Madeira, a subtropical Portuguese archipelago anchored in the Atlantic, blends dramatic mountains, deep laurel forests, and terraced vineyards with a seafaring history. Settled by the Portuguese in the 15th century, the island thrived on sugar, wine, and navigation—traces of which still season today’s markets, cellars, and coastal towns.

Beyond its postcard views, Madeira is an adventurer’s playground. Walk levadas that lace the Laurissilva Forest (a UNESCO World Heritage site), swim in natural lava pools, and scan for dolphins and whales offshore. On the culinary front, expect black scabbardfish, espetada skewers, bolo do caco garlic bread, and warming poncha—the island’s famous sugarcane-rum drink.

Practical notes: the weather is mild year-round, layers are essential in the mountains, and sturdy shoes are a must for levadas. Roads are modern but steep; confident drivers will love exploring by car, though tours and transfers are plentiful. You’ll land at Cristiano Ronaldo Madeira International Airport (FNC); English is widely spoken, but a “bom dia” goes far.

Funchal

Funchal is Madeira’s lively capital: an amphitheater of whitewashed houses facing a sparkling harbor, backed by banana groves and peaks. Wander the Old Town’s painted doors on Rua de Santa Maria, ride the cable car to Monte’s tropical gardens, and sip Madeira wine in century-old lodges.

• Top sights: Mercado dos Lavradores, Monte Palace Tropical Garden, the wicker toboggan ride from Monte, CR7 statue and waterfront promenade, and nearby Cabo Girão skywalk.
• Why base here: best dining scene, easy tour pickups, walkable waterfront, and quick access east or west.
• Food finds: bolo do caco sandwiches at casual kiosks; fresh lapas (limpets) grilled with garlic; artisanal cookies at Fábrica Santo António.
• Fun fact: Britain fell hard for Madeira wine in the 1700s—so much so that it was used to toast the U.S. Declaration of Independence.

Where to stay (Funchal): For classic glamour and cliffside gardens, book Belmond Reid's Palace. For a retro-modern city base with a pool, consider Hotel do Carmo. For resort comforts and oceanfront pools, look at Porto Mare Hotel. Browse more stays on Hotels.com (Funchal) or VRBO (Funchal).

How to get to Funchal (FNC): From Lisbon, nonstop flights take ~1h45 and often run $40–100 one-way in shoulder seasons; from London, ~3h50, usually $120–250. Compare European flights on Omio (flights in Europe). If you’re coming from outside Europe, compare long-haul options on Trip.com (flights) or Kiwi.com. For a smooth arrival, prebook a hotel transfer: Madeira Airport Transfer to Funchal.

Day 1: Arrival, Old Town stroll, and a flavorsome first night

Afternoon: Arrive and drop bags. Ease into Madeira at Mercado dos Lavradores—see island fruit, espada fish, and flowers. Grab a specialty coffee at Seven Monkeys Coffee or a passionfruit smoothie at Prima Caju.

Evening: Walk Rua de Santa Maria to admire the painted doors, then dine at Armazém do Sal (modern Madeiran plates in a former salt warehouse) or Taberna Ruel (Old Town favorite for espada with banana and grilled octopus). Nightcap with a classic poncha at Venda Velha—zesty, simple, and beloved by locals.

Day 2: Monte gardens, toboggan ride, and city viewpoints

Morning: Ride the Funchal–Monte cable car for sweeping harbor views. Wander Monte Palace Tropical Garden’s koi ponds, azulejos, and exotic flora. Snack on a warm pastel de nata at Café do Monte.

Afternoon: Try the traditional wicker toboggan ride from Monte down polished streets—an only-in-Madeira thrill. Then take a guided spin that covers hidden lanes and viewpoints: Private Tuk Tuk Tour to Old Town + Monte in Funchal.

Evening: Splurge at Il Gallo d’Oro (2 Michelin stars; seasonal tasting rooted in Atlantic terroir) or book a romantic table at Restaurante do Forte inside São Tiago fortress. For rooftop drinks and stargazing, head to Galáxia Skybar at Savoy Palace.

Day 3: UNESCO forest immersion on a levada classic

Full-day hike: Join the island’s signature levada adventure through the Laurissilva on PR6, with tunnels, waterfalls, and ferny ravines: 25 Fountains Levada: Hiking Tour in Madeira Rabaçal Valley (PR6). Expect 11–13 km, moderate effort, and misty magic—hotel pickup and guiding included.

Back in Funchal, reward yourself with grilled limpets and garlic-butter bolo do caco at O Tasco. Sunset drinks at Barreirinha Bar Café watch waves slap the stone quay.

Day 4: Dolphin spotting, Madeira wine, and Cabo Girão skywalk

Morning: Sail on an eco-catamaran to look for dolphins, pilot whales, and seasonal turtles: Madeira Dolphin and Whale Watching on an Ecological Catamaran. Crew naturalists add context, and in calm weather you may swim near Cabo Girão’s cliffs.

Afternoon: Tour Blandy’s Wine Lodge to learn about estufagem aging and taste a flight from dry Sercial to honeyed Malmsey. Then drive or taxi to the glass-floored Cabo Girão skywalk—580 meters above the Atlantic.

Evening: Dine in nearby Câmara de Lobos at Vila do Peixe (grilled local catch; choose from the counter) or Vila da Carne (for espetada skewers). Finish with a poncha at Bar Número 2, a local institution.

Porto Moniz

On Madeira’s northwest tip, Porto Moniz feels wild and elemental. Waves crash into black lava, forming natural swimming pools as the forested plateau of Paul da Serra looms above. The vibe is slower—perfect for sea dips, starry skies, and exploring the Fanal Forest’s storybook trees.

• Top sights: Porto Moniz natural pools, Fanal Forest mists, Ribeira da Janela sea stacks, Seixal’s black-sand beach and ocean pools, Achadas da Cruz cliffside cable car.
• What to eat: simple and ultra-fresh—grilled limpets, espada, and caldo verde with crusty bread.
• Insider tip: bring reef shoes and a light jacket; Atlantic winds can make evenings cooler than Funchal.

Where to stay (Porto Moniz): Seafront hotels with sweeping views are the draw; look for ocean-facing rooms and pool access. Browse stays on Hotels.com (Porto Moniz) or VRBO (Porto Moniz).

Day 5: Scenic transfer west, Seixal stop, and lava-pool swim

Morning travel: Depart Funchal for Porto Moniz. By car via VE4/ER101 it’s ~1h20 (fuel/tolls minimal; Madeira has no tolls). By bus (Horários do Funchal + Rodoeste services), plan ~1h45–2h and €6–10; depart in the morning to maximize your day.

Afternoon: En route, stop at Seixal’s black-sand beach for photos of green peaks plunging into the sea, then at Véu da Noiva waterfall viewpoint. Roll into Porto Moniz and check in before a swim in the natural lava pools—crystal-clear basins refreshed by Atlantic swells.

Evening: Dinner at A Pipa (hearty Madeiran dishes and a sea view) or at a hotel restaurant overlooking the surf. Post-dinner stroll the waterfront promenade; skies here are ink-dark and perfect for stargazing.

Day 6: Fanal Forest, cliff cable car, and the northwest’s quiet charms

Morning: Drive up to Fanal Forest on the Paul da Serra plateau. Walk among ancient Ocotea trees wreathed in mist—short loops range from 2–6 km on soft turf. If you prefer a guided day that hits waterfalls and viewpoints, consider basing this day from Funchal on a west-island tour earlier in the week.

Afternoon: Ride the Achadas da Cruz cable car down a near-vertical cliff to a wave-lashed fajã; bring water and sturdy shoes for paths at the bottom. Lunch back in town (try grilled espada or beef espetada) before a stop at Ribeira da Janela’s photogenic rock stacks and Seixal’s ocean pools for a late swim.

Evening: Watch sunset paint the cliffs, then linger over seafood at Restaurante Orca or Cachalote (both local favorites for ocean views and fresh catch).

Day 7: Return to Funchal and depart

Morning: Drive back to Funchal (~1h20) with a quick detour to Cabo Girão if you missed it earlier. In town, pick up edible souvenirs: aged Madeira wine and bolo de mel (try the historic Fábrica Santo António).

Afternoon departure: Early lunch on the marina—bolo do caco sandwiches or a simple grilled-fish plate—then head to the airport. For convenience, prebook a ride: Madeira Airport Transfer Anywhere in Funchal.

Optional add-ons (swap into any free half-day)

• Short levada near Funchal with a foodie twist: On the Rhythm of a Levada Walk: Madeira cider tasting and lunch.
• East Madeira viewpoints and A-framed Santana houses on a guided day: EAST: Pico do Arieiro & Laurissilva Forest - Full Day tour.
• Self-guided coastal hike at the island’s eastern tip: Transfer to Ponta de São Lourenço Natural Reserve.

Getting around and booking tips: Use Omio (flights in Europe) to compare fares into FNC if you’re coming from EU hubs; if pairing Madeira with mainland Portugal, trains to Lisbon/Porto are also on Omio (trains in Europe). For long-haul searches, try Trip.com and Kiwi.com. On-island, driving offers flexibility; tours are ideal for stress-free access to narrow mountain roads and trailheads.

Where to eat and drink (quick list to save):

• Breakfast/coffee: Seven Monkeys Coffee (specialty roasts), Prima Caju (healthy bowls and pancakes), Padaria Pastelaria Do Carmo (local bakery).
• Lunch: O Portão (Old Town classics), Casa do Bolo do Caco kiosk (garlicky sandwiches), Vila do Peixe (grilled fish by the market display).
• Dinner: Armazém do Sal (contemporary Madeiran), O Tasco (casual seafood), Restaurante do Forte (romantic, fortress setting), Il Gallo d’Oro (fine dining tasting menus).
• Drinks: Venda Velha (poncha in Funchal), Bar Número 2 (poncha in Câmara de Lobos), Galáxia Skybar (rooftop cocktails and city views).

In one week, you’ll taste Funchal’s best tables, walk emerald levadas in the Laurissilva Forest, watch dolphins slice the Atlantic, and slip into Porto Moniz’s lava pools at golden hour. Madeira is small enough to feel familiar by week’s end—and layered enough to keep you plotting your return.