Madeira 7-Day Itinerary: The Perfect One Week in Madeira
One week is the ideal length for a first Madeira trip. It's enough to cover the island's highlights without rushing, do two or three proper hikes, eat your way through the local menu, and still find time to sit on a sea-view terrace with a poncha and nothing to do.
This itinerary is built around a Funchal base — you can reach most sights as day trips, with one overnight (or multi-night) move to the west coast if you want to go deeper.
Quick Overview: 7-Day Madeira Itinerary
| Day | Focus | Base |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arrive, settle, Old Town evening | Funchal |
| 2 | Funchal city day — cable car, Monte, Mercado | Funchal |
| 3 | Levada hike (Caldeirão Verde PR9 or 25 Fontes PR6) | Funchal |
| 4 | West coast drive: Câmara de Lobos, Cabo Girão, Calheta | Funchal |
| 5 | Paúl do Mar & Jardim do Mar — full west-coast immersion | Funchal or Paúl do Mar |
| 6 | Pico do Arieiro to Pico Ruivo (PR1) — the ridge walk | Funchal |
| 7 | North coast: Santana, São Vicente, Porto Moniz | Funchal |
Day 1: Arrive in Funchal — Get Your Bearings
Land, check in, and walk. That's the plan for Day 1.
From the airport, a taxi to central Funchal takes around 20 minutes and costs €25–30. Pre-book a private transfer if you're arriving late or with a lot of luggage — Taxi Service Madeira is our recommended partner.
Spend the afternoon getting orientated. Walk down to the marina, double back through the Old Town's painted-door streets (Zona Velha), pick up supplies at Mercado dos Lavradores if it's still open (closes around 3pm). In the evening, settle in for a proper first dinner — O Giro on Rua da Carreira or Peixaria da Avenida for fresh seafood.
Stay: For a couple, Carreira Solar puts you on Rua da Carreira with underground parking included. For four people, Carreira Vicente is next door.
Day 2: Funchal City Day — Cable Car, Monte & the Market
Today, go up. The Funchal Cable Car runs from the Old Town to Monte in around 15 minutes, rising 560 metres over the city. The views are extraordinary on a clear morning — go early.
At Monte: walk the Tropical Garden, visit Nossa Senhora do Monte church, and then take the Monte Wicker Toboggan back down — a 2 km descent in a wicker basket on runners, steered by two men in straw hats.
Afternoon: Mercado dos Lavradores. Go after 2pm when the cruise crowds have gone. Evening: try Dash Cocktail Bar or the craft cocktail bars in the Zona Velha.
Day 3: Levada Hike — Caldeirão Verde (PR9) or 25 Fontes (PR6)
Today is hiking day. Both of these trails are classified PR routes requiring advance SIMplifica booking at €4.50 per person — do this before you travel.
Caldeirão Verde (PR9): 13 km return, starting from Queimadas. Follows a levada through ancient laurel forest to a spectacular waterfall in a volcanic gorge. Moderate — mostly flat but with some tunnel sections (bring a head torch).
Levada das 25 Fontes (PR6): 11 km return from Rabaçal. Leads to a wide natural pool fed by 25 springs tumbling from a rock face. Arguably the most photogenic end-point on the island.
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 Drive — Câmara de Lobos, Cabo Girão, Calheta
Pick up a hire car today if you haven't already. This is a circular drive along the south-west coast and back — one of the best half-days on the island.
Câmara de Lobos (20 min from Funchal): a fishing village where Winston Churchill set up his easel multiple times in the 1950s.
Cabo Girão (30 min from Funchal): one of the highest sea cliffs in Europe at 580 metres. The glass skywalk cantilevers out over the edge. Go before 11am to beat the tour buses.
Calheta (45 min from Funchal): the west-coast town with Madeira's only two golden-sand beaches. Worth a swim and lunch.
Day 5: Paúl do Mar & the Far West Coast
Today goes all the way west. From Calheta, turn south through Prazeres and emerge from the tunnel into Paúl do Mar. Walk the seafront, have lunch at Bar de Pedra. Continue 3 minutes along the coast to Jardim do Mar for the afternoon.
If spending a night on the west coast: Palheiro Mar or Palheiro Jardim are the stays. For four people, book both.
Day 6: Pico do Arieiro to Pico Ruivo (PR1) — The Ridge Walk
This is the one. The traverse from Pico do Arieiro (1,818m) to Pico Ruivo (1,862m, Madeira's highest peak) is a 9 km one-way route along a volcanic ridge above the clouds, through tunnels cut in the rock.
Important 2026 note: PR1 requires a SIMplifica booking at €10.50 per person. Book as early as possible — summer slots sell out weeks ahead.
Bring warm layers, a head torch for tunnels, water and snacks. The walk takes 3.5–5 hours depending on pace.
Day 7: North Coast — Santana, São Vicente & Porto Moniz
The north coast is a different island. Drive over the mountain and emerge on the north coast at São Vicente or Santana.
Santana: Famous for the palheiros — traditional A-frame thatched houses painted in red, yellow and white.
São Vicente: A small north-coast town with volcanic caves (Grutas & Centro do Vulcanismo — worth the entry fee).
Porto Moniz: Natural lava rock pools — seawater pools formed in the volcanic rock. Swimming here in the afternoon sun is one of the island's best experiences.
Where to Stay for a 7-Day Itinerary
Funchal base (most nights):
West-coast nights (Day 5–6):
Book direct at olamadeira.pt/book.
FAQ: 7 Days in Madeira
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Yes — 7 days covers the island's main highlights comfortably, with time for proper hiking, a west-coast overnight and a north-coast day trip. It's the ideal first-trip length.
Do I need a car for a 7-day Madeira itinerary?
For this particular itinerary, yes. Most of the days involve driving to trailheads or coastal villages that aren't served by practical public transport.
What is the best hike to do on a 7-day Madeira trip?
PR1 (Pico do Arieiro to Pico Ruivo) for the most dramatic landscape; Caldeirão Verde (PR9) for the most immersive levada experience. Both require advance SIMplifica booking.
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For this particular itinerary, yes. Most of the days involve driving to trailheads or coastal villages that aren't served by practical public transport.
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PR1 (Pico do Arieiro to Pico Ruivo) for the most dramatic landscape; Caldeirão Verde (PR9) for the most immersive levada experience. Both require advance SIMplifica booking.
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