Photo: Bengt Nyman, CC BY 2.0 on Wikimedia Commons
The 7-day plan, rearranged for 2 days: the best-ranked places stay, and each day keeps to one part of town.
Built from the plan’s must-sees, grouped so each day stays close together and ordered by time of day.
A seafront quarter of narrow lanes, painted doors and small cafes, just east of the harbor. Wander without a map and look at the doors, which local artists have painted.
Go when Morning, before the streets fill up.
Local tip Walk the narrow lanes near the sea and look at the painted doors. Leave the main road and follow whichever lane looks interesting.
A walk beside a narrow water channel through thick forest to a high waterfall. There are tunnels and drops beside the path, so bring a torch, good shoes and check ahead for closures. Plan on several hours.
Go when Early morning, so you finish well before dark.
Local tip The path has tunnels, narrow ledges and drops. Bring a torch, wear shoes with grip, and check ahead for closures, because paths close after rain and rockfall.
The streams of the north east are known for trout. Grilled or fried with a little lemon, it is a simple mountain lunch.
Local tip Ask for it plain, with potatoes, and see how fresh it tastes.
The main market hall of Funchal, with a fish hall and stalls piled with tropical fruit, flowers and vegetables. Walk through slowly and ask before you taste a fruit you do not know.
Go when Morning, when the stalls are full.
Local tip Walk the fish hall first, then the fruit and flowers. Ask before you taste, and ask the name of anything you cannot identify.
A narrow peninsula of red and ochre cliffs that points out into the Atlantic. The walk is exposed, with little shade and strong wind, so carry water, wear a hat and check ahead on access.
Go when Morning, before the sun and the wind build.
Local tip There is almost no shade. Bring plenty of water, a hat and sun protection, and check ahead on access and on the path, which can close in wind or after rain.
Built from the plan’s must-sees, grouped so each day stays close together and ordered by time of day.
The third highest peak on the island, with a viewpoint above the clouds. It is cold and windy at the top, and the view can disappear in minutes, so wear layers and check the forecast.
Go when Morning, when the cloud often sits below you.
Local tip It is cold and windy at the top, so wear layers. If the summit is in cloud, wait a little or drive on and try the viewpoint just below.
One of the highest sea cliffs in Europe, with a glass-floored platform that hangs out over the drop. Look down at the terraced fields far below. Check ahead that the skywalk is open.
Go when Morning, before the tour buses arrive.
Local tip Step out on the glass floor if you are comfortable with heights, and look down at the small fields far below. Check ahead that it is open.
A longer walk beside the water channel to a pool fed by many small waterfalls. The path has drops and wet rock, so wear grip shoes, bring a torch and check ahead on closures.
Go when Late morning, when the light reaches the pool.
Local tip The path has drops and wet stones. Bring a torch, check ahead on closures and turn around if the weather turns.
Natural swimming pools in black volcanic rock at the northwest tip of the island, filled by the sea. Check ahead on sea conditions, because the pools close when the waves are big.
Go when Afternoon, when the sea is calm.
Local tip Check ahead on sea conditions, because the pools close in big waves. The rocks are slippery, so wear water shoes.
Espada, the long black fish caught in deep water off the island, served fried with a slice of banana. An odd pairing that locals love.
Local tip Try it once, with a squeeze of lemon, and share a portion if you are unsure.
It covers 2 days in Madeira, planned for late April. Each day is built around a small number of stops, with room to rest.
It was planned for most travelers. The pace and the places reflect that, so check it fits how you travel.
No. Places marked "book ahead" need a reservation. Hours, prices and availability change, so confirm before you go.
Yes. Archie drafts a day by day plan for your dates and takes your pace, the weather and who is travelling into account. You can start one from the Archie app.
Yes. It is a starting point you can change to fit your own trip: swap a place, add a day or move the pace.
Each day has about 40.5 to 49.7 kilometers between its stops, and 90.2 kilometers in all across 2 days. A short hop is a walk and a longer one a ride. Distances are straight-line estimates, so allow extra for the streets.
Other guides with a page about Madeira. Each one opens in a new tab.
WikivoyageMadeira, the free travel guideLonely PlanetMadeira travel guideTime OutThings to do in MadeiraPhoto: Luke H. Gordon, CC BY 2.0 on Wikimedia Commons · Photo: Krib, CC BY-SA 4.0 on Wikimedia Commons · Photo: Richard Bartz, CC BY-SA 3.0 on Wikimedia Commons
Make it yours in a minute, then move days around and add what you want.
A trip idea · Updated October 2026
Want your own days planned like this? Plan your own trip on the web or get the Archie app.
8 days in Tenerife, Canary IslandsAbout 490 km away
