Things to do & see in Madeira
In September 2024, I went on a solo trip to Madeira for 10 days. It was my first time visiting, excited to explore the island and go on hikes. In this blog post you will find my itinerary for my trip, with things to do and see in Madeira, packing essentials, and what I would change if I went to Madeira again.
My travel itinerary in Madeira
Starting my journey in Funchal
I decided to rent a car and move around the island, staying at 4 different accommodations. I started with 2 nights in Funchal. I really enjoyed the city, it was easy to walk around, and I thought the cable car up to the Botanical Garden was really nice. I recommend going early in the morning to avoid huge crowds and queue to get in. For me personally, two nights in the city was enough, as my main wish was to explore the beautiful nature of the island.
This video is from the toboggan ride going back down from the Botanical Garden. Even though this touristy aspect costs a little, and goes by fast, I still actually enjoyed it, and I do not usually enjoy very touristic things travelling.
Driving halfway around the island
On day 3 I drove around half of the island to Porto Moniz. I made stops along the way in Ponta Do Sol and Ponta do Pargo. I loved Ponta do Sol, and if I went again I would stay here for some nights.
I really wanted to do the cable car down to Archadas da Cruz, but because of strong winds they could not operate it. I suggest you really check the forecast in advance. Also keep in mind that in Madeira, even though it is fully sunny in Funchal, you can drive for 10 minutes, and the weather can be completely different. Sometimes it does not even show on the forecast, so some changes in plans are almost doomed to happen on this island.
I also wanted to make a stop at Cascata dos Anjos, where a waterfall is going over the road. However, I read the day before that tourists had been injured because of rocks falling, and that this had happened several times. I would therefore recommend not to do this!
I stayed two nights in Porto Moniz, and really enjoyed the natural swimming pools. The weather was not great, but the water was actually still quite nice.
I drove up to Fanal forest in the morning. I went so I was there right before sunrise, to get the foggy feeling of the place.
My favorite place on the island
I then headed to Sao Vicente. I stopped in Ribeira da Janela, which is beautiful. I also had a beach day in Seixal, which I do think you have to experience. Sao Vicente ended up being my favorite place on the island. I can really recommend the hostel: Garden Guest House – Hostel. I stayed 3 nights here, it is budget friendly, and loved the small town and the beautiful nature.
I also drove into the valley Serra de Agua, which is very picturesque.
Hikes in Madeira
I went on three hikes in Madeira. Pico do Ariero is an absolute must. The view is amazing. Do not give up if it is foggy in the beginning, it all cleared up when the sun came up high the day I was there. PR9, into the levadas, was also stunning and quite flat so it is easier.
I ended my trip with 3 nights in Santana, where I was thinking of just relaxing and enjoying the sun. However, it was cold and rainy. This is where I would make the biggest change and have stayed in Ponta do Sol instead at the end. I went early one morning to do the hike PR 8 – the point of the East Coast, but I ended up going the opposite direction because of insane crowds. I can really recommend going towards Porto da Cruz instead, where you still get the views of PR8, but with much less people.
Tips:
- If you fully want to experience the island, you need to rent a car. I found it easier to drive there than I thought before going. Although the roads have many turns and are narrow in some places, people seemed to take it slow.
- You can choose just one accommodation, and drive from there. The island is quite small, with short distances.
- The island is getting popular, with many tourists visiting. If you are going to famous places or hikes, do start early in the morning to avoid huge crowds.
- The weather changes all over the island, so be ready to change your plans. The forecast was not really reliable.
- If you want a lot of sun, it is best to stay on the South side, around Ponta do Sol.
Packing essentials:
- Torch. Many of the hikes go through small, dark tunnels in the mountains.
- Wool or warm clothes if you are going up in the mountains. The weather changes in a second.
- The video is from Pico Do Ariero, to show how the weather changed in a heartbeat. I wore three layers, but was still freezing.
- Rain coat. If going up North, you probably will have a bit of rain.
My top places:
- Pico do Ariero
- Fanal Forest
- Sao Vicente
- Ponta do Sol for sunny weather
- Hike in one of the many levadas, I did PR9 and loved it.
- Seixal. The black beach is stunning, surrounded by mountains.
Madeira is an island that took my breath away, and I have to go back and do more hikes in the future. Would you like to go to Madeira?
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