Madeira Portugal
3
Day Itinerary •
Portugal
Three days in Madeira reveals one of the most extraordinary islands in the Atlantic, its remarkable volcanic landscape of extraordinary levada irrigation channels, dramatic sea cliffs, the finest subtropical botanical gardens in Europe and the extraordinary viewpoints above the clouds giving the most dramatic island scenery in the Portuguese Atlantic islands. This route covers the essential Madeira experience: the extraordinary Funchal old town and its remarkable Monte toboggan ride, the fine levada walks through the most extraordinary laurisilva forest in the world, the remarkable Pico do Arieiro sunrise above the clouds, the extraordinary Cape Girao sea cliff and the remarkable Cabo da Ponta de Sao Lourenco peninsula.
Best Time To Visit
Year-round , Madeira has the finest climate in Europe
Getting There
Fly into Madeira Airport (FNC). Taxi or bus to Funchal in 20 minutes.
Getting Around
Car essential for levada walks and viewpoints. Buses for Funchal area.
Budget Per Day
Approx 80 to 160 euros per person per day
Difficulity
Easy to moderate , some levada walks are exposed and require care
DAY 1
FUNCHAL
MORNING
FUNCHAL OLD TOWN AND MERCADO DOS LAVRADORES
Funchal old town is the most extraordinary historic district on Madeira, its remarkable Rua de Santa Maria with extraordinary painted door art and the magnificent Se Cathedral giving the finest Gothic building on the island. The extraordinary Mercado dos Lavradores with remarkable tropical fruits, espada fish and colourful flower stalls gives the finest market in the Atlantic islands. Cathedral entry free. Drive: Cable car to Monte
MIDDAY
MONTE PALACE TROPICAL GARDEN AND CABLE CAR
Monte Palace is the most extraordinary botanical garden in the Atlantic, its remarkable 70,000 square metres of terraced gardens above Funchal containing the finest collection of cycads in Europe, the extraordinary collection of Portuguese azulejo tile panels and the remarkable Japanese garden giving the finest garden experience in the Portuguese islands. The cable car gives the finest view over Funchal bay. Entry approx 12 euros. Drive: Walk to toboggan
AFTERNOON
MONTE TOBOGGAN AND FUNCHAL WATERFRONT
The Monte toboggan is the most extraordinary traditional transport in Portugal, its remarkable wicker basket sledges piloted by two tobogganeiros in white suits descending the 2km cobbled road from Monte to Funchal giving the finest and most unusual heritage experience in Madeira. The extraordinary Funchal marina and the remarkable Promenade give the finest waterfront walk in the Atlantic islands. Toboggan approx 30 euros.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Rua de Santa Maria in Funchal old town has the finest door art in Portugal, its remarkable 200 wooden doors each painted by a different artist giving the most extraordinary open-air gallery in the Atlantic islands. The finest street art project in Portugal. Free. Best explored in the early morning.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Cafe in Funchal old town Outstanding Portuguese coffee and the finest bolo do caco garlic bread in Madeira before exploring the old town. | Lunch: Restaurant in Monte gardens Outstanding lunch in the extraordinary tropical garden setting above Funchal. Local espada fish and Madeira wine. | Dinner: Restaurant in Funchal old town Outstanding Madeiran dinner with espetada beef skewers, espada fish and extraordinary Madeira wine.
DAY 2
LEVADAS AND NORTH
MORNING
LEVADA DO CALDEIRÃO VERDE WALK
The Levada do Caldeirão Verde is the most extraordinary levada walk in Madeira, its remarkable 13km route through the UNESCO laurisilva laurel forest, the most ancient forest ecosystem in Europe dating from the Tertiary period, and along four remarkable tunnels to the extraordinary Green Cauldron waterfall giving the finest natural walk in the Atlantic islands. Torches essential for the tunnels. Free. Drive: From trailhead
MIDDAY
QUEIMADAS FOREST PARK
Queimadas Forest Park is the most extraordinary picnic and rest area in Madeira, its remarkable traditional thatched houses and extraordinary mountain stream giving the finest forest clearing atmosphere on the island. The remarkable cloud forest of the Madeira interior and the extraordinary endemic bird species including the Madeira firecrest give the finest wildlife experience in the levada area. Free. Drive: 30 min drive
AFTERNOON
SANTANA THATCHED HOUSES VILLAGE
Santana is the most extraordinary traditional village in Madeira, its remarkable palheiros, the traditional thatched A-frame houses with colourful painted doors, giving the finest vernacular architecture on the island. The extraordinary views over the north coast and the remarkable agricultural terraces around the village give the finest traditional rural landscape in Madeira. Free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Fanal forest in the Paul da Serra plateau is the finest ancient laurisilva forest in Madeira, its remarkable giant laurel trees draped in extraordinary moss and fern giving the most atmospheric ancient forest experience in the Atlantic islands. Best in morning mist. Free.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Early hotel breakfast before levada walk Very early start for the levada. The extraordinary forest walk takes 3 to 4 hours and must begin before 9am. | Lunch: Packed lunch on the levada Take food and water for the levada walk. The Caldeirão Verde waterfall makes the finest picnic spot in Madeira. | Dinner: Restaurant in Funchal Outstanding Madeiran dinner after the extraordinary levada day. Espetada beef skewers and Madeira wine.
DAY 3
EAST MADEIRA
MORNING
PONTA DE SAO LOURENCO PENINSULA WALK
The Ponta de Sao Lourenco is the most extraordinary coastal walk in Madeira, its remarkable volcanic peninsula of extraordinary red and orange rock formations extending into the Atlantic giving the finest dramatic coastal landscape on the island. The 8km return walk across the narrow peninsula with extraordinary sea views on both sides and the remarkable endemic flora gives the finest natural walking in the eastern Atlantic. Free. Drive: 45 min drive
MIDDAY
MACHICO AND THE EAST COAST
Machico is the most extraordinary historic town in eastern Madeira, the site of the first Portuguese landing on the island in 1419 and the remarkable Manuelino church of Nossa Senhora da Conceicao give the finest early discovery heritage on the island. The extraordinary Machico bay with its remarkable artificial sand beach and the fine old town give the finest coastal town atmosphere in eastern Madeira. Church free. Drive: 30 min drive
AFTERNOON
CAPE GIRAO SEA CLIFF
Cape Girao is the most extraordinary sea cliff in Europe, its remarkable 580-metre vertical drop to the Atlantic below giving the finest vertiginous view on any cliff in the northern Atlantic. The extraordinary glass-floored skywalk at the cliff edge, suspended above the most dramatic vertical seascape in the Atlantic islands, gives the finest cliff-edge experience in Portugal. The remarkable vineyards cultivated on the cliff-base terraces are extraordinary. Skywalk free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Canical tuna museum and the remarkable fishing harbour at the eastern tip of Madeira give the finest insight into the extraordinary tuna fishing tradition of the island, the remarkable preserved traditional boats and the fine museum giving the most authentic fishing heritage in the Atlantic islands. Entry approx 2 euros.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Hotel breakfast before Sao Lourenco drive Early start for the peninsula walk. The extraordinary volcanic rock is finest in morning light. | Lunch: Restaurant in Machico Outstanding Madeiran lunch in the historic town of the first Portuguese landing. Fresh fish and local wine. | Dinner: Farewell dinner in Funchal Outstanding final Madeiran dinner. Espada with banana, poncha rum drink and the finest Madeira wine.
DAY 4
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
DAY 5
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Where To Stay
Funchal, Nights 1 to 2 The only practical base for the full island. Hotels from 80 to 200 euros. Walking distance from the old town. Quinta do Monte area The finest historic hotel area above Funchal. Quintas from 100 to 250 euros. Cable car to Funchal. Budget option Guesthouses in Funchal old town from 50 euros. The best location for walking to all the old town sites.
Top Tips
1. Pico do Arieiro at sunrise: drive up before dawn (road is open 24 hours) for the most extraordinary natural spectacle in Portugal , a sea of clouds below the peak.
2. Levada walks require torches for the Caldeirão Verde tunnels. Bring a good head torch and waterproofs. The tunnels drip with water even in summer.
3. Cape Girao skywalk: the glass floor above the 580-metre cliff is extraordinary. Stand on it at least once. The vertigo is remarkable but manageable.
4. Monte toboggan: book in advance or queue at the Monte station. The experience lasts about 10 minutes down the cobbled road. Entirely extraordinary.
5. Espada fish (black scabbardfish) is the finest local dish in Madeira. Order it with banana and passion fruit sauce at every Madeiran restaurant.
6. Madeira wine: the extraordinary fortified wine comes in four styles , Sercial (dry), Verdelho (medium), Bual (sweet) and Malmsey (very sweet). Try all four.
Total Budget
80 to 160 euros/day