Travel Guide to Madeira Island, Portugal: 4-Day Itinerary
Madeira Island, Portugal is a popular spot for tourists and digital nomads.
Ah, Madeira, a Portuguese island located off the coast of northwest Africa. Madeira is one island of four that makes up the archipelago of the same name.
It has been dubbed the Hawaii of Europe and definitely lives up to that title. My time spent in Madeira felt like a tropical paradise dream you never want to wake up from. Loved by digital nomads, seasoned travelers, and casual holiday goers alike, this destination proves to be a must-visit for wanderlust seekers.
If you are wondering what is the best month to visit Madeira, I would recommend visiting in May or June, although many others have said Madeira is a lovely destination all year round. I took this trip in June and although there was a heatwave happening when I was there, the weather was still pleasant enough to enjoy my time there. Additionally, it was right at the beginning of the travel season, so it wasn’t terribly crowded.
This guide will discuss how to spend 4 days in Madeira, including an itinerary, dining options, accommodations, and activities in this vibrant island destination. During this stay, I was based in Funchal, the island’s capital city.
Where to Stay in Madeira:
Monte Carlo Hotel was my home base during my time in Madeira. Located in Funchal, it is in close proximity to many of the city's attractions.
The room was beautiful and the view was breathtaking. However, the reviews for the hotel are mixed. This hotel is not for the luxe travel girlies. This hotel is for those who want to feel like they have just stepped into the role of the main character of a movie based in the 1920s. You can almost imagine this building acting as Poirot’s (Agatha Christie) accommodation in one of his many holidays. It is important to note that there is no air conditioning and that wasn’t ideal during a heat wave. However, it is well functioning and was perfect for me. The staff were very kind and helpful.
Night time view of Funchal, Madeira.
Airbnbs are also very popular among tourists and Maderia is full of resorts that are perfect for the luxury girlies.
Side Note: Madeira is very popular in the digital nomad community. It is home to the world’s first digital nomad village. Ponta Del Sol opened a co-working space which is completely free to use and there are many co-living accommodations where digital nomads can connect with others living the same lifestyle.
Even if you don’t make it to Ponta Del Sol, I passed by several co-working spaces in Funchal.
How to get around in Madeira
It is pretty easy to get around Madeira via public or private transport and I recommend exploring this option before renting a car. Especially if you will only be here for a few days, and are staying in Funchal.
Getting to Funchal city centre from the airport is made very simple with the Aerobus.
The Aerobus will take you into Funchal from the Airport for €5 and if you are wanting to ride the bus, the fare for a one-way journey is around €2. This works out to be a relatively budget friendly way to get around the island.
I ended up taking one taxi during this trip from my hotel to the airport, this was a 20-30 minute drive, which cost around €30.
Where to Eat in Funchal, Madeira
There are plenty of options to choose from when it comes to deciding where to eat in Funchal. Here is a diverse list of dining recommendations around the city, ranging from traditional Madeiran cuisine to international flavors.
List of Restaurants in Funchal:
La Carbonara
Hamburgeria 351
Portaliano
Xarambinha Pizzeria Expresso
Banana Bar
Arsenal
Itinerary
Day 1: Exploring Funchal
After checking into your accommodation and getting settled, head out to explore the spirited city of Funchal.
The Madeira Promenade follows the beautiful coastline.
The Mercado dos Lavradores, a stunning courtyard market, is lined with local vendors of fruit, vegetables, fish, meat, and beautiful handcrafted goods. It's a must-visit on this trip, especially if you want to try some of the local fruits, including the famous monstera delicious or maracuja banana.
Praça do Município is a historic square surrounded by notable buildings such as the Museum of Sacred Art, Church of St. John, and the Funchal City Hall. The black and white tiles throughout this area of town showcase traditional Portuguese design and incorporation of “azulejos” (glazed ceramic tiles).
The Funchal Promenade follows the coastline and you will not only find gorgeous views on this little walk but you will also come across a mini outdoor market where you can find pastries, food, and, of course, poncha which is a traditional alcoholic drink made from brandy, honey, and orange juice. The recipe is prepared differently depending on the person making it. When you are in Portugal, you have to try pastel de nada, an egg custard pastry that is absolutely delicious.
Day 2: Monte Gardens + Funchal Parks
Getting to the Monte Palace Tropical Gardens
The grand “Monte Palace” was formerly a hotel.
The Monte Palace Gardens are a staple stop when visiting Madeira. From Funchal, it is an easy transfer up to Monte, the mountain village. The first of two options is to take the cable cars! What an amazing way to start this adventure! The view of Funchal and the ocean as you take the cable cars up the mountain is absolutely unreal.
Monte Palace Tropical Garden is a short trip from Funchal.
One of the days I was in Funchal, there was a wind advisory and they unfortunately had to shut the cable cars down for the day. However, if the cable cars are not operating due to a wind advisory or if they're not your preferred mode of transport, don’t worry, there is a bus that takes you from Funchal almost to the entrance of the gardens (€2 one way, cash only, as of June 2023).
The view over Funchal from the cables cars is stunning!
Entrance to the Monte Palace Tropical Gardens is €15 (as of April 2024) and when I went, they had free wine tasting with the purchase of the ticket! The self guided tour takes you through an endless area full of a huge tropical plant collection.
A tropical paradise awaits you at Monte Palace Tropical Gardens in Madeira, Portugal.
On the property, you will also find several museums, houses, and lakes to explore. There is a cafe at the top of the hill and another when you make your way to the bottom. As you make your way through the gardens, you may also encounter peacocks, chickens, flamingos, swans, and other birds and animals that freely wander the grounds.
You’ll come across tropical wildlife throughout the gardens.
You can easily spend half the day roaming the Monte Palace Tropical Gardens and if I’m being honest, I found myself not wanting to leave.
Toboggan Ride: Monte to Funchal
When you do finally decide it is time to head back down the mountain, keep in mind, a third transportation option enters the chat at this point in time. One of the well-known attractions in Funchal is the toboggan run that starts in Monte and ends back outside of Funchal. If this is your type of activity, you will find yourself being guided down the mountain in a traditional wicker basket by two chauffeurs called “carreiros.” This means of transportation was simply everyday life for Madeirans, since the 1850s. Now, this exciting 10 minute journey takes center stage of Funchal tourism.
You can also take the cable cars back down the mountain and the bus runs about every hour (check timetables).
Funchal Parks
After a day of walking up and down mountain paths, nothing beats a relaxing picnic in one of Funchal's parks. Parks are one of my favorite places to visit when traveling, as they offer a glimpse into the everyday life of the locals. There are several parks in Funchal that make a wonderful place to relax and enjoy the sunshine.
Jardim Municipal do Funchal is a sanctuary in the middle of Funchal that often has concerts and performances happening at the outdoor amphitheater.
Jardim de Santa Luiza - A quiet tucked away park with a perfect cafe.
Jardim Municipal do Funchal -Sanctuary in the middle of the city. Often has concerts or performances happening in the outdoor amphitheater.
Santa Catarina Park - Beautiful park by the ocean. Great views and wide open space to lounge in the sun.
Day 3: Guided Tour of the Island
A guided tour around Madeira takes you through some of the most scenic sites of the island.
I knew that I wanted to spend at least one day outside of Funchal, exploring the rest of the island. I will always always always recommend signing up for a tour guided by a local. Local guides offer expertise and special insight, ensuring you get the most authentic experience possible.
A tour of Madeira from the back of a jeep is highly recommended!
The tour chosen for this trip was one of my favourite I’ve ever taken. Our small, intimate group was picked up from our hotels in an open top jeep, which added to the sense of adventure and allowed for stunning views as we explored the west side of the island.
Going through some stunning neighbourhoods outside of Funchal.
Sexial- Known for its black sand beaches. The village itself is so quaint. Walking through the neighborhood almost reminded me of a Studio Ghibli movie, cozy and absolutely full of charming details.
Sexial’s black sand beaches and dramatic cliff backdrop makes for a popular Madeira destination.
Porto Moniz- Known for the natural pools and clear, blue water.
Camara de Lobos
Small fishing village outside of Funchal with a vibrant atmosphere.
Camara de Lobos is a small fishing village outside of Funchal.
When we stopped in this quaint village, the town was being prepared for a festival. The village was decorated with colourful decor. We later found out everything was made from recycled material.
All of the decorations were made out of recycled materials. You wouldn’t be able to tell these were bottle caps until you were very close to them.
Madeira Skywalk - Glass platform with beautiful views of Madeira. Side note: if glass platforms aren’t your thing, the cafe here has seating with EXCELLENT views of the ocean.
Mountains- Beautiful tour through the mountains of Madeira along the backroads. Complete with a stop at a mountain bar and cafe where we tried traditional poncha.
Taking the roads through the mountains of Madeira.
Overlooking the mountains in Madeira, Portugal.
Due to the delay that I experienced, I missed out on plans to explore the east side of the island and take one of the many hikes available. I have heard that the rest of the island is just as beautiful and if time allows, I would definitely look into these tours as well.
Day 4: Porto Santo
Remember when I mentioned diversions and delays earlier? Sometimes those frustrating travel moments can lead to the best adventures. This particular recommendation wouldn’t exist in this blog post if it weren't for the diversion I experienced when my flight attempted to land on Madeira. My flight flew in on one of the windiest days of the year and was inevitably rerouted.
We ended up landing in Porto Santo, a small, nearby island in the same archipelago as Madeira. This tiny island is known for its golden, silk sandy beaches and phenomenal resorts (one of them I ended up in after several failed attempts to land in Funchal).
Overlooking Porto Santo from the airport.
If you find yourself unexpectedly in Porto Santo like I did, I urge you to explore it! If you are wanting to take a day trip from Madeira, there are ferries each day that run frequently between the two islands.
Exploring Porto Santo while waiting for flight info.
Outside of the unbelievably beautiful beaches, there are multiple hikes with views that will leave you in awe. Check out this YouTube video from one of my favourite Madeira content creators (It’ll Be Fun) showcasing the hikes and things you can do in Porto Santo. You will quickly find out why this island stole my heart.
Madeira offers a wealth of unforgettable experiences for travelers seeking adventure, natural beauty, and cultural immersion. From the vibrant city of Funchal to the charming villages, stunning beaches, and breathtaking landscapes, this Portuguese island captivates visitors with its diverse attractions.
Camara de Lobos, Madeira, preparing for a festival.