3 Days in Madeira: Steal My Ultimate Itinerary

Let me guess… you’re planning on spending 3 days in Madeira and researching what you should do while you are there. If so, you are in the right place! I recently spent 3 incredible days in Madeira and am going to let you steal my itinerary. 

This post may contain affiliate links, which means I’ll receive a commission if you make a purchase through my link, at no extra cost to you. All opinions are my own!

TABLE OF CONTENTS

SOME BACKGROUND ON MADEIRA

Madeira is an autonomous region of Portugal located in the North Atlantic Ocean. It is an archipelago (group of islands) which includes Madeira (the most populous), Porto Santo, and Deserates. In this article, I am specifically going to be speaking about the island of Madeira.

This island is best known for its famous wine, viewpoints, hiking, unique flora and fauna, and pre-historic laurel forest which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. However, this island is perhaps most well known for being home to the most famous football player in the world, Cristiano Ronaldo. The airport is even named after him!

Madeira is a wonderful place to visit year round and offers opportunities for both adventure and relaxation. If you’re reading this article, you probably already have your trip to Madeira booked or are highly considering visiting.

HOW TO GET TO MADEIRA

The best way to get to Madeira is by flying from Lisbon, Portugal (90 minutes) or Porto, Portugal (120 minutes). These are the locations which offer the most direct flights to Madeira per month. There are other places in Europe with direct flights to Madeira including London, Budapest, Vienna, Frankfurt, and more!

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WHERE TO STAY FOR 3 DAYS IN MADEIRA 

When you visit Madeira you should definitely stay in Funchal, the capital city. It’s a little over 20 minutes away from the airport and is a good “home base” for your 3 days in Madeira (especially if you don’t decide to rent a car). There are many accommodation options including Airbnbs, hostels, and hotels.

TOP RECOMMENDATION: Quinta do Furão

If you want to avoid busy hotels streets. If you want to be close to some of Madeira’s best hikes. If you love a good winery-feel hotel. If you’re seeking a tranquil retreat with breathtaking views, Quinta do Furão hotel in Santana, Madeira, is an exceptional choice! Perched on a cliffside, this charming hotel offers panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean and the lush, terraced landscapes of Madeira. The serene environment is perfect for unwinding, surrounded by the natural beauty of verdant vineyards and dramatic coastal scenery. From the hotel’s big viewpoint, you can see not only a stunning waterfall, but even the beloved Ponta de São Lourenço.

Quinta do Furão is by far the best place to stay in and around Santana, Madeira. Dining at the on-site restaurant is a treat too, with large windows showcasing the spectacular views while you enjoy delicious, locally sourced cuisine. It’s an idyllic haven for those looking to escape the hustle and bustle and immerse themselves in Madeira’s natural beauty. 

Submitted by Edyta from Say Yes to Madeira

Here are some additional places I recommend for your 3 days in Madeira.

🏨Quintinha Sao Joao Hotel & Spa ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

🏨Quinta Da Penha De Franca ⭐⭐⭐⭐

🏨Barceló Funchal Oldtown ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

If none of these suit you or you want to check out more options, use the booking.com widget below to search for your perfect stay!

SHOULD I RENT A CAR FOR 3 DAYS IN MADEIRA?

I’ve written an entire blog post just about this question, but the short answer is YES. Especially if you are only spending 3 days in Madeira, you should rent a car to make the most of your time on the Island.

Should I Rent A Car in Madeira? Your Burning Question Answered

In this article, I’m going to answer your question: should I rent a car in Madeira? I’m also going to tell you everything you need to know about renting a car in Madeira and what it is like to drive a rental car in Madeira. This post may contain affiliate links, which means I’ll receive a commission if you make a purchase through my link, at no extra cost to you. All opinions are my own! If you don’t already have your trip booked, I’m sure I’m convincing you to visit. Check out these resources and tools to help book…

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You are definitely going to want to venture out of Funchal during your 3 days in Madeira and having a car of your own gives you a lot more flexibility to do so without having to rely on public buses or tour buses.

🚗When I visited Madeira, I rented a car from Cassiano’s Rent A Car through DiscoverCars. DiscoverCars is an international car rental website that compares multiple rental companies so you can get the very best deal! If you rent a car through my affiliate link, I will receive a small commission and be forever grateful!

IS 3 DAYS ENOUGH TIME IN MADEIRA?

Whether you want to jet away somewhere nice for a weekend or are tacking Madeira onto another trip, 3 days is an ideal amount of time to spend in Madeira. The island itself is small (286 square miles) and only takes 4 hours to drive around its entirety. Of course this does not account for time getting out of the car and exploring. 

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To give yourself enough time to explore the main sites, including Funchal, Fanal forest, Madeira Botanical Garden, Seixal beach, and more, 3 days in Madeira is perfect. You won’t be able to see everything, but that gives you a reason to go back!

EXACTLY HOW TO SPEND 3 DAYS IN MADEIRA

Day 1

Arrive in Madeira

In the morning, fly into Madeira Cristiano Ronaldo Airport, pick up your rental car, and check into your accommodation in Funchal.

Fanal Forest

From there, make the one hour drive to Fanal forest. Fanal is an ancient laurel forest known for its eerie atmosphere because of its trees’ twisted branches and frequent fog. At Fanal there are different walks, hikes, and viewpoints, as well as free-roaming cows! You should spend at least 1.5 hours wandering around Fanal.

Miradouro do Véu da Noiva (Viewpoint)

After Fanal you are going to head to the famous Seixal black sand beach, but on the way make a stop at Miradouro do Véu da Noiva, one of Madeira’s most gorgeous viewpoints! Madeira is well known for being incredibly hilly and having epic scenic observation decks all around the island. You only need 10-15 minutes here.

Praia do Porto do Seixal (Seixal Beach)

Now it’s time for some relaxing and to see one of the world’s most stunning beaches. Seixal is a black sand beach surrounded by lush green vegetation atop of volcanic  rock cliffs and waterfalls overlooking the beach. It’s entirely free to visit but be prepared to spend a while finding parking, especially if you visit in the summer! Spend 1.5-2 hours here before heading back to your hotel to shower and hang out before dinner in Funchal.

Day 2

See the Sunrise at Pico do Arieiro

The absolute best thing I did during my time in Madeira was watch the sunrise above the clouds atop Pico de Arieiro. Pico de Arieiro is one of the highest points on the island… it’s literally ABOVE THE CLOUDS. Wake up earlier and drive the 45 minutes from Funchal to this mountain. It is very busy to make sure you get there well before sunrise so you can find a spot. If hiking is your thing, there are also many hikes in the area.

Santana

In the late morning you will head to Santana (38 minutes from Funchal) to observe the traditional thatched houses of Madeira. These triangular, colorful houses date back to the discovery of Madeira and are an important part of the island’s heritage. The houses are made of straw with a high-sloped roof to ensure rainwater runs off and does not permeate the house. You can even go inside a few of the houses!

PR11 Levada dos Balcões

Drive 28 minutes to PR11 Levada dos Balcões, a 2.9km (1.8 mile) hiking trail which starts in Ribeiro Frio and takes you to the picturesque Balcões viewpoint (and then back). The route itself is easy and is more of a walk than a hike and you will likely encounter many other tourists. It’s a great option for people who want to do some activity in Madeira but aren’t serious hikers. And the view is spectacular!

Câmara de Lobos

Spend the rest of your afternoon in Câmara de Lobos, which is approximately 40 minutes from Ribeiro Frio. Câmara de Lobos is a cute fishing village on the south-central coast of Madeira, not too far from Funchal. The main sites including the fishing boats, sea-front promenade, and cobblestone streets of the town can be tackled in a few hours.

Day 3

Explore Funchal

Even though your accommodation is in Funchal, you won’t have seen it much yet during the day. Now is your time!. You should spend most of your time exploring the Old Town with its abundance of shops and restaurants, and be sure to visit the Funchal Cathedral (free to visit). Also take some time to walk down Rua de Santa Maria, a historic street in the center of Funchal now filled with street art. In 2010, the “Art of Open Doors” project began and encouraged street artists to paint the doors on this street to revitalize the area.

You may even consider doing a guided tour of Funchal to learn more about the city’s history and culture.

Ride the Funchal Cable Car to Monte

No 3 days in Madeira is complete without riding at least one cable car. There are 7 cable cars on the island, with the most famous one taking you from Funchal to Monte. The start of the cable car (and where you can purchase a ticket) is along the coastline of Funchal (location here). One way costs 11€ and a roundtrip costs 16€ and is worth the price for the views alone! 

Madeira Botanical Garden

Rather than heading straight back down to Funchal, get another cable car from Monte to Madeira Botanical Garden! You can buy a combined ticket for the cable car and entry to the Botanical Garden (15.50€ for one-way and 18.90€ for a roundtrip) , or do one of these many tours offered by GetYourGuide.

These botanical gardens are among some of the most unique I’ve seen, housing over 2,000 species of exotic plants, many of which are endangered. There’s even a few cats that have made the place their home! Make sure you have at least two hours here before you have to head to the airport for your flight home.

Catch your flight home 

Sadly, it’s time to head home. But you had the best 3 days in Madeira, right!? 

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