You have 5 days to explore Madeira? This itinerary gives you a nice balance of everything the island has to offer. We have handpicked the best restaurants, levadas and things to do in general. Some days are more packed than others and to make sure you can make it all, you usually have to be up fairly early. For five days we suggest you stay in a hotel in Funchal. Otherwise it will be too hectic. You will also need to rent a car. It's simply essential to get around.
It's time to see Madeira and for that purpose you must have a rental car. Have early breakfast and head to the Anjos waterfall for that iconic photo. The reason why you go early is because it's become so crowded with tourists that's it's not even nice anymore. In the morning you generally beat the crowds.
You have to walk a levada when visiting Madeira and this one is one of our favorites. Park right next to the church, where the levada starts. It takes 3 hours max so if you start around 9:00 you will be back at 12:00 ready to take on lunch at Joe's Bar in Jardim do Mar. It's a 45 minute drives, you can order lunch at 13:00. After lunch go for a walk around Jardim do Mar. You can take the steps down to the promenade that wraps around the whole village.
From Jardim do Mar you drive to Paul do Mar only 10 minutes further up the coast. Here you park your car at Maktub Pub, where you enjoy a poncha while admiring the ocean. There's not a whole lot to see or do in Paul do Mar. You come there to just relax and enjoy the peacefulness.
As it's been a long day you take the car back towards Funchal, but with one important stop at Pukiki, where you are served the best cocktails on the island. It's in the middle of nowhere yet it's usually full of people with a nice atmosphere. Don't forget to check opening hours. They are closed at Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
For dinner you head to Hoyo Hoyo for the best chicken piri piri in the world. We truly believe that, which is also why we've been more than 100 times, hehe. No joke!
1
22.1 km (13.7 mi)
20 min
2
23.5 km (14.6 mi)
23 min
3
4.6 km (2.9 mi)
9 min
4
16.9 km (10.5 mi)
23 min
5
6
7
30.8 km (19.1 mi)
34 min
8
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