Day 1: Arrival in Madeira and First Impressions of Funchal
We flew from Amsterdam to Madeira early in the morning and landed on the island a few hours later, excited to start our trip. After picking up our rental car at the airport, we began the short drive toward our accommodation in Funchal. On the way, we made our first scenic stop at Miradouro do Cristo Rei, a beautiful viewpoint overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. From here, we enjoyed stunning coastal views and got our first real taste of Madeira’s dramatic landscape.
Later in the afternoon, we arrived in Funchal and set out to explore the city. We spent time wandering around the harbor area, soaking in the lively atmosphere, watching the boats, and enjoying the warm weather. Of course, we also stopped by the famous Cristiano Ronaldo statue, a must-see in the hometown of the football legend.
For our stay in Funchal, we booked a comfortable apartment called “Apartamento do Carmo IV” by An Island Apart through Airbnb. It turned out to be a great base for exploring the city and the rest of the island. (you can find the apartment we stayed in here: Apartment in Funchal)
Day 2: Waterfalls, Levada Walks & Ocean Views
The next morning, we woke up early and had breakfast in our apartment before setting off for our first hike on the island (In case you’re looking for a good place to buy groceries, we recommend this store: Pingo Doce). Our destination was the PR6 Levada das 25 Fontes, one of Madeira’s most popular levada walks (this is where you park for the hike PR6 parking). The trail leads through lush forest to a small waterfall surrounded by rock walls. Since we visited in August, there wasn’t a lot of water flowing, but the walk itself was still beautiful and definitely worth it.
From there, we explored a couple of nearby trails. One of them was the PR6.1 trail to Cascata do Risco, which leads to another waterfall that was much more impressive. We also continued on the PR6.3 trail to Lagoa do Vento, a peaceful waterfall and small lake hidden in the forest. It was the perfect spot for a short break, so we sat down and enjoyed the sandwiches we had brought with us while taking in the scenery.
In the early afternoon, we drove directly from the hike to Praia da Calheta. This beach is one of the few sandy beaches on Madeira, making it a great place to relax after a morning of hiking. We spent some time there enjoying the sun and went for a swim in the ocean. Parking can be a bit tricky here, as there are only limited spots along the road (we parked here: Parking Praia de Calheta)
After the beach, we made one more stop at Miradouro do Cabo Girão. This famous viewpoint features a glass skywalk perched about 580 meters above sea level, offering incredible views over the coastline far below.
After taking in the views, we drove back to our apartment in Funchal to relax after a full day of exploring.
Day 3: Coastal Cliffs, São Lourenço Hike & Sunset at Pico Ruivo
On the third day, we started the morning slowly and enjoyed a relaxed lunch at our apartment before heading out in the early afternoon for another adventure.
Our first stop was Miradouro da Ponta do Rosto, an incredible viewpoint on the eastern side of the island (we parked here: Parking Miradouro da Ponta do Rosto). The views here are truly spectacular, with dramatic cliffs dropping into the deep blue Atlantic Ocean. It was the perfect place to take a few photos before starting our hike.
From there, we drove for 5 minutes to another parking (Car park PR8) and began the PR8 Vereda da Ponta de São Lourenço trail. Unlike the lush levada walk from the day before, this hike had a completely different landscape. The trail runs along the dry, rugged peninsula at the eastern tip of Madeira, with stunning coastal views the entire way. There are plenty of parking spots near the trailhead, which makes it easy to access. Along the hike, you’ll also find a few small stone beaches, so if you want to cool off in the ocean, it’s a good idea to bring your swimsuit.
After finishing the hike, we drove up into the mountains to Pico Ruivo to watch the sunset (we parked here: Parking Pico Ruivo). The walk PR1.2 Vereda do Pico Ruivo to the viewpoint is a relatively short hike of about 45 minutes to an hour, and we stopped several times along the way to take pictures of the beautiful mountain scenery. Watching the sun set over the peaks of Madeira was the perfect way to end another amazing day on the island.
Day 4: Black Sand Beaches, Natural Pools & Coastal Viewpoints
The next morning we set off to explore the north coast of Madeira. Our first stop was Miradouro de São Cristóvão, a very cool viewpoint with beautiful views over the coastline (we parked at this restaurant: Parking Miradouro de Sao Cristovao). After taking a few photos, we continued our drive toward Seixal.
On the way, we stopped at another famous viewpoint, Miradouro do Véu da Noiva (here you have 2 parking options: Parking 1 or next to the restaurant Parking 2). This spot is known for its stunning waterfall that flows down the cliffs toward the ocean and is definitely worth a quick stop.
Next, we headed to the black sand beach in Seixal. This beach is very popular, so parking can be quite difficult, especially during the busy summer months. Luckily, we managed to find a parking spot right next to the beach (we parked here: Parking black sand beach Seixal). We spent some time relaxing, enjoying the dramatic scenery and the contrast between the black sand, green mountains, and the blue ocean.
After some time at the beach, we continued along the coast and parked along the road near another viewpoint. A quick tip: make sure not to park next to yellow lines, as parking there is forbidden and you will likely get fined. We actually saw police officers walking around and issuing fines to several cars parked in those areas (we parked along this road: Parking Seixal/Espaço Infinito). We stopped for lunch at a lovely little garden viewpoint called Espaço Infinito. We had brought our own food, so it was the perfect peaceful place to sit down and enjoy the views while eating our sandwiches.
After lunch, we walked for around 15 minutes to the Piscinas Naturais do Seixal, the natural lava pools in Seixal. It’s a beautiful place to swim, and the view from above the pools is just as impressive as being in the water.
Our next stop was Miradouro dos Ilhéus da Ribeira da Janela, another small but very scenic viewpoint overlooking the iconic rock formations in the ocean (we parked here: Parking Parque do Miradouro Ilhéus).
On the drive back, you’ll pass through a famous tunnel where many people like to film short videos while driving through. The tunnel starts close to Miradouro do Véu da Noiva if you’re driving in the direction of São Vicente, so have your camera ready if you want to capture the moment (famous tunnel: Tunnel with nice view).
Day 5: Sunrise Above the Clouds, Mountain Hikes & Hidden Waterfalls
Day five started very early for us because we wanted to watch the sunrise at Pico do Arieiro. It’s important to arrive early because the parking lots fill up quickly. When we arrived, we even had to wait about 20 minutes in line just to get a parking ticket. We parked at Parking 2 because the road to the other parking area had already been closed by the police (we parked here: Pico do Arieiro Parking – P2).
Because of the delay, we almost missed the sunrise and had to hurry up the road to the viewpoint. Luckily, it’s only about a 15-minute walk from the parking area. We walked to Miradouro do Juncal, where we were rewarded with an incredible sunrise above the clouds. It can be very cold and windy in the mountains early in the morning, so make sure to bring warm clothes.
After the sun came up, we started the famous PR1 Vereda do Arieiro hike. This trail normally connects Pico do Arieiro with Pico Ruivo, but during our visit part of the trail was closed, so we could only hike a section of it. If you want to check the current trail conditions, distances, and closures, the official Madeira tourism website provides updated information about all hikes on the island (linked at the bottom of this blog under “good to know”). Even on the open section, the views were spectacular, but it can get very windy, so be careful along the exposed parts of the trail.
After finishing the hike, we drove to another trail that felt more like a peaceful walk along the levadas. The route is called Caminho do Cabo da Levada in Ponta do Sol. Finding the start of the walk can be a little confusing because there are no signs, but if you search for it on Google Maps you will find a few parking spots along the road (we parked here: Parking Caminho do Cabo da Levada in Ponta do Sol). From there, walk to the end of the road until you reach a roundabout. A gravel road begins there, simply follow that path for about 45 minutes (the trail starts here: Trail Caminho do Cabo da Levada in Ponta do Sol). When you reach the start of the trail, you’ll notice two roads but only one leads the right way. Make sure to take the path that goes down,that’s the route we followed.
We used the Maps.me app to help with navigation, although there is essentially only one main path. As we continued walking, the trail became narrower and almost felt like we were walking through a small jungle. Eventually we reached a cute little waterfall and a small picnic area with a few tables, which was the perfect place for us to stop and have lunch (this Is the lunch area: Levada do Moinho – lunch area).
After lunch, we continued along the trail, following other hikers who were coming from the opposite direction. As of August 2025, the route requires crossing a small river before climbing up to reach the concrete path of the levada. There are two ways to cross the river here. You can either cross the river a bit away from the waterfall and then walk up to the concrete path, or take the more adventurous option by crossing right at the top of the small waterfall and climbing up the ladder (this is how it looks: Waterfall crossing). Once you reach the concrete levada path, the trail becomes very straightforward from there.
We walked for about an hour along the narrow path and even passed underneath three waterfalls (3 Waterfalls), getting slightly wet along the way. It was a beautiful walk, but the path can be quite narrow, so it’s important to be careful and respectful of hikers walking toward you.
At the end of the trail, the path meets a road. Since there are no signs, we used Maps.me again to find our way back to the car. We ended up walking down small paths and staircases through plantations and even passed a banana plantation before finally reaching the road where our car was parked. In total, the hike took us about three hours, including a relaxing lunch break along the way. For a stress-free journey, you can also find our exact route here.
From there, we continued to the famous Cascata dos Anjos, a waterfall that flows directly over a road. We parked near the Nature Sea House accommodation and then walked about 10 to 15 minutes uphill to reach the waterfall (we parked here: Parking Cascata dos Anjos). Some parts of the walk are quite steep, and it can get very hot in August, so bringing water is a good idea (this is the location of the waterfall: Waterfall Cascata dos Anjos). After taking some fun photos under the waterfall, we drove back to our apartment to relax for a while.
In the evening, we went out again to explore the old town of Funchal. We wandered through the charming streets and eventually walked down to Praia do Almirante Reis, where we ended the day watching the sunset by the ocean.
Day 6: Mystical Fanal Forest & Scenic Viewpoints
After several early mornings, we decided to start the day a bit slower. We slept in, relaxed at the apartment, and headed out after lunch toward one of Madeira’s most magical places: Fanal Forest.
We parked our car along the road near the Miradouro do Fanal Chão da Ribeira and started our walk from there (we parked here: Parking for PR13 Fanal). There are a few small spots where you can park for free along the road, but space is limited to about three or four cars. Another option is to park directly at the viewpoint and start your hike from there (Miradouro do Fanal-Chão da Ribeira Parking), or park at the official trailhead marked PR13 Vereda do Fanal if you want to complete the full hike (Parking PR13 Vereda do Fanal full hike).
From our parking spot, we quickly found a hiking sign pointing toward PR13 Fanal Forest and followed the trail. The path leads through a beautiful forest with small winding trails. When we visited, it was very foggy, which made the atmosphere feel even more mysterious. At one point, cows suddenly appeared out of the fog, peacefully grazing among the ancient trees, a pretty surreal sight.
The walk took us around 45 minutes before we reached the famous Fanal Forest, known for its old laurel trees that often sit surrounded by mist. It’s a great place to wander around and take some unique photos. After spending some time there, we walked back the same way toward the car, although you can also use apps like Maps.me to explore alternative routes.
After the hike, we drove a short distance to Miradouro Bica da Cana (you can park here along the road: Parking Miradouro Bica da Cana ), a breathtaking viewpoint. Just a heads-up: only stop here if the weather is clear, because on foggy days, you won’t see anything at all. From there, we continued on to Miradouro das Molinas, another beautiful lookout (park directly at the viewpoint: Parking Miradouro das Molinas). Even though both a road sign and Google Maps say the road is closed, you can still drive all the way to the viewpoint without problems. After enjoying the view, you simply drive back in the direction of Miradouro Bica da Cana and reconnect with the main road at this point to continue your drive back to Funchal.
Later in the evening, we returned to Funchal and enjoyed a delicious dinner at De Mundo Vegan Restaurant, which we can definitely recommend if you’re looking for great vegan food in the city (Mundo Vegan – Vegan World).
Day 7: Waterfalls, Santana’s Traditional Houses & Coastal Views
Day seven was another relaxed day of exploring. After lunch, we drove to Miradouro do Curtado, a quiet viewpoint that offers beautiful views of the surrounding landscape and coastline (we parked here: Parking Miradouro do Curtado).
From there, we continued to a small hidden waterfall nearby called Cascata da Aguage. We parked the car at the end of a small road and followed a short path leading to the waterfall (we parked here: Parking Cascata da Aguage). There should be a sign here that points you in the right direction, and after a short walk through the greenery, you’ll reach the waterfall.
Later in the afternoon, we drove to the town of Santana, which is famous for its traditional triangular houses with colorful doors and thatched roofs. We parked at the free Parking Santana lot and then walked about five minutes uphill to reach the Casas Típicas de Santana.
If you have a bit more time, you can also take a cable car nearby that goes down to a small beach and offers great coastal views. Even if you don’t take the ride, the view from the cable car station itself is already very nice (Santana Cable Car).
Day 8: Dolphin Watching & A Relaxing Day in Funchal
Our last full day in Madeira started with something special. In the morning, we joined a dolphin and whale watching tour with Magic Dolphin (this is the tour we booked: Magic Dolphin boat tour) . We would definitely recommend this company because they focus on being environmentally responsible and care about the well-being of the animals.
The boat tour lasted about three hours. Unfortunately, we didn’t see any whales that day, but we were lucky enough to spot several families of dolphins swimming near the boat. Watching them jump and play in the water was an amazing experience and a perfect way to enjoy the ocean around Madeira.
In the afternoon, we spent some time walking through the city of Funchal, enjoying the relaxed atmosphere of the streets. Of course, we also treated ourselves to some ice cream at Gelataria Italiana Da Lorenzo, which we can highly recommend. They offer a wide variety of flavors, including several vegan options, and the portions are generous for a very fair price.
Day 9: Goodbye Madeira
Our final day started very early because we had an early morning flight. We drove to the airport, returned our rental car, and said goodbye to the beautiful island of Madeira.
From there, we flew to Lisbon to continue our journey through Portugal. If you’d like to read more about the next part of our trip, you can check out our guide for 2.5 weeks traveling through Portugal.
Good to Know When Visiting Madeira
Whether you’re here for the lush levadas, dramatic cliffs, or charming towns, a little preparation goes a long way. Here are some practical tips we found invaluable during our stay:
- Check the official website for hikes – Visit Madeira is your go-to source for up-to-date information about trail openings, closures, and conditions. All hikes are listed here if they’re open, so you won’t get caught off guard.
- Be prepared to pay for some hikes – Many of the popular trails and levadas require a small entrance fee or contribution for maintenance. It’s a small price to pay for keeping these incredible paths safe and well-kept. You can book the hiking tickets here.
- Download maps.me – Even if you have data, this offline map app is a lifesaver. Trails, levadas, and viewpoints are all marked here, often more accurately than Google Maps. It’s especially handy when hiking or exploring remote areas with little to no signal.
- Rent a car – Madeira is full of hidden gems, from cliffside viewpoints to mountain villages. Public transport can’t get you everywhere, so having a car makes exploring much easier and gives you the flexibility to chase sunsets.
- Hit popular hikes early – If you’re planning to do one of the island’s famous levadas, try to start early. Parking fills up fast, especially on the more famous trails, so an early start means a more relaxed experience.
- Where we parked in Funchal – During our stay, we parked at Parking Santa Luzia, which costs 5 Euros per day and gave us 24-hour access to our car, a total lifesaver. Just a heads-up: the parking is pretty small, so it’s really only possible if you have a small car, and near the city center, you can only pay with cash, so make sure to have some on hand. The location was perfect since it was close to our accommodation, making it easy to come and go while exploring Funchal and heading out to the island’s trails and viewpoints.
Madeira is one of those places where a little planning pays off massively, you’ll get to enjoy the incredible scenery without the stress of scrambling for parking, lost trails, or missed views. Trust us, the island rewards the prepared adventurer!