Portugal · Trip plan
5 days in Madeira
Levada walks, sea cliffs and the best New Year fireworks in Europe.
- Best time
- Oct – Apr
- Ideal length
- 5 days
- A day, mid-range
- $170 per person
- Trip for two
- about $1,700
Planning a 5-day trip to Madeira? Here's a day-by-day Madeira itinerary with what it costs, where to stay and how to get there, ready to follow or make your own.
Why go now
Madeira stays mild all winter (18–22°C), and its New Year's Eve fireworks over Funchal bay are among the largest in the world.
Madeira is a subtropical Portuguese island in the Atlantic, with jagged green mountains, terraced villages and dramatic coastline. It's a hiker's paradise, with year-round flowers.
- Jan: a good time to go
- Feb: a good time to go
- Mar: a good time to go
- Apr: a good time to go
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct: a good time to go
- Nov: a good time to go
- Dec: a good time to go
Winter: 17–22°C on the coast, cool in the mountains.
Don't miss
Best things to do in Madeira
- 01
Levada walks
Hiking trails along old irrigation channels through laurel forest.
- 02
Pico do Arieiro
A sunrise above the clouds.
- 03
Funchal
The capital's old town, market and cable car.
- 04
Porto Moniz
Natural volcanic rock pools.
Day by day
Madeira itinerary for 5 days
- D1
Day 1: Funchal
- Morning
- Explore Funchal's old town and the Mercado dos Lavradores, full of exotic fruit and the day's catch of black scabbardfish.
- Afternoon
- Ride the cable car up to Monte, visit the tropical gardens, then come down the traditional way in a wicker toboggan steered by two men in straw hats.
- Evening
- Dinner in the Zona Velha, where every door on Rua de Santa Maria is painted by an artist.
Try a glass of poncha, the local rum, honey and lemon drink.
- D2
Day 2: Above the clouds
- Morning
- Drive up in the dark to Pico do Arieiro (1,818 m) for sunrise above a sea of clouds.
- Afternoon
- Hike part of the spectacular ridge trail towards Pico Ruivo, Madeira's highest peak, through tunnels and along knife-edge paths.
- Evening
- Rest, then a quiet dinner of espetada beef skewers.
Check trail status; parts close after storms.
- D3
Day 3: Levada walks
- Morning
- Walk the Levada das 25 Fontes, following an old irrigation channel through laurel forest to a pool fed by 25 springs.
- Afternoon
- Lunch in Rabaçal, then the short Risco waterfall walk.
- Evening
- Back to Funchal for a sunset drink on the seafront.
Bring a torch; some levada paths go through tunnels.
- D4
Day 4: The wild northwest
- Morning
- Drive to Porto Moniz to swim in natural volcanic rock pools filled by the Atlantic.
- Afternoon
- Stop at Seixal's black-sand beach and the Véu da Noiva waterfall viewpoint.
- Evening
- Wind back over the Paúl da Serra plateau to Funchal.
Swim in the pools only when the sea is calm.
- D5
Day 5: Home
- Morning
- Morning at the Monte Palace or Botanical Garden.
- Afternoon
- Lunch and pick up Madeira wine.
- Evening
- Fly home from Funchal's famous clifftop runway.
Window seats give great views on take-off.
Shorter or longer
Madeira in 4, 5 or 7 days
4 days in Madeira
Follow days 1 to 4 above and leave out “Home”. Start early each day and book the main sights ahead.
7 days in Madeira
Slow down with a free day for a spa, a cooking class or simply wandering, then add 1 day in The Algarve.
What it costs
Madeira trip budget
| Style | Per person, a day | 5 days for two |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | $80 | $800 |
| Mid-range | $170 | $1,700 |
| Luxury | $400+ | $4,000 |
Stay, food, local transport and entry fees; travel to Madeira is extra. Rough guides from recent prices, so check before you book.
Where to stay
Best hotels in Madeira for every budget
What to eat
Food to try in Madeira
Espetada
Beef skewers on bay laurel sticks.
Black scabbardfish with banana
A local signature.
Poncha
A rum, honey and lemon drink.
Getting there
How to reach Madeira
- Travel
- Funchal airport has flights from across Europe.
- Getting around
- Rent a car; the roads are steep but good.
- Rent a car for levada trailheads.
- Book NYE stays months ahead.
Before you go
What to pack for Madeira
- Power bank and charging cables
- Passport and visa printouts
- Clothes that cover shoulders and knees for temples
- A small first-aid kit
- A reusable water bottle
- A forex card or some local cash
- Travel insurance
Good questions
Madeira trip FAQs
How many days are enough for Madeira?
5 days are enough to see the highlights: Levada walks, Pico do Arieiro, Funchal. Add a day or two if you like a slower pace.
How much does a 5-day Madeira trip cost?
Roughly $80 a day per person on a budget, $170 mid-range and $400+ for luxury, not counting travel to get there. For two people mid-range, that's about $1,700 for 5 days.
What is the best time to visit Madeira?
Oct – Apr. Madeira stays mild all winter (18–22°C), and its New Year's Eve fireworks over Funchal bay are among the largest in the world.
Where should I stay in Madeira?
Budget: Guesthouses in Funchal old town (Zona Velha), from about $80 a night. Mid-range: Quinta da Casa Branca (Funchal), from about $220 a night. Luxury: Belmond Reid's Palace (Funchal), from about $500 a night.
How do I reach Madeira?
Funchal airport has flights from across Europe.
Is 4 days enough for Madeira?
Yes, if you focus: follow days 1 to 4 of the itinerary above and skip "Home". 5 days is the comfortable length.
What is the weather like in Madeira?
Winter: 17–22°C on the coast, cool in the mountains.
What food should I try in Madeira?
Espetada: Beef skewers on bay laurel sticks. Black scabbardfish with banana: A local signature. Poncha: A rum, honey and lemon drink.
How do I get around Madeira?
Rent a car; the roads are steep but good.
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