1 Week in Madeira — The Perfect Itinerary for Hiking & Funchal

Madeira is Portugal’s autonomous island region 978km southwest of Lisbon — a volcanic island with year-round warmth (18–25°C), dramatic mountain scenery, and 2,500km of levada irrigation channels converted to walking trails. Seven days is enough to see Funchal, walk the best levadas, cross the mountains, and reach the quieter parts of the island. See our full Madeira island guide for context on levadas, hiking, and accommodation.

Getting There

Direct flights from Lisbon (1h30, TAP, from €60), from London (3h, easyJet, TAP, Jet2, from €80–150), from Amsterdam, Frankfurt, Dublin, and most major European cities. Madeira Airport (Funchal, FNC) is on the east coast, 20 minutes from the city.

Day 1: Funchal

Arrive and settle in. Funchal is the capital (111,000 people) on the south coast.

Afternoon: Mercado dos Lavradores (market, 7am–7pm Mon–Fri, until 1pm Sat): a covered market in a 1940 Art Deco building with tropical fruits (pitanga, anona, banana, passion fruit), dried herbs, and flowers. Worth 1 hour. Walk the Zona Velha (Old Town) — the original fishing quarter, now with painted wooden doors and restaurants.

Evening: Dinner on Rua de Santa Maria in Zona Velha — choose restaurants with menus visible and English-speaking staff, or ask locals. Espetada (beef skewered on bay laurel, €14–18) is Madeira’s signature dish. Poncha (sugar cane eau-de-vie with honey, lemon, and orange — the local spirit).

Day 2: Funchal in Depth

Morning: Cable car (Teleférico) from the Old Town to Monte (€13.50 one way, €18 return). Monte Palace Tropical Garden (€12, 3 hours) — hillside gardens with koi ponds, azulejo panels, and mineral collection. The Blandy’s Wine Lodge in central Funchal (€10–25 tastings, free cellar tour) for Madeira wine history.

Afternoon: Monte toboggan (carro de cesto) — wicker sledge ride 2km downhill from Monte to Livramento, pushed by two men in white linen and straw hats. €30–35 for 2 people, 10 minutes. A tourist experience but a genuine Madeira tradition since 1850.

Evening: Dinner in central Funchal — O Tosco (traditional, less touristy) or Armazém do Sal (converted salt warehouse, good wine list).

Day 3: Pico Arieiro and Pico Ruivo

Madeira’s two highest peaks and the best mountain experience on the island.

Pico do Arieiro (1,818m): Drive to the summit car park (30 minutes from Funchal, steep road). Walk the viewpoint trail around the summit — dramatic views over the cloud layer when clear, atmospheric when in cloud. No hiking required here — simply walk 200m from the car park.

Pico Ruivo (1,862m): Portugal’s highest point. Hike from Achada do Teixeira car park (1,592m) — 3km each way, 1h30 return, moderate (some rocky sections). Or the full PR1.2 from Pico do Arieiro to Pico Ruivo (9km one way, 5h, exposed ridge, do NOT attempt in poor visibility or wet weather).

Start by 8am for the best mountain light and to beat cloud formation.

Day 4: Levada Walk — PR6 Levada das 25 Fontes

Drive to Rabaçal (45 minutes from Funchal, mountain road). The PR6 levada trail (8km, 3–4 hours, easy–moderate) follows the Levada das 25 Fontes irrigation channel through laurissilva forest (UNESCO-listed ancient forest, found only in Macaronesia) to a pool fed by 25 natural springs.

This is the most popular levada walk in western Madeira. Go early (before 9am) to avoid groups. Wear non-slip walking shoes — levada paths are narrow, sometimes slippery, and some sections involve tunnels.

Afternoon: Continue west to Porto Moniz (30 minutes from Rabaçal). Natural lava rock pools on the north coast — formed by the same volcanic flows that created the island. Excellent for swimming (Atlantic water, but sheltered). Entry €2.

Day 5: North Coast Drive

Circumnavigate the western half of the island anticlockwise from Funchal:

• Cabo Girão: Second-highest sea cliff in Europe (580m). Glass viewing platform over the vertical drop. 20 minutes from Funchal. Free.
• Ribeira Brava: Small town on the south coast, good stop for coffee and a swim at the pebble beach.
• São Vicente: Cave system (€8, 30-minute tour). North coast village.
• Seixal: Dramatic coastal road, sea pool (natural, free).
• Porto Moniz: If you missed it on Day 4.

Full circuit back to Funchal via the VR1 expressway tunnel (10 minutes, otherwise 1h+ over the mountain).

Day 6: Santana and the East

Drive east and north:

• Santana: Traditional A-frame thatched houses (palheiros), the tourist attraction of the north coast. 1 hour. Parque Temático da Madeira nearby (park, cable cars within the park, 2h).
• Balcões viewpoint trail (PR4): Easy 3km walk from Ribeiro Frio ranger station through forest to a viewpoint over the central valley (1h return). Chaffinches will eat from your hand.
• Pico do Facho: Viewpoint over Machado marina and east coast (accessible by car).
• Caniçal: Whale museum (Museu da Baleia) — the best in the Azores/Atlantic region, documenting Madeira’s whaling history until 1981. €8, 1h30.

Day 7: Funchal and Departure

Morning: Farmers’ Market at Mercado dos Lavradores (last chance). Buy: poncha, Madeira wine, local bolo do caco (flatbread) from the stalls. Walk the botanical garden (Jardim Botânico, €7.50) above Funchal if time allows.

Midday: Drive to airport for afternoon or evening flight.

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Practical notes

Hire car: Essential. Book in advance — local companies (AutoClassic, Moinho) are cheaper than international chains. The VR1 and VR2 expressways are fast; island roads elsewhere are steep and narrow.

Weather: The north is frequently cloudy and wetter than the south. Mountain peaks are often in cloud by 11am. Plan mountain activities for early morning.

Restaurant reservations: Book in advance for popular spots in high season (December–January, May, summer).