Three days is enough for Funchal, one big levada (25 Fontes or Caldeirão Verde) and a sunrise at Pico do Arieiro. Five days adds the east (São Lourenço peninsula) and the north coast loop via Santana and Porto Moniz. Seven days adds Porto Santo, the west coast, and a slow second levada day. Hire a car for any plan longer than 48 hours — buses do not reach most highlights.
Pick a plan
5 days — The sweet spot
5 days plannedAdds the east peninsula and a full north-coast loop. The plan most repeat visitors recommend for first-timers.
Funchal old town & sunset
- Morning: Mercado dos Lavradores, Rua de Santa Maria street art, Sé Cathedral.
- Lunch: bolo do caco + espetada in the old town.
- Afternoon: cable car up to Monte, gardens, toboggan ride down to Livramento.
- Sunset: Pico dos Barcelos or Câmara de Lobos for poncha.
Eat · Tasca Literária Dona Joana Rabo de Peixe, Armazém do Sal.
Sleep · Funchal centre — walkable, near the marina.
Hour-by-hour schedule
- 08:00 – 09:15Coffee + pastel de nata at Beanaffair, then Mercado dos Lavradores (fish hall at its liveliest before 09:30).
- 09:30 – 11:00Rua de Santa Maria street art walk → Sé Cathedral → Fortaleza de São Tiago.
- 11:00 – 12:30Cable car from Almirante Reis up to Monte (€12.50 one-way).
- 12:30 – 14:00Monte Tropical Gardens + Church of Nossa Senhora do Monte.
- 14:00 – 14:15Optional: wicker toboggan down to Livramento (€35) — or walk Levada dos Tornos for free.
- 14:30 – 16:00Late lunch: Tasca Literária Dona Joana Rabo de Peixe (bolo do caco, espetada).
- 16:30 – 18:00Drive to Câmara de Lobos (15 min). Poncha at Taberna da Poncha or O Farol.
- 18:00 – 19:30Sunset at Pico dos Barcelos or from the Câmara de Lobos harbour.
- 20:30 –Dinner: Armazém do Sal or Kampo (book ahead).
Pico do Arieiro sunrise + west coast
- 05:30: drive to Pico do Arieiro for sunrise (1,818 m). Above the clouds 60% of mornings.
- Optional: walk the PR1 ridge towards Pico Ruivo (booked timed slot, €10.50).
- Late morning: Cabo Girão skywalk + Câmara de Lobos.
- Afternoon: Porto Moniz natural lava pools (free side or paid complex).
- Drive back via the VE1 expressway — under an hour from Porto Moniz to Funchal.
Hour-by-hour schedule
- 05:30 – 06:45Drive Funchal → Pico do Arieiro (35 min). Layers essential — 5 °C and windy year-round.
- 06:45 – 08:30Sunrise above the cloud sea. Photos from the observatory viewpoint.
- 08:30 – 11:30Optional PR1 ridge walk toward Ninho da Manta (2 h return) — or drive straight to Cabo Girão.
- 12:00 – 13:00Cabo Girão skywalk (589 m glass floor, free).
- 13:00 – 14:30Lunch in Câmara de Lobos — Vila do Peixe or O Polar.
- 14:30 – 16:00Drive VE1 west to Porto Moniz (~1 h via tunnels).
- 16:00 – 18:00Swim at the natural lava pools (free side is €0; paid complex is €1.50).
- 18:00 – 19:30Sunset drive along ER-101 old coast road → back on VE1.
East: Ponta de São Lourenço + Machico
- Walk PR8 to the eastern tip of the island (3h return, exposed, no shade).
- Lunch at Casa do Sardinha if open, or back in Caniçal.
- Afternoon: Prainha (Madeira's only natural sand beach) or Machico old town.
- Sunset at Miradouro da Ponta do Rosto.
North loop: Santana, São Vicente, Porto Moniz
- Santana A-frame houses (quick stop) → Faial viewpoint.
- Drive the ER-101 old north road through São Jorge and São Vicente.
- Lunch in São Vicente or Seixal.
- Seixal black-sand beach + Véu da Noiva waterfall viewpoint.
- End at Porto Moniz lava pools, dinner with the sunset.
One big levada + flight
- Choose one: Levada das 25 Fontes (3-4h, waterfalls, busiest), Levada do Caldeirão Verde (5h, tunnels), or Vereda dos Balcões (1h, family-friendly viewpoint).
- Pre-book a paid PR slot at simplifica.madeira.gov.pt the night before.
- Afternoon: late lunch at Santana A-frame houses or back in Funchal.
- Evening flight from FNC — allow 90 minutes from Funchal centre.
Hour-by-hour schedule
- 07:30 – 08:30Drive to trailhead (Rabaçal for 25 Fontes, Queimadas for Caldeirão Verde).
- 08:30 – 13:00Walk the levada — 25 Fontes 3–4 h return, Caldeirão Verde ~5 h.
- 13:30 – 15:00Lunch at Santana A-frame houses (if you did Caldeirão) or Restaurante Rabaçal.
- 15:30 – 17:00Return to Funchal via VE1. Shower, repack.
- 17:00 – 18:00Drop rental car at FNC (30 min from Funchal centre).
- 18:00 –Evening flight home. Airport 90 min before departure — LPMA is small but security queues in peak.
Before you go
- ✓Book your car hire 4–8 weeks ahead for the cheapest rates.
- ✓Pre-book PR trails at simplifica.madeira.gov.pt (mandatory since Jan 2026).
- ✓Check live levada conditions 24h before your walk day.
- ✓Pack layers — sea level 20 °C, Pico do Arieiro can be 5 °C and windy.
- ✓Arrange your airport transfer or pick up your car at FNC.
- ✓Download offline Google Maps — north-coast tunnels kill signal.
FAQ
Is 3 days enough for Madeira?
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Three days is enough for Funchal, one sunrise at Pico do Arieiro and one major levada — but you will only see the south-central slice. Hire a car for at least one of the three days.
Is 5 days enough for Madeira?
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Five days is the sweet spot for most first-time visitors. You get Funchal, two levadas, sunrise at Pico do Arieiro, the east peninsula and a full north-coast day with Porto Moniz.
Is 7 days too long for Madeira?
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No. Seven days lets you add Porto Santo (day trip) and a slower second levada day, and gives you a weather buffer if a north-coast day gets rained out.
Do I need a car for a Madeira itinerary?
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Yes for anything longer than 2 days. Buses run between major towns but not to the trailheads, viewpoints or the north-coast back roads. Compact petrol from €25-€45/day off-peak.
What is the best base for a Madeira road trip?
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Funchal for first-timers (everything within 60 minutes' drive). Calheta if you want quiet, sun and a beach. Ponta do Sol or Jardim do Mar for digital nomads and surfers.
When should I visit Madeira?
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April-June and September-October for the best balance of weather, prices and trail conditions. December-February for winter sun and the world-famous Funchal New Year's fireworks.