Welcome to the enchanting world of Madeira! Nestled in the Atlantic Ocean, this Portuguese paradise (aka Hawaii of Europe) is a treasure trove of natural beauty, vibrant culture, and awe-inspiring experiences.

In this guide, we’ll uncover the hidden gems and traverse landscapes that range from rugged mountains to sun-soaked shores. Whether you’re a nature enthusiast, a foodie craving unique flavours, or a wanderer seeking off-the-beaten-path adventures, Madeira has something extraordinary to offer.

Get ready to explore every corner of Madeira and uncover its secrets, as we embark on a discovery filled with surprises and unparalleled beauty. Let’s dive into this captivating destination and unlock the wonders of Madeira together!

Food Recommendations

To be very honest, we weren’t overly impressed with the food in Madeira, however we did manage to find some hidden gems.

Pastel de nata: This Portuguese Pastry is can be gotten pretty much anywhere, from restaurants to petrol stations, and were a staple in my diet while in Madeira.

San Martino Funchal: 10/10 pizza followed by delicious gelato. Along the main street in Madeira. Click here for location. Approx €12-€17 for a main course. Would recommend booking in advance but we walked in and got a seat no problem.

Aromas de italia Funchal: Another 10/10 spot in Funchal, Madeira. The most amazing pasta I have ever had. Tucked away down a lovely side street, this place is definitely a hidden spot. Click here for location.

Deli Burger D`mar, Funchal: Juicy burgers, loaded milkshakes, and dog-friendly – what more could you ask for? Click here for location (this is a chain so there are other locations too)

Burger Grill 351 São Vicente: A great stop if you are heading back from the North of Madeira. Solid burgers and reasonable price, approx €12 for a burger and fries. Click here for location.

Where To Stay In Madeira

Funchal is the capital city of Madeira, based on the south side (and sunnier side) of the island. It is a hub for accommodations, ranging from luxury hotels to boutique guesthouses. It’s convenient for exploring Funchal’s historic sites, restaurants, and markets.

For those in favour of less touristy places and cheaper accommodation, I recommend renting an apartment in Caniço, which is only 15 min drive from the centre of Funchal.  This is the airbnb that we rented- highly recommend for 2-3 people! Great location, lots of parking and amazing apartment with 2 balconies (there is another balcony not shown in the profile, with sun-loungers and BBQ)

Itinerary

I’m going to give a brief run-down of our itinerary over our 5 day trip. We stayed in Caniço so everywhere was within a one-hour drive.

Day 1

We landed at approx 1.30pm, collected our rental car (we rented from https://www.madeiracarbooking.com/ and they collected us from the airport to bring us to collect the car). We checked into our airbnb and headed straight to Pico do Arieiro where we were blessed with the most amazing sunset.

Day 2

For sunrise we headed to Miradouro da Ponta do Rosto.

Throughout the day we headed to the north of the island and visited Ponta do Poiso.

Next heading to Praia de Seixal, and we also stopped at Piscinas Naturais do Seixal but the waves were too big to be able to swim here.

Day 3

Our first stop of the day was at Cascata dos Anjos for sunrise and we had the place to ourselves!

Our next stop was Cascata do Mito.

We then headed back to Ponta do Sol for some breakfast at Restaurante Sol Poente and to enjoy the views. Tip: try the chicken sandwich in the traditional bread, Bolo de Caco. Restaurante Sol Poente is also a great spot for sunset, just be sure to reserve a table in advance.

In the early afternoon, we headed north again, this time via Fanal Forest and again were so lucky to experience this magical place with fog!

Continuing our drive, we arrived at Praia da Ribeira da Janela, and to say that we were blown away is an understatement! The sheer size of the cliffs and staggering rock formations, along with the rough crashing waves was one of my most memorable moments from this trip- no picture or video can do this place justice!

We also stopped at Porto Moniz but as the waves were too big, we couldn’t swim in the pools.

For sunset we headed to Paredão viewpoint. Warning! The steep drive to this viewpoint is not for the faint-hearted, I could understand why there was nobody else there!

Day 4

For sunrise, we experience the most breathtaking sunrise at Miradouro do Guindaste.

On our drive back to our apartment, we had a quick stop at a hidden bridge. Click here for the location.

During the day, we headed to the capitol of Madeira, Funchal. we took the cable car up to Monte and enjoyed the unique toboggan ride down.

For sunset, we were told by a local to visit a lovely little surf village called Jardim do Mar and so we did just that. such chill vibes here, would highly recommend!

Day 5

For our last sunrise in Madeira, we tried our luck heading to Pico do Arieiro but unfortunately the weather didn’t play ball. It was completely covered in fog and mist.

For the remainder of the morning, we went on the most amazing whale and dolphin watching tour on a speedboat.

For the afternoon, we relaxed at Doca do Cavacas, swimming in the natural pools and soaking up the sun.

For our last sunset, we headed to Ponta do Tristão. A little off the beaten path but not a bad drive overall. A beautiful spot and again we were lucky enough to be the only people there.