The Ultimate 4 Days in Madeira Itinerary and Map

This post may contain affiliate links, which means if you purchase through these links, we may receive a small commission at no cost to you. Thank you for supporting our website. This article is sponsored by Visit Madeira. Opinions expressed within this article are solely the author’s and do not reflect the opinion and beliefs of the sponsor.


Looking out of the plane window, the thick covering of clouds dispersed to reveal a nature-rich, tropical island with towering peaks, covered in a blanket of seamless green. This wonderful lush oasis was a welcomed sight, after escaping the bitter-cold winter weather back in the UK.

Madeira is a tropical island, abundant in a variety of fruits from bananas to passion fruit and home to diverse fauna and flora species. This slice of paradise is found in the Atlantic Ocean with a mild tropical climate all year round which makes it one of the best destinations to visit to escape for some winter sun. 

The Garden-of-Eden-esque landscape of Madeira is the perfect location for adventure and nature lovers from canyoneering to 4x4 Tours. Savour the local cuisine from fresh seafood, delicious traditional bread and garlic butter to grilled limpets. 

This detailed guide will show you how to spend 4 days in Madeira including the best places to visit, and the best restaurants and hotels on the island. We’ve put together the ultimate 4 days in Madeira itinerary, an adventure-packed travel plan to show you the best activities in Madeira.

Stay tuned for more posts on Madeira including a detailed guide to walking the Larano trail (Vereda do Larano), a 4x4 Tour of Madeira, what to know before visiting Madeira in October, a city guide to Funchal and exploring the beautiful Monte Palace Gardens. 

Portugal has many wonderful places to visit, exploring the west coast and stopping at the coastal village of Ericeira, the historic town of Cascais or the beautiful Arrabida Natural Park with many spectacular beaches.

mountain road in Madeira 4x4 Jeep tour

Where is Madeira? 

Madeira is located in the Atlantic Ocean, in the region of Macronesia which is a cluster of volcanic islands including the Canary Islands, Azores and Cape Verde. The island of Madiera is positioned between the Canary Islands and Portugal and is on the African continent closer to Morocco than mainland Europe. The island of Madeira is an autonomous region of Portugal and over 1000km from the mainland.

The archipelago of Madeira is comprised of four groups of islands, Madeira, Porto Santo, Desertas and the Selvagens. The latter are both uninhabited and are protected nature reserves to ensure the preservation of endemic species and fragile ecosystems. 


Madeira in 4 Days Map


What is Madeira known for? 

What is pretty special and unique about Madeira is that it was uninhabited before the Portuguese discovered this tropical paradise in the 15th century. The island was completely covered in forest and is where the name of the island was born, the word ‘Madeira’ in Portuguese translates to wood in English. 

As a result of its volcanic origins, fertile soil coats the island and combined with the mild climate makes it the prime location for growing fruit crops. The only challenge remaining for the first settlers was that the island was covered in mountainous terrain and subsequently terraces were built to get the most out of the fertile soil to grow bananas, sugar cane and many other tropical fruits. 

Madeira is famous for its wine and it quickly became a popular port for ships on the sugar route to the East Indies and was occasionally subjected to pirate raids. Madeira wine was treasured by seafarers as it lasted well over long sea voyages.

Accompanying the wine, Madeira offers the chance to experience some of the freshest seafood and is worth trying traditional dishes such as scabbard fish, Bolo do Caco (bread) with butter and garlic and grilled limpets. 

Levadas are waterways that were created to transport drinking water across the island and now many are used as hiking, running and cycling trails with over 1,550 miles of routes to pick from. Hiking to the highest peaks Pico del Arieiro and Pico Ruivo deliver some of the best and most spectacular views of Madeira. 

Madeira flower flora on the island

Is Madeira worth visiting?

Madeira as a destination is somewhere we are already planning a return trip to! In recent years, tourism has boomed on the island with visitors exceeding 9 million in 2022, despite Madeira’s growing global popularity it is possible to find wonderful experiences on the island away from the crowds. 

It’s worth considering visiting Madeira in quieter autumn and winter months such as October, when temperatures are still relatively warm and you can enjoy exploring without huge crowds. Madeira is worth visiting if you love nature, outdoor adventures, marine life, delicious food, culture, traditions and a warm climate.


How to get to Madeira? 

Travelling to Madeira is easy and the best ways to get there are either by plane or by boat. The Cristiano Ronaldo Madeira International Airport is the only airport in Madeira, located on the southeast corner of the island in Santa Cruz. If arriving by boat, the main port is in Funchal where cruise ships, ferries and sailing ships dock. 

By Plane

There is a great choice of flights from the UK to Madeira, with most budget airlines flying to Funchal, making it an affordable destination. Airlines that fly to Madeira from the UK include Ryanair, Easyjet, Wizz Air, Jet2, British Airways and TUI. 

Flights to Madeira average 3 to 4 hours from most UK airports and the closest airport in continental Europe is Lisbon airport which takes under 2 hours. Other European cities that fly to Madeira include Paris, Prague, Hamburg and Amsterdam. 

We flew from London Gatwick directly to Madeira and other airports that have flights to Madeira include; Birmingham, Bristol, East Midlands, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Leeds/Bradford, London Heathrow, London Luton, London Stanstead, Manchester and Newcastle. 

By Ferry

Many cruises stop by Madeira however these services usually only offer a day to explore the island and there is much more to explore and we would recommend that this is not enough time.

There is currently one cargo route in service that runs once a week from Lisbon to Caniçal (Madeira’s commercial port) and takes over 24 hours in total. GS Lines offers a cargo route without the option to bring a car and is a passenger-only service. The ferry route from Portimão (Algarve, Portugal) to Funchal is no longer in service. 


How to get around Madeira with a car

Hiring a car whilst visiting Madeira gives you the ultimate freedom to explore the island at your own pace and have the flexibility to move on from busy spots and get to more remote locations. 

The road network around the island is extensive and with the help of European development funding, many mountain tunnels have been built which have significantly reduced travel times around the island and connected villages and towns which were previously isolated and only accessible by boat or foot. 

There are still several winding mountain roads that are found in the heart of the island which take you through beautiful villages, past fruit terraces and up to incredible mountain vistas. The weather can be unpredictable in the mountainous regions, so expect fog and rain and drive carefully when there is low visibility. 

Make sure to drive slowly on winding mountain roads as they can narrow in places. It is worth planning your route before setting off to avoid any confusion and stress. Download offline maps on Google to ensure you can have directions with limited signal, in our experience we found the internet and signal on the island to be reliable. 

It takes around 4 hours to completely drive around the island which means it is easy to get around by car, but you will need more than a day to explore the whole island of Madeira! 

Traditional Santana house in Madeira Casas de Santana

GETTING around Madeira without a car

It is possible to get around Madeira without a car and it is probably best to use a combination of public transport and private transport to allow you to explore as much of the island as possible. 

By Taxi

There are multiple taxi companies across the island and can take you anywhere you’d like to go, this will be a much more expensive option than hiring a car but can be a good choice if you are planning to join tours for the rest of your trip. 

Bolt is a taxi app available on the island, similar to Uber and allows you to request a taxi and pay for the service all within the app without the need for cash. There is a Bolt service in most places across the island and is most reliable in Funchal.  

By Bus

There is a good public transport network in Funchal and there are bus routes connecting the larger cities on Madeira such as Machico, Santa Cruz, Santana, Porto Moniz, Calheta, Ponta do Sol, Ribeira Brava and Câmara de Lobos. 

By Guided Tour

Several tour operators can take you on epic adventures whether it’s for a specific activity such as canyoning in wild waterfalls, hiking, discovering Madeira flavours, diving, boat trips or a guided tour of Funchal. 

A guided tour in Madeira is a great way to get to try unique experiences and learn from experts to get a deep understanding of this fascinating island. 

Seafood in Madeira Prawn and fish risotto

What to pack whilst visiting Madeira

The weather in Madeira can be unpredictable, as a result of its mountainous terrain and is worth packing a waterproof just in case! Before our trip to Madeira, we did not expect it to be so warm in October, our tip would be to bring clothing for most scenarios to be prepared for any changes to the weather. 

We were lucky to experience wonderful warm weather and had packed a waterproof which we didn’t have to use at all. However, the weather we experienced in October was unusual for that time of year with warmer than usual temperatures, only enhanced by the tragic fires on the west coast of Madeira. 

If you plan to go hiking in the mountains then it’s worth bringing some warmer layers, as there is a chill the higher up you go on the island and you could find yourself surrounded by fog or wind. You may want to enjoy one of the many spectacular viewpoints for sunrise and sunset which means it is essential to bring a headlamp with spare batteries. 

There are many beautiful beaches to explore so make sure to pack your swimwear and a lightweight microfibre beach towel. Suncream and sunglasses are also essential items to bring to Madeira as temperatures can reach 32°C.  

Mosquito repellent is one item we forgot to bring with us and if you’re prone to getting bitten then we’d suggest you take it with you if you have space in your carry-on or buy it when you arrive on the island. There are few flat areas in Madeira and it’s worth bringing supportive footwear for exploring the towns and villages, so we’d suggest comfortable and supportive sandals for everyday use.

We love to take our refillable water bottles with us everywhere we go, tap water in Madeira is safe to drink and is sourced from springs in the mountains. Do not drink water from rivers, levadas or waterfalls only drink water from the source or tap.

Sentido Galosol Hotel in Madeira balcony sea view room

When is the best time to visit Madeira?

We visited Madeira in October and were met with temperatures around 30°C, much higher than average for this time of year. Madeira benefits from a mild climate all year round, with an average daytime high temperature in summer of 25°C and in winter 20°C. The sea temperature is also warm throughout the year and ranges from 18°C in winter to 24°C in summer.

Autumn in Madeira is one of the best times to visit with warm temperatures and sunny days making it a pleasant time to make the most of the outdoor activities on offer including canyoning and hiking. The sea temperature remains warm throughout the year allowing you to explore the underwater world surrounding the island and vibrant marine life. 

In the winter months from December to February, Madeira is an ideal winter sun destination. With fewer crowds compared to the summer months, visiting Madeira at this time of year still brings warm temperatures around 20°C in the flat coastal areas. 

Spring in Madeira is a wonderful time to visit and one of the best times to explore the island with the lowest likelihood of rain outside of the summer months. Flowers are in bloom making it a particularly beautiful time to visit and you can combine your visit with the Flower Festival which is held in May in Funchal. 

In summer, the island has comfortably warm temperatures from around 24°C to reaching a high of 33°C. As the most popular time to visit Madeira, this is the busiest time and coincides with the best time to see whales. The peak summer season usually lasts from June until the end of September.  


How many days do you need to visit Madeira?

The island has plenty of activities and places to keep you entertained for at least 2 weeks or more. We would suggest a minimum of 4 to 10 days to explore in depth. 

If you spend only 3 days or less in Madeira it is not enough time, even 4 days will feel like a jam-packed itinerary. If you’re able to go for a week this would be an ideal amount of time and a chance to go off the beaten path.

This itinerary is designed to give you a taste of what you can do in Madeira in 4 days, with recommendations of the best places to stay, fun activities and restaurants that you shouldn’t miss! 

Pink Hibiscus flower in Porto da Cruz Madeira

DAY 1 - TRAVEL TO MADEIRA

First of all, travelling to Madeira is straightforward with many flight options to choose from and you will arrive at Cristiano Ronaldo Airport which is on the main island of Madeira. The airport is located just outside Funchal in Santa Cruz. 

Flights from London and Manchester take around 4 hours in total which means you are most likely to arrive late morning or afternoon, depending on what options are available. The airport is a short 20-minute drive with good traffic to Funchal, the main city and capital of Madeira. 

Either pick up your hire car or grab a taxi to check into Sentido Galosol Hotel to recover from your travel day. There is also Sentido Galomar Hotel which is right next to Sentido Galosol and is adult-only, both hotels offer sea view rooms and breakfast is included.  

If the weather is pleasant, head down to the outdoor swimming pool at the Lido Galomar which is accessed by descending in a lift. Lido Galomar is set right on the oceanfront, built on volcanic rocks and is located next to the diving centre and Atlantis restaurant. 

Lido Galomar outdoor ocean pool in Caniço Madeira

Either sunbathe by the saltwater pool or take a dip into the ocean to spot the marine life in Garajau Partial Nature Reserve, we spotted plenty of fish and crabs in this beautiful spot!  

Book a kayaking and snorkelling experience with the Lokoloko team or learn to use a Stand-Up Paddle Board, which is next to the reception in Sentido Galosol. 

After a relaxing afternoon in the hotel and exploring the underwater world, enjoy a delicious meal right next to the waves in the Atlantis Restaurant. The setting of the restaurant is the perfect place to watch the sunset and an excellent introduction to Madeiran cuisine. 

Choose from a variety of dishes including the iconic scabbard fish that is found deep in the ocean, this dish is a delicacy in Madeira and is usually served fried with a banana. This was one of our favourite meals, it was also served with a delicious passion fruit sauce which made the best accompaniment to the scabbard fish. 

STAY | Sentido Galomar or Sentido Galosol

Sentido Galomar and Sentido Galosol offer a variety of rooms to choose from, including those with spectacular sea views and several pools to enjoy around the properties. 

The hotels are both 4* which are mostly powered by solar panels and were one of the first sustainable hotels in Madeira. After an active day out exploring Madeira, it’s the perfect place to recover and relax, with impressive spa facilities that overlook the Atlantic Ocean. 


DAY 2 - CANYONING & WHALE WATCHING

After enjoying the delicious buffet breakfast included at the hotel, it’s time for a day of adventure! Head to the Lokoko main office, which is opposite the reception in Sentido Galosol (Loko in Portuguese translates to crazy in English). 

Canyoning is a unique and exciting activity to try in Madeira, where you’ll abseil down waterfalls, jump into magical pools and be surrounded by dense jungle. There are many canyoning courses to choose from with water year round making it possible to do at any time of year.  

For canyoning, you will need to bring swimwear to wear underneath the provided wetsuit and a towel to dry off afterwards. Boots, helmets and climbing gear are also provided. Our instructors from Lokoloko were great fun, knowledgeable and experts in navigating and keeping us safe. They were both very passionate about the incredible sport of canyoneering and it is an increasingly popular activity in Madeira. 

Canyoning in Madeira abseiling down waterfall
Canyoning in Madeira abseiling down waterfall

The beginning of the activity was a short hike to a hidden valley, where we walked among ancient terraces, oak tree moss, passion fruit trees and goats. The charming rural areas of Madeira are covered in trees, our canyoning instructors gave us a safety demonstration before we descended into the gorge below.  

We climbed, swam, jumped and rappelled over waterfalls and followed the direction of the stream through a dense vibrant green jungle. The water was refreshingly cold and the wetsuits kept us warm. The gorge was surrounded by many fruit trees and we wadded in the stream with apples bobbing beside us. 

Canyoning is a must-do activity in Madeira for those who love nature and want a taste of adrenalin and adventure. It allows you to discover the wild and remote spots of the island, challenging you to explore the heart of nature in Madeira all year round. Canyoning is graded to distinguish how difficult the route is however, this activity is not difficult if you want to try it for the first time!

surfers at Praia da Alagoa

In the afternoon, take a catamaran tour from Funchal to discover the spectacular marine life there is in the ocean surrounding Madeira. The best time to see whales are from April till October when you have the best chance to spot sperm whales, pilot whales, humpbacks, minke and false killer whales. 

Madeira is one of the best places in southern Europe to see whales and it’s worth booking your tour in advance to avoid disappointment. There is the option of a rib speed boat or catamaran which offer similar experiences but different services. 

In Madeira, there are restrictions on interactions with wildlife and marine life and there is a limit on the number of boats allowed and the observation time for each visit. This is to protect and reduce disturbance to the abundant marine life found in the Atlantic Ocean. Other common sightings include dolphins, turtles, sea birds and big fish.  

In the evening after a day full of adventure and exploring, spend your time wandering the streets of Rua de Santa Maria in Funchal and enjoy a meal at Já Fui Jaquet. This restaurant serves traditional food paying homage to the previous owners who were known for making funny comments, so don’t be surprised by the colourful words on the menu which are not meant to offend! 

STAY | Sentido Galomar or Sentido Galosol


DAY 3 - HIKING AND FUNCHAL

One of the other most popular activities is hiking along one of the many routes in Madeira. The PR (pequenas rotas) are known as short routes, numbered across the island where each walking trail is checked and maintained with signposts by local conservation rangers. 

Many of the trails on Madeira follow a network of channels called ‘levadas’ which were built to transport water across the island. Today the levadas are still used to irrigate crops, produce hydro-electricity and transport drinking water from the mountains down to the towns and villages in the lower valleys.  

There are over 1,550 miles of levada walks to choose from, popular routes include the Levada das 25 Fontes, and Vereda dos Balcões. One of the best hikes on the island is the Pico do Ariero and Pico Ruivo which takes you from one peak to the highest peak in Madeira and is a great sunrise spot. 

As mentioned earlier, when hiking in the mountains you will need to be prepared for weather changes, make sure to pack a waterproof jacket, warm layers, snacks, water and a way to navigate either a physical map or on your phone if you are walking without a guide. If you have limited experience with hiking, then it is recommended that you hire a guide for safety. 

We walked along one of the most scenic coastal hikes in Madeira, called the Vereda do Larano which is a 12.4km route along the east coast of the island. We started the hike from Porta da Cruz near the Cabo de Larano viewpoint and were spoiled with charming coastal views! 

Cabo de Larano viewpoint Vereda do Larano hike Levada walk

The terrain was relatively easy to hike in trainers and the route takes you along a path that hugs the coastline within the Ponta de São Lourenço conservation area and the Madeira Natural Park which covers two-thirds of Madiera. As we walked along the coastal path we spotted ferns, mosses, succulents, butterflies and birds. Our favourite was the ‘Madeira Rose’ which was a beautiful sight, as they clung onto the rocks and defied gravity. 

If you are scared of heights this may not be the walk for you, the path is fairly exposed along most of the route, with fencing along some sections. Most of the walk is relatively flat with no steep inclines and gives you a chance to enjoy the views with minimal effort. The hike along this route takes around 3 to 4 hours in total, depending on your pace and how often you stop to take photos! 

After stopping for lunch at the scenic resting spot at Miradouro das Funduras, we continued towards the city of Machico which is the second largest town in Madeira, after Funchal. Machico is also home to one of the island’s golden sand beaches, where the sand was imported from Morocco. 

Walking along the Levada walk on Vereda do Larano hike

For this part of the trail you will be following the levada for the majority of the last section of the hike, which brings water to the terraces covered in fruit trees and flowers and you may even spot a goat or two.  

The hike ends at the Caniçal Tunnel and is a wonderful hike to give you an experience of insight into rural life and how the levadas are still used to this day. The internet connection across the island was impressive, we would recommend that you download the route just in case you have patches of no internet.  

Levada walk Vereda do Larano hike

In the afternoon, head to the vibrant city of Funchal. There are plenty of things to do in Funchal from exploring the gardens of Monte Palace Tropical Gardens, the farmers market, Cristian Ronaldo Museum, basket rides, and trying some Poncha or legendary Madeiran wine. 

We would recommend taking the cable car which is opposite the seafront promenade and Praia do Almirante Reis. Tickets for the cable car do not need to be booked in advance. It costs €12.50 per adult for one way and €18 for a return ticket and the journey takes around 15 to 20 minutes to reach the top of the cable car. 

At the top you will see a sign for Monte Palace Tropical Gardens, we would highly recommend visiting these stunning gardens in the afternoon. Monte Palace Tropical Gardens are open from 9:30am to 6pm and it costs €12.50 per adult. There are plenty of paths to discover in the gardens and you can easily spend a couple of hours wandering the cobbled paths to an oasis of serenity and beauty. 

Monte Palace Tropical Gardens Funchal

From the entrance of Monte Palace follow the paths downhill where you will eventually reach the lake and palace with views overlooking Funchal and the Atlantic Ocean. There are electric cars that can transport you back up the hill for €5. As you walk around the gardens, you will notice the collection of tile panels that depict important places in Portuguese history. 

Originally Monte Palace Hotel, the grounds were purchased in 1987 by José Manuel Rodrigues Berardo who transformed the gardens into a botanical paradise. José created oriental gardens that were inspired by his trips to Japan and China. 

There is a lovely café opposite the entrance of Monte Palace named ‘Land Food & Coffee’ with wonderful views over Funchal and serves toasties, fresh juices and coffee. 

Follow road Lago da Fonte for one of the best ways to get down the hill via a traditional wicker basket ride! ‘Carreiros do Monte’ are the men who push the passengers in wicker baskets down the hill and were originally invented in 1850 when wealthy locals living in Monte village needed a ride down to Funchal.

The men are dressed all in white, with straw hats and black rubber sole shoes. The basket rides start opposite the Monte Church and cost €27.50 for one person, €35 for two people, and €52.50 for three people. It’s an exciting ride, where you reach speeds of up to 24 mph and you’ll ride around bends and turns where the basket will skid within control from your Carreiros. 

Monte Palace Tropical Gardens Funchal

The ride finishes in Livramento, a short steep walk to Funchal which takes around 30 minutes on foot. There are buses and taxis you can get from this location, but the walk down takes you past beautiful houses. If the weather is pleasant it makes for a lovely stroll…even if your calves are burning it gives you the reason to enjoy more pastel del natas!

It’s also worth noting that the basket rides are only available from Monday to Saturday 9am to 6pm and make sure to check they are running if you visit during public holidays. If you plan on getting a ride later in the day, please note that you must purchase a ticket before 5:45pm and there are usually queues at this time of day so it’s worth getting there a bit beforehand.  

In the evening we would highly recommend eating at KAMPO restaurant in the heart of Funchal. This modern and contemporary restaurant is unassuming from the outside. Once you walk into KAMPO you are transported to a space that will showcase the best flavours of Madeira in an elegant space.

Dining at KAMPO is a sensory and dynamic experience and you can observe the food cooking in front of your eyes. The menu features fresh fish and succulent steaks and we would recommend the tuna cornets, sardines, black rice with octopus and shrimp and the T-Bone. 

STAY | Sé Boutique Hotel, Funchal


DAY 4 - JEEP TOUR AROUND THE ISLAND

For your last day in Madeira, we’d highly recommend a Jeep tour around the island to see as many locations as possible in the short time you have left. We took a 4x4 tour with Bravelanders in a beautiful Land Rover and Ivan was our passionate guide who knew the island inside and out and ignited a spark to visit Porto Santo next time we visit. 

There is the option to choose a full-day or half-day tour depending on your flight time and you can easily swap either day 2 or day 3 of this itinerary to make it a half-day depending on the activities you want to do so that you can take a full day jeep tour. 

Bravelanders is a locally owned business, started by two friends who are real 4x4 enthusiasts with expert knowledge of the best spots on the island and how to avoid crowds. 

We started our day early at 9am and for the start of the tour, we drove high, up some extremely steep country roads from Funchal where we were immediately surrounded by country houses and rural life. As we reached a higher altitude, we arrived at Camcha, a beautiful rural village known as the capital of culture and well-known for its basket makers. 

Miradouro da Ponta do Rosto 4x4 Jeep tour Madeira

Then we drove to the eastern point of the island and stopped at Miradouro da Ponta do Rosto. It is a complete contrast to the rest of Madeira with a very dry, red-coloured landscape with cliffs and unique rock formations. There is the chance to walk around and observe the rugged coastline with the option of a longer walk along PR8 which takes you to the very tip of the dragon’s tail. 

We continued north along the coast to Porto da Cruz and arrived at Engenhos do Norte, a Rum distillery. It is one of the three found on Madeira and is the only distillery in Europe to be powered by steam. In the 15th and 16th Centuries, Madeira was globally known as one of the best producers of sugar and rum is a product that can be made from sugar cane. 

Miradouro da Ponta do Rosto Madeira 4x4 Jeep tour

You can take a tour around the distillery to see the equipment used and still used a boiler that was made in Liverpool in the 1920s and beautiful copper vats. There is the opportunity to try rum and the distillery produces a variety of rums produced from deep golden-coloured rum that is aged in oak barrels to crystal clear rums. 

Then we took a walk around the headland, past surfers catching waves in Praia da Alagoa around to Miradouro Furna do Porto da Cruz, a well-known place for fishermen. As you continue your walk you’ll pass by the Whales Cave, where water is pushed out of the cave with a lot of force and there is a chance you might get wet! 

The Porto da Cruz pool is a popular swimming spot, with wonderful coastal views. Walk back through the quiet village of Porto da Cruz where you’ll see beautiful tropical flowers and palm trees. On the way to lunch, we enjoyed the incredible vistas from Miradouro do Guindaste which has glass platforms cantilevered over the cliff edge. 

Having built up an appetite from all the exploring we stopped at the Quinta do Furão restaurant at Quinta do Furão Hotel. The views from the restaurant are simply breathtaking and a wonderful place to enjoy traditional Madeiran cuisine and to try Bolo do Caco, a delicious local bread served with garlic butter. 

After pulling ourselves away from our incredible lunch spot, we were taken to a triangular-shaped traditional house in Santana, which feels like a time capsule as you walk inside. It was a lovely authentic experience, to meet the son of the original owners who expressed his disappointment that the flowers outside the house had perished from the unusual heat this time of year. 

Ivan left some of the best places on the tour till last, we descended through the Laurissilva forest on exciting off-road tracks and a trail of dust formed behind us. The winding mountain road led us to Ponte Velha which translates to ‘old bridge’, a stunning and remote bridge surrounded by lush greenery and towering over the untamed stream below. 

mountain road in Madeira 4x4 Jeep tour

Our final stop was the third-highest peak on the island of Madeira, Pico do Arieiro. At 1,818m high this elevated peak gives 360 panoramic viewpoint of Madeira. We could see rain on the horizon, which hurried our time to enjoy this remarkable place. 

There are many viewpoints to choose from, we first wandered around Miradouro do Juncal which looked over where we had been exploring earlier that day and offered observation platforms to gaze across the central mountain range. 

One of the best hikes starts from Pico do Areeiro which we plan to return and do on our next trip to Madeira. It is an extremely popular spot for sunrise, whereas Ivan had planned our day to enjoy the elevated views without the crowds and having his local knowledge enhanced our experience. 

Pico do Arieiro mountain range viewpoint Madeira

We hope you enjoyed this jam-packed 4 Days in Madeira itinerary, to inspire you to try out something new and explore what this incredible island has to offer! Please let us know in the comments any recommendations you have and we look forward to hearing all about your adventures.


IF YOU ENJOYED THIS ARTICLE PIN IT TO READ LATER

How to spend 4 Epic Days in Madeira Itinerary and Map
How to spend 4 Epic Days in Madeira Itinerary and Map