How long does it take to go to Madeira? What are the things to see and do? What to eat and snack? Here are the questions I am going to answer you in this detailed and comprehensive article!
Overall, if you want to be able to visit a large part of the island, Allow 7 days to give yourself time to avoid getting tired between visits and hikes. If not, plan minimum 5 days to really discover the essentials of what Madeira has to offer you.
On the program, I will give you my itinerary that will allow you to fully enjoy the things to see and do, with my advice on accommodation and the best transport to give you all the maps in hand to plan your future trip calmly!
How many days to visit Madeira?
The best compromise to afford to visit the whole island is 7 days. This is the duration necessary to be able to go around the island, and to give you time to do the various hikes with sublime landscapes. I also think that in 7 days, you will have practically done everything that the island has to offer.
You can also make a stay of 6 days in Madeira, but you will have to make some concessions on some visits or hikes. Or else you will have to visit in an accelerated manner so as not to miss the essentials.
If you still have If you have more time ahead of you and want to do lots of hiking trails, you can stay longer than 7 days. Because Madeira is really known for its magnificent trails and breathtaking views.
So it all depends on how you travel, but I recommend that you really take 7 days so as not to feel like you have to hurry up like I did.
My personal advice:
For my part, I stayed 6 days in Madeira. By renting a scooter, it allowed me to greatly facilitate my trips, and in addition to that, to be able to be much more mobile to discover hidden places and discover the island in a different way. In 5 days, I was able to do everything I wanted to do, but with the feeling that I had to speed up my pace. It is therefore possible to condense everything into 5 days for a 7-day itinerary!
What is the budget for Madeira?
Since Madeira is a very touristy and isolated country, it is not surprising that the minimum daily budget is 120€.
The main expenses are transport and housing. When it comes to activities and meals, you can do very well on a low budget.
In terms of proportion, it will therefore be necessary to allocate 80% of your budget for accommodation and transport, then 20% for activities and meals.
💰 TOTAL BUDGET FOR 7 DAYS
• Backpacker : 385-490 €
• Comfort : 875-945 €
• Luxe : 945+
📊 MY REAL BUDGET (6 days, February 2026)
• Lodging : €440
• Food : ~180€ (depending on the day)
• Transport & gas : ~150€
• activities : 20€ (Monte Palace and taxes for hikes)
• Various : 30€ (souvenirs)
→ Total: 820€ for 6 days
Madeira Itinerary for 6 days
Day 1: Discover Funchal and its surroundings
🌅 MORNING
• Visit Funchal Cathedral - Duration: 5 min - Price: Free
→ It is the most important church in Madeira, in particular because it is the main religious temple with Gothic architecture on the island.
• Walk in the Municipal Garden of Funchal and its surroundings - Duration: 30min - Free
→ A small haven of peace that I really like for its floral diversity and its fountain. It is not uncommon to see some Portuguese people sell their handmade products through stands, and some of which are really pretty! Nothing beats a stroll and sitting on one of the colorful benches to contemplate the greenery.
• Visit to Mercado dos Lavradores - Duration: 1h-1h30 - Free
→ An unmissable place that should definitely be visited. It is one of the best places to discover all the regional products of Madeira, and be tempted by the various fruits, vegetables and fish that are offered on the stalls.Prices vary according to the product, but are generally affordable.
🍽️ LUNCH
• Recommended restaurant: Chave D'ouro Restaurant
Address: Tv. do Nascimento, São Martinho, 9000-080 Funchal, Portugal
Budget: ~15€
My dish: Espada com Banana & Bife de Atum - these are two local fish dishes (black saber and tuna respectively). Espada is the emblematic fish of Madeira, as it is in this region that it is mainly found. These are two recommendations worth testing!
🌆 AFTERNOON
• Have a coffee in Opan - 3€
Address: R. do Carmo 2, 9050-019 Funchal, Portugal
→ After lunch, why not let yourself be tempted by your first Pasteis de Nata with its small coffee? Located right next to the restaurant, it is a local bakery/cafeteria where the Portuguese come to take their break.
• Cross the historic area of Funchal to the Santiago Fortress - Duration: 1h30 - Free
→ Crossing Santa Maria Street, you will discover ancient colonial buildings in white, yellow and red colors. You'll also find lots of street art on the walls along the way. Then, at the end of the alley, you can enter the Santiago Fortress for free, a historic monument that marked the history of Funchal during the attacks by privateers.
• Stroll through Santa Catarina Park - Duration: 30 min - Free
→ On the other side of town is Santa Catarina Park. It is a place that overlooks the city and is one of the places where you can admire the Bay of Funchal. But this park is also a place to relax, where there are lawns and lots of greenery to prepare a picnic for example, or simply go for a walk with family or as a couple.
• [Optional] Have a coffee at Arbor Food & Coffee - 3 to 5€
→ Located right next to Santa Catarina Park, you can go to this coffee shop with a very minimalist decor, with terrace tables and a view of a quiet garden. For my part, I had a simple filter coffee.
• [Highly recommended] Rent a scooter or a car at Rent-a-Scooter Madeira - 22€/day for a scooter or 25€/day for a car
→ I personally chose the scooter option because I felt more familiar with driving one rather than a car. The rental agency is really good, knowing that no deposit is required, with a fast and efficient service.
💡 Advice & tips:
Regarding the rental of your scooter or car, I invite you to make your reservation directly on the following site: Rent-a-Scooter Madeira (scooter) or Rent-a-Car Madeira (car).
In my humble opinion, for those who don't want to be surprised by Madeira's rather erratic climate change, take a car instead. For my part, I rented a scooter but with the luck of having always had good weather (except for the last day). It's up to you to see!
🌙 EVENING
• Recommended dinner : Make your own food in your home!
→ If you don't want to spend too much in restaurants, then you can go to the supermarket Pingo Doce located downtown to buy food or do your shopping to prepare dinner.
💤 NIGHT
• Recommended accommodation: Cozy House
Address: Estrada Laranjal 54, 9020-159 Funchal, Portugal
→ Among all the accommodations that exist in Madeira, this one is a BIG favorite! For 2 people and at a rate of around 70-80€ per night, you have the right to all the amenities, a private terrace and a very beautiful view of the sea from the heights. The only small downside remains its location, as it is quite far from the city. But with a scooter or a car you can easily reach the accommodation.
Day 2: Hike to Pico do Arieiro & Pico Ruivo, visit Monte Palace then head west to Madeira
🌅 MORNING
• Passage to Miradouro da Eira do Serrado - Duration: 10 min - Price: Free
→ It is certainly one of the most visited spots by tourists, but in the morning, there are almost few people. From the Cozy House, it is easily accessible in 15 minutes by scooter or car. You can admire a beautiful view of Curral das Freiras, a city in the heart of the Madeira mountains.
• Passage to Miradouros do Paredão - Duration: 10 min - Price: Free
→ On the way to Pico do Arieiro, you can stop at this spot to admire the city of Curral das Freiras from another angle. If you have a scooter, the climb can be quite steep but pass the pace!
• Hike to Pico do Arieiro & Pico Ruivo - Duration: 2 hours minimum - Price: €4.50 for pedestrian itinerary fees
→ It is THE essential hike in Madeira, and one of the most magnificent that I have ever done. You will be practically at the top of the island's mountains at an altitude of 1800m, and with luck, you will be able to see the clouds in the distance at low altitude, as if you were above them. For my part, I could not go up to Pico Ruivo, because the trail was closed for maintenance. So I invite you to check the site of Visit Madeira here on the latest hiking news in Madeira.
🍽️ LUNCH
→ You have several options available to you:
- or you bring your own snacks and snacks after doing your shopping the day before (something I did and I recommend because it's more economical)
- or you can get sandwiches and snacks in the rest area at the entrance to Pico do Arieiro (not recommended because it's expensive and not very good quality)
- or you want to eat something more consistent in a restaurant, and in that case, I recommend Abrigo do Poiso. Located on a street corner, it is a very nice place to eat on the terrace and offers several varieties of Madeiran dishes. The prices are quite affordable.
🌆 AFTERNOON
• Monte Palace Japanese Garden Tour - Duration: 1 hour minimum - Price: 18€
→ Surely THE emblematic garden of Madeira in my opinion, because there is a wealth of tropical plants, and an area entirely dedicated to Japanese gardens. Take the time to stroll along the various paths to contemplate the exotic flowers as well as its central square where you can see the famous azulejo tiles and its pink flamingos!
• Discover the Cascata dos Anjos
→ We are now heading west of Madeira, and on the way, I invite you to stop with your scooter or car at the Cascata dos Anjos, a very big waterfall that flows onto the asphalt.
• Travel in the direction of the city of Jardim do Mar
→ For this trip, I decided to get away from Funchal to really stay in a quieter place. For 4 days, we stayed at Maktub Guest House, which I highly recommend! To do this, you will have to go to the city of Jardim do Mar, practically to the west of the island, and therefore the travel time can take about 1 hour.
🌙 EVENING
• Recommended dinner: Tarmar Restaurant
Address: Caminho da Piedade, 9370-412 Jardim do Mar, Portugal
Budget: ~20€
My dish: Octopus salad & Madeiran Espetada + Madeira poncha drink - Two dishes that I really liked, especially espetada, which is very tender and juicy beef!
💤 NIGHT
Recommended accommodation: Maktub Guest House
Address: Vereda Por do Sol, 9370-421 Jardim do Mar, Portugal
→ Among all the guest houses I've stayed in, this one is on the list of my favorites. Because it is in fact a villa with in its center a magnificent garden with wooden decorations, creating an atmosphere of zen and peace. With my girlfriend, we stayed here for 4 days while paying €70 per night (+ €2 per night for tourist taxes). We were lucky to have had no one but us as a guest. The only small downside (for some) is that the bathroom is shared for 3 bedrooms. Otherwise, there are 2 other rooms with private showers and more comfort, but for a higher price. For more info, I invite you to consult and book directly on their official site
Day 3: Road Trip in the Western part of Madeira
🌅 MORNING
- Breakfast at Gato Legal Coffee Roastery - Price: 5 to 10€
→ If you like coffee and brunch in the morning, this is the place I recommend stopping by. It is in fact the only place where coffee can be roasted in Madeira, and it is managed by the locals themselves. The inside is full of coffee bags, and you can even see some of the bags hanging on the wall as decor. The food is very good and classic!
- Walk around Miradouro Farol da Ponta do Pargo - Duration: 30 min
→ It is the extreme point on the west coast of Madeira, and where there is a small lighthouse but which unfortunately cannot be visited. On the other hand, you will find a small path that leads to a hiking trail. For my part, I walked for about ten minutes to admire the magnificent cliffs, then turn back and then continue my journey. It's up to you to see how far you want to go!
- Miradouro da Boa Morte Tour - Duration: 30 min
→ It is one of my favorite spots on the West Coast, because it is a place less known to tourists and which nevertheless deserves our interest. What I really liked was the small path with an idyllic setting that leads to the viewpoint, worthy of a real postcard! At the end, you will find a magnificent view of the Atlantic Ocean and a small swing to take photos of yourself.
- Miradouro do Ponta da Ladeira Tour - Duration: 20 min
→ Head towards this viewpoint to discover another landscape. Indeed, in the distance, you can see stair-shaped plots of land, with a similar resemblance to the rice fields that can be discovered in Vietnam, but in a completely different setting!
- Quick passage to Miradouro da Santinha
→ Continuing your journey north, you will discover a magnificent view of the city of Porto Moniz from the heights of the mountains.
🍽️ LUNCH
→ I offer you two choices here:
- Do like me by buying snacks and enough to make a quick sandwich at Supermercado Esmeralda Brilhante, then sit in front of the sea
- Or eat in a local restaurant
🌆 AFTERNOON
• Walk along the coast of Porto Moniz and discover the natural pools - Duration: 1 hour
→ As you stroll along the coast, you will see two natural pools formed from volcanic rock (a real blessing from nature!). One of them is unfortunately chargeable, so I invite you to rather turn to the other one, which is located east of the city.
• Coffee break at Avista Navios in the city of Seixal
→ We hit the road again heading East. Head into the city of Seixal, then look for a white house with tables and chairs on the street: you will find a special place to drink your little coffee accompanied by a good pasteis de nata!
• Visit the Miradouro do Véu da Noiva - Duration: 10 min
→ To end the coastal road trip, I invite you to stop by this viewpoint to observe a magnificent waterfall with a magical background on the island.
• Immersion in the center of the island in the Fanal forest - Duration: 1 hour minimum
→ Surely one of the places not to be missed in Madeira! It is a large plain where you can see trees with particularly strange branches, and where you can see the cows grazing right next to us. If you go a little deeper into the plain, you will see a fairly steep hill where you will have a magnificent view of the Fanal forest on one side, as well as a view of the sea on the other!
• Direction the city of Maddalena do Mar and hike on the banana route - Duration: 30 min
→ Who would think that we could walk in the heart of banana plantations? Well, in Madeira, it is entirely possible! Located in the town of Maddalena do Mar, you will find a sign that displays the entrance to the road. If you decide to go there, be careful where you set foot, as the path is relatively narrow.
🌙 EVENING
• Watch the sunset on the beach with a drink at A Taberna Maddalena do Mar - Price: €5
→ That day, I was lucky that the sky was clear to admire the sunset. Just off the banana road, I saw a pretty nice tavern offering a drink at the beach. With my girlfriend, we had a drink to enjoy the last moments of this beautiful day while watching the sun go down.
🍽️ DINNER
• Recommended dinner: Golden Calheta
Address: Porto de Recreio, Av. D. Manuel I Loja 10, 9370-135 Estreito da Calheta, Portugal
Budget: ~20€
My dish: Smoked salmon salad + shrimp salad - Two simple dishes for a not too expensive price. You will be in front of the port in the city of Calheta!
Day 4: Exploring the waterfalls and hiking along Madeira's streams
🌅 MORNING
• Breakfast at Meu Super Prazeres - Price: 5€ maximum
→ On the way to the future hike in the heights of Madeira, I stopped at the gas station to refuel, then by chance I found a small supermarket in front of the station with a very nice bakery area and which offers local pastries for cheap. For my part, I had a simple espresso with a small pineapple cake and pasteis de nata.
• Go in the direction of the starting point of the hikes - Duration: 25 min
→ From the city of Prazeres, a path will take you to the highlands of Madeira. Then head east. Along the way, you will find several cars parked, a sign that it is the entry point for all hiking trails in the area.
• Attack the PR 6.2 hike to Ribeira do Lajeado - Duration: 1h30 to 2:00
→ I recommend starting this hike there, as it is the easiest of all. The differences in altitude are almost non-existent, and the end of the hike will take you to a very cute little waterfall. Along your hiking trail, you will find a stream built by the local population to irrigate mountain water.
• Attack the PR 6.3 hike to Lagoa do Vento - Duration: 1:00 to 1:30
→ Turning back on the PR 6.2 hike, there is a small path that takes you down to another hiking trail: the PR 6.3. This will allow you to access another waterfall even bigger than the previous one, and much more spectacular! Take your time on the descent, as the elevations can be quite steep.
🍽️ LUNCH
→ Here, there is no choice. Before setting off on your way to the highlands of Madeira, I invite you to bring your own groceries, sandwiches and snacks to eat on site.
I chose to sit in front of Lagoa do Vento to have my small picnic while taking my lunch break.
If you want to get cheap food products, then I invite you to stop by Pingo Doce Super Calheta.
🌆 AFTERNOON
• Make a short stop at the Rabaçal Nature Spot Cafe - Duration: 2 hours
→ Turn around and follow the entire PR 6.1 hiking trail to reach the meeting point and rest area. You can go to the bathroom for a break, or have your coffee and some pastries to recharge your batteries. The café terrace will allow you to admire a beautiful view of the surroundings of the highlands of Madeira.
• Follow the PR 6 hiking trail to admire the 25 Fontes waterfall - Duration: 1h30 to 2h
→ For your last adventure, I invite you to continue to the PR 6 hiking trail, which is surely one of the best known in the area. Indeed, you will find at the end of the path a very beautiful waterfall made up of 25 small waterfalls that can be more or less easily counted. It is surely one of my favorite hiking spots in Madeira!
• Return to the starting point - Duration: 2 hours
→ After an exhausting day where all you did was walk in nature (but it was really good for your mind), it is now time to have to go home before the sun sets. To do this, you will have to go back all the way PR6, then take another hiking trail the PR 6/6.1. You will therefore have to go up the sometimes steep slopes to get back to where you parked your vehicle. So take your time, because you will have a long way to go back!
🌙 EVENING
• Have a drink and eat at Joe's Bar - Price: 5 to 15€
→ Before returning to your home, you will have to eat well to end your day in style. And for that, nothing better than spending your last moments at Joe's Bar. I particularly like this place for its conviviality and the people who run this bar/bistro. The prices for eating and drinking are not very expensive, and offer a very varied choice of dishes. You can go there with your eyes closed!
Day 5: Travel the whole island to the Ponta de São Lourenço
🌅 MORNING
• Breakfast at Gato Legal Calheta Kiosk- Price: 5€ maximum
→ The coffee roaster also has a small place in the town of Calheta. It is a very quiet place in the morning and where you can sit on the small blue and yellow chairs to enjoy the first rays of the day's sun!
• Getting to Miradouro Pico da Murta - Duration: 5 min
→ Head towards the center of Madeira Island. By taking the local road in the mountains, you will have a magnificent view of the mountains and the villages high up in the mountains. At this, you will travel one of the most beautiful roads with paths in the heart of the forest.
• Visit the Capelinha de Nossa Senhora de Fátima - Duration: 20 min
→ Going up in the north of the island, there is a small church perched in the hills of the city of Sao Vicente. From the heights, you will have a very beautiful view of the mountains and the village.
• Admire the famous Miradouro de São Cristovão - Duration: 10 min
→ Surely one of the most famous viewpoints on the island. You can observe a very beautiful, very steep hill with a view of the Atlantic Sea. On site, it is also possible to be able to eat or have a drink in front of this viewpoint. But the prices are relatively expensive!
• Head up into the mountains at Miradouro da Beira da Quinta - Duration: 10 min
→ This time we go up into the mountains to find another viewpoint with a view of the heights. I invite you to make a quick visit because the view is really worth the detour!
🍽️ LUNCH
• Recommended lunch: Quinta Levada do Rei
Address: Estrada Achada do Vigário No. 1, São Jorge, 9230-142 Santana, Portugal
Budget: ~15€
My Dish: Shakshuka + Bacon Cheeseburger - Two very delicious dishes that we ate in a very lovely, open-air setting!
→ I recommend that you really eat at this restaurant, especially if the weather is nice, because you can eat in the garden and surrounded by chickens that walk between the tables.
🌆 AFTERNOON
• Visit the traditional houses of Santana - Duration: 1 hour
→ To be honest with you, although Madeira is famous for its famous houses with straw roofs, you will hardly find anything around. You can make a quick trip to the city of Santana and find these houses, which are 4 in number. A little further on, I invite you to go to Another house run by a Venezuelan, and which invites him to really discover the interior of the home in an authentic way.
• Getting to Ponta de São Lourenço - Duration: 2 hours minimum
→ On the way to Ponta de São Lourenço, you will reach the extreme east point of the Madeira road. It is also an opportunity for you to do one of the most famous hikes on the island, because it takes you even further to the Miradouro Ponta do Furado. You will get an incredible view of the east side of Madeira. For my part, unfortunately, I could not have time to go all the way, due to time constraints. But the hike was really nice at the time. I recommend that you take at least 2 hours to be able to go back and forth.
🌙 EVENING
• [Optional] Have a drink and eat at Joe's Bar - Price: 5 to 15€
→ On your last day in Jardim do Mar, nothing beats having a drink and a meal at Joe's Bar. Why not let yourself be tempted by a pitcher of red or white sangria this time around? In addition, the price is really cheap (11€ per liter) compared to other restaurants that charge you 20€ per liter!
🍽️ DINNER
→ After such a long day and after having a good time on the road, sometimes we are just too lazy to go to a restaurant, and we want only one thing: to go home.
On the way back, you can buy at Merchan supermarket, enough to make you a salad or a sandwich in your room. In any case, that's what I did personally! Otherwise, the option of Pingo Doce Super Calheta is not to be ruled out either.
Day 6: Quiet return to the city of Funchal
🌅 MORNING
• Breakfast at Maktub Guest House - Price: 10-15€
→ If you decide to stay at Maktub Guest House, then know that it offers a full breakfast starting at €10. I personally chose a bowl of cottage cheese with muesli, banana and served alongside coffee and orange juice. While I'm doing it, I might as well try breakfast from where I stayed!
• Ponta do Sol City Tour - Duration: 1 hour
→ On the way back to Funchal, I decided to visit a new city: Ponta do Sol. For now, I recommend that you really go for a walk there! At the time I was there, the waves were quite strong, so be careful when trying to cross the stone bridge. Also, don't forget the small Miradouro da Ponta do Sol, located in the heights of the city for a beautiful view of the sea is the orange roof of the houses.
🍽️ LUNCH
• Recommended lunch: O Lagar
Address: Estr. João Gonçalves Zarco 478, 9300-167 Camara de Lobos, Portugal
Budget: 15-20€
My dish: 1/2 beef espetada + chicken espetada + classic salad + white sangria - a fairly chic traditional restaurant that I decided to add to my list of things to try. And quite honestly, I am not disappointed at all! The quality of service and the food was incredible. I really felt like I was in a restaurant where the customer is taken care of. And for the price that it is, it's definitely worth it.
🌆 AFTERNOON
• Return to Funchal city
→ As with any trip, everything comes to an end, and it's time to go back to where we put our bags on the first day. It's time to go back to the city center and the Mercado dos Lavradores if you want to bring some fruits and souvenirs home. Feel free to get lost all over the city to explore the last corners you might have forgotten!
• Attend a Fado show in Fado e Fado- Duration: 1 hour - Price: €20 on Get Your Guide
→ To end the day in style, I invite you to really attend a Fado show in Madeira. Fado is a traditional music style that is very well known in Portugal, which is usually played with a 12-string Portuguese guitar to accompany the singer. Very often, a second guitar also comes on stage to add more depth to the musicianship. The trio then plays for 1 hour to make you travel musically to the heart of Portuguese culture.
