Pick your plan
Each plan is a full page, the complete day-by-day schedule is on it, nothing hidden behind a button.
- One week · self-drive · weather-flexible7 days in Madeira: the full-island itineraryThe full island, including Porto Santo and two weather-buffer days.Read the full plan →
- Five days · self-drive · first-timers5 days in Madeira: the sweet-spot itineraryThe sweet spot for first-timers: highlights plus the full north-coast loop.Read the full plan →
- Long weekend · self-drive3 days in Madeira: the long-weekend itineraryA Thursday-to-Sunday break, one region per day, based in Funchal.Read the full plan →
- No hire car · buses, cable car and guided daysA 7-day Madeira itinerary without a carBuses, the cable car and three guided days, no driving at all.Read the full plan →
- Self-drive · parking and journey notesA 7-day Madeira road-trip itinerary with a hire carRegional day loops with honest journey times and parking notes.Read the full plan →
7 days in Madeira: the full-island itinerary
Seven days is enough to see Madeira's main regions without rushing. All seven days are allocated below, two days around Funchal, one in the mountains, one on the eastern peninsula, one on the north coast and one in the west, but two of them are deliberately movable rather than spare. Day 2 (mountains) swaps with any other day depending on cloud, and day 6 (Porto Santo) is optional: swap it for a levada walk or a second Funchal day if the ferry or the forecast does not suit. Group each day geographically, book paid trail slots the night before, and if the peaks are clear at 06:00, go then, whatever the plan says.
| Day | Area | Main stops | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Funchal | Old town, market, Monte | Minimal |
| 2 (movable) | Mountains | Pico do Arieiro, permitted PR1 section, Poiso | 1–1.5 h · weather-dependent · swap with any other day |
| 3 | East | Ponta de São Lourenço, Machico, Prainha | About 1 h |
| 4 | North | Santana, São Vicente, Seixal, Porto Moniz | 2.5–3 h across the day |
| 5 | West | Câmara de Lobos, Cabo Girão, Calheta, one coastal village | 1.5–2 h |
| 6 (optional) | Porto Santo | Ferry, 9 km beach, Vila Baleira, or swap for a levada walk | None (ferry) |
| 7 | Funchal | Gardens, market, airport | 30 min to FNC |
5 days in Madeira: the sweet-spot itinerary
Five days covers Madeira's highlights without a rushed day. Use day one for Funchal, day two for a weather-flexible Pico do Arieiro morning, day three for the eastern peninsula, day four for the north-coast loop to Porto Moniz, and day five for one big levada walk before your flight. Skip Porto Santo on a five-day trip, the crossing eats most of a day.
| Day | Area | Main stops | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Funchal | Old town, market, Monte | Minimal |
| 2 | Mountains | Pico do Arieiro, permitted PR1 section, Poiso | 1–1.5 h · weather-dependent |
| 3 | East | Ponta de São Lourenço, Machico | About 1 h |
| 4 | North | Santana, São Vicente, Seixal | 2.5 h across the day |
| 5 | Levada + flight | 25 Fontes or Caldeirão Verde | 1.5 h plus airport |
3 days in Madeira: the long-weekend itinerary
Three days in Madeira works if you pick one thing per day and stay in Funchal. Day one is the old town, the market and Monte. Day two is a weather-flexible Pico do Arieiro morning with time left for delays or rest. Day three is a single levada walk before an evening flight. Hire a car at the airport, three days is too short to wait for buses.
| Day | Area | Main stops | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Funchal | Old town, market, Monte | Minimal |
| 2 | Mountains | Pico do Arieiro, permitted PR1 section, Poiso | 1–1.5 h · weather-dependent |
| 3 | Levada + flight | 25 Fontes, Caldeirão Verde or Balcões | 1.5 h plus airport |
Sources and last verified
Checked locally on 2026-09-05. Fares, timetables and trail status change, confirm anything time-sensitive against the official source on the day.
- IFCN Madeira: Official trail status and closures
- Simplifica: PR trail booking and fees
- ANA / Aeroportos: Funchal airport flight board
- Horários do Funchal: Funchal bus routes and fares
- Porto Santo Line: Ferry timetable and fares
- IPMA: Official weather warnings