3 Days in Madeira: Itinerary

Only have three days in Madeira? You can still see the highlights: Funchal, a mountain sunrise, a levada walk and the dramatic west coast. Here’s a day-by-day 3-day Madeira itinerary, based in Funchal.

Quick answer: Day 1: Funchal, with the market, Old Town, the Monte cable car and toboggan. Day 2: sunrise at Pico do Arieiro, the PR1 hike or a levada, then Santana. Day 3: the west, with Câmara de Lobos, Cabo Girão, Porto Moniz and Fanal. Book trail slots in advance.

Before you start

Three days is short for an island this steep, so this plan keeps one easy day in the city and two full days out. Hire a car for days 2 and 3, or book tours. Madeira now asks walkers on its official trails to reserve a time slot online and pay a fee, so book any hike before you arrive.

The booking system is called SIMplifica. Most official trails cost about €4.50 per walker, and the PR1 costs about €10.50. You pick a date and a time slot, and rangers can check your booking on the path.

Day 1: Funchal

• Morning: Mercado dos Lavradores, the covered market with fruit stalls, flowers and a fish hall. Then walk to the Old Town (Zona Velha) and Rua de Santa Maria with its painted doors. See Funchal Old Town.
• Midday: the cable car from the seafront up to Monte, the Tropical Garden and the toboggan ride, where two drivers steer a wicker sledge about 2km downhill on the road. See the Monte toboggan.
• Afternoon: a Madeira wine tasting at one of the old wine lodges in the centre. See the Madeira wine guide.
• Evening: espetada, beef skewers grilled on bay-wood sticks, with bolo do caco bread and a glass of poncha, the island’s sugar-cane rum drink with honey and lemon.

See things to do in Funchal.

Day 1 practical notes

The cable car ride up to Monte takes about 15 minutes and gives you wide views over the bay. The toboggan is paid on the spot, usually in cash, and costs €30 for one person, €40 for two or €60 for three sharing a sledge. It doesn’t run every day of the week, so check before you go. The ride ends at Livramento, partway down the hill, so allow for a taxi or a walk back to the centre.

Day 2: Mountains and the north

• Sunrise: Pico do Arieiro, at 1,818m the island’s third-highest peak, is often above the clouds at dawn. It’s usually 40 to 50 minutes’ drive from Funchal, and it can be 10°C colder than the coast, so bring a warm layer.
• Hike: the PR1 from Pico do Arieiro to Pico Ruivo reopened in 2026 after a long closure. It’s now one-way only, ending at Achada do Teixeira, so arrange a pickup, and it has a higher fee than other trails (about €10.50). If you just want a taste, the first stretch to the Pedra Rija viewpoint is open in both directions. Or choose an easier levada. See PR1 and levada walks.
• Afternoon: Santana’s triangular thatched houses and the green north coast. See Santana.

Day 2 practical notes

The PR1 is about 7km, with steep steps, tunnels and narrow ridges. Most walkers take three to four hours. Start early, carry water and a jacket, and don’t walk it in strong wind or heavy rain. If you skip the big hike, the PR9 Levada do Caldeirão Verde starts near Santana and follows a water channel through laurel forest.

Day 3: The west

• Morning: Câmara de Lobos, the fishing harbour with colourful boats, and the glass skywalk at Cabo Girão, one of Europe’s highest sea cliffs. See Câmara de Lobos and Cabo Girão.
• Midday: drive up to the Fanal forest for a short walk among old laurel trees, often wrapped in mist. See Fanal forest.
• Afternoon: swim in the Porto Moniz lava pools, then return along the north coast via Seixal and the tunnel at São Vicente. See Porto Moniz.

Day 3 practical notes

The Cabo Girão platform hangs about 580m above the sea, and it’s best early, before the tour coaches. The main Porto Moniz pools have changing rooms and lifeguards, with an entry fee of about €3. They usually open from 9am, closing earlier in winter than in summer. This is the longest driving day, so start early.

If you have a spare half-day

Swap in the PR8 walk at Ponta de São Lourenço, Madeira’s dry eastern tip. It takes about 2.5 to 4 hours and makes a good morning on the day you fly out, as it’s close to the airport.

What to eat

• Espada: black scabbardfish, often served with banana or passion fruit sauce.
• Lapas: grilled limpets with garlic butter and lemon, a classic in coastal villages.
• Bolo do caco: round flatbread cooked on a stone, served warm with garlic butter.
• Bolo de mel: a dark, spiced cake made with sugar-cane honey.

When to go

Madeira is mild all year. Spring brings the Flower Festival in Funchal, and late summer the wine harvest. Winter is greener and wetter, with more cloud on the peaks. See Madeira in winter.

In 2026 the Flower Festival ran from 30 April through May, with two flower parades. The Madeira Wine Festival usually takes place from late August into September. Dates move each year, so check the regional tourism calendar.

Tips

• Car or tours: a car gives flexibility, but mountain roads are steep. There’s almost no public transport to Pico do Arieiro. Tours are easier. See the best Madeira tours.
• Weather: swap days around for clear mountain weather. Check the webcams the night before.
• Trail rules: fees and booking rules change often, so check the official site before you walk.
• Where to stay: Funchal is the best base for a short trip. See where to stay in Madeira.

FAQ

Is 3 days in Madeira enough?

Three days is enough for Funchal, one mountain day and one coastal drive. You won’t have time for many long hikes, so pick one big walk and keep a spare slot for bad weather.

Do I need a car for 3 days in Madeira?

Not for Funchal, but a car or a tour makes days 2 and 3 far easier. Buses don’t reach Pico do Arieiro, and links to the west and north coasts are slow.

Do I need to book the PR1 hike?

Yes. Book a time slot through SIMplifica and pay the fee, about €10.50 for the PR1. The trail is one-way from Arieiro to Achada do Teixeira, so arrange a pickup at the end.

More: the full Madeira itinerary and the best time to visit Madeira.

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