How to Spend 5 Days in Madeira: Beautiful Hikes, Cafes, and Viewpoints
If you want to plan the best 5-day Madeira itinerary, you are in the right place!
Madeira is known as the Hawaii of Europe because of its dramatic, lush green landscapes, and let me tell you, it lived up to the hype! If you are looking for a place to visit with beautiful hiking trails, natural swimming pools, and unique beaches, I highly recommend adding Madeira to your bucket list.
As soon as I saw a photo from the iconic PR1 hike, I knew I needed to visit Madeira. I honestly went solely to hike the PR1 since it was on my bucket list, but it ended up offering so much more than I expected! We explored Madeira for a week, and I could not believe how beautiful the island was.
Although you could spend weeks exploring Madeira, you can see most of its highlights and iconic trails within a week. I created this itinerary with everything you need to know to spend 5 amazing days in Madeira, including tips to have the best experience.
Get your cameras ready because you will be taking a million photos of this beautiful island, as I did!
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Things to Know Before You Visit Madeira
Before you plan your trip, here are some things you need to know about Madeira. We were glad we knew about these before going to Madeira because they made a huge difference in our trip.
Get your hiking permits in advance. Madeira recently installed a new reservation system for its hiking trails to help manage trail congestion and preserve the fragile environment. Most PR trails require a permit, and I recommend getting one in advance because they sell out quickly, especially for popular trails like the PR1 and PR8.
Rent a car. Although you could rely on public transportation to get around the island, it is much easier to rent a car. It gave us so much more flexibility during our trip, so I recommend doing the same!
The roads are narrow. Madeira has narrow, windy roads with cars parking on either side, and people drive FAST. I was honestly surprised by how fast people were driving on the narrow roads. I recommend keeping this in mind as you are driving!
Do not be nervous about flying into Madeira. If you are like me and saw everyone talk about how Madeira has one of the most challenging airports to fly into, do not be worried. It is considered difficult because of its strong crosswinds, mountainous terrain, and runway size, but pilots get special training before they fly into it. Our arrival flight was smooth, but our departure flight was turbulent because of high winds. I am a nervous flyer, and I was fine even with the turbulence taking off!
Check webcams before heading out. Because Madeira is an island, the weather is unpredictable. We had many days start beautiful and sunny and quickly turn into rainy afternoons. It is good to check before you head out so you know what to expect.
Always remember to leave no trace. It is crucial to pack out what you pack in and leave no trash behind. Some spots have trash bins, so you can easily throw away your trash. If they do not have trash bins, you should take your trash with you and dispose of it once you find one.
Where You Should Stay in Madeira
Although Madeira is a small island, it has a few different areas where you can stay. Where you stay depends on what you want to do, if you have a car, and what vibe you are going for.
Funchal is the most popular place to stay because it is Madeira's largest city and has plenty of accommodations for all budgets, restaurants, and shops. If you plan to use public transportation or book tours during your trip, staying in Funchal will give you easy access to those pickup spots. Although downtown is beautiful, I would not shy away from staying on the outskirts. We stayed on the outskirts of Funchal, which we really enjoyed because we were right near the highway, making it easy to drive anywhere on the island, and the views from our accommodation on a hill were stunning.
Câmara de Lobos is just west of Funchal and offers a quieter experience, while still having plenty of accommodations, restaurants, and shops. It also has some beautiful viewpoints near the ocean!
Calheta is a cozy coastal town on the southwestern side of Madeira, offering a much quieter place to stay compared to Funchal. It does not have as many accommodations or restaurants as Funchal, but it is still a great place to stay. The only downside to Calheta is that it adds a bit of driving time if you want to hike iconic trails like the PR1 and PR8.
Machico is a small coastal town, sitting on the northeastern coast between the airport and Ponta de São Lourenço. It has accommodations, restaurants, shops, boat tours, beaches, and hiking trails, including the iconic PR8. It is also not too far from a few of my favorite trails, the PR1 and Vereda do Larano.
Porto Moniz is a small town on Madeira’s northwestern coast with accommodations, restaurants, shops, and iconic swimming areas. We fell in love with Porto Moniz when we visited! We ate delicious food and swam all afternoon at the Porto Moniz Natural Swimming Pools.
What to Pack for Madeira
One of the best tips I received before going to Madeira was to pack layers if you are going to hike. Although the temperature in Funchal may be warm, the mountains have unpredictable weather.
For example, the PR1 connects the two tallest mountains in Madeira, and the temperatures will be colder at each summit than the rest of the trail. Also, if you plan to watch the sunrise near Pico do Arieiro, you must have warm layers, no matter what time of year you visit.
This is a great baseline for what to pack, and you can adjust as needed:
hat and gloves (for sunrise at Pico do Arieiro)
5-Day Madeira Itinerary At a Glance
Below is a quick overview of this 5-day Madeira itinerary. Then we will dive into a more in-depth itinerary of all these beautiful attractions!
Day 1:
Miradouro da Garganta Funda
Miradouro da Boa Morte
Teleférico das Achadas da Cruz
Miradouro do Ponta da Ladeira
Porto Moniz Natural Swimming Pools
Day 2:
Sunrise at Pico do Arieiro
Pico do Arieiro to Pico Ruivo (PR1)
Day 3:
Vereda da Ponta de São Lourenço (PR8)
Miradouro da Ponta do Rosto
Caniçal or Machico
Day 4:
Vereda do Larano to Boca do Risco
Miradouro do Guindaste and Santana Houses
Restaurant São Cristóvão
Day 5:
Fanal Forest
Funchal
Other hikes you can substitute:
Pico Ruivo (PR1.2)
Levada do Caldeirão Verde (PR9)
Levada das 25 Fontes (PR6)
5 Days in Madeira: My Recommended Itinerary
Ready to spend 5 incredible days in the Hawaii of Europe?!
Madeira has so much to do and see, and I created this itinerary to include my favorite activities and trails. You can, of course, replace any of the hikes I listed with others you would rather do.
One of the best things about this 5-day itinerary is its flexibility! I know getting permits for popular hikes is difficult, so you can switch the order of this itinerary based on your time slot for each hike.
Get your hiking boots, bathing suits, and cameras ready!
Day 1 in Madeira: West Coast Road Trip + Swimming
Your first day in Madeira is a more relaxing day to kick off the trip! You may have jet lag, as I did, so I always love having a slow first day.
This day explores beautiful viewpoints along Madeira’s west coast, and then spends the afternoon swimming in beautiful natural pools.
West Coast Viewpoints
The morning of your first day explores beautiful viewpoints on the west coast. You do not have to wake up early, but if you want, you will not regret having more time in the day to explore!
Miradouro da Garganta Funda is the first viewpoint you will stop at on your west coast day trip. A 0.6-mile hike leads you to a viewpoint overlooking the ocean and a 640-foot (460-meter) waterfall. Although you cannot hike to its base, you can enjoy beautiful views of the waterfall from the final viewpoint.
Miradouro da Boa Morte is the next viewpoint with incredible views of the ocean and surrounding cliffs, and it was honestly one of my favorites. While descending the paved walkway, it may feel like the views will not be much, but just wait until you arrive at the final viewpoint! There are even a few seats at the end, where you can enjoy a snack or coffee with a view.
Now, you do not have to go to this next spot, but I want to include it because I know it is on many people’s bucket lists. We honestly ended up skipping it because the wait was over an hour for the cable car, and we wanted to do other things.
Teleférico das Achadas da Cruz is one of the steepest cable cars in Europe, plunging you 1476 feet (450 meters) to a remote village. The main thing to do at the bottom is to walk along its paths while enjoying the stunning views of the surrounding landscape. As I mentioned, we skipped this because the line was so long, and we wanted to do other things.
Miradouro do Ponta da Ladeira is the final viewpoint along this west coast road trip before you go swimming. The viewpoint is right by the parking lot, offering beautiful views of the ocean and surrounding cliffs. Miradouro do Ponta da Ladeira is one of our favorite sunset spots, so if you want to watch the sunset, I recommend coming back here at least an hour before to find a spot before it becomes crowded.
Swimming in Natural Pools
Now it is time to head to Porto Moniz and spend your afternoon swimming in some of the most beautiful pools! Porto Moniz also has a few restaurants, so you can grab lunch before heading to the pools. Also, parking is a bit chaotic in this area because some spots allow you to only park for a limited time, so I recommend grabbing the first spot you see.
Porto Moniz has two swimming areas: Porto Moniz Natural Swimming Pools (first photo) and Cachalote Natural Swimming Pools (second photo). Both were formed by volcanic rocks and sit right in the ocean, offering beautiful swimming areas. We swam at the Porto Moniz Natural Swimming Pools, but both are beautiful spots.
One of the coolest things about the swimming pools is that they are in the ocean. This part of Madeira had some pretty big waves when we visited, and they crashed into the edge of the pool. People would line up, getting ready for the wave to crash over them, and Alex loved it!
We spent a few hours here, just relaxing and swimming the afternoon away. It was honestly so nice since it was one of the hottest days during our trip!
Northwestern Viewpoints
Once you are finished spending time in Porto Moniz, I recommend exploring the northwest coast before heading back to your accommodation. These next viewpoints are super popular, so if you visit in the late afternoon, they may have fewer people, which is nice.
Miradouro Ilheus da Ribeira da Janela is the first viewpoint on this afternoon road trip, with volcanic sea stacks rising out of the ocean. After you visit the viewpoint, I recommend walking through the tunnel near the parking lot because the views at the end are beautiful!
Then you can drive to Seixal Beach, one of the most iconic beaches in Madeira. It is many people’s favorite beach because of its black sand and breathtaking views of the surrounding lush mountains.
And just past Seixal Beach is another beautiful viewpoint, Miradouro do Véu da Noiva. It is a quick stop, but I recommend visiting because the views of the mountains and the waterfall are beautiful!
Once you are done exploring the coast, you can grab dinner near your accommodation or in São Vicente on your way back.
Day 2 in Madeira: Iconic PR1
It is time to hike the iconic PR1 trail! If Madeira is on your bucket list, this hike is likely at the top of must-do hikes. It was honestly the first thing that put Madeira on my must-see places list.
When you start the hike depends on your time slot. I recommend grabbing a morning time slot if you can, so you can watch the sunrise before you hike.
If you are not able to get a reservation for the full PR1, try to grab at least a reservation for Pico do Arieiro to the Stairway to Heaven or for the PR1.2 to Pico Ruivo. The hike to Pico Ruivo is a great alternative to the PR1 because the views from Madeira’s highest peak are stunning!
Sunrise at Pico do Arieiro
One of the most iconic sunrise spots in Madeira is Pico do Arieiro. Watching the sun rise above the jagged landscape is, of course, beautiful, but what makes this spot so special is the possibility of seeing an undercast. There is something so magical about being above the clouds as the sun rises.
If you want to watch the sunrise from Pico do Arieiro, I recommend arriving at least 1-1.5 hours before sunrise. Because it is the most popular sunrise spot, the parking lots fill up quickly. You also want to leave yourself some time to walk from the parking lot to the sunrise spot.
When you arrive at Pico do Arieiro, you will see there are two parking lots: an upper and a lower lot. I recommend parking at the lower lot, especially if you are hiking the PR1, because it is less expensive. Here is the parking spot on Google Maps so you can save it.
Once you park, you will take the trail across the street from the parking lot and follow it to Miradouro do Juncal, the iconic sunrise spot. Once you arrive, you can find a spot to sit and wait for the sunrise.
Pico do Arieiro to Pico Ruivo (PR1)
If you have the full PR1 permit, you can begin the hike during your reserved time slot.
Here are a few things to know before you go:
If you have the first time slot, you will likely have to stand in a long line after the Stairway to Heaven to wait for the gate to open, but it moves quickly.
Officers will be at the gate just after the Stairway to Heaven, checking tickets. Make sure you have yours saved to your phone.
The PR1 is currently a one-way trail, so it is 5.4 miles long, and I recommend allocating at least half a day to hike it. Trust me, you will want the extra time to enjoy the trail.
Once you arrive at the end (Achada do Teixeira), you can easily grab a taxi to take you back to your car at Pico do Arieiro. We shared one with other hikers, and it was about €15 a person.
I created this guide to have everything you need to know about hiking the PR1, including the exact permit you need, what to pack, and a step-by-step hiking guide. I recommend reading through it before your trip.
From Pico do Arieiro, you will follow the trail to the iconic Stairway to Heaven. Instead of rushing to the Stairway to Heaven, I recommend taking your time hiking the first section of the trail to enjoy its many stunning viewpoints.
Just after the Stairway to Heaven, you will show the officers at the gate your ticket before continuing onto the PR1. The PR1 travels along cliffsides and through tunnels, offering breathtaking views of the lush landscape.
The trail eventually leads to Casa de Abrigo do Pico Ruivo, where you can take a break before making the final ascent to Pico Ruivo. Once you reach the summit, you are rewarded with breathtaking 360-degree views!
After you are finished taking in the views on Pico Ruivo, you will follow the trail back to Casa de Abrigo do Pico Ruivo before following the PR1.2 to Achada do Teixeira.
Since the trail is one-way, you need to find transportation to get back to your car at Pico do Arieiro, but do not worry! Taxis are always lined up in the parking lot waiting for hikers. We did not even wait a minute before finding a ride back.
Day 3 in Madeira: PR8
I hope you are not tired because this day in your itinerary has another iconic hike! The landscape along this trail is different from anything else on Madeira, so I know you will love it.
Vereda da Ponta de São Lourenço (PR8)
The Vereda da Ponta de São Lourenço (also known as the PR8) is another iconic hike in Madeira. The coastal trail travels to the easternmost point on the island, providing breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape and ocean. It makes you feel like you are on Mars because of the multi-colored peninsula!
I recommend trying to get one of the earliest time slots, but honestly, you cannot go wrong with any time you hike it. We were not able to get an early time slot, so we went in the afternoon, and it was still so beautiful!
An officer at the beginning of the trail will check your ticket, so make sure to have it saved to your phone.
The PR8 trail is relatively moderate with only a few steep sections as it wanders along the peninsula. The trail has many viewpoints, both along the trail and on short spurs off it to higher viewpoints or to secluded beaches.
At the end, you have a few things you can do. If you want to take a break, you can enjoy a snack and drink at the Cafetaria Sardine House. If you want to hike to another viewpoint, you can ascend the steep trail to Ponta do Furado.
And once you finish in the area, you can either hike the trail back to the trailhead or take a boat back. The boat was pretty pricey, but we saw quite a few people taking it. We really enjoyed the hike back to the parking lot because you can enjoy the views from a different perspective, so if you are up for it, I highly recommend hiking back!
Miradouro da Ponta do Rosto
After you finish hiking the PR8, I recommend stopping at Miradouro da Ponta do Rosto. It is a beautiful overlook on a cliff overlooking the ocean and coastline.
Miradouro da Ponta do Rosto is also a fantastic sunrise spot if you are up for an early morning adventure!
Caniçal or Machico
If you have more time, I recommend heading to Caniçal or Machico to grab food and maybe spend the afternoon on a beach! Both have cute downtowns with shops and restaurants.
And if you want to spend a few hours relaxing on a beach, you can head to Prainha do Caniçal or Praia de Machico. Both are beautiful sandy beaches where you can relax and swim.
Day 4 in Madeira: Hidden Gem Hike + Beautiful Cafe
I hope you are not done hiking yet because you have another beautiful trail on this itinerary! Although this hike is on the longer side, it is relatively flat, making it one of the easier hikes on this itinerary.
Vereda do Larano to Boca do Risco
Vereda do Larano to Boca do Risco is one of my favorite hikes in Madeira, and it feels like a hidden gem! But I still recommend starting the hike early because parking near the trailhead is limited.
The Vereda do Larano hike is a stunning 6.6-mile coastal hike near Port da Cruz. Because it is not a PR hike, many people overlook it, but it honestly should be on every bucket list because the entire trail is beautiful!
Technically, you can start this hike in a few places, but I recommend starting on the Porto da Cruz side and hiking to Boca do Risco. We hiked this route and loved it!
Most of the trail is relatively flat as it travels along the coast and mountainside. You may notice that on sites like AllTrails, the elevation gain looks to be over 3,000 feet (914 m). That is incorrect because the trail gains about 820 feet (260 m) total. As I mentioned, most of the trail is relatively flat, which is nice!
Northeastern Viewpoints and Santana Houses
After the hike, I recommend driving along the coast to one of my favorite cafes on the island.
But before you get to the cafe, make sure to stop at Miradouro do Guindaste! It is known as one of the most beautiful overlooks in Madeira.
I also recommend stopping at Miradouro da Rocha do Navio to get a beautiful view of the lush mountains and a waterfall cascading down them. I loved this spot, and it was an easy walk from the parking lot to the viewpoint!
Then you can head into town to visit the iconic Santana Houses. The best place to see them is Casas Típicas de Santana, where they have been converted into shops with local goods. The colorful thatched-roof houses are so cute and worth a visit!
Restaurant São Cristóvão
Restaurant São Cristóvão is near a popular viewpoint called Miradouro de São Cristóvão and offers some of the best views in Madeira, in my opinion. You can enjoy a meal at the restaurant or a drink on the beautiful terrace.
We got espressos and enjoyed the views from a comfy couch. It was the perfect way to relax after a hike!
Day 5 in Madeira: Fanal Forest + Funchal
Your final day in Madeira includes a magical forest and exploring Madeira’s largest city. Since you just hiked three days in a row, it will be nice to have a more relaxing day.
Fanal Forest
Fanal Forest is one of the most popular places to visit on Madeira because, when you time it right, the clouds can transform the forest into a mystical land.
I recommend going to Fanal Forest in the morning when it is more likely to be foggy. The forest is beautiful no matter what type of conditions it is in, but I think nothing compares to it when it is moody.
You can either enjoy the magical forest along the trails near the picnic area (these are the iconic viewpoints) or you can hike the PR13. If you decide to hike the PR13, you need a permit in advance.
We enjoyed the views without hiking the PR13, and let me tell you, it was so beautiful! We actually visited in the afternoon because it was a moody day, so we were able to explore Fanal Forest in all its mystical glory!
Funchal
I recommend spending the rest of your day exploring Madeira’s largest city, Funchal. You can explore shops, eat delicious food, and visit botanical gardens.
One of the most popular things to do is to ride the cable car to Monte and visit the Madeira Botanical Garden. The garden is huge and stunning, with so many different types of plants. And the cable car ride offers stunning views of Funchal.
Then you can head back downtown to explore Funchal’s old town. We loved walking along the promenade and exploring the narrow streets. I also recommend visiting Funchal Cathedral and Mercado dos Lavradores.
sunset along the streets of Funchal
Madeira Frequently Asked Questions
Is Madeira worth visiting?
Yes, Madeira is absolutely worth visiting! It is known as the Hawaii of Europe and one of the most beautiful places in the world.
Madeira has lush landscapes, sandy beaches, multi-colored cliffs, delicious food, and beautiful ocean views. No matter what you want to do, Madeira has something for everyone to enjoy!
Most people go to Madeira to hike, and while I definitely recommend hiking while you are there, you have other things to do, too. You can enjoy views from breathtaking overlooks, swim in natural swimming pools, relax on beaches, or go on whale watching tours.
Is 5 days enough time to see Madeira?
Yes, 5 days is enough time to see the highlights of Madeira and hike a few trails.
We spent a week in Madeira and were able to see everything on our bucket list. Of course, you can spend weeks on the island to hike every trail and visit every section, but you can do a lot within a week.
Since you only have 5 days to spend in Madeira, I recommend making a list of your priority hikes. It will make it easier to know what trails you must do and others you can substitute if you cannot get permits.
Do you need a car in Madeira?
Although you can use public transportation to get around most of the island, I recommend renting a car when you visit Madeira.
The public transportation system in Madeira is great, but having a car makes exploring so much easier. You can easily transport yourself to and from everything you want to do without worrying about bus schedules or delays.
What are the must-do hikes in Madeira?
Madeira has many beautiful hikes, and you really cannot go wrong with any of them. But here are a few of my favorites that I think should be on every bucket list:
Pico do Arieiro to Pico Ruivo (PR1)
Vereda da Ponta de São Lourenço (PR8)
Vereda do Larano to Boca do Risco
Pico Ruivo (PR1.2)
Levada do Caldeirão Verde (PR9)
Levada das 25 Fontes (PR6)
If you want to visit Madeira, you are in the right place! I created this guide to have everything you need to know about spending 5 amazing days in Madeira.
Hey, I’m Nichole!
I am the creator behind Nichole the Nomad, the home of my explorations around the world, mountain hikes, and beautiful pictures taken along the way. I have a deep passion for capturing the world in a beautiful light and sharing my experiences.
I created this blog to share my travels, show how beautiful the world is, provide tips and tricks for traveling, and encourage you to explore. Whether you want to travel across the world or explore what’s in your backyard, I hope this blog inspires you to get outside and find your adventure!
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