Planning a Madeira itinerary is mostly a happy problem of choosing what to leave out. The island packs mountains, laurel forest, sea cliffs, wine and pretty coastal towns into a small space, but the roads are steep and winding, so the secret is to group your days by area rather than criss-cross the island. This guide gives you a flexible plan for both 5 and 7 days, built around the way Madeira’s sights naturally cluster.
Use it as a starting point rather than a fixed schedule. Whether you want to hike hard, take it slowly or mix a bit of everything, the framework below keeps your driving sensible and your days full. If you would rather skip the logistics entirely, Euromar can turn any of these outlines into a private, guided trip.
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How to plan your Madeira itinerary
Madeira is small, but it is not quick to drive, because almost every route climbs, descends or curves around a valley. The way to avoid wasted hours is to treat the island as a set of regions and give each one its own day: Funchal and the central heights, the eastern tip, the north coast, and the west. Group the sights that sit near one another, and you will spend your time enjoying the views rather than the road.
It also helps to decide early what kind of trip you want, since that shapes everything else. For a first visit, a good rhythm alternates a big day out with a gentler one, and mixes the coast with the mountains. To choose specific highlights for each day, our guide to things to do in Madeira is the companion to this itinerary.
Madeira in 5 days: a day-by-day plan
Five days is enough to see the island’s headline scenery and still leave time to breathe. This plan is based in Funchal, with each day pointed at a different part of the island.
Day 1: Funchal and Monte
Monte Palace in Monte, funchal
Start in the capital. Wander the old town and the Mercado dos Lavradores, then ride the cable car up to Monte for the church, the Monte Palace Tropical Garden and the famous wicker toboggan ride back down. Spend the evening over dinner in the old town. You will find the full detail on each of these in our things to do guide.
Day 2: The eastern tip
Head east to the Ponta de São Lourenço, a bare, dramatic peninsula that feels nothing like the green interior, and walk as much of its coastal trail as you fancy. Pair it with the seaside town of Machico, Madeira’s first capital, for lunch. It is a shorter driving day, ideal for easing in.
Day 3: The central mountains
Go high. Drive up to the Pico do Areeiro viewpoint, one of the island’s highest points, ideally early before the cloud builds. On the way back, stop at Ribeiro Frio for the short, easy Balcões walk. Keen hikers can instead tackle the tougher peak-to-peak trail, which we cover in our guide to hiking and levada walks.
The central mountains of Madeira Island – Pico do Arieiro
Day 4: The west and the southwest coast
Drive west along the coast, stopping at the fishing town of Câmara de Lobos and the vertiginous glass skywalk at Cabo Girão. Continue through Ribeira Brava and the sunny southwest towards Calheta, then climb to the northwest and the volcanic sea pools of Porto Moniz. Return over the high Paul da Serra plateau, or via the misty laurel forest of Fanal.
Day 5: The north coast and a farewell tasting
Follow the wilder north coast to Santana, known for its little triangular thatched houses, and go underground at the São Vicente volcanic caves. Wind back towards Funchal and round off the trip where Madeira wine has been aged for centuries, with a tasting at one of the city’s historic lodges.
Extending your trip to 7 days
Two extra days let you slow the pace and add the experiences that a five-day trip has to skip. The two most popular additions pull in opposite and equally rewarding directions.
A dedicated hiking day
Give one full day to a signature walk, such as the Levada das 25 Fontes in the western highlands of Rabaçal, or the demanding traverse between the island’s highest peaks for experienced walkers. Our hiking guide explains the routes, the difficulty grades and the trail-access rules.
A day on Porto Santo
Trade mountains for sand and add the archipelago’s second island, reached by ferry or a short flight. Its long golden beach is the real seaside of the region, and it makes a relaxed contrast to Madeira’s cliffs. See our guide to Porto Santo for how to get there and what to do.
Or slow down at sea
If you would rather not add more driving, spend a half day whale and dolphin watching off the south coast, and the rest exploring Funchal’s gardens at a gentler pace.
Where to base yourself and how to get around
Funchal
For a first trip, basing yourself in or near Funchal keeps things simple, since it is central, has the most places to stay and sits close to the airport and the main attractions. Travellers who want to focus on the east and north sometimes split their stay, adding a night or two nearer Machico before finishing in the city.
On getting around, be honest with yourself about the driving. Madeira’s roads are narrow, steep and full of tunnels and hairpins, and the best viewpoints are scattered, so self-driving can be more tiring than it looks. Guided days and private transfers turn that effort into a window seat and let a local handle the route, the parking and the trail-access bookings. It is the difference between managing your holiday and enjoying it.
When to go
This itinerary works in any season, but the weather, the crowds and the mountain conditions shift through the year, and that can influence which days you schedule when. Spring and early autumn are the sweet spots for most visitors, while summer is warmest and winter quietest. For the full picture, see our guide to the best time to visit Madeira before you lock in your dates.
Conclusion
The best Madeira itinerary is the one that matches your pace, but grouping your days by region is what turns a scattered wish list into a smooth, memorable week. Sketch out your five or seven days, decide how much you want to drive, and let the island fill in the rest. When you are ready, Euromar can shape this outline into a private trip with guided tours, tailor made experiences and transfers, so your only job is to enjoy the view.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many days do you need in Madeira?
Five days is enough to see the island’s main regions, from Funchal and the mountains to the east and the north coast. Seven days lets you add a full hiking day and a trip to Porto Santo, or simply slow the pace.
Is 5 days enough for Madeira?
Yes. With five days and a plan that groups sights by area, you can comfortably cover Funchal, the central peaks, the eastern peninsula, the west coast and the north without rushing. A week just adds depth and downtime.
Do you need a car for a Madeira itinerary?
You can hire a car, but Madeira’s steep, winding roads and scattered viewpoints make self-driving tiring for some visitors. Guided tours and private transfers are a relaxed alternative that let you focus on the scenery instead of the road.
Can you take a day trip to Porto Santo?
Yes. Porto Santo is reachable by ferry or a short flight, so it works as a long day trip, though an overnight stay lets you enjoy its golden beach at a slower pace.