Cradled in the Atlantic off Portugal’s coast, Madeira is a volcanic archipelago famed for terraced hillsides, flower-filled gardens, and the centuries-old levada irrigation trails that lace its mountains. Portuguese navigators settled here in the 15th century; the island soon became synonymous with fortified Madeira wine sipped by European courts and American revolutionaries alike.

Today, the island is a playground of cliffs, cloud-topped peaks, black-sand beaches, and the Laurisilva forest—UNESCO-listed for its primordial beauty. Funchal’s old lanes brim with azulejo-fronted buildings and street art; fishermen still mend nets in nearby Câmara de Lobos, where Churchill once painted the bay. Out west, the lava pools of Porto Moniz shimmer like sapphire basins at the edge of the world.

Expect microclimates: pack a windbreaker for the peaks and a swimsuit for the coast, often on the same day. Mountain roads are well-engineered but steep—drive confidently or let local guides take the wheel. Food lovers will find grilled limpets with garlic butter, espada (scabbardfish) with banana, bolo do caco bread, and, of course, Madeira wine. This itinerary keeps you based in Funchal with a day exploring the island’s dramatic northwest.

Funchal

Funchal, Madeira’s lively capital, unfolds from a cruise-kissed harbor up green amphitheater hills. Ride the cable car to Monte for sweeping views, wander the artists’ doors of Rua de Santa Maria, and taste time-honored Madeira wine in handsome lodges near the cathedral.

• Top sights: Monte cable car, Monte Palace Tropical Garden, CR7 waterfront, Mercado dos Lavradores, Pico dos Barcelos viewpoint, Cathedral (Sé), Santa Maria street-art doors.
• Great bites: Morning smoothie bowls and specialty coffee at Prima Caju; bolo do caco sandwiches at snack bars; dinner at Kampo by Júlio Pereira (produce-driven Madeiran plates) or Akua (seafood-focused sister spot).
• Fun fact: Cabo Girão’s glass-floored skywalk towers 580 m above the Atlantic—among Europe’s highest sea cliffs.

Where to stay (Funchal): For resort-style gardens and Atlantic views, consider Belmond Reid’s Palace (check rates) or Porto Mare Hotel (check rates). For a central, mid-range base with retro flair, Hotel do Carmo (check rates) is a reliable pick. Browse more places on VRBO Funchal or Hotels.com Funchal.

Getting to Funchal (FNC): Fly directly into Cristiano Ronaldo Madeira International Airport. For flights within or to/from Europe, compare on Omio (flights). For long-haul searches beyond Europe, use Trip.com (flights) or Kiwi.com. If you’re coming overland to Lisbon or Porto first, check Omio (trains), then take a short flight to FNC (Lisbon–Funchal ~1h45, often $40–120).

Porto Moniz

At Madeira’s northwest tip, Porto Moniz is all drama: serrated cliffs, Atlantic spray, and lava formations shaped into crystalline natural pools. Between dips, detour to Seixal’s photogenic black-sand beach and the misty, mossy Fanal Forest—remnants of the island’s ancient laurel woods.

• Don’t miss: Lava pools (two complexes; one wilder, one more sheltered), Fanal’s fairytale til trees, the seaside promenade, and viewpoints along the north coast.
• Eat here: Grilled limpets, octopus rice, and daily catch at Restaurante Cachalote; oceanfront views with espada at Restaurante Orca; espresso and bolo de mel in village cafés.

How to get there (day trip from Funchal): Driving via VE4/VR1 takes ~1h15–1h30. Public buses take roughly 2–2.5 hours; compare options on Omio (buses). Guided day tours are a low-stress way to cover the northwest’s highlights (see below).

Stay (if you decide on a night): Search VRBO Porto Moniz or Hotels.com Porto Moniz.

Day 1: Arrival in Funchal, Old Town wander, and Madeiran flavors

Morning: Travel to Madeira. For Europe routes, compare fares on Omio (flights). For long-haul searches beyond Europe, try Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Aim to land early afternoon.

Afternoon: Check in and stretch your legs along the palm-lined Avenida do Mar. Duck into Mercado dos Lavradores to see island produce, exotic passionfruit varieties, and the day’s catch. Stroll Rua de Santa Maria to admire the painted doors—each one a small gallery in the open air.

Evening: Start with poncha (honey-citrus sugarcane spirit) at Venda Velha, then dine at Armazém do Sal for local fish and tasting menus in a storied salt warehouse, or at O Portão for casual classics like espada with banana. Nightcap at Barreirinha Bar Café overlooking the fort, listening to the Atlantic lap the stones.

Day 2: Monte cable car, gardens, toboggan, and a Funchal food & wine afternoon

Morning: Breakfast at Prima Caju (oat pancakes, açai bowls, specialty coffee). Ride the cable car to Monte for sweeping harbor views and a wander through Monte Palace Tropical Garden’s koi ponds, sculptures, and tile panels.

Afternoon: Cap the hilltop visit with the famous wicker toboggan ride down to Livramento—piloted by white-clad carreiros. For an easy, curated combo that handles logistics, book Madeira Highlights: Toboggan, Garden & Cable Car (All-Inclusive).

Back in town, deepen your palate with a guided tasting stroll: the Taste Funchal: food, wine & cultural tour pairs pungent queijo, bolo do caco, and Madeira wine with local lore.

Evening: Dinner at Kampo by Júlio Pereira (think tuna belly, crisp veggies, and island herbs) or Akua for seafood-forward plates; both are convivial, chef-led spots. End at Pico dos Barcelos viewpoint for a twinkling panorama over Funchal’s amphitheater.

Day 3: West and North Madeira—Cabo Girão, Seixal, Fanal Forest, and Porto Moniz

This is a full-day island adventure—no need to split by time of day. Let a local guide handle the mountain roads on the Madeira West - Enchanted Terraces & Fanal UNESCO open-top jeep tour for dramatic coastline, laurel woods, and lava pools.

Expect stops like the glass-floored Cabo Girão Skywalk, photogenic Seixal beach, mist-wreathed Fanal Forest, and time to swim in Porto Moniz’s natural pools (bring water shoes and a towel). Alternative route with waterfalls and a different mix of viewpoints: Porto Moniz, Seixal, Fanal Forest, Cabo Girão Skywalk, Jeep Tour.

Back in Funchal, reward yourself with espada at Casal da Penha or grilled meats and a Portuguese wine list at Beef & Wines. If you linger near Câmara de Lobos, book a waterside table at Vila do Peixe for flame-grilled daily catch.

Day 4: Dolphin and whale watching, beach time, and poncha at sunset

Morning: Espresso and a pastel at The Ritz Madeira on the municipal gardens. Then head to the marina for an eco-friendly cruise—Madeira’s waters host pilot whales, spotted dolphins, and turtles. Book Madeira Dolphin and Whale Watching on an Ecological Catamaran for a hybrid-electric boat and a greener experience.

Afternoon: Lunch in picturesque Câmara de Lobos—try limpets in garlic butter and espada filets at Vila do Peixe—or grab pregos (steak sandwiches) on bolo do caco from a casual tasca. Swim at Praia Formosa’s pebbly strand or relax by your hotel pool.

Evening: Drive or taxi up to Cabo Girão for golden-hour vistas; the glass platform hovers over terraced fields and surf. Celebrate with a classic maracujá (passionfruit) poncha at Taberna da Poncha in Câmara de Lobos, then dinner at Vila da Carne for espetada skewers grilled over laurel wood. Back in Funchal, stroll the CR7 promenade under the stars.

Day 5: Pico do Areeiro sunrise and goodbye Funchal

Morning: Rise pre-dawn for a sky-on-fire moment above the clouds at 1,818 m. Skip the stress and go with the Madeira Pico do Arieiro Sunrise Tour, which includes hot drinks and transport.

Afternoon: Brunch back in Funchal—try Prima Caju if you missed it—or a traditional plate at Restaurante dos Combatentes near the park. Pick up edible souvenirs: bolo de mel from Fábrica Santo António and a bottle of sercial or malmsey from a wine lodge. Depart in the afternoon with mountains in your rearview and salt spray in your hair.

Evening: If your flight’s later, squeeze in a short levada stroll on the city’s fringes or a last espresso in Old Town. Then head to FNC—compare options on Omio (flights) or Trip.com / Kiwi.com if you’re connecting outside Europe.

Optional upgrades and active add-ons

• Hike the island’s rooftop: Fit travelers can book the iconic ridge walk with guide and transfers—Pico do Areeiro to Pico Ruivo PR1 Private Hike.

• Wine country lunch: Delve into terraced vineyards with the Visiting local Vineyard With Wine Tasting & Lunch included experience.

• More time on the water: If your dates don’t match, alternative marine options include Seaborn Catamaran trips.

Logistics at a glance

• Local transport: Taxis and rideshares are plentiful in Funchal. For intercity buses, browse Omio (buses). Roads are steep; book tours when in doubt.
• Seasonality: Spring’s Flower Festival and New Year’s fireworks (some of Europe’s most spectacular) are headline events. Whale watching is year-round, with peak variety in warmer months.
• What to pack: Light rain jacket, grippy shoes (for levadas and lava pools), swimsuit, and layers for windy peaks.

Madeira rewards curiosity: one moment you’re tasting citrus-bright sercial in a centuries-old lodge; the next, you’re floating in lava pools with the open Atlantic ahead. With this 5-day plan, you’ll catch the island’s essentials—Funchal’s gardens and markets, Porto Moniz’s wild coast, a mountain sunrise, and the slow pleasures of good food and wine—without rushing the magic.