Madeira | Discovering Madeira

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8-day Self-drive tour. Experience a Portuguese island with a unique identity, rich food and drink heritage, stunning landscapes with dense verdant forests, volcanic mountains, and flower gardens with exuberant colours. This 8-day Self-drive showcases the best of Madeira and its entertaining and fun things to do in this piece of heaven.

Day 1: Funchal

Upon arrival into Madeira airport, clear customs and pick-up your rental car. A short drive will take you to your first hotel in Funchal, Castanheiro boutique Hotel where you will have a 2 night stay.  This Hotel is located in the heart of the historic Sao Pedro area.  Check into your hotel and the remainder of the day is free to relax and explore.
Madeira Airport - Castanheiro Hotel, Funchal: approximately 18 km

Day 2: Funchal

Start the next morning exploring the city with a choice of museums and churches, the local market “Mercado dos Lavradores”, gardens and a character old town. You should not lose the chance to take the cable car up to the beautiful little village of Monte from where you can toboggan (in a wicker basket!) most of the way back down to Funchal.  During your stay, we recommend a visit the Nun’s valley village surrounded by extinct volcanoes and high mountains. Back in the 16th century nuns fled their convent in Funchal when it came under attack from pirates. The village is very isolated and the fertile soil allowed locals mainly live of what they grow. The local chestnuts are delicious and are used in everyday cooking. (B)

Day 3 & 4: Ponta Do Sol

Drive along the west coast to Ponta do Sol, the main centre for banana production on the island.  Do not lose the opportunity to visit:  Câmara de Lobos, an attractive fishing village whose most famous visitor was Winston Churchill - he liked to go there and do some painting. Cabo Girão, the second highest sea cliff in the world and offers fantastic views along the south coast and to the sea a dizzying 580m below you.  Ribeira Brava Ribeira Brava Ribeira Brava (‘wild river’), a pleasant place to spend some time. You may wish to visit one of Madeira’s finest museums the Ethnographic Museum.  Calheta, the former sugar cane cultivation centre. Also, there is a small artificial and protected sandy beach (sand imported from the Canaries). (B)

Day 5: Ponto Do Sol | Arco De Sao Jorge

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel and leave on your journey from Ponta do Sol to the village of Arco de São Jorge, surrounded by mountains and vineyards and well known by having one of the most famous rose gardens in Europe and one of the largest in the world.  On your way, we suggest following attractive sites on the west side of the Island: Village Jardim do Mar (can only be visited on foot). Take a stroll around the village and down to the promenade (sea defences) – it is a charming place. You might like to visit a mini zoo and herb garden in the village of Prazeres which has a well-maintained mini zoo with llamas, Vietnamese pigs and more. Here you will also find flowers, fruits, an herb garden and tea house.  Ponta do Pargo - if you go down to the lighthouse (Farol) you will be at the westernmost point of the island. Then continue northwest side of the Island to Porto Moniz, well known for its natural sea pools formed in volcanic rock. You could perhaps take a swim here! São Vicente's old town is worth seeing with its cobbled streets and beautiful church it is another of Madeira’s prettiest villages. (B)

Day 6 & 7: Ponta do Sol | Santa Cruz

Depart from Arco de São Jorge and continue your journey along Madeira’s northeast coast, a region rich in natural beauty and tradition. Stop in Santana, considered one of the most picturesque villages on the island. Its stunning setting and unique triangular thatched houses, known locally as “As Palheiros” (haylofts), make it truly special and unmistakably Madeiran.  From Santana, take the scenic road through Ribeiro Frio (“Cold River”) and Poiso, once a traditional resting place for travellers, where you can enjoy breathtaking views across both coastlines. Then, ascend above the clouds to Pico do Arieiro (1,810 m), the second-highest peak on the island, offering panoramic vistas that are simply unforgettable.  Spend two nights at the Hotel Vila Galé Santa Cruz, the perfect base to explore the east coast of Madeira. Visit Camacha, known as the wicker-work village, famous for its craftsmanship and the modern-style church O Relógio (“The Clock”). Next door, the Clock Café showcases a fascinating exhibition of wicker-work creations — from small baskets to full-sized furniture — the only place on the island where this cottage industry is still practiced.  Continue to the pretty fishing village of Caniçal, once Madeira’s most renowned whaling center until the practice was banned in 1981. Today, you can learn about this history at the Whaling Museum (Museu da Baleia) and enjoy excellent seafood in local restaurants.  On your way back to the hotel, stop in Machico, the first capital of Madeira and now the island’s second-largest city, known for its rich maritime heritage and boatbuilding traditions. (B)

Day 8: Santa Cruz | Funchal

Unfortunately, today marks the end of your Discover Madeira Self-drive vacation. Enjoy breakfast at the hotel and drive back to Funchal airport to return your rental car and begin your journey back home. Or ask about extending your Portugal vacation with additional nights in Madeira or other destinations. (B)