Travel Guide to Madeira Island, Portugal: 4-Day Itinerary
Get ready for an unforgettable trip to Madeira, the island paradise and “Pearl of the Atlantic.” This itinerary will guide you through the very best of Madeira.
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Madeira, a Portuguese island located off the coast of northwest Africa has been dubbed the “Pearl of the Atlantic” and definitely lives up to that title.
Loved by digital nomads, seasoned travelers, and casual holiday goers alike, this destination proves to be a must-visit for wanderlust seekers.
I embarked on a trip to Madeira in June 2023 and although there was a heatwave happening when I was there, the weather was still pleasant and mild which is what makes this island an all-year-round destination.
This guide will take you through how to spend 4 days in Madeira, including an itinerary and things to do.
For more of an in-depth guide to visiting Madeira, check out my comprehensive guide to solo travel Madeira where I go over all of the details you need to plan the perfect trip.
Madeira Island, Portugal is a popular spot for tourists and digital nomads.
Where to Stay in Madeira:
The itinerary is built around accommodation in Funchal, however, it can easily be adjusted if you choose to set up home base elsewhere on the island.
Staying in Funchal comes with its advantages such as being close to many attractions, festivities, and things to do on Madeira Island.
Other recommended places to stay are the villages of Ponta do Sol and Câmara de Lobos. While they aren’t as big as Funchal, these villages are full of life, festivities, and most importantly, they are connected to the rest of the island via public transportation.
Here is a list of recommended places to stay in Madeira:
Best Hostels in Funchal ($): Hostelworld Funchal
Best Hotel for Solo Travelers in Madeira ($$$): Quinta Da Penha De Franca
Options for Nomads: DIGITAL NOMADS Madeira Islands
Hotel in Câmara de Lobos ($$$): Churchill Bay Pestana
Best Luxury Resort Hotel ($$$$$): Reid’s Palace
Night time view of Funchal, Madeira.
How to get around in Madeira
It is pretty easy to get around Madeira via public or private transport and I recommend exploring this option before renting a car. Especially if you will only be here for a few days, and are staying in Funchal.
The Aerobus has convenient shuttle services from the airport to the front step of many hotels and accommodation sites in Funchal and guided tours make it easy to explore Madeira without renting a car, which is discussed later in this article.
Getting to Funchal city centre from the airport is made very simple with the Aerobus.
Where to Eat in Funchal, Madeira
There are plenty of options to choose from when it comes to deciding where to eat in Funchal.
Old Town is known for its eclectic and delicious dining options, I recommend checking out the area at least once during your trip to Madeira.
4 Days in Madeira: Itinerary
This section will take you through each day, one by one. After each day, you will find a quick summary and list of things to do.
Day 1: Exploring Funchal
After checking into your accommodation and getting settled, head out to explore the spirited city of Funchal.
The Madeira Promenade follows the beautiful coastline.
The Mercado dos Lavradores, a stunning courtyard market, is lined with local vendors of fruit, vegetables, fish, meat, and beautiful handcrafted goods. It's a must-visit on this trip, especially if you want to try some of the local fruits, including the famous monstera delicious or maracuja banana.
Praça do Município is a historic square surrounded by notable buildings such as the Museum of Sacred Art, Church of St. John, and the Funchal City Hall. The black and white tiles throughout this area of town showcase traditional Portuguese design and incorporation of “azulejos” (glazed ceramic tiles).
The Funchal Promenade follows the coastline and you will not only find gorgeous views on this little walk but you will also come across a mini outdoor market where you can find pastries, food, and, of course, poncha which is a traditional alcoholic drink made from brandy, honey, and orange juice. The recipe is prepared differently depending on the person making it.
When you are in Portugal, you also have to try pastel de nada, an egg custard pastry that is absolutely delicious.
Madeira Day 1 Summary:
Today, we are getting to know Funchal on a self-guided walking tour. As we start to explore the city, we discover the island charm of Madeira as we take in the sights and sounds of this destination.
Mercado dos Lavradores (fruit market)
Praça do Município (historic square)
The Funchal Promenade
Day 2: Monte Gardens + Funchal Parks
A tropical paradise awaits you at Monte Palace Tropical Gardens in Madeira, Portugal.
The Monte Palace Gardens are a staple stop when visiting Madeira. From Funchal, it is an easy transfer up to Monte, the mountain village. The first of two transportation options is to take the cable cars! What an amazing way to start this adventure! The view of Funchal and the ocean as you take the cable cars up the mountain is absolutely unreal.
One of the days I was in Funchal, there was a wind advisory and they unfortunately had to shut the cable cars down for the day. However, if the cable cars are not operating due to a wind advisory or if they're not your preferred mode of transport, don’t worry, there is a bus that takes you from Funchal to the entrance of the gardens (€2 one way, cash only, as of June 2023).
The view over Funchal from the cables cars is stunning!
Entrance to the Monte Palace Tropical Gardens is €15 (as of June 2023). The self-guided tour takes you through an endless area full of a huge tropical plant collection.
On the property, there are several museums, houses, and lakes to explore. There is a cafe at the top of the hill and another when you make your way to the bottom. As you make your way through the gardens, you may also encounter peacocks, chickens, flamingos, swans, and other birds and animals that freely wander the grounds.
You’ll come across tropical wildlife all throughout the gardens.
You can easily spend half the day roaming the Monte Palace Tropical Gardens and if I’m being honest, I found myself not wanting to leave.
Toboggan Ride: Monte to Funchal
When you do finally decide it is time to head back down the mountain, keep in mind, a third transportation option enters the chat!
One of the well-known attractions in Funchal is the toboggan run that starts in Monte and drops you off just outside of Funchal. You will be guided down the mountain in a traditional wicker basket by two chauffeurs called “carreiros.”
Starting in the 1850s, this means of transportation was and is part of everyday life for Madeirans.
You can also take the cable cars back down the mountain and the bus runs about every hour (check timetables).
Funchal Parks
After a day of walking up and down mountain paths, nothing beats a relaxing picnic in one of Funchal's parks. Local parks are one of my favorite places to visit when traveling, as they offer a glimpse into the everyday life of the locals. There are several parks in Funchal that make a wonderful place to relax and enjoy the sunshine.
Jardim Municipal do Funchal, a park in the middle of Funchal city centre, often has concerts and performances happening at the outdoor amphitheater.
Some of my favorite parks in Madeira are:
Jardim de Santa Luiza
Jardim Municipal do Funchal
Santa Catarina Park
Madeira Day 2 Summary:
Cable Cars to Monte
Monte Palace Gardens
Exploring Funchal Parks
Day 3: Guided Tour of the Island
A guided tour around Madeira takes you through some of the most scenic sites of the island.
I will always, always, always recommend signing up for a tour guided by a local. Local guides offer expertise and special insight, ensuring you get the most authentic experience possible.
This guided tour takes you on a safari jeep style tour of the island, exploring the natural beauty that Madeira lends itself to.
Each member of our small group was picked up from our hotels in an open top jeep, which added to the sense of adventure and allowed for stunning views as we explored the west side of the island.
Sexial’s black sand beaches and dramatic cliff backdrop makes for a popular Madeira destination.
There were several areas of Madeira this tour goes through. Here are some of them:
Sexial is known for its black sand beaches. The village itself is so quaint. Walking through the neighborhood almost reminded me of a Studio Ghibli movie (iykyk), cozy and absolutely full of charming details.
Porto Moniz is known for the natural pools and clear, blue water. The rugged, raw landscape makes for a picturesque place to stop for lunch another quick swim in the natural volcanic pools.
Câmara de Lobos is a small fishing village just outside of Funchal with a vibrant atmosphere.
When we stopped in this quaint village, the town was preparing for a festival. The village was decorated with colorful decor made out of recycled material.
Câmara de Lobos, decorated for a festival.
Madeira Skywalk is a glass platform with beautiful views of Madeira.
Side note: if glass platforms aren’t your thing for whatever reason, the cafe here has seating with EXCELLENT views of the ocean.
The tour continues through the beautiful mountains of Madeira along the backroads, complete with a stop at a mountain bar and cafe where we tried traditional poncha.
Overlooking the dramatic mountainous landscape of Madeira, Portugal.
Madeira Day 3 Summary:
Today we took a guided jeep safari tour of the west part of Madeira:
Seixal
Porto Moniz
Câmara de Lobos
Madeira Skywalk
Exploring the Madeira mountain range
Day 4: Porto Santo
Porto Santo is a small island in the same archipelago as Madeira. This tiny island, sometimes called Madeira’s “little sister island,” is known for its golden, silk sandy beaches and phenomenal resorts.
If you are wanting to take a day trip from Madeira, the ferry runs frequently between the two islands each day.
Overlooking Porto Santo from the airport.
Outside of the unbelievably beautiful beaches, there are multiple hikes with views that will leave you in awe. Check out this YouTube video that showcase the hikes and things you can do in Porto Santo. You will quickly find out why this island stole my heart.
Camara de Lobos, Madeira
Conclusion
Madeira offers a wealth of unforgettable experiences for travelers seeking adventure, natural beauty, and cultural immersion. From the vibrant city of Funchal to the charming villages, stunning beaches, and breathtaking landscapes, this Portuguese island captivates visitors with its diverse attractions.
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