Madeira, a Portuguese archipelago anchored in the Atlantic, has wooed travelers since the Age of Discovery. Its capital, Funchal, rose with sugar wealth and seafaring lore; today it’s a city of tile-clad churches, tropical gardens, and markets perfumed by passion fruit. Inland, ancient laurel forests (a UNESCO treasure) drink in mist while switchback roads unfurl toward sea cliffs and natural lava pools.

Expect microclimates: you can hike above the clouds at Pico do Arieiro in the morning and swim in sunlit rock pools by afternoon. Madeira’s cuisine is just as vivid—bolo do caco bread slicked with garlic butter, skewers of laurel-grilled beef (espetada), scabbardfish with banana, and the island’s namesake fortified wine. Don’t leave without a tart poncha—rum, honey, lemon—famously sipped by fishermen in Câmara de Lobos.

Practical notes: driving is straightforward but mountainous; buses are reliable on main routes. Trails are well-marked, yet weather shifts quickly, so pack layers and tread carefully on levadas. Most visitors fly into Funchal (FNC); use Omio to compare European flights. This 7‑day plan splits time between Funchal and Porto Moniz to balance culture, coast, and the wild northwest.

Funchal

Funchal is Madeira’s heart: a waterfront promenade, painted doors in the Old Town, cable cars floating toward Monte, and botanical gardens tumbling with orchids. Cristiano Ronaldo was born here—stop by the CR7 Museum if you’re a fan—and the city’s wine lodges pour centuries of fortified wine history into your glass.

Top sights include Mercado dos Lavradores (market), the cathedral, Monte Palace Tropical Garden, the Botanical Garden, and the Lido promenade. Food spans old-school taverns to chef-led kitchens; evenings glow with poncha bars and rooftop views.

• Stay (Funchal): Classic glamour at Belmond Reid's Palace; mid‑century cool at Hotel do Carmo; resort comforts and seaside pools at Porto Mare Hotel. Browse more on Hotels.com or apartments on VRBO.
• Getting there: Fly into Funchal (FNC). Compare European routes and deals on Omio (Lisbon–Funchal ~1h40, often $50–$120; London–Funchal ~3h50, often $90–$200).

Day 1: Arrival in Funchal, Market Flavors, Painted Doors

Morning: In transit.

Afternoon: Land at FNC and settle into your hotel. Stretch your legs with a gentle loop: Santa Catarina Park for harbor views, then the 16th‑century cathedral (Sé). Duck into Mercado dos Lavradores for fruta-pão and passion fruit—chat with vendors, sample wisely, and note the azulejo tiles telling Madeira’s maritime story.

Evening: Dinner at O Portão (Old Town) for garlic-bathed limpets, scabbardfish with banana, and bolo do caco. For a nightcap, Barreirinha Bar Café sits atop the seawall with Atlantic breeze and local craft beers; or ride the elevator to the Three House rooftop for a cocktail over terracotta rooftops.

Day 2: Monte Cable Car, Gardens, and the Toboggan Tradition

Morning: Espresso and ricotta tarts at Prima Caju (bright, healthy brunch spot). Ride the cable car from the waterfront to Monte for sweeping views; stroll Monte Palace Tropical Garden’s koi ponds and African sculpture collection.

Afternoon: Add the island’s most storied thrill: the wicker toboggan down from Monte to Livramento, guided by carreiros in straw boater hats. To streamline logistics, consider this small‑group option (includes cable car + gardens + toboggan): Madeira Highlights: Toboggan, Garden & Cable Car (All-Inclusive).

Evening: Dinner at Armazém do Sal—stone-walled former salt warehouse turned contemporary kitchen; try the octopus rice or black pork cheeks. Gelato at La Coppa on the walk back, or a glass of Sercial at Blandy’s Wine Lodge Bar.

Day 3: Sunrise Above the Clouds, Slow Food & Madeira Wine

Morning: Pre‑dawn pickup for a bucket‑list sunrise at Pico do Arieiro (often above a sea of clouds) with coffee/tea and breakfast included: Madeira Pico do Arieiro Sunrise Tour.

Afternoon: Rest by the Lido promenade—dip into the ocean pools and snack on bolo do caco with garlic butter. Then tour Blandy’s Wine Lodge for a primer on estufagem and canteiro aging; taste a flight from dry Sercial to lush Malmsey.

Evening: Dinner at Kampo by Chef Júlio Pereira—nose‑to‑tail plates like aged beef with bone marrow and Madeira wine jus. For a digestif, pop into a tiny poncha spot near the Old Town (ask for the classic “regional” with lemon; maracujá is sweeter).

Day 4: East Madeira—Ponta de São Lourenço Hike, Machico & Câmara de Lobos

Morning: Early drive or taxi to the PR8 trailhead at Ponta de São Lourenço. This peninsula hike (moderate, 2–3 hours out and back) crosses ochre ridgelines to blue coves—carry water and a windbreaker. Brunch in Machico at MaréAlta (fresh espada and octopus, harbor views).

Afternoon: Detour to Santana to see the triangular thatched houses; if the weather’s settled and you’re up for it, sample a short stretch of Levada do Caldeirão Verde from the Queimadas side (go as far as comfortable; tunnels can be damp).

Evening: Sunset in Câmara de Lobos, the fishing village immortalized by Churchill. Sip poncha at Taberna da Poncha (busy, lively) and dine at Vila do Peixe on grilled espetada or parrotfish with limpets and milho frito (fried corn polenta). Return to Funchal.

Day 5: Dolphin Watching, Cabo Girão Skywalk, Transfer to Porto Moniz

Morning: Set sail along the south coast on an eco‑friendly catamaran to spot dolphins and (seasonally) whales: Madeira Dolphin and Whale Watching on a Ecological Catamaran. Expect 2.5–3 hours on the water; bring a light jacket.

Afternoon: Check out and drive northwest to Porto Moniz (about 1h15–1h30). En route, stop at Cabo Girão Skywalk—580 m glass platform over terraced cliffs. Pause in Ribeira Brava for light lunch (try pimpinela soup) and continue via Seixal’s photogenic black‑sand beach for a quick toe‑dip.

Evening: Arrive in Porto Moniz and swim at the natural lava pools, best near golden hour when the rock glows. Dinner at Restaurante Cachalote (grilled limpets, espada fillets) or Restaurante Orca (oceanfront; get the fish of the day). Early to bed—tomorrow is a nature day.

Porto Moniz

Wild northwest Madeira begins here—emerald valleys, knotty laurel forests veiled in mist, and waves hammering basalt capes. Porto Moniz itself is small and friendly, built around crystalline rock pools where seawater refreshes with each tide.

Days here pivot between the road and the trail: the Fanal plateau’s fairytale trees, Seixal’s waterfalls, and São Vicente’s volcanic geology. The seafood is excellent, and nights are quiet—perfect after a day in mountain air.

• Stay (Porto Moniz): Look for rooms beside the pools or with high Atlantic views. Compare options on Hotels.com and self‑catering retreats on VRBO.
• Getting between cities: Funchal → Porto Moniz by car takes ~1h15–1h30 (scenic VE4/VR101). Taxis/private drivers are easy to arrange via your hotel. Buses exist but are limited; plan extra time if using them.

Day 6: Fanal Forest, Seixal Waterfalls, and the Northwest by Jeep

All day: Let a local guide handle mountain roads while you focus on scenery. This route hits Porto Moniz pools, the velvety Fanal Laurisilva, Seixal’s black sand, and Cabo Girão: Porto Moniz, Seixal, Fanal Forest, Cabo Girão Skywalk, Jeep Tour. You’ll ride open‑top when weather allows, with photo stops and time to wander mossy groves.

Food tips: Packable breakfast from your hotel bakery (bolo do caco sandwiches). For lunch, many tours pause in a village restaurant—order espetada (beef skewers) with milho frito. Back in Porto Moniz, celebrate with a Nikita (ice cream + beer + pineapple—a local oddity) while the surf roars.

Evening: Dinner at your hotel’s sea‑view restaurant or at Sea View (if available) for grilled fresh catch. Stroll the promenade; on clear nights the stars are spectacular out here.

Day 7: Last Swims, Cliff Views, and Departure

Morning: One last dip in the lava pools or a short coastal stroll toward Miradouro Ilhéus da Ribeira da Janela, where sea stacks spear the horizon. Coffee and bolo de mel slice at a local pastelaria.

Afternoon: Drive back toward Funchal Airport (allow 2 hours with photo/lunch stops). For lunch, São Vicente has casual grills and soup of the day; or swing via Câmara de Lobos for espetada at Restaurante Santo António before your flight. Depart FNC in the afternoon—compare options on Omio for onward European connections.

Evening: In transit.

Optional Add‑Ons (if you extend or swap a day)

• Food, Wine & Culture Walk (Funchal): Tastes and tales with local guides: Madeira Food, Wine & Cultural Tour.

  

• Funchal Catamaran Alternatives: Classic south‑coast cruises: Dolphin and Whale Watching Catamaran Cruise from Funchal or Seaborn Catamaran trips.

  

  

• Porto Santo Day Trip: A golden‑sand beach just 2.5 hours by ferry from Funchal; compare ferry options on Omio (check seasonal schedules).

Where to Eat & Drink (quick picks to mix into your days)

• Breakfast/Cafés: Prima Caju (brunch bowls, specialty coffee); Opan near the cathedral (pastéis de nata straight from the oven); Fábrica Santo António (traditional biscuits and bolo de mel to take home).
• Lunch: Akua by Júlio Pereira (creative seafood small plates); Taberna Madeira (hearty Madeiran classics); Casal da Penha (grilled fish and city views).
• Dinner: Armazém do Sal (modern Madeiran); Kampo (fire‑kissed meats, local produce); Vila do Peixe in Câmara de Lobos (choose your fish at the counter; they grill it over open coals).
• Drinks: Blandy’s Wine Lodge Bar (Madeira tastings); Barreirinha Bar Café (sunset beers); Taberna da Poncha (the island staple—start with the classic lemon).

Accommodation quick links: Funchal hotels on Hotels.com | Funchal apartments on VRBO | Porto Moniz hotels on Hotels.com | Porto Moniz homes on VRBO.

In a week you’ll taste Madeira’s coastal cities and high mountain ridges, from Monte’s gardens to Fanal’s mossy woods, from dolphins off Funchal to the basalt pools of Porto Moniz. Keep this guide handy—its balance of scenic drives, iconic hikes, and insider restaurants makes it a reliable companion for a first trip or a return visit.