The 8 best day trips in Madeira

With local family and years of travelling to Madeira under my belt, I’m here to talk about which day trips and excursions in Madeira are genuinely worth your time.

This isn’t your generic guide: I’ve visited everywhere recommended below many times and they’re genuinely the best day trips on the island!

Madeira is one of those islands that looks compact on a map. While some drives are longer than they may seem (particularly if you’re heading into the mountains), you can be virtually anywhere within 90 minutes, whether you’re based in Funchal or elsewhere on the island.

Plus, since Madeira is a great year-round destination, most of these trips will work whatever month you visit. Though, if you’re specifically considering a winter trip, my guide to visiting Madeira in January may be a useful read.

1. Porto Moniz & Seixal

If I had to pick road trip for someone who’d never been to Madeira, heading along the north west coast would be it.

From dramatic coastal roads, black sand and blue sparkling water, it has more variety than anywhere else on the island and are just as spectacular as the photos suggest.

Porto Moniz sits at the tip of Madeira and is famous for its natural volcanic rock pools. Naturally filled by the Atlantic sea, there are both managed (pictured below) and wild pool options. While they’re best in summer when the water is warmer, it’s pretty spectacular to visit on a windy day where people sit along the ridge and let the waves crash overhead, pushing them into the pools!

The wild pools are free to enter, while the managed pools (including changing area, toilets and a restaurant) cost just €3 per adult and free for children age 3 and under. It’s well worth the small fee if you ask me, but absolutely try both. Umbrellas and loungers are available to hire or just drop your towel wherever there’s space!

Many pair this with a trip to Seixal, a tiny village on the north coast with one of Madeira’s only black sand beaches. It became TikTok famous a few years back for its waterfalls and dramatic cliffs, in contrast to the more refined beaches in the south.

When visiting this part of the island, always check the webcams for an accurate weather forecast. It’s still a decent visit on a cloudy day, but nothing compares to when the sun comes out!

2. Sunrise at Pico do Arieiro

It’s another of social media’s favourite things to do in Madeira, but one that’s well worth it.

Pico do Arieiro is Madeira’s third highest peak at 1,818 metres and watching the mountain peaks emerge from above the night’s clouds and mist is extraordinary.

We’ve been visiting Pico do Arieiro since before its fame, when the car park was virtually empty at all times and you could easily be the only ones gazing at the sky (albeit in the daytime!). Now, it’s a different story, where cars line the streets and overflow car parks to get a glimpse of heaven.

If you’re driving, the road to the summit is paved all the way and manageable by car – although narrow and winding. You’ll want to leave Funchal at around 5am to catch the light.

There are also many guided sunrise tours and unless you plan to hike, taking one is an easy way to avoid handling the logistics while preventing road from being overwhelmed by vehicles.

Weather at altitude is highly changeable so dress appropriately and check your forecast the night before. A clear day is worth waiting for!

From the summit, you can also start the PR1 trail from Pico do Arieiro to Pico Ruivo – more on that below.

3. Choose an otherworldly hike

Madeira’s day hiking trails are world-class and if you’re able, at least one should be on every active traveller’s itinerary. Putting the lush levadas to one side, here’s three popular routes that could be on another planet – make time for at least one during your trip!

PR1: Pico do Arieiro to Pico Ruivo

The island’s most famous hike and deservedly so; connecting Madeira’s third highest and highest peaks with breathtaking views on a clear day.

My hike started in misty cloud before opening up to spectacular vistas later in the day. The drama of jagged mountain peaks emerging and disappearing in the mist is really special – plus, it’s cooler than full on sun!

It’s around 11km out and back but tough on the knees, thanks to the steep descent and ascent at either end. Not one for anybody with mobility issues, come equipped and start early to avoid the sun.

The trail was closed due to forest fires for a while, but I believe is now back open for visitors! Check out my guide to the Pico do Arierio to Pico Ruivo PR1 hike.

PR1.2: Vereda do Pico Ruivo

If you’re looking for an easier way to summit Madeira’s highest peak at 1,862m, start at Achada do Teixeira where there’s a large car park and cafe with excellent views. Coming in at 2.8km each way, it’s much shorter than the hike from Pico do Arieiro, although not without some slightly challenging sections.

It’s also very exposed so again, bring sun protection or avoid the middle of the day.

PR8: Vereda da Ponta de São Lourenço

My other favourite is Vereda da Ponta de São Lourenço which I’ve hiked a couple of times now. The eastern peninsula of Madeira is exposed and almost lunar – part of Star Wars: The Acolyte was filmed here! – and poses a striking contrast to the green shaded levadas across most of the island.

Distance-wise, it sits in the middle of the two above at 6 – 7km, making it fairly accessible for a few hours without committing to a full day.

Get there early – again, it’s incredibly exposed with virtually no shade for the entire route – take plenty of water and enjoy the quiet before the tour groups arrive around 9.30.

Read my full guide to hiking PR8 Vereda da Ponta de São Lourenço.

4. Whale and dolphin watching

Did you know Madeira offers great chances of spotting dolphins and whales? While it’s permanently home to bottlenose dolphins and pilot whales, you also have changes of seeing sperm and Bryde’s whales during peak season of April – October.

Most whale and dolphin watching tours in Madeira depart from Funchal but if you’re staying on the east coast, they also run from Machico, Canical and Calheta, saving a trip across the island.

On a side note, my quick guide to Machico may help if you’re staying on the east coast.

We went with Scorpio Activities in August and paid around €105 (~£91) for two people. On our 2 – 3 hour rib boat trip, we spotted pilot whales, but a week later my family spotted larger whales on another trip!

Sightings aren’t guaranteed as Madeira has strict wildlife protection rules, but our guide made up for a quieter moment on the water by speeding up along the coast, singing at the top of his lungs to Barbie Girl, then offering us a swim stop at some beautiful cliffs.

I never regret a boat trip so if you’re visiting in season, it’s a great activity for your Madeira bucket list!

5. Village hop along the south coast

If it’s your first time on the island, driving or taking the bus to some of Madeira’s prettiest villages has to be on your agenda.

One of my favourite days out on the island is this leisurely loop west of Funchal, taking in some of Madeira’s most photogenic spots without any serious physical effort. It suits everyone from retired couples to friends searching for a break from hiking!

Câmara de Lobos

Just 15 minutes from Funchal by car, Câmara de Lobos is a traditional fishing village centred around the harbour with colourful fishing boats bobbing in the water.

On a summer day, you might spot people jumping into the clear water below (my husband of course thew himself straight in!) and cafe tables buzz with life on streets strung with recycled and reclaimed street art.

It can easily be a quick stop or somewhere to rest up in the sun with a nice brunch.

Cabo Girão

A short drive from Câmara de Lobos is Madeira’s most famous viewpoint and one of Europe’s highest sea cliffs, Cabo Girão.

The glass skywalk isn’t for the faint-hearted as you peer straight down to the waves far below, even though you’re perfectly safe. The incredible views down the coast to Funchal and beyond are well worth it!

Since I last visited some years ago, Cabo Girão skywalk has implemented a €5 entry fee for over 12s.

Calheta

By now, you might be ready for a leisurely afternoon and Calheta is the perfect spot.

One of Madeira’s rare sandy beach spots with a noticeably more resort-like feel, it’s a great place for lunch followed by a swim and sunbathe on the golden bay. The beach is well set up with toilets and a changing area too.

6. Santana and Ribeiro Frio

Flipping back to Madeira’s north coast, Santana is famous for its traditional A-frame thatched houses – the most iconic, instantly recognisable image of rural Madeira.

The houses that remain are tiny, colourful and converted into souvenir shops or mock houses you can step inside. Houses aside, there’s not a huge amount going on – although families can visit the ‘Madeira Theme Park‘ for €10 (adult) and €8 (child) – so you can explore in an hour or so.

If you’ve completed either the PR1 or PR1.2 hikes, Santana is a convenient stop along the way so you could combine both into a single day trip. We always end up at O Terraço, a traditional Madeiran restaurant, for bolo de caco (traditional garlic bread) and a picado (grilled meat served in a gravy-like sauce).

If you aren’t hiking, consider stopping at Ribeiro Frio, a mountain area popular for gentle levada walks through the forest that’s more green, quiet and dramatic than the sunnier south coast.

7. A day in Funchal

Whether you’re staying in Funchal or elsewhere, your trip to Madeira will undoubtedly feature a day in the island’s capital.

While it’s a smaller city compared to many in Europe, it has a beautiful old town, a very popular market (Mercado dos Lavradores) and enough attractions to fill a day. The cable car up to Monte, botanical gardens and downhill toboggan ride are what you’ll almost certainly know about Madeira before you visit, but there’s definitely more to it.

My personal highlights include the Painted Doors Project in the old town and afternoon tea at Reid’s Palace. The latter is super indulgent, now at around €65pp, but well worth it for incredible views, beautiful surroundings and terrace views – special occasion or not.

I have a full post on afternoon tea at Reid’s Palace, Funchal, if you’d like to see more.

8. Curral das Freiras (Valley of the Nuns)

Curral das Freiras is one of Madeira’s most dramatic and unusual landscapes. Sitting inside the crater of an extinct volcano, the village is completely circled by towering mountains and the viewpoints are absolutely spectacular.

I’ve not been for a number of years but the memory of looking out onto endless trees and peaks from Miradouro da Eira do Serrado stays with me.

The name comes from nuns who fled here to hire from pirate raids on Funchal back in the 16th century, and it still feels quietly removed. The drive into the valley is winding and dramatic so if you take the bus (line 81 from Funchal), hold onto your hats! Otherwise, it’s definitely driveable or take a guided tour to see more.

Are you more on the adventurous side? You’ll find lots of canyoning tours taking place in Nun’s Valley too!

Got a longer stay? Overnight in Porto Santo

Okay, the 2.5 hour ferry each way means this isn’t strictly a day trip. But, if you have a two week or even 10 day stay in Madeira, visiting Porto Santo is well worth it.

It’s Madeira’s quieter, flatter and sunnier sister island with a stunning 9km stretch of sandy beach. If a proper relaxing beach day is your priority, this is your best option in the archipelago.

For a day, most people aim to arrive mid-morning and take the late afternoon sailing back but I’d recommend staying overnight to enjoy it without the rush. Direct flights are available too but much more expensive as you’d expect.

How to get around on day trips in Madeira

Most excursions in Madeira are best reached by hire car or guided tour. The island’s roads are well-maintained but narrow and steep in places, which is worth knowing before you decide how to get around. If you’re a confident driver, brilliant!

Hire car: The most flexible option for almost all the trips above and what I’d recommend for anyone comfortable driving on winding mountain roads. Take it steady and you’ll be fine.

Guided tours: A genuinely good option for the west coast, hiking transfers and the north coast, where the logistics of parking and timing are otherwise something to manage yourself. Tours from Funchal are the most plentiful but you can depart from other hubs too.

Bus: Viable for some routes and best if you’re staying in Funchal.

Taxi: Easily available and prices vary depending on where you’re going. Look for the yellow cars with blue stripe!

If you’re looking for a holiday location where you can be eating brunch in the city before standing on a cliff edge or swimming in volcanic pools hours later, Madeira is for you.

For more top tips, check out my recent posts on where to stay in Madeira, top 10 things to do in Madeira and my ultimate 7 day Madeira itinerary.

Laura x

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