Properties2
| Type | Travel Itinerary |
| Note created | Apr 13, 2026 |
This is a travel plan to visit Madeira in 6 days. Since the weather varies wildly across the island — sunny south, rainy north, foggy mountains — this itinerary is best treated as a menu: shuffle days based on the forecast. It assumes you are staying in or near Funchal, which is the most common base. You will absolutely need a rental car; book it in advance.
Since January 2026, trail reservations are mandatory for all classified hiking routes. Book time slots at simplifica.madeira.gov.pt (€4.50/person, €10.50 for PR1). Fines for missing reservations reach €250.
For detailed research on each place, see Trip to Madeira.
The order of the days is a suggestion based on geography; please organize the trip to prioritize what seems more interesting and fits the weather.
Day 1: Funchal & Monte
Start by exploring Funchal: ride the cable car up to Monte and visit the Monte Palace Tropical Gardens (~€12.50, ~2h). On the way down, skip the return cable car and take the famous carreiros do Monte — a wicker toboggan sled steered by two men in white (€30 for two). It doesn’t reach the city centre, so walk the rest.
In the afternoon, head to the Mercado dos Lavradores to try exotic fruits and your first poncha (sugarcane aguardiente + fruit juice — stronger than it looks). Walk along Rua de Santa Maria for the painted doors, and finish with a Madeira wine tasting at Blandy’s Wine Lodge or Pereira D’Oliveira.
If you feel like a swim, the Piscinas Naturais da Doca do Cavacas, Ponta Gorda Lido, and Complexo Balnear do Lido are all along the Funchal coast.
Day 2: South Coast
Head west along the south coast. Start early at Cabo Girão Skywalk — a transparent glass platform over Europe’s highest sea cliffs (589m). There’s a cable car down to a secluded beach below (cash only, closed 1–2pm for the operator’s lunch).
Next, take the cable car down to Fajã dos Padres, an isolated beach with a restaurant and subtropical orchards — one of the island’s hidden gems. From there, continue to Câmara de Lobos, a charming fishing village with colourful boats and excellent fresh fish for lunch.
On the way back (or continuing west), stop at Cascata dos Anjos — a waterfall that falls directly onto the old coastal road ER101. Further along, Ponta do Sol is the sunniest spot on the island and makes for a pleasant afternoon stroll. Ribeira Brava is a quick optional stop if you pass through.
If you keep heading west, Praia da Calheta is a pleasant sandy beach ~15 min past Ponta do Sol. From there, the adventurous can continue another 30 min to Miradouro Farol da Ponta do Pargo — Madeira’s westernmost point, with great cliff views in both directions. The return to Funchal from Calheta takes ~40 min via the VR1 motorway.
Day 3: Central Mountains
Wake up before dawn and drive to Pico do Arieiro (1,818m) for sunrise above the clouds. Bring warm clothes — it can be 10°C even in summer. Parking is limited; arrive early.
If the PR1 trail is open (it reopened in late April 2026 after the 2024 fires), the hike from Pico do Arieiro to Pico Ruivo is Madeira’s most iconic — 12km round trip along dramatic ridges between the two highest peaks (~5–6h). Book at simplifica.madeira.gov.pt (€10.50/person). Bring a torch for the tunnels.
If the trail is closed or you prefer something lighter, drive down to Miradouro dos Balcões — an easy 3km levada walk to a valley viewpoint, perfect for experiencing levadas without much effort.
In the afternoon, visit Eira do Serrado for views over the Valley of the Nuns (Curral das Freiras). You can drive down to the village and try their famous chestnut soup. After a big hiking day, you’ve earned the rest.
Day 4: East Coast
Drive east early to Ponta de São Lourenço (PR8) — Madeira’s “dragon’s tail”. This volcanic peninsula with red cliffs and lunar landscape is completely different from the rest of the green island. ~8km round trip, 2.5–3h. No shade whatsoever — bring sunscreen and water. Book trail slot (€4.50/person). Arrive early for parking.
After the hike, head to Machico for lunch — a relaxed coastal town with a sandy beach (imported sand) and good restaurants. Nearby, Prainha do Caniçal is one of the few natural sand beaches on the island, hidden between cliffs.
In the afternoon, visit Cristo Rei at Ponta do Garajau — a 14m statue (inaugurated before the one in Rio de Janeiro) with a viewpoint and cable car down to Praia do Garajau (€2.50 r/t). The beach is rocky but great for snorkelling in the natural marine reserve. Santa Cruz and Ponta da Oliveira are pleasant stops on the drive back.
Day 5: Northwest Circuit
Start early at 25 Fontes – Levada do Risco PR6 in Rabaçal — Madeira’s most famous levada walk through lush vegetation to a lagoon with dozens of small waterfalls, with an optional detour to Cascata do Risco (100m drop). ~11km, 3–4h. Book trail slot (€4.50/person). A shuttle runs back to the parking from 11am.
From Rabaçal, it’s a short drive to Fanal Forest — a UNESCO laurel forest with centuries-old twisted trees covered in moss. Magical in fog; go as early as possible for the best mist. Free-roaming cows wander the field.
Continue north to Porto Moniz Natural Swimming Pools — volcanic lava pools filled by the sea. The developed area costs ~€3; the wilder pools near the fort are free. Have lunch in town.
Head east along the north coast, stopping at Praia do Porto do Seixal — a black volcanic sand beach with steep green mountains, considered the most beautiful on the island. Parking is very limited and can cause gridlock; arrive early or late. Just beyond, Miradouro do Véu da Noiva is a quick photogenic stop — a waterfall cascading into the ocean. Return to Funchal via São Vicente (~50 min).
Day 6: Northeast
Head north for PR9 Levada do Caldeirão Verde — a 13km trail through lush vegetation with 5 dark tunnels leading to a spectacular waterfall. ~5h, adventurous and special. Bring a torch. Book trail slot (€4.50/person). Alternatively, PR18 Levada do Rei is a shorter option in the same area.
Have lunch at Restaurante Ponte Velha, then visit Casas Típicas de Santana — the iconic triangular thatched-roof houses converted into souvenir shops. Free to visit; parking garage across the street. Quick stop (~15 min).
Continue to Miradouro do Guindaste for spectacular northeast coast views, then down to Porto da Cruz — a quiet surf town. Visit the Engenhos do Norte Distillery for a rum tasting at one of the last working sugarcane distilleries on the island, and cool off at Piscina do Porto da Cruz.
If you have time, Fortim do Faial, Cascata Água d’Alto, Cabeço do Cerrado Viewpoint, and the beaches at Praia da Alagoa and Praia da Maiata are all in the area.
TO FORMAT:
- Levada do Moinho was closed and not taken into account, but highly recommended online
Places without a note yet
Mentioned in the research guide but missing a Place file in the vault.
Must-Visit tier
- Fanal Forest — UNESCO laurel forest, 7/8 sources. Used in Day 5.
- Eira do Serrado / Curral das Freiras — Valley of the Nuns viewpoint, 6/8 sources. Used in Day 3.
- Pico Ruivo — Highest peak (1,862m), endpoint of PR1 trail. Used in Day 3.
Honourable Mentions
- Vereda do Larano — Coastal hike between Porto da Cruz and Boca do Risco. Less touristy.
- São Vicente — Picturesque village on the north coast. Good for a stroll and coffee.
- Prainha do Caniçal — Hidden black volcanic sand cove between cliffs.
- Praia de Machico — Imported sand beach, relaxed. Mentioned in Day 4.
- Achadas da Cruz cable car — Steepest in Europe (98% gradient). €5 round trip.
- Ribeira da Janela — Rock pillar formations in the sea. Quick photogenic stop.
Hidden Gems
- Ribeira do Inferno — 1.4km route along old coastal road to a canyon. 45 min.
- Quinta do Barbusano / Terrabonna — North coast wineries with tastings + vineyard tours.
- Rota da Banana (Madalena do Mar) — Short walk through banana plantations.
- Levada do Alecrim — Lesser-known alternative to 25 Fontes.
- Levada do Moinho — Closed at time of writing, but highly recommended online.
- Rocha do Navio cable car — Cable car in Santana with waterfall views during descent.
Funchal landmarks
- Monte Palace Tropical Gardens — Main garden in Monte. Used in Day 1.
- Mercado dos Lavradores — Funchal market with exotic fruits. Used in Day 1.
- Blandy’s Wine Lodge — Madeira wine tasting. Used in Day 1.
- Pereira D’Oliveira — Alternative Madeira wine tasting in Funchal.