Madeira Itinerary Suggestions - GAR 105
Explore the best landscapes and charms of the island with our custom madeira itinerary suggestions. For this reason, we designed unique routes to guide you through the cultural, gastronomic, and natural wonders of our region.
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Madeira Island in 7 days - itinerary by Anna Visual Stories
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Madeira Island in 1 day
Start your day early in the city of Funchal, the capital of Madeira, with a visit to the famous Mercado dos Lavradores, where you can enjoy exotic fruits, fresh fish and many varieties of flowers. Take the opportunity to have breakfast with regional products, such as the traditional bolo do caco, pastel de nata, etc.
Old Town & Monte Cable Car
Afterwards, head to the Old Town of the city, close to Jardim Almirante Reis and the Funchal-Monte Cable Car. Catching this cable car allows you to travel between Funchal and Monte while enjoying fantastic views. A visit to the beautiful Monte Palace Tropical Garden is also highly recommended. On the way back, take the opportunity to enjoy an exciting ride down the famous Monte Toboggan Wicker Sledges.
Exploring Funchal on Your Madeira Itinerary
After exploring Funchal you can head to Cabo Girão, one of the highest capes in Europe at 580 meters high and about 30 minutes away from the center of Funchal. The glass skywalk offers a thrilling experience with spectacular views over the Madeira coastline.
Next, head to the fishing village of Câmara de Lobos, known for its vibrantly colored harbor and connection to Winston Churchill, who used to visit the place to get inspired and paint. Have lunch at one of the many local restaurants and sample fresh island specialties such as tuna and black scabbardfish or even a tasty regional meat Espetada.
After lunch, take a trip to the Ribeiro Frio Laurissilva Forest, a UNESCO World Heritage site located within the island. This forest offers spectacular trails and is a wonderful opportunity to connect with Madeira's unique fauna and flora. One of the most accessible and easiest trails is Vereda/Levada dos Balcões (3km there and back), which is about a 45-minute drive from Câmara de Lobos.
If you have time, continue to the village of Santana, famous for its traditional Madeiran houses, with their triangular roofs covered in straw. This would be a great place for a quick visit before heading back to the south coast, where about 35 minutes away from Santana, you can visit Ponta de São Lourenço and once again enjoy fantastic views over the Atlantic Ocean before your return “home”.
Madeira Island in 3 days
Day 1 – Funchal and Pico do Areeiro
Morning - Funchal
Start your unforgettable madeira itinerary by driving early to the city of Funchal, the capital of Madeira, with a visit to the famous Mercado dos Lavradores, a place where you can enjoy exotic fruits, fresh fish and many varieties of flowers. Take the opportunity to have breakfast with regional products, such as the traditional bolo do caco, pastel de nata, etc.
Then take a short stroll through the Old Town of the city, where next to Jardim Almirante Reis there´s Teleférico Funchal-Monte where you can catch a cable car that will travel between Funchal and Monte and during the ride you will enjoy the fantastic views. You can also pay a visit to the always fantastic Monte Palace Tropical Garden. On the way back, take the opportunity to enjoy an exciting ride down the famous Monte Toboggan Wicker Sledges. Back in the city, take the opportunity to have lunch in one of the many restaurants in Funchal, such as the restaurant “La Pasta” to complete the first day of this madeira itinerary!
Hiking and Nature Trails in Madeira
Afternoon – Pico do Arieiro
Right after lunch, climb to one of the highest points on the island, Pico do Arieiro. Once there, enjoy spectacular views of the mountains and peaks that exist throughout the island. For those who enjoy hiking, here you will find trails that offer a fabulous experience, sometimes above the clouds!
On the way down, you can make a brief stop at the Ribeiro Frio Forestry Post to see the trout breeding pools. Just below, take a short walk along Vereda/ Levada dos Balcões. A spectacular, easily and accessible trail of only 3 km (round trip) where, even stopping several times to take fantastic photos, it can take around 1h30 (round trip)!
You can also stop by the Miradouro da Portela (about 30 minutes away) before returning to Funchal.
Day 2 – Visit the west side of the island and its mountains and peaks.
Morning – Câmara de Lobos, Cabo Girão and Calheta.
On your second day, head early in the morning to Câmara de Lobos, a picturesque fishing village where you will find the region's typical fishing boats, which are still in operation today.
Then head to Cabo Girão, one of the highest capes in Europe at 580 meters high and about 30 minutes away from the center of Funchal. The glass skywalk offers a thrilling experience with spectacular views over the Madeira coastline.
Continuing your journey west, take the expressway and go to Vila da Calheta, where you can enjoy its yellow sand beaches and also visit the “Casa das Mudas” museum.
For lunch, try the traditional Espetada or a tasty Black Scabbard Fish fillet at a local restaurant, such as “As Fontes do Horácio”.
Afternoon – Jardim do Mar and Paúl do Mar
After lunch, take the expressway that passes through Prazeres and go to Fajã da Ovelha, a small village where you will find one of the most spectacular viewpoints on the entire island. O Precipício Viewpoin!
After marveling at the magnificent landscapes, head down to Paul do Mar. A small village known for its small stone beaches, sought after by many surfers due to its fantastic waves suitable for surfing. On the way back, you can still go to Jardim do Mar village. In Jardim do Mar or Paúl do Mar, you can enjoy a fantastic sunset, admire the fantastic cliffs and even enjoy some snacks or even a light meal at “Joe`s Bar” before returning “home”.
Day 3 – Visit the North Coast of the Island
Morning – Santana
Start your day early by heading to Queimadas Natural Park where you can take a walk along Levada do Caldeirão Verde, an accessible trail that takes you into the heart of the Laurissilva Forest, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This trail offers total immersion in the natural beauty of the island, with waterfalls and lush vegetation. This route has a distance of 17.4km (round trip) with a total time of 6H30 (round trip).
If you don't opt for the hike, you can spend the rest of the morning visiting the charming village of Santana, where you'll find the iconic thatched houses and the Madeira Theme Park. Here you can enjoy lunch, for example, at the restaurants “Estrela do Norte” or “Colmo”!
Nature and Driving Tips on the Island
Afternoon – Porto Moniz
After lunch, head towards Porto Moniz. There you will find the famous natural pools. This is the perfect place to enjoy the sun, relax a little and, if possible, take a dip in its crystal clear waters.
On the way back, go to São Vicente and take regional road 228 towards Encumeada, where you will find viewpoints with stunning views of the island's massive interior. If daylight hours allow, take advantage and climb up to Paul da Serra, the largest plateau on the island. On your way back to Funchal, take the regional road 105 and end the day tasting a good Poncha Regional, for example at “Taberna da Serra”!
Final Tips for Your Madeira Itinerary
Secure your rental car in advance, especially during high season from May to September, to take advantage of the promotions available on our website. Always park in authorized, safe areas and follow local traffic rules. Due to its winding roads that require careful driving, plan your time well between stops. Preferably, use an automatic car to make driving easier.
Bringing water, snacks, and a coat is essential, especially if you plan to go on trails such as Levada dos Balcões. With this itinerary, in just three days, by car, you can visit some of Madeira's natural and cultural wonders. Renting a car is the best way to ensure your freedom, flexibility and make the most of your time in Madeira Island.
Important Safety Warnings for Your Madeira Itinerary
Please check out the warnings about levadas and paths, along with other useful information like paying tourist taxes here: madeiraislandmagazine.pt
Local people prepared this itinerary, considering approximately 30 minutes of stops to visit each of the places mentioned, except for lunch time (1h30) and Vereda/Levada dos Balcões (1h30). Remember that, for example, in January the sun rises at 8:00 and sets at 18:00 (10 hours of sun) and in June it rises at 7:00 and sets at 21:00 (14 hours of sun).
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