7 days in Madeira: the perfect 1 week itinerary for first-timers

If you’ve got 7 days in Madeira, this is the guide you need.

This itinerary is designed for first-timers who want a genuine feel of Madeira: dramatic scenery, coastal towns, mountain viewpoints and enough time to relax and enjoy where you are.

Over the years, I’ve visited family on the island often so we build our trips around a combination of sightseeing and relaxing together, giving us a great balance of must-sees and quieter moments that stop your 7 days in Madeira feeling too rushed. That’s what I’m excited to share with you today!

FAQ: Practical tips for a 7 days in Madeira

When to visit: Madeira is a great destination to visit all year-round, with warm temperatures of 15-17 degrees even in the winter months. I’ve written a whole post about what it’s like to visit Madeira in January, but we’ve also been in May, June, August and October!

Getting around: With one week in Madeira, you can see a lot at a realistic pace if you have a car or without. However, this itinerary is based around hiring a car as that’s always been my own experience.

Where to stay: Funchal is the preferred base for most first-timers, but this itinerary can also work perfectly from my favourite town, Machico.

Check out my full guide on where to stay in Madeira if you still haven’t booked your accommodation or quickly view my top picks on the map below.

Weather: A quick note that the weather can change fast and completely vary across the island. Therefore, keep this itinerary as a loose guide but don’t be afraid to switch days around to get the best conditions. For example, the mountain hikes are far more worthwhile on clear days. The Madeira webcams are way more reliable than weather apps.

Pace: Full but manageable, with plenty of flexibility and time to relax built in.

Day 1: arrive and ease in

After an exciting arrival (if the notoriously bumpy plane landing comes through!), your first day is the perfect time to ease in – especially if you’re tired from an early morning or don’t have much time left in the day.

First, pick up your hire car and head to your accommodation. Whether you’re based in Funchal, Machico or another great place to stay in Madeira, a short walk to get to know the town, drink and cake by the sea and a relaxed first dinner is the best way to slowly kick off your trip.

Day 2: sunrise hike, Caniçal and Machico

I’d recommend kicking off your trip with a visit to Madeira’s east coast. What better way to experience the island’s natural beauty than with a sunrise hike?

Especially in the warmer months, setting off early means cooler temperatures, softer light and far less people on the trails. Ponta de São Lourenço is an ideal choice: an early start really pays off when hiking the exposed peninsula and it’s dramatic volcanic landscapes are completely otherworldly.

You can check out my full guide to hiking Vereda da Ponta de São Lourenço for more information. If you’re looking for something challenging but shorter, Pico do Facho in Machico is a firm favourite of ours too.

Hiking not for you? Get out in nature in a different way! Whale and dolphin watching tours usually depart twice daily from Caniçal and Machico, last for a couple of hours and you can spot different marine life all year round.

After a busy morning, it’s time to relax by the coast for the perfect sunny, slow afternoon. You have two options here – and time to do both – but Machico is my favourite with a sandy beach that’s perfect for unwinding, swimming and getting doughnuts delivered to your towel on the sand. Listen out for the bell!

I’ve written tons more in my quick guide to Machico to help you enjoy your time here, including things to do, places to eat and more.

Day 3: Funchal’s highlights

After a day in nature, it’s time to explore Madeira’s capital. More lively than the rest of the island – although very relaxed as far as cities go – there’s enough to do for a full day pounding the cobbled streets.

Spend the morning wandering through the old town’s painted doors and winding streets before visiting Mercado dos Lavradores, a vibrant market filled with fresh produce, flowers and herbs.

In the market for something sweeter instead of a traditional prego especial for lunch? For a quintessentially luxurious experience, afternoon tea at Reid’s Palace is an institution that every visitor to Madeira needs to enjoy at least once. Delectable sandwiches, melt-in-mouth pastries and a whole menu just for tea – and that’s without the stunning views overlooking the seas.

Then, take the cable car up to Monte Palace where you can walk off the treats in its beautiful gardens before heading down on the famous toboggans for an evening drinking and dining in the capital.

There are tours that take you around Funchal’s highlights, but unless you’re super short on time or are keen for a historical deep dive, they aren’t strictly necessary as it’s not a huge city.

If you’re staying around New Year (see my post on New Year’s Eve in Madeira) or a festival like carnival, the streets of Funchal are lively and at their best.

Day 4: the central mountains

Famed for its beauty and fast-changing weather, Madeira’s interior is even lusher and more hilly than the rolling coastline. There are tons of viewpoints you can drive virtually straight up to – the well-known Pico do Arierio being one of them – but honestly, the hikes are something special.

For me, there are three popular standouts:

As you can see, the landscapes are totally different so choose the hike that appeals to you most – or make time for a few over your 7 days in Madeira.

At the time of writing, the Pico to Pico (or ‘Stairway to heaven’ hike) isn’t mentioned because a full reopening is anticipated in April 2026. If you’re planning a visit for once it’s reopened, check out my full guide to hiking Pico do Arierio to Pico Ruivo but honestly – approach with caution. This is a steep hike for experienced walkers.

If hiking isn’t your favourite way to explore, there are plenty of other ways to get out and about for an adventure. For example, off-road jeep tours are a great way to explore some hidden gems.

Once you’ve had your fill of exercise and mountain views, refuel with a delicious early dinner (picado or prego is my top choice) and a few poncha’s to celebrate. Santana is a great choice of location, as you can see the traditional houses while you’re there too, but if you’re too tired, add a longer stop on tomorrow’s agenda instead.

Day 5: north coast road trip

Madeira’s north coast is one of the island’s most beautiful drives; winding along the coastline with crashing azure waves on one side, steep green cliffs on the other and misty crowning it all.

Your main destination is Porto Moniz but there are plenty of short stops to make the hour-ish journey from Machico worthwhile.

From a host of viewpoint photo ops to a quick coffee and cake in Faial or São Vicente, it’s low key and wilder than the south but definitely worth the trip.

Porto da Cruz is another great 30 minute stop for an ice cream, walk around the coast and watch the surfers catching waves on the rocky beach.

When you make it to Porto Moniz, the big draw are the two lots of sea-filled pools. You can lounge for free at the all-natural pools, a more rugged setup, or pay just €3 per adult for the organised setup complete with changing rooms, toilets, showers and a cafe/restaurant.

Both have different vibes, so if you have time, head to the freebies first then settle in for a full afternoon in the organised setup when you’re ready for a drink (and a wee!).

Heading home along the same route? Stop off at Quinta do Furão for dinner, a colonial-style hotel in Santana with a gorgeous on-site restaurant.

Day 6: southern villages and beaches

After a few active days village hopping and hiking, it’s time to slow the pace.

Start the day with a short visit to Ponta do Sol, best enjoyed for its setting and views rather than a wealth of things to see. Then, head to Câmara de Lobos for lunch. The atmospheric harbour area is usually buzzing with visitors and has more restaurant choices than some of the other south coast spots.

Then, spend your afternoon at Calheta’s lovely sandy beach. With a manmade bay that creates shelter from the Atlantic’s waves, it’s a great place to swim or simply soak up the sun on the sand. If Machico is too rainy for beach time, we often head down this way and find the weather entirely different!

There are well-equipped toilet facilities near the beach too, making it an ideal place to spend a whole day.

Day 7: ticking off the rest of your wishlist

It’s nearly the end of your 7 days in Madeira, so let’s make the last day count!

Whatever you’ve missed out on so far – maybe it’s some extra time lounging in the sun, shopping or another hike you’re desperate to tick off, this is your time to do it. I like to re-visit my favourite views and food spots to keep me going until the next trip.

If you’ve moved quickly and have covered everything you’d like to see, I also think your last day is a great time for a really memorable activity.

Maybe you didn’t have time for afternoon tea at Reid’s Palace during your first visit to Funchal, but want to fit it in now – excellent. Or maybe, you want to end the trip with a touch of adrenaline: canyoning tours are super popular in Madeira and available for all levels.

However you choose to spend your last day in Madeira, make it work for your travel style and you can’t go far wrong.

Is 7 days in Madeira enough?

A week is a brilliant introduction to Madeira and, especially with a hire car, you can see a lot during that time.

Sure, if you want to cram in everything, you could stay for longer – there’s definitely enough to do (and spots to relax in) that you can fill two weeks. But for many, one week is enough to get a solid taste of the island and tick off the most pressing items on their bucket list.

It’s also a great length of time where you can experience the island’s variety – as I hope this 7 day Madeira itinerary has shown – without feeling constantly on the move.

For me, Madeira is best in nature: sunrise hikes, time on the coast and a relaxed cadance that feels no need to hurry through different towns or landmarks. This one week Madeira itinerary reflects that approach, designed for first-timers who want to slow down and experience landscapes properly.

Whenever you’re going, have an amazing trip and as always, reach out if you have any questions.

Laura x