Itinerary
- Intro
Introduction
- Day 1
Madeira
Madeira- Accommodation
- Hotel (White Waters Hotel)
Optional Activities
- Explore Funchal's colonial architecture
- Visit vibrant markets in Funchal
- Explore historic fortresses in Funchal
Landmarks Funchal - Day 2
Funchal
Funchal- Accommodation
- Hotel (White Waters Hotel)
Optional Activities
- Visit Farmers' Market - sample exotic fruits and fresh fish
- Explore Madeira Botanical Garden with colorful flowerbeds
- Visit Monte Palace Tropical Garden with Japanese style and cable car ride
- Dine at Restaurante Gaviãe Novo for authentic Madeiran cuisine including poncha (rum, honey, lemon, orange drink) and cod with banana
Landmarks Madeira Botanical Garden Monte Palace Tropical Garden Funchal Farmers' Market - Day 3
Câmara de Lobos - Porto da Cruz
Câmara de Lobos - Porto da Cruz- Accommodation
- Hotel (White Waters Hotel)
Optional Activities
- Visit Cristiano Ronaldo Statue and museum in his birthplace
- Explore Câmara de Lobos fishing village - enjoy cozy cafes and bars with poncha
- Dine at Restaurante Santo António for traditional Madeiran beef on laurel wood skewer with fried polenta and local wine with laranjada
- Visit Porto da Cruz for surfing or watching big waves
- Tour North Mills Distillery to learn about rum production and purchase Madeiran rum
Landmarks Cristiano Ronaldo Statue Câmara de Lobos Porto da Cruz North Mills Distillery - Day 4
Santana
Santana- Accommodation
- Hotel (White Waters Hotel)
Optional Activities
- View Santana's 'Casas de Colmo' - iconic colorful A-frame thatched-roof houses
- Visit Rocha do Navio Natural Reserve (cable car temporarily closed as of November 2023)
Landmarks Santana Rocha do Navio Natural Reserve - Day 5
Madeira Levada Hiking
Madeira Levada Hiking- Accommodation
- Hotel (White Waters Hotel)
Optional Activities
- PR6 25 Fontes hike & Levada do Risco - approximately 5 km (or 9 km without shuttle service), leads to lake fed by 25 waterfalls in Rabacal area
- PR18 Levada Do Rei - 10 km trail through laurel forest from São Jorge with wonderful views and diverse plant life including eucalyptus
- Levada do Caldeirão Verde - mountainous trail with lakes, ravines, and waterfalls, ending at Caldeirão Verde caldera (12 km) or Caldeirão do Inferno (17 km)
- Stop at Fanal Forest - ancient laurel trees, especially beautiful on misty days
Landmarks Levada do Risco Rabacal São Jorge Caldeirão Verde Caldeirão do Inferno Fanal Forest - Day 6
São Vicente or Ponta de São Lourenço
São Vicente or Ponta de São Lourenço- Accommodation
- Hotel (White Waters Hotel)
Optional Activities
- Visit São Vicente - explore Igreja de São Vicente colonial church and picturesque surroundings (Grutas de São Vicente lava caves temporarily closed as of November 2023)
- Hike Ponta de São Lourenço peninsula - PR8 trail along cliffs to Pico de Furado peak with stunning views of Faro Island
Landmarks São Vicente Igreja de São Vicente Ponta de São Lourenço Pico de Furado Faro Island - Day 7
Machico - Departure
Machico - Departure- Accommodation
- Hotel (White Waters Hotel)
Optional Activities
- Explore historic Machico town - visit Forte do Amparo fortress (yellow), Sao Roque chapel, Igreja Matriz church in Largo do Município, or Sao Joao Baptista fortress ruins
- Relax on Machico beach with imported African sand
- Experience airport plane spotting at Madeira Airport viewing point
Landmarks Machico Forte do Amparo Sao Roque Chapel Igreja Matriz Sao Joao Baptista Fortress Madeira Airport - Day 8
São Vicente or Ponta de São Lourenço
São Vicente or Ponta de São Lourenço- Accommodation
- Hotel (White Waters Hotel)
Optional Activities
- Visit São Vicente - explore colonial church and picturesque surroundings (lava caves currently closed)
- Hike Ponta de São Lourenço peninsula - 6 km dramatic cliff trail to Pico de Furado with panoramic views of Faro Island and desert-like landscape
Landmarks São Vicente Ponta de São Lourenço Pico de Furado Faro Island - Day 9
Machico - Departure
Machico - DepartureOptional Activities
- Explore historic Machico - visit Forte do Amparo yellow fortress, Sao Roque chapel, Igreja Matriz church, and Sao Joao Baptista fortress ruins
- Swim at Machico beach with African sand
- Watch planes at Madeira Airport spotting point
Landmarks Machico Forte do Amparo Sao Roque Chapel Igreja Matriz Sao Joao Baptista Fortress Madeira Airport
