How to Spend 3 or 5 Days in Madeira, Portugal
Traditional A-Frame houses in Santana
The moment we landed in Madeira, we were blown away by its dramatic cliffs, lush landscapes, and endless ocean views. This Portuguese island in the Atlantic is often called the "Hawaii of Europe," and after visiting, we completely understand why! We paired our Madeira adventure with a quick 24-hour stop in Porto on the mainland—an incredible city known for its charming riverside, delicious cuisine, and, of course, port wine.
From Porto, a short two-hour flight took us to Funchal, the capital of Madeira and the perfect base for exploring the island. Over the next few days, we discovered breathtaking hiking trails, charming fishing villages, natural beaches, and thrilling experiences like the famous Monte toboggan ride.
Whether you're here for three days or five, this itinerary covers the best of Madeira and will help you plan an unforgettable trip. Let’s dive in!
If you are looking for more information about Madeira - check out our other blog post to learn about our favorite locations, where to stay, eat, and what to do!
How to Spend 3-Days in Madeira
We spent 3 amazing days exploring the island of Madeira and planned our trip to maximize our time and explore culture, scenic viewpoints, nature, and the wander around the old town of Funchal. Below is our brief itinerary about how we spent our time on this lush Portuguese island. We hope this itinerary inspires you to make your perfect Madeira vacation or holiday.
Day 1 - Explore Funchal & São Martinho
Our first day in Madeira was all about soaking in the beauty of Funchal and its surroundings.
Take your picture with Cristiano Ronaldo: I had to take a picture with the now infamous Cristiano Ronaldo sculpture at the Funchal airport!
Get a little beach time: We checked into our hotel and stopped by São Martino for a little relaxation before heading into Funchal to explore the city.
Ride the Teleférico: We took the Madeira (Funchal) Cable Car up to Monte, enjoying panoramic views over the city and coastline.
Take the Toboggan Down: The iconic Monte toboggan ride was a thrilling experience, offering a fun and unique way to descend back toward the city. This was one of our absolute favorite experiences.
Explore the Harbor & São Tiago Fort: We strolled along the Funchal harbor, stopping at the historic São Tiago Fort, which is now home to a beautiful yellow-painted museum and restaurant. The fort offers fantastic ocean views. If you have the chance, definitely try a Port wine tasting! While it wasn’t our jam, it is a cultural delicacy and definitely worth a taste if you like wine.
Monte Toboggan sledge
Day 2 - Drive Around the Island
Canical
We dedicated this day to exploring some of Madeira’s most picturesque coastal towns and natural landscapes. We rented a car for the day and journeyed around the tight, twisty roads, but the views were completely worth it. If you prefer not to drive, you can opt to take one of the many tours around the island that leave from Funchal. Overall, driving was very easy and offered us the freedom to explore at our leisure. We went in October and found parking to be very easy, however in Summer parking can be much more difficult in the popular tourist areas. Below are some of our highlights:
Ribeira Brava: A charming seaside town with stunning ocean views and a relaxed vibe. We really enjoyed touring this town and viewing the beautiful church. Take some time to explore the area and see the dramatic sea side cliffs. We stopped briefly for some beach time at Piscinas Ribeira Brava.
Calheta: Known for its golden sand beach (imported from the Sahara) and great seafood restaurants. We briefly stopped here for some amazing viewpoints and to check out the beach.
Câmara de Lobos: A picturesque fishing village with colorful boats and a rich history (Winston Churchill even painted here!). We stopped at the Cabo Girão Skywalk, which offers some amazing overlooks. The skywalk has a glass observation deck floor where you can look straight down from the cliffs to the ocean below.
Caniçal: A gateway to Ponta de São Lourenço, with rugged cliffs and breathtaking landscapes. We completed the PR8 Vereda da Ponta de São Lourenço hiking trail which is at the end of Caniçal. This hiking trail is relatively easy and offers amazing views of the rugged coastline. It was like going to a different planet. While most of Madeira is very lush, this area was much more arid, almost like a desert. If you want to check out the most western point on the island, this hike is definitely worth it!
Santana: Famous for its traditional A-frame houses, giving a glimpse into Madeira’s cultural heritage. This is a must see if you are interested in Madeira’s culture! The brightly painted houses with their thatched roofs and A-frame design make them one of the most photographed spots in Madeira.
Driving around the island gave us a deep appreciation for Madeira’s diverse landscapes, from lush valleys to dramatic cliffs and ocean views at every turn.
Camara de lobos
Day 3 - Jeep Tour & Relaxation
Valley of the Nuns
For our last day, we took an adventurous half-day jeep tour with Safari Jeep Tours, which took us through the central part of the island. We stopped at:
Fajã dos Padres – A stunning coastal area accessible via a scenic cable car ride.
Boca dos Namorados (Nun’s Valley View) – One of Madeira’s most spectacular viewpoints, overlooking the isolated village of Curral das Freiras. Quick fun story. While staring at the awe-inspiring valley, one of our fellow travelers told us that this area reminded them of the Garden Route in South Africa. This inspired one of our next adventures of taking a tour with Earth Stompers to adventure through the Garden Route.
Jardim da Serra – A lush, mountainous area known for its breathtaking scenery.
Estreito de Câmara de Lobos – A region famous for its vineyards and poncha, Madeira’s traditional sugarcane drink.
Funchal – We wrapped up our tour back in the city, returning back to where we started.
We spent the rest of the afternoon lounging and soaking up the beautiful views near Funchal before boarding our flight back to Porto.
If we could do it all over again, we would recommend spending at least one extra night to explore more of the island. While we had a good sampling of the island, we really did not have too much time to explore the northern regions. This is definitely something we want to go back and do! Another thing to note, while Madeira has beautiful natural pools and man made beaches, there really aren’t any “traditional” sandy beaches on the island like you would find on the Canary Islands. If you are looking for a beach day, we would recommend taking a day trip to Madeira’s sister island, Porto Santo. Although Madeira did not offer the traditional “beach” vibes, the island vibes were amazing and the natural scenery and hiking was very serene. The food, culture, and beauty make Madeira a great place to visit, definitely put this one on your bucket list.
If you are thinking about spending 5 days or more in Madeira, check out our 5 day itinerary below.
Calheta Sand Beach
How to Spend 5 Days in Madeira
If you have two extra days, you can experience even more of Madeira’s incredible landscapes, wildlife, and adventure. Here’s how we’d recommend spending them:
São Martinho just outside Funchal
Day 4 - Whale Watching & Natural Pools Or Take a day tour to Porto Santo
Option 01
Morning: Whale & Dolphin Watching Tour
Madeira is one of the best places for spotting whales and dolphins year-round. You can book a tour from Funchal for a chance to see these majestic creatures in their natural habitat. We recommend taking an ecological catamaran tour, which will give you a great tour around the island and give you a wonderful opportunity to spot some wildlife!
Afternoon: Porto Moniz Natural Pools
If you have a car, head to the northwestern part of the island to relax in the volcanic rock pools of Porto Moniz. These pools are naturally filled by the ocean and offer a unique way to enjoy Madeira’s coastline.
Optional Stop: Seixal Beach
If you’re looking for a black sand beach, Seixal Beach is a great stop near Porto Moniz. It’s a rare natural beach on Madeira!
Option 02:
Take a Day Tour from Funchal to explore the beautiful Porto Santo Island! If Whale and Dolphin watching is not your thing, relax on the beautiful golden sand beaches at Porto Santo Island. The ferry ride is about 2.5 hours from Funchal. You can either book the ferry yourself or you can opt for a guided tour around the island. Either way, this is an island that offers something for everyone, whether you want to relax and enjoy the beach or rent bikes or an ATV (or take a guided ATV Tour) and go explore!
Evening: Sunset & Dinner in São Vicente
São Vicente is a charming northern town known for its caves and beautiful coastal scenery. Have a relaxed dinner here before heading back to Funchal.
Day 5 - Levada Hike & Scenic Drive
Morning: Levada Walk (Levada das 25 Fontes or Caldeirão Verde)
Madeira is famous for its levada hikes, which follow old irrigation channels through lush forests and waterfalls. Levada das 25 Fontes is one of the most famous and takes you through stunning nature to a beautiful waterfall. This hike is 4.3KM or about 2.7MI and normally takes between 2-3 hours depending on your fitness level. Just know that this hiking trail can get very busy, so it is best to start earlier in the day. If you prefer a longer but much quieter hike, Caldeirão Verde is another breathtaking option. Just note that this hike is about 7.4 miles out and back.
Afternoon: Road Trip Through the North
Drive through some of Madeira’s most dramatic landscapes, including the Encumeada Pass and the Laurisilva Forest, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Stop at the Miradouro Véu da Noiva, a viewpoint overlooking a stunning waterfall cascading into the ocean.
Evening: Relax & Final Dinner in Funchal
Spend your last evening unwinding at a seaside restaurant in Funchal, enjoying fresh seafood and Madeira wine.
Additional Tours to consider:
Jeep Safari through Madeira’s mountains & valleys - We loved this tour to see the Valley of the Nuns. The views were breathtaking and the jeep tour made for some great sightseeing.
Day trip to Porto Santo – Madeira’s sister island, home to golden sand beaches
Wine tasting at Blandy’s Wine Lodge – Try the world-famous Madeira wine or pair it with a wine tasting tour around the island.
Whale and Dolphin Watching - Check out one of the eco-catamaran tours to see dolphins and whales around the island.
Try Canyoning!
Explore the Mercado dos Lavradores - A vibrant market in Funchal to try local fruits, vegetables, and other local artisinal items.
Take the cable car (or take the epic hike down) that connects Achadas da Cruz to the peaceful Fajã da Quebrada Nova.
Final Thoughts
Whether you have 3 or 5 days in Madeira, this itinerary gives you a taste of the island’s incredible landscapes, adventure, and culture. If you have even more time, you might also consider doing both the whale watching and dolphin sightseeing tour and a day trip to Porto Santo for a traditional beach experience. Madeira’s natural beauty, delicious food, and friendly atmosphere make it a must-visit destination. Put this one on your bucket list!
Thanks for checking out these itineraries. If you are looking for more information about Madeira - check out our other blog post to learn about our favorite locations, where to stay, eat, and what to do!
Mother Church of Ribeira Brava