5 days in Madeira

Day by day

1. Day 1: Mercado dos Lavradores and Rua de Santa Maria and the Old Town

   Mercado dos Lavradores, Rua de Santa Maria and the Old Town and Monte cable car and toboggan ride, then Funchal Old Town in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Mercado dos Lavradores

      Go on a weekday morning for the fish market at its fullest; be cautious of fruit stallholders offering tastings and then charging high prices per kilo. (1 hour, free).

   2. Late morning

      Rua de Santa Maria and the Old Town

      Walk it in the morning to see the doors, then come back at night for dinner and poncha. (1–2 hours, free).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Espetada

      Traditional restaurants in Estreito de Câmara de Lobos and Santo da Serra are known for it, as well as many places in Funchal.

   4. Afternoon

      Monte cable car and toboggan ride

      Ride the cable car up early in the day, then take the toboggan; taxis and buses wait at the bottom for the trip back to Funchal. (Half a day, mid-priced).

   5. Evening

      Funchal Old Town

      Rua de Santa Maria and the surrounding lanes fill with restaurant terraces and small bars until around midnight.

2. Day 2: Cabo Girão and Câmara de Lobos harbour

   Cabo Girão, Câmara de Lobos harbour and Pico do Arieiro to Pico Ruivo hike, then Funchal marina and centre in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Cabo Girão

      Go early or late in the day to avoid tour coaches, and check the sky first; low cloud can hide the view completely. (45 minutes, low cost).

   2. Late morning

      Câmara de Lobos harbour

      Try a freshly made poncha in one of the small bars by the harbour, where it is mixed with a wooden stirrer called a caralhinho. (1–2 hours, free).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Black scabbardfish with banana

      Almost every restaurant on the island; the fish itself is on display at the Mercado dos Lavradores fish hall.

   4. Afternoon

      Pico do Arieiro to Pico Ruivo hike

      Bring a head torch for the tunnels, warm layers and plenty of water; it is cold at dawn even in summer. (5–6 hours return, free).

   5. Evening

      Funchal marina and centre

      Bars and a handful of clubs near the marina and Avenida do Mar, busier at weekends.

3. Day 3: Monte Palace Tropical Garden and Madeira Botanical Garden

   Monte Palace Tropical Garden, Madeira Botanical Garden and Funchal Cathedral, then Lido area in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Monte Palace Tropical Garden

      Paths are steep; allow at least two hours and start at the top so you walk mostly downhill. (2 hours, mid-priced).

   2. Late morning

      Madeira Botanical Garden

      Combine it with Monte by taking the connecting cable car across the João Gomes valley. (1.5 hours, low cost).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Bolo do caco

      Snack bars, roadside stalls and restaurants across the island, often brought to the table as a starter.

   4. Afternoon

      Funchal Cathedral

      Look up as soon as you enter; the wooden ceiling is the highlight and is best seen in the morning light. (30 minutes, free).

   5. Evening

      Lido area

      Hotel bars and lounge terraces with sea views along the Lido and Estrada Monumental.

4. Day 4: Day trip to Porto Santo

   About 2 hours 15 minutes by ferry each way. Getting there: Lobo Marinho ferry from Funchal, or a short flight.

   1. Morning

      Travel to Porto Santo

      About 2 hours 15 minutes by ferry (Lobo Marinho ferry from Funchal, or a short flight); about 75 km.

   2. Day

      Porto Santo

      Madeira's small, dry neighbour has a 9-km golden-sand beach that Madeira itself lacks, and the house in Vila Baleira where Christopher Columbus is said to have lived. Best for beach, families and couples.

   3. Evening

      Back in Madeira

      Dinner: try Limpets.

5. Day 5: Blandy's Wine Lodge and CR7 Museum

   Blandy's Wine Lodge, CR7 Museum and Whale and dolphin watching, then Sunrise on Pico do Arieiro in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Blandy's Wine Lodge

      Book a guided tour with tasting to see the cask lodge; the walk-in tasting room alone misses the best part. (1 hour, mid-priced).

   2. Late morning

      CR7 Museum

      It takes under an hour; combine it with a walk along the marina and the seafront gardens. (45 minutes, low cost).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Limpets

      Seafood restaurants in Funchal Old Town, Câmara de Lobos and coastal villages such as Paul do Mar and Porto Moniz.

   4. Afternoon

      Whale and dolphin watching

      Choose an operator that follows responsible-watching guidelines and offers a free second trip if no cetaceans are seen. (2–3 hours, mid-priced).

   5. Evening

      Sunrise on Pico do Arieiro

      Drive up before dawn to watch the sun rise over a sea of clouds from 1,818 metres.

Before you go

Reserve timed tickets for Pico do Arieiro to Pico Ruivo hike before you travel; the rest of this plan needs no advance booking.

Where to stay for this itinerary

With 5 nights, Funchal Old Town keeps most of this route within easy reach. For a calmer or cheaper base, Funchal Lido ($$$) suits families, luxury, beach and first-timers. Compare every area.

Pace and daylight

The sights in this plan add up to roughly 20–25 hours of visiting over 5 days, before meals and getting between them. Daylight runs from about 10 hours in December to 14.3 hours in June, so in winter start early and keep museums for the afternoon.

More or fewer days

• One day in Madeira
• 2 days in Madeira
• 3 days in Madeira

Questions travellers ask