How Many Days Do You Need to See Madeira? 3, 5 and 7-Day Itineraries
To see the essentials of Madeira you need at least 5 days. With 3 days you can cover Funchal and a couple of must-see viewpoints, but you'll miss the north of the island. With 5 days you already have a complete experience. With 7 days you can explore Madeira without rushing, including levada routes, interior villages and volcanic beaches. In every case, a rental car multiplies what you can see each day.
Madeira in 3 days: the essential minimum
Three days in Madeira forces you to choose. Funchal and its immediate surroundings are the smartest bet: they concentrate the island's most photographed icons and almost all can be done by car from the capital in under 40 minutes.
Day 1 — Funchal and Monte
Start with Mercado dos Lavradores in central Funchal (free entry, open until 2pm). From there take the cable car up to the Monte district (~€15 return) to see the Nossa Senhora do Monte church and come down in the famous wicker toboggans. In the afternoon, a walk around the Old Town and dinner with harbour views.
Day 2 — Cabo Girão and the southwest
Early morning to Cabo Girão, Europe's highest cliff at 580 metres above the Atlantic. The glass skywalk over the void is one of Madeira's most striking experiences. On the way back, stop at Câmara de Lobos, the fishing village Churchill painted in the 1950s.
Distances: Funchal → Cabo Girão: 20 km, about 25 min via the ER229. Cabo Girão → Câmara de Lobos: 10 km, 15 min.
Day 3 — Pico do Arieiro and Curral das Freiras
Get up early to climb Pico do Arieiro (1,818m) before clouds close in on the peaks. If you go up before 8am, you have a good chance of seeing the sea of clouds below your feet. In the afternoon, descend to Curral das Freiras, the valley hidden between mountains.
Distances: Funchal → Pico do Arieiro: 30 km, about 40 min via the ER103.
What you'll miss with 3 days: the north of the island (Porto Moniz, São Vicente, Santana), the classic levadas and the eastern tip. Madeira will leave you wanting to come back.
Madeira in 5 days: the complete experience
Five days in Madeira is the ideal balance. You can cross the island from south to north, do at least one levada, see both ends and allow for a spontaneous stop.
Day 1 — Funchal in depth
Dedicate the first day to Funchal without rushing. Mercado dos Lavradores, botanical garden, the Palácio de São Lourenço gardens and the Sé Cathedral. In the afternoon, the Monte cable car and wicker toboggans. Dinner in the Old Town.
Day 2 — South coast and Cabo Girão
Route through the southwest: Câmara de Lobos, Cabo Girão, Ribeira Brava. Stop in Ponta do Sol, Madeira's sunniest village.
Total distances for the day: about 65 km.
Day 3 — Crossing to the north: São Vicente and Porto Moniz
The most spectacular driving day. Go up through the São Vicente tunnel or the north coast road. Porto Moniz and its volcanic natural pools deserve at least two hours. Lunch in Porto Moniz. Return via São Vicente.
Distances: Funchal → Porto Moniz: 80 km, about 1h20.
Day 4 — Levada and Santana
Morning levada: the Levada do Caldeirão Verde (starting from Queimadas, 13 km round trip, about 4 hours) crosses laurisilva forest. In the afternoon, Santana to see the coloured triangular houses. Head down east towards Machico.
Day 5 — Pico do Arieiro, Pico Ruivo and Curral das Freiras
Get up early for Pico do Arieiro. The PR1 trail connects Pico do Arieiro with Pico Ruivo (1,862m, Madeira's highest peak) in about 3 hours one way. In the afternoon, Curral das Freiras to close the trip with one of the island's most dramatic views.
Madeira in 7 days: no rush, missing nothing
With a week you can explore it all: long levadas, the eastern tip, the Ponta de São Lourenço cliffs and, if time allows, a day in Porto Santo.
Day 1 — Funchal and Monte
No change from the 5-day itinerary.
Day 2 — Full southwest coast
Câmara de Lobos, Cabo Girão, Ribeira Brava, Ponta do Sol. Add a stop at Arco da Calheta to see the golden sand beach. Dinner in Calheta.
Day 3 — North: São Vicente, Porto Moniz, Paul do Mar
Same north route but with time to go down to Paul do Mar, an almost vertical fishing village over the Atlantic.
Full loop Funchal → Porto Moniz → Paul do Mar → Funchal: about 170 km.
Day 4 — Levada do Caldeirão Verde and Santana
Full morning levada. Queimadas → Caldeirão Verde: 6.4 km one way (about 2 hours) through pure laurisilva forest, tunnels and waterfalls. Afternoon in Santana. Dinner in Faial.
Day 5 — Eastern tip: Machico and Ponta de São Lourenço
Ponta de São Lourenço is a nature reserve with an 8 km trail between the Atlantic and an almost lunar landscape. Stop in Machico, Madeira's second city.
Distances: Funchal → Machico: 27 km, 25 min. Machico → Ponta de São Lourenço: 12 km, 15 min.
Day 6 — Pico do Arieiro, Pico Ruivo and Curral das Freiras
The full mountain day. Pico do Arieiro at sunrise, PR1 trail to Pico Ruivo, drive down. In the afternoon, Curral das Freiras and Eira do Serrado.
Day 7 — Free day, your choice
- ✓Option A: Monte Palace gardens and Risco garden
- ✓Option B: Wine tourism route and a Madeira wine lodge visit
- ✓Option C: Ferry to Porto Santo (8am-6pm) to spend the day on the 9 km golden beach
What factors determine how many days you need
Your travel pace. Madeira's mountain roads invite constant stops. With 3 intense days you can see the same as with 5 relaxed days.
Your interests. If you're coming for levada hiking, 5-7 days is the minimum for the most interesting routes. If your priority is Funchal and cultural tourism, 3-4 days is enough.
The weather. The peaks can be closed by fog or rain for several days in winter. Having an extra day as a buffer is a good idea.
If travelling with children or older relatives. The south of the island is more comfortable with reduced mobility. Allow more time for shorter distances.
Why the car makes all the difference in every itinerary
With a rental car you can reach viewpoints before organised groups, adapt the itinerary to the time of day, and make 30-40 minute journeys instead of 2-hour bus rides.
| Destination from Funchal | Distance | Approx. time |
|---|---|---|
| Cabo Girão | 20 km | 25 min |
| Porto Moniz | 80 km | 1h20 |
| Pico do Arieiro | 30 km | 40 min |
| Santana | 45 km | 50 min |
| Ponta de São Lourenço | 39 km | 40 min |
| Curral das Freiras | 16 km | 30 min |
| Paul do Mar | 60 km | 1h05 |
Book your car at Funchal Car Hire before you arrive. High-season availability sells out weeks ahead.
Frequently asked questions about how many days to spend in Madeira
Is 3 days enough in Madeira?
With 3 days you can see Funchal, Cabo Girão and Pico do Arieiro. But you won't reach the north, won't do the long levadas and will miss the eastern tip. Most people who go for 3 days come back for more.
How many days do you recommend for a first trip to Madeira?
Five days. It's the minimum to cross the island from south to north, do a levada and see Funchal without rushing. With 7 days you have margin for the unexpected and the trip flows much better.
Can you see Madeira in a week without a car?
Technically yes, but you'd miss half the island. To reach Porto Moniz, Pico do Arieiro or Ponta de São Lourenço from Funchal by public transport, you'd need to get up early, change buses and fit schedules that don't match the best light hours.
What's the best time to go to Madeira?
Madeira has mild weather year-round. Spring (April-May) is hikers' favourite: pleasant temperatures, flowers in bloom and fewer tourists than summer. Autumn is excellent. Winter is ideal for the New Year's Eve Festival.
Is it worth visiting Porto Santo on the same trip?
Yes, if you have 6 or 7 days. The ferry from Funchal leaves at 8am and returns at 6pm (2h15 crossing). Porto Santo has 9 km of golden sand beach, something very scarce in Madeira.