of passion fruit and the Monstera Deliciosa fruit – a long green fruit with hexagonal scales, which the locals introduced to us as a pineapple-banana fruit. Just make sure it is ripe, as it can otherwise be toxic.

There are also small cafes and bistros at the market where you can enjoy local pastries or have a glass of Poncha, a traditional drink made of sugar cane brandy and fruit juice. Warning: this stuff is STRONG.

Funchal Old Town

The picturesque Old Town of Funchal (Zona Velha) is home to cozy cobblestone streets, historical buildings, small boutiques and some of the best restaurants in the city.

While here, make sure to stroll along Rua de Santa Maria, which is one of the oldest streets in Funchal. Lined with shops, bars and restaurants, this narrow street is a popular hangout for both tourists and locals and the best place to experience the city’s nightlife. You’ll see that many doors and walls on Rua de Santa Maria are covered with colorful paintings. This is a result of the Painted Doors art project which transformed the area into a permanent outdoor art gallery.

Other famous attractions in the Old Town are the 15th-century Corpo Santo Chapel, the yellow São Tiago Fort and Madeira Story Centre museum.

If you’re looking for more things to do in Funchal, consider visiting Madeira Botanical Garden, Funchal Cathedral, Christiano Ronaldo Museum (he’s born in Madeira!) or taking this food and wine tour to savor some delicious local products.

Day 2: Pico do Arieiro to Pico Ruivo hike

Kick off the second day of your Madeira itinerary by getting up early and driving to Pico do Arieiro to see the sunrise. At 1,818m (5,965ft), it’s the third-highest peak on the island and it takes around 45 minutes to drive there from Funchal. 

Once there, head to Miradouro do Juncal viewpoint and be ready to witness the most breathtaking sunrise above the clouds. I still remember the feeling of standing at that viewpoint surrounded by low-hanging clouds and watching the first rays of sun paint the sky pink. It was a surreal experience! Make sure to dress in layers because it’s COLD up there at such an early hour (10°C during our visit in August).

Next, get ready for what’s probably going to be one of the most unforgettable hikes of your life – the Pico do Arieiro to Pico Ruivo hike. With 1,862m (6,109ft) of altitude, Pico Ruivo is the highest peak in Madeira. 

It’s a pretty challenging and steep 12km (7.5-mile) out-and-back trail and probably one of the top 3 most beautiful hikes I’ve ever done! With deep verdant valleys, glimpses of the Atlantic Ocean and jagged mountain peaks piercing through clouds, the views along the trail are absolutely stunning.

During the hike, you’ll need to go through several tunnels carved into the mountains, so make sure to bring a head torch or a phone flashlight. Once you reach Pico Ruivo, you’ll be rewarded with amazing panoramic views of the entire island. After you’ve got a bit of rest and caught your breath, hike back the same way to Pico do Arieiro. Although it is the same trail, the views are totally different as you’ll be facing the opposite way.

P.S. If this 12km (7.5-mile) round-trip hike sounds too tough for you, there’s also an easier option where you’ll do the hike just one way. For this, you’d need to take a guided tour like this one . You’ll first hike from Pico do Arieiro to Pico Ruivo (6km) and then down from Pico Ruivo to Achada do Teixeira (3km), where a car will pick you up and drive you back to your hotel.

Day 3: Northwestern coast of Madeira

On Day 3, take a road trip to the incredibly scenic northwestern coast of Madeira. In my opinion, this is the most beautiful section of the island’s coastline and another highlight of this 7-day Madeira itinerary.

São Vicente

Nestled between steep green mountains, São Vicente is a picturesque little town that’s certainly worth a quick stop. The best thing to do here is to simply stroll around the town’s historic center and the oceanfront area, have a cup of coffee and enjoy the laid-back atmosphere.

A short drive east from São Vicente lies the small coastal town Seixal, which boasts some of the best views in Madeira. Before entering the town, stop at Miradouro do Véu da Noiva, a famous viewpoint where you can admire the Bridal Veil Waterfall and the towering cliffs around it. 

Next, head to Seixal Beach which is one of the few naturally sandy beaches on the island. With its black sand, turquoise water and green mountains rising vertically from the ocean, it’s a strikingly beautiful place.

Another fantastic place to visit here is Seixal Natural Pools. Surrounded by volcanic formations and filled with crystal clear water, these tidal lava rock pools are a really unique spot for a swim.

Read more about Seixal Beach and Seixal Natural Pools in my post about the best beaches in Madeira .

As you leave Seixal and continue driving northwest along the coast, visit also Miradouro da Eira da Achada and Miradouro Ilheus da Ribeira da Janela viewpoints.

Porto Moniz

Porto Moniz is a small seaside town known for its two sets of natural pools – one is more developed and kid-friendly and the other one is a bit more ‘rough’. Again, you can find more details about them in my Madeira beaches post. If you’re running short of time, I’d say you can skip visiting Porto Moniz.

Achadas da Cruz Cable Car

For the final stop of the day, head to Achadas da Cruz cable car, which is supposedly the steepest one in Europe. Here, you’ll be transported down an almost vertical cliff and arrive at a beautiful isolated stretch of coastline. It’s an exciting 5-minute ride and costs just 3 euros for a round-trip.

Down by the shore, there’s a tiny traditional village, a pebble beach and a walking trail with amazing views of the cliffs towering above you. As this place is very remote and doesn’t receive tons of visitors, it definitely feels like one of the hidden gems of Madeira.

Day 4: Levada walks and Fanal Forest

Continue your 7-day Madeira itinerary by exploring the fantastic nature of the Paul da Serra plateau in the western part of the island.

As the plateau receives a large amount of rain, it is home to several waterfalls and levadas (man-made irrigation channels distributing water across the island). Walking along levadas is surely one of the most unique things to do in Madeira and allows you to immerse yourself in the wonderful nature of the island.

Levada das 25 Fontes walk & Risco Waterfall

Levada das 25 Fontes, which translates into 25 springs or fountains, is an easy levada walk featuring a scenic forest trail and several waterfalls. The trail leads to a small lagoon surrounded by tall rock walls with dozens of tiny streams trickling down them. If you’re brave enough you can even go for a swim in this chilly water.

Be aware that the 25 Fontes hike is one of the most popular levada walks in Madeira. I recommend getting there early if you don’t feel like rubbing shoulders with 100 other tourists.

To get to the 100m (330ft) tall Risco Waterfall, walk the same way back from the 25 Fontes lagoon and turn left at the fork about halfway through the trail. To visit both of these waterfalls, it’s an 11km (6.8-mile) round-trip hike and should take you 3-4 hours.

Since we were here in August, one of the driest months in Madeira, both 25 Fontes Falls and Risco Waterfall had reduced to just a small trickle. If you come here in the wetter months of the year (November to April), you can expect the waterfalls to look a lot fuller.

Fanal Forest

After the 25 Fontes and Risco Waterfall hike, drive to the magical Fanal Forest (Auto Fanal in Google Maps). This ancient laurel forest is a part of Madeira’s Laurisilva forest which has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its biological and ecological importance.

What makes Fanal Forest so special is its crooked moss-covered trees and the mysterious fog that’s often present here. It really looks like an enchanted forest and makes you feel like you’ve stepped into a fairytale. It’s crazy to think that most of these trees are more than 600 years old and have been growing here since before Madeira was even discovered! 

As you walk around the forest and the meadows, you might encounter some cows roaming around so watch out for cow poop. Since it gets pretty chilly up at Fanal, make sure to bring a warm jacket and long pants.

Day 5: The ‘tail’ of Madeira

On Day 5, I recommend exploring the impressive landscapes on Madeira’s east coast. Get ready for some coastal trekking as well as some well-deserved beach time.

Ponta de São Lourenço

Ponta de São Lourenço is the easternmost point of the island and a mandatory stop on every Madeira road trip. This long narrow peninsula, which is also known as the “tail of Madeira”, features spectacular volcanic cliffs, rock formations and sweeping views of the Atlantic Ocean. 

With its barren, moon-like landscape and very little vegetation, this place looks completely different from the rest of the island. On top of the cliffs, there’s a hiking trail that allows you to enjoy the dramatic views from many different angles.

Near the end of the trail, there’s also a small cafe where you can get snacks or a cold drink. From here, most people start heading back but I recommend hiking a bit further to the Miradouro Ponta do Furado viewpoint for incredible views of the Ilhéu da Cevada islet.

The Ponta de São Lourenço walk is an easy 8km (5-mile) hike (round-trip) and should take you about 3 hours to complete. Since there’s no shade from the sun on this trail, bring sunscreen and lots of water.

Prainha Beach (Prainha do Caniçal)

Located just a short drive from Ponta de São Lourenço, Prainha Beach is one of the few naturally sandy beaches in Madeira and the ideal place to relax after your hike.

Because of its soft volcanic sand and turquoise water full of colorful fish, it became one of my favorite beaches on the island. Read more about Prainha Beach in my Madeira beaches guide .

Day 6: Northeastern part of Madeira

Continue your Madeira road trip by getting to know the northeastern corner of the island.

Levada do Caldeirão Verde

Start your day with the Levada do Caldeirão Verde hike, which is one of the best levada walks in Madeira. The trail leads you through a lush Laurisilva forest, past several small waterfalls and offers magnificent views of the green valleys and mountains of Madeira. 

At the end of the hike, you’ll arrive at the mysterious Caldeirão Verde (aka the “green cauldron”), where you’ll see a 110m (360ft) tall waterfall cascading down green mossy cliffs. As we were there in August, there was just a small trickle left of the waterfall but it was still beautiful.

Bring a head torch or a phone with a flashlight because there are a few tunnels you need to walk through. The total distance of the Caldeirão Verde levada walk is 12km (7.5 miles) but since the trail is flat and well maintained, it’s a very easy walk and takes about 4 hours to complete.

After the hike, drive to Santana which is famous for its adorable traditional houses. With triangle-shaped thatched roofs and colorful facades, these tiny houses look like they belong in a fairytale. 

There are quite a few of them scattered around Santana but the best place to see them is in the town center, next to the Town Hall (Casas típicas de Santana in Google Maps). Here, you’ll find a beautiful flower garden and six traditional houses. Each of them is a shop selling a variety of local products and souvenirs.

Miradouro do Guindaste

Round off your day with a visit to the Miradouro do Guindaste viewpoint. It’s an amazing place for photos and offers some mesmerizing views of the ocean and the massive cliffs along Madeira’s northeastern coast. 

If you crave a dip in the ocean or want to grab something to eat, head to Faial Beach Club right next to the viewpoint.

Day 7: Dolphin and whale watching tour

Spend the last day of your Madeira itinerary in Funchal. Depending on your interests, you can either visit the attractions that you didn’t have time for on the first day or you can go on a dolphin and whale watching tour – a bucket-list-worthy experience for any wildlife lover!

The waters surrounding Madeira are home to large whale and dolphin populations and the chances of spotting them are supposedly as high as 85%-95%. Ironically, we didn’t see any whales or dolphins during our tour but that’s how it is with wildlife – you can never be guaranteed that you’ll see them.

Most of the dolphin and whale watching tours have really positive online reviews so I think there’s a high chance you’ll have more luck than we did. Many people mention seeing pods of sperm whales, pilot whales, bottlenose dolphins, turtles and other species, sometimes just a few meters from the boat!

If this sounds like something for you, here are the different types of tours to consider:

• A tour on a speedboat – With a speedboat, you can cover larger distances and therefore have a better chance of spotting wildlife. It’s an adrenaline-filled experience and you’ll need to stay in your seat throughout the trip due to high speed.
• A tour on a catamaran – With a catamaran, you can cover less distance but the experience is a lot more relaxed and you’ll have access to various sitting areas, bathrooms and a bar. In the warmer months, the tour also includes a snorkeling stop.
• A tour where you can swim with dolphins – If the conditions are right, you can swim with common dolphins or spotted dolphins on this tour. There’s also a chance that you’ll see some whales.

Where to stay in Madeira

Since Madeira is quite small, you could easily base yourself in the capital city Funchal and do day trips to the different parts of the island. But if you want to experience what it’s like to stay in some of the smaller towns, consider spending a night or two in São Vicente, Santana or Machico.

Here are some of my top picks on where to stay in Funchal:

BUDGET: FX Pena The perfect accommodation for budget travelers. Spacious, clean and modern rooms plus a shared kitchen and a large terrace.

MID-RANGE: NEXT by Savoy Signature A new 4-star hotel at the waterfront in the heart of the city. There’s a fabulous rooftop infinity pool & bar, sauna, gym and modern rooms with views of the ocean and Funchal. This hotel offers amazing value for money.

LUXURY: Savoy Palace by Savoy Signature One of the most high-end hotels in Funchal. With its stunning interior decor, incredible rooftop, exceptional spa facilities, tropical gardens and impeccable service, Savoy Palace is the definition of luxury.

Madeira itinerary map

On this map, you can find the locations of all the stops included in this 7-day Madeira itinerary. Click on the top left corner of the map for more details.

Have more than a week in Madeira?

If you have more than a week in Madeira, consider also visiting Porto Santo island, which is a part of the Madeira archipelago. Porto Santo is just a 2-hour ferry ride away but its nature and landscape are very different from Madeira. The biggest attraction on the island is its 9km (5.6-mile) long beach with golden sand and clear turquoise water.

Madeira itinerary: final thoughts

With its awe-inspiring landscapes, epic hiking trails and incredible nature, it’s impossible not to fall in love with Madeira. Even after spending five weeks on this island, I couldn’t get enough of its beauty!

I hope that this 7-day Madeira itinerary gave you a good overview of what to expect when visiting this gem of an island and that you found some inspiration for planning your own trip.

If you have any questions about this itinerary, leave them in the comments below.

For more photos and videos of our Madeira trip, have a look at my Instagram account – look for the stories highlight called Madeira.

Planning to explore mainland Portugal as well? Then have a look at the following posts:

• Algarve 5-day itinerary
• Best hikes in the Algarve
• Visiting the Algarve in winter
• Hiking the Seven Hanging Valleys Trail in the Algarve

Enjoyed reading this Madeira itinerary? Pin it!

Best beaches in Madeira: from black sand to volcanic pools

Hiking Algarve: Best hikes in the Algarve, Portugal

Algarve in winter: What to expect + best things to do

Algarve itinerary: The perfect 5-day Algarve road trip

Hiking the Seven Hanging Valleys Trail in Algarve, Portugal

Hi, absolutley love this itiniery! i am thinking of staying in Maderia a bit longer than 7 nights. Really random but how was parking there as you’ve said you drove a lot of it but it is a concern of mine. as well as petrol while you were out there. Thanks

Hi Christina! I’m glad to hear you like the itinerary! The parking situation was totally fine when we visited, all the attractions have their own parking lots. In the center of Funchal it’s probably a bit harder to find parking, there it would be better to park at your hotel/Airbnb and explore the city on foot.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

• Skip to main content
• Skip to secondary menu
• Skip to footer

ZigZagonEarth

Plan unforgettable road trips!

42 Madeira Travel Tips (make the best of your trip!)

Last updated on November 1, 2023 by Claire Robinson - this article contains affiliate links. If you purchase through them, I get a small commission ( more )

Planning a trip to Madeira? What a wonderful choice of destination! Below are my best Madeira travel tips to make the most of your time:

• Tips to plan your trip
• Tips to get around Madeira
• Tips on accommodations and where to stay
• Tips on the best things to do and recommendations to experience them

All you need to plan your travels around Madeira island! Your complete guide.

Before my tips + photos, here are my favorites for Madeira:

My favorite platform to rent a car in Madeira: DiscoverCars

The unmissable boat tour: Catamaran tour to go whale watching

My favorite excursion from Funchal:   4×4 tour of East Madeira

MMy favorite places to stay in Funchal:  Les Suites at the Cliff Bay  (Luxury) –  Sé Boutique Hotel  (4 stars) –  Market Place by Storytellers  (apartments)

My favorite places to stay outside Funchal:  Saccharum Resort  near a beach (Luxury) –  Estalagem da Ponta do Sol  (4 stars) –  Engho Velho Hotel  (mid-range)

5 Madeira travel tips to help with planning / itinerary

#1 – choose the best time to visit madeira for you.

Madeira is a year-round destination with pleasant temperatures. You can enjoy its charm in any season… but, if there are things you prefer, some seasons are better than others. It depends on what you are looking for: 

• Crowds – Because Madeira does not have many sandy beaches, it does not get as crowded as other islands in Micronesia – However, you will find more tourists during the Summer and during the school holidays of Europe, as well as during Christmas
• Weather – The temperatures are pleasant and overall stable throughout the year. Winter will have lower temperature (especially at night) but not that low. And the Winter will be rainier, but not that much! June is the drier month – but March to September is the dry season.
• Waterfalls –  Since Winter is a little bit rainier, it is the best season to appreciate the waterfall. In Summer, some of them can dry up, and you could be disappointed after hiking…
• Flowers in the gardens –  Madeira is famous for its flowers and gardens. The best time is Spring (en March, April and May). However, if you have allergies, avoid those months…
• Whales and dolphins –  Madeira offers boat tours on the South shore to find whales and dolphins. We can see them year-round, but the largest populations are between May and September.

Learn more on my article about the best time to travel to Madeira . Or check out my article about Madeira in Winter .

#2 – Plan at least 10 days – How long to plan to visit Madeira

Don’t visit for a long weekend. The island is far from Europe and landings can be delayed because of wind.

The island is not that big. From Funchal you can reach almost all destinations within 1h, thanks to the many tunnels. The minimum to visit Madeira is a week, but I really think that 10 days is a better timeframe. With only one week, you would have to rush your experience or make some choices of places to see. 

I think the best length for your Madeira trip is between 10 days and 2 weeks (and more if you want to explore the island of Porto Santo as well).

Below is a map with the main driving times to give you perspective:

#3 – Don’t plan a guided tour on your first day

Madeira has one of the most notorious landing strip in Europe. It is not too dangerous, but it gets windy and the approach is special. Pilots must have a special training to land here. Once in a while, there is too much wind to land safely. In that case, planes might not take off or might have to land on another island or back to Portugal. In that case, you will have to take a later flight.

Therefore, you should not book a tour on the first day, in case your arrival is delayed.

#4 – Don’t expect sandy dreamy beaches 

Don’t go to Madeira is order to spend your days at the beach. This is not the destination for that. Most beaches on the island are pebble beaches. There is very little sand. If you won’t expect it, you won’t be disappointed. The island it magnificent and there is plenty to do. Just not that.

#5 – Plan some flexibility to adapt to the weather

Madeira is an island in the middle of the Atlantic, with tall mountains. Therefore, it stops the clouds. If you are looking for the sun during your Madeira travels, I recommend planning some flexibility, so that you can check the weather and the webcams and pick the less cloudy area of the island for the half day.

In my planning, I had gathered locations by half a day so that I could decide where to go next. Check out my maps in my eBook to help you group the best locations:

Plan your dream trip in Madeira thanks to my guide

• 7 maps to easily plan your itinerary
• 120+ pre-selected locations
• GPS coordinates direct to the carparks
• Tips to make the most of your time
• 260+ original photos to help you choose

5 Tips to travel around Madeira

#6 – don’t have a car if staying in funchal.

If you plan on staying in Funchal, don’t rent a car. Parking is not easy, unless your hotel or accommodations has a parking space for you. You could rent a car to explore the island and give it back before finishing your trip in Funchal.

#7 – Rent a car to see hidden gems and secret places

It is possible to explore some areas without a car: There are guided tours , “safaris” and taxi tours that can take you to the most famous places. But Madeira is so much more than that! There are so many viewpoints, stunning roads and hidden gems to discover… I really think renting a car is the best way to discover the island.

#8 – Rent a car with enough power

However, note that if you are renting a car, you should not choose the smallest, cheapest one. You need something with enough power so as not to worry. There are very, very, very steep roads on this island!  A Peugeot 208, for example, is a great option.

Get more tips on my article about renting a car in Madeira.

#9 – Compare prices

I have seen big variations of prices for car rentals on the island. I wanted to book with MadeiraRent because they have a great reputation. But, every time, I found much better prices for their cars on Discovercars.com compared to their direct website! Not sure why… Anyway,  Discovercars.com is one of the best customer-rated comparison sites – you can choose the car and rental company. Plus, they propose a full coverage option – I always take it for peace of mind! 

Book early to have a large choice of vehicles!

#10 – Don’t be afraid of driving in Madeira

I am still baffled by a lot of the comments online that driving in Madeira is not for the fainthearted. But remember that all the people that found it overall easy, like me, will not take the time to write down that they had no problems.

Yes, for Americans, the roads will seem narrow. Yes, the roads are sometimes steep. Yes, the roads are winding around the mountains. Yes, there are lots of tunnels…

• There is not much traffic – so you can take your time on those mountain roads
• They have built bumper level walls or protection on the side of the road almost everywhere. 

Let me tell you: I don’t like winding road with emptiness on one side, but here I have never felt in danger because I knew there was always the protection to tell me I was too close. I actually really enjoyed driving in Madeira.

The main issue is parking. And as the island becomes more and more popular, it will not improve…

Check out my complete article on renting a car and driving in Madeira (with video) .

5 Madeira accommodation tips

#11 – one accommodation or several.

As I wrote earlier, most destination around the island are less than 1h away from Funchal. The island is not that big, and thanks to the tunnels, you can avoid long roads up and down mountains. However, I do recommend booking at least 2 different accommodations to enjoy different aspects of Madeira and to reduce you travel times (especially if you want to see the sunrises).

I think the best option is:

• half the trip with accommodation on the East side
• and half the trip with accommodation on the West side

But you can also enjoy a road trip or stay in just one place. It depends on what you are looking for during your holidays.

#12 – Should you stay in Funchal?

If you enjoy trying various restaurants, then Funchal is the best place for you. If you don’t want to rent a car, then Funchal is the best place for you. If you want to visit many museums, then Funchal is the best place for you. If you are looking for luxury resorts, then the Funchal / Lido area is the best place for you.

Otherwise, Funchal may not be the best choice because:

• parking is difficult, 
• it is more crowded,
• It means driving through the city to get anywhere else on the island.

See my article about where to stay in Funchal .

#13 – Best areas to stay in Madeira

Well, there is no absolute best places to stay in Madeira. It depends on what you are looking for. Below are some of my recommendations:

• For a large choice of restaurants and if you don’t rent a car – Check out the best rated accommodations in Funchal
• For luxury resorts,  check out the Lido area in Funchal
• For a good mix with sandy beach, restaurants, and easy access to Madeira East –  Check out the best rated accommodations in Machico
• For a quiet village in beautiful scenery and the sounds of wave to fall asleep – Check out the best rated accommodations in Porto da Cruz
• For a practical location to explore the entire island by car –  Check out the best rated accommodation in Arco da Calheta
• To enjoy the natural pools –  Check out the best rated accommodation in Porto Moniz

More tips on my article about where to stay in Madeira

#14 – Choose accommodation with swimming pool

As I wrote earlier, the beaches in Madeira are not dreamy ones with sand. But it can get hot in the afternoon. It is nice to enjoy a swim after a day exploring the coast and mountains. It is especially enjoyable if you are hiking as it will relax your muscles.

#15 – Always check the parking situation

This is mostly if you are staying on the South coast, in popular places.  Parking in Funchal, Ribeira Brava, Ponta do Sol, Camara dos Lobos can be difficult. So make sure you check what the hotel writes in regards to parking.

I don’t drink coffee

But I also like other drinks and sweets! Do you like the free content you find on my blog? All my tips and practical information, without intrusive advertising…

5 Tips to experience Madeira and make the most of your time

#16 – wake up early to see sunrises.

I know that on holidays, sleeping in is a must for some. But those sunrises above the clouds are just phenomenal. A truly amazing experience. You should make the effort at least once. Pico do Arieiro is the easiest place to enjoy it, as you don’t need to hike.

#17 – Get the cheap Madeiraweather app

However, I recommend making sure that the summits are going to be above the clouds before deciding to go up there early morning. For that, there is a cheap app called Madeiraweather. Contrary to other apps, it includes Pico do Arieiro and Pico Ruivo so you can check the forecast for the next morning. Of course, it is a forecast and cannot be 100% sure. But it is good guidance. I used it a lot.

#18 – Is Madeira safe? Be aware of scams

Overall, Madeira is a safe destination. There is a low crime rate, not much pickpocketing and few scams. That being said, you should always be careful, like everywhere else. Regarding scam there is one famous one: at the Mercado dos Lavradores. Some of the fruit sellers tend to overcharge tourists. There has been lots of noise about it recently, so maybe it is going to change. Otherwise, make sure to always ask the taxi driver to use the meter.

#19 – Hike early or late

There are many wonderful hikes to enjoy on the island. But most of them are along levadas, which are irrigation systems. The paths are not wide and hikes are not loops. I recommend hiking early or late, not only for the weather, but to avoid most of the other tourists. I did 2 hikes where I was the first one on the trail in the morning and I could enjoy the peace and quiet. And I had to cross path with other walkers only on my way back. See my article with the best hikes in Madeira and hiking tips .

#20 – Carry cash

Many places accept credit cards on the island. However, there are a few cases when you will need coins: 

• to pay for parking on the machines along the South Coast (Ponta do Sol, Ribeira Brava, Camara dos Lobos…)
• to pay for some of the cable cars
• for a few restaurants off the beaten path

18 Things to do in Madeira Tips – not to be missed

#21 – ride at least one cable car.

Madeira has impressive cliffs. There are many viewpoints to admire them from the top. But in some places, you can also take cable cars down to water level to enjoy a walk at the bottom of those giants. My 2 favorite cable cars are:

• Rocha do Navio, in Santana – best views and waterfalls
• Teleferico das Achadas da Cruz near Porto Moniz – the steepest in Europe according to their sign (it is quite impressive)

Learn more in my article about the Madeira cable cars .

#22 – Do at least one levada walk

As I wrote earlier, Levadas are traditional irrigation systems that take the water from the top of the mountains to the plantations. Walking paths allow you to follow them, and those hikes are called Levada Walks. Some of the most famous are:

• 25 Fontes from Rabaçal – it leads to a pool with a crying wall full of tiny falls
• Caldeirao Verde – it leads to a tall waterfall

As you walk, you will enjoy the lush scenery that surrounds them. And look into the water, because sometimes you can see a fish. I am not kidding; I have photos to prove it!

See my article about the best hikes and levada walks .

#23 – Do at least one swim in natural pools

Madeira may not have wonderful beaches, but you can still enjoy unique swimming experiences. In some areas, the lava rocks have created natural pools that get filled by sea water during high tide. My favorite natural pools are:

• Porto Moniz (the free ones, not the modified ones)

Such a wonderful experience to admire the rocks and the views of the lush mountains in the background.

Learn more in my article about the best natural pools in Madeira .

#24 – Do admire the North coast

Many tourists only visit the famous places on the South coast. However, in my opinion, the North coast is way more beautiful. It is wilder. It is home to some of the best viewpoints on the island. For example, this is where you can discover this impressive rock formation called Penha de Aguia (which reaches 590m – 1935ft)

#25 – Go up to the Madeira mountains

Madeira is not all about the coastline and the cliffs. In the middle are jagged peaks that are magnificent.From some trails, you can see the sea on both sides! For some areas, it requires hiking. But thanks to the observatory, it is very easy to drive up to Pico do Arieiro and enjoy the views. From there you can just enjoy the viewpoint or you can hike as much as you want on the famous trail: Pico do Arieiro to Pico Ruivo.

#26 – Be fascinated by the volcanic history

The island of Madeira is at the top of a massive shield volcano. It was created around 7 million years ago. The most recent volcanic period dates back 6000 to 7000 years ago. One of the best places to appreciate its volcanic history it is Ponta de Sao Lourenço. This is the dragon tail of Madeira: a bare landscape with high cliffs. There is a hiking trail to explore it and you can walk as much or as little as you want. I recommend walking at least the first section, as it is mesmerizing.

#27 – Appreciate the high cliffs Cabo Girao or alternative

One of the most famous attractions on the island is Cabo Girao. The cape, standing 589m (1932ft) above sea water, is the tallest in Europe. Locals have built a skywalk with glass to better appreciate the height. To be honest, I was not a huge fan of the skywalk. It felt very touristy.But I took the cable car down (3km away from the walk) and I really enjoyed the cliffs from the bottom as you can many volcanic features. Another option is to take one of the catamaran tours to see dolphins as they take you swimming at the bottom of those cliffs (see further down). Learn more in my Cabo Girao article .

#28 – Find secret places

If you rent a car , you can discover some hidden gems all around this island. At some of them you may be alone, only meet locals or cross path with only a few like-minded travelers. Some of my favorites include:

• Calhau da Lapa
• Achadas da Cruz
• Banana Route in Madalena do Mar

Check out by favorite Madeira “secret” places .

Find all my favorite places to see in Madeira in my guide to help you plan an amazing trip:

#29 – Book a whale watching and dolphin boat tour from Funchal

Madeira is also famous for its population of whales and dolphins surrounding the island . They can be spotted all year round, but the best time is May to September. Many companies offer boat tours from Funchal either:

• on speedboats,
• on a pirate boat,
• on small catamarans,
• on larger catamarans

Check out some boat tour options .

I enjoyed the small catamaran one as it was less crowded and we also went swimming at the bottom of the impressive cliffs of Cabo Girao. This is one of the best boat tours in Madeira .

#30 – Visit at least one garden

Madeira is a lush island. The volcanic land is fertile. And, especially around Funchal, beautiful gardens have been designed.

In my opinion, the best one is hands-down the Monte Palace Tropical Garden. You could spend an entire day there. There is a museum, tile works, water features, bridges, ponds… It is a feast for the eyes and for the camera. Just know that the garden is on a hill, so the walk is up and down. But you can pay extra for golf carts to take you to some places.

#31 – Madeira beaches – Choose the one for you

I do think the natural pools are a better experience, but if you want to spend some time at the beach, there are a few to choose from:

• Imported golden sand – Machico or Calheta
• Natural black sand – Seixal or Prainha
• Pebbles – Praia Formosa, Ponta do Sol…

Learn more in my article about the best beaches in Madeira .

#32 – Enjoy the food and drinks

People who love gastronomy won’t be disappointed. Highlights of the Madeira Cuisine include:

• Estepada – skewers cooked on laurel wood
• Balo fo Caco – typical local bread
• Seafood – you are in the middle of the ocean.. there is a lot of seafood to try – try the famous lapas
• Espada or black scabbard fish with banana
• Tropical fruits
• Pastel de nata – traditional Portuguese dessert.

#33 – Try local drinks

Madeira is also famous for 2 types of drinks:

• Madeira wine – a unique production with higher alcohol content
• Poncha – traditional alcoholic drink from sugar cane rum

#34 – Know the reality of the Desertas islands tour

Next to Madeira islands are 3 smaller ones called the Desertas islands. You may see them as you approach by plane or as you drive on the East coast. It is a nature reserve famous for its rare seals and giant tarantulas.

There are excursions heading there, but let me share with you the reality. They mostly market the fact that it is a nature reserve. But on this day trip, you will spend 6h sailing on the catamaran (3h in each direction) with wind making you cold and waves crashing on you once in a while.  Once there, you won’t see any seals because they are living in another part of the island where boats are not allowed and all you will do is go for a 10min walk to look at boards and learn a bit more about the islands. The volcanic rocks are beautiful, but I don’t think it is worth the 6h on a boat, unless you love that part too.

#35 – Collect viewpoints

Maybe what I love the most about Madeira is that locals have set up viewpoints almost everywhere.  It is absolutely fantastic to be driving on a road with magnificent views and finding a spot to park and take the time to enjoy it. It is not in every country. Those viewpoints are called Miradouros. Below is a fantastic example. It is Miradouro do Paradeo. It overlooks the impressive Valley of the Nuns (Curral das Freiras). See my selection of the 21 best viewpoints in Madeira .

#36 – Choose your museums

In Funchal, there are museums for everyone’s taste. The most famous is probably the CR7  dedicated to Cristiano Ronaldo. And just outside you can find the statue of the famous soccer player. But you can also find small but interesting museums about:

• Madeira history
• Photography
• Wine production and history
• Optical illusions
• Decorative arts

And outside of Funchal you can find museums about whales (in Caniçal), geology (in Sao Vicente), sugar cane factories…

#37 – Do something unique

If you are looking for the most Madeiran things to do on the Island, it is probably the toboggan sled ride. It is a thrilling traditional ride: the descent from Monte to Livramento in a basket sledge led by 2 men. The transportation system dates back to the early 19th century.

#38 – If you are staying longer than 10 days, consider Porto Santo

As I wrote earlier, I think you need at least 10 days to see the entire island of Madeira from mountains to lava rocks and beaches. But if you have longer, why not consider heading to Porto Santo, the other inhabited island of the archipelago. It is small (11km (6,8mi) long by 6km (3,7mi) wide) and can be easily explored. 2 options:

• You can do a day trip with the ferry to Porto Santo in the morning and the return in the evening (2h30 in each direction) – companies offer bus tours to the main attractions during the day – check out a complete day trip option from Funchal
• You can plan 3 days to go relax, explore and enjoy the sandy beach

Porto Santo’s highlights include:

• a 9km (5.6mi) long sandy beach
• Giant organ pipes formations
• a mini desert with sand dunes
• Great viewpoints

Note that I also listed the best things to do in my eBook about Madeira.

For more ideas, head to my article about the best things to do in Madeira and my itinerary articles:   3 days ,  4 days ,  5 days ,  1 week ,  10 days

Madeira Travel guide – prepare & pack for a Madeira Trip

#39 – what to pack for madeira (outside of hiking).

The list of things to pack is quite typical, but remember that the island is not tropical. There is a variation in weather.

Plus, one hour you can be by the beach at 25°C (77°F) and 1h later you can be at the top of the mountains at 1800m above sea level, where temperatures drop… The best options is to bring layers.

You can refer to my overall travel checklists that include packing lists.

Just don’t forget:

• Swimsuit to enjoy the incredible natural pools
• Sunscreen – you can easily burn there!
• Binoculars to see all the amazing summits and see better the whales and dolphins – check out my article to help you choose your binoculars
• Adapter if you are not using 2 round 220V plugs

Binoculars to admire all the details in the scenery ( see my guide )

Adapter to charge all your equipments

#40 – Pack for walking / hiking

My recommendations are:

• a day pack – my favorites are the Osprey with their good aeration in the back (I have a Tempest 20L and my brother has the Talon)
• lightweight hiking shoes (do not go on those levada walks with flip-flops!!!! they can be slippery)
• Water bottle / water pouch
• Clothing for warming up
• Clothing for the wind, e.g. softshell jacket – see some options
• Clothing for the rain (or combined with wind protection)
• A headlamp – on some hikes you must go through dark tunnels. phone lamps cannot be sufficient. A good headlamp makes the crossing more comfortable – see some options .
• Thermal blanket – I never travel without one. In case of accident, keeping warm is essential.
• And since I hike alone, I also take with me a Garmin inReach Mini for added security – I take the lowest monthly subscription for one month, just to be able to use the emergency service button.

See all Osprey backpacks options

Thermal Blanket. They don’t take a lot of space and it is safer to have one when hiking, just in case. See emergency blankets

Learn more about the Garmin inReach Mini

#41 – Bring the right camera gear for Madeira

Nothing really special for a trip to Madeira. You should consider water protection if you go on a dolphin watch boat tour, or on some hikes where waterfalls are falling on the track. I personally just bought a camera that is entirely sealed, which is quite a relief. And I use a lense with a wide range to take landscapes and also zoom in on animals or details. I have:

• Olympus EM1 MarkIII
• 12-100 IS lens
• Extra Batteries
• A camera clip to relieve my neck and carry the camera on the strap of my backpack – I love soooooooo much!!!!! It works with all cameras.

Olympus EM1 Mark III with 12-100 lens

Peak design Capture Clip

#42 – Learn a few words of Portuguese

Locals always appreciate when people try speaking a few words of their language:

• Hello – Olà
• Excuse me – Desculpe!
• Welcome – Ben Vinda
• I am sorry – Sinto Muito
• Please – Por Favor
• Thank you – Obrigado (male) or Obrigada (female)

Want to see more of the best Madeira offers?

• Where to stay in Madeira – best areas – read article
• The best landscapes in Madeira in 40 pictures – read article
• The 7 cables cars in Madeira and their amazing views – read article
• The 7 best hikes and levada walks in Madeira – read article
• All you need to know to rent a car and drive in Madeira – read article
• The 18 best beaches in Madeira –  read article

Planning a trip to Madeira?

Check out my travel guide to help you plan:

And keep track of your own trip!

Want to see more of MADEIRA?

PREVIOUS: 

7 best Madeira boat tours & trips

NEXT: 

Renting a car in Madeira – 36 tips

Inspired? Share it on your favorite platform!

Par Claire Robinson Region Lovers SARL 76600 Le Havre FRANCE VAT FR21845103191

Follow ZigZag on Facebook

Follow ZigZag on Pinterest

Website in French: ZigZagvoyages.fr

Website in German: ZigZagreisen.de

Website in Spanish: ZigZagviajes.com

And discover the French regions:

Normandielovers.fr LoireLovers.fr CorsicaLovers.fr Provencelovers.fr

Privacy / Terms of Use / Disclosure Policies / Refund policy

Become an affiliate for the ZigZag road trip guides

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. ZigZagOnEarth.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com, Amazon.uk and Amazon.ca

World Map » Portugal » Region » Madeira » Madeira Tourist Map

Madeira tourist map

You may download, print or use the above map for educational, personal and non-commercial purposes. Attribution is required. For any website, blog, scientific research or e-book, you must place a hyperlink (to this page) with an attribution next to the image used.

Portugal maps

• Portugal map

Cities of Portugal

• Praia da Rocha

Regions of Portugal

• North America Map
• South America Map
• Oceania Map

Popular Maps

• Australia Map
• Germany Map
• Singapore Map
• United Arab Emirates Map
• United Kingdom Map
• United States Map
• New York City Map
• Los Angeles Map

U.S. States

• California Map
• Colorado Map
• Florida Map
• Georgia Map
• Illinois Map
• New York Map
• North Carolina Map
• Virginia Map

22 BEST Places to See & Things to Do in Madeira, Portugal (+Map & Tips)

By Author Jurga

Posted on Last updated: May 8, 2024

Thinking of visiting Madeira Island in Portugal and wondering what to expect and what there’s to see and do on this little island that’s often called the Pearl of the Atlantic? In this guide, we cover the very best things to do and places not to miss in Madeira that are worth your time the most . Take a look!

Often called the ‘Flower Island’ , Portuguese island Madeira is a truly unique destination in the Atlantic Ocean. It’s a volcanic island with stunning mountain landscapes, beautiful rough coastlines, charming villages, and an incredible variety of tropical fruit, plants, and flowers.

If you are looking for white-sand beaches and typical beach activities, then Madeira is probably not the right destination for you (although you can find some nice sandy beaches nearby!). But if you love beautiful nature, rough coastlines, quirky local places, unique traditions, and good food and wine, then you’ll love Madeira!

Despite its relatively compact size, the island offers more diversity than it looks at first sight. And there is so much to see and do in Madeira that you can easily spend a couple of weeks here and never get bored…

But who has the time to see and do everything, right? So we selected only the VERY BEST places to see and things to do in Madeira that are worth your time the most .

In this article, we share all the top sights, activities, and most popular tourist attractions in Madeira that are considered the ‘must-sees’. For each place/ activity, we also include our experience-based tips to help you make the most of your visit.

To help you plan your trip, we also created a map of the nicest places in Madeira . It should give you a better idea of where everything is located and make it easier to plan your time.

How to use this map:  Use your computer mouse (or fingers) to zoom in or out. Click on the icons to get more information about each place. Click the arrow on the top left corner for the index. Click the star next to the map’s title to add it to your Google Maps account. To view the saved map on your smartphone or PC, open Google Maps, click the menu and go to ‘Your Places’/’Maps’. If you want to print the map or see it in a bigger window, click on ‘View larger map’ in the top right corner.

These are the very best things to do in Madeira:

Madeira’s capital, Funchal , is an attractive coastal city that is absolutely not to be missed when visiting the island. Rather compact in size, it offers a lot more than it might look at first sight and you can easily explore the main sights on foot.

Funchal is a city made for wandering with attractive black-and-white mosaic pavements, colonial-style buildings, and a busy marina. It is also a green city with colorful parks and gardens such as Monte Palace Tropical Garden and Madeira Botanical Gardens .

You’ll find a varied range of interesting and historical attractions including the Cathedral (Sé) , Santa Clara Convent , or the iconic wicker toboggan ride , one of the most popular tourist attractions in Madeira. Football fans will definitely want to visit Cristiano Ronaldo’s trophy museum CR7 , and if you like street art, be sure to check Rua de Santa Maria .

TIP: Try to time your visit to Funchal when there are no (or not too many) cruise ships in town. The small city gets very busy when there are several cruise ships in port for the day. You can usually find this information online by searching for ‘Funchal cruise ship dates’.

Good to know: We cover the main sights in and near the city in detail further below (many of them are really must-see and do in Madeira). In addition – if you are looking for a more comprehensive guide of just the city itself – take a look at our Funchal guide via the link below.

LEARN MORE: Best Things to Do in Funchal

2. Mercado dos Lavradores

Mercado dos Lavradores (Farmers’ Market) is a lively local market located in central Funchal, just a short walk from the waterfront and the main sights. This traditional market is considered an absolute must-see in Madeira. And indeed, it’s a unique experience, so definitely check it out!

Built in 1938-1940 by a popular Portuguese architect Edmundo Tavares, the building is interesting to see in itself. The open, two-story market hall is built in art deco style and decorated with Portuguese azulejo tiles.

On the ground floor, you’ll find flower sellers in traditional dress and fruit stalls selling a myriad of colorful produce. On the top floor, there are dried fruit, vegetable, and spice stalls. If you visit early in the day, check out the fish market – Praça do Peixe – at the rear of the Farmer’s market. The two markets are interconnected by a wide staircase.

Good to know : Mercado dos Lavradores is open from morning to evening every day, except Sunday. On Saturday, it closes in the early afternoon. The absolute best days to visit are Fridays, and also Saturday morning.

TIP: Mercado Dos Lavradores is a great place to sample exotic and interesting foods, some so special that we hadn’t even seen them anywhere else before. However, if you wish to make large grocery purchases, prices are lower in neighboring supermarkets.

3. Cabo Girão

Located just near Funchal, Cabo Girão is one of the most popular places to see in Maderia. This is one of the highest sea cliffs in Europe towering 580 meters (1,900 ft) above sea level. The views from Miradouro do Cabo Girão on a clear day are spectacular, but what makes it even more special is the viewing platform itself.

In addition to the paved terrace, there’s also a suspended glass-floored platform jutting over the edge of the cliffs, Cabo Girao Skywalk . It’s really special to see the steep cliffs right under your feet! If you’re afraid of heights and rather not walk on the glass, you can just see it from the side.

Interesting fact: From the viewpoint, you can see small acres of land all the way at the bottom of the cliffs, by the sea. In the not-so-distant past, local farmers would descend down the cliffs in baskets to work on this land. Nowadays this dangerous undertaking is not worth the effort and the risk anymore.

Good to know: The viewing areas are free to enter but can get very busy when a coach tour arrives. In peak season, turnstiles at the entrance are used to control the number of people on the platforms. You may have to wait for your turn, but the views will be worth it.

TIP: Visit Cabo Girao early in the morning or in the evening. It will be quieter and easier to find parking in the limited space available. Plus, the roads around Cabo Girao are narrow and winding. If you are driving, you may not be at ease meeting a coach coming in the opposite direction!

Getting there: Cabo Girao is a 20-minute drive from Funchal. If you do not have a car, you can catch a public bus from Funchal which stops outside the entrance. The Funchal hop-on hop-off bus also has a stop here. Many organized tours that visit the inland or the western side of the island also stop here as well, and some boat tours pass underneath.

4. Câmara de Lobos

Another popular destination to visit in Madeira is the fishermen’s district of Câmara de Lobos , also just a 10-15 minutes drive from Funchal. This little picturesque harbor is one of the best places in Madeira where you can find an authentic feel of a small village. At the same time, it’s a lively place with some bars and cafés, and music on the weekends.

As you walk around the small waterfront area, you can usually see lots of colorful boats and sometimes also fish that is hung to dry. Traditionally, the fishermen go to the sea at night to catch swordfish and small-spotted catshark. During the day, you’ll see locals working on their boats, preparing fishing nets, and playing cards.

Be sure to check out Miradouro Winston Churchill , a nice viewpoint over the harbor where the Prime Minister of the UK liked to paint during his vacation in Madeira. He would have his Rolls Royce bring him to this viewpoint from the nearby Reid’s Palace Hotel , and then sit and paint the scenery here for hours. You can see a small plaque with an inscription that reads ‘here painted Winston Churchill in 1950’.

There is also a small 15th-century chapel – Capela de Nossa Senhora da Conceição – dating from the period when the island was first discovered.

Good to know: Câmara de Lobos can be easily reached from Funchal by car, but also with the hop-on-hop-off bus . Because of this, the village can sometimes get quite busy with tourists, especially in the high season and when there are lots of cruise ships in Funchal.

TIP: There are lots of cafes in town where you can have a drink or come for lunch. For good fresh fish and nice views, check out Restaurante Coral or Restaurante Praia do Vigário . Both are located by the ocean, on the western side of town. If you want to taste some traditional Madeira wine, head to Henriques & Henriques .

5. Ponta de São Lourenço

Madeira is famous for countless hiking possibilities. The Vereda da Ponta do São Lourenço is one of the most rewarding hikes with some truly breathtaking scenery.

While most hikes in Madeira are inland levada walks, the 8-km Ponta de São Lourenço hike is a coastal trail. This undulating route winds around the eastern peninsula near Caniçal and culminates at the spectacular Ponta Do Furado viewpoint.

The scenery here is absolutely stunning! And even if you just do the first part of the trail – up to Miradouro de São Lourenço viewpoint (+-20-30 minutes walk from the car) – it’s absolutely worth it.

Getting there : Ponta de São Lourenço is the easternmost point of Madeira island, located about half an hour drive from Funchal. There is a free car park at the start of the trail. If you don’t have a car, you can catch a bus. Alternatively, there are also some organized tours that can bring you here from Funchal.

TIP: Arrive early as the small car park fills up quickly and the narrow hiking paths get really busy. Bring drinks and snacks as there are no facilities on the hike. Also, prepare for lots of wind.

You can read more about this trail in our guide to the best hikes in Madeira .

6. Monte Cable Car

One of the most popular things to do in Madeira is visiting Monte village, located above the city of Funchal. And the best way to get there is by Monte Cable Car (Teleférico do Funchal).

There are several nice places to visit in Monte (more about them below), but the scenic cable car ride to the mountain is an attraction in itself. The views over the city and the harbor are truly spectacular.

The cable car covers a rather long distance and the ride takes about 15-20 minutes. So you have plenty of time to enjoy beautiful views of Funchal and its surroundings.

Practical information: Monte cable car operates daily from +- 9 AM to 5.45 PM (hours might differ in high season). Normally, you can just get the tickets on the spot as well. You can opt for a one-way ride, round-trip, or combination tickets with a cable car to Madeira Botanical Garden. For more practical information, please check the official website .

7. Jardim Tropical Monte Palace

Jardim Tropical Monte Palace is one of the nicest gardens in Madeira. Set around a former pleasure estate and later a luxury hotel Quinta Monte Palace (now a museum), the tropical gardens feature exotic plants from around the world alongside rare native species from Madeira island.

Created in the late 1980s by a local entrepreneur and art patron Joe Berardo, the gardens contain an eclectic mix of trees, flowers, but also fountains, ponds, waterfalls, azulejos , statues, and Japanese-themed gardens with pagodas and carp ponds… Modern sculptures and a large collection of 15-20th century tile panels depicting Portuguese history make a visit here even more interesting.

Monte Palace gardens are situated high above Funchal in the village of Monte. On a clear day, you can also see fantastic views of the city and the Atlantic Ocean.

Getting there: The most popular – and highly recommended – way to travel to the gardens is by the above-mentioned Monte cable car. It connects Funchal city center with Monte and stops directly outside the garden entrance. You can also get here by car, but parking is practically impossible. Alternatively, you can take a taxi and there’s also a public bus.

Practical Information : The gardens are open daily the whole year, except on Christmas Day. Kids under 15 are free with a paying adult. For more information, see their website . Please note that the gardens are quite big and some paths can be slippery. So be prepared to walk and it’s best to wear sensible walking shoes.

TIP: You can get a cable car ticket one-way and return to the outskirts of Funchal on a traditional wicker toboggan from Monte (see below).

8. Traditional Wicker Toboggan

Toboggan ride in a wicker basket (aka Monte wicker basket sledges) is an old Madeira tradition dating to the end of the 19th – beginning of the 20th century. In the past, locals used it as a means of transport to quickly get from the village of Monte to Funchal. Nowadays it’s only used for tourist entertainment…

And indeed, a traditional wicker toboggan ride is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Madeira. Toboggans can seat two people (or three, if one of them is a child) and are steered by two runners, so you just sit and enjoy the crazy ride down the narrow streets.

Some people love it, others say it’s not worth the fuss, so I’ll leave it up to you to decide. One thing you can be sure of – it’s something truly unique that you can only do in Madeira and won’t find anywhere else in the world.

Practical information: Wicker toboggan ride starts by The Church of Our Lady of Monte, a short walk from the above-mentioned Jardim Tropical Monte Palace. You just pay a fixed price to the drivers and there’s no need to arrange anything in advance. The descent takes about 10 minutes and brings you to Livramento, so not all the way back to Funchal. From there, you’ll have to either walk to the town center or take a rather expensive taxi.

TIP: If you decide to go on the toboggan, be sure you visit everything you want to see in Monte first – that way you don’t want to have to walk back up the hill afterwards. Also, keep this in mind when deciding if you need a round-trip ticket for the cable car.

Good to know: There are organized excursions of Madeira island that also include Monte and the wicker toboggan experience in their itinerary. This is one of the best options – a half-day tour that visits the Nuns Valley, Monte, and includes a sleigh ride.

9. Jardim Botânico – Madeira Botanical Garden

Madeira Botanical Garden is another beautiful garden to visit in Madeira. Because it’s somewhat more complex to get to, it’s not nearly as busy as the above-mentioned Jardim Tropical Monte Palace.

This 5-hectare garden is home to thousands of plant species from all over the world, beautifully landscaped flower beds, an exotic bird park, and there’s also a small natural history museum as well.

The gardens are divided into zones such as the arboretum or medicinal plants. It’s a fascinating place to visit for botany enthusiasts as every plant is labeled. The gardens are worth visiting year-round but are at their most colorful in spring and in summer.

TIP: The most impressive (and most photographed) section is the geometric topiary garden, with colorful flowers and nice views over Funchal and its surroundings.

Practical Information: Madeira Botanical Garden is open every day except on Christmas, from 9 AM to 6 PM. Children under 6 are free. For more information, see this website .

Getting there : Jardim Botânico is located outside Funchal and you’ll need a car or a taxi in order to get there. Parking is available, although it will depend on how busy it is. Alternatively, you can also catch a public bus or a cable car from Monte .

10. Pico do Arieiro

Pico do Areeiro (or Pico do Arieiro) is one of Madeira’s highest mountains (1,818 m – 5,964 ft). Easily reachable by car, this is the most popular mountain peak to visit in Madeira. The road to the top is quite winding, but tour buses also come here, so it can get quite busy during the day.

From the parking lot, it’s just a short walk to the summit which offers fantastic views. It’s also a popular spot to watch the sunrise or sunset.

One of the nicest hikes in Madeira – Vereda do Areeiro – starts here and takes you to Pico Ruivo, the highest mountain on the island (more about it below). If you are looking for the best views in Madeira, it doesn’t get better than this!

This is a rather challenging, elevated trail of 7 km one way and 5.6 km back if you make a loop (so about 12-14 km in total depending on which route you choose). There are sheer drops on either side of the path so this hike is not for the faint-hearted.

TIP: You don’t have to do the entire hike in order to enjoy some of the best views. Even if you just walk 15-30 minutes from the car park, you’ll see some amazing scenery and magnificent views that made us feel as if we ended up on another planet. Hands-down, this is one of the best places to see in Madeira!

Getting there: You will need a car (or a tour) in order to get to Miradouro Pico do Arieiro. If you are driving, be sure to arrive early – the parking tends to fill up quickly. Alternatively, if you are not planning to do the entire hike, come here in the afternoon or for sunset.

TIP: If you don’t have a car – or if you want to do the entire hike without having to return to the same point – you can join one of the hiking tours from Funchal. They arrange transportation in such a way that you can just do the hike in one direction – it’s much more feasible and more enjoyable that way. This is the most popular and best-rated hiking tour that I recommend.

Practical information: There’s a small restaurant at Pico do Areeiro, but no facilities further on the trail. So if you are planning to do the hike, be sure to bring lots of snacks and water. Hiking shoes, sunscreen, and warm clothing are essential. There are tunnels on this hike so don’t forget to pack a flashlight. You can find a bit more info about this hike here .

11. Pico Ruivo

Pico Ruivo is the highest mountain in Madeira (1,862 m – 6,108 ft). It can only be reached on foot from the above-mentioned Pico do Areeiro. However, there is also a shorter trail – Vereda do Pico Ruivo – from Achada do Teixeira on the other side of the island.

The Vereda do Pico Ruivo is one of Madeira’s most famous and dramatic hiking trails. The path takes you amongst and above the clouds. On a sunny day, you are rewarded with 360-degree views from the summit. Be prepared for lots of steps and sudden weather changes here!

Practical information : The shortest trail to Pico Ruivo starts at the Achada do Teixeira car park. It’s about 2.8 km, 1.5 hours one-way, so about 3 hours in total. You can find more info about this trail in our Madeira hiking guide .

Getting there: You’ll need a car to get here. Alternatively, you can also come here as part of a hiking tour that includes transfers from/to Funchal . In case of a tour, you’ll do the hike one way and will see the earlier-mentioned Pico do Areeiro as well. It’s really the most efficient way to do this hike, so even if you are renting a car for the rest of your time in Madeira, I’d still consider doing a tour if you want to hike these two mountain peaks.

TIP: Bring warm clothing because there is a significant temperature drop at this altitude. Also, be sure to check the weather forecast for Pico Ruivo before setting out as it may be different from the rest of the island. Even if it’s sunny everywhere else, it’s possible that Pico Ruivo is in the clouds. If it’s above the clouds, it can be a very special experience too!

12. Natural Pools of Porto Moniz

Porto Moniz is a small town on Maderia’s northwest coast. It’s best known for its naturally formed volcanic swimming pools , one of the best places to go swimming in Madeira! And even if you’re not going for a swim, it’s a beautiful area to see, with a very impressive rough coastline. On a windy day, you could watch the waves here for hours…

This is one of the most popular places to visit in Madeira, included in all sightseeing tours that visit the western side of the island .

The seawater pools of Porto Moniz are filled by the rising tide so it’s quite possible that you’ll be swimming with fish here. Some of the best pools in towns have been adapted into a beautiful lido complex. These pools are more developed and safer, and they are also easier to access and swim in with children. Plus, the lido has toilets, changing rooms, and lifeguards on duty.

Swimming in a warm seawater pool with a dramatic volcanic backdrop is a unique experience. As a result, the pools get quite busy in the peak season.

Getting there: Porto Moniz is a one-hour drive from Funchal. As already mentioned, it’s also a popular stopping-off point on island day tours, but most tours will not foresee the time to swim here. This highly-rated tour foresees some time for a swim at Porto Moniz or at the nearby volcanic pools in Seixal (weather permitting, of course).

TIP: The natural pools can be too rough for swimming in bad weather, so be careful and don’t risk it if the waves are high. Also, if you visit the undeveloped pools, we recommend wearing water shoes to protect your feet from the basalt rocks.

Good to know: There’s a small aquarium in Porto Moniz – can be something nice to do if visiting Madeira with kids. Just a short ride from here, you can also find some of the nicest hidden gems of Madeira , such as Praia da Ribeira da Janela or Achadas da Cruz . So you could easily spend an entire day in this area.

13. Rabaçal Levada Hikes

Rabaçal valley in western Madeira is the most popular destination for those who want to do a typical levada walk in Madeira.

Good to know: Levadas are man-made irrigation channels built in order to supply water from the mountains to the communities by the sea. In order to maintain them, narrow paths were created next to levadas – these trails are now often used for hiking and bring you to some spectacular places in Madeira’s hilly interior.

There are several levada hikes starting from Rabaçal. The most popular include Levada das 25 Fontes and Levada do Risco . You can easily combine these two walks in one – that’s what most visitors do. You can find more info about this trail in our guide to the best hikes in Madeira .

If you are looking for some easy hiking in Madeira, Rabaçal levada trails are perfect. It’s also ideal for families as the trail is relatively flat. Expect some really nice scenery, shaded forest paths following levadas , tunnels, and – the main feature of these two hikes – impressive waterfalls. But the paths can also be muddy and slippery, especially after rainfall.

Getting there: Rabaçal car park is located on the road ER110, about 50 minutes drive from Funchal or 40 minutes from Porto Moniz. You will need to self-drive, take a taxi or join a tour in order to get here.

Good to know: Lots of tour groups come here because the hike is quite easy, very rewarding, and doesn’t require much time. So it’s a place included in many day tours , and some cruise ship excursions come here as well. All this also means that it can get VERY busy here during the day. If you can, try to arrive early in the morning, or go on a small group tour.

TIP: Check the weather forecast for this area before you set off. It may be sunny and warm on the coast but you may find dense fog and rain by the time you reach Rabaçal. It was sunny when we started our hike here and half an hour later we were hiking in the mist, so you never really know.

14. Whale and Dolphin Watching

The Atlantic waters around Madeira are a fantastic location for whale and dolphin watching . Whales and dolphins can be seen all year round in Madeira. Plus, unlike other destinations, you do have to travel far from the shore to see them.

Depending on the season, there are 2-3 species of whales and over 20 different species of dolphins in the waters around Madeira. The best time to see whales in Madeira is in the summer season, from April till October-November. But – no matter when you visit, your chances of seeing at least some dolphins are really good. Also, Pilot Whales and Sperm Whales can be seen at any time of the year.

So it will come as no surprise that whale- and dolphin-watching tours are among the most popular things to do in Madeira. There are so many tour operators running whale watching tours in Madeira that competition is high and so the prices are really affordable. You can choose to travel on a speedboat, catamaran, or a larger ferry depending on your interests and budget.

Practical information: Most tours depart from Funchal Marina or Calheta and take 2-3 hours. While you can usually find a tour on the day itself, you might have to wait a few hours for the next available option. Also, there are so many ticket kiosks that the choice is overwhelming, and it’s really difficult to compare what you get…

TIP: We highly recommend doing some research and booking your tour in advance ! That way you can choose the boat type that you like, check group sizes, see if there are any age limits, and if there are bathroom facilities or food/drinks onboard if that’s important to you. Furthermore, by booking online, you can easily compare prices, check the starting times, and choose the best tour for you and your family.

Our experience: For our own trip, we booked this speedboat tour , despite the higher price compared to the more popular catamaran trips . We chose the speedboat for several reasons – our kids love it, we never get seasick on a speedboat, and these boats travel faster and usually get closer to the animals.

LEARN MORE: Dolphin and Whale Watching in Madeira

15. Madeira Wine

You cannot visit Madeira without sampling the sweet fortified Madera – Madeira wine for which the island is famous. Its production is comparable to sherry or port wines, so Madeira wine is quite strong.

Several wine producers offer wine tasting in Madeira, including Pereira d’Oliveira in Funchal (one of the oldest traditional wineries) or Henriques & Henriques in Câmara de Lobos .

If you want to take a Madeira winery tour, visit Blandy’s Wine Lodge in Funchal . Blandy’s is one of the largest, and oldest, wine producers on Madeira. They run 45-min tours almost daily, and they are quite affordable. At the end of a tour, you get to taste some Madeira wine. On their website , you can find more information about the tours they offer.

TIP: There are also really nice food & wine tours in Funchal . Not only do you get to try some of the best wines, but also taste some traditional dishes, and you also see more of the city. It’s something really nice to do in Madeira, especially for adults! In addition, there are tours that take you to local wineries and vineyards outside the city.

16. Curral Das Freiras (Nuns Valley)

Curral Das Freiras (aka Nuns Valley) is another place that many consider a must-see in Madeira. Due to its proximity to the capital, Curral Das Freiras is a very popular destination for cruise ship day-trippers and is also part of many organized day tours of the island .

This dramatic valley in the mountainous interior of Madeira was formed inside the crater of an extinct volcano. It’s surrounded by vertical hillsides and was in the past only accessible by steep mountain paths. Nowadays, there’s a tunnel that makes the valley much more accessible. Still, some of the roads in this area are not for the faint-hearted.

When the French pirates attacked the island in 1566, the rich Santa Clara Convent in Funchal was one of the main targets. The nuns fled into this valley deep in the mountains, where they were safe and had plenty of space for their cattle to graze. Thus the name, which literally means ‘corral – or stable – of the nuns’.

You can visit the village in the valley or simply stop to enjoy the views at the Miradouro Eira do Serrado . From the car park, it is a short walk along paved paths to reach the viewpoint. If you do not plan to hike any levada trails, this is a good location to see some of the most spectacular mountain scenery in Madeira.

Good to know: Many tour groups stop at this viewpoint and this is a very touristy place, with a big hotel, a restaurant, and souvenir vendors. If you want to spend more time exploring the area (including the Pico do Areeiro nearby), then it might be interesting to stay at the Eida do Serrado Hotel for a few nights. This would also save you quite some driving on the steep inland roads.

To enjoy tranquil views away from the crowds, you can hike from Eira do Serrado down into the village. However, the view remains pretty much the same as what you see on top. The trail takes about 1 hour (and you can take a bus or a taxi back up). Good hiking shoes are recommended!

TIP: Curral Das Freiras is known for its chestnut specialties – from soup to cakes and even chestnut liqueur. You can try some of these at the local shops, cafes, and restaurants in the village.

Getting there : The Valley Of the Nuns is just 20 km from Funchal. If you drive, be prepared for hairpin bends and sheer roadside drops. You can also catch a bus from the city center or come with a tour. If there’s no space at the car parking at the viewpoint, just wait a few minutes – most people don’t stay here that long.

TIP: The nearby Miradouro do Paredão and several other viewpoints located along a very steep mountain road in the direction of Pico do Areeiro, also offer nice views minus the crowds. If you have a car, be sure to check out this road as well!

17. São Vicente Caves & Volcanism Center

São Vicente is a small seaside town on Madeira’s north coast. It’s best known for the Grutas de São Vicente , one of the popular tourist attractions in Madeira.

Even if you have seen many underground caves before, these are quite unique and worth a visit. The caves are not limestone caves but enormous lava tubes . They were formed by volcanic eruptions nearly 900,000 years ago.

You can explore 1,000 meters of underground tubes on a guided tour. After your tour, visit the on-site Volcanism Center to learn about how the caves and Madeira island were formed.

Practical information: Sao Vicente Caves are normally open daily except on Mondays. You don’t need to pre-book and can normally just join the next tour when you arrive. For more up-to-date info, please check their website . There is also free parking, toilets, a shop, and a cafe on site.

Getting there: You’ll need a car to visit here. It takes about 30 minutes to drive to Sao Vicente from Funchal.

TIP: Sao Vicente Caves are a good attraction to visit on a rainy day in Madeira. It is also a cooling option to escape to on a hot summer’s day. Also, if you are in town, check out some local restaurants by the sea. We were recommended Restaurante Caravela and ended up driving up there a few times during our holiday. It’s a no-thrills local place that serves some of the best fish and limpets we had in Madeira.

18. Santana Traditional Houses

Santana’s traditional houses are among the most-photographed places in Madeira. These are the brightly colored, triangular-shaped, thatched-roof houses that you have likely seen on postcards and Madeira travel guides.

There are several publically-accessible houses in the center of Santana town on the north coast, and they are free to visit. During the day, you can buy some local products and souvenirs here. There’s also a small tourist information center. But even if the houses are closed, you’re not missing much – they are most impressive from the outside.

Good to know: You only need a few minutes here, and that makes Santana a popular stop on your way to/from Pico Ruivo (the highest peak of Madeira mentioned higher) or to Parque Florestal das Queimadas (see below). It’s not really a place you want to drive to just for itself – the drive is really long for such a short visit. So it’s best to combine Santana with some other interesting places in northeastern Madeira.

TIP: You can learn more about these houses and about the history and culture of the island at the Madeira Theme Park (Parque Temático da Madeira) , a 10-minute walk or a few minutes drive from Santana. The park is open every day except Mondays.

This is not a rollercoaster ride theme park. Instead, it has four sections charting the geology, history, and culture of Madeira. There are playgrounds, pretty gardens, traditional craft displays and a boating lake. It is a fun, affordable place and especially fun for families looking for something nice to do in Madeira with kids.

Getting there: Santana can best be visited by car, and most east-Madeira tours also include a short stop here. There’s a big parking garage just nearby, but it can get really busy here. So parking might be an issue if you come at the time when tours visit. For that, it’s best to visit early or late in the day.

19. Queimadas Forest Park

Queimadas Forest Park is one of the nicest places to see in northern Madeira. And it can easily be combined with visiting Santana’s traditional houses (mentioned above).

This otherworldly and wild-romantic park contains the last remaining Laurissilva trees on Madeira. As a result, it is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site. There are lots of other plants here too, and the park is at its nicest in spring when rhododendrons and azaleas are in full bloom. The area can be explored via a network of idyllic woodland trails that are suitable for all ages.

Queimadas Forest Park is also the starting point for several levada hikes with great views over Madeira’s northern coastline. One of the best levada hikes in Madeira – Levada do Caldeirão Verde hike – also starts here.

Levada do Caldeirão Verde trail winds for over 6 km through the Sao Jorge valley, culminating in the 100-meter high Caldeirão Verde waterfall. Be prepared for muddy paths, dark tunnels, and incredible scenery.

Getting there: The forest is a one-hour drive north of Funchal. If you don’t have a car and want to visit here, there are also plenty of nice tours that come here and also do the above-mentioned hike.

TIP: Avoid coming here on the weekends since the place is very popular with the locals. Lots of families come to spend a day at the park, bring a BBQ, etc.

Practical Information : There is a cafe and toilets at the entrance to the park, close to the traditional-style thatched houses (that serve as vacation accommodation for the employees of the forest service). There is a car park on-site that was recently expanded and at the moment costs 3 EUR (and the machines only take cash). Alternatively, you can park at the nearby Pico das Pedras parking lot, a short walk away.

20. Balcões Viewpoint & Ribeiro Frio

Just north of Funchal in Madeira’s steep interior is another popular place to visit – Ribeiro Frio . It is a scenic, mountainous area best known for its trout farm and as the starting point for multiple levada hikes.

One of the most popular hikes in Madeira – Vereda dos Balcões – can be found here. Its popularity is simple to explain – it’s one of the easiest and shortest hikes in Madeira offering fantastic views. It’s also just a really nice – albeit muddy – walk through a beautiful forest.

This easy, flat, 0.5-1 hr hike is suitable for all ages and fitness levels. The trail offers incredible views particularly at the Balcoes viewpoint at the end of the trail. On a clear day, you will be able to see Madeira’s three highest peaks, Pico do Arieiro, Pico Ruivo, and Pico das Torres.

This trail is gentle and is a spectacular introduction to hiking in Madeira. It is also a good location to see native vegetation and bird species such as the Trocaz pigeon.

Getting there: You can get here by car or by bus from Funchal. It’s just about 18km from the city, but the roads are really narrow and winding, so count at least 40-45 minutes to get here. Parking next to the road can be a bit challenging to find, so – depending on where you find a spot – the hike can get twice as long. This popular east-island tour includes this hike and a visit to the trout farm at Ribeiro Frio in their itinerary.

TIP: As this is a very accessible and popular location, it gets very busy in peak season. Visit early in the morning and on a clear day to enjoy the best views.

21. Porto Santo Day Trip

Located about 75 km northeast of Madeira, the island of Porto Santo is a popular place to visit if you are spending a longer vacation in Madeira and have plenty of time.

The island is smaller, flatter and more arid than Madeira. However, it does have something that Madeira lacks – long, golden, sandy beaches . In fact, Porto Santo has 9km of sandy beaches. Additionally, as the beaches are rich in calcium and magnesium, they are reputed to have therapeutic properties.

You can spend a day at the beach, go snorkeling , or book a kayaking tour at the stunning Calheta Beach in Porto Santo.

If sunbathing and swimming in crystal clear warm water is not for you, then you can also book a tour and explore this 11km long island with a 4×4. Alternatively, wander the streets of the capital Vila Baleira, and visit the home of Christopher Columbus. Climb the 517-meter Pico do Facho, the highest peak on the island, or visit the Palm Tree Farm (Quinta das Palmeiras).

Getting there: You can fly to Porto Santo in 15 minutes from Funchal’s Cristiano Ronaldo airport. Alternatively, it’s a 2.5-hour ferry crossing each way. Boats for Porto Santo depart from Funchal Marina and you should definitely book in advance (see the website of the ferry company for more info).

Good to know: While Porto Santo can be a nice vacation destination in itself, it is possible to visit the island on a day trip from Madeira, also if you take a boat. There’s usually a ferry from Funchal early in the morning and a ferry back late in the evening.

TIP: If you want to visit the island, but find it overwhelming to plan a day trip, check out this highly-rated day tour . It includes the ferry and sightseeing on the island.

22. Special Events & Festivals in Madeira

Whenever you visit Madeira, the chances are big that there will be a festival happening somewhere. They really have a party for everything – from surfing to running, traditional celebrations devoted to all kinds of saints, to festivals dedicated to onions, tuna, sugarcane, or trout, to name just a few…

The largest annual events on Madeira include the lively Carnival in February, the Flower Festival in May, the colorful Festival of Popular Saints in June, and Madeira Day on July 1st.

Foodies will enjoy small, regional food festivals, such as the Cherry Festival in Câmara do Lobos in June or the Apple Festival in Calheta in September.

The most popular festivals are the Madeira Flower Festival, Madeira Wine Festival, and New Year’s Eve .

Madeira Flower Festival is usually held in May and lasts a few weeks. Expect parades of floats adorned with flowers and floral carpets on the streets. There are free public displays of traditional music and dancing. The highlight of the festival is the Children’s Parade during which the children construct a floral ‘wall of hope’.

Madeira Wine Festival is held at the time of the harvest, at the end of August – early September. The festival usually spans several weeks culminating with the Wine Harvest Festival at Estreito de Câmara de Lobos.

Madeira’s New Year’s Eve festivities attract visitors from around the world. At midnight, a spectacular 8-minute-long fireworks display is launched from 50 different locations around Funchal. If you want to party or just see some amazing fireworks, Madeira is a great place to be at New Year’s.

Good to know: Madeira gets very busy during festivals, particularly around Christmas/ New Year’s Eve. Be sure to book accommodation and tours in advance.

Additional recommendations for things to do in Madeira

As already mentioned, I don’t want to overwhelm you with too many options of places to see and things to do in Madeira. So in our article, we tried to focus on the most popular sights and activities.

However, if you have all those covered and/or are looking for some more ideas on what to see in Madeira, here are a few additional recommendations:

• Fun outdoor activities. Madeira has a lot to offer for those looking for a more active vacation as well. From hiking , biking , surfing or bodyboarding , to adventurous canyoning tours or fun 4×4 excursions , there’s plenty to do in Madeira to keep you busy no matter your interests!
• Seixal. This is a small community with a nice black-sand beach and some natural volcanic pools on the north coast of Madeira. If you are looking for a quieter alternative to the popular Porto-Moniz, this can be a good option.
• Camacha , aka the basket weaving capital of Madeira. This place is often mentioned as one of the must-sees in Madeira and many tours like to visit here. However, its main attraction Café Relógio with a wicker museum and weaving demonstrations seems to have closed permanently. You can still visit Camacha Wicker Factory, but it’s just a small, low-key shop where you can see a traditional basket weaving demonstration and buy some woven items (if you have the space in your luggage).
• Madeira Whale Museum (Museu da Baleia da Madeira) in Calheta. This is a small but well-done museum where you can see some cool whales and learn more about Madeira’s whaling history.
• Posto Florestal Fanal . This is an ancient laurel forest in northwestern Madeira. It looks very special and mystical in the fog. If you can catch this place when the clouds are low, it has a really unique atmosphere that many find worth the long drive.
• Madeira’s north coast. If you have some extra time and don’t mind some winding roads, drive the entire northern coast of Madeira. The views are really worth it!
• Paul da Serra. This is Madeira’s interior that you can explore by driving the road ER110. There are some really nice viewpoints here, such as Miradouro da Bica da Cana or Miradouro Molinas.
• … There are more villages, viewpoints, coastal areas, and mountain roads that might be worth seeing in Madeira if you have even more time. But the above list should keep you busy for a week or two. If you’re looking for some nice off-the-beaten-path places, be sure to also check our guide to some lesser-known places in Madeira that we found worth visiting.

LEARN MORE: Hidden Gems of Madeira

How to get to Madeira

Madeira is an island so the best way to get here is by plane. Most likely, you’ll have to make a connection in Lisbon, but there are also direct flights from many other European destinations, especially in the high season.

If you are looking for direct flights or want to minimize the number of stopovers, TAP Air Portugal is the main airline for flights to Madeira.

How much time do you need & how to plan your time

As you can see, there’s enough to see and do in Madeira to easily fill a few weeks… If you can, we recommend planning at least 7-10 days for Madeira – this will give you enough time to see all the main sights without having to rush and do the best hikes.

If you have 1-4 days in Madeira and want to see as much as possible in a short time, the best way to do this is by basing yourself in the capital city Funchal and taking some organized tours. The most popular tours that cover Madeira’s top sights usually focus on either the eastern side of the island or on the west coast attractions .

If you have more time , I advise renting a car and visiting some of the musts in Madeira at a slower pace. In 3-4 days, you should be able to cover most of the main sights. But if you want to not just see, but actually explore all the most beautiful places in Madeira and do some hiking, you’ll really need at least 5-7 days on the island. That’s if you want to keep it somewhat more relaxed and enjoyable and not have to rush everywhere.

Where to stay

If you don’t rent a car , stay in Funchal. It has the best transport connections and most organized tours start here. Some of the nicest resorts like Pestana CR7 , Savoy Palace , and many others are located on the western side of the city. But there are many nice hotels and accommodations in the old town as well (such as The Vine Hotel or Hotel Cathedral , etc.). It really depends on what kind of vacation you’re planning.

If you have a car , you could make a sort of a road trip and stay at 2-3 different places on the island. However, the distances aren’t big and it’s not really necessary. If you pick just one base location, I advise staying on the south coast .

In the south, pretty much anywhere between Caniço and Calheta Beach (this is where we stayed) is good. But if you want to be able to quickly get everywhere, then again the area around Funchal and close to the highway is one of the best places to be.

Our experience: We stayed in Calheta and it’s a really nice area, with a small waterfront promenade, a small beach, and several nice restaurants nearby. It was easy enough to get anywhere we wanted from here, although driving to the east coast or Pico Ruivo could get a bit long if it was busy around Funchal.

On another trip, my parents stayed in Ponta Delgada on the north coast (not to be confused with Ponta Delgada in the Azores !). They liked the location as well and found it easy enough to travel everywhere from there because of the convenient tunnel that connects the northern coast with the south.

So, this is our guide to visiting Madeira. I hope that it gives you a better idea of what to expect and helps you plan an amazing trip!

If you are interested in more destinations in Portugal (mainland and also the Azores), be sure to also check our Portugal travel guide for a variety of destinations, itineraries, and travel tips.

Have a great time in Madeira!

Some travel inspiration for Madeira and the Azores:

• Best Things to Do in Funchal
• Whale Watching in Madeira
• Achadas da Cruz, Madeira
• Best Things to Do in Sao Miguel, Azores
• Sete Cidades, Azores
• Furnas, Azores
• Where to Stay on Sao Miguel Island in the Azores

If you found this post helpful, don’t forget to bookmark it and share it with your friends. Are you on Pinterest? Pin these images!

Some travel inspiration for central Portugal:

• Best Towns to See in Portugal
• Portugal 10-days Itinerary
• Best Things to Do in Lisbon
• Best Day Trips from Lisbon
• One Day in Lisbon
• Best Things to Do in Sintra
• Sintra Itinerary & Tips for Your Visit
• Portugal with Kids
• What to See in Nazare

Algarve travel guides:

• Best Things to Do in Algarve
• Algarve Itinerary
• Best Towns in Algarve
• Best Beaches in Algarve
• Benagil Cave
• Ponta da Piedade
• Best Things to Do in Lagos
• Best Things to Do in Albufeira
• Best Things to Do in Faro
• Best Things to Do in Tavira
• Best Things to Do in Sagres
• Where to Stay in Algarve

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

Sunday 25th of June 2023

Thanks for all of this info! SO helpful!! We are going for 2 weeks in early October and I have been doing a lot of research. This post has so much info all in one spot, appreciate all the details! We cannot wait to go, it has been a desired destination for years for us! Thanks again!

Monday 26th of June 2023

Glad to help, Melissa. Have a wonderful time in Madeira!

Saturday 20th of May 2023

Thanks for the article, looks a great place, we are going for 10 days in August

Monday 22nd of May 2023

Happy to help, Steve. Some tips for August: start your days early (not just for the heat but also to avoid the biggest crowds) and be sure to use plenty of sunscreen. Have a great trip!

Tuesday 21st of March 2023

Great Article. One of the best available!

Thank you for your kind feedback, Alina. Have a great time in Madeira!

Giorgiana Ignat

Wednesday 22nd of February 2023

Thank you for all the information. Very useful and planning to do all the things that you suggested in my trip to madeira in June. Can you recomend a car rental in madeira?

@Jurga, Thank you!!!! Happy travel!

Hi Giorgiana, nowadays, we always use this website for car rental. Have a great trip!

Siony F. Besaña

Tuesday 17th of January 2023

I love the information I read in this site. It's very informative. Thank you, very useful.

Thursday 19th of January 2023

Glad to hear that, Siony. Have a great time in Madeira!

Getty Images/Hemis.fr RM

Geologically dramatic, bursting with exotic colour and warmed year-round by the Atlantic sun, Portugal’s most enchanting island is a place that keeps all its subtropical holiday promises. Pearl of the Atlantic, island of eternal spring…Madeira well deserves its fanciful nicknames and the affection visitors and locals alike feel for this tiny volcanic island that offers so much.

Attractions

Must-see attractions.

Quinta das Cruzes

Now a museum, the Quinta das Cruzes is a quintessential old Madeiran manor house complete with gardens and a private chapel. Originally the home of João…

Mercado dos Lavradores

Built in 1940 by architect Edmundo Tavares, Funchal's art deco market is one of its top attractions as well as still serving as the island's best fresh…

Once a run-down area between the Mercado dos Lavradores and the Fortaleza de Santiago, in recent years the 'Old Zone' of merchant's houses and 19th…

Funchal's 16th-century cathedral once oversaw the world's largest diocese – all of Portugal’s overseas territories from Madeira to Brazil to Angola – and…

Praia Formosa

Anyone who says Madeira has no beaches should hop on bus 1 or 43 to the boulders and browny-black sand of this wild strand in Funchal's western suburbs…

Jardins Botânicos da Madeira

One of the island's top tourist attractions, Madeira's famous botanical gardens are a must for most visitors. Extending over 80,000 sq metres, the gardens…

Pereira D'Oliveira

Run by the fifth generation of the D'Oliveira family, this is Funchal's most easily accessible wine experience. Anyone can enter the strongly aromatic…

Curral das Freiras

Dramatically set at the bottom of a mammoth cauldron of rock, the village of Curral das Freiras is one of the most popular daytrips from Funchal. Some…

Plan with a local

Experience the real Portugal

Let a local expert craft your dream trip.

Latest stories from Madeira

Filter by interest:

• All Interests
• Adventure Travel
• Art & Culture
• Beaches, Coasts & Islands
• Food & Drink

Destination Practicalities

Jul 24, 2023 • 8 min read

Madeira is a special place with remote rocky hiking trails, beautiful beaches and a signature fortified wine. Here's how to plan your first visit.

Oct 26, 2022 • 3 min read

Mar 5, 2021 • 2 min read

Jan 15, 2021 • 2 min read

Nov 6, 2020 • 2 min read

May 28, 2020 • 2 min read

Jul 23, 2019 • 5 min read

Oct 19, 2018 • 4 min read

Madeira and beyond

Travel Info

Useful information

Where we are.

How to get here

How to move around

Awards and Distinctions

10 Day Madeira Itinerary and Complete Guide

Admire numerous striking viewpoints, hike through beautiful dense forest next to levadas, explore quaint towns and villages, see endless cascading waterfalls and so much more. these are just some of the amazing things to do on your madeira itinerary, read on for more.

Madeira; the Hawaii of Europe is known for breathtaking diverse landscapes and is a  haven of natural beauty!

The ocean’s crystal clear water lapping at black sand beaches at the feet of steep-sloping cliffs, craggy mountain peaks nestled above a sea of clouds, narrow rugged coastline, waterfalls at every turn and lush dense forest with sweeping valley views.

The vast array of landscapes and Madeira’s year-round temperate climate, with winter temperatures hovering around 20 ° C make this small island an incredible outdoor playground. 

Hike along rainforest trails next to levadas where water is ever-present and waterfalls appear out of the rocks, stay in traditional Santana houses in the mountains, visit so many wonderful viewpoints you lose count and see the sunrise above a sea of clouds.

These are just some of the many  amazing things to do in Madeira  and we’ll cover a lot more in this guide. Before we dive into the 10-day Madeira itinerary, however, let’s cover a very common question. 

Read: 17 Amazing Things to do in Madeira

Where exactly is madeira and how big is it.

Madeira is an archipelago located around 700 kilometres from Africa, 450 kilometres from the Canary Islands and 900 kilometres from mainland Portugal.

The archipelago is made up of 2 inhabited islands; Madiera and Porto Santo and 2 uninhabited islands; Desertas and Selvagens Islands.

Madeira is one of the two autonomous regions of Portugal, the other being the Azores. It’s of volcanic origin which has led to its dramatic and diverse landscapes from its high peaks and dramatic cliffs to deep valleys and black sand beaches. 

The compact island is 57 kilometres long and 22 kilometres wide; making it a perfect island to visit if you’re short on time and want to cover many activities and areas. Funchal is its beautiful and quaint capital city.

In this Madeira itinerary, we’re only going to cover the main island of Madeira as this is where we spent our 10 days. If you want to explore the other islands and spend some time on the white-sand beaches of Porto Santo, we’d recommend staying longer.

As well as sharing with you what we did daily, we’ll also tell you where we stayed, if we’d recommend it and why. At the end of this guide, there’s also a section for everything you need to know before visiting Madeira so make sure to check that out.

No time to read this 10-day Madeira itinerary now? No worries, save it for later! 

10 Day Madeira Itinerary

Day 1 - hike vereda da ponta de são lourenço.

It’s time to kick off your itinerary with one of the best hikes in Madeira; Vereda da Ponta de São Lourenço .

Rugged coastline, steep-sloping volcanic cliffs plunging into the ocean, intriguing rock formations and panoramic viewpoints out across the Atlantic make this hike a fantastic introduction to your Madeira itinerary.

This trail takes you to the easternmost point of Madeira that you can access on foot and the landscapes are spectacular the entire way!

Book a Ponta de São Lourenço Guided Hike

The hike is a fairly easy 7-kilometre out-and-back trail with toilets and a bar/cafe close to Miradouro Ponta do Furado; the easternmost point of Madeira that you can access on land. It should take around 3 hours with a few stops.

Due to its ease and proximity to Funchal, Vereda  da Ponta de São Lourenço is one of the most popular hikes in Madeira so we’d recommend arriving early and either staying in Canical or Machico.

We stayed in Machico in Dom Pedro Madeira as it was a 5-minute drive from the airport after we landed. This good-value 4* hotel was a fairly basic, clean and comfy base for 1 night and that’s what we’d recommend it for.

From here, it’s a 30-minute drive to Santana; a beautiful village on the north coast known for its traditional colourful houses. We’d recommend staying here for the next 2 nights on your Madeira itinerary as they’re a really unique experience and a great base.

Our Top Tip:  as you drive through Santana to reach the traditional houses in the mountains, you’ll pass the supermarket Continente Modelo Santana; stock up here as the houses are self-catering.

Stay in a traditional Santana House

Read: staying in a traditional santana house: everything to know, day 2 - hike caldeirão verde and caldeirão do inferno.

Today is your first big hike and an  absolute highlight of our Madeira itinerary! Caldeirão do Inferno is a little further on once you reach Caldeirão Verde so it makes sense to hike them at the same time.

This trail winds its way through Queimadas Forestry Park; an enchanting, mossy, dense rainforest that looks like it’s been plucked from the pages of a fairytale.

This forest is a dedicated UNESCO World Heritage Site and is considered one of the best remaining examples of the Atlantic Laurel Forest due to its intact nature.

The trail follows a levada deep into the forest through narrow tunnels, passing sweeping views over São Jorge’s village and the neighbouring mountains, endless waterfalls and steep towering cliffs.

After 6 kilometres, you’ll reach one of the  best waterfalls in Madeira! A 100-metre stream of waterfall plummeting into a circular lagoon below which, as you stand below it, makes you feel incredibly small!

The area is absolutely stunning! The waterfall towers above and the steep mossy green walls around you resemble a massive cauldron; hence the name.

Head back to the turn-off for Caldeirão Verde and continue along the trail for another 2.5 kilometres.

Pass through more narrow tunnels, even more waterfalls and sweeping valley views and up steep staircases until you’ll reach another impressive cauldron-esque spectacle; Caldeirão do Inferno.

Usually, there’s another waterfall thundering through the canyon into a pool below, however, on this occasion, it was dried up. The surroundings were still spectacular with the huge cauldron-like walls looming above you.

Book a Caldeirão Verde Guided Hike

Hiking both  Caldeirão Verde and  Caldeirão do Inferno will take around 5-6 hours depending on how long you spend at each location soaking up the magnificent views. 

In total it’s 17 kilometres and the only real incline are the staircases before  Caldeirão do Inferno.

After you’ve finished the hike, head back to your traditional Santana house for a relaxing evening.

Day 3 - Drive the North Coast

Madeira has some magical sunrises and while you’re staying in the mountains, you should make the most of it and get up just before the sun as you might be above the clouds.

Sit in the upstairs of your traditional Santana house with your morning coffee as you watch the sky light up its many wonderful hues of yellows, reds and oranges and feel a world away from anywhere.

It’s now time for you to leave Santana and give your legs a rest as you drive along the spectacular north coast where you’ll tick off some of the  best viewpoints in Madeira .

Read: 9 Best Viewpoints in Madeira: Complete Guide

In your Madeira itinerary, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to whip out your camera and photograph some of Europe’s most awe-inspiring scenery; and today will be a full day of doing that!

Madeira’s north coast is characterised by steep-sloping cliffs plunging into the ocean, a lush green interior met by black volcanic sand beaches, villages nestled into the side of mountains and valleys and rock pools with fascinating rock formations.

Madeira is the  Hawaii of Europe!

Tonight will be spent in Porto Moniz ; an hour from Santana, however, spend most of the day doing the drive and stopping off at all of the best viewpoints.

We’ve outlined below which viewpoints we stopped at on our Madeira itinerary and in what order and we’d recommend stopping at all of them.

• Miradouro do Guindaste 
• Miradouro do Curtado
• Miradouro de Cabanas
• Miradouro da Santinha
• Miradouro de São Cristovão
• Veu de Noiva
• Ribiera da Janela

For lunch, the quaint town of São Vicente, just before you reach Veu da Noiva, is the ideal spot.

The eateries on the seafront are mainly for the tourists but if you head into the Town Centre, you’ll find pretty cobbled streets and a selection of cafes with local options on the menu.

This was our first taste of bolo do caco; the traditional Madeiran bread which is absolutely delicious and a staple in our diet every day from then!

After Ribiera da Janela, head on to Porto Moniz. You can stop at Seixal if you have time but you’ll have plenty of time tomorrow to explore this area.

In Porto Moniz, we’d recommend staying at Hotel Aqua Natura Madeira . We treated ourselves to a little bit of luxury after our basic couple of nights in Santana and it did not disappoint.

The rooms were lovely, light and spacious and 2 of the best restaurants in Porto Moniz are found here; with particularly good seafood at Sea View restaurant.

There’s also a terrace overlooking the natural pools and the ocean which is perfect for sunset.

Sea View Restaurant also has some of the  best seafood we’ve ever had! So fresh and delicious!

If you arrive with some time before dinner, head down to the natural pools which the hotel overlooks. You get free access and by the time you arrive, the day trippers should have left so they’ll be a lot quieter.

Stay in Hotel Aqua Natura Madeira

Day 4 - fanal pond, seixal and porto moniz.

One of the best things we did on our Madeira itinerary was book the spa at Hotel Aqua Natural Madeira for 7am on our first morning in Porto Moniz.

At this hotel, you book half-hour timeslots in the spa so you can have it all to yourselves, which is perfect as it’s not very big. A hot tub, a sauna and a terrace overlooking the ocean, and natural pools.

If you book a 7am timeslot you’ll be able to catch the sunrise as well which was a beautiful experience and the best way to start our day. 

After a quick breakfast, make your way to Fanal Pond as early as possible.

This enchanting forest looks like it’s been plucked from the pages of a fairytale with a mysterious fog draped around the twisted branches of 600-year-old Ocotea Foetens trees giving it an incredible and eerie atmosphere.

There are several walking trails that start from here, or you can come for a wander with your camera which is what we did.

Our Top Tip: the fog is more impressive the earlier you get here and by 10:30am it’s usually disappeared. However, it’s still beautiful and worth a visit without the fog.

After you’ve taken enough photos of this mystical forest, head to Seixal via a couple of photo-worthy stops.

The first stop is Miradouro da Eira da Achada where you’ll find a couple of swings and an incredible view across the north coast of Madeira.

Your second stop is Praia da Ribeira da Janela; a small pebbly beach with some impressive and intriguing rock formations protruding from the sea.

Then you’ll head on to Seixal; a gorgeous volcanic soft black sand beach with an impressive mountain backdrop and steep-sloping cliffs plunging into the ocean below.

Read: 15 Best Things to do in Gran Canaria and Ultimate Guide

The verdant cliffs tower above the ocean and the highway wraps its way around the coast. Also, if you look closely you might be able to see some waterfalls flowing through the ridges of the cliffs.

A  truly unique feature of Seixal Beach is the waterfall on the far side. A natural shower; perfect for getting the salt water off after a dip in the ocean!

To end your day, head back to Porto Moniz for a swim in the natural pools.

These pools were formed over thousands of years, through the cooling of volcanic lava and they naturally fill with seawater;  swimming pools don’t get much better than this!

Day 5 - Hike Levada das 25 Fontes and Levada do Risco

Next on your Madeira itinerary is one of the  most popular hikes in Madeira so get up and on the road early!

Levada das 25 Fontes and Levada do Risco can easily be hiked at the same time and are two of the  most iconic levada trails in Madeira!

Twisted branches arch over the trail as you walk underneath, waterfalls appear out of the sides of the path and sweeping views across the valley all make you feel like you’ve stepped into the pages of a fairytale.

Both trails start from the same car park for a few kilometres and when the road forks, Risco Waterfall is 800 metres to the right and 25 Fontes Waterfall is 2 kilometres to the left.

Risco Waterfall, you’ll spot a while before you reach the viewpoint as it’s huge! Although the water wasn’t much more than a trickle when we visited, it’s 100 metres tall and seriously impressive. 

After a big downpour, you’ll easily see multiple water streams pouring down the mountainside and the waterfall will be incredibly powerful.

Unsurprisingly, and as the name suggests, 25 Fontes Waterfall is made up of many waterfalls. Streams of water flow down walls into a natural pool below which, if the waterfall isn’t too powerful, is lovely and refreshing for a dip!

Book a Levada das 25 Fontes Guided Hike

Our Top Tip: get to the car park no later than 8am. We arrived at about 11am which was a huge mistake! We had to park along the side of the road as the car park was full and there were so many people!

Tour groups were also arriving in the masses and as the first couple of kilometres are along a road, people were able to cut off a total of 4 kilometres meaning some who wouldn’t ordinarily have done the hike, were doing so.

After you’ve finished the hike, it’s finally time for some well-deserved rest and relaxation on your Madeira itinerary. Check in to Calheta Beach Hotel and for the best experience, make sure you  take advantage of the all-inclusive!

Stay in Calheta Beach Hotel

Day 6 - miradouro da bica da cana and calheta.

Although it’s time for some rest and relaxation, we’d recommend an early alarm to drive up to Bica da Cana Viewpoint for sunrise.

We’d seen some  absolutely breathtaking photos of this viewpoint and it was one of the things we were most looking forward to on our Madeira itinerary!

The drive from Calheta is approximately 30 minutes and there’s a short, 10-minute trail through the trees to the lookout.

Unfortunately for us, the clouds weren’t playing ball on the morning we went and we could barely see 5 metres in front of us!

Please don’t let our experience of this viewpoint put you off. If you’re lucky enough to catch it on a good day, the view is  out of this world!

You’ll be standing above a sea of clouds floating beneath you and jagged mountain peaks surrounding you. On a good day, you’ll be able to see Pico Ruivo and Pico do Arieiro protruding through the clouds which creates an incredible and mystical atmosphere!

After you’ve  hopefully experienced a dreamy and magical sunrise, head back to Calheta Beach Hotel for a day of relaxing by the pool and beach.

Read: Pico do Arieiro: Ultimate Guide and Everything You Need to Know

There’s a lot to keep you entertained throughout the day including an indoor and outdoor pool, a gym, board games, a spa, excursions, restaurants and bars.

Our Top Tip: make sure to book a meal in Onza Azul. If you’re on the all-inclusive, you can eat 2 meals here per week. You’ll be treated to the delicious richness of Madeira cuisine with inspirations taken from around the world.

Day 7 - Drive the South Coast

Time for what may feel like your first lie in on your Madeira Itinerary!

Today, you’re going to make your way along the south coast of Madeira to Funchal , which, if driven in one go is only half an hour but there are a few must-see stops along the way.

After a leisurely breakfast, jump in the car and your first stop is one of the  most unique things on your Madeira itinerary; Cascata dos Anjos.

Cascata dos Anjos is a magnificent waterfall located just outside Ponta do Sol that falls down a sheer rock face and hits the middle of the road. Great if your car needs a clean!

It’s fed by a levada; one of Madeira’s numerous irrigation channels that transport water around the island for agriculture.

The road gets quite narrow around the waterfall but if it’s not too busy there’s a small space you can pull up, get out and watch cars drive through it.

After you’ve given your car a good clean, it’s 10 minutes on to your next stop; Ponta do Sol.

Ponta do Sol is incredibly photogenic with colourful buildings, vibrant red roofs and has an amazing view from the pier across the village nestled into the bottom of a valley.

The cobbly streets of the Old Centre are lined with quaint cafes, the pebbly beach is perfect for swimming as it’s sheltered from the wind and the viewpoint across the town is a must-see.

Next up is the  most secretive location on your Madeira itinerary!

Calhau da Lapa is one of  Madeira’s best hidden gems and is truly special. If you want to escape the crowds and don’t mind a bit of effort to reach, this is your place and we’d definitely recommend visiting. 

Here, you’ll find some of the clearest water in Madeira and it’s incredibly pleasant for a swim.

Read: Calhau da Lapa: Complete Guide to Madeira’s Hidden Gem

You’ll also see impressive fishermen’s houses built into volcanic cliffs that you can even stay in!

Stay in a Fisherman’s House 

The reason Calhau da Lapa is still off the beaten path is because of the effort to reach it. It’s quite difficult to get to without a car and you have to walk down approximately 700 steps which, at points, are extremely steep, slippy and uneven.

If you don’t mind the effort to reach it, do it.  We had the place completely to ourselves;   it was an absolute paradise!

Your last stop before Funchal, the final stop on your Madeira itinerary is  one of the best viewpoints in Madeira; Cabo Girao.

Located at an elevation of 580 metres, Cabo Girao is the highest cape in Europe and offers striking views over the ocean and municipalities of  Câmara de Lobos and Funchal.

In 2012, the viewpoint was renovated and a transparent glass skywalk was suspended in the air, making it the  highest cliff skywalk in Europe!

Our Top Tip:  due to its proximity to Funchal, Cabo Girao can get extremely busy so we advise visiting outside of peak hours if you have your own transport.

Alternatively, after visiting the viewpoint, continue up the road for a couple of minutes where, at one of the bends, you’ll have the same view with no crowds (just make sure it’s safe to pull over).

It’s now time to make your way to Funchal; only a 15-minute drive. It might be the final stop on your Madeira itinerary but you’ve got some really exciting plans for the next couple of days.

Our Top Tip: parking can be quite tricky in Funchal as it’s rare for accommodation to have parking and the car parks close overnight and don’t open until about 7am the following morning. You’ll be up a lot earlier than that tomorrow!

We parked in one of the car parks and moved the car at about 9pm, before the car park closed and onto some street parking that became available as it got later.

We stayed in Esmeralda Holiday Apartments which have a great location a 5-minute walk from the Old Town and are a very good price.

The apartment itself was lovely, clean and modern but we were quite unfortunate as I think they put us in the one that they usually keep spare or use as a last resort. There was a really bad sewage smell in the bathroom.

The service, however, was great. We told them about it and they sent someone the next morning to clean and give us an air freshener. It only helped for a few hours but they were very apologetic and offered us quite a big refund.

I think we just got unlucky with our apartment and if you can make sure you’re not in the first-floor studio, we’d recommend it.

You’ll find the majority of Funchal’s restaurants in the Old Town so head there for dinner and soak up the vibrant and friendly atmosphere.

Stay in Esmeralda Holiday Apartments

Day 8 - hike from pico do arieiro to pico ruivo.

Today is going to be a  real highlight of your Madeira itinerary!

Leave Funchal at 5:45am to drive 35 minutes to Pico do Arieiro; Madeira’s third highest peak. Here, you’ll watch the sunrise which is hands down one of the best things to do in Madeira .

The best time to arrive is half an hour before sunrise when the sky is on fire and lit up in reds, gold and oranges.

Located at 1,818 metres above sea level, you have a spectacular view of the neighbouring mountains sitting peacefully above a sea of clouds, giving way to an incredible and mystical atmosphere.

Once the sun’s up, it’s time to hike to Madeira’s highest peak ; Pico Ruivo which truly is an  experience of a lifetime!

The scenery is  out of this world!  The trail weaves its way around the jagged peaks of Madeira’s Central Mountains and the clouds float peacefully below you looking like fluffy marshmallows.

Read: Pico do Arieiro to Pico Ruivo: The Best Hiking Guide

Mostly, you’ll hike above the clouds. However, as you’re hiking between the two peaks, you’ll probably come down through the clouds and back up again which keeps you nice, cool and slightly wet!

Steep narrow staircases, ledges and dark tunnels can make this hike pretty challenging and if you suffer from vertigo, which I do, you’ll most probably experience it on this trail. 

Book a transfer from Funchal to Pico do Arieiro

Saying that, however, this hike was one of our favourite things to do in Madeira and we definitely recommend it. Just make sure you have proper hiking footwear, plenty of snacks and water, suncream and layers.

Our Top Tip:  if you’re doing this hike after sunrise, the start of the trail is very busy. Don’t panic, most people will only be heading to the viewpoint 5-10 minutes from the trailhead. We found the hike to be fairly quiet in the morning.

The afternoons, however, are very busy with tour buses bringing in crowds of people to hike one way. Due to the narrow paths, on the way back to Pico do Arieiro , we had a lot of waiting around for groups to finish climbing stairs so we could continue.

Once you’ve finished the hike, we’d recommend driving straight to the airport and returning the car as you won’t need it for the final two days of your Madeira itinerary. A taxi to Funchal is only around €10.

Head back to Funchal and again we’d recommend visiting the Old Town for a well-deserved drink in one of the bars. If you haven’t yet tried poncha, now’s the time. 

Poncha is a traditional Madeiran drink made with distilled alcohol from sugar cane juice, honey, sugar and either lemon or orange juice. There are now also a lot of other varieties which swap the lemon or orange juice for another fruit juice.

Day 9 - Funchal

After the early morning and challenging day yesterday, it’s time for a lie in and a relaxing day exploring Funchal . The city’s quite small and there isn’t a lot to do but it’s lovely for an amble and there are a few things to tick off.

Head to the Old Town to start your day which will look very different to when you were there in the evening.

In the evenings, the cosy cobbled streets are lined with bars and restaurants where locals and tourists alike come for a stroll and soak up the vibrant atmosphere.

In the morning, the streets are quiet and still and you can really appreciate the street art.

Santa Maria is one of Funchal’s oldest streets and you’ll quickly notice something about the buildings here; none of them has the same door. You also won’t see a dull, ordinary door anywhere.

In 2010, photographer José Maria Zyberchem wanted to bring this historic street back to life and make it a centre of art so he started the Painted Doors Project .

Many local artists got involved and started painting the old doors on the street and completely revived the area. There are over 200 painted doors on Rua de Santa Maria and the neighbouring streets and it has become an attraction in itself.

Book a Funchal Old Town Walking Tour

Next, head to Santa Catarina Park which is on the other side of the city. It’s a 30-minute walk which we’d recommend doing as you see another side of Funchal to the Old Town.

Wide streets lined with shops, huge trees arching over the roads, traditional Portuguese-style pavements and large luxury hotels like The Ritz; it’s a very different and glamorous side of the city.

Santa Catarina Park is lovely for an amble and there are plenty of shaded spots to relax if you’re in need of a break from the heat.

There’s a huge lawn surrounded by flowerbeds full of plant species from all over the world where you’ll usually find people having picnics or playing games.

For us, the highlight of the park is the view over Funchal.

Also in this area is Museu CR7 ; the museum dedicated to Christiano Ronaldo and his trophies. We didn’t go but Andy refused to leave without taking a photo next to the statue!

Book a Guided City Tour by Tuk Tuk and CR7 Museum Entrance 

Day 10 - funchal.

The final day of your Madeira itinerary has arrived!

Firstly, and one of the top things to do in Funchal is to ride the cable car.

Starting by the seafront in the Old Town, the cable car travels a length of 3,200 metres and rises 560 metres in 15 minutes to the village of Monte.

The cable car offers the best views of Funchal starting with the rustic red roofs of the city, to the quaint neighbouring suburbs and lush green countryside with the Bay of Funchal in the background.

At the top, you can visit the Monte Palace Tropical Gardens. This appears on most of the lists of the top things to do in Madeira and while it’s alright for a stroll, we found it to not be at all worth the €25 per person.

There are some beautiful gardens and features but after you’ve seen all the jaw-dropping scenery that this Madeira itinerary has, we were left pretty disappointed.

The real highlight of Monte is the tobogganing !

Dating back to the 1850s, these toboggans were the primary means of transport for people living in Monte to get to Funchal. Today, they’re one of Madeira’s most popular tourist attractions and a great way to get the heart racing.

A maximum of 3 people can sit in the large wicker baskets and behind them, two men traditionally dressed in cotton clothes and a straw hat will push and steer you through the narrow winding streets to Livramento; a suburb of Funchal.

At times, you reach speeds of up to 48 km/hour on this 2-kilometre downhill stretch. It’s completely safe, a great source of income for the locals and you can enjoy some  truly spectacular views  over Funchal on the way down!

Once you get to Livramento, it’s a 15/20 minute downhill walk back to Funchal.

Our Top Tip: if Sunday is the last day on your Madeira itinerary, swap this day for Saturday as the toboggans won’t be running. Also, purchase your cable car ticket on the day as sometimes it’s stopped due to the weather and you won’t get a refund.

Well, that’s your Madeira itinerary come to an end, we hope you have an incredible time! Madeira has been one of our favourite trips and we can’t wait to return. 

Before you go, make sure to read everything you need to know for your visit.

Everything You Need to Know for Your Madeira Itinerary

When is the best time to visit madeira.

One of the best things about Madeira is you can visit it at any time of the year. It has a sub-tropical climate with hot summers and mild winters offering year-round sunshine.

However, the interior of the island is very mountainous and can be very unpredictable at any time of the year. Where you might have glorious sunshine by the coast, 20 minutes inland to the mountains, it might be raining and chilly.

How do I get to Madeira?

Madeira has 1 international airport which is located in Machico, not far from Funchal. It’s served by regular direct flights from the UK and is only a short hop from Lisbon .

Read: Best Things to do in Lisbon: Complete City Guide

Do i need to drive this madeira itinerary.

If you can drive, we’d recommend doing so as this gives you the freedom and flexibility to explore the island at your own pace. It also means you can be one of the first at tourist hot spots rather than when the crowds descend.

If you can’t or don’t want to drive, one of the best things about Madeira is it’s relatively small so it’s never a long drive to get somewhere meaning you can use Funchal as a base and see most of the places on this Madeira itinerary on day tours.

Do I need 10 days?

We wouldn’t recommend anything less than 10 days for this Madeira itinerary. We moved at quite a fast pace with 1 rest day in Calheta and we wouldn’t have wanted to go any quicker as it would have taken away from the experience in each area.

We definitely could have stayed longer, however, as there were some areas that we’d have loved to spend more time in and other areas and hikes that we would love to have seen and done. 10 days to 2 weeks is the perfect amount of time to get to know Madeira.

What currency do I need?

Madeira is part of Portugal and uses the Euro. At the time of writing, $1 is approximately €0.95. We used our Monzo and Revolut cards for the majority of the time as most places accepted cards.

How expensive is Madeira?

Compared to  London , where we live, it’s incredibly cheap and compared to the UK, it’s cheap!

We stayed in a range of places on our Madeira itinerary; a 3* apartment 5-minutes walk from Old Town Funchal for €90 a night, a 4* hotel in Porto Moniz for €110 a night, a traditional Santana house for €50 and a 5* beachfront hotel in Calheta all-inclusive for €250 a night.

A bottle of local beer or poncha costs around €1.50, a basic meal around €15 for a starter and main and one evening we had a lovely 3-course meal with a bottle of imported wine for €70 for both of us.

What plug do I need?

Like most countries in Europe, you will need either type C or F. Both of these have two round pins.

Leave a Comment Cancel Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

• Travel and Squeak

Privacy Overview

CHARLIES WANDERINGS

THE TRAVEL BLOG FOR HIKING LOVERS AND EFFICIENT TRAVEL ITINERARIES

MADEIRA · February 20, 2023

The Perfect 7 Day Madeira Travel Itinerary

If there is one holiday that should be on your bucket list it’s an epic 7 day road trip in Madeira. Madeira, also known as the flower island , has still been able to escape the big tourist crowds. Yes, some places on the island can get a little busy from time to time. But you can easily avoid the ‘rush hours’ by planning out an itinerary!

Madeira is one of the most breathtaking places when it comes to nature . From moon like landscapes to lush forests and mountains that will make you feel like you’ve set foot on Hawaï. This island is a dream come true for anyone who loves to be outdoors!

So far I’ve already been twice to this wonderful island , both times in March! And while this is defintiely an ideal month to visit you can still get a bit unlucky with the weather. It doesn’t happen very often, but it does happen.

In this Madeira holiday guide you’ll find a ton of tips for visiting the island, our personal itinerary, the best places to eat and stay, the best hikes in Madeira , where to find the most stunning viewpoints and the most beautiful waterfalls in Madeira !

I hope you’ll enjoy this Madeira itinerary and if you have any questions feel free to drop a comment below.

While a 7 day road trip may seem a little long for a small island like Madeira . I do have a couple of very good reasons why you should take your time when visiting! First of all the weather can be very unpredictable . One side of the island can be basking in sunlight, while the other side can be very misty and rainy. It’s not uncommon for you to drive through one of the many tunnels and find yourself in a completely different climate. You can easily check the weather conditions before you leave through the local webcams spread out over the entire island.

Secondly, Madeira is known for it’s amazing hikes and if you don’t calculate in enough time you will have to skip a lot of them. This would be a terrible waste since some hikes are considered to be part of the most beautiful hikes in the world.

During this travel itinerary you will see incredible viewpoints, waterfalls and landscapes that will leave you wondering if you have actually stepped onto one of the sets of Jurassic Park. Not to worry, velociraptors are not included in this itinerary ;).

The best time to visit Madeira

Madeira is a wonderful island to visit throughout the entire year. But the best time to visit Madeira depends on the type of holiday that you are looking for.

Do you want a relaxing holiday and bask in the sun all day long or maybe a family holiday without a ton of adventure? Then June, July and August are an excellent idea. The temperature will be perfect for chilling by the pool and taking short day trips.

If an active holiday is more your jam and you want to explore some of the hiking trails then it’s best to avoid the hot summer months. Instead book your Madeira holiday from the end of March until the end of May. This way the island will be lush, the waterfalls will be roaring and the temperature will be nice for hiking up in the mountains.

How to get around in Madeira

Madeira is. apretty small island but the public transport system is pretty much non existant. And if you would need to take a taxi everytime you want to visit a more remote place you’re vacation will end up being insanely expensive.

The best advice I can give you is to rent a car on Madeira . You can pick it up at the airport and simply drop it off before leaving.

🚗 Rent a car in Madeira by using  SunnyCars . There’s never any hidden costs with them and free cancellation up to 1 hour before rental start. Their price is transparent and everything is included.

Madeira Road Trip Itinerary

Day 1 – arrival, picking up your rental car and a coastal hiking trail.

When traveling to Madeira you won’t have to wait long to witness its beauty. Score yourself a window seat (preferably on the right side of the plane) and admire the mountain peaks peeping through the clouds. The airport landing in Madeira is one of the most famous and apparently also dangerous ones in the world. It’s a very short landing strip so as soon as you hit the ground you will feel the plane hitting the breaks. For me it was the perfect start of an epic adventure!

After your arrival it’s time to pick up that rental car. I went with SunnyCars and was very happy with their service. When choosing a rental car for Madeira I strongly advise you to take an automatic . I am a very experienced manual driver but I was so damn happy I got the automatic. The roads in Madeira are steep and I am not kidding when I say that at times they had an inclination of 45°.

Now it’s time to check into your hotel. I chose Funchal as a base the first time because of it’s proximity to the airport. I had a wonderful stay at Sé Boutique Hotel and you can read my full hotel review here . There is a parking lot located only 5 minutes walking from the hotel (parking is €7/day if you validate your card at the hotel reception). For our first evening we decided to relax and enjoy a cocktail upon the hotel’s rooftop bar.

Now for our second trip to Madeira I wanted to stay on the other side of the island so we stayed close to Santana at Quinta das Hortênsias .

But no matter where you stay you’ll have time for a quick but beautiful coastal hike since the start of the hiking trail is only 20 minutes driving from the airport . The Vereda do Larano is one of the most scenic hiking trails in Madeira.

We started our hike in Porto da Cruz and followed the trail until the  Boca do Risco viewpoint . After relaxing a little and taking in the views we turned around and hiked back to our car. This way the total hiking distance was 13km .

Day 2 – Start your Madeira road trip with one of the most beautiful hikes in Madeira

Rise and shine! But honestly, it was more like rise and rain! Cause there was no sunshine to be spotted on the entire island.

One of the good things about Madeira is that there are two types of hikes. On the one hand you have the Vereda’s. Vereda hiking trails are up in the mountains of Madeira. They offer incredible vista’s but are often also a little more challenging.

And then there are the Levada’s. Levada walks are very popular in Madeira. They consist of maintained paths alongside man made water springs, making it a calming experience. You’ll be surrounded by lush nature and along the way you’ll see amazing panorama’s.

A Levada is also a little more sheltered so for our rainy day we decided to complete one of the most beautiful levada’s on the island of Madeira.

The Levada do Caldeirão Verde will take you through the lush jungles of Madeira, past several waterfalls and will even have you walk through tunnels! These tunnels can be very dark and have low ceilings in some places so one item you really have to bring is either a flashlight or a headlamp .

The Caldeirão do Inferno waterfall hike is actually an elongation of the Levada do Caldeirão Verde and I highly recommend completing the entire trail! By doing so you’ll get to see a couple more spectacular waterfalls and walk through a mesmerizing canyon. I promise that you won’t regret it!

I do have to admit that by the time we got back to the car both of us were completely drenched. Our feet were soaking wet and even my underwear didn’t stay dry from all of the rain. But nonetheless this hike was so worth it and nothing a hot bath back at the house couldn’t fix.

Day 3 – Continue your 7 Day Madeira road trip itinerary by driving to the furthest point East

Well you know what they say… no rest for the wicked! Time for another spectacular hike today but rest assured, this one is a lot less wet!

Once you’ve parked your car you’ll quickly notice that the landscape here is completely different compared to the rest of the island. It almost looks like you landed on Mars! Welcome to the Vereda da Ponta de São Lourenço !

This is one of the more popular hikes in Madeira since it’s fairly easy to do. Do know that this part of the island can be extremely windy! Make sure to always stay on the hiking trail and don’t get too close to the edges!

The entire hike there and back will take 3 to 4 hours , depending on how many times you stop to take photos ;).

💡 TIP – There’s a beautiful viewpoint close to the Vereda da Ponta de São Lourenço called Ponta do Rosto . This is one of the best places in Madeira to watch the sunrise.

After this adventure it’s time to drive to Santana . This little town is known for it’s Casas Tipicas de Madeira, traditional stone houses with steep, triangular-shaped thatched roofs. These tiny houses are spread out through the small village so you are bound to run into a couple of them!

Day 4 – Time to explore the North Coast of Madeira

Today you’ll visit the lush side of Madeira, the part that will make you feel like you’re staring in Jurassic Park! One of the most beautiful towns in Madeira is Sao Vicente where you can also admire the Capelinha de Nossa Senhora de Fátima.

Your next stop on today’s road trip is Miradouro do Véu da Noiva . A beautiful viewpoint that can get a little bit busy from time to time. The best thing to do is to just wait it out. Usually this is because a big tour bus just stopped by but they usually just hang around for 10 minutes and then leave for their next stop.

Next up is the famous black beach in Seixal ! It’s pretty small but it does come with epic views that will make you feel like you’re in Hawaï. There is a parking lot right next to the beach and the drive from the previous waterfall is only 5 minutes.

There is one more stop that you can’t miss: Miradouro da Fajã do Barro . If you’ve ever been to Iceland these rock formations will look very familiar!

LUNCH – Have a delicious local lunch at Restaurant Lilinha in Seixal or go for a more fancy option at Cachalote in Porto Moniz.

Don’t forget to drive up to Miradouro da Santinha  for an incredibel panoramic view over the town of Porto Moniz.

If you want to add one more stop to your itinerary for today drive to Miradouro do Teleférico das Achadas da Cruz . Here you can take an epic cable car down the cliffs (€3 both ways). There is a short levada at the bottom but the views are absolutely amazing. And honestly, the cable car ride alone is worth the money!

Next up is another incredible viewpoint along the West Coast of Madeira called the Miradouro do Ponta da Ladeira . Compared to other viewpoints in madeira this place is more of a hidden gem and not known by many people. So if you’re looking for a more off the beaten path sunset spot in Madeira then this is the one!

Day 5 – Get ready for fairytale vibes and a ton of flowers

Do you want to know the best part? You don’t have to wake up super early today! Fanal is around 1 hour driving from Funchal or Santana but you don’t have to be here at sunrise. What you do have to do is check the webcams to see if there are clouds rolling in. Fanal is located in the North West part of the island and is actually part of the Vereda do Fanal! But you don’t have to do the entire hike to reach this enchanting forest. There is a parking lot right next to the Laurisilva forest ! On your way up there make sure to drive slowly. The local cows tend to also walk on the road in the area and they always have the right of way.

The same goes for when you are visiting the Laurisilva forest: watch where you are going! Especially when the area is covered with clouds your vision might be compromised and there is a lot of cow poop spread out through the meadow.

Make sure to take your time here. If you arrive and there is no fog simply enjoy the area and wait. We arrived at sunrise and around 10am the fog started to appear. In total we spent around 4 hours here, simply walking around and enjoying nature in all it’s beauty.

Not far from Fanal you will find beautiful flower fields (that is if you’re visiting in March). On a sunny day you’ll be able to see yellow flowers as far as the eye can see! Almost all. ofthe locations that you’ll visit today are located on the Paul da Serra plateau .

Pico Ruivo do Paul is a spectacular viewpoint on the Paul da Serra plateau. Located at 1639 meters high this hidden gem in Madeira offers a stunning view over the valley of São Vicente and the highest peaks of Madeira.

The Miradouro da Bica da Cana is another hidden gem in the heart of Madeira and also one of the best sunrise viewpoints in Madeira!

Bica da Cana is also located on the  Paul da Serra plateau  and at a height of  1560 meters . From here you’ll have a spectacular view over the highest peaks in Madeira and if you’re visiting during sunrise you might get extra lucky and have a sea of clouds below you.

There are two more hikes located on the Paul da Serra plateau.

The Levada do Risco and Levada das 25 Fontes. The actual hike itself starts about 25 minutes walking from the parking lot. From there you’ll reach the first waterfall in less than 20 minutes. Levada do Risco is an impressive double waterfall .

The second hike isn’t very far, simply turn around and follow the arrows that point towards Levada das 25 Fontes . This one is a little further but besides some steps going up and down it’s pretty okay.

Day 6 – The most beautiful hike on the island of Madeira

It honsetly doesn’t matter on which day you do this hike, you just have to make sure that it’s a clear day and that it doesn’t rain.

The PR1 Vereda do Areiero   connects the two highest peaks on the island : Pico do Arieiro (1818m) and Pico Ruivo (1862m). It’s one of the most incredible hikes in Madeira and you’ll definitely need at least 7 hours to complete it.

Ideally you’ll park your car at Pico do Arieiro from where you’ll follow the signs that say PR1 and will take you all the way to the highest point of the island.

Your first stop on this hike will be  Miradouro do Ninho da Manta , also known as the birds nest. Make sure to take out your camera and snap some photos.

After this simply continue along the PR1 trail. On the way you’ll come across stairs, tunnels and insane panorama views. The reason why this trail is so tough is that you go almost entirely up and down the mountain. To add to that,  the PR1 is not a loop trail . Once you reach Pico Ruivo you have to hike the entire way back again.

Another option if you’re really too tired or if the weather doesn’t permit it is to take a taxi from the parking lot at Pico Ruivo. Do know that this will set you back around €65 and will take about an hour.

📖 READ MORE – Pico Do Arieiro To Pico Ruivo Hike – PR1 On Madeira

Day 7 – The last day of this perfect 7 day Madeira road trip itinerary

Depending on the time of your flight you’ll have time for one more hike. If you ‘re flight leaves in the morning not to worry! You can combine the following hike with the Vereda da Ponta de São Lourenço on day 3 of this Madeira travel guide.

Either way, you’ll be able to complete the Levada do Moinho to Levada Nova waterfall hike . Not only will you be face to face with one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Madeira. But you’ll also walk through a stunning valley the entire time. The The Levada do Moinho to Levada Nova waterfall hike is located in  Ponta do Sol  in the South coast of Madeira and is a 9km hike.

Not too far from Ponta do Sol you’ll find the Cascata dos Anjos . A truly unique waterfall in Madeira that you can actually drive underneath.

For more information about the best hikes in Madeira click here .

I hope this 7 day road trip itinerary for Madeira will inspire you to visit this beautiful island! If you have any questions about this itinerary simply drop them in the comment section below!

Favorite restaurants in Madeira

I pretty much love all the food that they serve on Madeira. The fresh fish, the typical potatoes and the juicy meat. There’s somthing for everyone! Some typical dishes you have to try on Madeira are: grilled octopus, lapas and steak with madeirasauce.

• O Arco – Definitely try their Espetada (meat on long skewers)
• Cachalote – The best restaurant in Porto Moniz with an excellent choice of seafood.
• O Precipício – The food isn’t that spectacular but the view is one in a million!
• A Pipa – The perfect place for dinner after finishing the Vereda do Larano

All rights reserved © Charlies Wanderings. Republishing this article and/or any of its contents (text, photography, etc.), in whole or in part, is strictly prohibited.

Charlotte Lint is the founder, main photographer and writer of Charlies Wanderings . She has traveled all over the world and is based in Belgium where she also owns her very own dental practice. She is an expert on writing insightful hiking guides and creating unique and efficient travel itineraries . Every month she helps over 134.000 people discover the most beautiful places in the world through her detailed travel guides.

You’ll Also Love

April 25, 2020 at 12:32 pm

Wow I can’t believe I haven’t made it to Madeira yet, it looks incredible! I would love to do those hikes ? I’ll definitely save this post for whenever I get the chance to go!

Caroline says

April 25, 2020 at 12:36 pm

Nu wil in een ijsje en op trektocht gaan. Super mooie blogpost!

Charlotte says

April 25, 2020 at 12:38 pm

Dankjewel schat! Ik heb alvast ne pot Ben & Jerry’s standaard in mijne vriezer zitten deze periode :p

April 25, 2020 at 12:39 pm

Thank you Jen! Yes, Madeira really blew me away! I would go back in a heart beat!

Suvarna Arora says

April 25, 2020 at 12:46 pm

I never thought to spend a week in Madeira but you definitely convinced me. I have been dying to go.

April 25, 2020 at 12:50 pm

You would LOVE it! I can’t wait to go back one day!

April 25, 2020 at 2:06 pm

Your pictures are epic! Made me want to travel so badly :-)

April 25, 2020 at 2:07 pm

Thank you so much Emma!

Jiayi Wang says

April 25, 2020 at 2:43 pm

Wow, I never knew Madeira was so beautiful!! But now I do thanks to this post – love the photos!! :)

April 25, 2020 at 2:54 pm

roshni says

April 25, 2020 at 4:18 pm

I have been before but missed seixal beach need to see it next time looks amazing

Katie | KatieGoes says

April 25, 2020 at 4:23 pm

WOW! Sounds like Madiera is massively under-rated! Looks like the European Hawaii.

April 25, 2020 at 4:24 pm

It was so beautiful! The beach itself is actually pretty small but the view you have from there is amazing!

Exactly!!! At times I felt like I was in Jurassic Park! Minus the velociraptors :p

Katja | placesandnotes says

April 25, 2020 at 4:44 pm

Such gorgeous photos, this post brings back memories! I was there with my girl friends for 6 days a couple of years ago and it was such a lovely trip with good food, some hikes, a bit of relaxing on the beack. Madeira is absolutely stunning. Great post :)

April 25, 2020 at 4:46 pm

Hi Katja!! Thank you so much! Aaaah that honestly sounds like the perfect holiday!!!

Zsuzsanna says

April 25, 2020 at 5:21 pm

Such a cool guide! Now I really want to take a road trip to Madeira! I will save your guide for a future trip :)

Ophelie says

April 25, 2020 at 5:22 pm

I have never seen any pictures from Madeira before! It’s a pleasure to discover it through your lens!

April 25, 2020 at 5:23 pm

Thank you so much!!!!

April 25, 2020 at 5:24 pm

Thank you so much Ophelie!!! It’s such a beautiful island!

Ellie Green says

April 25, 2020 at 5:26 pm

I’d never given much thought to Madeira but your pictures have added it to my bucket list! The coastline and landscape look so epic!

OMG Ellie! You would LOVE Madeira!!!

Simona says

April 25, 2020 at 6:12 pm

Madeira is actually one of my favourite European islands <3 Travlled there 3 years ago for my BD and fell in love. Thank for giving me some ideas for my next trip there ;)

Camilla says

April 25, 2020 at 6:13 pm

So beautiful ! Thanks for sharing all these tips, it’s like being able to travel again even if just with my mind :)

April 25, 2020 at 6:16 pm

Oh so happy to hear that Simona! That must have been one epic birthday!!!

I know! It also helped me to relax a little about the current situation while writing this!

Paloma Fts says

April 25, 2020 at 8:18 pm

Girl I looove your photos and your edition! I’m dying to visit Madeira as well!

Thank you so much Paloma!!!

Sandra // BlueMarble Vagabonds says

April 25, 2020 at 8:25 pm

Oh, that’s a great itinerary! As we are mountain bikers with hubby, Maderia is our bucket list destination, but we’re gonna include other things as well – so thanks for this, will definitely save for later! :)

April 25, 2020 at 8:29 pm

OMG Sandra! I applaud you! Like the hills in Madeira are absolutely insane! My mom and I often said how crazy it would be to bike up one of them! I guess if you would go for biking I think it would be best to switch between Funchal and Seixal :)

April 25, 2020 at 8:30 pm

Stunning photos! Definitely added this to my wishlist for travel ^_^

April 25, 2020 at 8:32 pm

Thank you so much Nele!

April 25, 2020 at 9:21 pm

I have been wanting to go here in forever!! It just looks so incredible and not even that far away! Thanks for all the guidance and tips :)

April 25, 2020 at 9:28 pm

Wow so beautiful. Madeira is climbing higher and higher on my top list, especially after ready this post and enjoying the beautiful scenery and landscapes. I can’t wait to discover soon. Thanks for sharing.

April 25, 2020 at 9:40 pm

My absolute pleasure! I hope you get to go soon!

April 25, 2020 at 9:41 pm

Thank you so much for your kind words Mayi!

April 25, 2020 at 9:43 pm

Such a beautiful place! Your photos make me want to travel there right now :). I’m saving this for my future trip.

April 25, 2020 at 9:46 pm

Thank you so much Emese!

April 25, 2020 at 9:53 pm

Incredible Views! Never thought that Madeira has such a beautiful nature. Definitely on my bucket list now. Thanks for the inspiration.

April 25, 2020 at 9:58 pm

Happy you like it! :)

Jen Nilsson says

April 25, 2020 at 10:35 pm

Wow! This is seriously comprehensive! I am very impressed. I saved this for later and put Madeira on my bucket list.

galatia savva says

Portugal is just full of suprises! makes me want to visit now!

Marika says

April 25, 2020 at 11:21 pm

I LOVE your pictures!! I have always wanted to go to Madeira. so I will definitely pin your post fro later!

Sujenne says

April 26, 2020 at 12:08 am

Omg! Your pictures are amazing!!! And this roadtrip got me hooked!! Booking as soon as I can … I need this trip in my life!

April 26, 2020 at 9:32 am

Thank you so much Jen! :)

Oooh so happy to hear that! :)

April 26, 2020 at 9:33 am

Aaaah Sujenne!! I am so happy to hear that! Honestly, you will have the time of your life!!

April 26, 2020 at 9:34 am

Thank you so much Marika! :)

Francesca says

April 26, 2020 at 10:48 am

Madeira looks like such a gorgeous place and I love your photos! They have such a dreamy fairytale quality to them.

April 26, 2020 at 1:37 pm

Thank you so much Francesca!!!

Miriam Menkarius says

April 26, 2020 at 4:15 pm

OMG these photos are amazing! Made me add Madeira to my list! Thanks for such a beautiful post!

April 26, 2020 at 4:16 pm

So happy to hear that Miriam!

April 27, 2020 at 3:53 am

Your photos are so incredible! I am dreaming to go!

April 27, 2020 at 7:09 am

Thank you so much Sam!

Lisanne says

May 9, 2020 at 9:23 am

Oh wow, I’ve been to Madeira myself yeaars ago, but didn’t do a road trip! Definitely regret it now! Have to go back haha!

May 9, 2020 at 9:36 am

You would love it!! It’s honestly the best way to see the island!

February 7, 2022 at 6:14 pm

Gorgeous photos!

Just a note on this: “This hike is a loop so you will have to go the same way back as you came.” This is not what loop means, in regard to hikes. You are describing an out and back hike.

Also, for those who are new to hiking and getting inspired by this post, you should NEVER wear jeans on a hike. They can get saturated (b/c they are cotton) if it’s raining and do not try quickly. This can lead to hypothermia if the temps drop. Maybe not a concern in Madeira (I don’t have first hand experience there), but a good rule of thumb for hiking in general.

February 7, 2022 at 8:45 pm

Hi Jen, Thx for the info! I should adapt that yes, good thing I am going back to Madeira so I’ll be able to update the post with a lot of new hikes. Honestly I just wore the jeans cause it was a super short and more like a walk honestly :p. I actually have a lot of hiking experience and know not to wear fabrics like that :)

February 13, 2022 at 7:43 pm

Thank you for your fantastic tour of Madeira. My 19 year old son and I have been deciding where to go on a father/son trip, and this has just about convinced me that Madeira is the right place to go to, indeed using much or all of your itinerary. I have a couple of questions, if you don’t mind.

Firstly, you based yourself in Funchal for the entire week, but do you think your itinerary would work well by staying for half of the week in Funchal, and for the other half of the week in a different location, perhaps up towards the north west of the island? I’m just thinking it might be fun to stay in two locations rather than one.

Secondly, I can’t see that your itinerary allows for a great deal of time in Funchal itself. Did you get to spend much time there, or not?

We’re hoping to go at the very beginning of March for a week, so will take appropriate clothing. I know that the sea temperature won’t be great, but probably warmer than in the UK at any time of the year, so we’ll hopefully do some sea swimming, which we love.

Thank you. Al

February 13, 2022 at 10:54 pm

First off thank you so much for your lovely feedback! And hell yes I think it’s an awesome idea to choose two locations and I would definitely then go more North towards Seixal or Porto Da Cruz! We’re actually heading back to Madeira as well in March so I can’t wait to explore even more! I’m not much of a city person, especially on an island like Madeira which has so much spectacular nature! The old town of Funchal is nice but you can’t compare it to other historic cities in Portugal. But we did make time to get lunch or some ice cream. But I highly recommend focussing on the nature! :)

kalaman says

November 5, 2023 at 2:27 pm

Hey Charlotte, ik scheef je eerder over Cathedral Valley (had toen per ongelijk mijn mailadres gebruikt als login). Mede dankzij jouw blog gaan we begin juni wellicht naar Madeira. Vind je het dan al te laat om van de bloemenpracht te genieten en heel wat hikes te doen? Verbleef je gedurende 7 dagen op dezelfde plaats? Is het dan niet veel over en weer gerij? Ik lees namelijk dat er heel wat wandelingen en uitzichtpunten zijn verspreid over het eiland. Het is nu wel niet zo groot, maar die smalle bergwegen schieten wellicht ook voor geen meter op. Ik zie dat het bvb van Santana naar Port Moniz al meer dan een uur rijden is (enkel).

November 6, 2023 at 1:20 pm

Hoi hoi, beide keren verbleef ik altijd op 1 plek maar je kan ook half/half doen en je tijd verdelen tussen het zuiden en noorden. Hiken zal zeker lukken maar geen idee of er dan nog veel bloemen gaan zijn, daar is de ideale maand mei voor.

Leave a Reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

DESTINATIONS

TRAVEL ITINERARIES

TRAVEL WITH KIDS

Charlies Wanderings is a travel blog for unique travel itineraries and hiking guides with colorful photos and insightful travel info.

COPYRIGHT ©2024 CHARLIES WANDERINGS

Copyright © 2024 CHARLIES WANDERINGS Theme by 17th Avenue

Copyright © 2024 · Charlotte on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in