Madeira is one of Europe’s jewels, offering visitors a tropical feel in a vast and beautiful land. If you’re considering a trip to the Flower Island, here’s the perfect itinerary to explore Madeira in 7 days and discover all the treasures and must-dos on this Portuguese island.
Day 1: Exploring Funchal
Day 2: São Lourenço’s Deserted Beaches
Day 3: The Levadas
Day 4: Climbing the Peaks of the Island
Day 5: Porto Moniz’s Natural Pools
Day 6: Curral das Freiras
Day 7: Back to Funchal
Day 1 on Madeira: Exploring Funchal
Upon arrival at Madeira’s Cristiano Ronaldo Airport, you have two options to reach Funchal, the first stop on your tour of Madeira. You can take public transport, with bus 103 heading directly to the city center, or rent a car. Once in Funchal, the capital of Madeira, you can enjoy vibrant culture amidst ever-present nature. One of the things to do on the first day of your tour of Madeira is to start at the Mercado dos Lavadores. This lively market is famous on the island. After lunching in the heart of the market, head to the Funchal cable car for a panoramic view of the city and the blue ocean. After enjoying this extraordinary landscape, visit the botanical gardens. With over 2,000 exotic plants from all continents, you can stroll through the lush gardens and refresh away from the hustle and bustle of downtown Funchal. If you still want to enjoy the city before returning to your hotel, visit the Palacio de São Lourenço. During your visit, you’ll learn more about the island’s heritage, perfect for history and culture enthusiasts. Once your visit is over and you’ve had time to freshen up at your hotel, head to the historic center of Funchal. You can stroll through the cobblestone streets of Funchal, among restaurants, bars, and craft shops, to make the most of your first evening on the island.
Must-Dos in Funchal During Your Trip to Madeira
If you don’t want to miss anything and want to take advantage of the best things to do in Funchal, we recommend adding the following must-do activities in Madeira to your list:
Take the cable car up and visit the Botanical Gardens: Enjoy breathtaking views and a colorful oasis.
Ride a wicker “sled” down from Monte: This unusual activity in Funchal promises lots of laughter. From the Monte area, hop into a wicker sled and ride down the hill to the old town.
Go whale and dolphin watching: Madeira is on the route of many marine mammals. During a boat trip, you can admire these beautiful cetaceans as they play with the ocean waves.
Day 2 on Madeira: Discover São Lourenço’s Deserted Beaches
Once you’ve packed your bags, take a leisurely drive to São Lourenço, about 40 minutes from the capital. In the far west of the island, you’ll discover the Pointe de Saint-Laurent (in French), which stretches over more than 9 km. This peninsula has a completely different climate from the rest of the island, where you’ll find desert beaches and other breathtaking lunar landscapes. This area is particularly popular with tourists, so we recommend heading out early in the morning to make the most of it. After the walk, you can relax on the beach at Prainha do Caniçal. You can also take a boat trip to see the dolphins.
Where to Stay in Punto de Sao Lourenço on Madeira?
If you decide to stay near Punto de Sao Lourenço, we recommend booking the Dreams Madeira Resort Spa & Marina hotel, a true gem on the island. This 5-star hotel in Machico features spacious, naturally decorated rooms with ocean or garden views. The hotel also has a spa, swimming pool, restaurant, and other top facilities. You’ll also have an ideal location here to explore the bustling center of this small town in the west of the island.
Day 3 on Madeira: Hiking in the Levadas
For the third leg of your week-long tour of Madeira, head to the north of the island near Santana and Sao Jorge. Enjoy your first nature activity with a hike along the PR18 Levada do Rei trail, one of the most beautiful walks on the island. Levadas are the irrigation channels that crisscross the island of Madeira and are true tourist attractions in themselves. This 9.5 km circular walk is relatively easy and well-maintained. You’ll walk through the heart of the laurisilva forest and along the Bonito stream. At the end of the route, you can admire the source of the stream’s water, which cascades down a wall over 100 meters high. We recommend setting out relatively early so you can fully enjoy the hike without rushing. If you want more details about this hike, you can check the route details and map of the walk before heading out.
What are the Best Levada Walks on Madeira?
The PR18 Levada do Rei walk is one of our favorite hikes to do on the island during a 7-day Madeira tour, but there are also other walks that follow the levadas and offer scenic views of the island and the Atlantic Ocean. If you want to take another walk on your third day on Madeira, we recommend the following hikes:
LEVADA DAS 25 FONTES (PR6) (8.6 km round trip – departure from Rabaçal): one of the most beautiful walks on the island where you can admire springs and waterfalls amidst lush vegetation.
LEVADA DOS CEDROS (PR14) (7.2 km one way – departure Fanal arrival Curral Falso): walk through one of the oldest forests on the island and along the oldest irrigation channels built on the island.
LEVADA DO MOINHO (PR7) (10.5 km one way – departure Ribeira da Cruz arrival Junqueira): less known to tourists, this hiking route passes through a wild and mystical forest.
Day 4 on Madeira: Summiting the Island’s Peaks
On your third day on Madeira, hit the road to reach the island’s most beautiful peaks. Our favorite peak on the island is Pico do Areeiro, also known as the Stairway to Heaven. This peak is the third highest point on the island (about 1,818 m) and offers breathtaking views of Madeira’s mountain range. It’s also one of the easiest peaks to reach on the island, and the spectacular views (at sunrise and sunset) attract many photographers each year to capture the magical moment when the gates of paradise open at the top of the steps of Pico do Areeiro. It takes about 3 hours to hike to the top. We recommend leaving early in the morning so you can visit other attractions during the day and enjoy the views without too many tourists.
Day 5 on Madeira: Swimming in the Natural Pools of Porto Moniz
On the 5th day of your Madeira tour, leave hiking behind and explore the beautiful natural pools of Madeira carved out of lava. This leg of your Madeira tour is perfect for relaxing and refreshing after exploring the island’s highlands for 4 days. There are two types of natural pools: the free and wild natural pools, where the sea mixes with volcanic rocks creating natural pools for swimming, and the managed pools, which are more suitable for families with facilities such as changing rooms, paid access, and lifeguards for safe swimming. Each offers a unique experience of swimming in crystal-clear water surrounded by impressive volcanic landscapes, so you can enjoy a lazy day in these natural pools and soak up the sun to replenish your vitamin D.
Day 6 on Madeira: Exploring the Village of Curral das Freiras in the Heart of the Mountains
On your sixth day on Madeira, venture into the island’s mountains to Curral das Freiras, a village high in the mountains. One of the must-do activities in Curral das Freiras is undoubtedly visiting the surrounding viewpoints. The Eira do Serrado viewpoint, at an altitude of 1,095 meters, offers breathtaking views of the village and the green surroundings. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can combine a visit to this typical Madeiran village with a hike along one of the nearby levada paths mentioned earlier in the tour. Once you’re done exploring, you can head back to Funchal, which is about a 30-minute drive from Curral das Freiras.
Day 7 on Madeira: Return to Funchal and Relaxation
On your last day in Funchal before taking the flight back to France, you can use this day to do the activities you didn’t necessarily have time for on your first day. Whether it’s a boat trip to admire the whales, a buggy session in the island’s wilderness, or taking advantage of other natural pools like Doca do Cavacas, just a 13-minute drive from the city center of Funchal. This final day marks the end of your week-long Madeira tour, so make the most of it to recharge with sun and unforgettable experiences before returning to France.
As your week-long adventure on the stunning island of Madeira comes to a close, take a moment to reflect on the memories you’ve created and the beauty you’ve witnessed. From the towering peaks to the tranquil natural pools, Madeira has undoubtedly left its mark on you. As you prepare to return to France, carry with you the warmth of the sun, the embrace of the ocean breeze, and the spirit of adventure that Madeira has instilled in you. Until we meet again, may your heart be filled with the allure of this enchanting island, beckoning you to return for new experiences and cherished moments. Farewell, Madeira, until next time.
