Madeira 5-Day Itinerary: How to Spend 5 Days on the Island
Five days is enough to see Madeira's highlights properly — one or two levada hikes, the best of Funchal, a west-coast afternoon and a north-coast day trip. It's a satisfying, full trip without feeling rushed.
This itinerary works best with a hire car from Day 2 onwards. Day 1 is entirely on foot in Funchal.
Quick Overview
| Day | Focus |
|---|---|
| 1 | Arrive Funchal — Old Town, marina, first dinner |
| 2 | Funchal city day — cable car, Monte, Mercado |
| 3 | Levada hike (PR6 or PR9) |
| 4 | West coast — Câmara de Lobos, Cabo Girão, Paúl do Mar |
| 5 | North coast — Santana, Porto Moniz — then depart |
Day 1: Arrive, Walk, Eat
The airport to central Funchal by taxi takes about 20 minutes (around €25–30). Check in, then walk. The arrival plan is simple: Old Town, marina, dinner.
From the Old Town, follow Rua de Santa Maria's painted doors down to the marina. Walk the waterfront. If you have energy, continue west along the promenade as far as the Lido.
Dinner: Peixaria da Avenida for seafood, or anywhere in the Zona Velha with a decent chalkboard menu.
Stay: Carreira Solar (couples, old town, parking) · Carreira Vicente (up to 4) · Lido Branca or Lido Casa (couples, pool)
Day 2: Funchal — Cable Car, Monte & the Market
Pick up a hire car this morning if you haven't already. Then: cable car first, before the morning cloud builds.
The Funchal Cable Car lower station is in the Old Town. 15 minutes to Monte. Walk the Tropical Garden (allow 45 minutes). Take the Monte Wicker Toboggan back down.
Afternoon: Mercado dos Lavradores after 2pm. Evening: Dash Cocktail Bar for a nightcap.
Day 3: Levada Hike — PR6 or PR9
Full hiking day. Both routes require SIMplifica pre-booking (simplifica.madeira.gov.pt, €4.50 per person) — book before you travel.
PR6 (Levada das 25 Fontes): Start from Rabaçal. Two branches — one to the Risco waterfall, one to the natural pool fed by 25 springs. Outstanding payoff.
PR9 (Calderão Verde): Start from Queimadas, Santana area. Deeper into the laurel forest; more tunnel sections (head torch required).
If you don't have a car, book a guided hiking day through Hiking Madeira — they handle transport and the SIMplifica booking.
Day 4: West Coast — Câmara de Lobos, Cabo Girão & Paúl do Mar
Morning: Câmara de Lobos for coffee (Churchill's painting village — allow an hour). Then Cabo Girão for the glass skywalk over the 580m cliff. Go before 11am.
Lunch: Calheta — swim at the sandy beach, then lunch at a seafront restaurant.
Afternoon: Continue south through Prazeres and the tunnel to Paúl do Mar. Walk the seafront. Dinner at Bar de Pedra — espetada, fresh fish, poncha, Atlantic sunset.
If staying the night: Palheiro Mar or Palheiro Jardim — book ahead. Return to Funchal if needed: allow 55 minutes.
Day 5: North Coast — Santana & Porto Moniz
Drive north over the mountains. Take the central route via Poiso and Ribeiro Frio for the best scenery — stop at Balcões viewpoint (a 10-minute flat walk from Ribeiro Frio).
Santana: The A-frame palheiro houses, the village square, coffee.
Porto Moniz: The lava rock pools. Swim, eat lunch above the water, watch the waves.
Allow 1.5 hours to drive back to Funchal and 45 minutes to the airport from there.
Where to Stay for a 5-Day Madeira Trip
Couples: Carreira Solar (old town + parking) or Lido Casa (ocean view + pool)
Families/groups of 4: Carreira Vicente or Santa Catarina
If adding a west-coast night: Palheiro Mar or Palheiro Jardim
Book direct at olamadeira.pt/book for the best rate and personal service.
FAQ: 5 Days in Madeira
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Yes — you can cover the highlights comfortably: Funchal, at least one levada, a west-coast afternoon and a north-coast day. For a more relaxed pace or a split-stay with the west coast, 7 days is better.
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Funchal. Central, well-connected, and you can reach most of the island's main sights as day trips.
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For this itinerary, yes — most of the days involve driving to trailheads or coastal villages. If you'd rather not drive, swap Days 3–4 for guided tours departing from Funchal.
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