Itinerary
- Day 1
Madeira Airport to Boaventura
You'll arrive at Madeira International Airport and grab your rental car for the drive ahead. Before checking into your hotel, head to Santo da Serra to walk through Quinta do Santo da Serra and see the local Madeira vegetation and flowers. Then it's on to Machico, the historic spot where Madeira's discoverers first landed. You can stroll along the seafront and take a quick swim at the small sand beach there. After that, drive to Boaventura for your first night.
Optional Activities
- Visit Quinta do Santo da Serra to see Madeira vegetation, flowers, plants and stables
- Walk along the Machico seafront and enjoy views over the sea and island
- Swimming in the sand beach at Machico bay (weather permitting)
Landmarks/POIs Quinta do Santo da Serra Machico Bay - Day 2
Boaventura
Eat breakfast at your hotel and then drive through Santo da Serra, going past Poiso and Ribeiro Frio toward Faial. Along the way, you'll have the option to stop for a short hike up to Pico do Areeiro, the island's third highest peak. Later you'll drive through the Laurissilva forest to reach Ribeiro Frio, which has a trout hatchery worth seeing. The one-hour hike up to Balcões from there gives you nice views over the mountains and valleys.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Hike up to Pico do Areeiro, the third highest peak on Madeira
- Hike up to Balcões (approximately 1 hour) for views over the mountainous region
Landmarks/POIs Pico do Areeiro Laurissilva Forest Ribeiro Frio Balcões - Day 3
Boaventura
After breakfast at your hotel, travel to Faial where you'll find green views over the coast. Santana village is a main stop on this day, and it's a good place to grab lunch at a local restaurant and try fresh fish and seafood. You'll spend time wandering the village streets and taking in the coastal scenery.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Visit the village of Santana and enjoy natural emerald views over the coastline
- Stop for a meal at local restaurants to try fresh fish or sea delicacies
Landmarks/POIs Faial Santana - Day 4
Boaventura
You'll have breakfast at your hotel and then drive through the countryside to see local food and meet friendly residents. The route follows the coastline with several stops to see waterfalls along the way. São Vicente and Encumeada Pass both offer great views across the north and south sides of the island. On clear days, you can see Porto Santo from these viewpoints. By evening, head back toward your accommodation.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Stop to see waterfalls along the coastline
- Visit São Vicente and Encumeada Pass for views over north and south of the island
Landmarks/POIs São Vicente Encumeada Pass - Day 5
Boaventura to Funchal
Check out after breakfast and head toward Ponta do Sol on the southwest coast. Stop at Veu da Noiva waterfall where you'll learn about the Portuguese legend tied to the area. Continue to Porto Moniz to swim in natural volcanic pools and have lunch with arroz de Lapas at a local restaurant. From there, visit Paul da Serra Plateau and the village of Calheta before arriving in Ponta do Sol for swimming and snorkeling. Drive to Funchal later and check into your hotel for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Visit Veu da Noiva (The Bride's Veil) waterfall
- Swim in natural volcanic swimming pools at Porto Moniz
- Dine at a restaurant serving arroz de Lapas (limpet's rice)
- Visit Paul da Serra Plateau
- Stop at the village of Calheta
- Swim or snorkel at the cobbled stone beach in Ponta do Sol
Landmarks/POIs Veu da Noiva Waterfall Porto Moniz Paul da Serra Plateau Calheta Ponta do Sol - Day 6
Funchal
Start with breakfast at your hotel and keep the day relaxed. Drive to the fishing villages of Jardim do Mar and Paul do Mar to check out their quiet, scenic landscapes. From Paul do Mar, head up to Prazeres to see the calm countryside and try local food and drinks at a village restaurant. You'll return to Funchal by evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Drive to Jardim do Mar and explore the fishing village
- Visit Paul do Mar fishing village
- Drive to Prazeres for scenic landscapes and local gastronomy
Landmarks/POIs Jardim do Mar Paul do Mar Prazeres - Day 7
Funchal
After breakfast, you'll visit areas with blooming vineyards and banana trees. Stop in Ribeira Brava to walk through the streets and see the local squares and market atmosphere. Hike up to Cabo Girão, the world's second highest sea cliff, located near Campanário and Quinta Grande. The hike takes a few hours and offers great views of the southern coast. Later, drive to Câmara de Lobos, a fishing village on the east side of the island, for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Visit blooming vineyards and banana trees
- Walk through picturesque streets and squares of Ribeira Brava
- Hike up to Cabo Girão, the second highest sea cliff in the world
Landmarks/POIs Ribeira Brava Cabo Girão Campanário Quinta Grande Câmara de Lobos - Day 8
Funchal to Madeira Airport
Enjoy your last breakfast at your hotel in Funchal. Then drive back to Madeira International Airport to return your rental car and prepare for your flight home.
- Meals
- Breakfast
