Madeira Road Trip: Funchal & Porto Moniz

The Portugal Getaways Madeira Road Trip includes round-trip flights, 6 nights of hotel accommodation (3 nights in Porto Moniz, 3 nights in Funchal), a rental car for the full duration of the trip, and all taxes and fees related to the booking. Breakfast, meals, guided tours, city taxes, and parking are not included. The day-by-day itinerary is a set of local suggestions, not a fixed programme.

Yes, round-trip flights are included. The package price varies depending on your departure airport. Other departure cities are available on the package page and additional options are available on request. Contact the Portugal Getaways team before booking to discuss departure options. Seat selection, extra baggage, and cabin class upgrades can be arranged as paid add-ons, subject to availability.

Checked luggage is not always included and depends on the airline and fare type in your package. You can confirm what is included and add luggage during the booking process. 

A rental car is included for all 6 nights. The standard vehicle is a compact manual car. Automatic transmission is available on request, sometimes at a small additional cost. You will need a valid Canadian or US passport and driver's license at pickup. The car is collected at Funchal Airport on arrival and returned there on departure day. 

The rental includes basic third-party liability insurance, and depending on the car rental company, a collision damage waiver (CDW) may already be included. Even with CDW, most rentals have a mandatory excess if the car is damaged. We always recommend upgrading to the highest insurance level available, which can be arranged through the Portugal Getaways team when booking with our team.

This depends on your comfort level. The main expressways connecting Funchal to Porto Moniz and the main towns are modern and well maintained. The scenic inland and north coast routes are narrower, steeper, and more winding, with occasional hairpin bends and sheer drops. If you are comfortable driving mountain roads you will find Madeira rewarding. If narrow roads make you anxious, the Portugal Getaways team can replace specific driving days with guided tours that cover the same highlights with a local driver.

The package includes 4 and 5-star hotels at both stops. The package price varies depending on the hotel selected. 

• In Porto Moniz, all properties are from the Aqua Natura group, located directly beside the volcanic rock pools with immediate access to the coast.
•  In Funchal, options include 5-star landmark hotels such as the Savoy Palace and Pestana Vila Lido, and well-located 4-star properties in the city. Hotels in Funchal are not always in the city center, so some light walking may be needed depending on the property. 

Exact options are shown when you click a date in the booking calendar and proceed to the next step. Upgrade options are available on request. Contact the Portugal Getaways team to discuss preferences before booking.

Breakfast is not included by default but can be added during the booking process. Complimentary breakfast can be prioritized on request. Contact the Portugal Getaways team when booking and we will do our best to arrange it.

Parking is available at most hotels but is not always free and is not included in the package price. Costs vary by property. You can check parking details during the booking process. If free parking is a priority, contact the Portugal Getaways team and we will do our best to prioritize a property with complimentary parking.

Madeira has no toll roads. All roads, expressways, and tunnels on the island are free to use.

No. City taxes are not included and are paid directly at each hotel on arrival or checkout.

The drive between Porto Moniz and Funchal takes approximately 1 hour 30 minutes (75 km). The north coast road is one of the most scenic drives on the island, passing through villages, tunnels carved into the clifftop, and viewpoints over the Atlantic. The route via Câmara de Lobos on the return adds a worthwhile stop in a working fishing village before arriving in Funchal. The drive is manageable but requires attention, particularly on the narrower coastal sections.

Yes. The natural volcanic rock pools at Porto Moniz are managed by the local municipality and entry is charged. The fee is modest and covers access to changing facilities and the pool area. The pools closest to the Aqua Natura hotels are within easy walking distance from the hotel entrance. 

Yes. Porto Moniz is a base for exploring the entire northwest of the island, not just the pools. The north coast road east toward Seixal and Ribeira da Janela, the Paul da Serra plateau inland, the village of Santana to the east, and the summit of Pico do Arieiro are all within a comfortable day's drive. Three nights gives you time to explore without rushing. The self-drive guide included in this package covers the best routes and stops from the Porto Moniz base.

Yes. Pico do Arieiro is approximately 55 km (34 miles) and 1 hour 30 minutes from Porto Moniz, heading east along the north coast and then up through the interior. It is a full day out from Porto Moniz but one of the most rewarding drives on the island. The summit sits at 1,818 meters and on a clear day the view covers the entire island. The itinerary suggests this as a day trip from Porto Moniz and it works well as a route on the way toward Santana.

Yes to all three. The Portugal Getaways team can add nights in Porto Moniz or Funchal, combine Madeira with Lisbon, Porto, or the Azores, or adjust the split between the two bases. Additional costs apply. 

If you are travelling solo, the package price is based on two travelers sharing a room and a single supplement applies. Contact the team directly and we will make it easy. You can also check solo pricing by changing the number of guests from 2 to 1 in the booking calendar before clicking See Dates and Prices.

Madeira is part of Portugal, consistently ranked as one of the safest countries in Europe for travelers, with no active conflicts and not affected by the current conflicts in Europe or elsewhere. 

Canadian and US passport holders do not currently need a visa for stays of up to 90 days within a 180-day period. Your passport should be valid for at least six months beyond your return date. Entry requirements are the traveler's responsibility and can change

The land portion of your package is refundable if cancelled at least 14 days before your travel date. Airfare is non-refundable from the moment it is issued, but the Portugal Getaways team will always check with the airline to explore options. Travel insurance with cancellation cover is strongly recommended. This summary does not replace the full terms and conditions of your booking, which we encourage you to read before confirming.

For general support during office hours, contact the Portugal Getaways team at our regular number. Support is available every day from 8:00 AM to 12:00 AM Azores Time. Outside office hours, an emergency number is provided in your trip documents. For local emergencies in Madeira, dial 112.