Madeira Itinerary: 5 Days (or a Week) on the Island

Madeira packs a lot into a small island: mountain summits above the clouds, levada walks through ancient forests, natural lava pools, cliff-top villages and a charming capital. Here’s our 5-day Madeira itinerary, with a car, plus how to stretch it to a week.

Quick answer: Day 1: Funchal. Day 2: sunrise hike from Pico do Arieiro to Pico Ruivo. Day 3: the west (Cabo Girão, Porto Moniz pools, 25 Fontes). Day 4: the east (Ponta de São Lourenço, Santana, Caldeirão Verde). Day 5: Monte, the toboggan and a whale-watching trip. Remember: book your trail slots on the SIMplifica portal.

Before you start

This plan uses Funchal as a base and a hire car for days 2 to 4. Madeira’s weather changes fast, and the peaks can be clear while Funchal is cloudy, or the other way round. Keep the order flexible: check the forecast and the webcams each evening, and swap days so you hike on the clearest one.

Day 1: Funchal

The Mercado dos Lavradores, the painted doors of the Zona Velha, the cathedral and the marina, with a Madeira wine tasting at Blandy’s. See things to do in Funchal.

• Morning: go to the market early, when the fish hall and the fruit stalls are busiest.
• Afternoon: wander the old town, then take a wine tasting.
• Evening: dinner in the Zona Velha, where the restaurants spill into the lanes.

Day 2: The peaks

Drive up to Pico do Arieiro for sunrise and hike the PR1 to Pico Ruivo, or walk the easy Balcões levada. The PR1 reopened in 2026 after the 2024 wildfires and is now one-way only: about 7km from Arieiro to Ruivo, ending at Achada do Teixeira. So arrange a taxi or a pickup at the end, or join a tour that handles the transfer. Allow most of the morning, and take layers: it can be near freezing at sunrise. Trail fees: €10.50 for the PR1, €4.50 for most others, booked in advance for a set slot (a €7 PR1 rate is only for partner tour companies). See Pico do Arieiro to Pico Ruivo and Madeira levada walks.

Day 3: The west

• Cabo Girão skywalk (€5 since January 2026) and Câmara de Lobos, the fishing village Churchill painted.
• Ponta do Sol, the sunny southwest.
• Porto Moniz natural lava pools (about €3). Bring swimwear and a towel.
• 25 Fontes and Risco levada walk from Rabaçal (PR6), if you have the energy. Allow about three hours for the return walk to 25 Fontes. The trailhead is about 2km below the car park: walk, or take the paid shuttle minibus.

This is a long day with a lot of driving. If you are short on energy, skip Porto Moniz and stay in the southwest for sunset. See Cabo Girão.

Day 4: The east and north

• Ponta de São Lourenço (PR8), the wild eastern peninsula, early before the heat. There is no shade.
• Machico and its golden beach.
• Santana’s triangular houses.
• Caldeirão Verde levada (PR9) through the laurel forest, with a headtorch for the tunnels. The main path to the Caldeirão Verde waterfall is open, but the extension to Caldeirão do Inferno has been closed after rockfalls. Don’t pass the barriers, and check the official trail status before you go.

Day 5: Monte and the sea

• The cable car to Monte, the Monte Palace Tropical Garden (€18) and the wicker toboggan ride down. The cable car reopened in April 2026 and costs about €16 one way or €22 return (the glass-floor cabins cost more). Since May 2026 the toboggan costs €30 for one person, €40 for two and €60 for three. Bring cash. See the Monte toboggan.
• Whale and dolphin watching from Funchal in the afternoon. See trips.

With a week

• Add a day trip to Porto Santo’s golden beach by ferry or plane. The ferry takes a little over two hours each way, so a day trip is long.
• Add a rest day by the pool and another levada.
• Explore the misty Fanal forest on the Paul da Serra plateau, or the valley village of Curral das Freiras.
• Drive the north coast through São Vicente and Seixal. The São Vicente lava caves have been closed since 2020.

Without a car

Madeira’s buses are one network, SIGA, and every route was renumbered in March 2026, so ignore older route numbers online. The Aerobus links the airport with Funchal for €6.70 one way, and Horários do Funchal runs the city buses to Monte and Curral das Freiras. For the peaks, the west and the east, a guided tour is much easier.

Where to stay

Funchal works best for this route, because every day starts within an hour of town. With a week, split your stay: four nights in Funchal and two or three in the southwest or the north. See where to stay in Madeira.

When to go

Madeira is mild all year. Spring and autumn are best for hiking, with fewer crowds. The Flower Festival is usually in late April and May, the Atlantic Festival brings fireworks to Funchal in June, and the Wine Festival runs from late August into September. New Year’s Eve fireworks are famous, but hotels book up early. Winter brings more rain and wind on the peaks, and trails can close after storms.

Food to try

• Espetada: beef grilled on a bay-leaf skewer.
• Bolo do caco: flat bread with garlic butter.
• Black scabbard fish: often served with banana.
• Lapas: grilled limpets with garlic and lemon.
• Poncha: the local drink of sugarcane rum, honey and lemon.

Tips

• Hire a car; the roads are steep and winding but good.
• Check the weather and webcams for the peaks.
• Book trail slots and popular trips in advance.
• Pack for four seasons: sun cream, a rain jacket and a warm layer.
• Start early: car parks at popular trailheads fill up by mid-morning.

FAQ

Do I need to book hiking trails in Madeira?

Yes. Most official trails need a time slot booked on the SIMplifica portal. The fee is €4.50 per person for most trails and €10.50 for the PR1.

Is the PR1 from Pico do Arieiro to Pico Ruivo open?

Yes. It reopened on 1 May 2026 after the 2024 fires and has been open daily since 26 June 2026. It is one-way only, so plan a pickup at Achada do Teixeira.

Is five days enough for Madeira?

Five days with a car covers the highlights in this plan. A week gives you spare days for bad weather, which helps because the peaks are often in cloud.

Where to stay: the best hotels in Madeira. With kids: Madeira with kids. More: the Madeira travel guide.

See also: the best tours in Madeira, the Porto Moniz pools, Cabo Girao, 3 days in Madeira, getting around Madeira, Curral das Freiras, how many days in Madeira, the 25 Fontes levada and Monte Palace Tropical Garden.

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