Madeira Islands: Travel Guide & 7-Day Itinerary
So you want to go to Portugal?
Nestled in the heart of the Atlantic Ocean, Madeira, Portugal, may not be the easiest place to get to, but is absolutely worth it. Whether you like the beach, the mountains, or the city — Madeira Island has something for everyone.
Flying to Madeira from Lisbon is easy and pretty cheap. Hannah Ayla shares that she was able to get round trip tickets for about $150. Keep in mind many of the budget airlines charge extra for luggage so be sure to check hidden charges when budgeting.
The entire island is only 34 miles (55 km) long, 14 miles (22 km) wide, and has a coastline of about 90 miles (144 km). The fun thing about Madeira Islands is that each area offers an entirely different experience. As usual, Hannah Ayla includes both tourist attractions that are worth the hype, and some local tips for a unique experience.
Read along to see what Madeira has to offer for you!
Where to stay in Madeira:
Without a car: If you don’t have a car, recommend staying in Funchal for ease of public transportation and meeting spots for excursions and activities.
Quiet and scenic coastal village: Porto da Cruz on the North Coast, or Jardim do Mar on the South coast. Also honorable mention to Câmara de Lobos.
To explore Madeira by car: Ribeira Brava is central, but would recommend splitting your time between staying in both the East and the West.
For relaxing beach vibes: Machico on the East coast or Calheta on the South Coast.
Traditional Madieran dishes to try:
Espetada: This is one of Madeira's signature dishes, consisting of skewers of marinated and grilled beef or, less commonly, fish.
Bolo do Caco: Bolo do Caco is a type of traditional Madeiran bread that is typically served as an accompaniment to meals. It's a round, flat bread made from sweet potato and served warm with garlic butter.
Lapas com Molho de Manteiga (Limpets in Garlic Butter): Limpets are a type of sea snail commonly found in Madeiran waters. They are typically cooked with garlic, lemon, and a generous amount of butter, creating a rich and flavorful dish. They are often served as an appetizer.
Black Scabbard Fish (Espada Preta): This deep-sea fish is a Madeiran delicacy. It is typically pan-fried and served with banana, passion fruit, or a traditional Madeira sauce called "molho de vilão," which is made with wine, tomatoes, and spices.
Milho Frito: Milho Frito is a dish made from cubes of polenta that are deep-fried until they are crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. It is often served as a side dish alongside meat or fish and can be found at many traditional Madeiran restaurants.
TLDR Madeira Island:
Rent a car: Transportation on the island can be hard to find and expensive. If you opt to not rent a car, keep in mind that Taxi’s are very expensive. Be sure to download Bolt before going — Ubers are not available on the island, but Bolt is a cost effecive way to still have transportation.
Transportation from Airport: If you do not book a car, it is highly recommended to take the local bus or the Aero-bus to Funchal. The cost of a taxi will likely be around €35-50 euros, whereas the bus costs just €8 (and included a return ticket as well).
Mosquitos: Depending on the time of year, it is very likely that you will experience a lot of mosquitos. Keep this in mind when picking lodging, as many places do not have air conditioning and opening your windows at night is not always an option if you are sensitive to mosquito bites. As someone who is very sensitive, I alwasy come prepared with all my sprays and repellents. If you forget yours, there are plenty of pharmacies that will carry bug spray. One thing
Air conditioning: Depending on the time of year, Madeira is often very warm and humid. Of the 3 places I stayed, only one didn’t have AC and I barely slept during that stay.
Packing tip: Madeira has a lot of hills (ok all of Portugal does), so be sure to pack comfortable shoes.
Suggested 7 day itinerary:
Day 1: Funchal and Monte
Since the only airport on the island is located in Funchal, it is recommended to stay there for a few days.
Start your day with a walking tour to learn about the history of the town, and maybe get some great recommendations from a local. To find a walking tour, here are some top rated suggestions. (Note: If you aren’t feeling a long walk, there are also TukTuk tours of Funchal that offer similar history!)
Lunch at Caso do Bolo do Caco: Stop by Casa do Bolo do Caco for a traditional sandwich using the Madeiran bread, Bolo do caco.
Cable Car to Monte: After lunch, head over to Monte, a suburb of Funchal located up on a hill with beautiful views. Monte Palace is a common tourist location, but worth visiting. To get up to the mountain, there are various ways but I recommend the cable car, located near Jardim do Almirante Reis. Pricing runs a bit high at 12.50 euros for a one way. Once up at Monte, stop by the Monte Palace Tropical Gardens. Fun fact: If you want a unique experience, just a 10 minute walk down the mountain to the seps of Nossa Senhora do Monte Church, there is a toboggan ride to go down the mountain. Note that you will not get all the way to the bottom so be prepared to walk a bit after.
Zona Velha: If you take the cable car back down, you will get dropped off right near Zona Velha, the oldest district. This 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. Make sure to walk down Rua de Santa Maria, one of the oldest streets in Funchal!
View from the cable car down from Monte
Day 2: Pico do Arieiro to Pico Ruivo hike
Pico do Arieiro to Pico Ruivo hike: Start your second day by getting up early and heading to one of the most beautiful and unique hikes. Depending on your style, you can either book a guided hike, drive to the trailhead yourself, or book a transfer. One thing to note is that this strenuous hike is not a loop, so it is advised to book a transfer that will drop you at the trailhead, and pick you up at the end.
One of the many gorgeous views from the Pico to Pico hike.
Get ready for some serious elevation gain on the hike!
Day 3: Dolphins and Pools in Funchal
Dolphins: Can’t recommend this enough. It is run by a marine biologist who really understands and protects these beautiful animals. Unlike other tours that often ignore signs of distress, this tour really takes into account how the animals are doing and knows when to approach the pod. One thing to note is that you do have the opportunity to get in the water and swim alongside them, but it is brief and you must hold onto the rope as the boat pulls you.
Swimming in the ‘Lidos’: After the dolphin experience, head over to a ‘Lido’ or public pool. They are about 5 euros and are beautiful facilities that overlook the ocean (and have dedicated spots to swim in the ocean). My favorite lido was the Lido Bathing Complex in São Martinho. You can easily take public transportation, there is plenty of parking, and its a fun non-touristy thing to do. Hot tip: Purchasing a chair at the lidos costs 1 euro and is absolutely worth it!
Lido Bathing Complex, this is the main bathing complex
Photo of dolphin taken from the boat with no zoom! Magical experience.
Doca do Cavacas Natural Pool
Day 4: Explore North and West side of Madeira
Explore the island: There is so much to see on such a small island but some notable spots include Farol da Ponta do Pargo, Miradouro da Santinha, Valley of the Nuns, Miradouro Eira do Serrado.
Day 5: Porto Moniz Natural Swimming Pools
Porto Moniz Natural Swimming Pools: The natural swimming pools of Porto Moniz are saltwater pools created in lava formations by the ocean, in the municipality of Porto Moniz. There are amenities near the natural pools including a locker area, showers and bars, so you can spend the whole day here if you wanted!
Dinner in Moniz: After spending the day in the pools, get ready and head to dinner in Moniz. Some recommendations include Conchinha and Sea View Restaurant.
Day 6: Câmara de Lobos
Câmara de Lobos: After a few days of hiking and moving around, you may want some time to chill. Staying in Câmara de Lobos is a great way to have a little R&R. Highly suggest staying at Pestana Churchill Bay hotel.
Day 7: Porto Santo Island
Porto Santo Island: If you have a full day available, taking the ferry to this pristine island is absolutely worth it. Daily ferry crossings are available to and from Madeira, and the journey takes at least two hours.
Fun fact: all of the art in Câmara de Lobos is made using recycled materials or trash.
Looking for more Portugal information?
Check out Hannah Ayla’s travel guides on Portugal.
Caiscais, Corales & Sintra
Lisbon
Porto
Douro Valley
Essential tips for Portugal
