Madeira Portugal
5
Day Itinerary •
Portugal
Five days in Madeira gives you the complete experience of the most extraordinary volcanic island in the Atlantic, from the remarkable Funchal old town and the extraordinary Monte Palace gardens to the finest levada walks in the UNESCO laurisilva forest, the remarkable Pico do Arieiro sunrise, the extraordinary northeast peninsula of Sao Lourenco and the hidden villages of the Madeira interior. This route covers the full Madeira: the extraordinary Funchal old town, Monte and the toboggan ride, the remarkable Pico do Arieiro sunrise above the clouds, the extraordinary levada walks through the UNESCO laurel forest, the remarkable Sao Lourenco peninsula, the extraordinary Porto Moniz volcanic pools, the hidden villages of Santana and the remarkable Pico Ruivo summit.
Best Time To Visit
Year-round. Spring (April to June) for flowers. October for wine harvest.
Getting There
Fly into Madeira Airport (FNC). Taxi to Funchal in 20 minutes.
Getting Around
Car essential for the full island. Roads are steep and winding. Drive carefully.
Budget Per Day
Approx 80 to 160 euros per person per day
Difficulity
Easy to strenuous , Pico Ruivo summit is a 2-hour mountain hike
DAY 1
FUNCHAL
MORNING
FUNCHAL OLD TOWN AND CATHEDRAL
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, the finest Gothic building on the island. The extraordinary Mercado dos Lavradores with its remarkable tropical fruits, espada fish and flower stalls gives the finest market experience in the Atlantic islands. Cathedral entry free. Drive: Cable car to Monte
MIDDAY
MONTE PALACE TROPICAL GARDEN
Monte Palace is the most extraordinary botanical garden in the Atlantic, its remarkable 70,000 square metres of terraced gardens containing the finest cycad collection in Europe, the extraordinary azulejo tile panels and the remarkable Japanese garden. 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 sledges piloted by two tobogganeiros descending the 2km cobbled road from Monte to Funchal giving the finest 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 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 before 9am.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Cafe in Funchal old town Outstanding Portuguese coffee and bolo do caco garlic bread before exploring the extraordinary old town. | Lunch: Restaurant in Monte gardens Outstanding lunch in the extraordinary tropical garden above Funchal. Local espada and Madeira wine. | Dinner: Restaurant in Funchal Outstanding Madeiran dinner with espetada beef skewers and extraordinary Madeira wine.
DAY 2
PICO DO ARIEIRO
MORNING
PICO DO ARIEIRO SUNRISE ABOVE THE CLOUDS
Pico do Arieiro is the most extraordinary viewpoint in Madeira, its remarkable summit at 1818 metres above sea level giving the finest sunrise in the Atlantic islands when the clouds fill the valleys below and the volcanic peaks emerge above an extraordinary sea of white. Drive up before dawn for the most extraordinary natural spectacle in Portugal. Entry free. Drive: Walk along ridge
MIDDAY
LEVADA WALK FROM ARIEIRO TO PICO RUIVO
The walk from Pico do Arieiro to Pico Ruivo is the most extraordinary mountain walk in Madeira, its remarkable 5km path across the volcanic ridge through extraordinary tunnels, past dramatic sea cliff views and through the finest cloud forest in the Atlantic islands giving the finest mountain walking experience in the Portuguese islands. Moderate difficulty. Free. Drive: Car or taxi from Pico Ruivo
AFTERNOON
CURRAL DAS FREIRAS HIDDEN VALLEY
Curral das Freiras is the most extraordinary hidden valley in Madeira, its remarkable position completely enclosed by volcanic peaks giving the finest dramatic valley landscape in the Atlantic islands. The extraordinary village at the bottom of the valley, where nuns hid from pirates in 1566, and the remarkable chestnut specialties give the finest hidden village experience in Madeira. Free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Eira do Serrado viewpoint above Curral das Freiras gives the finest aerial view into the most dramatic valley in Madeira, the remarkable volcanic walls completely encircling the village below. The finest viewpoint in central Madeira. Free.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Very early hotel breakfast for Pico Arieiro Drive to Pico do Arieiro before dawn. The extraordinary above-cloud sunrise begins at around 6am in summer. | Lunch: Packed lunch on the mountain walk Take food and water for the Arieiro to Ruivo walk. The extraordinary views from the ridge deserve a proper picnic. | Dinner: Restaurant in Curral das Freiras Outstanding Madeiran dinner in the extraordinary hidden valley. Chestnut soup and local Madeira wine.
DAY 3
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 forest, the most ancient forest in Europe, and along four remarkable tunnels to the extraordinary Green Cauldron waterfall. The finest natural walk in the Atlantic islands. Torches essential. Free. Drive: From trailhead
MIDDAY
QUEIMADAS FOREST PARK
Queimadas Forest Park is the most extraordinary 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 and extraordinary endemic birds including the Madeira firecrest give the finest wildlife on the levada route. Free. Drive: 30 min drive
AFTERNOON
SANTANA TRADITIONAL VILLAGE
Santana is the most extraordinary traditional village in Madeira, its remarkable palheiros, the traditional A-frame thatched houses with colourful painted doors, giving the finest vernacular architecture on the island. The extraordinary north coast views and the remarkable agricultural terraces around the village give the finest traditional rural landscape in Madeira. Free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Fanal ancient laurel forest on the Paul da Serra plateau is the finest ancient laurisilva in Madeira, its remarkable giant laurel trees draped in moss giving the most atmospheric ancient forest experience in the Atlantic islands. Best in morning mist. Free.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Very early hotel breakfast for levada Very early start for the levada. The extraordinary UNESCO forest walk requires a full day. | Lunch: Packed lunch at Caldeirão Verde waterfall Take food and water. The extraordinary 30-metre waterfall makes the finest picnic spot in Madeira. | Dinner: Restaurant in Santana or return to Funchal Outstanding Madeiran dinner in the extraordinary north coast village or back in Funchal.
DAY 4
NORTH AND WEST
MORNING
PORTO MONIZ VOLCANIC ROCK POOLS
Porto Moniz is the most extraordinary natural swimming site in Madeira, its remarkable volcanic rock pools at the northwestern tip of the island filled with the finest crystal-clear Atlantic water giving the most extraordinary natural lido in the Portuguese islands. The extraordinary black volcanic rock formations around the pools and the remarkable waves crashing against the outer rocks give the finest natural spectacle in northwest Madeira. Entry approx 3 euros. Drive: 30 min drive
MIDDAY
SAO VICENTE VOLCANIC CAVES
The Sao Vicente volcanic caves are the most extraordinary geological heritage site in Madeira, their remarkable 890,000-year-old lava tubes giving the finest insight into the volcanic formation of the island. The extraordinary lava chamber with its remarkable geological formations and the fine museum give the finest underground experience in the Atlantic islands. Entry approx 8 euros. Drive: 30 min drive
AFTERNOON
PAUL DA SERRA PLATEAU AND RABAÇAL
The Paul da Serra is the most extraordinary plateau landscape in Madeira, its remarkable high-altitude grassland of extraordinary wind-bent heath above the clouds giving the most dramatic upland scenery on the island. The remarkable Rabaçal valley below the plateau, with its extraordinary levada walks to the 25 Fontes waterfall, gives the finest natural landscape in western Madeira. Free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary levada walk to the 25 Fontes waterfall from Rabaçal is the finest waterfall walk in Madeira, its remarkable 25 springs cascading into an extraordinary pool deep in the Paul da Serra ravine. One of the finest natural spectacles in the Atlantic islands. Free. 2-hour return walk.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Cafe in Sao Vicente before Porto Moniz drive Outstanding coffee in the finest village on the north coast before driving to Porto Moniz. | Lunch: Restaurant at Porto Moniz Outstanding fresh Atlantic fish lunch at the extraordinary volcanic rock pool complex. | Dinner: Restaurant in Funchal Outstanding Madeiran dinner after the extraordinary north and west coast day.
DAY 5
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 red and orange rock formations giving the finest dramatic coastal landscape on the island. The 8km return walk with extraordinary sea views on both sides and remarkable endemic flora gives the finest natural walking in the eastern Atlantic. Free. Drive: 30 min drive
MIDDAY
MACHICO BAY AND HISTORIC TOWN
Machico is the most extraordinary historic town in eastern Madeira, the site of the first Portuguese landing in 1419, with the remarkable Manueline church of Nossa Senhora da Conceicao and the extraordinary Machico bay with its artificial sand beach giving 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 at 580 metres, its remarkable vertical drop to the Atlantic giving the finest vertiginous view in the northern Atlantic. The extraordinary glass-floored skywalk suspended above the cliff gives the finest cliff-edge experience in Portugal. The remarkable cliff-base vineyards are extraordinary. Skywalk free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Deserta Grande island visible from the Sao Lourenco peninsula is the finest uninhabited wildlife reserve in the Madeira archipelago, its remarkable monk seal colony, the most important in the Atlantic, and extraordinary seabird nesting grounds making it the finest protected natural heritage in the Portuguese islands.
🍽 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 first landing town. Fresh fish and local Madeira wine. | Dinner: Farewell dinner in Funchal Outstanding final Madeiran dinner. Espada fish, poncha rum and the finest Madeira wine.
Where To Stay
Funchal, Nights 1 to 4 Only practical base for the full island. Hotels from 80 to 200 euros. Central for all destinations. Santana or Serra d'Agua, Night 3 Stay in the extraordinary north or interior for the levada day. Small hotels from 60 to 130 euros. Budget option Guesthouses in Funchal old town from 50 euros. The finest location for evening dining and the old town.
Top Tips
1. Pico do Arieiro sunrise: drive up at 5am. The extraordinary sea of clouds below the volcanic peaks at sunrise is the finest natural spectacle in Portugal.
2. Arieiro to Pico Ruivo walk: take torches, waterproofs and food. The 5km ridge walk through extraordinary cloud forest and dramatic tunnels takes 3 hours.
3. Levada do Caldeirão Verde: the finest levada walk in Madeira. Start before 8am and take torches for the four tunnels. The Green Cauldron waterfall is extraordinary.
4. Porto Moniz volcanic pools: arrive before 10am for the finest experience before the tour buses. The extraordinary crystal-clear Atlantic water in the lava rock is remarkable.
5. Cape Girao skywalk: stand on the extraordinary glass floor above the 580-metre cliff. The vertigo is manageable and the view is the finest from any cliff in Europe.
6. Madeira espada fish: the extraordinary black scabbardfish caught at 800 metres depth in the Atlantic is unique to Madeira. Order it with banana at every opportunity.
Total Budget
80 to 160 euros/day