Madeira: Essential Travel Pack

Day By Day Itinerary

1. Day 1 Arrival in Madeira Island

   Welcome to Madeira! For a seamless beginning to your trip, consider adding airport transfers for your arrival and departure. To ensure a smooth start to your journey, we recommend securing an early hotel check-in.

   Suggestion for the day:

   • Stroll around Funchal’s historical streets: Funchal is the vibrant capital city of Madeira, an archipelago located in the Atlantic Ocean and an autonomous region of Portugal. Nestled between the hills and the sea, Funchal is known for its picturesque setting, rich history, and lively atmosphere.
     • Mercado dos Lavradores (Farmers' Market)
     • Sé Cathedral
     • Santa Clara Convent
     • Museu de Arte Sacra (Museum of Sacred Art)
     • Blandy's Wine Lodge
     • Zona Velha (Old Town)
     • Praça do Município (Municipal Square)
     • Fortaleza de São Tiago (São Tiago Fort)
     • Marina and Waterfront
2. Day 2 Free Day for Personal Activities

   Suggestion for the day:

   • Explore Madeira’s stunning West Coast
     • Ribeira Brava
     • São Vicente
     • Seixal
     • Porto Moniz
     • Calheta 
     • Ponta do Sol 
3. Day 3 Free Day for Personal Activities

   Suggestion for the day:

   • Discover Madeira’s Eastern wonders
     • Santana
     • Machico
     • Pico do Arieiro
     • Ponta de São Lourenço 
4. Day 4 Free Day for Personal Activities

   Suggestion for the day:

   • Take the day for a local Food & Wine Scene: Situated in the Atlantic between Portugal and the coast of Morocco, Madeira is in a unique location at the intersection of many different flavors and influences. What can you expect to find on the menu here? Fresh tuna steak, fried cornmeal, kabobs, breads, mackerel, octopus, homemade couscous, wheat soup, and of course, loads of fresh fruit and delicious Madeira wine! 
     • Safari + Madeira Table Wine Tasting & Tapas
     • Vineyards and Cellars Full-day Tour
     • Visit to the Vineyards with Wine Tasting & Lunch
5. Day 5 Free Day for Personal Activities

   Suggestion for the day:

   • Embark on a whale and dolphin-watching excursion: Madeira's mysterious beauty extends a lot further than its breathtaking mountain landscapes, flowering gardens, picturesque villages, and sprawling vineyards. Just 5km (3 mi) off the coast of the island, the ocean depths can reach more than 3,000m (9,850ft) making Madeira's surrounding waters ideal for whales, dolphins, and a multitude of other marine species to swim through. In fact, Madeira is close to the biggest whale sanctuary in the North Atlantic Ocean, spanning 635,000 hectares of protected waters (that's two times the size of Lisbon!)   With more than 28 species in the area, you’re almost certain to run into a friendly group of dolphins or a whale while out on the water. Book here.

    

6. Day 6 Free Day for Personal Activities

   Suggestion for the day:

   • Take the Day for a Hiking Adventure: With its many gorgeous mountains and waterfalls, it’s no surprise that Madeira has long been referred to as a “hiker’s paradise”. Many of these trails follow the old irrigation canals called “levadas” that were used to bring water from the north side of the island to the south. Although still used today, many of these canals are also widely used for walking. No matter your preference or experience level, there are many different types of trails all over Madeira. Beginners or those looking for a more leisurely nature walk should stick to the south side of the island, while those looking for a more exhilarating trekking experience should head north to the mountainous side of the island.
     • Vale do Paraíso (easy)
     • Rabaçal - 25 Fontes (moderate)
     • Caldeirão Verde (moderate)
     • Ponta de São Lourenço (moderate)
     • Pico do Areeiro - Pico Ruivo (difficult)
7. Day 7 Free Day for Personal Activities

   Suggestion for the day:

   • Say Goodbye to Madeira with a Typical Night Dinner: Step into the heart of Madeira's culture as you indulge in a delightful 3-course dinner at a charming local restaurant, where traditional flavors come to life. As you savor each delectable course, prepare to be enchanted by a lively folklore show, where you can even try your hand (or should we say, your feet!) at the spirited local dancing.
8. Day 8 Return Flight Home

   Thank you for choosing Portugal Getaways! We look forward to the opportunity to travel with you again soon. If you have any feedback or if there's anything more we can assist you with, please don't hesitate to let us know.