Madeira
Madeira, in a few days
Levada paths along the mountainsides, volcanic peaks and lava pools filled by the Atlantic, on a garden island driven from south to north: the map, what is worth booking, everything that costs nothing, and where to sleep at three budgets.
- Day by day
- 1 Funchal Days 1-2
- 2 The peaks and the levadas Day 3
- 3 Porto Moniz and the north Day 4
- Worth sorting before you go
- Words that help
- The practical page
- Packing checklist
Day by day
Funchal
The capital on the sunny south coast, with its cable car up to Monte, its gardens, and the sheer cliff of Cabo Girão a short drive to the west.
- Cable car and wicker toboggan ride2h · from €30Up to Monte by cable car, then down the steep streets in a wicker sledge steered by two men in straw hats, a Madeiran tradition since the nineteenth century.
- The old town and the Mercado dos Lavradores
- The Cabo Girão glass platform
The peaks and the levadas
The roof of the island, where a ridge path joins Pico do Areeiro to Pico Ruivo, the highest point at 1,862 metres, and the levadas wind through a UNESCO-listed laurel forest.
- Guided hike from Pico do Areeiro to Pico RuivoFull day · from €40The ridge walk between the island's highest peaks, reopened in April 2026 after the 2024 wildfire. It now runs one way only and must be booked online.
- The Fanal laurel forest
Porto Moniz and the north
The wild north coast, wetter and greener than the south, with natural pools set into the black volcanic rock.
- Jeep tour of the wild northFull day · from €60Cliff roads, waterfalls and ocean viewpoints on the rough side of the island.
- The Porto Moniz natural pools
- São Vicente and Seixal
Worth sorting before you go
You will want a car · The stops are spread out and buses are slow on the mountain roads. The expressway and its tunnels make most drives short, but the minor roads are steep: pick a car with some power.
Online the moment you land, no roaming bill.
Get one · Holafly
Health, luggage, cancellation.
Cover it · Ekta
Compare the agencies before you land.
Compare · Booking
Pay at the real rate, with no exchange markup.
Open one · Revolut
A private car at a fixed price from the moment you land.
Book it · GetTransfer
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Flavours & local habits
🍽️ Worth tasting
- Espetada: beef rubbed with garlic and bay, grilled on a skewer and hung from a hook above the table.
- Bolo do caco: a round flatbread cooked on a stone, split and spread with garlic butter.
- Espada: black scabbardfish from the deep water off the island, often served with fried banana.
- Lapas: limpets grilled in the shell with garlic, butter and lemon.
- Poncha and Madeira wine: a short drink of cane spirit, honey and lemon, and the fortified wine the island is named for.
⚠️ Best avoided
- Most official trails, the PR1 and the 25 Fontes levada among them, now charge non-residents a fee paid online in advance. Book before you drive up.
- Do not judge the mountain weather from Funchal: the peaks can be in cloud while the coast is in sun. Check the trail status and forecast the same morning.
- Wear proper shoes on the levadas. Many paths run beside long drops with no railing.
- The toboggan ride from Monte ends partway down the hill, so plan a taxi or the bus for the rest of the way.
Words that help
English ↔ Portuguese
| English | Portuguese |
|---|---|
| Hello | Olá |
| Thank you | Obrigado |
| Please | Por favor |
| Yes | Sim |
| No | Não |
| Excuse me | Com licença |
| Goodbye | Adeus |
| Do you speak English? | Fala inglês? |
| I don't understand | Não compreendo |
| How much is it? | Quanto custa? |
| Where are the toilets? | Onde fica a casa de banho? (BR: banheiro) |
| The bill, please | A conta, por favor |
| Help! | Socorro! |
| Cheers! | Saúde! |
The practical page
Scan to open this guide online, always up to date.
https://offwegooo.com/en/guides/madeira
Packing checklist
Have a good trip.
Guide made on offwegooo.com · Photos via Pexels · Details are indicative, check before you leave.