Madeira is an island full of character, rich traditions, and breathtaking landscapes. From breathtaking Levada walks to the historic streets of Funchal, this Atlantic gem offers the perfect balance of adventure and relaxation.

We arrived in Madeira on the evening of Friday, 6th June 2025, after a day in Porto, and departed on Monday morning, giving us two full days to explore the island. All information was accurate at the time of writing.

♪ Watch our day 1, and day 2 vlogs in Madeira on Tik Tok.

Flights and Accommodation

Flying into Madeira is an experience in itself! The airport is known for its challenging approach—only specially trained pilots are permitted to land here due to strong winds and a short runway that originally measured just 1,600 meters. Although it has since been extended, landing still requires impressive precision.

We stayed at Valhalla Apartments, booked through Airbnb, a well-located and central base for our weekend adventures.

Getting Around Madeira

Although Uber technically operates in Madeira, we found it unreliable and often unavailable—especially outside central Funchal. Local taxis frequently overcharge, even for short trips, and meters aren’t always used.

The best option we found was Bolt, which worked smoothly and reliably throughout our stay. It’s app-based, with transparent pricing and much faster pickup times than Uber.

We also chose to hire a car for our second day to explore further afield. We used AD Car Rental, a local company that made the process straightforward and affordable. Having a car gave us the flexibility to visit remote spots like Fanal Forest, Seixal, and Cabo Girão on our own schedule.

Tip: If you’re planning to explore beyond Funchal or follow your own itinerary, renting a car is highly recommended—just be prepared for steep, narrow roads!

Madeira Day One (Saturday)

Since most shops in Funchal are closed on Sundays, we decided to spend our first day simply exploring the city and taking in its charm. We planned our itinerary around the places we most wanted to visit, taking into account that several closed in the afternoon on Saturdays. As a result, this may not be the most efficient itinerary.

Pastel de Nata & Espresso at Nata 7

We made a beeline for Nata 7, a top spot to enjoy the iconic pastel de nata (Portuguese custard tart) with a strong espresso—an ideal way to start the day. This iconic custard tart is found all over Portugal—including Madeira. You’ll also find great options at Petit Fours Patisserie and Padaria Pastelaria Mariazinha.

Mercado dos Lavradores

Located in the heart of Funchal, this 1940s market is filled with fresh local produce and Madeiran specialities. The ground floor features freshly caught fish, while the upper level offers exotic fruits, spices, and artisan goods. It felt more authentic and local than Porto’s Bolhão market. We picked up a small jar of Madeiran honey to take home.

Bordal Embroidery

Bordal is one of the few places preserving Madeira’s embroidery heritage. Not only do they produce high-quality, handmade items, but they also offer embroidery workshops.

Tip: a lavender pouch makes a lovely, budget-friendly souvenir.

Fábrica Santo António

We continued up Rua Dr. Fernão de Ornelas to reach Fábrica Santo António. This historic bakery has been producing traditional Madeiran biscuits and honey cakes (Bolo de Mel) since 1893. Don’t be shy, chat with the staff! They’ll tell you which treats are worth buying and which you can skip.

Tip: The mango hard sweets make great in-flight snacks.

Pereira D’Oliveira

Pereira D’Oliveira, often simply called D’Oliveiras, is one of Madeira’s most respected and historic wine producers. Founded in 1850, it’s still family-owned and offers one of the most authentic wine tasting experiences on the island. We arrived around midday—just before closing—and squeezed in at a small table for a free tasting of three wines. We left with a small bottle as a souvenir.

Prego Especial

A Prego Especial is Portugal’s answer to the ultimate steak sandwich and it’s particularly popular in Madeira. It’s simple, rustic comfort food, rich in garlic, and perfect for lunch or a casual dinner. It’s typically served in Bolo do Caco—a traditional Madeiran flatbread made with sweet potato and cooked on a hot stone.

Casa do Bolo do Caco is rumoured to be one of the best places to try it in Funchal. Unfortunately, they’d stopped serving so we found an alternative just across the street.

Funchal Cable Car

With stomachs full, we hopped on the cable car for a scenic ride to Monte.

Monte Palace Gardens

Monte Palace Tropical Garden is one of Madeira’s top attractions. It was named one of the 13 most beautiful botanical gardens in the world by Condé Nast Traveler. Highlights include a flock of flamingos, tranquil lakes, Japanese-style pagodas, and art exhibitions throughout.

Tip: If you’re feeling tired, there is an on-site electric car that costs €5 back to the exit.

Toboggan Ride

An iconic Madeiran experience! These old-fashioned wicker toboggans race downhill from Monte to Livramento over 2km in just 10 minutes. While they close at 6pm, they stopped selling tickets by 4:30pm due to crowds—so get there early if it’s on your list!

Casa da Penha

We ended the day with dinner at Casa da Penha, a local family-run restaurant with Michelin recognition, chosen for its traditional cuisine. Sticking with tradition, we opted for esptada followed by hearty Portuguese mains and a bottle of red. A perfect end to a perfect day.

Madeira Day Two (Sunday)

Pico do Arieiro Sunrise Tour

Waking up at the crack of dawn was 100% worth it for the stunning views—and a beautiful way to celebrate my 34th birthday. We joined a sunrise tour that picked us up at 05:20, taking us to Pico do Arieiro, where we watched the sun rise over the stunning landscape. Afterward, we enjoyed a simple breakfast at a renovated old mill. Since our tour fell on a Sunday, the usual levada walk was swapped for a visit to the lively Sunday Market of Santo da Serra.

After the tour, we grabbed our things and jumped in the rental car to explore the island at our own pace.

Câmara de Lobos

Just a 15-minute drive from Funchal, Câmara de Lobos is one of Madeira’s most charming coastal towns. Its name, which translates to “Chamber of the Wolves,” was inspired by the monk seals (lobos marinhos) that once populated its bay when Portuguese explorers first arrived in the 15th century.

Winston Churchill fell in love with the village and painted it during a visit in 1950. There’s even a viewpoint (Miradouro Winston Churchill) named in his honour.

Tip: don’t miss the mural by Portuguese artist Bordalo II, known for creating “trash art” from found and recycled materials.

Miradouro do Cabo Girão

Miradouro do Cabo Girão is one of Madeira’s most famous viewpoints. At 580 metres (1,900 feet) above sea level, it’s the highest sea cliff skywalk in Europe. The glass-floored viewing platform gives dramatic views over the Atlantic and cliffs below.

Piscinas Naturais de Porto Moniz

These are Madeira’s most famous lava pools, created by ancient volcanic activity and naturally filled with crystal-clear Atlantic seawater. Unlike the more rugged pools in Seixal, the Porto Moniz pools are semi-developed, with safety railings, lifeguards (seasonally), and easy access points.

Praia do Seixal

This beach is one of the few on the island with natural black sand, formed from volcanic rock. Most Madeiran beaches are rocky or pebbled. It’s incredibly scenic being framed by towering green cliffs and waterfalls. The beach is free to visit.

Seixal Natural Pools

Just a few from the beach, you’ll find the natural volcanic pools of Seixal, offering a tranquil, surreal swimming experience that’s completely unique to Madeira. These natural pools were formed by lava flows. It’s less developed than the famous Porto Moniz pools, but that adds to its wild, untouched beauty.

Fanal Forest

If you’ve ever wanted to walk through a real-life fairytale, Fanal Forest (Floresta do Fanal) is the place. Located in the Laurisilva of Madeira, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this forest is one of the most magical and surreal landscapes on the island, especially when the morning mist rolls in.

If there’s one image that captures the eerie, mystical essence of Fanal Forest, it’s the “witch trees.” That’s the nickname often given to the ancient Laurisilva trees that twist and arch through the fog like something straight out of a Tim Burton film.

Tip: The “witch trees” are marked on Google Maps—just search for them directly, and it will take you to the car park right next to the entry point.

Taberna da Poncha

No visit to Madeira is complete without trying Poncha, the island’s signature sugarcane spirit cocktail. We stopped by a no-frills local bar for the real deal as a pre-dinner aperitivo.

Poncha is a traditional Madeiran drink made with just sugarcane rum, honey, and fresh citrus juice. You’ll typically find it served in one of three styles: Traditional, Fisherman’s, or Passionfruit. It’s shaken by hand using a wooden mixing stick called a mexelote.

Tip: You can find both bottled poncha and the traditional mixing stick (mexelote) for sale in local markets

Restaurante Santo António 

Restaurante Santo António has been a beloved local institution since 1966, serving up authentic Madeiran cuisine in a warm, family-run setting. It’s best known for its espetada—Madeiran beef skewers grilled over open flames and served hanging from traditional iron skewers at the table.

Optional Activities

• Funchal Walking Tour: Although we didn’t join one, free walking tours are available and highly rated for those looking to dive deeper into Funchal’s rich history.
• Rua de Santa Maria: This once-forgotten street has been transformed by the Arte Portas Abertas (Art of Open Doors) project into an open-air gallery with more than 200 hand-painted doors.

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