7 Days in Madeira: The Ultimate Itinerary
Seven days in Madeira is the sweet spot — enough time to take in the whole island without rushing: the markets and old streets of Funchal, the island's highest peaks, volcanic swimming pools carved into black rock, and the network of levada trails that thread through laurel forest to hidden waterfalls.
Base yourself in Funchal and take the whole island in as a series of day trips — that's exactly the route below.
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Practical Information
Getting There
✈️ By Plane: Fly into Funchal Airport (FNC), on the south coast of the island — it's the only airport on Madeira, so there's no routing decision to make.
🚗 By Car: Rent a car as soon as you land. Several of the best stops on this itinerary — the high peaks, the levada trailheads, the north coast — are difficult or impossible to reach without one.
👉 You can book your car on Rentalcars website
⚠️ Madeira's secondary roads are steep, narrow, and winding once you leave the main highways — an automatic transmission is often easier for frequent incline starts.
🚌 No car? Use a tour operator: public buses cover Funchal well, but reaching remote trailheads and northern villages by bus means infrequent schedules and multiple transfers. Guided day tours from Funchal are a solid alternative if you'd rather not drive.
Weather
Madeira's mild, subtropical climate makes it a pleasant destination in any season:
- ☀️ Summer (June to August): 22°C to 26°C (72°F to 79°F) in coastal areas, warmer inland.
- 🍂 Autumn (September to November): 19°C to 24°C (66°F to 75°F), with rainfall picking up slightly in November.
- ❄️ Winter (December to February): 16°C to 20°C (61°F to 68°F) on the coast, cooler and wetter at higher elevations.
- 🌸 Spring (March to May): 17°C to 21°C (63°F to 70°F), with blooming flowers and lush vegetation — one of the best times to visit.
Accommodation
Funchal is the right base for this entire itinerary — the island is compact enough that everything below works as a day trip from the capital.
- Funchal: check out accommodation options and full practical info in my Madeira essentials guide 🔗
- I stayed at Vilas Maria 🔗 — comfortable, central, and a good base for early starts.
Prefer to split your stay? Pair Funchal with a couple of nights in Porto Moniz on the north coast for a quieter, more rugged side of the island.
Best places to visit in Madeira
Day 1 — Funchal
Funchal is unlike the rest of Madeira — layered, lived-in, and full of history, with the rest of the island's wild landscapes just a short drive away. Spend your first day getting to know it on foot.
Start at Mercado dos Lavradores, the city's central market — exotic fruits, fresh fish, flowers, and crafts. Look out for the banana, a variety grown only on Madeira, and "Espada" (scabbardfish), a deep-sea fish unique to these waters. Walk on to Sé Cathedral, a 15th-century Gothic cathedral, then lose yourself in Zona Velha (Old Town) — painted doors, narrow streets, and plenty of spots for lunch.
In the afternoon, visit São Tiago Fortress, a historic yellow fortress now home to the Museum of Contemporary Art, then take the cable car up to Monte Palace Tropical Garden or the Madeira Botanical Garden for panoramic views over the city and the sea.
✨ End the day in Câmara de Lobos, the picturesque fishing village just outside Funchal that captivated Winston Churchill — dinner with a view over the bay is the perfect way to close day one.
2 - Pico Do Areiro to pico ruivo hike
Pico do Arieiro and Pico Ruivo are two of the highest peaks on Madeira Island, Portugal. Pico do Arieiro stands at 1,818 meters (5,965 feet), making it the third-highest peak, while Pico Ruivo is the highest point on the island at 1,862 meters (6,109 feet) above sea level.
The hike between Pico do Arieiro and Pico Ruivo is one of the most popular and scenic on the island, offering breathtaking views of Madeira's dramatic landscape. The trail takes you through rugged terrain, along narrow paths, and through tunnels carved into the rock. It's not an easy hike, but the stunning vistas make it well worth the effort. Both peaks are accessible by car, but many visitors prefer to hike between them to fully experience the beauty of Madeira's mountains. I highly suggest doing this trail, while coming back to the peaks by car at sunset or sunrise. Here’s a brief overview of the hike:
Trailhead: The hike starts at Pico do Areeiro, where there is a car park.
Length: Approximately 12.2 km (7.5 miles) round trip.
Difficulty: Moderate, with some steep sections and uneven terrain.
Duration: 4 hours round trip.
3 – Ponta de São Lourenço hike
Ponta de São Lourenço is a stunning natural reserve located on the easternmost tip of Madeira Island. This unique peninsula is renowned for its dramatic landscapes, breathtaking views, and diverse flora and fauna. Ponta de São Lourenço is accessible by car from Funchal, the capital of Madeira. The drive takes about 45 minutes. You can also take a bus, though renting a car or joining a guided tour offers more flexibility.
The Vereda da Ponta de São Lourenço trail is a well-maintained path that offers stunning coastal views, rugged cliffs, and unique geological formations. Here’s a brief overview of the hike:
Trailhead: The hike starts at Baía d’Abra, where there is a car park.
Length: Approximately 7 km (4.3 miles) round trip.
Difficulty: Moderate, with some steep sections and uneven terrain.
Duration: 2-3 hours.
Highlights of the hike include:
Panoramic Views: the trail offers spectacular views of the Atlantic Ocean, with clear visibility on a good day.
São Lourenço Point: The easternmost point of Madeira, offering incredible vistas and photo opportunities.
4 - NaturaL Pools of Porto Moniz
Porto Moniz, located on the northwestern tip of Madeira, is renowned for its natural volcanic pools and stunning coastal scenery. I suggest visiting the Natural Swimming Pools, located on the northwestern tip of Madeira, which is renowned for its natural volcanic pools and stunning coastal scenery. In 2018, CNN elected it as one of the 52 best beaches in the world.
The pools are open all year round between 9 am and 5 pm during the winter and 9 am and 7 pm during the summer.
Entrance fee:
3€ - Citizens over 3 years old, per entry;
Free - Children aged 3 and under;
€0.50 - Citizens with a Municipality Card with the SX, RJ or RB, PM, and AC series, per entry;
€1.50 - Citizens with a student card, or card 65, per entry;
Free - Citizens with a disability card with a degree equal to or greater than 60%
5 - Achadas da Cruz Cable Car
Achadas da Cruz is a hidden gem on the northwest coast of Madeira, known for its dramatic landscapes and the thrilling cable car ride that descends steep cliffs to the coastal area below. The ticket fee:
€3.00 - Standard Ticket - 1 Trip
€5.00 - Standard Ticket - 2 Trips (Round Trip)
€1.00 - Card +65 - 1 Trip
€2.00 - Card +65 - 2 Trips (Round Trip)
€0.50 - Farmer card from Calhau das Achadas da Cruz
€1.00 - Student Card - 1 Trip
€2.00 - Student Card - 2 Trips (Round Trip)
€2.00 - Reduced Mobility Card - 2 Trips (Round Trip)
€1.00 - Reduced Mobility Card - 1 Trip
€1.00 - Municipal Card - 2 Trips (Round Trip)
6 - Miradouro Garganta Funda
The walk to the Garganta Funda Waterfall viewpoint begins at Pedregal. It is an easy and short route, about 600 meters long (one way only). On arrival, visitors face a scenario with unique contours, featuring the grand waterfall, around 140 meters high.
7 - Levada do caldeirao Verde &
Levada 25 fontes
The Levada do Caldeirão Verde and Levada das 25 Fontes are two iconic levada walks on the beautiful island of Madeira, both offering stunning natural scenery and the opportunity to explore the island's lush landscapes.
Levada do Caldeirão Verde
This trail takes you through lush laurel forests, tunnels, and stunning mountain landscapes, culminating in a breathtaking waterfall.
Trailhead: The hike starts at Queimadas Forest Park, where there is a car park. It ends at Caldeirão do Inferno.
Length: Approximately 17.4 km (11 miles) round trip.
Difficulty: Moderate, with some steep sections and uneven terrain.
Duration: 6 hours.
Levada das 25 Fontes
This trail offers breathtaking views, lush vegetation, and the highlight of the 25 natural springs (Fontes).
Trailhead: The hike starts at Rabaçal (E.R. 105), where there is a car park. It ends at 25 Fontes.
Length: Approximately 8.6 km (5.34 miles) round trip.
Difficulty: Moderate.
Duration: 3 hours.
8- Santana
Santana, located on the northeastern coast of Madeira, is known for its picturesque landscapes, traditional thatched-roof houses (casas de colmo), and beautiful natural scenery. Stop by for a quick tour.
9 - Cascata dos Anjos
The Angels Waterfall, known as Cascata dos Anjos, is one of Madeira's unique natural attractions. Located near the coastal village of Ponta do Sol, this waterfall cascades directly onto the old coastal road (ER101), creating a picturesque and refreshing experience for visitors. The waterfall flows directly onto the road, so you can drive through it or park nearby and walk to the waterfall.
10 - Risco Falls
Risco Falls (Cascata do Risco) is a stunning waterfall located in the Rabaçal area of Madeira, known for its lush landscapes and breathtaking views. This waterfall is a popular destination for hikers and nature lovers.
Sharing the initial part of the trail with Levada das 25 Fontes, Levada do Risco trail starts on regional road ER 105, in Rabaçal. The trail is 1.5 km long.
Levada do Risco is a trail of easy difficulty and with an estimated duration of 2 hours. It is at an altitude of about 1000 metres, thus offering access to unobstructed views over Madeira's natural heritage.
I thoroughly enjoyed my time in Madeira. It’s less crowded than many other European destinations, though it is becoming more popular, and it's relatively affordable. The locals are incredibly friendly, and the food is excellent. I highly recommend this destination.