Madeira itinerary: The perfect 7-day Madeira road trip

Madeira Island is a place that exceeded all my expectations. I was there for five weeks, exploring its breathtaking landscapes, unique nature and incredible hiking trails, and can confidently say that it’s one of the most beautiful islands I’ve ever been to.

Madeira lies in the Atlantic Ocean, 1000 km (620 mi) from mainland Portugal and is often referred to as the Hawaii of Europe. Its lush vegetation, subtropical climate and volcanic landscapes will make you feel like you’ve stepped foot on a remote paradise island even though you’re just a 2-hour flight from continental Europe.

To help you make the most of your trip, I’ve put together a 7-day Madeira itinerary that covers my favorite places on this wonderful island, including levada walks, black sand beaches, charming towns, striking views and the glorious PR1 hike. At the end of this post, you’ll also find a map with all the stops in this one-week itinerary, as well as my tips on where to stay in Madeira.

Disclosure: This article contains affiliate links from which I may make a commission at no additional cost to you if you make a purchase.

7-day Madeira itinerary: The perfect Madeira road trip

The best way to explore Madeira is to rent a car and take a road trip. Although some places in this itinerary are accessible by bus, having a car will give you the freedom to stop wherever you want and allow you to get around Madeira much faster. 

Day 1: Funchal

On the first day of this Madeira itinerary, get to know the island’s charming capital city, Funchal.

Although you won’t need a car on the first day, you will most likely want to use it very early the next day, so I recommend picking it up today. You can rent a car either at the airport or in Funchal. I recommend using Discover Cars to book your car, because they include both local and international agencies in their results, so you can find great deals.

Below, I’ve listed the best places to visit in Funchal. If you don’t manage to see much of the city on the first day, don’t worry, because you’ll also have some time here on the final day.

Monte Palace Tropical Garden

Monte Palace Tropical Garden is located in the hills above Funchal and features a large collection of exotic plants, various sculptures and walkways spread over a 7-hectare (17-acre) area. As you walk around the lush garden, you can see peacocks, swans and koi fish. It’s a really beautiful place to explore with something exciting around every corner. The entrance fee to the gardens is 18 euros.

The easiest and most fun way to get to Monte Palace is to take the Madeira Cable Car from the city. The station is located at the waterfront near Funchal’s old town, and the ride costs 16 euros one way (22 euros round-trip).

To get back down to Funchal, you might want to take the exhilarating Monte toboggan ride, one of the most famous and quintessential activities in Madeira.

Funchal Farmers Market

In the heart of the city, you’ll find the bustling Funchal Farmers Market (Mercado dos Lavradores). Full of colorful stalls selling fresh produce, flowers, spices and seafood, the market is a real feast for the eyes.

What I loved most about Mercado dos Lavradores were all the exotic fruits that the sellers let you taste. My favorites were the various types of passion fruit and the Monstera Deliciosa fruit, a long, green fruit with hexagonal scales. If you buy it, just make sure it’s ripe when you eat it, as it can otherwise be toxic.

Be aware that fruits here can be very expensive, since this market is geared towards tourists. You should carefully check prices before buying anything to avoid negative surprises.

There are also small cafes and bistros at the market where you can enjoy local pastries or have a glass of poncha, a traditional drink made of sugar cane brandy and fruit juice. But be warned, this stuff is strong!

Funchal Old Town

The picturesque Old Town of Funchal (Zona Velha) is home to cozy cobblestone streets, historical buildings, small boutiques, and some of the best restaurants in the city.

While here, make sure to explore Rua de Santa Maria, one of the oldest streets in Funchal. Lined with shops, bars and restaurants, this narrow street is a popular hangout for both tourists and locals and the best place to experience the city’s nightlife.

You’ll see that many doors and walls on Rua de Santa Maria are covered with colorful paintings. This is a result of the Painted Doors art project, which transformed the area into a permanent outdoor art gallery.

If you’re looking for more things to do in Funchal, consider visiting Madeira Botanical Garden, Funchal Cathedral, City Hall Square, and the yellow São Tiago Fort, enjoying an afternoon tea at the fabulous Belmond Reid’s Palace Hotel or taking this food and wine tour to savor some delicious local products.

Day 2: Pico do Arieiro to Pico Ruivo hike (PR1)

On the second day, get ready for what’s probably going to be one of the most unforgettable hikes of your life – the Pico do Arieiro to Pico Ruivo hike, aka the PR1 trail.

I recommend getting up early and heading to Pico do Arieiro to watch the sunrise. With a height of 1,818 m (5,965 ft), it’s the third-highest peak on the island, and it takes around 45 minutes to drive there from Funchal. Be sure to arrive well in advance to secure a parking spot because it gets very busy, especially in the summer.

Once there, head to the Miradouro do Juncal viewpoint to witness the most spectacular sunrise above the clouds. I still remember the feeling of standing there, with a layer of clouds below us and watching the first rays of the sun paint the scenery pink. It was a surreal experience! Make sure to dress in layers because it’s very cold up there at such an early hour (10°C/50°F during our visit in August).

After sunrise, it’s time to hike the iconic PR1 trail, the most popular trail in Madeira. After being closed for nearly 2 years, this trail is finally open again as of April 2026 with some new rules in place. It’s a pretty challenging and steep 9.4 km (5.8 mi) trail that connects Pico do Arieiro to Pico Ruivo, the highest peak of Madeira (1862 m/6109 ft), but I promise it’s worth all the effort. The hike takes 4-5 hours.

Note that there’s now a 10.5 EUR fee to do the PR1 hike, and you have to book a time slot on this site beforehand. The trail is currently only open from Friday to Sunday, but starting from June 26, 2026, it will be open every day. You should book your time slot months in advance if you’re visiting Madeira in the summer, because the morning slots get fully booked early.

With its deep valleys, sharp ridges, glimpses of the Atlantic Ocean and jagged mountain peaks piercing through clouds, the views along the trail are phenomenal. It’s one of the most beautiful hikes I’ve ever done, and I’ve done a lot of them! The trail includes several tunnels carved into the mountains, so bring a head torch or use a phone flashlight.

Once you reach Pico Ruivo, you’ll be rewarded with amazing panoramic views of the entire island. After you’ve got a bit of rest and caught your breath, hike down to Achada do Teixeira, which is the end of the hike. Be sure to pre-book your transfer from Achada do Teixeira back to your car at Pico do Arieiro. As of April 2026, the PR1 trail is one-way only, so you’re not allowed to hike back to the starting point.

Alternatively, you could just book this tour with transfers and not use your rental car at all. The tour picks you up from your hotel early in the morning, takes you to the start of the trail and then later drives you from the end of the trail back to your hotel.

Tip: If you don’t want to do the full 9.4 km (5.8 mi) hike, you could just hike the first 1.2 km (0.7 mi) until the Pedra Rija viewpoint (including the beautiful section known as the ‘Stairway to Heaven’) and then turn back. This part of the trail is open every day, and you also have to book a time slot.

Day 3: Northwest coast

On Day 3, take a road trip to the northwest coast of Madeira. In my opinion, this is the most scenic part of the island’s coastline and another highlight of this Madeira itinerary.

São Vicente

Nestled between steep green mountains, São Vicente is a picturesque little town that’s worth a quick stop. The best thing to do here is to simply stroll around the town’s historic center and the oceanfront area, have a cup of coffee and enjoy the laid-back atmosphere. You might also want to visit the Nossa Senhora de Fátima chapel for a fantastic view of the surrounding area.

Seixal

Just a short drive from São Vicente lies the small coastal town of Seixal, which boasts some of the best views in Madeira. Before entering the town, stop at Miradouro do Véu da Noiva, a viewpoint where you can admire the Bridal Veil Waterfall and the towering cliffs around it. 

Next, head to Seixal Beach, which is one of the few naturally sandy beaches in Madeira. With its black sand, turquoise water and green mountains rising vertically from the ocean, it’s a strikingly beautiful place and one of my favorite beaches on the island.

Another fantastic place to visit here is Seixal Natural Pools (Piscinas Naturais do Seixal). Surrounded by volcanic formations and filled with crystal clear water, these tidal lava rock pools are a really cool spot for a swim.

Read more about Seixal Beach and Seixal Natural Pools in my post about the best beaches in Madeira.

As you leave Seixal and continue driving northwest along the coast, visit also Miradouro da Eira da Achada and Miradouro Ilheus da Ribeira da Janela viewpoints, for more incredible views of the coastline.

Porto Moniz

Porto Moniz is a small seaside town known for its two sets of volcanic pools – the Porto Moniz Natural Swimming Pools and the Aquarium Natural Pools. The former is more developed and kid-friendly, has facilities, and costs 3 euros to enter. The latter is more natural, rugged and free to visit. You can find more details about them in my Madeira beaches post.

If you’re running short of time, I’d say you can skip visiting Porto Moniz and head straight to the next stop.

Achadas da Cruz Cable Car

The final stop of the day is Achadas da Cruz cable car, which is supposedly one of the steepest ones in Europe. The cable car will take you down a nearly vertical cliff, and you’ll arrive at a secluded stretch of coastline that looks like a scene from a fairytale. There’s a tiny uninhabited village, a pebble beach and a walking trail with amazing views of the cliffs towering above you.

The cable car costs just 5 euros for a round-trip.

Related post: 10-day itinerary for the Azores, Portugal

Day 4: Levada walks and Fanal Forest

Today will be all about exploring the fantastic nature of the Paul da Serra plateau in the western part of the island.

As the plateau receives a large amount of rain, it is home to several waterfalls and levadas, which are man-made irrigation channels distributing water across the island. Walking along levadas is one of the most unique things to do in Madeira and allows you to immerse yourself in the wonderful nature of the island.

Levada das 25 Fontes walk & Risco Waterfall

Levada das 25 Fontes, which translates into 25 springs or fountains, is an easy levada walk featuring a scenic forest trail and several waterfalls. The trail, which is known as PR6, leads to a small lagoon surrounded by tall rock walls with dozens of tiny streams trickling down them. If you’re brave enough, you can even go for a swim in this chilly water.

Be aware that the 25 Fontes hike is one of the most popular levada walks in Madeira. I recommend getting there early if you don’t feel like rubbing shoulders with 100 other tourists.

To get to the 100 m (330 ft) tall Risco Waterfall, walk the same way back from the 25 Fontes pool and turn left at the fork about halfway through the trail. To visit both of these waterfalls, it’s an 11 km (6.8 mi) round-trip hike and should take you 3-4 hours. You have to reserve a time slot in advance for these hikes and pay a fee of 4.50 euros.

Since we were here in August, one of the driest months in Madeira, both 25 Fontes Falls and Risco Waterfall had reduced to just a small trickle. If you come here in the wetter months of the year (November to April), you can expect the waterfalls to look a lot fuller.

Fanal Forest

After the 25 Fontes and Risco Waterfall hike, drive to the magical Fanal Forest. This ancient laurel forest is a part of Madeira’s Laurisilva forest, a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its biological and ecological importance. Most of these trees are more than 600 years old and have been growing here since before Madeira was even discovered! 

What makes Fanal Forest special are its crooked trees covered with dripping moss, and the mysterious fog that’s often present here. It looks like an enchanted forest and has a bit of an eerie and otherworldly feel.

Because of its high altitude, it gets pretty chilly up at Fanal, so make sure to bring a jacket and long pants.

Day 5: East coast

On Day 5, explore the impressive rugged landscapes of Madeira’s east coast. Get ready for some coastal hiking as well as some well-deserved beach time.

Ponta de São Lourenço

Ponta de São Lourenço is the easternmost tip of the island and a mandatory stop on every Madeira road trip. This long, narrow peninsula, which is also known as the “tail of Madeira”, is where you’ll find one of the most famous trails of Madeira, the PR8.

The trail meanders along impressive volcanic cliffs and rock formations, and offers sweeping views of the Atlantic Ocean. With its barren, moon-like landscape and very little vegetation, this place looks completely different from the rest of the island.

Near the end of the trail, there’s also a small cafe where you can buy snacks and drinks. From here, most people start heading back, but I recommend hiking a bit further to Miradouro Ponta do Furado for incredible views of the Ilhéu da Cevada islet. As you start the hike back, you might want to stop by the small Sardinha Beach for a swim.

The Ponta de São Lourenço hike is an easy 8 km (5 mi) hike round-trip and takes about 3 hours to complete. Since there’s no shade from the sun on this trail, bring sunscreen and lots of water. Just like the other hikes in this itinerary, you need to reserve a time slot in advance and pay a fee of 4.50 euros.

Prainha Beach

Just a 5-minute drive from Ponta de São Lourenço is the Prainha Beach or Prainha do Caniçal. It’s one of the few sandy beaches in Madeira and an ideal place to spend a relaxed afternoon after your hike.

Because of its soft volcanic sand and turquoise water full of colorful fish, it’s one of my favorite beaches on the island. Read more about Prainha Beach in my Madeira beaches guide.

Day 6: Northeast Madeira

On the sixth day, get to know the northeast part of the island. Start the day with a levada hike, visit a traditional village and enjoy some breathtaking views of coastal cliffs.

Levada do Caldeirão Verde

The Levada do Caldeirão Verde trail, or PR9, is one of the best levada walks in Madeira and tends to be less crowded than other well-known hikes. The trail leads you through a lush Laurisilva forest, past several small waterfalls, and offers magnificent views of the green valleys and mountains of Madeira. 

At the end of the hike, you’ll arrive at the mysterious Caldeirão Verde (the “green cauldron”), where you’ll see a 110 m (360 ft) tall waterfall cascading down green mossy cliffs. As we were there in August, there was just a small trickle left of the waterfall, but it was still beautiful.

Bring a head torch or a phone with a flashlight because there are a few tunnels you need to walk through. The total distance of the Caldeirão Verde levada walk is 12 km (7.5 mi), but since the trail is flat and well-maintained, it’s a very easy walk and takes about 4 hours to complete. Remember to book a time slot for your hike and pay your fee in advance.

Santana

After the hike, drive to the town of Santana, which is famous for its traditional houses. With their triangle-shaped thatched roofs and colorful facades, these tiny houses look like something from a fairytale. 

There are quite a few of them scattered around Santana, but the best place to see them is here, in the town center. In that location, there are six traditional houses around a flower garden. Each of them is a shop selling a variety of local products and souvenirs.

Miradouro do Guindaste

Round off your day with a visit to the Miradouro do Guindaste viewpoint. It’s a great spot for photos and offers some mesmerizing views of the ocean and the massive cliffs along Madeira’s northeastern coast. Note that the official viewpoint is currently closed due to construction, but there’s a small side trail where you can still get a good view. 

If you crave a dip in the ocean, head to Faial Beach right next to the viewpoint.

Day 7: Dolphin and whale watching tour

Spend the last day of your Madeira trip in Funchal. Depending on your interests, you can either visit the attractions that you didn’t have time for on the first day or you can go on a dolphin and whale watching tour, a bucket-list-worthy experience for any wildlife lover.

The waters surrounding Madeira are home to large whale and dolphin populations, and the chances of spotting them are apparently as high as 85%-95%. Ironically, we didn’t see any whales or dolphins during our tour, but that’s just how it is with wildlife. You can never be guaranteed to see them.

Most of the dolphin and whale watching tours have really positive reviews, so I think there’s a high chance you’ll have more luck than we did. Many people mention seeing pods of sperm whales, pilot whales, bottlenose dolphins, turtles and other species, sometimes just a few meters from the boat.

Where to stay in Madeira

Since Madeira is quite small, you could easily base yourself in Funchal and do day trips to the different parts of the island. But if you want to experience what it’s like to stay in some of the smaller towns, consider spending a night or two in São Vicente, Santana or Machico.

Madeira itinerary map

On this map, you can find the locations of all the stops in this itinerary. Click on the top left corner of the map for more details. To view this map in the Google Maps app, click on the rectangle icon in the top right corner.

Have more than a week in Madeira?

If you have more than 7 days in Madeira, consider also visiting Porto Santo Island, which is a part of the Madeira archipelago. Porto Santo is just a 2-hour ferry ride away, but its nature and landscape are very different from Madeira. The biggest attraction there is a 9 km (5.6 mi) long beach with golden sand and clear turquoise water.

With its awe-inspiring landscapes, epic hiking trails and incredible nature, it’s impossible not to fall in love with Madeira. Even after spending five weeks on this island, I couldn’t get enough of its beauty, and I’ve been dreaming of going back ever since.

I hope that this 7-day Madeira itinerary gave you a good understanding of what to expect when visiting this magical island and that you found some inspiration for planning your own trip. If you have any questions about this itinerary, leave them in the comments below.