Madeira, a small island that is more than big enough for the ultimate trip. The island has everything you need to make your next trip a unique experience. Beautiful hiking trails in the mountains and endless views along the breathtaking coastline? Madeira has got you covered!
Planning your trip to Madeira can be quite difficult with all those activities and highlights. In this blog, you will find my experiences and tips that you can use as inspiration for planning your trip to the Portuguese flower island!
Practical information
Always good to keep in mind for your holiday preparation.
Planning your flight
From the Netherlands, you can only fly from Amsterdam, while there are several options across the border. Düsseldorf and Köln are excellent alternatives. For most in the south/east of the country, these airports are a fairly equal, perhaps shorter, distance.
Arriving at Madeira Airport (or Cristiano Ronaldo Airport) is quite an experience. The airport is right up a hill next to the ocean. From the terrace near the departure hall, plenty of spectators will watch the landing of your flight, also fun to do yourself on the return trip.
Getting around in Madeira
I don't want to say that you should rent a car, but it has proven to be the most convenient way to explore the island. Public transportation can't get you to all the sights, and with tours you limit your freedom to make your own nice day plan.
The rental company wanted to offer us an upgrade on location for an additional fee, but the average rental car (Seat Ibiza, Renault Clio) is more than fine.
Where to stay?
The highlights and hiking trails are all quite scattered around the island, which may make the choice of a place to stay a bit more difficult at first glance. The most central place to stay is the island's capital: Funchal. From here you can get to most of the island's highlights within a maximum of 1 hour and 15 minutes. Furthermore, you have all facilities you need, such as an extensive choice of restaurants/cafes, supermarkets and other stores.
Many tunnels have been built and the quality of the roads is excellent. Once you drive into the mountains, you will find that driving becomes a bit more adventurous. The roads are sometimes a bit rougher and you have an extra challenge downhill with all the curves on the route.
Please spare your car's brakes by not braking all the time when you're going downhill. I couldn't stand seeing those flashing braking lights on all the time when someone drove in front of me :-)
Madeira's highlights!
Madeira is a paradise for anyone who likes to put on their hiking boots. The island has several beautiful vereda and levada hikes, of which Ponta de São Laurenço along with the Arieiro and the Ruivo are among the most famous!
Good to know is that all hikes with PR in the name are official hiking trails. Verada means uneven landscapes (mountainous areas). Does a route have levada in the name? Then it is usually a flat route. Levadas are constructed canals that provide drainage on the island. By the way, don't forget to bring your hiking boots, as they come in very handy!
Reserve 2-4 days to put on the hiking boots for some great hikes.
Madeira is a paradise for anyone who likes to put on their hiking boots. The island has several beautiful vereda and levada hikes, of which Ponta de São Laurenço along with the Arieiro and the Ruivo are among the most famous!
Good to know is that all hikes with PR in the name are official hiking trails. Verada means uneven landscapes (mountainous areas). Does a route have levada in the name? Then it is usually a flat route. Levadas are constructed canals that provide drainage on the island. By the way, don't forget to bring your hiking boots, as they come in very handy!
Some hikes that are absolutely worthwhile!
Fanal Forest
Depending on your travel planning for the day you want to visit Fanal Forest, there are 2 routes: (1) via Ribiera da Janela or (2) via Paul da Serra (flattest point on the island). If you travel via Paúl da Serra you will pass Miradouro Lombo do Mouro, Bica da Cana and Pico Ruivo do Paul; viewpoints that are definitely worth stopping for!
Once you arrive at the Fanal Forest parking lot, you can walk straight into the laurel forest and surround yourself among the beautiful laurel trees. If you are lucky it is foggy and you will find yourself in a real fairy tale forest.
Geniet van eindeloze uitzichten bij de diverse viewpoints
Thanks in part to the difference in altitude and rugged mountains, Madeira has many viewpoints (Miradouros). Some are easier to reach than others, but all are definitely worth a visit! Six viewpoints you should not miss, in combination with practical info/ tips can be found here!
- Miradouro da Eira da Achada
- Miradouro do Véu da Noiva
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Miradouro do Guindaste
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Miradouro Ilheus da Ribeira da Janela
- Miradouro do Ninho da Manta
- Miradouro da Ponta do Rosto
- Miradouro do Eira do Serrado
- Miradouro do Bica da Cana
- Miradouro Lombo do Mouro
- Miradouro do Pico Ruivo (Madeira's hoogste punt)
- Vereda dos Balcões
Discover the local kitchen
Crumbed cod (Bacalhau)
Bolo de Arroz & bola de berlim
Bolo do Caco & Poncha, Madeira's local specialities
Restaurant tip: Restaurante Galé (Faial)
This restaurant is quite secluded on a hill and therefore not immediately visible. We arrived at this restaurant by chance and were pleasantly surprised by the hospitality and, above all, the cooking skills of the chef. One of the local specialties not to be missed here is Bolo do Caco. This bread is baked on a caco (a flat plate of basalt) with garlic and olive oil.
Mercado dos Lavradores
When you're going to visit the local fresh market in Funchal (Mercado dos Lavradores), I recommend you not to buy any of the local fruit they offer. It is really focused on tourists and they charge more than the top price. Sometimes the vendors let you tourists taste fruit and then demand (sometimes aggressively) that you buy it.
In the supermarket or at a normal vegetable/fruit store it is usually a lot cheaper. For example, should you want to buy dried fruit to take home, Madeira Supremo Supermarket comes highly recommended. Here you can put together your own mix at wholesale prices.
Funchal city center
The center of the capital Funchal is fun to walk through. Some highlights in the center are:
- The square by the town hall, possibly combined with the adjacent church.
- Madeira is the island where Cristiano Ronaldo was born. The CR7 Museum is an impressive collection of his career and is well worth a visit for any sports fan!
- The Botanical Garden is a nice attraction, but the colors of the flowers leave something to be desired if you don't go between April and August.
- Walk along the sea
- The neighborhood of Zona Velha (old city center) with narrow streets and nice restaurants.
Cool off in the Natural Pools or on the beach!
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Piscina do Porto da Cruz: Enjoy the beautiful views of the coastline and mountains, with a little luck while enjoying the rough waves crashing against the rocks.
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Piscinas Naturales do Seixal: According to locals, a lot quieter than the busier natural pools in neighboring Porto Moniz.
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Praia do Faial: With a fine beach club for a snack or drink.
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Praia do Calheda: Near the PR6 hike, not very special but great to cool off after your hike. Includes terrace (of the adjacent hotel) for a snack or drink.
You can also consider . . .
- Anjos Waterfall for a unique carwash experience. Be aware that this place can be crowded during the day. When we were there in the morning (08:00) there was no one and I was able to get out quickly to take a video of this unique carwash.
- Camera de Lobos, also known as the Positano of Madeira.
- The typical houses in Santana are nice to take a look at if you are in the area after the PR9 hike, for example.
In short: plenty of things to do!
More than enough to do during your vacation in Madeira. Hopefully this blog has inspired you to determine your next vacation destination or to shape your planning on Madeira. One last tip: don't forget to leave some room for unexpected surprises; you're bound to encounter them! Boa viagem!
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