Visiting Madeira Island in 3 days – Complete guide

Uma das ilhas que tem sido parada obrigatória para muitos turistas mundo a fora é a Madeira Island, localizada no arquipélago da Madeira, Portugal. Este local já ganhou seis prémios como World’s Leading Island Destination no World Travel Awards (WTA), uma premiação considerada o “Oscars of Tourism”.

O que fazer na Madeira Island se decidir passar pouco tempo? É possível explorar em 3 dias? Não se preocupe, neste artigo terá um guia completo das melhores atrações da Madeira para visitar em 3 dias. Mesmo com limitado tempo, o seu passeio será inesquecível.

Melhor época para visitar a Madeira Island

Em média, as temperaturas da ilha variam muito pouco no decorrer do ano, muito em função do seu clima subtropical. Com isso, no inverno, pode experimentar temperaturas de até 17º C, enquanto que no verão, elas podem atingir até 26º C.

Nesse quesito, a água do mar também sofre pouquíssimas alterações ficando ali entre 18º C e 23º C mais ou menos. Ou seja, a melhor época para visitar a Madeira Island vai depender muito dos seus interesses como turista.

• Durante a primavera e o outono, por exemplo, pode aproveitar bastante a natureza, já que os dias são mais longos, permitindo-lhe apreciar as partes mais floridas da ilha.
• Já no verão, a estação é perfeita para quem gosta de uma boa praia, com água bem temperada, e piscinas vulcânicas aos montes.
• Se não gosta muito de praias com rochas e seixos, uma opção muito boa será apanhar um barco (ou mesmo avião até Porto Santo). Nesta ilha são quilómetros e quilómetros de águas cristalinas. Veja também: How to travel between Islands in Madeira.

Photograph by JourneyEra

Porém, se quer um clima mais próximo da Europa Continental, então escolha a época do inverno, que nem é tão rigoroso quanto em outras partes do continente. Neste período do ano, pode ainda contemplar a famosa New Year’s Eve in Funchal.

Mas, quantos dias são necessários para aproveitar as belezas da ilha? Bem, caso seja possível passar 5 ou 7 dias, seria o tempo necessário e ideal para conhecer melhor os locais. No caso de uma escapadinha mais pequena, de 3 dias por exemplo, é possível desfrutar de momentos incríveis.

Complete 3-day guide to Madeira Island

Para tirar o maior partido dos três dias da sua estadia nesta ilha magnífica, deixamos abaixo algumas sugestões e dicas de locais a visitar / roteiro.

Day 1 – Morning

Depois de chegar à Madeira e descansar um pouco, pode começar um passeio ao ar livre pelo centro do Funchal.

A Zona Velha da cidade também é um ótimo lugar pra visitar já no primeiro dia de viagem, especialmente, pela manhã.

Alguns dos principais locais no centro do Funchal a não perder.

Avenida Arriaga

Aqui, a zona é bastante movimentada, e pode aproveitar para visitar o Municipal Garden e o Baltazar Dias Municipal Theatre.

São Francisco Wine Cellars

(C) michael clarke stuff

Here, you will find one of the oldest wine cellars of the famous Madeira Wine. The cellars were opened between the 17th and 18th centuries.

Looking for more information about the venue? Then visit the page: www.blandyswinelodge.com

São Lourenço Palace

Here, you will visit none other than the former residence of the donatary captains (or governors) of Funchal. Currently, it is the Official Residence of the Representative of the Republic for the Autonomous Region of Madeira. For this reason, it is considered a National Monument. Admission is free, and for more information, such as visiting hours, go to www.visitfunchal.pt

Funchal Cathedral

(C) Diego Delso

For those who enjoy visiting ancient religious temples, here’s a great tip. The construction of the cathedral dates back to the 16th century.

Municipal Square

Also known as Largo do Colégio, this square is home to the Jesuit College and the College Church.

The former is one of the most significant buildings in the area, and the latter is considered by many to be the most beautiful temple in Funchal.

Esperança Bookstore

(C) RTP

For those who appreciate an atmosphere filled with books, this is one of the oldest Portuguese bookstores still in operation. It’s worth a stop.

Mercado dos Lavradores

It’s a very popular tourist spot, and, at the same time, it’s ideal for buying flowers and typical island fruits. To find out the opening hours, simply visit: visitfunchal.pt

Funchal-Monte Cable Car

Through a cable car ride, you will take a short journey between Funchal city centre and the parish of Monte. The cable car cabin offers an incredible 360º view, from where you can see the Monte Palace Tropical Garden and the Church of Nossa Senhora do Monte.

Avoid queues: Buy your ticket here for the Madeira cable car quickly and securely.

Day 1 – Afternoon

For the afternoon, and still on the first day, you can enjoy some very interesting excursions. One of them is the Eira do Serrado viewpoint, which is about a 30-minute drive from Funchal.

Another excellent place to visit is Curral das Freiras, a small village dating back to the 16th century.

However, pay attention to a few details. For example, before heading to the viewpoint, check the current weather conditions, as visibility can be reduced.

Tip: Use the Net Madeira website, where you’ll find real-time webcams at various points across the island. This way, you can see what the weather is like in those locations.

Day 1 – Evening

During the evening, and still on the first day, you can dine at Restaurante Santo António, in Estreito de Câmara de Lobos.

After indulging in the house specialties, the tip is to stroll through Câmara de Lobos, a fishing village located right on the doorstep of Funchal.

And where to sleep? Well, there are three excellent places in Funchal that tourists frequently recommend:

• Apartamentos Praça Amarela
• Quintinha de São João
• Casa Velha do Palheiro.

Looking for accommodation in Madeira? If you’d like to stay somewhere else, simply search here for the best option for you.

Day 2 – Morning

After a good night’s rest, the morning tip is to visit the Cabo Girão viewpoint, one of the most beautiful spots on the island of Madeira.

The site is well-known for being located on Europe’s highest sea cliff. Additionally, it features a suspended glass platform, offering visitors a breathtaking view of the local cliff face.

By car, you can travel to Ribeira Brava, and from there, to São Vicente. You’ll even pass through the Encumeada tunnel, which connects the island’s north and south coasts.

For those who appreciate picturesque places, these excursions are incredible. In São Vicente, for example, you can explore everything from the vineyards of Quinta do Barbusano to the Volcanism Centre. Or you can simply stroll through the local streets, which are very beautiful.

Immediately afterwards, the recommendation is to head to Seixal and Porto Moniz. Here you can swim in natural pools formed by volcanic lava.

Take the opportunity to finish the morning by having lunch at Restaurante Solmar, in Seixal, where one of the specialties is scabbard fish fillets.

Day 2 – Afternoon

Right after enjoying a delicious lunch in Seixal, the tip is to head straight to Paúl da Serra, the island’s largest plateau.

Here, you’ll find trails and walks amidst beautiful natural scenery, featuring ancient channels that carried water between the extremes of Madeira. In the Rabaçal area, for example, there are the Levadas do Risco and 25 Fontes (a 9 km round trip) and Alecrim and Lagoa do Vento (a 6.8 km round trip, plus 2 km to Lagoa do Vento).

After the walks, the recommendation is to return to Ribeira Brava and head straight to Ponta do Sol. Among the main tips, we highlight stopping at Taberna da Poncha, in Serra d’Água (and trying poncha, Madeira’s traditional drink) and going up to the Ponta do Sol inn.

Afterwards, you can head to Calheta and visit Mudas (the island’s Contemporary Art Museum). There’s also an artificial sand beach next to the marina.

See also: Museums in Madeira

Day 2 – Late afternoon / evening

If after all that, you still have energy, visit the village of Jardim do Mar. As for dinner, the recommendation is to go to the Restaurante do Hotel da Vila, located in Ponta do Sol.

(C) Roman Klementschitz

For accommodation, you can choose between staying in Ponta do Sol, Calheta, or even Funchal. Tips for the best accommodations can be found here.

Day 3 – Morning

After a hearty breakfast, a great tip is to go to Miradouro do Pico do Areeiro, simply the island’s second highest point.

This is located over 1,800 meters high, offering an incredible view of the island’s central massif. A highly recommended activity is to walk for about 15 minutes to Miradouro do Ninho da Manta. The landscapes are fascinating. However, it’s important, once again, to inquire about weather conditions, especially regarding visibility.

Another tip is to go to Ribeiro Frio, admiring the view from Miradouro dos Balcões. It’s worth noting that this viewpoint is accessible via a simple 1h30min round-trip walk.

Therefore, it’s important that the weather has good visibility, as the scenery will be magnificent, like the valleys of the Laurissilva Forest.

For lunch, and to conclude this morning of your last day on the island of Madeira, you can indulge at Restaurante Ribeiro Frio.

Day 3 – Afternoon

To start this afternoon off right, how about heading down a bit and staying in Santana? Here you can visit the Núcleo de Casas Típicas de Santana.

In addition to this spot, you can visit the Parque Florestal das Queimadas, which is home to the Casa de Abrigo das Queimadas. The tip is to make the most of your time by going on many walks, especially on the so-called “Um Caminho para Todos” (A Path for Everyone), a very accessible walking trail that leads to Pico das Pedras.

If you can, for any reason, extend your stay on the island of Madeira for an extra day, the recommendation is to try the Levada do Furado trail, accessible after Ribeiro Frio.

The Levada do Caldeirão Verde, if you still feel up to it, is also a great option. It starts from the Casa de Abrigo das Queimadas, and is 13 km one way.

Another excellent spot you can also try to enjoy is Ponta de São Lourenço, or Prainha in Caniçal, with its natural sand. However, you’ll need to walk a bit to reach it.

Are you up for another trail? Then, take advantage of the PR8 – Vereda de São Lourenço, which is about an 8 km walk.

From the various options suggested above, choose the one or ones you find most interesting for yourself. Remember that here you will walk more than usual, so if you are not comfortable or in the mood for hikes, check out some other activities:

Day 3 – Evening

To conclude these three incredible days on the island of Madeira, a lovely dinner is in order, and the chosen spot can be Restaurante Bar Amarelo, in Caniçal, whose specialties are limpets and fried damselfish.

And, for sleeping, you can choose Ponta de São Lourenço, Funchal, or any other place of your preference.

How to get to Madeira Island

The Madeira archipelago is located in the Atlantic, almost 1,000 km southwest of Lisbon. In addition to Madeira Island itself, the archipelago is also formed by Porto Santo Island, the Desertas Islands, and the Savage Islands.

To get to Madeira Island, specifically speaking, there are several daily flights available departing from Lisbon or Porto. The stop is in Funchal, and the flight takes about 1h30min (departing from Lisbon) or 2h (departing from Porto).

Looking for trips to Madeira? Check out these travel packages with flights and accommodation included.

For those interested, there are economical options for these flights. In other words, booking flights to Madeira turns out to be simpler than you might think, with prices ranging from 50€ to 75€ (round trip).

The recommendation, therefore, is to frequently simulate flights until you find the one that is most compatible. These simulations need to be done at least 3 months in advance.

Driving on the island and car rental

It’s always good to point out that many of Madeira Island’s attractions are natural beauties, such as peaks and beaches. Therefore, these places are not accessible by public transport. In other words, if you don’t want to rely on guided tours, the best recommendation is to opt for car rental.

The advantage of using this service is that you’ll have more flexibility regarding the places you visit and the timings, especially if you want to change your mind halfway through. This is also because, as mentioned before, the weather conditions in a particular location on a given day might not be the most pleasant.

This way, you can move to another location that offers better visiting conditions with greater peace of mind.

Another important point before renting a car to drive around the island is that the terrain is quite rugged. In other words, rent a car with good power, especially one capable of climbing and descending hills, and steep places in general.

It’s also worth noting that the roads are generally in very good condition. However, pay attention to the roads that cross mountainous areas and are part of the island’s interior. These roads are very winding and often too narrow. In other words, don’t drive too fast.

A tip is to try to use the coastal road that circles the island as much as possible, as it is a fast road in very good condition.

Rent a car in Madeira online: Avoid surprises upon arrival and find the best car rental options in Madeira at this link.

Health recommendations for visiting Madeira Island

Decided to travel to Madeira Island? Well then, you’ll need to have a Vaccination Certificate/Recovery Certificate, or even a negative COVID-19 PCR Test.

This test can, in fact, be done within 72 hours before your trip to the island, but you can also take the test in Madeira itself, which is covered by the Regional Government. Furthermore, it’s recommended to book your test on the island in advance to avoid last-minute inconveniences.

It’s also important to note that if you take the test on the island, you’ll have to remain in isolation at your accommodation until the results are released (which takes about 12 hours). Therefore, it’s best to take the test before your trip, as this way you can make the most of your stay on the island, especially if your stay is only 3 days long.

Tours, excursions and activities

If you plan to take tours and excursions in Madeira, you can enjoy several options such as a boat trip along the coast, and observing local wildlife like whales and dolphins. Additionally, there are day excursions that visit the Desertas Islands and Porto Santo Island.

However, if you enjoy hiking trails but feel apprehensive about exploring the Levadas and footpaths alone, you can join small groups led by experienced island guides.

And if you don’t intend to rent a car in Madeira, the recommendation is to hire a local tour. This way, you can explore the island’s natural beauties with greater peace of mind.

Accommodation Suggestions

If you decide to stay for a short time on the island (at least 3 days), then many recommend dividing your nights of accommodation among the places you plan to visit each day (like our suggestions above)-

This way, you can save time and energy to visit as many places as possible in a short period. Besides Funchal, Porto Moniz, São Vicente, Santana, and Calheta for overnight stays, other great options include Câmara de Lobos, Machico, Ponta do Sol, and Ribeira Brava.

Now, if you can stay for more than three days on the island, then the recommendation is to settle in one location, preferably in Funchal.

After all, Funchal is where you’ll find the widest range of accommodation options and tourist services. Furthermore, access to the entire island is much easier from this location.

Among the most sought-after accommodations in Funchal, we can highlight:

• Hotel Baía Azul
• Savoy Palace
• Belmond Reid’s Palace
• Quinta da Bela Vista.

See what the best possibilities are, and book one of these places. You can see more options on the Accommodation in Madeira page.

Finally, note that even with just a few days on the island, it’s possible to discover a good number of diverse places, especially regarding natural beauty. Therefore, when visiting the island of Madeira, be prepared to be dazzled by some of the most beautiful landscapes. And, of course, enjoy every minute in Madeira!

These are just a few suggestions; check out the various available options and points of interest and create/adjust your itinerary.