There are tons of Madeira itineraries on-line, however few have been really written by an area. As a Portuguese citizen who’s been in love with the island for over a decade, I’ll share my favourite spots with you on this 7-day itinerary.
We’ll dive proper into the itinerary however, first, let’s see the place Madeira is positioned, how one can get there, and how one can get round on the island.
The place is Madeira?
An archipelago with 4 islands (Madeira, Porto Santo, Desertas, and Selvagens), Madeira is positioned southwest of Portugal, within the North Atlantic Ocean. Sitting roughly 550 miles of the west coast of Morocco, Madeira is well-connected by air to most European airports, particularly in mainland Portugal and Spain.
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How you can Get to Madeira
One of the best ways to get to Madeira is by airplane, with every day flights to Funchal leaving from Porto and Lisbon typically costing lower than €100 per particular person. Should you’re touring from exterior Europe, you might get monetary savings by discovering a flight to Porto and Lisbon after which going to Madeira from there.
How you can Get Round in Madeira
Public transportation exists in Madeira because of every day bus routes, however these should not very environment friendly. To profit from your time on the island, I recommend renting a automotive and exploring by your self.
For brief journeys, Uber and Bolt rides make for an reasonably priced possibility (despite the fact that they’re typically unavailable exterior the Funchal space). Alternatively, you possibly can join vacationer excursions with pick-ups and drop-offs to journey straight out of your resort to the principle vacationer websites.
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7-Day Madeira Itinerary Overview
- Day 1: Funchal
- Day 2: Funchal
- Day 3: Câmara de Lobos
- Day 4: Ponta do Sol
- Day 5: Santana
- Day 6: Santa Cruz
- Day 7: Funchal
One Week in Madeira
Seven days is on a regular basis it’s essential get to know the most effective Madeira has to supply, however it’s a must to keep energetic! The next strategies ought to make for the proper one-week Madeira itinerary in Portugal:
Day 1: Funchal
Driving the Funchal-Monte Cable Automobile is an ideal introduction to Funchal due to how simple it’s to entry the cable automotive (it’s proper within the metropolis heart). The journey itself can also be a fantastic start line as a result of it lets you get a chicken’s-eye view of Funchal and the close by village of Monte, sitting three miles up within the mountains.
Because the cable automotive ticket solely prices €14.50 (it’s free for youngsters underneath 6), it’s additionally one of many quickest methods of attending to Monte Palace Gardens, one of many high sights within the space. It is a must-visit Madeira location as a result of it has greater than 100,00 species of crops on show, an exquisite view of town, and an abundance of cool sculptures.
The village of Monte can also be the proper place to attempt a Madeira toboggan journey. Now primarily utilized by vacationers, the standard toboggan (a sort of hand-made sled constructed from wicker and wooden) was as soon as the quickest technique for touring from the village of Monte to Funchal. And don’t fear: the journey is sort of protected, so it’s enough for households and adults of all ages.
If all that cable automotive and toboggan driving bought you hungry, I recommend that you just cease by Akua Restaurant to have lunch. With a singular menu curated by a well known Portuguese chef, it’s recognized for its fish choices, which embrace creamy seafood rice recipes and top-of-the-line tunas on the town.
Within the afternoon, go to the Funchal marina and be part of the Magic Dolphin catamaran dolphin and whale-watching tour to enterprise into the ocean for as much as three hours.
The spotlight of the tour, costing solely €35 per particular person, is the chance to see dolphins and whales up shut of their pure habitat. Nevertheless, the expertise additionally features a cease for swimming at Cabo Girão, a well-known Madeira cliff greatest recognized for its skywalk viewpoint.
After that refreshing swim, it’s time to return to the middle of Funchal and check out the delicacies of the Horta Restaurant, one of many few respected eating places within the metropolis that serves largely vegan and gluten-free meals.
Earlier than, be sure to move by the Funchal Cathedral, the principle church in Madeira, to get a glimpse of classical Portuguese structure from the Manueline and Gothic durations.
Day 2: Funchal
Be sure that to get an excellent night time’s relaxation forward of day two in Madeira, because the morning shall be spent mountaineering in Pico do Arieiro and Pico Ruivo, two of probably the most stunning mountains on the island. I like to recommend signing up for this dawn mountaineering tour as a result of it features a handy switch from most Funchal motels and it’s self-guided (which means you might have full freedom to discover).
Nevertheless, bear in mind this isn’t a straightforward hike… The Pico do Arieiro and Pico Ruivo are two of the tallest websites in Madeira. The hike could be a bodily difficult five-hour expertise, and the tour doesn’t embrace meals and drinks. Be sure that to pack some snacks and water with you.
For lunch, I recommend one other stylish Funchal restaurant combining conventional flavors with a contemporary gastronomic strategy: Restaurante Casual. Whereas closed on Sundays, it is a excellent place to attempt nice meals in an off-the-cuff, stress-free setup. Fish and meat rule the menu, however there are additionally some nice vegetarian choices.
Within the afternoon, go for a stroll on the Madeira Botanical Backyard and be sure to get some relaxation after that tiring hike by means of Pico do Arieiro. Albeit not as spectacular because the Monte Palace Gardens, this vacationer attraction features a dreamy synthetic waterfall and a wide ranging flower backyard with a fantastic view of the ocean.
For dinner, wrap issues up by consuming at Audax, one more progressive Madeira restaurant. Additionally impressed by conventional native flavors, the menu was designed to be served as “fully authentic artworks”.
Day 3: Full-Day Journey to West Madeira
There are tons of cool issues do in Madeira, and this waterfalls and forest tour encapsulates all these issues into one single expertise. Contemplating all the things the tour gives, I imagine the worth (often underneath €30 per particular person) makes it an actual cut price.
You’ll be able to select from 4 completely different pickup places, together with the charming parish of Câmara de Lobos, historically a fisherman’s city.
This excellent tour consists of brief stops on the Cabo Girão Cliff and Ponta do Sol seashore. Nevertheless, the highlights of the expertise are the pure swimming swimming pools of Porto Moniz and the Fanal Forest, most likely two of my favourite spots in the entire island.
The pure swimming swimming pools of Porto Moniz are a man-made construction sitting subsequent to the ocean the place you possibly can swim safely in contemporary seawater. Not like most diving spots in Madeira, even younger youngsters can swim relaxed.
The Fanal Forest, alternatively, is an unlimited plateau with centuries-old laurel timber that appears like one thing you’ll see in a fantasy film. Don’t neglect to convey a jacket with you, as a result of the forest could be very misty and windy even when it’s sunny elsewhere on the island.
The tour additionally passes by traditional Madeira viewpoints such because the scenic Véu da Noiva and the rocky seashore of Ribeira da Janela.
For dinner, I recommend you attempt the MadMarket Restaurant, a tapas-style institution the place you possibly can attempt reasonably priced charcuterie, fish, and scrumptious sandwiches made with bolo do caco, Madeira’s conventional bread.
Day 4: Full-Day Journey to East Madeira
East Madeira isn’t as busy or well-known as West Madeira, but it surely’s equally filled with fantastic pure sights to discover. To get to know this a part of the island, I recommend becoming a member of this full-day journey to East Madeira, with free pick-up and drop-off at a number of Funchal motels.
The eight-hour tour makes for a soothing and immersive expertise and features a cease at Pico do Arieiro, which you could have already visited on day two of your Madeira journey. Don’t fear, although, because the tour additionally passes by must-see places you haven’t seen earlier than, together with the Ponta de São Lourenço Cliff (boasting top-of-the-line ocean views on the island) and the long-lasting village of Santana.
Whereas in Funchal, you might have most likely seen some curious triangular-shaped homes in each memento store; effectively, Santana is the place the place you possibly can see the precise issues! The Santana homes are certainly one of Madeira’s best-known visiting playing cards, they usually have a really wealthy historical past.
The tour information can inform you all about it however, lengthy story brief, they’re charming thatched-roof buildings that have been initially constructed when Madeira was first found, in July 1419.
For dinner, I recommend the Hemingway Restaurant in Funchal, an area favourite that serves stylish Mediterranean meals at an reasonably priced value (and sits near lots of the metropolis’s high motels).
Day 5: Vereda da Ponta de São Lourenço
You might have already seen the Ponta de São Lourenço on day 4, however do you know that the cliff is surrounded by an enormous UNESCO pure reserve? This pure reserve could be explored in its full splendor by anybody who joins this Caniçal UNESCO Hike, a self-guided tour that takes you proper to the most effective mountaineering route within the area.
The same old period of the tour is 4 hours however, because it’s self-guided, it’s as much as you to determine how one can profit from the time. Simply don’t neglect to hold all of the belongings you want, together with the traditional mountaineering must-haves: water, snacks, comfy footwear, and sunscreen.
A private tip? Attempt to begin the hike as early as potential, because the pure reserve is very stunning throughout dawn.
For dinner, I’ve one thing a bit completely different: Desarma, a Michelin-starred Funchal restaurant proper subsequent to the ocean. The view at Desarma is breathtaking, however the spotlight is the meals. The menu consists of three experiences with six to 12 dishes, and the chef-curated recipes (such because the “Ancestral Wheat Bread” and “Pink Scarlet Shimp”) are mouthwatering.
Day 6: 25 Fontes and Risco Levada Hike
Keep in mind Fanal Forest from day three of the itinerary? Effectively, that lovely website is a part of the better area of Paul da Serra, an excellent bigger plateau that makes for one of the vital thrilling drives in Madeira. Simply be careful for the occasional cow crossing the highway.
The perfect mountaineering location in Paul da Serra is Rabaçal, the place the arid terrain and sparse vegetation of the plateau give approach to a dense, lush forest crammed with stunning waterfalls. To get there as conveniently as potential from Funchal, the 25 Fontes & Risco Levada Hike is the number-one possibility. Just like the tour from day 5, it’s a self-guided tour, so be certain to pack all of your mountaineering necessities.
The self-guided tour will take you proper to Rabaçal, the place you’ll hike for as much as 5 hours exploring two completely different routes: the Levada das 25 Fontes and the Levada do Risco. The routes are simply identifiable as a result of they comply with the pathway of the levadas, an outdated agricultural stone construction that’s used to hold water throughout the Rabaçal space.
These historical irrigation channels can be utilized as “bodily maps” by hikers, main them to places as unmissable because the 25 Fontes Waterfall, arguably one of many prettiest pure websites on the entire island. Following a refreshing post-hike swim on the waterfall, you have to be 100% prepared to return to Funchal with a smile in your face!
And since hikes could be tiresome, you possibly can all the time recharge batteries in model by eating on the charming Il Vivaldi Restaurant, which serves scrumptious contemporary fish and features a pretty terrace (it’s additionally a fantastic place to share a romantic night along with your vital different).
This time round, your every day schedule doesn’t finish after dinner. Funchal is nothing like Ibiza, but it surely’s nonetheless a bustling metropolis with loads of enjoyable actions to get pleasure from after hours. These are a few of my favourite spots to get pleasure from a late-night drink in Funchal:
- Madeira Rum Home: Proper within the heart of Previous City Funchal, this rustic yellow-stoned bar is equally beloved by locals and vacationers and holds the biggest rum assortment on the island.
- Revolucion Cocktail Bar: Proper subsequent to Madeira Rum Home, partygoers can attempt distinctive drinks at Revolucion Cocktail Bar, one of many few Funchal institutions with a menu of designer cocktails, typically impressed by seasonal fruits and native Madeira elements.
- Sprint Cocktail Bar: A chic different to Revolucion, this cocktail bar is all the time filled with vacationers, which means it’s the proper place to mingle with like-minded vacationers.
- Barreirinha Bar Café: A comparatively forgettable snack bar/café by day, the Barreirinha Bar Café indicators one of many busiest nightlife spots in Funchal. A whole lot of children meet close to the seashore that fronts the bar each Friday and Saturday night time. Should you’re fortunate, you possibly can even take heed to the cool out of doors DJ units sometimes supplied by native artists.
Please remember that Funchal nightlife could be non-existent throughout some weekdays. Attempt to go to these bars on the weekend.
Day 7: Funchal
On your remaining day in Madeira, I ready a particular itinerary that may be solely completed on foot. There are lots of cool issues to see in Funchal, so why depart town for one more mountain hike? Day seven of the itinerary is all about mingling with residents, attending to know the native tradition, and having fun with stress-free seaside strolls.
To begin the day, I recommend passing by the Funchal Market, also referred to as the Mercado dos Lavradores. There, one can find the most effective meals and drinks in Madeira and, who is aware of, even one or two nice souvenirs to take again dwelling.
The market is just some minutes away from the Funchal Metropolis Corridor, one of the vital iconic buildings of the Previous City, so be sure to go there too (the inside patio is beautiful).
To additional discover Funchal Previous City whereas strolling, I like to recommend signing up for a meals, wine and cultural tour. In spite of everything, is there any higher approach to get to know a metropolis than by strolling round attempting completely different meals and drinks within the firm of a well-informed information?
The tour can price over €80 per particular person, however the value is well-justified contemplating that every one the meals and drinks (that includes each alcoholic and non-alcoholic choices) are included. The tour could be very thorough, so it’s an ideal method of creating certain that you’ll attempt all of Madeira’s greatest conventional meals and drinks by the point your journey is over.
However don’t get unhappy simply but… Earlier than going again dwelling, you possibly can nonetheless move by two must-seen Funchal sights: Cristo Rei and the São Tiago Fortress.
Cristo Rei is a surprising viewpoint the place you will discover a statue of Jesus Christ paying homage to Rio de Janeiro’s Christ the Redeemer (however, naturally, a lot smaller). The São Tiago Fortress, alternatively, is an outdated seaside fort the place many locals be part of to drink beer, eat limpets (a standard Madeira appetizer), and benefit from the sundown.
My final dinner suggestion in Funchal? The fashionable Kampo, one other stylish institution run by chef Júlio Pereira, the identical man behind the Akua Restaurant from day one of many itinerary.
The place to Keep in Madeira
Deciding on a fantastic place to remain could be a game-changer in your Madeira journey, so don’t simply join any run-of-the-mill Airbnb… Try to be well-covered with any of those three nice choices:
NEXT – by Savoy Signature Lodge
A seaside resort with swimming pool and stairs that go proper into the ocean, NEXT by Savoy Signature combines comfort, luxurious, and accessibility into one bundle. With breakfast included, a spa and wellness heart, and a devoted restaurant, NEXT actually has all the things you possibly can hope for. And, for a plus, the resort occurs to be tremendous pet-friendly!
The Views Baia
The Views Baia Lodge is arguably top-of-the-line Madeira motels for {couples}, with trendy rooms that may promote for underneath €200 an evening regardless of trying rather more costly. Perks embrace two swimming rooms, a spa and wellness heart, and free parking. The out of doors swimming pool is especially iconic, boasting an exquisite view of the ocean.
Lodge Alto Lido
The Lodge Alto Lido is likely one of the top-rated motels on the island of Madeira, and the one draw back I can consider is that it may be very onerous to e-book (rooms are nearly all the time full, so hurry up making that reservation!). Along with being one of the vital elegantly adorned motels in Funchal, Alto Lido comes with three swimming swimming pools, continental breakfast, personal parking, a wellness and spa heart, and its personal restaurant.
Madeira Itinerary FAQs
To completely discover town of Funchal and the pure sights in West and East Madeira, I like to recommend spending at the least seven days on the island.
The island of Madeira is presently not reachable by ferry, however direct flights from Lisbon and Porto to Funchal solely take roughly two hours.
To catch some glorious climate and discover out of doors sights, July to October is the most effective time to go to Madeira. Nevertheless, for those who’re an enormous fan of Christmas and New 12 months’s Eve, you’ll love spending December in Funchal.
Direct flights from mainland Portugal to Madeira take roughly two hours.
Conclusion
Regardless of being a vacationer favourite, Madeira nonetheless holds the allure of a little-known, unexplored location, and has all the things vacationers might hope for. From mountain hikes and maritime experiences to Michelin-starred eating places, Portugal’s ever-sunny archipelago makes for an unforgettable seven-day journey.
So, what are you ready for? Now’s the time to e-book your dream trip. Benefit from it with our information to the high sights and actions in Madeira!
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