Ultimate 9 Day Itinerary for Madeira, Portugal You Need

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Things to Know

• Madeira is an autonomous region of Portugal in the Atlantic Ocean, known for its dramatic volcanic landscapes, lush greenery, and mild year-round climate. The archipelago includes Madeira Island and Porto Santo Island. It’s a hiker’s dream come true!
• When visiting, you’ll fly into Cristiano Ronaldo International Airport (FNC), which is located east of the capital, Funchal.
• Starting in the last quarter of 2026, in addition to your passport, you will need to obtain a visa to travel from the United States and other selected countries outside the European Union to Madeira. This must be obtained through the European Travel and Information and Authorization System (ETIAS). More information is located here.
  • ETIAS strongly advises obtaining the ETIAS travel authorization before you buy your tickets and book your hotels. Most applications will be processed within minutes, or at the latest within 96 hours.
• Euros are accepted on Madeira. It’s best to obtain some euros prior to arriving on Madeira. Most U.S. banking locations can order international currency for you, which is usually a better rate than the currency exchange kiosks at the airport! This is what we did, and it worked out great!
• Speaking of euros – get some euro coins as well. For most parking areas, coins are the preferred method of payment, and you may need coins to use the restroom (WC) as well. Compared to the Azores, we needed quite a few coins in Madeira for parking and restrooms.
• Parking: While traveling around the island of Madeira, blue zones (painted lines) are usually paid parking, while white zones are free. Keep this in mind and always carry some coins.
• English is spoken by most residents on the island in the populated areas, but we recommend learning some simple Portuguese phrases to help you get around.
• Don’t forget charging adapters for all of your electronic devices. For travel to Madeira, you’ll need a Type F plug.
• Madeira has been suffering from a bit of overtourism as of late. Please do your part and respect residents, practice leave no trace while hiking, shop local, and be culturally respectful. Traveling off-peak or during the low season is another way to help as well. We know that can be hard with school and summer schedules.

When To Go

Madeira has a subtropical Mediterranean climate due to its location in the Atlantic. Temperatures during the winter months are usually in the 60-70F range. You can visit at any time and expect pleasant temperatures. That being said, it might snow in the mountains during the winter months!

The high season is during the summer months between July and August. Temperatures during this time are in the 70-80°F range. It could be sunny, or it could also rain for a few minutes and stop. Wind is sometimes an issue as well. You never know what you’ll get, so plan for everything.

During this time, accommodations, flights, and car rental prices tend to be higher. There may be more crowds at certain destinations. Some popular areas on the island were definitely very crowded.

We traveled to Madeira in late June/early July, and the weather was excellent. The temperatures were in the 70s-80s and a little chillier in the higher elevations, but it was overall amazing. One thing to note is that often, it’s cloudy in the northern section of the island, while the southern section of the island is sunny.

Webcams In Madeira

We recommend checking the weather forecast (which can change by the minute) and the webcams to determine the best activities for the day. Check them out here! You don’t want to show up to a hike or viewpoint with terrible weather.

How To Get To Madeira

You’ll have to fly to the island, of course! Unless you are on a cruise that is stopping in Funchal. There are a few options to get to Madeira from the United States:

• Fly direct: You can only fly direct from the United States from a few select airports. These are seasonal routes, and flights may be limited.
  • Newark (EWR) – fly via United Airlines direct to FNC (seasonal – May to September).
  • Boston (BOS) – fly via Azores Airlines with a stopover in Ponta Delgada!
• Fly through another country: If you can’t find a direct flight, you may need to fly into mainland Portugal or another country first, and connect there. Just be aware of any visa requirements if you go this route.

✈️ Check out Booking.com to see if you can find any deals on flights!

Because we spent 9 days on Sao Miguel, Azores prior to our trip to Madeira, we were able to get a direct flight from the Azores to Madeira on Azores Airlines. That being said, your best bet for fast direct flights is on United Airlines during the summer months.

Arrival at the Madeira Airport

Madeira Airport (FNC – Cristiano Ronaldo International Airport) is very small. With only a few gates here, expect your arrival to be somewhat quick and at times chaotic. Depending on how many aircraft arrive at the same time as your flight, be prepared for a short wait at passport control.

In some cases, the wind in Madeira can really be a problem. The airport is one of the more challenging airports in Europe due to its weather and geography. When winds exceed strict safety limits, flights are often delayed, diverted, or canceled, and pilots require special training to land there safely.

After you deplane, you’ll walk to the arrivals terminal and proceed to passport control. After clearing passport control, proceed to customs as needed. Passage through customs is mandatory for all Portuguese or foreign travelers entering or leaving the country who are transporting money or goods. So where do you go?

• Customs: If you are transporting cash or monetary assets in an amount equal to or above 10,000 euros (or other currency equivalent), and/or if your baggage contains tradable goods (tobacco, alcohol, etc) in quantities greater than those permitted by law that are not exempt from value-added tax (VAT) or excise duty, proceed to customs.
• Nothing to Declare: If you are travelling with no baggage or transporting cash or monetary assets ​​in an amount under 10,000 euros (or other currency equivalent), and/or if you are carrying goods, such as personal items and/or purchases that are not intended for commercial purposes, in the amounts permitted by law, proceed here.

The way we read this was that unless you have over 10,000 euros and/or are planning on selling any goods that you brought, then you are likely okay to pass through the “Nothing to Declare” hall. That being said, always check with the country on what goods are permitted and in what quantities. You can also check in with an airport staff member with any questions.

If you are flying in from the Azores, you’ll go through a quick security screening and customs upon arrival in Madeira. Then, head to baggage claim, and you’ll be on your way.

Rental Car

We booked our rental car through DiscoverCars and recommend you do too! It was a seamless experience. We opted for extra insurance, and we usually don’t, but you’ll find out why below.

It may cost extra to get an automatic vs a standard (manual) car, but it was worth it for the hills! Make sure to book early for an automatic, as they are in short supply. On DiscoverCars, you can compare prices and ratings to find exactly what you are looking for.

Pictures and videos: Now this is VERY important – Make sure to film both the outside and inside of the car before you drive off the rental lot. This quick step can help protect you from surprise damage claims when you return the vehicle. We learned this the hard way from a very unpleasant experience in Maui! Check out our post, Rental Car Central: Learn from Our Mistakes, for our story.

Extra insurance: While visiting Madeira, the roads are narrow, winding, and very steep. This is one place we absolutely DO RECOMMEND opting into the extra insurance offered through DiscoverCars. We did this for peace of mind.

Some travelers have reported that rental car companies may charge for even minor scratches, which makes having extra insurance, or taking detailed photos and videos, especially important when visiting Madeira.

We didn’t run into any issues ourselves, but we also didn’t hit anything. That said, the car already had plenty of dents and scratches from previous renters, and it would have been easy for the rental company to take advantage of that.

Booking: We usually book our rental car well ahead of time using the pay-later option. This gives us the flexibility to monitor prices before our trip. If we notice a price drop, we just cancel the original reservation for free and rebook at the lower rate.

Most major rental companies allow free cancellations with pay-later bookings, though it’s always wise to double-check the terms and conditions. Book your car below and remember – the smaller, the better! No, really, you want a nice small car, like a Citroën C3.

Driving In Madeira

Driving side: Drive on the right side of the road, just like you would in the United States. While driving on the highways, please stay in the right lane unless you are passing. Unless, of course, you like being honked at or tailgated! We won’t lie, some of the residents here probably drive too fast!

Roundabouts/Traffic Circles: The traffic circles are a little bit different than those in the United States. If you are exiting at the first exit, stay in the right lane. If you are exiting at the second or third exit, proceed to the inside lane, and ONLY to the outside lane when you are exiting.

Bottom line here, you don’t want to be in the outside lane unless you are exiting. Furthermore, be sure to use your turn signals!

Tunnels: Madeira has SO MANY tunnels! The tunnel system is a remarkable feat of engineering, carving through solid volcanic rock to connect communities that were once separated by sheer cliffs and winding mountain roads.

The tunnels are well-lit and marked with signage, but please heed all speed limit signs within and travel safely. Just imagine the amount of time saved driving across the island because of the tunnels.

International License: If you are traveling from the United States, you don’t need an international driver’s permit (IDP). However, it may be wise to have one just in case you get stopped by the police. If you want to get one, head to your local AAA location.

Road signs: It’s wise to familiarize yourself with some local road signs before you go. Check them out here!

Itinerary for Madeira At A Glance And Map

Okay, enough things to know before you go. Here is a quick table with an overview of what your itinerary for Madeira could look like. You can also pick and choose what you want to do each day based on the weather, as these activities don’t have to be in order.

The map above highlights suggested hikes and activities for each day, organized by color. Having a visual overview of where you’ll be going can make planning your adventures much easier.

🚗 Don’t forget to book your rental car on DiscoverCars now! We really recommend an automatic transmission for traveling the steep hills and mountains.

Day 1 – Travel Day & Take It Easy

This is a travel day to the island of Madeira. Depending on where you live, your day of travel may be long or fairly short. If you can score a flight from the East Coast of the United States, direct to Madeira, that will save you some time.

Having just spent an amazing 9 days on São Miguel in the Azores, we hopped on a short flight over to Madeira with no stops in between. This was about an hour flight. We picked up our rental car, and off we went to explore.

Having already been on the islands, we were ready to go right when we touched down on Madeira, but flying in from elsewhere means you might want to take it a bit easier.

💤 Looking for a place to stay? We recommend comparing prices and options on Tripadvisor or VRBO.

Our first stop was a visit to Cristo Rei. Cristo Rei is an art deco statue of the Sacred Heart of Jesus with a pretty awesome viewpoint that you can hike down. With views on all sides, walk down the steps and take it all in. This is a great introduction to the scenery of Madeira.

There is a fairly large free parking lot here, along with restrooms and a small cafe. Another thing to do right nearby is the cable car to Praia do Garajau. You’ll find a beach and a restaurant below!

We were on our way to our accommodations and needed to hit up the grocery store, so we skipped this cable car as we had another one planned later in the week! After a visit to Cristo Rei, we headed to Câmara de Lobos for a quick view of the beautiful port.

Day 2 – Hike PR8 – Vereda da Ponta de São Lourenço, hike part of Vereda do Larano

The first full day on your itinerary for Madeira includes a classic island hiking excursion. Don’t forget that most hikes must be reserved and paid for on the SIMplficia Portal. Bascially anything with a PR is a classified route and needs a reservation.

First up is PR8 – Vereda da Ponta de São Lourenço. This hike is located on the far east coast of Madeira, and the hike leads to a tall bluff on the rocky coast with an outstanding view. This hike has very little to no shade, so getting there early is your best bet.

After this hike, we recommend heading up into the mountainous coast of the northeast section of Madeira to hike part of the Vereda do Larano trail. This trail does not need a reservation or payment, but parking is somewhat difficult.

The trail follows the contours of the mountains as it travels in and out of the forest. As you continue to hike, eventually you’ll reach an area with spectacular views of the green coastal cliffs and mountains.

Day 3 – Hike PR1 – Vereda do Areeiro & PR1.2 – Vereda do Pico Ruivo

Okay, your itinerary for Madeira MUST include a hike on these two epic trails. Due to wildfires, portions of these trails have been closed for a few years now, but the full route on both trails is expected to open in April 2026.

Oftentimes, these two trails are above the clouds, and hiking through the mountains feels like a dream. We are sure you’ve heard of the Stairway to Heaven, right? Well, this is where you’ll find it! During our trip, we had to hike parts of this route separately due to trail closures.

That meant driving to Pico do Areeiro, hiking the open part of the trail, then hiking back and driving to Achada do Teixeira to hike to Pico Ruvio, the highest point on Madeira. Normally, you can hike both trails as a one-way route starting from Pico do Areeiro, and reserve a taxi to take you back to where you started!

If you choose to drive to both locations, there are some pretty epic viewpoints you can stop at, such as Miradouros do Paredão and Eira do Serrado. Both viewpoints look down into Curral das Freiras. Such great views!

Day 4 – Hike PR18 – Levada do Rei and/or PR9 – Levada do Caldeirão Verde

Spend another day on the trails. Today, your Madeira itinerary will take you to two awesome levada walks. First up is PR18 – Levada do Rei. This hike follows a 6-mile out-and-back trail along a scenic levada through the forest. This trail is also pretty much all flat, so a welcome reprieve from PR1 above.

Enjoy the calm forest, waterfalls, and lush scenery as you make your way along the levada. The trail ends in the woods along a nice scenic stream.

After hiking Levada do Rei in the morning, we recommend heading to Levada do Caldeirão Verde in the afternoon. These are nearby one another via a short drive. Starting at the quaint Queimadas house, this 7.3-mile out-and-back trail follows a levada through a Laurissilva forest.

Along with the previous hike, this one is also fairly flat, with about 230 feet of elevation gain. Don’t forget your headlamp for this one, as you’ll hike through a few tunnels. The trail ends at a 300-foot waterfall in a green oasis.

You might be thinking, that is a lot of hiking for one day. We like to go hard, but you can always pick just one of these great hikes to complete. Remember that these are both fairly flat!

Day 5 – Hiking loop in Rabaçal, including Levada das 25 Fontes

There are some great trails in Rabaçal. We recommend heading here to spend some time hiking some of our favorite trails on Madeira. First up, this is a very busy area and can get fairly congested with hikers and other visitors.

Instead of fighting for a parking spot and starting your hike on the main road, ER105, use the PR6.6 – Vereda do Túnel do Cavalo instead! We like to think of this as a little secret trail that connects to the famous Levada das 25 Fontes and Levada do Risco.

After you reach the other end of the tunnel, you can hop right on PR6 – Levada das 25 Fontes to visit the gorgeous waterfall at the end of the trail. Then, use the PR6.1 trail to see another great waterfall.

Hike back to Rabaçal Nature Spot Cafe, stop for a bite to eat and use the restroom (don’t forget your coins!), and work your way down the mountain and backtrack through the long tunnel to your car.

After some great hiking, we recommend visiting the gorgeous and quaint town of Jardim do Mar. Stroll the quaint streets and walk down to the water before getting a bite to eat. This was one of our favorite small coastal towns we visited.

Day 6 – Visit Fanal Forest, hike PR16 – Levada Fajã do Rodrigues, and visit São Vicente.

Ahh, the Fanal Forest. Ancient, centuries-old trees, cows, fog, and moody weather. This is a spot that you must put on your itinerary for Madeira as well. That being said, there have been some significant changes to this area in 2026 due to overtourism.

The IFCN (Institute of Forests and Nature Conservation) has implemented an official trail using ropes, boardwalks, and a clearly marked trail to keep people from completely destroying the ecosystem here. In the future, the IFCN may implement parking and other fees to help control crowds.

That being said, you should really visit if you can! The ethereal Laurel forest is something that you can’t miss. When it’s encased in a misty fog and rain, it’s really unforgettable.

After you visit the Fanal Forest, head to PR16 – Levada Fajã do Rodrigues, another levada walk. This one is pretty easy and most flat as well; however, the very long tunnel at the end can make your leisurely stroll turn into a very interesting activity!

To end your day, visit the epic viewpoint in São Vicente at Capelinha de Nossa Senhora de Fátima, a picturesque, unique church.

Day 7 – Achadas da Cruz Cable Car, visit Porto Moniz, and visit Seixal Beach

Next up, your itinerary for Madeira must include a cable car experience! Day 7 includes exploring the west and northwest part of Madeira. Start by heading to the Achadas da Cruz Cable Car, which has the designation being Europe’s steepest.

This cable car will transport you almost straight down to Fajã da Quebrada Nova, a deserted village with amazing scenery. The village also has a local bar and a few homes that are still in use.

After your cable car experience, head to Porto Moniz next. Here, you can swim in the natural pools or just walk around to take in all the scenery. It was too cold for us to swim, so we headed to the nearby Ilheus da Ribeira da Janela – giant sea stacks.

Continue your tour and stop at Seixal Beach. This is a popular place to lie on the black sand as the waves come crashing in. Parking is difficult here, so plan ahead if you want to visit.

Day 8 – Cable Car in Funchal to Monte Palace, visit Bica da Cana

This is the last day on your itinerary for Madeira. Spend some time exploring the capital city of Funchal and riding the cable car to Monte Palace. Monte Palace is a gorgeous, extensive garden in the hills, overlooking Funchal.

Finally, if the weather is cooperating in the mountains, head to one last epic viewpoint at Bica da Cana. You’ll be above the clouds with amazing views of Madeira.

We actually tried to visit Bica da Cana after our hike around the Fanal Forest, but the weather did not cooperate, and we would not have been able to see a thing!

Day 9 – Travel Day

Sadly, your itinerary for Madeira has come to an end. Day 9 is a travel day back home. Depending on the timing of your flight, you could explore the island a bit more or head to the airport for departure. One unique thing to do here is to go plane spotting on the outdoor deck overlooking the runways!

If you are looking for another island adventure, we have you covered! You’re only a little over an hour away by plane to the Azores Islands. You flew all the way to Madeira, so why not spend a little more money and have some more fun! Check out our trip to the Azores right here!

Where to Stay

Madeira has plenty of great hotels and rentals to choose from. We recommend picking one location on the island and using that as your home base. You can get anywhere on the island in about an hour or a little more.

We chose the warm, scenic, and small town of Ponta do Sol as our home base, and we really loved our rental house! Some choose to stay in Funchal, which has tons of amenities. Check out Tripadvisor to compare locations and prices.

Here are a few great places to stay in Ponta do Sol:

• A VRBO! If you are looking for your own place to stay on Madeira, check out the great rental options in Ponta do Sol or across the entire island of Madeira!
• 1905 Zino’s Palace – a beautifully restored pink palace in Ponta do Sol, offering an intimate boutique stay in a historic 19th-century building. With elegant rooms, ocean views, and a peaceful pool area, it blends Madeiran heritage with relaxed, modern comfort. Complete with a pool, an on-site restaurant, and a bar.
• Enotel Sunset Bay – a relaxed 4-star hotel in Ponta do Sol, right by the Atlantic with stunning sunset views and easy access to a pebble beach. The property offers a heated pool, sauna, and restaurant serving local cuisine.

Final Thoughts

We had an amazing time during our 9 days in Madeira. The scenery, the food, the hiking, and the friendly residents made our trip unforgettable. Some of our favorite things to do were the hikes in and around Rabaçal, the Fanal Forest, and, of course, hiking Pico do Areeiro & Pico Ruivo.

We realize that your itinerary for Madeira may look a bit different, and that’s okay. We hope this gives you a great starting point for some epic hikes and activities to do while visiting this breathtaking island.

Be sure to check back for details and links on this post for all the hikes and places we explored!