The Perfect One Week Madeira Itinerary: Your 7-day Road Trip

Are you planning a trip to the stunning Portuguese ‘island of eternal spring’, Madeira? This is where you’ll find the perfect one week Madeira itinerary to help you plan your trip to this incredible island.

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I spent a week exploring Madeira, and instantly fell in love with this colorful island and its people. And I can promise that you will, too! This one week Madeira itinerary will show you all of the island’s most beautiful spots, and provide useful travel information for your trip.

One Week Madeira Itinerary Points of Interest Map

Here you will find every single location mentioned in this one week Madeira itinerary blog post saved on Google Maps. We used Google Maps during our time on Madeira and found it to be very reliable.

If you’re looking for a specific location mentioned in the blog, you will find it on this map!

When Is The Best Time To Visit Madeira?

The island of Madeira is truly great to visit almost year round, but there are some months that are best for a few reasons. You’ll want to visit Madeira when you can expect milder temperatures, fewer crowds, and blooming flora.

To get the most out of your one week madeira itinerary, these are the times of year I recommend you visit:

April & May – We visited Madeira in May and found it to be the perfect time to visit. The weather was comfortably warm with chilly evenings, mostly sunny, and good for all kinds of activities. May hosts the island’s Flower Festival, as all the beautiful flora begins to bloom, and is a great activity for your time in Funchal. April and May are my first choice recommendations for when to visit Madeira.

June & July – the summer months come with the warmest weather, but also the largest crowds. While Summer is a great time to visit Madeira, I would recommend the ‘shoulder’ seasons where you’ll experience fewer crowds. 

September & October – Another great time to visit Madeira is the Fall, when the soaring summer temperatures and crowds have subsided. But, the weather can be a little less predictable during these months and may bring colder temperatures. 

Where To Stay In Madeira

The island of Madeira is not huge, and you can get just about anywhere in under two hours driving. But, when you’re looking for where to stay in Madeira, there are a few spots that are going to be most convenient. 

Funchal is the largest city on the island, which means it has the most options for accommodation, restaurants, and shopping. The city is also well connected to everything, cutting down on drive time when you’re out exploring. Plus, many tours you might be interested in on the island begin and end in Funchal, making it even more convenient.

If the city isn’t your vibe and you’re looking for a cute local village to stay in, I recommend staying in a small town on either the North or South sides of the island. As long as you pick somewhere close to a main road, you won’t have trouble getting anywhere you want to go. Here are some cute towns to stay in:

• Sao Vicente
• Seixal
• Boaventura
• Ponta Delgada
• Ponta do Sol
• Calheta

We stayed in Calheta at the most adorable, locally owned cottage. With views of the water sitting up above Calheta, the Achadinha Mountain Cottage was the perfect place to enjoy the beauty of Madeira.

Equipped with a kitchen, loft bedroom, laundry room, and two bathrooms, this was a favorite stay of ours. We also got to know the hosts of our lovely cottage, and Pedro and his wife went above and beyond for us. If you book it, be sure to mention to Pedro that I said hello 🙂

Madeira Hotel Recommendations

Best Locally Owned Hotel – Calhau Grande
Best Locally Owned Cottage – Achadinha Mountain Cottage
Luxury Hotel – Reid’s Palace: A Belmond Property
Mid-Range Hotel – Hotel Madeira
Budget Hotel – Santa Maria Hostel

Tips For Renting A Car On Your One Week Madeira Itinerary

By far the simplest way to get around Madeira is by renting a car. There isn’t a very robust public transportation system, so getting to the popular spots is easiest in a car. You can rent a car easily at the airport or from the city center of Funchal. 

But I should warn you, driving in Madeira is no joke. I don’t mean to scare you, but it’s not the easiest place we have ever driven. This is because the island is VERY hilly, and many of the roads have very steep inclines.

Driving Tip: uphill drivers have the right of way, so pay attention to move aside for them when on steep roads.

On top of that, the vast majority of rental cards on Madeira are manual transmissions, making the hills even more interesting. The larger roads are fine, but once you venture off the main roads, things can get a bit dicey. 

But, don’t be discouraged from renting a car if that is how you would prefer to get around. Just take it slow, watch the corners, and rent as small a car as you can! It truly is the most convenient way to explore the island.

The main roads on the island mostly circle the coast, with 3 larger roads cutting through the center to connect the north and south shores. This itinerary is recommended with activities located near each other so that you don’t have to do more driving than is necessary each day. 

The Perfect One Week Madeira Itinerary

Are you ready to start planning the perfect one week Madeira itinerary? Let’s dive into it!

This itinerary is designed to be flexible, so feel free to move around any of the activities or days to fit your schedule. Much of what there is to do on Madeira is outside, so weather and conditions will likely inform your days more than anything. 

For example, it’s very common to decide when to do the Pico do Arieiro hike based on cloud cover conditions for sunrise.

Think of this itinerary as suggested daily activities, with the days being blocks you can move around to fit your needs. 

If it looks like the weather is not looking great on day 3 for the big hike, swap it with day 4 or 5 to get better conditions. Did you arrive late on day 1? Maybe you’d rather explore Funchal at the end of your trip when you return your rental car and before your departure flight. Be flexible!

Read Also: Packing For One Week In Europe, Summer & Winter

Day 1 – Explore Funchal & pick up rental car

On your first day in Madeira you’ll likely want to walk around Funchal, especially if you’ve just arrived and have the day to explore.

If you’ve booked a rental car, I recommend picking it up towards the end of your first day to avoid finding parking in the city. Once you’ve enjoyed Funchal, you can hit the road to your accommodation for the night. 

Funchal Cable Car

The one thing you must do while in Funchal is the Teleférico do Funchal that takes you from Old Town to Monte. It’s a beautiful 15 minute ride over the city with views of the water and the beautiful lush landscape of Madeira.

Undoubtedly, the cable car is the fastest and most fun way to get to Funchal’s most famous gardens, Jardim Monte Palace. You can purchase tickets on the spot, or beforehand online. There are times that the line for the cable car can get quite long so I recommend going early in the morning if possible. 

First ride up is at 08:45 and last ride down is at 17:45. Purchase tickets for the Teleférico do Funchal here. Both one-way and roundtrip tickets are available. 

Jardim Monte Palace

Once in Monte, the gardens are the next stop. Jardim Monte Palace are by far the most popular gardens in Funchal and are located very close to the top of the cable car. 

70,000m² of tropical gardens situated around the historic Monte Palace make this one of the most beautiful spots in Funchal. You’ll find droves of tropical plants as well as fish and animals like koi, swans, and even flamingos. 

Check the opening hours of Jardim Monte Palace and buy tickets here. 

Toboggan Ride

Undoubtedly the most touristy thing you can do in Funchal is the toboggan ride from Monte back down to Funchal. However, it looks quite fun and is a much more exhilarating way to return to the center of town!

This high speed ride on a traditional wicker basket down the steep and narrow streets of Monte is an experience unique to Madeira. Originally a travel method used by Monte locals to quickly travel to Funchal, it has now turned into a tourist attraction. 

If you’re looking for the most cost effective way to travel back to Funchal, this will not be it. However, it is undeniably the most interesting way to travel!

Funchal Old Town

You should definitely take some time to wander the streets of Funchal’s Old Town dating back to the 15th century. Narrow streets, colonial buildings, and local shops will entertain you for hours. 

Check out the Funchal Cathedral, buy some fresh fruit at local goods at Mercado dos Lavradores, and walk along the beautiful Bay of Funchal for the full experience. 

Food Recommendation: When in Madeira, you must try one of the most famous Portuguese sweets – Pastel de Nata. Try this delicious custard-filled dessert at Nata 7 – Ferreiros in Funchal.

For dinner, eat a Madeira classic like picado, lapas, or espetada. I recommend Café Restaurant Gruta as a great place to try any of those.

Day 2 – Sao Lourenço hike &  Cabo Girão Skywalk

Day 2 of your perfect week in Madeira will be maxed out with amazing views! You can do today’s activities in whichever order you prefer.

Vereda da Ponta de São Lourenço (PR 8)

Distance: 4.1miles (~7km)
Difficulty: moderate – much of the trail is uneven & rough
Duration: 3 hours, roundtrip

PR 8 is one of the most popular hikes on the island of Madeira, and for good reason. You’ll enjoy constant views along this moderate hike, with a huge payoff at the end with views of the São Lourenço lighthouse. 

The PR 8 hike is moderately difficult mostly because much of the trail is unkept and uneven. But, there are many flat sections and not a lot of climbing until the end of the trail. Because you get views the whole way, many people decide to turn back before completing the full trail. 

Near the end of the trail is a bar where you can purchase refreshments and use the restroom.

The very last portion of the hike beyond the bar was technically closed when we did this hike, however everyone just went around the signs to the top of the viewpoint. But, this last portion is very poorly maintained and requires some skill to reach the top. 

This hike took us about 3 hours roundtrip, however there is also a one-way option. There is a boat that periodically picks up passengers from the snack bar and takes them back to the trailhead for around €15.

*PR 8 can get moderately crowded during almost all times of the day. If you prefer to avoid the crowds, do this hike first thing in the morning. There is a parking lot, but it also fills up so you’ll often see cars parked on the side of the road leading up to the trailhead.*

Cabo Girão Skywalk

Located on a 580 meter cliff on the south side of the island of Madeira, the Cabo Girão Skywalk has some of the best coastal views on the island. A glass ‘skywalk’ platform has been installed here to give you an even more immersive experience.

If you are nervous of heights, you may not enjoy this one too much. But, if they don’t bother you, you’ll love this vantage point of the island!

Day 3 – Pico do Arieiro to Pico Ruivo Hike & Ponta do Sol

Today is the day to attempt the infamous peak to peak hike! It will be a long day, but so worth it.

Pico do Arieiro to Pico Ruivo Hike (PR 1)

Distance: 5.6 miles (~9km)
Difficulty: Moderate to Difficult
Duration: 5.5 hours

Pro Tip: Use the live cameras located all over the island to check weather conditions before you hike.

The famous peak to peak hike on Madeira will take you from the island’s highest to second highest peak in a challenging but stunning journey.

You will begin your journey at Pico do Arieiro, which is actually accessible by car. There is an observatory at the top of Pico do Arieiro which is why there is a road to the top. So, you’ll park here, then hike over to Pico Ruivo, and back to your car. 

Pico do Arieiro is accessible from either side of the island via ER103 or ER203. If you don’t arrive early enough on the most busy days, you’ll likely find parking to be full and you may have to park on the side of the road and walk up to the trailhead. 

It’s best to start the PR 1 hike at sunrise for a few reasons. First, the sunrise views from the top of Pico do Arieiro are unbeatable. Second, the hike can get quite busy later in the day. Third, you’ll beat the hottest part of the day if you’re hiking in the summer. And fourth, the trail is quite long and difficult, so it’s best to give yourself plenty of time to complete it. 

Pico do Arieiro to Pico Ruivo Hike Packing List
– headlamp
– water bottle
– rain jacket/poncho
– hiking shoes
– sunscreen
– high protein snacks

There is only one stop along the way at Casa de Abrigo do Pico Ruivo to purchase snacks, water, etc. and it is towards the end of the trail, so I highly recommend bringing your own water and snacks. 

If you are interested in doing this hike one-way, you can always hire a taxi to pick you up from Pico Ruivo. If this is the option you choose, you’ll want to follow the PR 1.2 signs to Achada do Teixeira. There, you’ll find a cafe, which is the meeting spot for drivers picking up hikers from Pico Ruivo.

Ponta do Sol

Take the rest of the day to relax in the beautiful town of Ponta do Sol. I highly recommend you come here for sunset and dinner, as sunsets on this side of the island are unmatched.

Restaurant Recommendation: for dinner, stop by The Old Pharmacy for tapas and drinks. Being one of the most popular restaurants on the island, it’s a good idea to make reservations ahead of time.

Before or after dinner, depending on when you’d like to eat and when the sun sets, head over to Cascada dos Anjos. This famous waterfall falls right onto a coastal road, acting as a natural carwash for vehicles passing through. The waterfall has also become a popular photo spot, but it’s a fun phenomenon to see no matter what.

To get to Cascada dos Anjos, you’ll have to walk through a short tunnel, then through a natural rock gate to the coastal road (locations are all pinned on my Madeira Itinerary Points of Interest Map).

For sunset, head back towards town to the Miradouro do Perro lookout point for beautiful sunset views down the coast.

Day 4 – 25 Fontes Hike (PR 6) & Seixal

Seixal

Begin your day in Seixal and enjoy its famous black sand beach, natural pools, and stunning views. 

I recommend visiting Seixal beach in the morning because the beach is east facing. It gets the most sun in the morning and early afternoon, and ends up in the shade by late afternoon. You’ll also be more likely to beat the crowds by going in the morning. 

Some people even like to get up early for an unforgettable sunrise at Seixal beach. Up to you!

Seixal beach is free to visit and does not offer chairs for rent, so be sure to bring a towel. There are also simple showers to rinse off in after swimming, toilettes, as well as a bar.

There is parking right at the beach, though it is quite limited. On a busy day you may have to wait for a spot to park or find a spot further in town and walk to the beach. 

There are not often large waves, so it’s a very calm swimming experience with super clear, refreshing water. 

You’re welcome to bring food and drinks onto the beach, but be sure you do not leave any trash behind. 

Tip: for a quick lunch & great views, check out Bar Avista Navios.

Seixal Natural Pools

Just around the corner from Seixal beach are free, natural swimming pools formed within the volcanic rocks of the coast. The Piscinas Naturais do Seixal require no entry fee and are not monitored by lifeguards.

These natural pools are filled by high tide bringing new water into the pools daily. As you swim, you’ll notice small fish and other sea life enjoying these natural pools with you.

There is a small snack bar where you can order drinks and smoothies, plus a shower to rinse off in after you take a dip.

25 Fontes Hike (PR 6)

Distance: 5.7 miles (9.1km)
Difficulty: Challenging
Duration: 4.5 hours

Get ready for a beautiful hike along one of Madeira’s many levadas. The 25 Fontes (25 fountains) hike is a 5.7 mile loop, though many do it as an out and back hike instead. We decided to hike to the 25 fountains, then back the way we came to cut a bit of time off. 

Levada, n. /lɛˈvɑːdə/: an irrigation channel or aqueduct specific to the Portuguese region of Madeira.

The carpark is located on a plateau above the hike, and the first part of the hike is significantly downhill. But as we all know, what goes down must come back up. The difficulty in this hike surely comes from the way back up. 

There is also a snack bar/restroom stop towards the beginning of the hike. From here, you can also catch a shuttle that will take you back to the carpark (to avoid the steep uphill climb back to your car) which will cost you about €3 one way or €5 roundtrip. The shuttle runs from 10am to 6pm daily. 

The one note about this hike to take into account: it’s one of the busiest hikes on the island, so if you’re looking for solitude, this might not be the route for you.

Restaurant Recommendation: on the west side of the island is a little known but fantastic restaurant called O Farolim. Do yourself a service and order the seafood pasta!

Day 5 – Fanal Forest & Porto Moniz

Day 5 of your one week Madeira itinerary is more laid back – no hiking today, I promise! Today is a relaxation day with a bit of exploration.

Fanal Forest

Welcome to one of Madeira’s most fascinating landscapes – the Fanal Forest. This ancient laurel forest is home to thousands of laurel trees, distinct for their fantastic shape and wild branches.

The best time to visit the Fanal Forest is when you can catch these spooky trees shrouded in a heavy mist that feels like walking into an enchanted forest. The forest is very often misty, so you have a pretty good chance of catching this wonderful sight. 

It’s best to visit in the morning for a higher chance of seeing this misty phenomenon. While there are hiking trails weaving all throughout the forest, one of the best spots for a quick stop to see the laurel trees is located on the map as ‘Parque Florestal do Fanal’. I’ve marked this spot on my Madeira Google Map so you can easily find it!

Though we didn’t see them when we visited, there are apparently some friendly cows roaming around too!

Porto Moniz Natural Pools

One of the very best spots on Madeira for swimming is Porto Moniz, and specifically the natural pools there. I recommend you plan to spend a few hours here, if not a whole day! 

These natural pools, formed by volcanic rocks, are naturally fed and replenished by the tide. When the tide is high, water rushes into the pools from the ocean, creating a natural wave pool.

There are technically two types of natural pools here in Porto Moniz: the first is more natural and free to enter, the second has amenities like showers and toilets and has a small fee to enter. 

We visited the paid pools, which cost only €3 per person, with no time limit. This will give you access to their changing rooms, toilets, and showers. The Piscinas Naturais do Porto Moniz pools are managed with lifeguards and have been designed for easy enjoyment with steps and paved bottom areas. I recommend this option for most people for its increased safety. 

If you’re instead looking for a more natural pool experience, just around the corner are the Piscinas Naturais do Aquário. You’ll find no lifeguards, no steps to wade into the water, and no other amenities. However, this option is entirely free and open 24/7! 

If you do choose to visit the Piscinas Naturais do Aquário, it is incumbent upon you to be aware of your own safety. The pools can become quite rough when the sea is rough. I would also recommend water shoes to safely enter the pools.

Restaurant Recommendation: grab a classic bolo do caco toastie at Conchinha, and chase it down with the island’s famous poncha (be careful, this rum drink is stronger than you think! my favorite version is the maracujá, or passionfruit.)

Sunset at Miradouro do Fio

If you’re looking for a wonderful, west-facing sunset spot, this is the one.

Park at the Miradouro do Fio parking lot to view the lighthouse from above as the sun sets. Or, drive down to the Miradouro Farol da Ponta do Pargo to view sunset from the lighthouse, the westernmost point of the island.

Day 6 – Caldeirao Verde hike & Santana

On the last full day of this one week Madeira itinerary, you’ll do some hiking and visit one of Madeira’s most famous cultural sites.

Caldeirão Verde (PR 9)

Distance: 2.7 miles (4.5km) – PARTIALLY CLOSED
*the route from Queimadas to the junction with Verada da Ilha at 4.5km is open
Difficulty: Moderate
Duration: 4 hours

The Caldeirão Verde hike is one of the best levada hikes on Madeira. A levada is a trough that transports water around the island, and this hike follows one the whole way. The entirety of the PR 9 hike is around 10miles long, but most of the trail is currently closed. 

Most people only hike to the waterfall and back anyways, which is at the 4.5km mark. This is exactly what we did, which took us around 4 hours.

Following a levada, this hike will take you through multiple long, dark tunnels so I highly recommend bringing a headlamp with you. At the end, you’ll find a beautiful waterfall with a stunning pool. 

The trail is also quite narrow, and hikers are often required to stop to make room for those going the opposite direction. 

There is a €3 entry fee, paid inside the Casa de Abrigo das Queimadas, because the trail is located in the Queimadas Forest Park. This traditional house retains the features of the typical Santana houses of the area and is a beautiful start to the hike. Inside, you’ll also find snacks and coffee. 

A parking lot is located at the trailhead with a €2/hour parking fee. Restrooms are also found at the trailhead. 

Santana

Visit Santana to see the unique ‘casinhas de Santana’ known for their triangular architectural style and thatched roofs. The houses are examples of the traditional home style in this area of Madeira. 

While today these homes are mostly a tourist photo op, it’s a wonderful stop to see this unique architectural style. Inside the homes, you’ll find trinkets and souvenir shops. 

Day 7 – Back to Funchal and fly home

To wrap up this one week Madeira itinerary, you’ll head back to Funchal, return your rental car, and head to the airport.

If you happen to have almost an entire day to add some more activities into before flying home, here are some more ideas for things to do.

Hikes to add into your itinerary:

• PR 11 – Vereda do Balcões
• PR 6.1 – Levada do Risco
• PR 13 – Vereda do Fanal
• Vereda do Lorano

Guided tours to add to your itinerary:

Final Thoughts – The Perfect One Week Madeira Itinerary

This one week Madeira itinerary was designed to help you see the geography & culture of the island of Madeira. Remember that this is a completely flexible plan, and if you have a rental car it’s even more customizable!

Overall, Madeira is a gem of an island with unrivaled natural beauty. There is a reason it’s called the ‘Pearl of the Atlantic’ by many!

Are you planning a trip to Madeira? Let me know what questions you have in the comments below.

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