Spend an Unforgettable 5 Days in Madeira

Begin your day with a stroll through the quaint town of Funchal, which combines old European charm with the tropical energy of a caribbean paradise. Although you could spend hours just walking along the tiled streets, the must see of the day is Monte Palace's Tropical Gardens. These you can access through a short cable car ride up from the town of Funchal direction into the mountains, reaching the gardens.

These botanical gardens are ranked as some of the best in the world, and they are perhaps the only botanical gardens that also come with a complimentary wine tasting! Here you can get a sampling of the local specialty, the fortified Madeira wine. You can also see a huge exotic plant collection, the resident flamingos and a large collection of Portuguese tiles.

If you’re looking for cocktails and restaurants in the evenings, you’ll want to take a stroll down the lively Zona Velha. If you’re looking for a little bit more of a quiet atmosphere, the cozy tiled street of Rua da Carreira also serves as an impressive restaurant row for such a small town.

Not only is Funchal a great launchpad for your adventures around the island, it is also a charming town in its own right. We felt that we could’ve spent our 5 days just in Funchal — there was so much to do in and around the city. We recommend staying in Funchal for the full 5 days so you are always within walking distance of great restaurants in the evenings. From here, you can get just about anywhere on the island in under an hour by car.

Today is the day you’ve been waiting for! Time to hike the world famous Pico do Arieiro, one of the most spectacular hikes in Europe. Make sure to start early to get a head start on the crowds. Parking at the trailhead is free but competitive. I also recommend packing layers as the temperature and weather can quickly change.

Your hike might begin in the clouds, but the views will soon transform as you get moving and the sun comes out. What makes this hike so good is the constant changing of views and elevations. Your jaw will drop as you scramble through tunnels, staircases and narrow mountain paths to enjoy views through the clouds. You can even see the ocean from here!

After a day of hiking, you’ve definitely earned yourself a day of relaxing in the sun! Ponta do Sol gets its name because it is known for being the sunniest spot on the island. Although Madeira is a small island, every corner will have slightly different weather, so make sure you check the live cameras in the morning if you’re chasing the sun.

Ponta Do Sol offers a relatively quiet sandy beach and a colorful little town nearby. Swim and sunbathe to your heart's content and then grab a bite to eat in town. On the way back to Funchal, you’ll get to enjoy a scenic drive through the banana fields along the southern coast of the island.

If you want to add some extra activities in the day, you can stop at Faja dos Padres on the way back to Funchal. From the parking lot, you take the cable car down the cliff to an organic working farm right along the beach. You can either do some more sunbathing here, or stroll through the fields of papaya, mango, avocado, banana and other exotic fruit.

After the Pico do Arieiro hike, the next most iconic walkabout is the Ponta de São Lourenço, otherwise known as the Dragon Tail. This is a large peninsula that juts out of the island's east coast and offers spectacular views of the sea below.

The walk can take up to 3 hours, and I would definitely recommend taking a picnic with you for a scenic lunch stop. Just like with any other famous hike, it’s recommended to get there early so you don’t have to take the long walk of shame down the 1 kilometer line of cars from the parking lot!

If you are wanting to do something after the hike, you can make the short 30 minute drive up to Santana to see the famous triangle shaped houses. This Northeastern coast of the island offers great nature trails like the Laurissilva Forest and viewpoints if you want to get a little bit of outdoors time before driving back to Funchal.

Take things slow on your last full day and head up to the North Coast and soak up some sun on the legendary black sand beach of Seixal. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can also swim in the nearby volcanic pools of Porto Moniz.

On the way back, you’ll pass by Quinta do Barbusano, the perfect place to enjoy a lovely wine tasting and one of the islands’ most iconic views - the clock tower and church of Capelinha de Nossa Senhora de Fátima. Be sure to call ahead to book a wine tasting and tour. We absolutely loved learning more about the wine on Madeira.

Is there a better way to finish off your trip in Madeira than by sipping fine Portuguese wine and watching the sunset over the rolling green hills?