As locals who live on this island, deciding what to recommend for just three days in Madeira was genuinely difficult. Not because there isn’t enough to do — but because there’s far too much.
Madeira packs an absurd amount of variety into 740 square kilometres. Ancient forests that have been growing for over 600 years. Sea cliffs dropping 589 metres straight into the Atlantic. Volcanic pools carved by lava flows. Mountain peaks where you stand above clouds watching sunrise. And that’s before you factor in the culture, the food, the traditions, the hidden levada trails only locals know about.
So here’s what we’ve done: we’ve built a flexible, realistic 3-day itinerary that balances Madeira’s most iconic experiences with breathing room. You won’t rush through every viewpoint or stress about missing something. Instead, you’ll see the highlights, enjoy the moments, and leave wanting to come back — which, honestly, is exactly how it should be.
Quick summary: Day 1 explores Funchal’s culture, cable cars, gardens, and toboggan traditions. Day 2 takes you West (Europe’s highest sea cliff, 600-year-old forests, volcanic pools). Day 3 heads East (sunrise above clouds, traditional Santana houses, dramatic coastal hikes).
Best for: First-time visitors, couples, small groups, anyone wanting Madeira’s highlights without feeling rushed. Everything here is optional and adaptable — choose what excites you most.
Best for: First-time visitors, couples, small groups, anyone wanting Madeira’s highlights without feeling rushed. Everything here is optional and adaptable — choose what excites you most.
📍 Funchal Overview
Day 1: Funchal — Culture, Cable Cars & 150-Year-Old Traditions
Most visitors arrive in Funchal, spend a few hours near the cruise terminal, then rush off to the mountains. They miss the whole point. Funchal isn’t just Madeira’s capital — it’s where the island’s personality lives. Colourful street art covering entire buildings in the old town. Vendors at the market selling passion fruit sweeter than anything you’ve tasted before. Cable cars climbing impossibly steep hillsides to botanical gardens that feel like they’re floating above the Atlantic.
And then there’s the toboggan ride — a 150-year-old tradition where two drivers in straw hats literally steer you down steep cobblestone streets in a wicker basket. It sounds touristy (because it is), but it’s also genuinely thrilling and uniquely Madeiran. Just don’t plan this for a Sunday — they don’t run.
📍 Mercado dos Lavradores
📍 Old Town (Zona Velha)
Day 1
Funchal Full Day Itinerary
- 9:00 AM — Mercado dos Lavradores (Farmers Market) Start where locals shop — but with a caveat. This is a genuine farmers market that’s been here since 1940, with stalls overflowing with exotic fruits (passion fruit, monstera deliciosa, custard apples), fresh flowers, and catch-of-the-day fish. Here’s the insider tip: if you visit on a Friday, you’ll see far more local farmers selling their own produce at honest prices. The rest of the week, fewer vendors means higher prices aimed at tourists. If you see fruit stalls outside the market elsewhere in Funchal, always ask the price first — some vendors take advantage of tourists. But when you find the right stalls, the quality is incredible.
- 10:30 AM — Explore Funchal Old Town (Zona Velha) Wander narrow cobblestone streets lined with painted doors — each one a small piece of street art. The whole neighbourhood is an open-air gallery. Stop by Sé Cathedral (Funchal’s 16th-century cathedral with stunning carved wooden ceiling), browse local cafés, and soak in the relaxed Portuguese atmosphere. This area feels genuinely local, not manufactured for cruise ship crowds.
📍 Sé Cathedral
Planning where to eat in Funchal? We’ve curated the best local restaurants, traditional taverns, and hidden gems across the island — from authentic Madeiran cuisine to modern fusion spots. See all restaurant recommendations.
- 12:30 PM — Lunch in Old Town or by the Marina Plenty of casual spots serve traditional Madeiran dishes: espetada (beef skewers on a laurel stick), bolo do caco (garlic bread made in volcanic stone ovens), lapas (grilled limpets). Don’t overthink it — most places near the old town are solid. Check our Eat & Drink guide for curated local favorites.
- 1:30 PM — Parque de Santa Catarina (Optional) If you have time before the cable car, stroll through this peaceful park overlooking the harbour. Palm trees, ocean views, locals playing chess, kids feeding swans. It’s a nice breather before the afternoon adventure.
📍 Parque Santa Catarina
- 2:30 PM — Funchal Cable Car to Monte This is where the day gets spectacular. The cable car climbs 560 metres in 15 minutes, offering sweeping views over Funchal, the harbour, and the Atlantic coastline. As you rise, the city shrinks below and the mountains open up ahead. It’s worth every euro.
🚡 Funchal → Monte Cable Car Prices
Tickets valid 30 days after purchase (buy online for “Web” discount)
One-way:
- Adult: €14.50
- Child (7–14 years): €7.25
- Children up to 6 years: Free
Return:
- Adult: €20.00
- Child (7–14 years): €10.00
- Children up to 6 years: Free
📍 Cable Car to Monte
- 3:00 PM — Monte Palace Tropical Garden One of Madeira’s most beautiful gardens — and that’s saying something on an island covered in flowers. Oriental-inspired design, exotic plants from around the world, serene pathways, koi ponds, azulejo tile panels telling Portuguese history. Give yourself at least an hour here. It’s peaceful, beautiful, and far less crowded than you’d expect. Note: Last entry is recommended around 17:00 as the garden closes at 18:00.
🌿 Monte Palace Tropical Garden
Opening hours: 09:00 – 18:00 (last entry recommended 17:00)
Prices:
- Adult: €15.00
- Children up to 14 years: Free
📍 Monte Palace Gardens
💡 Local tip: After Monte Palace, walk 5 minutes uphill to the Church of Our Lady of Monte — stunning baroque church where Emperor Karl I of Austria is buried. The views from the church square are some of the best in Funchal.
- 4:30 PM — Toboggan Ride Down to Livramento Here’s the moment everyone talks about. The famous Monte toboggan ride is a 150-year-old tradition that sounds absurd on paper: two drivers (“carreiros”) in white uniforms and straw hats push and steer a wicker toboggan down 2km of steep, winding streets while you sit inside holding on. It’s part roller coaster, part cultural experience, part controlled chaos. Thrilling, photogenic, and genuinely fun. Important: Toboggans don’t run on Sundays or 25th December, and the last descent is usually around 17:15–17:30, so plan your timing accordingly.
🛷 Toboggan — Carreiros do Monte
Opening hours: 09:00 – 18:00 (Monday–Saturday) | Closed Sundays & 25 Dec
Last descent: Around 17:15–17:30
Prices per toboggan:
- 1 person: €27.50
- 2 people: €35.00
- 3 people: €52.50
Note: Tickets purchased on-site only, no advance booking.
📍 Toboggan Ride
🎬 Did you know? The Monte toboggan tradition dates back to 1850 when locals used these wicker sleds as actual transportation to get down the mountain quickly. Today they’re a tourist experience — but still steered by trained carreiros using their rubber-soled boots as brakes. It’s terrifying and exhilarating in equal measure.
Afternoon Alternatives (All Close Around 17:00–18:00)
Since most attractions close by 17:00–18:00, here are flexible afternoon options you can mix based on your interests and timing:
📍 Botanical Garden
⚠️ Timing reminder: Buying cable car tickets online can save time and queues. Toboggan tickets are on-site only. Both Monte Palace and cable cars can have queues during peak hours (11:00–15:00), so starting early gives you more flexibility.
Planning your evenings? Check our Eat & Drink guide for dinner recommendations in Funchal’s Old Town, Marina, and Lido areas — from traditional taverns to ocean-view fine dining.
“Day 1 taught us something important: Madeira isn’t just about mountains and levadas. The culture, the traditions, the way locals still use these cable cars daily — it all adds depth to the island that you miss if you rush straight to the viewpoints.”
Day 2: West Madeira — 589 Metres Above the Atlantic & 600-Year-Old Forests
If Day 1 was about culture, Day 2 is about raw natural drama. The West is where Madeira stops being polite and starts showing off. You’ll stand on Europe’s highest sea cliff (589 metres straight down to crashing waves), drive through ancient laurel forests that have been growing for over 600 years, swim in volcanic rock pools carved by the Atlantic, and watch waterfalls cascade down vertical coastal cliffs.
It’s visually overwhelming in the best way possible. And whether you rent a car or join a guided tour, the West delivers moments that stay with you long after you leave Madeira.
📍 Câmara de Lobos
Day 2
West Madeira Highlights (Flexible Route)
Note: This is a suggested route with multiple options. Not everyone will see everything — some travellers prioritise swimming and relaxing at Porto Moniz, others prefer hiking 25 Fontes. Choose what excites you most and don’t stress about ticking every box.
- Morning: Câmara de Lobos — Traditional Fishing Village Your first stop west of Funchal is this colourful fishing village where Winston Churchill once painted the harbour (there’s a plaque marking the spot). Brightly painted boats bob in the tiny harbour, locals still fish using traditional methods, and the whole place feels authentically Portuguese. Stop for a poncha (local sugarcane rum cocktail) at one of the harbour-side bars if you want the full experience.
- Cabo Girão — Europe’s Highest Sea Cliff (589m) Then you reach Cabo Girão. Most sources say “580 metres” but it’s actually 589 metres — Europe’s highest sea cliff. The glass skywalk platform juts out over the edge, and looking straight down through the glass to where waves crash against volcanic rock hundreds of metres below is genuinely vertigo-inducing. On clear days, you can see terraced vineyards clinging to impossible slopes below the cliff, still farmed by locals who access them via cable car. It’s dramatic, beautiful, and slightly terrifying — everything a viewpoint should be.
📍 Cabo Girão (589m)
🏔️ Record Breaker: At 589 metres, Cabo Girão is the highest sea cliff in Europe and second-highest in the world. The glass platform was added in 2012, and yes, it’s perfectly safe — even if your brain is screaming otherwise when you step onto it.
- Ribeira Brava Viewpoint Quick stop for panoramic views over the valley and coastal town of Ribeira Brava. Beautiful spot for photos, especially mid-morning when the light hits the mountains.
- Serra de Água — Optional Poncha Stop If you fancy a traditional poncha break, Serra de Água is a small mountain village with a few local bars. It’s where locals stop for a quick drink and chat — authentic, unhurried, and genuinely charming. Completely optional, but a nice cultural pause if you’re not rushing.
- São Vicente — Lunch Option Head towards São Vicente, a coastal town where you can stop for lunch. Several restaurants serve fresh fish, traditional espetada, and local dishes. If you skip lunch here, you can eat later in Seixal or Porto Moniz. Check our Eat & Drink guide for specific recommendations in each area.
- Véu da Noiva Waterfall — “Bride’s Veil” A waterfall cascading down coastal cliffs directly into the ocean. “Véu da Noiva” means “Bride’s Veil” in Portuguese, named for how the water sprays and flows like delicate fabric. There’s a pull-off viewpoint — easy to miss if you’re not paying attention, but worth the 2-minute stop.
📍 Véu da Noiva
- Seixal Beach — Award-Winning Black Sand A quick stop but a stunning one. Seixal is a tiny black sand beach framed by dramatic cliffs and crashing Atlantic waves. In 2022, it was voted the 3rd Best Beach in Europe — not bad for a volcanic shore on a mountainous island. The sand gets scorching hot in summer, but the views and the contrast of black sand against green cliffs and blue water make it worth the stop. You can also grab lunch here if you haven’t eaten yet.
📍 Seixal Beach
🏆 Award Winner: Seixal Beach was voted 3rd Best Beach in Europe in 2022 by European Best Destinations — beating out famous Mediterranean beaches. Locals weren’t surprised. They’ve known it’s special for decades.
- Porto Moniz — Volcanic Swimming Pools By now, you’ve earned a swim. Porto Moniz is famous across Portugal for its natural volcanic pools — rock formations carved by lava flows and filled by Atlantic waves. The water is crystal-clear, refreshingly cool, and the setting (swimming in natural pools with waves crashing just metres away) is unforgettable. There are facilities, lifeguards, and a small entry fee (around €3). Bring a swimsuit — you’ll regret it if you don’t. If you haven’t had lunch yet, Porto Moniz has several restaurants with ocean views.
📍 Porto Moniz Pools
- Fanal Forest — 600-Year-Old Laurel Trees After Porto Moniz, the landscape completely changes. You climb into the mountains and suddenly you’re in Fanal — one of the most surreal, otherworldly places on the island. Ancient laurel trees, some over 600 years old, twist into impossible shapes. On foggy days (which is often), mist wraps around the gnarled trunks and the whole forest feels like something out of a fairy tale. This is part of the Laurisilva forest, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1999 — one of the largest surviving laurel forests in the world. It’s hauntingly beautiful and one of Madeira’s most photographed locations for good reason.
📍 Fanal Forest
🌳 Ancient Survivors: Fanal’s laurel trees are over 600 years old and part of a UNESCO-protected forest that once covered all of southern Europe — but now only survives in Madeira and a few other Atlantic islands. Walking here feels like stepping back in time.
- Ponta do Sol — Sunset Option On your way back towards Funchal, consider stopping at Ponta do Sol for sunset. This west-facing coastal village offers beautiful golden-hour light over the Atlantic. There are a few cafés and bars where you can watch the sun dip into the ocean — a peaceful way to end the day.
🥾 Optional: Levada das 25 Fontes
If you love waterfalls and don’t mind a longer walk, you can add this 10km (round trip) levada hike to your West day — but it means skipping some other stops. 25 streams pour down a mossy cliff into a turquoise lagoon — one of Madeira’s most beautiful spots. Moderate difficulty, allow 3-4 hours. Realistically, you can’t do everything in one day — so if you choose this hike, you might skip Fanal or Ponta do Sol. Ask your tour guide or plan your own route based on priorities.
If you love waterfalls and don’t mind a longer walk, you can add this 10km (round trip) levada hike to your West day — but it means skipping some other stops. 25 streams pour down a mossy cliff into a turquoise lagoon — one of Madeira’s most beautiful spots. Moderate difficulty, allow 3-4 hours. Realistically, you can’t do everything in one day — so if you choose this hike, you might skip Fanal or Ponta do Sol. Ask your tour guide or plan your own route based on priorities.
📍 25 Fontes (Optional Hike)
Most travellers find the West easier to enjoy with a guide — they know when Fanal has the best fog conditions, can adjust routes if weather shifts, and take you to hidden viewpoints you’d drive right past. West tours from €40/person (shared) or book a private tour for full flexibility.
Need viewpoints, trails, or lunch spots along your West route? Our interactive map shows everything GPS-tagged with photos and local tips. For restaurants specifically, check our Eat & Drink guide.
“The West taught us that Madeira isn’t just one landscape — it’s a dozen ecosystems compressed into a single day drive. Sea cliffs, ancient forests, volcanic pools, waterfalls, black sand beaches. How does one island pack this much variety into 50 kilometres?”
Day 3: East Madeira — Sunrise Above Clouds & Where Star Wars Was Filmed
If the West was about variety, the East is about altitude and drama. This is where Madeira reaches for the sky — literally. You’ll drive to Pico do Arieiro (1,818m), Madeira’s third-highest peak, for sunrise above a sea of clouds. You’ll hike volcanic peninsulas where Star Wars filmed otherworldly landscapes. You’ll see traditional triangular houses that look like they belong in a fairytale.
The East is visually powerful, emotionally intense, and delivers some of the island’s most iconic moments. Just check the weather — these mountain peaks are moody, and clear skies make all the difference.
📍 Pico do Arieiro
Day 3
East Madeira Highlights (Flexible Route)
Note: Like the West, this is a flexible itinerary. Some travellers prioritise sunrise and mountain viewpoints, others prefer coastal hikes. We’re giving you all the options — pick what excites you most.
- Early Morning: Pico do Arieiro (1,818m) — Sunrise Above the Clouds If you’re willing to wake up early (around 5:30 AM depending on season), Pico do Arieiro at sunrise is one of the most spectacular experiences on the island. You drive up winding mountain roads in darkness, then watch the sun rise over a sea of clouds stretching to the horizon. The peaks of neighbouring mountains poke through like islands. The light shifts from pink to gold to blazing orange. It’s cold, it’s windy, and it’s absolutely worth it. Pro tip: If you arrive early enough, you can see sunrise from Ninho da Manta viewpoint (slightly higher up the road). Even if you skip sunrise, Pico do Arieiro on a clear day offers some of the best views in Madeira — you can see Porto Santo island 40km away on exceptional days.
🌅 Sunrise Spot: Locals and photographers agree — Pico do Arieiro offers one of the best sunrises (and sunsets) on the island. The peaks above the clouds create an otherworldly landscape that doesn’t look real even when you’re standing in it.
Want to catch sunrise without driving yourself in the dark? Book a private tour with custom timing. Guides know exactly when to leave based on current sunrise times and weather conditions. Private East tours from €280 (total, not per person).
- Ribeiro Frio & Balcões Viewpoint (30-Minute Walk) After descending from the peaks, stop at Ribeiro Frio — a trout farm village surrounded by laurel forest. Here you can grab breakfast at a local café. From Ribeiro Frio, a short 30-minute walk (1.5km) leads to Balcões (“Balconies”) viewpoint. The trail follows a levada through ancient trees, and the viewpoint itself offers panoramic views over the valley toward the central peaks. It’s an easy, accessible taste of Madeira’s levada walks without committing to a full-day hike.
📍 Balcões Viewpoint
- Miradouro do Guindaste Stunning viewpoint over the northeast coast with dramatic mountain-meets-ocean views. Quick stop, incredible photos.
- Santana — Traditional Triangular Houses Madeira’s most photographed houses are in Santana — triangular thatched-roof houses painted in bright colours (red, blue, white). These “casas típicas” were traditional homes for local families, designed with steep roofs to handle heavy mountain rainfall. Today, most are preserved for tourism (there’s even a theme park showcasing traditional Madeiran life), but they’re iconic, photogenic, and part of the island’s cultural identity. Quick stop, lots of photos, then you can grab lunch in Santana if you haven’t eaten yet. Check our Eat & Drink map for restaurant recommendations.
📍 Santana Houses
- Queimadas Forest Park (Optional) If you still have time and energy, stop at Queimadas — a beautiful forest park with traditional thatched houses and the starting point for the Caldeirão Verde levada walk. You can explore the park area without doing the full hike, or if you’re up for it, tackle the 13km (round trip) trail to Caldeirão Verde waterfall. Realistically, this only works if you skip some earlier stops — the full hike takes 3-4 hours and is moderate difficulty.
🥾 Optional: Caldeirão Verde Levada Hike
13km round trip through laurel forest to a stunning 100m waterfall cascading into an emerald lagoon. Moderate difficulty, starts near Santana. If you want to do this hike, you’ll need to skip some viewpoints or Ponta de São Lourenço to have enough time. Choose based on your priorities — some travellers prefer waterfalls, others prefer coastal drama.
13km round trip through laurel forest to a stunning 100m waterfall cascading into an emerald lagoon. Moderate difficulty, starts near Santana. If you want to do this hike, you’ll need to skip some viewpoints or Ponta de São Lourenço to have enough time. Choose based on your priorities — some travellers prefer waterfalls, others prefer coastal drama.
- Porto da Cruz — Coastal Village & Rum Distillery Down on the coast, Porto da Cruz is a working village with a black sand beach, dramatic coastal cliffs, and the Engenho do Norte — one of Madeira’s last working sugarcane rum distilleries. If you visit during harvest season (April-May), you can watch the old machinery press fresh sugarcane. The village has an authentic, unhurried feel — locals still fish, kids play on the beach, and tourists are welcome but not the main event.
📍 Porto da Cruz
- Ponta de São Lourenço — Madeira’s Wild Eastern Tip Save energy for the finale: Ponta de São Lourenço, Madeira’s easternmost peninsula. This is where the island ends — and it looks nothing like the rest of Madeira. Instead of green forests, you get arid, volcanic, Mars-like landscapes. Sharp ridgelines drop into turquoise bays. The PR8 hiking trail (7km round trip, 2-3 hours) follows the ridgeline with jaw-dropping views on both sides. It’s windy, exposed, and absolutely stunning. Fun fact: Star Wars filmed scenes here for the otherworldly, alien landscapes. When you’re standing on those ridges with wind whipping around you, you’ll understand why.
📍 Ponta de São Lourenço
🎬 Star Wars Connection: Ponta de São Lourenço’s alien landscapes caught the eye of Star Wars location scouts, and scenes were filmed here for the franchise. Walking the ridgeline, you can see why — it genuinely feels like another planet.
- Sunset Option: Cristo Rei & Miradouro das Neves If you’ve timed your day well, you can catch sunset at Cristo Rei viewpoint or Miradouro das Neves on your way back towards Funchal. Both offer beautiful golden-hour light over the mountains and coast — a peaceful way to end your East day.
⚠️ Important reality check: We’ve listed a LOT of options here because some travellers are very active and want to see as much as possible, while others prefer to relax at a few key spots. You will NOT see everything in one day unless you literally skip most stops. Choose your priorities: sunrise + coastal hike? Or sleep in + waterfall levada? Both are amazing — just different experiences.
Not sure about weather at the peaks? Our live webcam page shows real-time views from Pico do Arieiro, Ponta de São Lourenço, and other key spots — all
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