Thinking about visiting the beautiful island of Madeira? Looking to do some hiking but also relax and enjoy its beautiful sites? Then I’ve got you covered. In this blog, I will share the perfect itinerary I created to spend one week in Madeira. I think it is the perfect combination of hikes, sightseeing, and relaxing.
Interesting Facts About Madeira
Madeira, often called the Hawaii of Europe, is a small island in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean that belongs to Portuguese territory. It is filled with forests, exotic plants, and mountains that make it a paradise for nature lovers.
Here are some interesting facts about this beautiful island.
- Madeira in Portuguese means wood. When it was originally claimed by the Portuguese in 1419 it was covered in laurisilva forests.
- Madeira is an island but it is also the name of an archipelago of 4 islands. There are 3 smaller islands: Porto Santo, Desertas, and Selvagens.
- It is a very mountainous island, making it a hiker’s paradise. It has over 450 trails and more than 3000km of hiking.
- The island is known to be the home of fortified wine which can either be dry or sweet.
- Madeira’s most famous personality is the football player Christiano Ronaldo.
Plan your trip to madeira
- Book your flight with Skyscanner.com
- Book your car with Rentalcars.com
- Find the best places to stay with Booking.com
- Get reliable travel insurance.
- Find the best activities to do like this hike from Pico do Areiro to Pico Ruivo.
- Don’t forget to pack your hiking boots and a power bank.
- Read the Lonely Planet Madeira as a preparation for your trip and Walking on Madeira to choose the best hikes.
One week in Madeira: The perfect itinerary
Here is my itinerary for one week in Madeira.
Map with Madeira Itinerary
Here you can find the map with all the places we visited in Madeira. Each day is marked with a different color to help group the activities by day.
DAY 1: Fly to Madeira
Your first day will be all about getting to Madeira and your accommodation on the island. Depending on your time of arrival, you might want to go out and explore a little bit or just chill and relax at your hotel.
In our case, our flight to the island was only landing in Funchal at 11 pm so we just went straight to our hotel to sleep.
DAY 2: Valley of the Nuns (Curral das Freiras)
On you’re first full day in Madeira you’ll take it slow and visit the Valley of Nuns and Curral das Freiras.
Curral das Freiras is a small village in the middle of Madeira in between sharp tall mountains. It is said that the town is located in the middle of an extinct volcano. This valley gets its name because apparently, the nuns escaped Funchal to avoid the pirates on the coast and came to live here.
Stop 1: Eira do Serrado Viewpoint
Your first stop will be Eira do Serrado Viewpoint. From here, you can admire the small village of Curral das Freiras from above. Spend as much time here as you want to enjoy the view.
Good to know: There is also a café/restaurant where you can get something to drink/eat.
Stop 2: Hike down to Curral das Freiras
From this viewpoint, there is a walking path called The Nun’s Path that will take you all the way down to Curral das Freiras. This walk will take you approximately 50 minutes, depending on your pace, to reach the village.
Stop 3: Curral das Freiras
Once you have reached Curral das Freiras, walk around its streets and enjoy its ambiance. There are not that many activities to do in this village, it is more about wandering around and discovering its little charms.
- Wander the main street and have a look at the different shops.
- Get something to eat.
- Get a photo in one of the nun cutouts…
DAY 3: Pico do Areiro to Pico Ruivo Hike
Today is all about hiking one of the most impressive hikes I have done so far. If you’re not a usual hiker, this hike is more on the challenging side so I don’t recommend it. If you still want to do it, then I suggest you hike only the first 1,5km and you will already get stunning views.
Stop 1: Sunrise at Pico do Areiro
Rise and shine! Today you will wake up very early but it will be worth it!
The first stop of the day will be to watch a beautiful sunrise at Pico do Areiro. If you’re lucky, like we were, you might even get to experience above the clouds. It is a very special way to start your day.
Tip: Make sure to arrive at Pico do Areiro at least 15 minutes before sunrise because the parking lot fills up quite quickly. Another thing you might want to consider is bringing a warm fleece. It get quite chilly up there.
Stop 2: Hike to Pico Ruivo
After sunrise, it is time to hike to Pico Ruivo. The hike in total is around 7km long but you will have a height gain of around 1000 meters. You will first descend into the valley and then hike up to Pico Ruivo.
I’m not going to lie, this hike is challenging. Especially if you are a bit out of shape like we were on this trip but the views totally made up for the effort. We walked at a slow pace and took as many breaks as we needed and soaked the views. Everywhere you look is more impressive than the previous one.
Tips for this hike: Make sure to bring some proper hiking shoes and a headlight. Along the way, we found some muddy and slippery areas from previous rainy days and hiking boots were very handy. You will also have to go through several long tunnels in which you will need to use some light to see watch your step.
Stop 3: Hike back to Pico do Areiro
Once you reach Pico Ruivo and enjoy the views from up there, it is time to get back to Pico do Areiro where your car is parked. To do so, you will have to hike back the way you came. Alternatively, if you don’t want to hike back you can hike down Vereda do Pico Ruivo (approximately 2km) and get a taxi from there. However, this taxi will cost you approximately 80 euros.
We chose to hike back to Pico do Areiro and took it one step at a time. It was tough, particularly the last kilometer. However, as we were returning the clouds came upon us and we got to experience this hike with mist which make it quite pretty too.
DAY 4: Seixal and Achadas da Cruz
Day 4 will be a more relaxed one to let your legs rest after the Pico-Pico Hike, especially if you chose to hike back. We will do some sightseeing on the northern and western coast of Madeira and also relax at the beach or natural pools
Stop 1: Cascata do Veu da Noiva (Bride's Veil Waterfall)
Begin your day by driving north of the island until the Cascata do Veu da Noiva viewpoint. As its name says, this waterfall resembles the veil of a bride. It is a long but thin waterfall that falls from a cliff into the sea. Unfortunately, it is not possible to get close to the waterfall.
Once you’re done contemplating the waterfall, don’t leave just yet. From the parking lot, follow a path down towards Ponta do Poiso. From there, you will be able to enjoy a better view of the waterfall and Seixal town as well. Plus, you will most probably be alone there.
Stop 2: Seixal
The next stop is the small coastal town of Seixal. Here you will be able to relax and if the day is sunny go for a swim. You can choose between the black sand beach of Seixal or the natural pools.
We chose to relax and drink a coffee on a terrace near the beach and then go for a dip at the Seixal Natural Pools. Unfortunately, the day began really sunny but by the time we got to the pools, the sea got quite agitated and it wasn’t safe anymore to swim in them. We did get some pretty photos though!
Stop 3: Porto Moniz
Stop number 3 of your day will be Porto Moniz. By now it will probably lunch time so it is the perfect place to get lunch near the coast.
Another option, will be to enjoy the natural pools of Porto Moniz as well.
Stop 4: Achadas da Cruz
The last stop of the day will be Achadas da Cruz. To get here you will have to drive to the Achadas da Cruz parking lot and get a cable car to go down. The return ticket costs 5 euros per person and the cable car allows a maximum of 4 persons per ride.
Once you’re down there, you will be able to enjoy a super nice walk along the coast, walk along the small houses of the Achadas da Cruz and relax watching the waves break at the coast. Just make sure to be in time back at the cable car before the last ride at 6 pm.
We stayed around 2 hours in Achadas da Cruz. The sea was so pretty and watching the waves was hypnotizing. For us, it was the perfect way to end our day.
DAY 5: Ponta do Sao Lourenço Hike
On day 5, it is time to put on your hiking shoes again to do another amazing hike. After all, they don’t say Madeira is a hike’s paradise for no reason.
Stop 1: Ponta do Sao Lourenço Hike
Today we will drive to the easternmost part of Madeira Island to hike all the way to Ponta do Sao Lourenço. This hike is a 7,5km hike along the coast that ends up with amazing views of the Atlantic Ocean.
The scenery of this hike is very different from the Pico do Areiro – Pico Ruivo hike but not any less pretty. The contrast of the orange/brown rock cliffs against the blue ocean will definitely impress you. You will find yourself stopping every few hundred meters to admire the views.
Tip: On a sunny day, I recommend trying to start the hike as early as possible. There is not a single shadow along the trail. Also, make sure to bring plenty of water to stay hydrated.
Stop 2: Sao Lourenço Beach
On your way back from the hike, if you feel like adding a few steps to your hike, I suggest you stop and relax at Sao Lourenço Beach. If the weather is good, you can even cool down in the water!
Stop 3: Santana
After the hike, if it is still early I suggest you drive to the small town of Santana. This town is famous for the small typical houses of Madeira.
These houses are very easy to reach (there are many road signs guiding you to them) and there is a big parking lot in front of them.
The houses are cute but are very touristy. In fact, there are no people living in them anymore and they only host souvenir and plant shops. It will only take you 15-20 minutes to visit them, including time to get a few photos.
DAY 6: Funchal
On Day 6, it is finally time to explore Funchal, the biggest city on the island. There are many things to do in Funchal but here I will only list the main things to do.
Stop 1: Funchal Cable Car
Begin your day by getting the cable car at Funchal that will take you to the Monte neighborhood in Funchal. Monte is located on the mountain foothills north of Funchal and it is famous for its Botanical Gardens.
The cable car is open between 9 am and 6 pm and the price ticket is 12,50 euros per person per ride or 18 euros if you get a return ticket. I suggest you only get a single ride as you will return to Funchal a different way.
The view from the cable car of Funchal while you go up the mountain is really pretty.
Stop 2: Monte Palace Gardens
Monte Palace Gardens are located right in front of the exit of the Funchal Cable Car. These botanical gardens are full of exotic plants divided into different levels. On top of the plants, the gardens are also decorated with statues and sculptures from different places around the world.
Spend most of your morning discovering the different plant species in this garden and admiring the view. This garden is really pretty and full of small and pretty corners. You’ll feel like you have left this small tropical island and traveled to Asia or Africa.
Information about opening hours and ticket prices can be found here.
Stop 3: Monte Basket Sleigh Ride
Once you are done exploring Monte Palace it is time to return to Funchal and we will do so in a fun way. Leave the Gardens through the same entrance you entered and turn left. After 4 minutes of walking, you will find the Monte Basket Sleigh Ride.
The streets of Funchal have been turned into a toboggan in which you can slide your way down to the city center in a basket sleigh. It is quite a fun thing to do and a unique experience.
Stop 4: Funchal Farmer's Market
Now that you’re back in Funchal Center, it is time to get some lunch, and afterwards, head to the Farmer’s Market where you can maybe get some local fruit as dessert.
In this market, you will be tempted by the beautiful stalls of exotic fruit. The owners of each market stall will offer you to taste the delicious food they are selling. It will be difficult to resist not buying a lot of food.
If you’re still hungry afterwards, you can also get some delicious pastries and coffee there too.
Stop 5: Blandy's Winery
The last activity of the day will be a guided tour of Blandy’s Winery, one of the most famous fortified wine manufacturers in Madeira.
During the 45-minute tour, you will learn about the different types of grapes used and how the delicious fortified wine is produced. The tour ends with a tasting of two delicious Madeira wines and of course, if you like the wine, you can buy some wine to bring back home as a souvenir. You can even taste a glass of wine of the year you were born!
DAY 7: Levada das 25 Fontes e Risco
Today it is time to enjoy the last hike of your day and you will complete one of the most famous levadas in Madeira. Levadas are trails that follow the irrigation channel that bring down the water from the mountains to the coastal towns.
Stop 1: Risco Waterfall
The first part of the trail is very easy and very well indicated with signs. The path is constantly descending and there are plenty of stairs. This first part of the trail doesn’t have that many levadas (or waterways) next to the trail but it still has its charm as you are surrounded by laurisilva trees.
The Risco waterfall is really pretty and it is the perfect spot to relax and enjoy the view. The waterfall drops for 100m and it makes for a perfect scenery in contrast with the rocks and the lush greenery that surrounds it.
Tip: This hike is quite popular in Madeira so you will inevitably be surrounded by people at the different viewpoints. However, if you wait long enough, there is always a more peaceful moment.
Stop 2: 25 Fontes Waterfall
Once you’re done contemplating Risco waterfall follow the signs towards 25 Fontes. From this moment onwards, the trail you will follow will have a small water canalization next to it making it very nice.
The 25 Fontes waterfall is a combination of 25 small waterfalls that fall from a maximum height of 30 meters. This waterfall does not have a lot of water but the different small streams of water make for quite a beautiful place.
Good to know: Don’t be fooled by the photos, this waterfall is really popular and it will be full of people behind you trying to get a photo. Nevertheless, I still recommend doing this hike.
Stop 3: Estrebarias Tunnel
After seeing the 25 Fontes, most people will return to the parking lot the same way they came. However, if you want to enjoy the Levada with almost none around you, I recommend you go right and descend further into the valley. You will be walking along the water very peacefully and then going up the mountain on the other side of the valley. By doing this, you will reach Estrebarias Tunnel, a 1km tunnel that will get you through the other side of the mountain and be able to enjoy the view of the sea.
Good to know: Make sure to bring a headlight because the tunnel is really long and you will not be able to see where you step.
DAY 8: Fanal and Ponta da Sol
Your last day in Madeira will be a relaxed one. After all, you don’t want to go back home tired, right?
Stop 1: Fanal
In the morning, drive all the way to Fanal laurisilva forest. If you’re lucky and you get to visit it on a misty and foggy day, you will feel like you are visiting an enchanted forest. When the island was first claimed by the Portuguese it was completely covered in these trees which led to the island being called Madeira (Wood in English). Today many of these forests have been cut and Fanal Forest is a protected Unesco site.
Tip: Make sure to check the weather forecast to visit Fanal on a foggy day. We were a bit unlucky and there was not a single cloud the day we visited.
Stop 2: Cascata dos Anjos
After Fanal, it is time to go to a very famous waterfall in Madeira, Cascata dos Anjos. This waterfall is famous for falling in the middle of a road. You have probably seen many videos on different social networks about this waterfall.
How to get there: To get to this waterfall you will have to drive to the small village Ponta do Sol until you reach a tunnel that will have a closed sign. At this moment, you will have to decide whether you want to risk it and keep driving through the tunnel or park and walk all the way there. We decided to park and walk to the waterfall but it was possible to drive all the way to the waterfall. However, if you have a rental car, you have to know that the tunnel is closed due to its poor condition so there is always a risk that a rock might fall on the car (or on you if you are walking).
After two tunnels, you will reach this beautiful waterfall and if you don’t mind getting wet, you can totally walk under it.
Stop 3: Ponta do Sol
It is now time to relax by the sea. Walk (or drive) all the way back to Ponta do Sol and finish your day at the beach. Relax, go for a swim, and get tanned with the Madeiran sun.
DAY 9: Fly back
On your last morning, just return your rental car and fly back home.
And that’s it for my one-week itinerary of Madeira. I hope you liked it and found it useful. Let me know what you thought in the comments.
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