How Many Days in Madeira? A Complete Madeira Itinerary Guide

If you’ve heard anything about Portugal, I’m sure you’ve heard about the beautiful island of Madeira! This island paradise has so much to offer, and if you ask me, is essential to add to any itinerary for Portugal. That begs the question: “How many days in Madeira?”

Don’t worry, I was wondering the same thing when I was solo traveling Portugal. I wish I had a guide on how to choose the right amount of time for all of the destinations I wanted to visit! That’s what I’m here to do for you!

Many things can dictate the length of your stay here, such as the time of year you visit, your budget, and what you are looking to get out of your trip.

So let’s start with the TL;DR of the post, and then go through the logistical considerations and sample itineraries to show you what you could do with your time while there.

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My Recommendation for Your Madeira Itinerary (An Overview)

To you my recommendation up front, I think you should try to spend at least 6 days in Madeira, but the more the better (as much as your budget and time constraints allow!)

The first time I visited Madeira, I did a shorter trip, and I really felt like there was so much more for me to see. On the second trip, I spent about a week in Madeira, and felt much more relaxed.

Thankfully, there are many many tours leaving from Funchal that make it so even if you have a shorter time there, you can see a lot in a single day. But, Madeira is just so naturally beautiful that are not going to want to rush from place to place.

Definitely spend no fewer than 3 days in Madeira, though. With the flight there and there being so much to see, any less than 3 days will really feel like you’re missing out.

I think the sweet spot is anywhere from 7-14 days in Madeira, as this will allow you to see plenty of the island while building in downtime!

But let’s get into the details on just how many days in Madeira is best for YOU, starting first with the logistical considerations.

Logistical Considerations: Itinerary for Madeira

Getting to Madeira

Because you will have to fly to Madeira, the time it takes to get to Madeira is an important consideration in how many days in Madeira you should plan for. The trip will be book-ended by travel days, so be sure to build those days into your itinerary, with a realistic expectation for what you can do on the travel days.

Things to consider:

• The flight from Lisbon to Madeira typically takes around 1.5 to 2 hours. This is the most direct flight you could take from mainland Europe.
• There are many flights leaving each day, allowing you to easily incorporate the flight into your total Portugal itinerary depending on when you hope to arrive and depart.
• Several airlines operate flights to Madeira from Portugal, with the cheapest options being TAP Air Portugal, easyJet, and Ryanair. 

Getting Around Madeira for Your Itinerary

Another thing to consider before planning your Madeira itinerary is to decide what mode of transportation you will use.

Here are my recommendations for transportation based on your travel-style:

• If you are traveling solo– I recommend booking tours and using public transportation. A rental car can cost anywhere from $60-100 per day, and with so many tours leaving from Funchal, you will save time, money, and hassle by utilizing the tours instead of renting a car
• If you are traveling as a couple- this situation can go either way, and will really depend on your travel style, comfort with driving, and where you plan to stay. For a shorter itinerary, consider just utilizing the tours that leave for Funchal to see the rest of the island. If you plan to visit more remote parts of the island, or want complete control over your itinerary, get a rental car.
• If you are traveling in a large group– I recommend getting a rental car if you are traveling in a group, as this will be the most cost efficient way to travel. But, you can still utilize the tours if this is your preferred travel style, just be sure to book them well in advance to ensure there are enough spots for your entire group.

Here are my recommendations for transportation based on your itinerary:

• For a 3-5 day itinerary- if you only want to explore the main attractions, your best option is to use public transport or join a tour.  You can also use taxis such as Bolt. Just be sure to consider taxis in the overall budget cost, because they can add up.
• For a 1–2-week itinerary- if you have more time, or want to explore hard to reach areas, the best way to explore the island is by renting a car. Madeira has a well-maintained road network, and driving allows you to have more flexibility and autonomy over your schedule.

Your Budget for Madeira

This will really depend on your travel style, how many tours/DIY plans you do, cost of accommodation, and if you will be renting a car.

My general rule of thumb though for a budget for Madeira is:

• Low budget- $50-70 per day (staying in hostels, few tours, eating at cheap, local eateries)
• Mid-range budget- $80-130 per day (mid-budget accommodations, some tours, mostly eating cheap)
• Higher budget- $140-250 per day (solo travel or luxury accommodations, utilizing tours more frequently)

Accommodations are often the most expensive part of the trip, so take a look at the hotels in Madeira before planning out everything, as this can dictate how many days in Madeira you can spend. I stayed at Quinta Jardins do Lago, a gorgeous boutique hotel in Funchal, and it was affordable, luxurious, and very central!

Food is quite affordable in Madeira, and you can find many good group tours are a lower cost, so these might not make as large of an impact on your budget.

How Many Days in Madeira Do You Need?

To answer this question, I will provide you with three different options for a Madeira itinerary, to allow you to decide which of these will best fit your time constraints.

What to do with 3-5 days in Madeira

Spending 3-5 days in Madeira is perfect if you are trying to squeeze in a brief visit to Madeira as part of your already-packed itinerary in Portugal.

The first time I visited this island, I spent 4 days in Madeira and that was the perfect amount of time for me to see the highlights! I had enough time to explore the island and tick off all my bucket-list activities, but I will admit it was a jam-packed few days.

For those looking to make a quick trip, I will provide tips on how to explore the highlights of Madeira in just three days.

Overview

• Day 1: Funchal Historical Center
• Day 2: Day trip from Funchal
• Day 3: Cable car and Monte
• Day 4: Day trip from Funchal
• Day 5: Beaches and views

Brief 3-5 Day Madeira Itinerary

For such a short stay on Madeira, it would be advisable to stay in Funchal, the islands capital, as there are the most options for public transportation from Funchal, typically day trips leave from Funchal, and you will can conveniently explore Funchal for one of the days.

Day 1: Explore the city of Funchal

With its prime location just a short 25-minute drive from the airport, Funchal is the perfect starting point for your Madeira holiday!

The top things to do in Funchal include:

• Spend time walking around Mercado dos Lavradores farmers market
• Explore São Tiago Fort (yellow fort)
• Enjoy the vibrant street art on Rua de Santa Maria created by talented local artists
• Take a food and wine tour guided by a local

Day 2: Day trip from Funchal

Now comes the tricky part: deciding which day trip to do from Funchal! With so many diverse regions to explore and things to do, this will be a tough decision to make. But, I can help you decide which is best for you based on your priorities for exploring Madeira.

• If you love wine: take a day trip to explore Madeira’s wineries!
• If you love history and culture: take a day trip to east Madeira to explore the quaint town of Santana
• If you love nature: take a day trip to hike Pico do Arieiro, the highest point in Madeira with stunning views. Or do the Levada Walk in the Rabaçal Valley, where you can see beautiful waterfalls!
• If you love water: Spend the day snorkeling and kayaking, coasteering, or canoeing through Madeira

Travel tip! While you can rent a car to take any of these day trips, I would encourage you to consider booking a guided tour instead. A tour will ensure you can spend more time relaxing and enjoying the scenery, rather than figuring out how to navigate from place to place!

Day 3: Cable car ride to Monte

The cable car on Madeira is easily one of the most well-recognized feature of the island, and simply must be on your Madeira itinerary regardless of how short it is!

You can take the cable car from Funchal to Monte for around 15 euros. While lasting only 15 minutes, the views are some of the best you will see (although, truly everywhere in Madeira is beautiful!)

The cable car takes you to Monte, where you can explore not one, but two botanical gardens! Both Monte Palace Tropical Garden and Madeira Botanical Garden are in Monte, and you can easily dedicate a whole day exploring the gardens at your own pace.

Day 4: Second day trip of your choice

If you have 4 days on Madeira, spend another day outside of Funchal exploring the natural beauty of Madeira! If you went to the east coast of Madeira already, why not go to the west coast? If you did an adventure activity, why not spend a day exploring the quaint villages?

Day 5: Madeira beaches and viewpoints

While Madeira is known to have rocky and pebble beaches, they are nonetheless very beautiful, and absolutely worth exploring! The best beaches in Madeira to explore include:

• Praia do Porto do Seixal– a secluded black-sand beach
• Ribeira Brava Beach– a pebble and volcanic sand beach with an adorable village nearby
• Machico Beach– one of the few golden-sand beaches on the island
• Porto Moniz Bathing Pools– saltwater natural pools that make for a perfect place to swim

And, why you’re out exploring, don’t forget to visit some of the best view points on the island, including:

• Cabo Girao’s skywalk- Europe’s highest sea cliffs
• Miradouro Eira do Serrado– an observation deck with unobstructed views of Curral das Freiras
• Camara de Lobos– a charming fishing village

OVERALL: When spending 3-5 days on Madeira, it is possible to accomplish a lot and see many sights, but you will likely be very rushed without much downtime unless you building this into your itinerary. 3-5 days in Madeira is perfect for either: a quick trip with lots of highlights or picking one place to explore in depth, with more built in breaks.

What to do with 1 week in Madeira

If you have the time for it, I highly encourage you to spend 1 week or more in Madeira. I had only 4 days in Madeira during my first time visiting, and although I loved it, I honestly wish I had more time to explore the sights in depth and to have time for relaxation. With such a quick itinerary, I felt pressured to do it all and didn’t get to spend time at my hotel pool relaxing and reading.

More recently, I was able to spend 7 days in Madeira, and felt that the trip was more in line with what I wanted.

With 1 week in Madeira, you would have more time to spend at the museums, cafes, and villages while being able to take in all the views around you. I love spending my mornings on a trip trying to find the perfect local café spots for a pastry and coffee, and felt that this was more attainable with more time on Madeira.

And, with more days to explore, you can visit the WHOLE island, meaning you could even stay outside of Funchal in places such as Sao Vicente (for nature lovers) or Machico (for laid-back travelers).

A sample itinerary for 7 days on itinerary (plus or minus) could look something like this:

• Day 1: Explore Funchal
• Day 2: Downtime, cable car, Monte
• Day 3: Explore the East Coast of Madeira (Santana)
• Day 4: Madeira Wine Tour or Adventure Tour
• Day 5: Downtime at hotel, beach day, or explore museums
• Day 6: Explore the West Coast of Madeira
• Day 7: Hiking in São Vicente
• Day 8: Beaches near Machico

This is just an example, but as you can see, the activities can be more spread out, you can do more, and you will have built in down time!

OVERALL: If you can swing it, I highly recommend you staying at least 1 week on Madeira. You will have more time to explore AND more time to relax, as well as flex-days that you can keep open for recommendations from locals when you arrive!

What to do with 2 weeks in Madeira

Two weeks on Madeira would be a dream come true, and if you have the time and budget, I recommend it! You will still not run out of things to do in 2 weeks on Madeira, and if anything, will be able to explore a lot more than the average traveler.

With 2 weeks on Madeira:

• You’ll have enough time to explore all of the hidden gems of Madeira
• You’ll have plenty of time to check off all your bucket list activities without feeling rushed or stressed. 
• You won’t have to worry about any unexpected challenges (i.e. getting sick, rental car troubles, bad weather)

Trust me, as someone who loves talking to locals and indulging in delicious Portuguese food, 2 weeks is the perfect amount of time to fully immerse yourself in Madeira and get a real feel for what the island is about!

OVERALL: If you have the time and budget to spend 2 weeks or more on Madeira, do it!! Madeira is honestly one of the most beautiful places in all of Europe, and I find myself coming back here again and again. With 2 weeks, you will have a really easy time planning your itinerary with more time to work with.

The Final Verdict on Your Madeira Itinerary

Overall, you will need to balance your time allotted for travel and budget with the major things you want to do to decide how many days in Madeira you need!

If you’re short on time, 3-5 days is enough to get a taste of the island’s top attractions. But in reality, spending at least a week here is really the ideal amount of time.

Ultimately, it’s important to determine your goals for this trip and plan accordingly. But one thing’s for sure – no matter how long you stay, I can almost bet you will be wanting to come back!

But let’s break down the reasons why Madeira is worth visiting. I have a whole article just on this topic! Feel free to check it out if you have any hesitations about if you should include Madeira in your itinerary (HINT: I WOULD SAY YES!)