Itinerary
- Day 1
Arrival in Funchal
You'll arrive at Funchal airport where your German-speaking assistant meets you for the transfer to Golden Residence Hotel. This is your base for the next week, and dinner's already included tonight, so you can settle in and relax after your flight.
- Meals
- Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel
- Day 2
Funchal City Tour
Start by getting to know Funchal with a guided tour through the Santa Clara monastery, which dates back to 1580. After that, you'll walk through Santa Catarina Garden where there are nice views over the bay. The Jardim Municipal park comes next, then head to the oldest winery for some Madeira wine tasting. You'll browse traditional crafts at a local shop, wander the old town's colorful streets, and check out the famous market hall.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Santa Clara monastery
- Walk through Santa Catarina Garden and Jardim Municipal
- Madeira wine tasting at oldest winery in Funchal
- Visit craft store with traditional Madeiran items
- Explore old town of Funchal, alleyways and market hall
Landmarks Santa Clara Monastery Santa Catarina Garden Jardim Municipal Funchal Market Hall - Day 3
Monte, Tropical Gardens & Catamaran
Take the cable car up to Monte village and spend time in the Jardim Tropical Monte Palace, which has more than 2,000 exotic plants spread across the grounds. If you want, there's a traditional basket sledge ride available. You'll have some free time to do what you like before heading out on a catamaran cruise along the coast where dolphins and whales sometimes show up.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Cable car ride from old town to Monte
- Guided tour of Jardim Tropical Monte Palace
- Catamaran trip along Madeira coast (approximately 3 hours)
Optional Activities
- Traditional basket sledge ride (approximately 15 EUR per person, bookable on site)
Landmarks Jardim Tropical Monte Palace Monte Village - Day 4
Off-Road Adventure & Paul da Serra Plateau
This day involves driving through the Laurisilva laurel forest, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with its fragrant trees and mountain air. You'll head up to the Paul da Serra plateau at about 1,300 to 1,500 meters elevation, then drive the west coast through villages like Seixal and São Vicente. A typical barbecue lunch is included where you'll learn to prepare local dishes like espetada and bolo do caco.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Typical barbecue lunch with optional instruction on preparing local specialties such as espetada (meat on a spit seasoned with bay leaf and sea salt) and bolo do caco (bread with garlic butter)), Dinner
Included Activities
- Off-road vehicle excursion through Laurisilva UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Exploration of Paul da Serra plateau
- Drive along Madeira's west coast to northern villages
- Typical barbecue lunch with optional cooking instruction for local specialties
Landmarks Laurisilva Forest Paul da Serra Plateau Ponta do Sol Seixal São Vicente - Day 5
Free Day
This is a flexible day for you to rest at the hotel or explore on your own time. If you feel like it, take a walk along the coastal promenade toward Funchal's center, stop by cafés, or do some shopping at local stores without any set schedule.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Walk along coastal promenade to Funchal
- Stop at local cafés
- Shopping tour of local stores
- Day 6
Northeast Madeira & Coastal Experience
You'll travel to Santa Cruz and visit the market hall to learn about regional products and walk through the Portuguese community. Next is Machico where you'll do a 45-minute levada hike with valley views below. Continue to Santana to see traditional thatched Colmo houses, then lunch at Quinta do Furao with Madeira wine tasting. The afternoon takes you to Engehos do Norte rum distillery for Poncha tasting, finishing at the Sunday farmers' market at Santo da Serra.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch at Quinta do Furao with Madeira wine tasting), Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Santa Cruz market hall and walk through Portuguese community
- Levada hike in Machico (approximately 45 minutes)
- Guided visit to Colmo traditional thatched farmhouses in Santana
- Lunch at Quinta do Furao with Madeira wine tasting
- Guided tour of Engehos do Norte rum distillery with Poncha tasting
- Visit Santo da Serra farmers' market
Optional Activities
- Purchase fennel sweets at farmers' market
- Purchase honey cake at farmers' market
- Purchase anona fruit at farmers' market
Landmarks Santa Cruz Machico Santana Quinta do Furao Porto da Cruz Engehos do Norte Distillery Santo da Serra - Day 7
Ribeiro Frio Nature Reserve & Balcões Viewpoint
You'll explore the Ribeiro Frio nature reserve surrounded by high mountains and unique plants and animals. The hike through the native laurel forest to Balcões viewpoint is about 3 kilometers, taking roughly 1.5 hours, and it offers views of Pico Ruivo, Pico do Areeiro, and surrounding peaks. At the end, visit the Parque Ribeira Primeira trout farm where you can fish if you want and have your catch cooked fresh.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided hike through Ribeiro Frio nature reserve and laurel forest
- Visit to Balcões viewpoint
Optional Activities
- Trout fishing at Parque Ribeira Primeira with fresh preparation
Landmarks Ribeiro Frio Nature Reserve Balcões Viewpoint Pico Ruivo Pico do Areeiro Parque Ribeira Primeira Trout Farm - Day 8
Departure from Funchal
Breakfast is served before you head to Funchal Airport for your return flight. Your assistant will handle the transfer so you can focus on packing and preparing for departure.
- Meals
- Breakfast
