Madeira is a lush Atlantic archipelago famed for year-round spring weather, dramatic cliffs, and networked levadas—centuries-old irrigation channels turned hiking paths. Settled by the Portuguese in the 15th century, the island became synonymous with fortified Madeira wine, beloved by explorers, nobles, and even America’s Founding Fathers.

Base yourself in Funchal, a bay-front capital graced with jacaranda-lined avenues, colorful markets, and a walkable old town. Cable cars rise to tropical gardens; wicker toboggans glide down steep lanes; and day trips unlock black-sand coves, laurel forests, and the natural lava pools of Porto Moniz.

Practical notes: roads are steep and weather shifts by microclimate—pack layers and grippy shoes. Book popular activities (dolphin cruises, toboggans, gardens) in advance. Come hungry for island specialties: espetada (laurel-skewered beef), lapas (grilled limpets), black scabbard fish with banana, bolo do caco garlic bread, and poncha, a citrusy punch made with sugarcane rum.

Funchal

Funchal blends seaside ease with mountain drama. Wander mural-lined alleys in Zona Velha, browse tropical produce at Mercado dos Lavradores, then sip a flight of Sercial to Malvasia at a historic lodge. Out on the water, pods of Atlantic spotted dolphins play in bow waves while, on land, gardens erupt with cycads, koi ponds, and art.

Top highlights include the cable car to Monte, Monte Palace Tropical Garden, the 15th-century Sé Cathedral, Blandy’s Wine Lodge tastings, the wicker toboggan ride, and sunset viewpoints like Cabo Girão. Don’t miss neighboring fishing village Câmara de Lobos—Winston Churchill once painted its boats bobbing in a natural cove.

• Where to stay (Funchal): Browse apartments and villas on VRBO Funchal or hotels on Hotels.com Funchal.
  • Belmond Reid's Palace: Grand-dame clifftop icon with terraced gardens and classic afternoon tea.
  • Porto Mare Hotel: Resort-style pools, oceanfront promenade, and easy marina access.
  • Hotel do Carmo: Retro-modern base near the old town; great value and rooftop pool.
• Getting there: Fly into Funchal (FNC). From Lisbon ~1h45; from Porto ~2h; from London ~3h50. Compare fares on Omio (flights in/to/from Europe). Airport to central Funchal: ~20 minutes by taxi/ride-hail (~€25–35).
• Getting around: Walk the center, use taxis for hills and viewpoints, or book day tours for the West/North. Buses reach many towns but schedules are limited on Sundays/holidays.

Day 1: Arrival, Old Town Flavors, and Sunset by the Sea

Morning: Travel day. If you arrive early, drop bags and stretch your legs along the palm-lined Avenida do Mar, watching cable cars glide up to Monte and fishermen mend nets by the marina.

Afternoon: Check in, then explore the old town’s Rua de Santa Maria, where artists have transformed doorways into open-air canvases. Pop into Mercado dos Lavradores to see exotic fruits (taste maracujá-banana hybrids) and the fish hall where gleaming black scabbard is filleted for the day’s catch.

Evening: Start with a Madeira wine flight at a historic lodge to learn Sercial vs. Bual, then dine at one of these standouts: - Armazém do Sal: Modern Madeiran tasting menus in a former salt warehouse; book the chef’s menu for polished local flavors. - Casal da Penha: Terrace dining with espetada on laurel skewers and garlicky bolo do caco. - Taberna Ruel: Old-town favorite for lapas (grilled limpets with lemon) and espada with banana. Nightcap: try a classic poncha (honey, lemon, sugarcane rum) at Barreirinha Bar Café overlooking the sea.

Day 2: Monte’s Gardens, Madeira Food Tour, and Dolphins at Dusk

Morning: Ride the cable car from the seafront to Monte for sweeping bay views. Stroll Monte Palace Tropical Garden—azulejo panels, Japanese bridges, and koi reflecting palms—then peek into the 18th‑century Church of Nossa Senhora do Monte. Brave the traditional wicker toboggan ride, guided by Carreiros in straw boater hats, a tradition rolling tourists downhill since the 1850s.

Afternoon: Taste your way through town on the Madeira Food, Wine & Cultural Tour (small-group walking; typically ~3 hours). Expect bolo do caco hot off the griddle, artisan cheeses, pestana de maracujá pastries, and proper Madeira wine pours while hearing stories of sugar barons and seafaring trade routes.

Later, head to the marina for an eco-friendly cruise: Madeira Dolphin and Whale Watching on an Ecological Catamaran (2.5–3 hours). Hybrid-electric propulsion keeps things quiet for better sightings of dolphins, turtles, and—seasonally—pilot or sperm whales; in summer, there’s time for a swim.

Evening: Book a table at Kampo by Júlio Pereira (wood-fired Madeiran cuts, creative small plates) or sister spot Akua (sea-to-table focus; order the octopus with sweet potato). For a stylish digestif, head to the clifftop Design Centre for ocean views, or stay seaside with gelato and a stroll along the promenade.

Day 3: West Coast Wonders—Cabo Girão, Seixal, Fanal Forest, and Porto Moniz

Morning: Join a small-group west-island adventure: Small Group West Tour Waterfalls & Fanal Forest Tour (full day; hotel pickup). First stop is Cabo Girão, a glass-floored skywalk 580m above the Atlantic (admission ~€2), then weaving old roads to Encumeada’s viewpoints over terraced villages and laurel-cloaked slopes.

Afternoon: Continue to Seixal’s photogenic black-sand beach and cascading roadside “bride’s veil” waterfall. At Porto Moniz, swim in volcanic rock pools (entry ~€3–€6; pack sandals and a towel) and try a light seafood lunch—grilled limpets, espada tacos, or picado (garlicky beef cubes to share). A pause in Fanal’s UNESCO-listed fog-prone laurel forest reveals gnarled trees straight from a fairytale.

Evening: On the way back, detour to Câmara de Lobos for harbor views and a fresh poncha at a classic tasca. Stay for dinner at Vila do Peixe (grill counter of the day’s catch) or return to Funchal for casual petiscos at O Tasco. Taxis from Câmara de Lobos to Funchal run ~10–15 minutes.

Day 4: Sunrise Above the Clouds, Brunch, and Departure

Morning: Early start for the island’s most awe‑striking view: Madeira Pico do Arieiro Sunrise Tour. Pickup is typically ~05:30; watch alpenglow crest knife-edge ridgelines at 1,818 m, often above a sea of clouds. Wear warm layers; roads can be misty and windy in any season.

Back in town, celebrate with a wholesome brunch: Prima Caju (bright bowls, pancakes, specialty coffee) or The Mill (espresso, eggs with bolo do caco, and local jams). If time allows, stroll Santa Catarina Park for bay views and make quick souvenir stops for embroidery, wickerwork, and bottles of medium-dry Verdelho.

Afternoon: Check out and transfer to FNC for your flight home. For European routes, compare options on Omio and arrive 2 hours early—Madeira’s famed crosswinds sometimes space out departures. Until next time—ate já!

Optional add-ons if you extend your stay

• Ponta de São Lourenço (PR8): 7–8 km coastal hike through sculpted tuff and windswept headlands (2.5–3.5 hours; sun-exposed—go early).
• Wine & vineyards by 4x4 with Cabo Girão skywalk: Skywalk with Wines Tasting and Vineyards Half day 4x4 Adventure for terroir and tastings.

Eating & Drinking Shortlist (save this):

• Seafood: Akua (inventive), Vila do Peixe (grill market), O Portão (old-town classics).
• Meat & petiscos: Kampo (wood-fired cuts), O Tasco (sharing plates), Armazém do Sal (tasting menu).
• Cafés & brunch: Prima Caju, The Mill, The Ritz Madeira (historic terrace on the Avenida).
• Drinks: Barreirinha Bar Café (sunset), classic poncha houses in Câmara de Lobos; order regional poncha de maracujá or the robust pescador (lemon-forward).

Booking pointers: Reserve cable car/toboggan earlier in the day to avoid queues, prebook dolphin cruises for calmer evening seas, and bring swim shoes for lava pools. If driving, favor automatic transmissions on steep roads and practice hill starts; otherwise, day tours are stress‑free and cover more ground.

In four concise days, you’ll taste Madeira’s cuisine, ride from mountaintop gardens to the sea, swim in lava pools, and watch sunrise above the clouds. Funchal makes the perfect base for this escapadinha—an easy blend of culture, coast, and highland drama you’ll want to revisit.