Cradled in the Atlantic, Madeira was settled by the Portuguese in the 15th century and thrived on sugar, shipbuilding, and fortified wine. Today its capital, Funchal, anchors a volcanic island of terraced vineyards, cliffside viewpoints, and the UNESCO-listed Laurissilva forest. Expect a mild, springlike climate year-round, painterly sunsets, and menus thick with seafood.

Madeira’s greatest hits fit beautifully into three days: a sunrise at Pico do Arieiro, a cable car ascent to Monte with that legendary wicker toboggan descent, and time at sea spotting dolphins and whales. In between, you’ll wander Funchal’s old town, sip Madeira wine, and taste island classics like black scabbardfish with banana, bolo do caco, and espetada grilled on laurel skewers.

Practical notes: Funchal (FNC) is the island’s main gateway, with frequent flights from Lisbon, Porto, London, and other European hubs. Getting around is easy by taxi/Bolt or guided tours; buses serve most villages if you’re unhurried. Pack a light jacket for high-altitude viewpoints and boat trips; bring swim gear for lido pools and summer ocean dips.

Funchal

Funchal is a tidy amphitheater of whitewashed houses spilling toward a palm-lined harbor. It’s artistic (check the painted doors on Rua de Santa Maria), flavorful (Mercado dos Lavradores is a feast for the senses), and storied—Winston Churchill painted nearby Câmara de Lobos, and Cristiano Ronaldo was born here.

Top sights include the Sé Cathedral, CR7 Museum, the cable car to Monte, and the tropical gardens above town. Food lovers should seek poncha (a punchy sugarcane aguardente cocktail), Madeira wine lodges, and the island’s famous bolo do caco dripping with garlic butter.

Where to stay

• Belmond Reid's Palace — Old-world glam, clifftop gardens, sublime afternoon tea, and a pool staircase into the sea.
• Porto Mare Hotel — Resort-style pools and ocean-facing paths on the Lido promenade; great for families and spa time.
• Hotel do Carmo — Retro design, central location, and a rooftop pool for value-minded travelers.
• Browse more stays: VRBO Funchal | Hotels.com Funchal

How to get here

• Fly into Funchal (FNC). Typical nonstop times: Lisbon ~1h45, Porto ~2h, London ~3h50. One-way fares often range ~$50–$150 from mainland Portugal and ~$80–$250 from the UK, season dependent. Search Europe flights on Omio.
• Airport to Funchal: 20–25 minutes by taxi (~€25–€35) or ~30–40 minutes by airport bus (~€5–€7).

Day 1: Old Town Funchal, Market Flavors, Monte Cable Car and Toboggan

Morning: Travel day. If you arrive early, stretch your legs along Avenida Arriaga and duck into The Ritz Madeira for an espresso and a pastéis de nata on the terrace. Pick up island-made cookies at Fábrica Santo António (since 1893) to nibble later.

Afternoon: Check in, then wander the Mercado dos Lavradores—snap the azulejo-clad façade, browse tropical fruit (taste first; prices can vary), and peek at the flower stalls. Continue into the Old Town to see the painted doors on Rua de Santa Maria and grab a quick bolo do caco sandwich at Casa do Bolo do Caco near the marina.

Ride the Funchal cable car to Monte for sweeping bay views, then stroll the Monte Palace Tropical Garden’s koi ponds and tile panels. For a fun, historic descent, take the wicker toboggan steered by white-clad carreiros down the steep lanes toward town.

Book a guided version that strings these icons together: Tour Cable Car Toboggan and Tropical Garden

Evening: Dinner in the old town: try O Portão for black scabbardfish with banana or Taberna Ruel for grilled limpets with garlic and lemon. For a splurge-in-a-fortress experience, Restaurante Do Forte pairs tasting menus with sunset views over São Tiago’s ramparts. Nightcap with a classic poncha at Venda Velha (try passionfruit or honey-lemon) or a seaside drink at Barreirinha Bar Café.

Day 2: Pico do Arieiro Sunrise, Câmara de Lobos, and Cabo Girão

Morning: Rise early for the island’s celestial show. A guided transfer delivers you to 1,818 meters where clouds glow pink under the first rays—often above a sea of mist. Warm layers are essential, even in summer.

Reserve your spot: Madeira Pico do Arieiro Sunrise Tour

Afterward, reward yourself with a lingering breakfast back in Funchal—Prima Caju serves excellent specialty coffee, shakshuka, and island fruit bowls; Loja do Chá pours fragrant teas with warm scones by the cathedral.

Afternoon: Taxi or rideshare 10 minutes west to the fishing village of Câmara de Lobos, where Churchill set up his easel in 1950. Lunch on the harbor: Vila do Peixe grills the catch of the day over wood embers; nearby O Polar is a local favorite for beef espetada on laurel skewers with milho frito (fried corn cubes). Continue 10 minutes up to Cabo Girão, one of Europe’s highest sea cliffs, to step onto the glass-floored skywalk suspended 580 meters above the Atlantic.

Evening: Back in Funchal, book dinner at Armazém do Sal, a converted 200-year-old salt warehouse serving creative Madeiran cuisine and a strong island wine list. For something relaxed, Casal da Penha does espetadas and scabbardfish on a leafy terrace. End with a fortified tasting flight at a Madeira wine lodge or live jazz at Scat Funchal Music Club along the Lido promenade.

Day 3: Out on the Ocean and Taste of Madeira

Morning: Take to the water on a stable catamaran along the south coast. Dolphins are frequent companions; turtles and whales appear in season. In summer, many trips include a swim stop by the cliffs—bring a suit and a light windbreaker.

Book your cruise: Dolphin and Whale Watching Catamaran Cruise from Funchal

Afternoon: Dive into Madeira’s culinary soul on a guided tasting walk: sample bolo do caco hot off the griddle, espada at a traditional spot, biscuits and honey cake from a heritage bakery, and of course, Madeira wine. It’s a delicious way to stitch neighborhoods together with stories.

Reserve your tour: Madeira Food, Wine & Cultural Tour

If you prefer a lazy final afternoon, the Lido Bathing Complex and Doca do Cavacas natural pools are superb for sun and swims, and Praia Formosa offers black-sand-and-pebble shores beneath towering cliffs.

Evening: For a farewell dinner, Gavião Novo excels at seafood (grilled octopus and garlic prawns), while Restaurante Do Forte remains a romantic finale within the old fortress walls. Cap your trip with sunset at Pico dos Barcelos viewpoint as Funchal’s lights twinkle, or a refined cocktail on Reid’s Palace terrace listening to the Atlantic hush.

Optional upgrade: Prefer a small-group boutique boat? This intimate experience includes welcome bubbles and comfortable lounging—ideal for couples or families: VipDolphins Luxury Whale Watching

Depart this afternoon with a bag of broas de mel and sweet memories of peaks and ocean. Search return flights on Omio and plan your next visit for spring flowers or autumn wine festivities.

Insider extras if you extend: A 4x4 day to the northwest takes you past waterfall roads and the fairytale Fanal forest; swim the natural pools at Porto Moniz and detour to Seixal’s black-sand beach. Levada walks like Balcões (easy, 1.5 hours) or 25 Fontes (moderate, 3–4 hours) add lush forest time to your Madeira story.

Another great sea option (if swapping Day 3 morning): Madeira Dolphin and Whale Watching on a Ecological Catamaran

In three days, you’ll have traced Madeira from cathedral spires to cloud-brushing ridgelines and out onto the open sea. It’s a compact itinerary with big horizons—balanced, flavorful, and unforgettable.