Madeira, Portugal’s subtropical Atlantic archipelago, was settled in the early 15th century by Portuguese navigators and nurtured by ingenious “levadas” (irrigation channels) that still crisscross the mountains. Nicknamed the “Island of Eternal Spring,” it balances terraced vineyards, basalt cliffs, Laurisilva cloud forest, and a capital—Funchal—fanned by jacarandas and sea breeze.

Expect a delicious table: black scabbard fish with banana, espetada (beef skewers) grilled over laurel, bolo do caco slathered with garlic butter, tropical fruits at the Mercado dos Lavradores, and the storied fortified Madeira wine. Evenings are for poncha, the fisherman’s pick-me-up of sugarcane aguardente, lemon, and honey, now proudly poured in lively taverns.

Practical notes: microclimates change quickly—layers and a light rain jacket help. Roads are steep; tunnels make driving efficient but keep a low gear on descents. English is widely spoken; contactless payment is common. Hikers should check weather and trail conditions, and never underestimate mountain fog.

Funchal

Funchal is Madeira’s vibrant waterfront capital—part botanical garden, part old-world harbor town, part foodie scene. Cable cars glide over tile-roofed streets to Monte, street art splashes the Old Town, and the harbor bustles with catamarans chasing dolphins along the sunlit south coast.

Top sights include the hilltop parish of Monte, the Monte toboggan ride, the Mercado dos Lavradores market, Blandy’s Wine Lodge tastings, the CR7 Museum for football fans, and the sweeping Cabo Girão skywalk just west of town.

• Where to stay (curated): Grande-dame glamour at Belmond Reid's Palace (terraced gardens over the Atlantic); resort comforts and pools at Porto Mare Hotel (near the Lido promenade); vintage-modern value at Hotel do Carmo (retro design, central Funchal).
• Browse more stays: Hotels.com: Funchal | VRBO: Funchal
• How to get here: Fly into Funchal (FNC). Directs from Lisbon (~1h45), Porto (~2h), many European hubs (e.g., London ~3h50). Compare fares on Omio (Flights). Typical one-way from Lisbon €40–€120 depending on season.
• Cafés & bites: Brunch at Prima Caju (smoothie bowls, specialty coffee), pastries and people-watching at The Ritz Madeira, and coffee + light plates at Art Food Corner near the market.
• Dinner short list: Kampo by Chef Júlio Pereira (nose-to-tail Madeiran bistro), Armazém do Sal (modern Portuguese in a historic salt warehouse), O Tasco (grilled limpets, tuna steaks), and Restaurante do Forte (at São Tiago fort, candlelit courtyard).
• Nightcaps: Try poncha at Venda Velha in the Old Town; for a classic fisherman vibe, taxi to Taberna da Poncha in Câmara de Lobos.

Day 1: Arrival in Funchal, Old Town Wander, Poncha Welcome

Afternoon: Land at FNC and transfer to your hotel. Stretch your legs along Avenida Arriaga and the palm-lined marina, then duck into the Old Town (Zona Velha) to see door murals on Rua de Santa Maria and the azulejo-clad Corpo Santo Chapel.

Evening: Reserve a table at Kampo by Chef Júlio Pereira for charcoal-grilled octopus or aged beef, then amble to Venda Velha for your first poncha (try the classic lemon or passion fruit). If you’d rather ease in, opt for seafood and ocean views at O Tasco.

Day 2: Monte Cable Car, Tropical Gardens, and Toboggan Thrill

Morning: Ride the Funchal–Monte cable car for sweeping bay views. Visit Monte Palace Tropical Garden—koi ponds, Asian pagodas, and tile panels narrating Madeira’s history.

Afternoon: Do the iconic 2 km wicker toboggan from Monte to Livramento—white-clad “carreiros” have steered these sleds since the 19th century. Then stroll back downhill via viewpoints or grab a taxi. Refuel with bolo do caco and garlic butter at a café on Rua da Carreira.

Evening: Consider a guided, all-in-one experience to maximize your time: Madeira Highlights: Toboggan, Garden & Cable Car (All-Inclusive). This small-group 4–5 hour tour bundles cable cars, the toboggan, and garden admission—handy in busy months.

Prefer to dine independently? Book Armazém do Sal (tasting menus spotlighting local fish and seasonal produce) and end with a Madeira wine nightcap at Blandy’s Wine Lodge bar.

Day 3: Dolphins, Market Flavors, and Old Town Evenings

Morning: Sail the south coast on an eco-friendly catamaran to spot dolphins, whales, and—on lucky days—turtles. Choose the hybrid-electric option for quieter wildlife watching: Madeira Dolphin and Whale Watching on a Ecological Catamaran (≈3 hours).

Afternoon: Browse the Mercado dos Lavradores—go for photos of tropical fruit pyramids and the flower market; taste at reputable stalls or sit for grilled espada with banana at a nearby restaurant. Pop into the CR7 Museum if you’re a football fan, or walk the Lido Promenade to sea lidos for a swim.

Evening: Join a tasty introduction to island cuisine: Madeira Food, Wine & Cultural Tour—a guided roam to traditional tascas for limpets, milho frito, and sips of dry to sweet Madeira styles.

If you prefer a sit-down dinner, book Restaurante do Forte (reserve terrace seats at sunset).

Day 4: West Madeira by 4x4 — Skywalks, Cliffs, and Natural Pools

Today, cover big scenery in one go on a full-day small-group jeep tour. Expect Câmara de Lobos (Churchill’s favorite fishing village), the glass-floored Cabo Girão Skywalk (580 m), misty Paul da Serra, Seixal’s black-sand cove, and a swim stop at Porto Moniz natural pools.

Recommended: Full-Day Jeep 4x4: Amazing West Full-Day Tour to Natural Pools. You’ll go off-road to viewpoints that regular cars skip and still be back in Funchal for dinner.

After the tour, celebrate at O Tasco (grilled lapas with lemon and butter; share a “picado,” Madeira’s peppery beef cubes) or unwind with gelato on the promenade.

Porto Moniz

On Madeira’s far northwest edge, Porto Moniz faces the Atlantic head-on. Its star attraction is a string of lava-formed natural pools, where turquoise water sloshes gently in a sheltered maze of basalt. Above town, the UNESCO-listed Laurisilva Forest blankets ridges with ancient laurel and til—prime for misty, fairytale walks.

Expect quieter nights, dramatic sunsets, and easy access to north-coast gems like Seixal’s black-sand beach and the waterfall-draped road to São Vicente. It’s the island at its wildest yet most restorative.

• Where to stay: Sea-facing rooms and a heated pool at Aqua Natura Bay (try the Onda Azul restaurant), family-friendly apartments overlooking the pools, and small guesthouses tucked into hillsides.
• Browse stays: Hotels.com: Porto Moniz | VRBO: Porto Moniz
• Getting there from Funchal: Drive ~1h20–1h40 via VE4 and ER101 (fast tunnels plus scenic coast). Taxi/private transfer usually €80–€120. By bus (Rodoeste) it can take ~3 hours with changes; departures are infrequent—check schedules locally.
• Where to eat: Restaurante Orca (terrace above the pools; espada with banana), Restaurante Cachalote (grilled limpets, octopus rice), and Onda Azul (fresh fish of the day, sea views). For coffee and light bites, the Natural Pools Café is convenient between swims.

Day 5: Scenic Transfer to Porto Moniz, Natural Pools at Sunset

Morning: Check out of Funchal and drive west. Stop in Câmara de Lobos for photos of the painted boats and a quick poncha, then step onto the glass at Cabo Girão. Continue via Seixal for a stroll on the photogenic black sand and the Véu da Noiva waterfall viewpoint.

Afternoon: Arrive in Porto Moniz and check in. Head straight to the Porto Moniz natural pools—clear, wave-fed basins hemmed by basalt walls. Bring water shoes for comfort on lava rock and a towel for the sun-warmed ledges.

Evening: Dinner at Restaurante Orca: start with lapas (grilled limpets) and garlic butter, then espada with banana or tuna steak Madeira-style. Night stroll along the sea promenade to hear the Atlantic swell.

Day 6: Laurisilva Wanders — Fanal Forest and North Coast Villages

Morning: Drive 25–35 minutes up to Fanal Forest, a pocket of Laurisilva scattered with gnarled, centenarian Ocotea foetens trees often veiled in fog. Short loops fan out from the Fanal meadow; photographers love the moody light after dawn.

Afternoon: Choose a levada: Ribeiro Frio–Balcões (farther east; easy) or a closer option such as Levada da Ribeira da Janela (segments near Lamaceiros; moderate). Pack layers—clouds roll in quickly. Late lunch back in town or in Seixal (simple grill houses serve espetada with milho frito).

Evening: Unwind at Onda Azul for seafood rice or the catch of the day, then a Madeira wine digestif at your hotel bar. Stargazing can be excellent on clear nights.

Day 7: Sea Air and Departure

Morning: Last swim in the natural pools or a cliffside coffee with ocean views. If you’re craving one more viewpoint, stop at Miradouro da Santa on the drive out for a grandstand look over Porto Moniz.

Afternoon: Allow 1h30–2h to reach Funchal Airport (FNC), return your car, and fly out. For flights within Europe, compare options on Omio (Flights). If you’re extending your trip on the mainland, trains to Lisbon/Porto are easy to book via Omio (Trains) once you land.

Evening: If you have a late departure, linger in Funchal for a leisurely lunch—Armazém do Sal’s set menus are a fine send-off—or one last poncha at Venda Velha.

Optional Add-On: Pico do Arieiro Sunrise (from Funchal) or Porto Santo Ferry Day

• Pico do Arieiro Sunrise: If you have an extra morning in Funchal (before moving north), catch the first light at 1,818 m with a guided transfer, warm drinks, and photo stops: Madeira Pico do Arieiro Sunrise Tour.

  

• Porto Santo (golden-sand beach): In summer and many shoulder-season dates, ferry times make a long day trip possible (≈2h30 each way). Check crossings via Omio (Ferries), rent a bike on arrival, and enjoy the 9 km beach.

Breakfast, Coffee, and Dinner Cheat Sheet

• Funchal Breakfast/Coffee: Prima Caju (healthy bowls, specialty coffee), The Ritz Madeira (classic pastelaria and terrace), Art Food Corner (espresso and light brunch near the market).
• Funchal Lunch: O Tasco (seafood, lapas), Taberna Madeira (petiscos—small plates), Casa Velha do Palheiro (if visiting the Palheiro Gardens; refined garden setting).
• Funchal Dinner: Armazém do Sal (modern Madeiran), Kampo (grill-focused bistro), Restaurante do Forte (romantic, in a 17th-century fort).
• Drinks: Poncha at Venda Velha (Old Town) or a short taxi to Taberna da Poncha (Câmara de Lobos) for a lively local scene.
• Porto Moniz Meals: Restaurante Orca (oceanfront seafood), Restaurante Cachalote (grilled limpets, octopus), Onda Azul (fish of the day, terrace). Coffee/snacks at the Natural Pools Café between swims.

Getting Around & Practical Tips

• Driving: Tunnels make cross-island trips quick; expect steep lanes in villages. Park in signed public lots; many hotels have garages.
• Buses: In and around Funchal, city buses are frequent; north-coast buses are limited and slower—plan ahead.
• Hiking: Trails can be narrow with drop-offs; bring grippy shoes, water, and a light. Weather shifts fast near ridgelines like Pico do Arieiro.
• What to pack: Layers, swim gear, water shoes for lava pools, a light rain jacket, and sunscreen.

Why this route works: Four nights in Funchal anchor you near key sights, tours, and restaurants; three nights in Porto Moniz slow the pace beside lava pools and Laurisilva glades. You’ll sample city, sea, and high mountain—with travel time kept easy.

Quick Bookmarks

• Hotels — Funchal: Belmond Reid's Palace | Porto Mare Hotel | Hotel do Carmo | Hotels.com search | VRBO search
• Hotels — Porto Moniz: Hotels.com search | VRBO search
• Flights (Europe): Omio Flights | Trains (Europe): Omio Trains | Buses (Europe): Omio Buses | Ferries (Europe): Omio Ferries
• Viator Tours (featured above): Dolphins & Whales Eco Catamaran | Cable Car & Toboggan | Food & Wine Tour | West Madeira 4x4 | Pico do Arieiro Sunrise

From harbor-glittered Funchal to wave-sculpted Porto Moniz, this 7-day Madeira itinerary blends coastal vitality with mountain drama. You’ll taste, trek, and float your way through an island that rewards unhurried curiosity—then beckons you back for the levadas you didn’t walk yet.