3 Days in Madeira: A Realistic Itinerary
A short trip done properly — one day in Funchal, one in the mountains, one on the coast.
By Madeira.Vacations · 6 min read · Last checked 30 June 2026
Day 1 — Funchal on foot
Market, old town, cable car, Monte gardens, toboggan, promenade. No car, no driving, and a gentle recovery from the flight.
Day 2 — The mountains
Arieiro at sunrise if the forecast is clear, then either the ridge walk or a drive down to Ribeiro Frio and the Balcões levada. Finish at Eira do Serrado looking into Curral das Freiras.
Day 3 — The north west
São Vicente, Seixal, Porto Moniz for the lava pools, then home over the Paúl da Serra plateau. Allow more driving time than the map suggests — three hours of road for what looks like an hour.
Prices, opening hours and trail access change often. We last checked this on 30 June 2026 — confirm before you set off.
