Madeira Itinerary: The Perfect 5 to 7 Day Road Trip

by Portugal Getaways Team

July 15, 2026 • 7 min read

Madeira itinerary, in short

Quick answer: Seven days is ideal to see Madeira properly by car, mixing Funchal, the north and west coasts, the mountain peaks and a few levada walks. With less time, 5 days still covers the highlights, and 3 to 4 days works for a first taste around Funchal and one or two day trips. A rental car makes the island far easier to explore. Below is a full 7-day plan, plus how to shorten it.

How many days do you need in Madeira?

3 days: Funchal and its gardens, a levada walk or the Pico do Areeiro viewpoint, and one coastal drive. Enough for a first taste.
4 to 5 days: add the west coast (Cabo Girão, Porto Moniz, São Vicente), a proper hike, and a beach or Porto Santo day.
7 days: the full loop below, with time for several levadas, both coasts, the peaks and some downtime.

A car is the key to a Madeira itinerary, as the best spots are spread around the island. See our guide to driving and parking in Madeira.

Red aloe flowers grow above Madeira’s rugged north coast, with steep volcanic cliffs, ocean waves, and wind turbines visible in the distance. The image highlights the island’s coastal vegetation and mountainous Atlantic landscape. — North Coast Landscape, Madeira, Portugal

The 7-day Madeira road trip itinerary

Day 1: Funchal

Ease in with the capital. Explore the old town, the Sé cathedral and the Mercado dos Lavradores, ride the cable car up to Monte and its gardens, and take the toboggan back down. Finish with dinner and a Madeira wine tasting in the old town.

Panoramic view of the Madeira Botanical Garden in Funchal, Portugal, featuring geometric flower beds, palm trees, cacti, and tropical plants. The elevated garden overlooks Funchal’s hillside neighborhoods and the Atlantic Ocean. — Madeira Botanical Garden, Funchal, Portugal

Day 2: The northwest coast

Drive west along the coast, stopping at the Cabo Girão skywalk, then on to the natural pools at Porto Moniz, returning through São Vicente and the dramatic north coast with its waterfalls.

A visitor takes a photo from Cabo Girão Viewpoint in Câmara de Lobos, Madeira, Portugal. The elevated platform overlooks steep coastal cliffs, hillside settlements, and the Atlantic Ocean along Madeira’s southern coast. — Cabo Girão Viewpoint, Câmara de Lobos, Portugal

Day 3: A mountain hike

Head up to the peaks for the island's signature walk, the ridge trail from Pico do Areeiro toward Pico Ruivo, best started early for sunrise above the clouds. Keep the afternoon light for relaxing.

Hikers follow a stone path along the rugged mountain ridges near Pico do Arieiro in Madeira, Portugal. Layered volcanic peaks and deep valleys extend across the island’s central highlands in the background. — Pico do Arieiro Trail, Madeira, Portugal

Day 4: Levadas and Fanal

Spend the day in the laurel forest: a levada walk such as the 25 Fontes at Rabaçal or the Caldeirão Verde, and a stop at the misty, ancient trees of Fanal. See the best hikes and levada walks.

A tall waterfall descends over a dark volcanic cliff in the Rabaçal area of Calheta, Madeira, Portugal. Dense Laurisilva vegetation surrounds the cascade along one of the island’s well-known levada hiking routes. — Rabaçal Waterfall, Calheta, Portugal

Day 5: The east coast and a beach

Explore the east: the wild Ponta de São Lourenço peninsula, the town of Machico, and a swim at Machico's golden-sand beach or the pools at Santa Cruz.

Elevated view of Machico in Madeira, Portugal, showing the town’s red-roofed buildings, waterfront promenade, pebble shoreline, and sheltered golden sand beach. Green mountain slopes rise behind the bay on Madeira’s eastern coast. — Machico Bay, Machico, Portugal

Day 6: The northeast and Santana

Discover the greener northeast, the traditional A-frame houses at Santana, the Ribeiro Frio forest, and the viewpoints and villages along the way.

Traditional thatched houses in Santana, Madeira, Portugal, feature steep triangular roofs, white walls, red doors, and blue window frames. Colorful flower beds and rustic wooden fences surround these distinctive examples of Madeira’s rural architecture. — Traditional Santana Houses, Santana, Portugal

Day 7: Funchal and the sea

Catch anything you missed in Funchal, then finish on the water with a whale and dolphin watching trip or a catamaran cruise along the coast. See whale watching in Madeira.

A pod of dolphins swims near the surface of the Atlantic Ocean off Madeira, Portugal. Several animals break through the water together, creating splashes as they move alongside one another. — Dolphin Watching, Madeira, Portugal

Tips for your Madeira road trip

Start viewpoints early: places like Pico do Areeiro and Fanal are best before the cloud and the tour buses arrive.
Watch the weather by coast: the south is usually sunnier, the north greener and wetter, so flip your plan to follow the sun.
Book a car ahead: and choose a smaller one for the narrow roads and tunnels.
Base in or near Funchal: it is central, with the most hotels and restaurants, so you can day-trip out and back.

A four-wheel-drive vehicle follows a sharp mountain road near Pico do Arieiro in Madeira, Portugal. The route overlooks deep volcanic valleys, rugged ridges, and low clouds across the island’s central highlands. — Pico do Arieiro Road, Madeira, Portugal

Frequently asked questions about a Madeira itinerary

How many days do you need in Madeira? Seven days is ideal to see the island fully by car. Five days covers the highlights, and 3 to 4 days works for Funchal plus one or two day trips.

Is Madeira worth it for 3 days? Yes, for a first taste. In 3 days you can enjoy Funchal, a levada walk or the Pico do Areeiro viewpoint, and one coastal drive, though you will not see everything.

Do you need a car for a Madeira itinerary? It helps a lot, as the best spots are spread around the island and public transport is limited outside Funchal. Guided tours are an alternative if you would rather not drive.

What is the best Madeira road trip route? A loop from Funchal taking in the west coast (Cabo Girão, Porto Moniz, São Vicente), the peaks (Pico do Areeiro), the laurel forest and levadas, and the east (Ponta de São Lourenço, Machico).

When is the best time for a Madeira road trip? Madeira works year-round thanks to its mild climate, with spring and autumn especially pleasant. See our guide to the best time to visit for a month-by-month view.

Ready to Drive Madeira Your Way?

Our Madeira Fly & Drive package bundles flights, hotel and a rental car, so you can follow this itinerary at your own pace, with all-in pricing and no surprises.

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