This guide provides the perfect way to spend 5 amazing days in Madeira, Portugal, including the best hikes on the island, and ways to meet other solo travelers along the way!


The Ultimate 5-Day Itinerary to Madeira, Portugal 

Funchal is Madeira's capital city and is where I recommend staying while in Madeira. It's convenient, close to the airport, and a popular pick-up point for Madeira tours and day trips around the island. 

Start the day with a Cable Car ride from Funchal city center up to Monte. You haven't really seen the full beauty of Funchal until you've ridden above it. The ride takes about 20 minutes. Once in Monte, you can visit the Monte Palace Tropical Gardens. If you want to take an additional cable car ride up, you can visit the Madeira Botanical Garden.

The "Go West Island Tour" with Madeira Happy Tours is a full-day tour that shows you the highlights of the NorthWest of the island in 9 stops. This tour was a great experience and well-priced at 30€. It's an amazing way to explore a large area of the island at the beginning of your trip. 

Madeira Happy Tours 

You can find a shuttle bus in front of the airport at the Arrivals Gate which stops in Funchal. The cost is about 5€. If there is no shuttle bus available at the time of your arrival, there are many taxis available as well. A taxi to Funchal will cost about 30€. The drive is 35 minutes from the airport to Funchal. 

Airport Bus Schedule

- Bus: Four different operators provide bus services in Madeira, each company serving a different area of the island— Horários do Funchal, SAM, Rodoeste and EACL (Empresa de Autocarros do Caniço). Most people catch SAM and Rodoeste buses at their main departure points on Avenida do Mar and buy tickets on the bus or, in some cases, at the operators' kiosks near the bus departure points.

Day 3: Sunrise Hike from Pico do Arieiro to Pico Ruivo

Once you're finished watching the sunrise from Pico Do Ariero (which is only a short walk from the drop-off point) you begin the hike to Pico Ruivo. You will go through 4 tunnels and cross the infamous Stairway to Heaven path along this trail. A head lamp is useful for the tunnels! Continue on to Achada Do Teixeira where you end the hike at a cafe with a glass of Poncha before boarding the van for the ride back to your accommodation.

Self-Guided Transfer Hike

This self-guided transfer tour booked through Get Your Guide provides pick-up and drop-up from your accommodation in Funchal. The driver reviews the trail map before you set off on your own, or with the others from your group. The hike takes about 4.5 hours, but they allow plenty of time so you don't feel rushed. The weather can be unpredictable on this hike so make sure to pack layers, a waterproof jacket, and good hiking boots. This tour has an early morning start, but watching the sun rise over Madeira from the summit of Pico Do Ariero was the highlight of my trip. 

This is one of the most popular hikes on Madeira and for good reason! You will hike between two of the highest peaks on the island. 

One of the most beautiful stops was at Cabo Girao Skywalk. You can step out on to a glass platform that is the highest sea cliff in Europe (and the second-highest in the world) at 589 meters.

Straight after your tour ends, head for a drink at Mercearia Dona Mécia. This is one of my favorite bars in Madeira. It’s tucked away in a pretty little courtyard off a side road in the nicest area of Funchal. It has poncha and bottled craft beer.

Day 4: Rabacal Park Transfer & Self-Guided Hike

https://www.getyourguide.com/booking/KBSOJOZP5VPSHWUVZKRMMZK0GSLX1YZ9?partner_id=CD951&visitor_id=8AA4E68DB1384EADA7BE322B8395BA04&utm_source=getyourguide&utm_medium=transactional&utm_campaign=shopping_cart_confirmation_v2&utm_content=booking_summary_activity_details_move_v3

Explore Rabacal Park and the 25 Fontes trail at your own pace with a self-guided hiking tour with a transfer from Funchal. Discover weaving paths and landscapes as you admire waterfalls and wildlife. This easy trail is 6 miles and takes about 5 hours to complete. This tour booked through Get Your Guide has an early morning start which avoids the crowds as this is one of the most popular hikes on the island. Pick up and drop off from your hotel in Funchal is provided. 

Take a 1-hour bus ride (SAM Bus 113) from Funchal to Baia D'Abra to start the beautiful Ponta de Sao Lourenco trail. There is only one bathroom on the hike at the cafe (Casa do Sardinha)  near the end. That bathroom costs 1€ and is open 10am-6pm.

This 4.6-mile trail will take you to discover the eastern tip of the island, with stunning panoramic views over the north and south sides.

On the way back from the hike, the tour guide will make a stop in Santana to show you the original houses of Madeira. You will even get to go inside one of the original houses, while others are replicas because of the costly upkeep.

Porto Moniz is famous for it's natural swimming pools formed by volcanic lava and filled by sea water. You will have 90 minutes at this stop to explore the area and enjoy swimming in the natural pools if you choose!

-Search "Madeira Webcams" to check weather conditions via a webcam at the location before setting off on hikes.

-Maderia's Local Weather Site can be found below:

Maderia has micro-climates so weather can be vastly different from one location on the island to the next. 

IPMA - 10 days Forecast by Local

If you're traveling solo, don't worry about doing this hike alone. You will make fast friends with the others in the van on the 45 minute ride there. All 8 of us started and ended the hike together! 

From Monte, the traditional Madeira  toboggan ride down is a MUST! Made of wicker and wood, these 2 seater sleds cruise all the way down the mountain at 30mph. It's best to do this earlier in the day as the line can be very long in the afternoon. When you reach the finishing point in Livramento, there is a Toboggan Cafe where you can have a drink and a bite to eat. From here, it's about a 20-minute walk back to Funchal, or taxis and buses are available.   

-Day Tours: I found the easiest and most relaxing way to get around the island was by booking day tours. The roads on Madeira can be narrow and windy, and I did not feel comfortable renting a car during my first time there. I highly suggest booking day tours as it is a great way to learn about the island from locals and meet other travelers. I also joined a Facebook group called "Madeira Island - Solo Travellers" to connect with others before I arrived. 

In the evening, take a stroll down the Avenido do Mar along the waterfront.  Grab food and drinks at the small food trucks and enjoy watching your first sunset in Madeira.

And FYI, you can't leave the island without trying Poncha, the traditional drink of Madeira. It's a concoction of rum, honey, sugar, and either orange or lemon juice. 

The Ultimate 5-Day Itinerary to Madeira, Portugal

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