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Madeira, a lush and picturesque portuguese island off the northwest coast of Africa, is a hidden gem in the Atlantic Ocean known for its dramatic mountains, vibrant culture and unique landscapes.
Whether you’re looking to hike through breathtaking trails, explore stunning viewpoints or enjoy an epic Madeira road trip, our 7-day itinerary has something for everyone.
Day 1: Explore Funchal
Whenever flying into a new destination it’s always nice to have a relaxing first day, so I suggest exploring the capital city of Funchal on your first day. Funchal, with its rich history, charming streets and beautiful coastal views, offers a perfect introduction to the island of Madeira.
Monte Palace Madeira
The Monte Palace Tropical Garden is a great place to start your day in Funchal, with its diverse range of exotic plants, lush greenery and impressive collection of azulejos (traditional Portuguese tiles).
The garden also features koi ponds and an intriguing museum with African art and minerals. It’s a tranquil place to spend the morning, before heading into the busier parts of Funchal.
Funchal Cable Car
One of the best ways to get to Monte Palace is by taking the Funchal Cable Car from the Old Town up to Monte. The cable car ride offers incredible views over Funchal and costs 18 euros for a round-trip.
Funchal Old Town
Funchal Old Town is a must visit when exploring Funchal. This historic area is a maze of narrow, cobbled streets lined with colourful buildings, lively cafes and unique shops.
It’s easy to lose track of time when wandering around these quaint streets! Make sure to check out the Rua de Santa Maria, known for its colourful painted doors.
After exploring the Old Town, treat yourself to a meal at one of the many excellent restaurants. If you’re up for trying authentic Madeiran food, try the traditional dish “bolo do caco” (Madeiran flatbread), we absolutely loved these and got them almost everyday!
We also recommend dining at Hamburgueria do Mercado, they serve delicious burgers and fruit milkshakes and are vegetarian friendly.
Pico dos Barcelos Viewpoint
Finish your day by heading to the Pico dos Barcelos viewpoint. This spot offers a panoramic view of Funchal, the bay and the surrounding mountains. It’s a great place to watch the sunset and take some photos of the city.
Day 2: Pico Do Arieiro Sunrise and hike to Pico Ruivo
Sunrise at Pico Do Arieiro
Here’s where the adventure starts. Get up bright and early for a sunrise at Pico Do Arieiro, the third highest peak in Madeira. At 1,818 metres above sea level, Pico Do Arieiro offers stunning panoramic views that are particularly breathtaking at sunrise, casting a golden glow over the surrounding peaks and valleys. The Pico Do Arieiro to Pico Ruivo hike is a must-do for any outdoor enthusiast visiting Madeira.
The drive to the peak is an adventure in itself, winding through the mountainous terrain of Madeira. Once at the top, find a good spot and watch the sunrise, it’s a magical experience that’s well worth the early wake-up call.
Photos edited with our Adventure Collection Presets ✨
Hike to Pico Ruivo
- 📌 Distance - 11 km (round trip)
- 🏔️ Elevation - 1000m
- ⏲️ Estimated Time - 6 hours
- 📈 Difficulty - Moderate
After watching the sunrise, it’s time to hike to Pico Ruivo. To make the most of your day and avoid the midday heat, start your hike as early as possible. The trail from Pico Do Arieiro to Pico Ruivo is one of the most breathtaking hikes on the island, offering a challenging yet rewarding journey through rugged terrain, tunnels and unique landscapes.
The trail is well-marked and offers a variety of landscapes, from rocky outcrops and dense forests to open ridges with breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains and valleys. Along the way, you’ll encounter several lookout points perfect for rest stops and photo opportunities.
Must-do Madeira hikes 👇
Chloe Butcher
Return or Pickup
After enjoying the summit, you have two options: hike back to Pico Do Arieiro or arrange for a pickup at Achada do Teixeira, a shorter route back down from Pico Ruivo. If you choose to hike back, be prepared for a similarly challenging return journey. Alternatively, the hike down to Achada do Teixeira is a less strenuous route of about 3.5km.
Day 3: Seixal Beach & Natural Pools + Ribeira da Janela
Day 3 of this Madeira itinerary takes you to the island’s stunning north coast, where you’ll explore the beautiful Seixal Beach and its natural pools, followed by a visit to the dramatic landscapes of Ribeira da Janela.
Seixal Beach
Start your day at Seixal Beach, one of Madeira’s most picturesque black sand beaches. The calm waters and soft black sand make it an ideal spot for swimming and sunbathing.
With a background of dramatic mountains and greenery, it’s also the perfect spot for photography. The unique black sand, formed from volcanic activity, adds a striking contrast to the vibrant blue of the ocean.
Natural Pools of Seixal
Just a short walk from the beach, you’ll find the natural pools of Seixal. These volcanic rock pools are filled with crystal-clear seawater, perfect for a relaxing swim that allows you to see the rocky bottom and marine life.
Ribeira da Janela
In the afternoon, make your way to Ribeira da Janela, a dramatic coastal area known for its unique rock formations rising from the sea just offshore. These jagged rocks create a dramatic and photogenic scene, so make sure to bring a camera!
There’s also walking trails in the area that wind along the coastline and through the lush valleys, offering breathtaking views of the ocean and the rugged cliffs.
Check out our Madeira map & travel guide for more hidden gems, hikes & photo spots like this one 👇
Going to Madeira? These spots are too good to miss 👀
Unlock exclusive access to our favourite hikes, hidden gems, photo spots & more with our interactive digital map & travel guide.
Day 4: Rabaçal Waterfalls and Fanal Forest
Day 4 of this Madeira adventure itinerary is all about exploring the island’s lush forests and stunning waterfalls located on the west side of the island. You’ll visit the enchanting Fanal Forest and the Rabacal area, known for its many waterfalls and scenic hikes.
Fanal Forest
Start the day with a visit to the mystical Fanal Forest, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Fanal Forest is famous for its ancient, twisted laurel trees often shrouded in mist, creating an ethereal and otherworldly atmosphere. This spot is epic for photography so make sure to bring a camera.
It’s worth noting that it can be tricky to catch the forest in the mist, so you might have to visit a few times before seeing it (we did)!
Rabaçal Area
Next, head to the Rabaçal area, an area known for its lush greenery, dramatic landscapes and stunning waterfalls. There are a number of walks you can do here, but we recommend these:
Risco Waterfall and 25 Fontes (25 Springs)
Risco Waterfall and 25 Fontes are two of the most popular walks in this area and for good reason. Surrounded by lush forests, levadas and cascading waterfalls, these trails immerse you in Madiera’s serene landscape.
The two walks share the same trail for about 2 km, before a path appears for Risco Waterfall. It's a short 1.5 km there and back, so it's easy to combine both routes for one longer walk.
Lagoa do Vento
Another beautiful trail to explore in this area is Lagoa do Vento, which leads you to tranquil waterfall that feeds into Risco Waterfall. The trail to Lagoa do Vento is approximately 2.7km round trip and takes about 2-3 hours.
This trail takes you above the previous walks, so you get some beautiful views of the surrounding valleys and into the unique laurel forest.
Day 5: Levada do Caldeirão Verde + Santana + Miradouro do Guindaste
Day 5 is dedicated to exploring the east side of Madeira Island, with a scenic hike along the Levada do Caldeirão Verde in the morning. In the afternoon, explore the picturesque village of Santana and end the day with a visit to the stunning Miradouro do Guindaste.
Levada do Caldeirão Verde
- 📌 Distance - 13 km (round trip)
- 🏔️ Elevation - 110m
- ⏲️ Estimated Time - 4 hours
- 📈 Difficulty - Moderate
Begin your day bright and early with the Levada do Caldeirão Verde hike, one of Madeira’s most scenic levada trails. We recommend starting the hike in the morning as it allows you to enjoy the serene landscape without the crowds and heat of the midday sun.
The trail takes you through the UNESCO-listed Laurisilva forest, with its dense vegetation, moss-covered trees and vibrant flora. You’ll see several waterfalls and pass through dark, narrow tunnels carved into the rock, so make sure to bring a torch.
The trail ends at the serene Caldeirão Verde lagoon, and is the perfect spot to have a picnic and enjoy the serene landscape.
Santana
After your morning hike, head to the charming village of Santana. Santana is famous for its traditional thatched-roof houses, known as the ‘Houses of Santana’.
These colourful, A-frame houses are a symbol of Madeira and provide a glimpse into the island’s past, many of which are now museums or shops selling local products and crafts.
Miradouro do Guindaste
The last stop of the day is Miradouro do Guindaste, a stunning viewpoint offering panoramic views of the north coast of Madeira. It’s an ideal spot for photography, with views of the rugged coastline, towering cliffs and vast Atlantic Ocean.
Day 6: Ponta de São Lourenço
The next stop on this Madeira itinerary is dedicated to exploring Ponta de São Lourenço, the easternmost point of the island. Known for its dramatic landscapes and rugged coastline, this area offers some of the most breathtaking views in Madeira.
Ponta de São Lourenço Hike
- 📌 Distance - 8 km (round trip)
- 🏔️ Elevation - 448 m
- ⏲️ Estimated Time - 3 hours
- 📈 Difficulty - Easy
Start your day with a hike along the Ponta de São Lourenço península. The hike is known for its unique volcanic landscape, striking rock formations and panoramic ocean views. Again, we recommend starting this hike early, as the trail gets very busy and there is no shade from the midday sun.
The trail takes you through a rocky landscape with little vegetation, which is quite the contrast to the lush greenery found everywhere else on the island. Throughout the hike, you’ll have beautiful views of the Atlantic Ocean on both sides of the peninsula. On clear days, you can see the nearby Desertas Islands and even Porto Santo in the distance.
Prainha
If you have time and energy, take a detour to Prainha, a small black sand beach located near the beginning of the trail. It’s a great spot for a refreshing swim and a bit of relaxation before or after your hike, and when the tide is out you can swim in rock pools.
Afternoon Exploration in the area
On your way out, stop off at the Ponta do Rosto Viewpoint, located north of Ponta de São Lourenço. This viewpoint offers more incredible views of the coastline and the peninsula you just hiked. Caniçal is the closest village, and has several restaurants and cafes where you can enjoy fresh seafood and traditional Madeiran dishes.
Day 7: Ponta Do Sol / South Coast
The final day of your Madeira road trip is dedicated to exploring Madeiras South Coast, with charming towns, viewpoints and coastal villages. The day will be filled with scenic drives, beautiful waterfalls and a perfect sunset to end your trip.
Cascata dos Anjos
Cascata dos Anjos is one of Madeira’s most unique waterfalls. It’s famous for its location over a old coastal road, allowing you to drive through the waterfall as it cascades over the cliff and onto the road below. It’s a great spot for photos and has incredible views looking out over the ocean.
Calheta
Stop off in the town of Calheta, where you’ll find the sandy Calheta Beach, plenty of bars, cafes and restaurants; and a contemporary art museum called “Casa das Mudas”.
Explore the Miradouros (Viewpoints)
Continue along Madeira’s scenic south coast and stop at some of the Miradouros (viewpoints) to enjoy panoramic views of the ocean and the dramatic cliffs. Miradouro da Garganta Funda and Miradouro do Fio are two excellent spots to take in the scenery.
The best photo spots in Madeira 👇
Chloe Butcher
Coastal Villages
Visit the coastal villages of Paul do Mar and Jardim do Mar. These small fishing villages are known for their stunning coastal views, charming streets and excellent seafood restaurants. They are perfect for a walk along the coast and a lunch break.
Sunset in Ponta do Sol
Ponta do Sol is one of the oldest towns in Madeira and is known for its sunny weather. Wander through the narrow streets lined with colourful buildings, visit the 15th-century Church of Nossa Senhora da Luz and take in the views from the town’s small pier.
We highly recommend watching the sunset from the pier or promenade, as you can see it set behind the ocean which creates some mesmerising colours.
Do you need a car for a 7 day Madiera intinerary?
We would highly recommend hiring a car for this 7-day itinerary, as it will allow you to have the freedom to explore the island at your own pace and visit hidden gems. If you choose to drive in Madeira, see our full driving guide below. 👇
Chloe Butcher
However, you can still see plenty of these attractions by using public transport or joining guided tours.
Where to Stay for one week in Madeira?
Madeira is quite a small island so no matter where you base yourself, you'll still be within an hour from any attractions. We'd recommend staying in Funchal if you wan't a lively area or a seaside town like Calheta or Ponta Do Sol if you want a laid-back atmosphere. Check out our full guide on where to stay in Madeira. 👇
Chloe Butcher
👋 We hope that you found this guide helpful! Before you go - don't forget to read our other Madeira travel guides for more tips, suggestions & advice.
Want to make the most of your trip? Remember to check out our interactive Madeira Map - packed with hidden gems, exclusive tips and photo spots you won’t find in every blog post 👀
