If it’s your first time in Madeira, it can be really hard to nail down an itinerary. That’s especially true if you’re trying to squeeze everything into a short 4-day Madeira itinerary.
The first time we visited Madeira, we were there for 2 weeks and still left feeling like we missed out on some epic places.
But sometimes, all you have is a long weekend, so you have to make it work!
First of all, we want to assure you that it’s still worth visiting Madeira, even if you only have a few days. You won’t get to see everything, but it’s definitely possible to see a lot of the island’s best parts in just four days.
And this detailed itinerary will show you how.
You’ll see some unreal viewpoints, hike famous levadas, swim in natural pools, slide down a mountain in a basket, and even go canyoning down waterfalls. We’ll also share some of our expert tips for how to get around the island and the best areas to use as a base for exploring Madeira.
Where is Madeira?
Madeira is a wild and rugged archipelago in the Atlantic Ocean. Although it’s technically an autonomous region of Portugal (similar to the Azores), it’s actually way closer to Africa.
It’s also part of an island chain that includes 4 islands: Madeira, Desertas, Bugio, and Porto Santo.
Madeira is by far the largest and most popular.
The island chain is about 1000 kilometers from mainland Portugal but just 500 km from the coast of Morocco. This unique geographical region means Madeira has a very mild climate all year round.
Best Area to Stay in Madeira
If we only had 4 days in Madeira, we would definitely stay somewhere near Funchal. You don’t have to stay right in the city, but at least stay in a nearby town, such as Caniço, Câmara de Lobos, or Riberia Brava.
This puts you at the center of everything.
We spent about two weeks in Ribeira Brava (20 minutes west of Funchal), and that was one of the best decisions of our trip. The only downside is that there wasn’t much to do in the evening, and it wasn’t exactly the most walkable, so it was essential that we had our own vehicle.
Staying in Ribeira Brava also put us 20 minutes closer to Seixal, Calheta, Sao Vicente, Porto Moniz, the Fanal Forest, and other levada hikes.
We stayed in Vila Brava and thought it was incredible. The hosts were unbelievable, the pool had amazing views, and each villa had its own kitchen/dining area!
But if you like being where the action is, there are plenty of great places to stay in Funchal. It’s the capital of Madeira, and a large percentage of travelers choose to stay there. There’s also a ton of restaurants, shopping, wineries, and nightlife options.
Just make sure you book a place with free parking and A/C!
How to Get Around Madeira
Another important thing to plan before going to Madeira is how you will get around. This can make or break your trip because Madeira is really a big island, and it takes about one hour to get between towns, trailheads, and other major stops on our itinerary.
Rent a Car in Madeira
You should rent a car in Madeira. If you remember anything that we tell you, it’s this.
Madeira has plenty of public transportation, but it is slow, and if you only have 4 days on the island, you can’t afford to spend extra time riding in a bus or hailing taxis.
Renting a car is easy and affordable, and it allows you the freedom and flexibility to travel at your own pace. That meant we could get to the best hikes before all the tourists, stay longer when we were enjoying a viewpoint, and skip places we didn’t find interesting.
If you decide to book a rental car in Madeira, we’ve always found that DiscoverCars has the best prices, and we personally trust their insurance policy.
Want to reserve a taxi in Madeira?
Public Transportation
Madeira does have bus routes all around the island and taxis in all major towns, including Funchal.
There’s no Uber in Maderia, but you can use BOLT, which is essentially the same thing.
Taxi prices are government-regulated, so there’s no negotiating. The base rate around Funchal is €3-5 and €0.47-0.56 per kilometer (it’s slightly different based on the time of day). You can also prearrange private transfers with WelcomePickups, which we wish we had since we had a really late flight into Madeira!
Public buses are operated by a few companies, such as Horários do Funchal, SAM, Rodoeste, and EACL. Tickets are €2-8, depending on the route. Each company covers a different part of the island, but you can almost always find routes to major tourist areas and trailheads.
That said, the schedules can be pretty infrequent, especially on weekends and in rural areas, so it can be really time-consuming.
Book Day Tours
If you want to knock out a lot of places in Madeira in a single day or prefer not to worry about the logistics of getting around, there are day trips that will take you all around the island. For example;
- Sunrise at Pico do Arieiro with Breakfast
- Best of the East Tour from Funchal
- Best of Madeira’s West Tour
- Funchal: Porto Moniz, Fanal Forest, and Cabo Girao Jeep Tour
These are usually really affordable and include a local guide, pick-up/drop-off in Funchal, and some of them even provide lunch! There are also some adventures you can only have with a tour like whale watching or going canyoning in Madeira.
Day 1 – Hiking & Beaches
Kick off your first day in Madeira by getting a good overview of the island’s northeast coast. We actually stayed here for our first few days (in Machico). We did that so that we could get to Ponta De São Lourenço super early.
It’s an epic day full of hiking to two of the best viewpoints in Maderia, spending time on a couple of the best beaches, and seeing the iconic Santana Houses.
Hike Ponte de Saõ Lourenço
Begin your day at Ponta De São Lourenço, the easternmost point of the island and one of the top sunrise spots on this Madeira itinerary.
We started the 4.7-mile (7.5 km) hike at dawn, and it really was magical to walk along the cliffs and see the stark contrasts between the barren land and the vibrant blue of the sea during sunrise. The main photograph spot is at the end of the out-and-back hike, so if you want to be there to see the sunrise, you should leave about an hour before the sunrise.
Along the way, you can take small detours to stop by Cais De Sardinha, São Lourenço Beach (a.k.a. Praia da BaÃa D’Abra), and Gorilla Rock. But our favorite small offshoot was the small path leading up the cliff right before you get to the small little ‘village’ area.
Our biggest tip is to wear sunscreen and a hat because there is essentially zero shade on this hike.
Also, bring a waterproof jacket if there’s any chance of rain. Conditions can change very quickly, and our sunny hike to Ponta De São Lourenço ended with a massive downpour!
The hike took us about 4 hours in total, so we got back to Machico just in time for brunch.
Relax at Machico Beach
The next thing we did was pop over to Machico Beach to spend time relaxing by the ocean.
Machico Beach is notable for its golden sand (which is all imported from Western Sahara/Morocco but still a lot better than pebbles).
The sandy area is actually quite small, which means it’s super busy. We actually didn’t stay here long because of that and the construction going on at the time. On the longer pebble coast, there are some bamboo sunbeds and umbrellas where you can sunbathe comfortably!
Caniçal Beach is another beach between Machico and Ponta De Sao Lourenço. It offers a more secluded atmosphere, but it’s not sandy. People come here primarily for swimming and snorkeling.
See The Iconic Santana Houses
After relaxing on the beach, head inland to Santana to see the Casas TÃpicas de Santana. It’s a bit of a drive (45 minutes from Machico), and you don’t need a ton of time here, but no visit to Madeira is complete without seeing the iconic traditional homes.
Santana houses have thatched roofs, vibrant colors, and look like A-frame cabins. We saw them on nearly every souvenir shop item in Madeira, from postcards to magnets and coffee mugs.
We also found that it’s very touristy, and everything around the town is overpriced, so wait until you get back to Funchal/Ribeira Brava to eat dinner.
Feed Birds at Levada dos Balcões
Once you finish seeing the houses, continue up into the mountains for another hike. Levada Dos Balcões is only 1.8 miles (2.9 km), and it’s completely flat.
This hike leads to a fenced-in lookout over a deep gorge, which, on a clear day, offers panoramic views of the ocean.
The view here is amazing, but our favorite part was feeding the birds. We had seen that you could do this while researching things to do in Maderia and brought some bread, but that didn’t really attract the birds.
Luckily, there was a lot of bird feed scattered on the ground (you can actually purchase feed from the cafe next to the parking area). So we picked it up, held our hands out, and the bird flew right onto our hands.
It was SO COOL!
Day 2 – Exploring Funchal
Funchal is the capital of Madeira and the center of everything on the island. If you are staying in a villa here, you can just wake up in start exploring.
But we were staying in Ribeira Brava, so it was a 20-minute drive to the city. We parked at Almirante Reis Car Park. It’s right next to the Monte Cable Car, and it costs €1.40 per hour (max of €15 for the day).
Get here early. We pulled into the garage at 10 AM, and there were only a few parking spots left.
Spending your second day here will give you a nice mix of experiences, from elegant wineries to historical sites, botanical gardens, and basket rides down a mountain.
Take the Cable Car to Monte
Start your morning with a visit to Monte, a picturesque parish of Funchal located on the mountain slope.
To get here, you can take a bus or a taxi, but there’s also a cable car between Funchal and Monte that runs every day from 9:00 AM to 5:45 PM. Try to get here as close to 9:00 as possible because the line is ridiculously long by midday.
It costs €12.50 per person each way.
When you get to Monte, the first thing you should do is visit the Monte Palace Tropical Garden. It’s a stunning complex showcasing many local plants, flowers, and fauna. But there are also tons of exotic plants brought here from all over the world, which speak to the history of Portugal’s influence in finding new frontiers around the world.
The botanical garden is open from 9:30 AM – 6:00 PM (Museum = 10:00 AM – 4:30 PM), and the entrance fee is €15 per person.
Ride the Wooden Wicker Toboggans
After spending the morning in Monte, it’s time for one of the most unique ways to get around in Madiera – a wooden wicker basket!
Unfortunately, it looked like it was going to storm the minute we got off the cable car, so we got right in line for the Toboggan ride and missed out on walking around the palace.
The experience involves sliding down steep streets on a wicker basket sled, guided by two sled drivers wearing white clothes and straw hats. It’s a little pricey (€15-25 per person), and we also had to wait about an hour in line, but we are so glad we did it!
They get going pretty fast. Also, you’re on an actual road, so there are sharp turns, intersections, and pedestrians all throughout the ride. This made it way more thrilling than we expected!
Once you get to the bottom, tip the sled drivers and then catch a taxi or a bus back to Funchal.
We got back to the city around 2:00 PM, grabbed a sandwich from Casa do Bolo do Caco (Holy Cow, it was good), and then set off to learn about traditional Madeira Wine.
Taste Madeira Wine
Maderia Wine has been around for hundreds of years and has a pretty interesting history. Some of the most famous wineries have locations in Funchal, where you can participate in tastings or take tours to learn more about the wine-making process.
Madeira wine is fortified, which leads to a more syrupy flavor, and it tends to be a bit stronger since distilled spirits are added to the wine-making process.
It comes in four different varietals, from super dry to super sweet, and some see it as a dessert wine.
The most well-known wineries to visit are Blandy’s Wine Lodge and H.M. Borges, but we actually enjoyed our experience most at D’ Oliveira. They gave us free tastings and some small snacks to go along with the wine!
The Highest Seacliff in Europe
After trying Madeira wine and walking around town for a few hours in the afternoon, hitch a ride to Cabo Girão Sywalk, about 20 minutes west of Funchal.
It’s a glass-floored lookout that sits on a 1,900-foot (580 meters) high!
Unsurprisingly, it’s the highest sea cliff in Europe. The entrance fee is just a couple of euros and it has a beautiful view of the coastline all the way to Câmara de Lobos, which is the final stop for day 2 on this Madeira itinerary.
Interested in a Cabo Girão and Wine Tasitng Tour?
Dinner in Câmara de Lobos
Conclude your day with dinner in Câmara de Lobos, a charming fishing village just a short drive from Funchal. All along the water, we see fresh seafood restaurants and other Madeiran eateries.
We ate at Bar Seven Seas, and it was pretty good, but we would actually recommend O Viola Restaurant up in the hills.
O Viola was recommended to us by a couple of local tour guides we met canyoning in Maderia. It’s a little pricier than what we had at other places, but the espedatas here were incredible. We got the chicken, sausage, and their signature Steak Fillet Skewer.
Day 3 – Natural Pools and Beaches
Dedicate your third day to exploring the more rugged northwest coast of Madeira.
Seixal and Porto Moniz are known for their natural pools and black sand beaches, and the drive here through Sao Vicente is a ‘thing to do’ in and of itself. This is easily the most beautiful place to drive in Maderia.
This side of the island gets a lot more rain than the south, which is why we don’t recommend basing yourself there, but it’s also a good reason to check the weather before you go.
If it’s supposed to rain in Madeira that day, then you should consider swapping day it with day 4 and waiting for a sunnier day. This West Coast Jeep Tour takes you to Porto Moniz, Sexial, The Fanal Forest, Cabo Girão, and a few scenic lookouts along the way!
Seixal Black Sand Beach
On day three, head to the opposite side of the island to explore Sexial’s black sand beach and natural pools. We went to the beach first because we wanted to watch the sunrise here, and it was a great decision!
We got to hang out on the beach before all the crowds and it faces east, so you can watch the sunrise next to the jagged shoreline from the beach.
This is also a great place to learn how to surf if you’re into it. There are surf rentals and instructors on the beach most days.
Then, drive 5 minutes around the cove to Seixal Natural Pools (Piscinas Naturais do Seixal). You really only need about an hour here, and it’s completely free, but it’s one place we wouldn’t skip if the ocean is calm.
Unfortunately, if the tide is rough at all, you’re not allowed to enter the pools.
Porto Moniz Natural Pools
The natural pools in Seixal were too rough to swim when we visited, which really bummed us out.
But when we drove up the coast to Porto Moniz, there was a lot more infrastructure here, and we were able to swim here!
Unlike Seixial, the natural pools here are manmade but filled with natural seawater. They have done a good job keeping some of the original rock to make it feel more natural. The area offers lots of places to lay out, changing facilities, and dining options nearby.
Entrance was €3 and we spent about 4-5 hours here before leaving to find lunch.
On a calm day, there’s a diving board on the right side of the pool (near Piscinas Cafe). It’s about 12 feet (4 meters) high and has a ladder to help you climb back up to the cliff edge.
Fanal Forest Mystical Forest
On your way back from Porto Moniz, instead of following the highway along the coast, take ER209 to the Fanal Forest.
Similar to most places in Madeira, the Fanal Forest surpassed our expectations. It was just like the photos, if not more magical. We got there around 3 PM, and it was super foggy. Park here if you want to be close to the best part of the forest.
The twisting trees and dense fog create an eerie, surreal ambiance, and there’s enough space to make it not feel too crowded, even if you’re visiting during peak season. We spent way longer than expected here, so plan on at least 2 hours.
Once we had explored the forest, we found some tasty espetadas at Cozinha a Lenha restaurant.
Day 4 – Adventure in Madeira
If you’re spending 4 days in Maderia, you should spend the final day having a couple of epic adventures. Two of the most exciting things you can do on the island are go canyoneering down a series of waterfalls and watch the sunrise at Pico Do Areeiro.
Sunrise at Pico do Arieiro
Your last day in Madeira starts before dawn. You’ll want to leave about 1 hour before sunrise and drive up to Pico Do Areeiro for one of the most breathtaking sunrises in Europe.
Standing at 1,818 meters, it’s the 3rd highest peak in Madeira.
You can drive all the way to the peak, which is about 40 minutes from Funchal. At the top, there’s a large radar station and a couple of cafes/shops, and it’s also the trailhead for the Pico do Areeiro – Pico Ruivo hike.
We came on the perfect day. There were some clouds, but overall, the weather was wonderful.
You can see the sunrise from this Radar Station, Miradouro Boco do Buraco, or hike a short bit along the trail to Pico Ruivo and watch the sunrise from Miradouro do Ninho da Manta.
We watched from the Radar Station and then, immediately after sunrise, began hiking a portion of the trail. We only hiked about 2 miles before turning around at the tunnel, and even though we didn’t do the whole hike, this is where most of the best lookouts are, and you’ll get to walk across the infamous ‘staircase to heaven.’
You can also book a Sunrise Tour to Pico do Areeiro with breakfast but don’t spend too much time if you plan on coming back to Funchal for Canyoning.
go Canyoning
Our canyoning tour in Madeira started from Funchal at 9:30 AM, so after watching the sunrise, you’ll want to grab a quick breakfast and head to the pickup point in Funchal.
Canyoning is one of the most adrenaline-pumping activities in Madeira. It combines rappelling, swimming, and cliff jumping in the deepest gorges, mountains, and waterfalls on the island.
We booked an Intermediate Canyoning Tour, and it felt like the right difficulty (the Canyoning Beginner Tour is more geared towards kids and people who have never done anything like this).
More Things to Do in Madeira
Of course, there are enough things to do in Maderia to fill months of an itinerary. Here are some of our other favorite places on the island and things to do that you could substitute for any of the ones we listed!
Levada do 25 Fontes & Levada do Risco
Levada do 25 Fontes and Levada do Risco are two of Madeira’s most enchanting walks, leading hikers through dense laurel forests to stunning waterfalls. The 25 Fontes trail ends at a beautiful natural pool fed by 25 cascades, while Levada do Risco offers an impressive view of a single, dramatic waterfall dropping into the valley below.
This was the hardest thing to leave off of our 4-day Madeira itinerary and the place we’d tell you to go if you had a fifth day. It was a gorgeous hike and relatively flat, so it didn’t feel like a struggle.
But we lost our drone at Risco, so the memories are a little bittersweet.
Calheta Beach
Calheta Beach stands out in Madeira for its golden sands, although it is man-made, just like Machico.
There are lots of beach chairs along both shorelines, a shallow area of the ocean for swimming, and a seawall to keep the water calm. There are also a number of nice restaurants here. We got Indian curry at Buddha & Sakura.
This is the sunniest place in Madeira. Even when the rest of the island is in a dense fog, it seems like Calheta remains sunny. Because of this, many people looking for more of a beach holiday prefer to base themselves in Calheta.
Levada do Caldeirão Verde
The Levada do Caldeirão Verde trail is a beautiful trail in northeast Madeira, near Levada Dos Balcões. The path starts out relatively normal, but the final few kilometers are carved along the side of a mountain with massive drop-offs and insane views of the valley.
The waterfall was cool but sort of underwhelming compared to what we were expecting.
Make sure to do this early if you do. There’s not much space to walk, and on the way back, it was really annoying having to stop and hug the wall every 2 minutes to let a tour group pass. It was really cool.
Achadas da Cruz
Achadas da Cruz isn’t the most popular tourist spot in Madeira, but it was one of our favorite things we did, and you could easily substitute it with Porto Moniz or the Fanal Forest on Day 3 if you prefer.
It starts at the top of a huge cliff, and you take a cable car straight down to a small deserted village at the base of the cliff with walking paths and agriculture terraces.
We really enjoyed exploring paths and seeing the coastline from a different perspective, but the cable car ride is a bit out of the way for some people. It costs €5 per person for the roundtrip ticket.
Dolphin + Whale Watching
If canyoning doesn’t sound like your thing, you could always go dolphin/whale watching in Madeira instead. This part of the Atlantic is one of the best places to see marine mammals, especially if you’re visiting Maderia between April and October.
The area has large populations of bottlenose dolphins, sperm whales, and minkes, humpback whales, fin whales, and occasionally orcas.
Of course, you’re never guaranteed to see whales, but on this sunset tour, you’ll still get to watch the sunset from a catamaran boat and swim below Cabo Girao Skywalk!
Is 4 Days in Madeira enough?
If you only have 4 days to see Madeira, it’s enough to get a brief overview of the island’s best stops, but you will have to pick and choose. The best advice we can give you is to make sure to start each day early and rent a car in Madeira so that you have full control over your itinerary.
Madeira is a place that we think everyone should visit at least once in their lives, and we hope that it’s just as impressive to you as it was to us!
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