Madeira, with its stunning landscapes, incredible hiking trails, and beautiful coastline, is an ideal destination for a week-long escape. This ultimate 7-day itinerary for Madeira covers the island’s most iconic sites, ensuring you experience its natural beauty and local charm. You’ll base yourself in Funchal, Madeira’s vibrant capital, at the Hotel Porto Mare, which offers the perfect blend of relaxation and luxury after your adventures. Get ready for a week filled with hikes, scenic drives, local cuisine, and unforgettable memories!
Where to Stay
Funchal is the perfect base for your week in Madeira. Madeira is a small island and everything can be reached in about an hour from Funchal. I stayed at the Hotel Porto Mare, located in the heart of Funchal’s Lido area, and absolutely loved it! This resort boasts beautiful ocean views, subtropical gardens, and an array of on-site amenities, including several pools and a top-notch spa. With its comfortable rooms and proximity to many of Funchal’s attractions, Hotel Porto Mare makes an ideal base for your exploration of Madeira. And you can’t beat the price!
The Ultimate 7-Day Itinerary for Madeira Island:
Day 1: Arrival in Funchal – Monte Palace Gardens, Toboggan Ride, & Funchal Walking Tour
Start your Madeira adventure in Funchal. After checking into Hotel Porto Mare, spend your first day exploring the city. If you arrive late, make this your first full day.
The Monte Palace Botanical Gardens
Monte Palace Gardens
Take the cable car from the Old Town of Funchal up to the lush Monte Palace Gardens (€12.50 per adult for the gardens, and €12.50 for a one-way trip on the cable car). Wander through the beautiful botanical gardens, admiring exotic plants, koi ponds, and panoramic views of the city.
The Japanese Garden in the Monte Palace Gardens
Toboggan Ride
From Monte, experience the famous toboggan ride back down to Funchal (€35 for two people). This unique form of transport, made up of wicker baskets, takes you on a thrilling descent through the streets. *See our ride in the video below!
Funchal Walking Tour
End your day with a leisurely walking tour of Funchal. Visit the historic center, the Mercado dos Lavradores (Farmers’ Market), and stroll along the waterfront. Be sure to visit the Sé Cathedral and stop at a café for a taste of the famous bolo do caco, a traditional Madeiran flatbread.
Dinner Recommendation:
Dine at Armazém do Sal, a local favorite that specializes in traditional Madeiran dishes with a modern twist. Try the espetada (beef skewers) or black scabbard fish with banana, a Madeiran specialty.
Day 2: Explore the North – São Vicente, Seixal, Porto Moniz, and Achadas da Cruz
Day two takes you to the island’s dramatic northern coast.
Looking down on the Sao Vicente Valley from the the Capelinha de Nossa Senhora de Fátima
Capelinha de Nossa Senhora de Fátima
Your first stop is the charming chapel in São Vicente (40 min drive, 22 miles from Funchal). The chapel is perched on a hill and offers breathtaking views over the valley.
Seixal and Natural Pools
Continue west to Seixal (20 min drive, 9 miles from São Vicente) to visit its natural lava pools. Seixal’s black sand beach is also a great spot for photos, with the contrasting deep blue of the ocean.
Seixel black sand beach
Porto Moniz Natural Pools
Just a short drive from Seixal (10 min drive, 5 miles), Porto Moniz offers its famous natural pools formed by volcanic rocks. Entrance is around €1.50, and it’s a perfect place to take a dip or just relax and enjoy the ocean views.
The Natural Pools in Porto Moniz
Achadas da Cruz Cable Car
Finish the day with a ride on the Achadas da Cruz cable car (€3 one-way), which takes you down to a quiet and rugged coastal area. The ride offers incredible views and an opportunity for a peaceful walk along the seafront. This may be closed if it’s too windy.
Dinner Recommendation:
Have dinner at Restaurante Polo Norte in Porto Moniz, where you can enjoy local seafood such as limpets or grilled octopus.
Day 3: Into the Wilderness – Fanal Forest, 25 Fontes Hike, Skywalk, & Valley of the Nuns
Trees in the Fanal Forest
Today’s itinerary will take you deep into Madeira’s enchanting laurisilva forest.
Fanal Forest
Start your morning at the mystical Fanal Forest (1-hour drive, 28 miles from Funchal), a fog-covered wonderland with ancient trees draped in moss.
Tree in the Fanal Forest
25 Fontes Hike
From here, drive to the trailhead of the 25 Fontes hike (30 min drive, 12.5 miles) for one of Madeira’s most iconic walks. This 2.8 miles round-trip hike will take you through lush vegetation to a stunning waterfall. Bring comfortable shoes and snacks!
Skywalk at Cabo Girão
After the hike, drive to the Cabo Girão Skywalk (45 min drive, 26 miles), the highest sea cliff in Europe, with a glass platform offering spectacular views. Entrance is €2.
The Girão Skywalk
Valley of the Nuns (Optional)
If you have extra time, drive to Curral das Freiras (Valley of the Nuns), a quaint village nestled in the mountains (30 min drive, 10 miles). This isolated valley is rich in history and offers great photo opportunities.
Dinner Recommendation:
Head back to Funchal for dinner at Taberna Madeira, which serves hearty, traditional dishes like picado (beef cooked in garlic and wine) and grilled limpets.
Day 4: Ponta de São Lourenço & Prainha Beach
Today, explore the eastern tip of Madeira and relax at one of the island’s hidden beaches.
Ponta de São Lourenço
Ponta de São Lourenço
This dramatic, windswept peninsula is a nature reserve with striking cliffs and crystal-clear waters (45 min drive, 22 miles from Funchal). The Ponta de São Lourenço hike is about 5 miles round trip, and the views are worth every step.
Prainha Beach
After your hike, cool off at Prainha Beach, a small black sand beach near Caniçal (15 min drive, 6 miles). It’s a peaceful spot perfect for swimming and sunbathing.
Explore Funchal
Head back to Funchal in the afternoon and continue exploring the city. Stroll along the Avenida do Mar, check out the local shops, or visit one of the city’s museums.
Dinner Recommendation:
Dine at O Tasco, a cozy spot that serves authentic Madeiran dishes. Try the lapas (limpets) and bolo do caco.
Day 5: Pico do Arieiro Sunrise Hike & Relaxing in Funcha
Sunrise at Pico do Arieiro
Pico do Arieiro Sunrise Hike
Wake up early and drive to Pico do Arieiro (45 min drive, 11.81 miles from Funchal) to watch the sunrise from the island’s third-highest peak. The views are truly unforgettable, as you’ll be above the clouds. The hike to Pico Ruivo is more challenging (7.5 miles round trip), but the scenery is spectacular. If you want to shorten your hike, you can take a tour that drops you off at the Pico do Arieiro trail head and picks you up several hours later at Achada do Teixeira saving you the walk back.
Looking at the cloud inversion from the Pico do Arieiro trail
Relax in Funchal
After the hike, spend the afternoon relaxing back in Funchal. You can visit one of the island’s spas, stroll through Santa Catarina Park, or simply enjoy the hotel facilities at Porto Mare.
Dinner Recommendation:
For dinner, try Restaurante Mozart, a refined dining experience offering a fusion of Portuguese and international flavors.
Day 6: Levada do Caldeirão Verde, Santana, and Miradouro do Guindaste
The Caldeirão Verde Levada walk
Levada do Caldeirão Verde
Start with a hike along the Levada do Caldeirão Verde (1 hour drive, 28 miles from Funchal), one of the most beautiful levadas on the island. The 8 mile hike is a moderate challenge and will lead you through lush forests, tunnels, and past waterfalls.
The Caldeirão Verde Levada walk
Santana
After your hike, drive to Santana (30 min drive, 7.5 miles) to see its famous traditional houses with their triangular thatched roofs. It’s a great spot for photos and learning about Madeira’s rural culture.
One of the Casas Tipicas in Santana
Miradouro do Guindaste
End the day with a stop at Miradouro do Guindaste (10 min drive, 3 miles from Santana), a lookout point offering jaw-dropping views of the cliffs and ocean.
Dinner Recommendation:
Enjoy a meal at A Casa do Guindaste near Santana, where you can try espada com banana (black scabbard fish with banana) or bacalhau (codfish).
Day 7: Departure
Depending on your flight time, you may have a chance to take one last stroll around Funchal or enjoy a leisurely breakfast at Hotel Porto Mare before heading to the airport (25 min drive, 12.5 miles).
Tips for Visiting Madeira
- Best Time to Visit: Madeira is a year-round destination, but spring and early summer offer the best weather for hiking.
- Renting a Car: Having a car allows you to explore the island at your own pace. The roads can be narrow and steep, so practice caution when driving.
- Hiking: Bring sturdy shoes, plenty of water, and snacks when hiking the levadas. Some trails pass through tunnels, so a flashlight is useful.
- Local Food: Be sure to try Madeira’s famous bolo de mel (honey cake), poncha (a traditional drink made from sugar cane rum), and fresh seafood.
- Packing: Pack layers, as the weather can change quickly, especially in the mountains.
This 7-day itinerary ensures you experience the best of Madeira’s natural beauty, culture, and cuisine, all while staying in comfort at Hotel Porto Mare.