Imagine high mountains covered in lush green forests, contrasting with the stunning blue ocean. And flowers – flowers everywhere! This is the island of Madeira, and so much more. In this guide, we’ll share our must-see spots, personal favourites, and hidden gems from our 2 weeks in Madeira.
What to expect from this guide
We recently spent 2 weeks in Madeira and found it to be the perfect time frame to explore this stunning island. In this guide, we will present you:
- Our highlights from 2 weeks in Madeira, easily adaptable to your own time frame and itinerary
- Essential travel tips on transportation, accommodation and vegan cuisine
- Off-the-beaten-path recommendations to help you escape the crowds
- Practical advice to make the most of your time in Madeira
A short introduction to Madeira
Madeira is a stunning Portuguese archipelago off the northwest coast of Africa, known for its lush landscapes, dramatic cliffs, and mild climate year-round. Famous for its hiking trails, botanical gardens, mountains, and forests, the island offers both adventure and relaxation. The capital, Funchal, is a charming blend of modernity and traditional Portuguese culture. If you love nature, we promise that this island will captivate you! Below, we share the highlights of our unforgettable 2 weeks in Madeira:
2 weeks in Madeira – Highlights
| Location | What | Parking | Facilities | Coup de coeur |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pico do Arieiro to Pico Ruivo | Hike, 11km return | See location | Café + toilets at parking lot and close to Pico Ruivo | Start at sunrise and see the sky gradually change its colors over the clouds! |
| 25 Fontes Falls | Hike, 11km return | See location | Café + toilets at Casa do Rabaçal | Take a lunch to enjoy at the waterfalls; visit during low season to avoid big tourist groups |
| Achadas da Cruz | Cable car | See location | Café + toilets next to cable car | Take some time to just wander around/ Vegan food close to Achadas da Cruz |
| Fanal Forest | Explore the area | See location | Picnic tables + public toilet | Bring your camera! Know that the fog can be unpredictable, but either way it’s a unique experience |
| Ponto de São Lourenço | Hike, 8km return | See location | Café + toilets at Casa do Sardinha | Start early to avoid crowds and heat |
| Porto Santo | Beach | Go by Ferry | Cafés and hotels | Go for 1 night to have enough time to explore and relax on the beach |
| Funchal | City | Easy to find paid parking everywhere in town | Cafés and hotels | Check out the old town, Monte, stroll around the coastline |
Pico do Arieiro to Pico Ruivo
Of all the hikes we had planned in Madeira, this was probably the one we were most excited about. To avoid being disappointed by unfavorable weather conditions, we scheduled it at the very beginning of our trip – this way, we had the flexibility to reschedule if needed.
We started our day at Pico do Arieiro before sunrise, and despite the short night of sleep, it was absolutely worth it. Alongside a group of fellow early birds, we watched the sun emerge over Miradouro do Juncal. Seeing the first rays of light break through the sea of clouds was truly an unforgettable experience!
But we made sure not to get too comfortable in our outdoor cinema, as the real challenge still was ahead of us. The hike from Pico do Arieiro to Pico Ruivo and back is 11km long with a total elevation of 1000 meters. The path is super diverse, with steep ascents and descents, lots of stairs, narrow pathways, and even tunnels, making both your body and brain work, and turning this hike into a series of exciting discoveries. And time and time again, you’ll be rewarded by the most stunning and breathtaking (both metaphorically and literally, thanks to those ascents 😉 ) views! For us, this hike was without a doubt one of the highlights of our trip.
Update 2025: As of April 2025, the hike remains unfortunately partially closed due to damage from the August 2024 wildfires. Currently, only the first 1.2 km of the trail is accessible, ending at a gated closure near Pedra Rija viewpoint. If you’ve recently visited the area, we’d love to hear about your experience in the comments!
25 Fontes Falls
Time to go chasing waterfalls! The hike around the area of Rabaçal will take you past multiple fountains, lagoons, small waterfalls, and finally leading to the stunning 25 Fontes Waterfall. Bring a picnic to enjoy while sitting at the foot of the waterfall and soaking in the peaceful scenery! You should also take the detour to the impressive 100m-high Risco waterfall.
Keep in mind that the area is area is extremely popular and often crowded with large tour groups. To avoid them and make the most out of your trip, it’s best to start in the early morning or visit during off-season.
Achadas da Cruz
Achadas da Cruz was our starting point to explore the western part of the island. As you approach from Funchal and the southern part, you’ll notice the landscape getting wilder, with even more lush, green forests and dramatic cliffs. There are also some cute towns (with amazing views), but the area still felt less busy compared to the more famous Porto Moniz in the north. A unique spot and big coup de coeur from our side was the Fajã da Quebrada Nova – a remote place than can only be accessed by hiking (which we didn’t attempt) or taking the cable car from Achadas da Cruz. The cable car ride turned out to be an adventure in itself, as it’s one of the steepest in Europe. However, we were impressed by how smooth and secure the trip felt! Arriving at the bottom, we spent around for 1 or 2 hours walking around, soaking in the impressive coastline and exploring the pathways and small houses that belong to local farmers.
Achadas da Cruz Cable Car: You can either purchase a one-way ticket directly on site for €3.00 or a round-trip ticket for €5.00. It operates daily from 8:00 am to 11:30 am and 12:30 pm to 6:00 pm or 7:00 pm, with closing times varying by season.
Fanal Forest
The Fanal Forest is an area located on the north-western side of the island. Due to its unique atmosphere created by the old trees and their unusual, wind-blown shapes, it appeals to hikers and photographers alike. A particularly magical moment is to experience the Fanal Forest when the area is enveloped in fog, a phenomena that can be most likely encountered in the early mornings.
On the day we visited the Fanal Forest, we arrived shortly after sunrise. Unfortunately, we didn’t experience any fog on that day, but still had a lot of fun playing around with the shapes of the trees and the early rays of light.
Ponto de São Lourenço
Ponto de São Lourenço is a fun and scenic trail on the eastern side of Madeira. As it is located on a long, stretched-out peninsula, you basically have a view on the Atlantic ocean on both sides throughout the entire hike. All in all, the path is not too difficult and on a well maintained route, so it’s suitable for hikers of all levels and paces. Due to its open landscape with the ocean all around, as well as the fact that there are no trees or other protection, the trail is exposed to both wind and sun. During high season, the place can get pretty busy, so it’s best to start your hike early in the morning before the crowds and tourist groups arrive.
Porto Santo
Porto Santo is known as the “little sister” of Madeira and is best known for its 9km long, sandy beach. You can visit it in a day trip, by ferry leaving from Madeira in the morning and returning in the evening, allowing you enough time to relax on the beach. During our holidays, we decided to stay for one night, giving us 2 full days on the island.
When we arrived on the first day, the sky was cloudy and so we decided to rent some bikes to explore the place. The shop owner gave us the choice between e-bikes (good choice) and normal bikes (bad choice; our choice). As it turned out, the island that’s famous for some of the best beaches in Europe, also contains some serious hills. We quickly found ourselves pedaling and struggling much more than we had expected – always with stunning views though to be fair. And the steeper the climb up, the more fun the rides downhill!
On the 2nd day, the sun was out in full form, and so we spent most of the time relaxing on the beach and finally experiencing that famous turquoise sea color 🙂
All in all, the little getaway to Porto Santo was the ideal ending for our 2 weeks in Madeira, as it allowed us to unwind and offered a welcome change from all the hiking and exploring. If you have less time, we would probably suggest to first tick off all the places you want to see on the main island of Madeira. If, however, you’re looking for a few relaxing days on the beach, it will be your perfect destination!
Funchal
We spent the first and last night of our 2 weeks in Madeira in Funchal, which was also the departure point for our ferry trip to Porto Santo. During our stay, we found Funchal to be a relaxed and cozy city with lots of greenery and with a charming old town at its heart. A highlight of our time here was the visit of Monte, perchedon the hills and with stunning viewpoints overlooking Funchal. A popular and fun way to go all the way up to Monte is by cable car. We skipped this option and opted for a mix of local buses (lines 20 or 21 – but better double check!) and walking to our destination. When researching for things to do in Monte, you will most likely come across the Monte Palace Tropical Gardens and the Botanical Gardens. While both seem like great options to spend some time, we didn’t visit any of them, but rather opted to wander around the paths surrounding the gardens and allowed ourselves to get immersed in the jungle-like feeling.
The Monte Palace Tropical Garden is open daily from 9:30 am to 6:00 pm, with an entrance fee of €12.50 for adults, while the Madeira Botanical Garden is open from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm, with an entrance fee of €7.50 for adults.
Funchal’s dining scene also offers many vegan options and even a completely vegan restaurant! Check it out here.
Practical tips
Best time to visit Madeira
The best time to visit Madeira is during spring (April to June) and autumn (September to November) when the weather is mild, and the island is less crowded. Summer (July to August) is warmer but also busier, while winter remains pleasant with fewer tourists. These shoulder seasons offer ideal conditions for hiking, sightseeing and enjoying Madeira’s beautiful green landscapes without the extreme heat or heavy tourist traffic.
Accommodation in Madeira
- 29 Madeira Hostel (Funchal): We stayed here during the first and last days of our trip (both in private rooms and dorms) and were more than satisfied. The shared bathrooms were always clean and never too busy and the kitchen offered everything you need to prepare your own meals. There is plenty of opportunity to meet other travelers if that’s your thing or participate in organized activities. When staying in the hostel, just be mindful that the walls are thin and it can be quite noisy. Personally we didn’t bother, as we can sleep pretty much everywhere, but for light sleepers this could be an issue. Besides that, we really recommend the place, and the price is more than fair.
- Dazk Golden Estate (Ribeira Brava): This hotel has a good value for money, as even by booking their cheapest room, you have access to the whirlpool (with seaview!) and fitness center. Unfortunately, a huge turnoff for us was the fact that they kept birds in a cage, so we wouldn’t book this hotel again (and that’s why we don’t link it here).
- Airbnb (Achadas da Cruz): A luxury tent in an insaaane location with the best view you can wish for right on the ocean! It’s also conveniently situated right next to the cable car of Achadas da Cruz (mentioned above).
- Airbnb (Santana): A lovely cottage tucked away in the mountains. The driving up takes its time and you’ll be about an 25-minutes drive away from the next supermarket, but if you look for tranquility and peace, surrounded by the most beautiful nature, this is the perfect place for you.
- Hotel Porto Santo & Spa (Porto Santo): Although not our typical accommodation choice, this 4-star-hotel turned out to be a convenient deal in Porto Santo. It offered an amazing location right next to the beach, a swimming pool and a tasty buffet breakfast (lots of fruits, different jams and bread were among the vegan options).
Vegan food scene in Madeira
Vegan restaurants in Madeira
We wrote a whole article about vegan restaurants in Madeira and Portugal in general – check it out here!
Local products
While it was easier than expected to find good and satisfying options in restaurants all over the island, we still enjoyed to cook our own meals from time to time. Especially with all the fresh fruits and vegetables all around the island! Our advice would be to avoid the big supermarket chains and rather opt for small shops and street stalls to get your hands on fresh and local products.
Personally, we always love to check out local shops in different countries and find new vegan products. This time we even stumbled upon vegan KitKat in a small shop in Achada da Cruz – a true rarity, that we haven’t seen in any supermarkets on the European mainland yet! To come across it in this tiny shop, in this tiny village, was such a cool surprise. Of course we had to buy a few 😉
What was your most random discovery? Tell us in the comments below!
How to get around in Madeira
Getting around Madeira is an adventure in itself! While the island is relatively small, the mountainous terrain and winding roads make transportation an important factor when planning your trip. Here are the best ways to explore Madeira:
Renting a Car – The Best Option for Freedom
The best way to explore Madeira at your own pace is by renting a car. We found it pretty easy to drive around, but prepare for some steep and narrow roads, especially when getting out of Funchal or to some hiking points.
We rented our car through rentalcars.com and paid 355.32 € for 9 days. Everything went smoothly and we would definitely book with the same company again. However, one thing we would change is choosing a slightly more powerful car – our Fiat 500 struggled with some of Madeira’s steep hills! 🙂
Public buses
Public buses are an affordable way to get around, but they are not the most convenient option for exploring the island in depth. SIGA and Rodoeste are the two main bus companies operating on the island, covering routes between Funchal and major towns. However, bus schedules can be limited, especially in rural areas.
Taxis and Bolt
Taxis are available in Funchal and other major towns, but they can be pricey for longer trips. Bolt (similar to Uber) operates in Madeira and is often a more affordable alternative for short distances. If you don’t plan on renting a car, using taxis or Bolt occasionally can help you reach places not covered by buses.
Tour Operators
If you don’t mind sharing your journey with other people, joining guided tours is a great way to see Madeira’s highlights without worrying about transportation. Many tours cover popular attractions like the Pico do Arieiro hike or the 25 Fontes waterfall. We personally like using GetYourGuide to book tours, as it offers a wide selection, transparent reviews, and easy cancellations if needed.
Travel cost of 2 weeks in Madeira
And here is an approximate price breakdown of what we spent during our 2 weeks in Madeira and Porto Santo:
| Flights | 296€ (for 2 people) |
| Car rental | 355.32€ |
| Petrol | +/- 120€ |
| Accommodation | 821.82€ |
| Food + Drinks | +/- 450€ |
| Ferry to Porto Santo | 98.28€ return (for 2 people) |
| Total for 2 people | +/- 2141,42€ |
The currency used in Madeira is the Euro (€), as it is part of Portugal. Credit and debit cards are widely accepted, and ATMs are available throughout the island for cash withdrawals. It’s always a good idea to carry some cash, especially for smaller purchases or in more remote areas.
Conclusion
Personally, we felt that 2 weeks in Madeira was the ideal duration to experience the island’s highlights without feeling rushed. It gave us enough time to explore at a relaxed pace, have some flexibility in case of weather changes and truly soak in everything Madeira has to offer. However, even with less time, you’ll still have the chance to experience most of its highlights. So we’d say: don’t hesitate, go for it and book that trip 🙂 We’re happy to help with any questions, so feel free to post them in the comments below.
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