When visiting Madeira in 4 days, you can see a lot: coastal cliffs, natural pools, mountain peaks, levadas, dolphins and so much more.
But there is so much to see and do, that it can be difficult to choose.
I have visited every corner of the island, and created 3 itineraries of 4 days in Madeira to help you plan:
- to see the best of everything,
- to explore without driving a car,
- to enjoy the most beautiful hikes if you are more of an outdoor traveler.
I wish you an unforgettable trip to Madeira!
Before my tips + photos, here are my favorites for Madeira:
My favorite platform to rent a car in Madeira: DiscoverCars
The unmissable boat tour: Catamaran tour to go whale watching
My favorite excursion from Funchal: 4×4 tour of East Madeira
MMy favorite places to stay in Funchal: Les Suites at the Cliff Bay (Luxury) – Sé Boutique Hotel (4 stars) – Market Place by Storytellers (apartments)
My favorite places to stay outside Funchal: Saccharum Resort near a beach (Luxury) – Estalagem da Ponta do Sol (4 stars) – Engho Velho Hotel (mid-range)
Visiting Madeira in 4 days – essential to know
Is 4 days enough to visit Madeira? Is it worth it?
I’ll be honest, 4 days is a little short to have time to soak in the beauty of the island. But you can still see a lot of what the island is about in that timeframe: some coastal scene, some gardens and some mountains views.
You won’t have time to enjoy everything that the island has to offer but you can enjoy a lot.
I think it is worth it, if you are flying from Europe, especially if you can find a direct flight.
My selection of the places not to be missed for first-time visitors
The following itineraries include some of my favorite places and things to do (see our complete list).
But if you want to create your own, I think the things you should not miss during your trip:
- the historical center of Funchal and its market
- one small village-towns such as Camara de Lobos
- one area of coastal pool made of lava, for example Porto Moniz – see my list
- one of the cable cars, my favorite is Rocha do Navio – see my list
- a small collection of viewpoints including Pico do Arieiro – see my list
- one walk along a levada (irrigation system from the mountains) – see my list
- one boat tour to find dolphins and – see my tips or check out the available tours directly.
And get more tips in my complete guide to visiting Madeira.
Do you need a car?
With 4 days, you can plan an itinerary with and without a car.
However, to have more freedom to explore you favorite places, the car is the best options. Don’t worry, it is not as crazy as some people write. Read my article about driving in Madeira.
Need to rent a car? My tips:
- Compare car rental prices on my favorite platform: Discovercars.com – one of the best customer-rated comparison sites!
- Choose the car and company you prefer (with enough power for steep roads)
- Consider their full coverage option – I always take it for peace of mind!
- Book early to have a large choice of vehicles!
See my 36 tips about renting a car in Madeira
Where to stay in Madeira for 4 days
With only 4 days, I recommend you stay in a single place and get around from it every day.
However if you want to be able to see more, you can plan a road trip and change hotel every night.
- If you are staying without a car
stay in Funchal for rentals or in the Lido area for hotels with pools
For example, consider the Castanheiro Boutique Hotel – see photos and availability
or see best rated accommodations in the area - Otherwise, I recommend Machico to easily explore the East of the island. Here you will find mostly rentals.
– See best rated accommodations in Machico - And for the most central location to explore both east and west, north and south, I recommend Ribeira Brava or Ponta do Sol (which adds a 15min drive).
– See best rated accommodations in the town
More tips on my article about where to stay in Madeira with hotel suggestions.
In Funchal, some hotel suggestions:
- LUXURY – Les Suites The Cliff Bay in a stunning environnement – see photos and availability
- Luxury in Old Town: Hotel the Vine, in the old center – see photos and availability
- Boutique: Sé Boutique Hotel, in the old center – see photos and availability
- 4 stars: Hotel Alto Lido, in the Lido area – see photos and availability
- Apartments: Market Place by Storytellers in a pedestrian street in the heart of Funchal – see photos and availability
Find our more in my article about the best place to stay in Funchal.
Itinerary 1 – 4 days in Madeira with the best of everything!
Personally, I love to see as much as I can when traveling.
So below is the itinerary I would plan for myself if I had 4 days.
Best place to stay for this itinerary + getting around
If you want to see a lot, I recommend you either change hotels every night to reduce driving times and see every coast.
Or stay in the center of the island with easy connections to everywhere, in Ribeira Brava – See best rated accommodations in the town.
And for this itinerary, a car is essential. Compare rental prices on my favorite platform: Discovercars.com.
Day 1
Stop 1 – Cabo Girao
Head to Cabo Girao at opening time to avoid the largest crowds.
Get dizzy because, here, the cliffs reach 589m (1932ft). They are the tallest in Europe.
The locals have built a transparent platform to appreciate the height.
It is quite impressive to see the height, but apart from that, I thought the views were very limited.
Learn more in my article about Cabo Girao.
Stop 2 – Head west to the charming village of Camaro dos Lobos
Stroll around the old village and the port: Camara de Lobos. The most famous in Madeira.
It is considered the most charming and I agree. Promenades that offer different views surround the tiny fishing port with colorful boats. It is worth spending half a day here, soaking in the atmosphere and maybe enjoying a delicious lunch with fresh fish.
See my article.
Stop 3 – Valley of the Nuns
Head inside the mountains to enter a unique areas.
You will feel so small in the Valley of nuns a.k.a. Curral das Frieiras .
First head to the viewpoint Eira do Serrado – from higher grounds, you can see the hidden valley with giant vertical mountains surrounding the “couldron”.
And then, visit the village of Curral das Frieiras. Appreciate the perspective from the bottom of the valley and taste the famous chestnuts!
Day 2
Stop 1 – Pico do Arieiro
Get up early and go watch the sunrise at Pico do Areiro.
Plan to arrive at least 30minutes before to see the colors changes and hopefully see the sun rise over the clouds. If you feel like it, do some of the hike towards Pico Ruivo. You can walk 1h one way for a 2h return a hike and see a lot. Learn more.
Stop 2 – drive down to the North Coast and visit Santana with its traditional houses
One of the largest attractions in Madeira, the Park is an ethnographic village where you can learn more about the culture, traditions and crafts.
The most appreciated feature is the set up inside old traditional houses with triangular thatched rooftops.
You can also explore the whole park with gardens and a lake.
Stop 3 – Take the Rocha do Navio cable car
Finish the day with my favorite cable car.
First enjoy the view from the top. The green mountains dropping into the deep blue sea are spectacular!
And, as you ride down to sea level, you will be able to several waterfalls.
In my opinion, it has be best scenery. You can even see a traditional Santana house in the gardens.
The name Rocha do Navio’ refers to the sinking of a Dutch ship in the nineteenth century.
Learn more on my Rocha do Navio article.
Stop 4 – Ponta de Sao Lourenço
Ponta de Sao Louranço is the best place on the island to admire the volcanic origin of Madeira.
You walk along the famous “dragon tail” of Madeira surrounded by bare landscapes and colorful rocks.
You may not have the time to do the hike, if you decided to hike in the morning. In that case just enjoy the views at the side viewpoint of Ponta do Rosto.
You can do as much as walking you want on the trail and turn around. It is impressive and colorful!
You can just admire the views near the carpark or walk as long as you want along the hike.
The entire hike is 6.4km/4mi which means 3 to 4h to the Sardinha Caféa and return
I don’t drink coffee 
But I also like other drinks and sweets!
Do you like the free content you find on my blog? All my tips and practical information, without intrusive advertising…
Day 3
Stop 1 – 25 Fontes Levada Walk
Wake up early to enjoy the famous hike: 25 Fontes. This is the most famous Levada walk in Madeira.
Head down in the valley to reach the Levada (traditional irrigation channel) and follow the path in lush vegetation.
It leads to a small lagoon and many tiny waterfalls crying on a wall, hence the name of 25 springs.
Plus, on that same path, you can also enjoy a quick detour to the Risco waterfall, dropping 100m (330ft) on the side of the mountain.
See my complete guide to this hike
Stop 2 – Porto Moniz
Bring your swimsuit. After this long hike, you deserve to go swim in the Porto Moniz Natural pools surrounded by lava. A wonderful and unusual experience.
There are 2 areas: the ones that have been made smoother for public use and the more natural ones, near the fort.
I recommend first enjoying them on foot: the long strips of lava, the shades of blue and green, the island in the background.
But then, make sure to get into the water (seawater). The place is ideal for those who love swimming and the views are mesmerizing. Such a relaxing place to swim.
However, don’t swim between 10am and 3pm, when groups are visiting on day trips. I recommend staying later and even spending the night to have a more peaceful experience.
See my complete guide.
Stop 3 – Photo stop on the drive back along the North Coast
On the drive back, stop to see the rock formations at Ribeira da Janela.
And then, stop at the black sand beach of Seixal.
In my opinion, this is clearly the most beautiful beach on the island.
It is what I imagine when thinking of an old volcanic island: smooth black sand with steep cliffs with lush vegetation.
There is even a small waterfall on the beach!
A beach that has it all: sand, scenery, nice waters… Learn more
And then you can also stop at Miradouro Veu da Noiva for the waterfall.
Day 4
Stop 1 – Dolphins and whales
Go on a boat tour to spot dolphins and whales.
A great number of whales pass through Madeira each year. Research says that 28 different species of the 78 known can be seen on this island, from various dolphin species to great blue whales.
Tours are running year round. The highest quantity of species is from April to September.
Learn more
See available tours:
- Catamaran tour including swimming under Cabo Girao – See options & availability
- Speed boat tour – See details & availability
- Swim with dolphin tour – See details & availability
Stop 2 – Monte Palace Tropical Garden
Take the Cable car to high above town. There you can visit one of the gardens.
Madeira is s also famous for its man-made natural beauty a.k.a. its gardens. There are several in Funchal, but if you have time only for one, I strongly recommend the Monte Palace Tropical Garden.
Lush vegetation surrounds the walking paths that lead to water feature, stones, sculptures, tiles, museums and various structures.
Stop 3 – Sled Ride
Get back downtown by enjoying a toboggan sled ride.
It is one of the most unique experiences in Madeira. Very unusual.
You are sitting in a basket and transported down the steep streets back to the center of Funchal.
And how are you breaking, may you ask… well, 2 men in traditional costumes will use their feet to balance, steer and brake the ride.
Stop 4 – Historical Funchal
Explore downtown Funchal.
I am not a city person, I prefer nature. But I have to admit that I was pleasantly surprised by the old center of Funchal.
It has a lot of charms with lots of trees lining the streets.You should take the time to just stroll around, appreciate the buildings (fort, cathedral, churches…) and enjoy the vibe.
4 days in Madeira – itinerary map
To help you get oriented, here is a map of the areas covered with this itinerary:
You can find all those stops and more, with practical information (maps, driving times, difficulty to access) in my eBook:
Plan your dream trip in Madeira thanks to my guide
- 7 maps to easily plan your itinerary
- 120+ pre-selected locations
- GPS coordinates direct to the carparks
- Tips to make the most of your time
- 260+ original photos to help you choose
Itinerary 2 – 4 days in Madeira without a car, based in Funchal
Best place to stay for this itinerary + getting around
For this itinerary, I recommend staying in Funchal. 2 options:
- for apartment and house rentals choose the city center and the hills above – see best rated accommodations in Funchal
- for hotels with pools, choose the Lido area – see best rated accommodations in the area
And for this itinerary, you can take a few bus and guided tours. For more ideas, see my article about the best madeira tours.
Day 1 – Hop-on hop-off in Funchal and learn about the city
Take it easy to get to know the island.
Use the hop-on hop-off bus to explore Funchal. Don’t miss:
- the old town,
- the Jesuit College
- and Farmers Market
Plus it goes to the village of Camara de Lobos, a fishing village with a charming old center. Great place to relax, walk and have lunch.
How long it takes
- If staying on the bus – 1h35 loop
- Hop-on and Hop-off to see as much as you want
See hop-on hop-off tickets
If you want to learn more about Funchal, you can join a guided walking tour – See details, availability & book
Day 2 – Porto Moniz natural pools
Book a tour to the northeast tip of Madeira.
The highlight of the tour are the natural pools bu you will see much more!
Swimming in the natural pools of Porto Moniz was one of my favorite experiences on the island. Even just looking at them with the island in the background and the fort on the side. I love lava rock formations…
Note – not all tours include time to go swimming.
Main stops
- Porto Moniz Natural Pools – created by lava and filled with sea water
- The Fanal Forest – with ancient Laurrissilva trees
- Seixal natural black sand beach – sand beaches are rare on the island, and this one is stunning with the green lush cliffs next to it.
- But you can also book other tours that combine Porto Moniz with other parts of the island, such as wine tasting or the Skywalk at Cabo Girao
How long it takes
- Full day
- Porto Moniz is 1h drive away from Funchal
See details, availability & book
Or see alternative tours that also include Porto Moniz
Day 3 – Pico do Arieiro, Santana & East Madeira
It is a day with a little bit of everything: coastal views, mountain views, town, history, culture…
You will learn a lot about the history and geology of Madeira and visit iconic locations.
Main stops
- The viewpoint of Portela, one of the most beautiful on the island with views of the Eagle Rock (Penha D’Aguia)
- The Santana traditional thatched houses, iconic of Madeira island
- The magnificent Pico do Arieiro, 3rd summit of the island with impressive views of the jagged mountain peaks
How long it takes
- Full day – a loop around the Eastern part of Madeira island
- Machico is 30min from Funchal
- Santana is 20min away from Machico
- Pico do Arieiro is 45min away from Santana, and 40min away from Funchal
- Group tours a 4×4 but you can visit all those locations renting a normal car
See details, availability & book
Day 4 – Boat, cable car, garden and sled ride
Stop 1 – Dolphins and whales
Go on a boat tour to spot dolphins and whales.
A great number of whales pass through Madeira each year. Research says that 28 different species of the 78 known can be seen on this island, from various dolphin species to great blue whales.
Tours are running year round. The highest quantity of species is from April to September.
Learn more
See available tours:
- Catamaran tour including swimming under Cabo Girao – See options & availability
- Speed boat tour – See details & availability
- Swim with dolphin tour – See details & availability
Stop 2 – Monte Palace Tropical Garden
Take the Cable car to high above town. There you can visit one of the gardens.
Madeira is s also famous for its man-made natural beauty a.k.a. its gardens. There are several in Funchal, but if you have time only for one, I strongly recommend the Monte Palace Tropical Garden.
Lush vegetation surrounds the walking paths that lead to water feature, stones, sculptures, tiles, museums and various structures.
Stop 3 – Sled Ride
Get back downtown by enjoying a toboggan sled ride.
It is one of the most unique experiences in Madeira. Very unusual.
You are sitting in a basket and transported down the steep streets back to the center of Funchal.
And how are you breaking, may you ask… well, 2 men in traditional costumes will use their feet to balance, steer and brake the ride.
Itinerary 3 – 4 hiking days in Madeira
Madeira has some of the most fascinating hikes I have every done.
Between high mountain peaks, lush levada walks and bare landscape, you can have a wonderful time in 4 days. Here is my selection of the 4 best to complete on your trip but you can see my complete list with all my favorite hikes.
Best place to stay for this itinerary + getting around
The best hikes are mostly on the east side of the island.
So you can stay in Funchal with rentals in the old center and hotels with pools in the Lido area – see best rated accommodations in the area
Or stay in the center of the island with easy connections to everywhere, in Ribeira Brava – See best rated accommodations in the town.
And for this itinerary, a car is essential. Compare rental prices on my favorite platform: Discovercars.com.
But if you don’t want to drive, I have also listed guided hike options.
Day 1 – Ponta de Sao Louranço (PR8)
Ponta de Sao Louranço is the best place on the island to admire the volcanic origin of Madeira.
You walk along the famous “dragon tail” of Madeira surrounded by bare landscapes and colorful rocks.
Along the hike there are many viewpoints with steep cliffs, sea stacks and magnificent views towards the sea or back toward the island.
The peninsula has been beautifully shaped by the elements. It is impressive and colorful!
- The best times to do this hike are for sunrise – less crowded, not as hot, good colors (if not cloudy), facing the sun – or late afternoon – less crowded, great colors
- If you are worried about doing this hike on your own, or if you want to learn more about the area, you can join a guided tour – Learn more and see availability
- 6.4km/4mi return to the Sardinha Café
3 to 4 hours return
Add 1.4km return if you climb to the last viewpoint towards the lighthouse (trail with sign closed)
Day 2 – 25 Fontes (PR6) + Risco waterfall (PR6.1)
This is the most famous Levada walk in Madeira.
Head down in the valley to reach the Levada (traditional irrigation channel) and follow the path in lush vegetation.
It leads to a small lagoon and many tiny waterfalls crying on a wall, hence the name of 25 springs.
Plus, on that same path, you can also enjoy a quick detour to the Risco waterfall, dropping 100m (330ft) on the side of the mountain.
See my complete guide to this hike
- I do think that very early is the best time to start. I arrived at sunrise. I was alone on the walk all the way to the lagoon. It was fantastic to enjoy the path and the silence. It also means that I had finished walking the levada when the larger groups were arriving. So it was perfect. The only drawback was the shuttle was not operating yet when I arrived. But it had started when I was going back up and there were not queue at this hour to take it up to the carpark. PERFECT.
- 2 to 5 hours depending on your shuttle options
- You can also join a small group tour to complete this hike with transportation and guide.
Just know that they don’t always respect the fact that they write “small group” and that the groups don’t take the shuttle.
See options
Day 3 – Pico do Arieiro to Pico Ruivo (PR1)
This is one of the most impressive hikes I have ever done. It connects Pico do Areeiro (1817m – 5961ft) to Pico Ruivo (1862m – 6108ft), the 3rd and 1st highest peaks on the island.
The peaks are sharp and the cliffs dropping straight down around you.
You can see mountains all around, as well as the sea on each side. Plus, along the way, there are caves into the volcanic tuff that were shelters for shepherds.
You will never get bored (unless you are in the clouds).
More pictures on my article about Pico do Arieiro
- come for sunrise for 3 reasons: to easily find a spot to park, to have more chance of having the summits about the clouds, and to see the sunrise!
- Option 1 – return the same as the departure point
14km (8.7mi) – 7 to 8h for total return walk - Option 2 – finish at Achada do Teixeira and call a cab to come pick you up and drive you back to the first carpark (important budget + take a cab company phone number with you)
7km + 2,8km = 9,8km (6mi) – 3,5h to 4h to get to Pico Ruivo + 1h to 1h30 to walk down to Achada do Teixeira on PR1.2 - If you are worried about doing this hike on your own, or if you want to learn more about the area, you can join a guided tour.
The group hike does version 2 and the transportation is there, waiting for you, to take you back to your hotel in Funchal.
Learn more and check availability
Or book a private transfer (option 2 of the walk as well).
Day 4 – Levada do Caldeirao Verde (PR9)
Another famous Levada walks in Madeira starts at the Parque Floresta das Queimadas. It is a long flat walk in lush vegetation. It leads to a tall waterfall known as Caldeirao Verde.
This walk is pretty special. First, there are the weeping walls with green vegetation. And it is also an adventure, because you have to make your way through 5 tunnels. Some of them are quite long and very dark. Kids love it! Adults have mixed feeling, especially when they bump their head…
This waterfall walk can also be completed with a loop to a canyon and other waterfalls known as Caldeirao do Inferno, which is quite impressive (although difficult to photograph).
- Once again, I think early morning is best. I arrived at sunrise and was first at the carpark.
There was absolutely enough light on the trail and I was alone to enjoy the beautiful scenery and the silence. What a blissful moment! (the return was more frustrating with all the people talking lol). - To Caldeirao Verde – 13km/8mi return – 5h30 return
To Caldeirao do Inferno – add 4,4km/2,7mi return – add 2h return (worth it!) - Here again, if you don’t have transportation or want the services of a guide, you can opt for a guided walking tour.
Check out the options
FAQs
4 or 5 days in Madeira, what is best?
If you can plan 5 days instead of 4, I strongly recommend it.
The island is magical and deserves as much time as you can.
Plus know that when it is windy, there are often delays for flights, so it can cut short your trip.
See my 5 day itineraries
Is 3 days enough to visit Madeira
To be honest I would not go to Madeira for just 3 days.
Yes you can enjoy a little bit of the island, but with the unpredictability of the flights, it could really reduce your weekend.
Plus, it could be frustrated to have only a glimpse of such a place.
I think with only 3 days, it is best to visit a city such as Porto or Lisbon – see my guide Porto or Lisbon
Want to see more of the best Madeira offers?
- 42 Madeira travel tips to plan an unforgettable trip – read article
- Where to stay in Madeira – best areas – read article
- 35 best things to do in Madeira – read article
- The best landscapes in Madeira in 40 pictures – read article
- The 7 cables cars in Madeira and their amazing views – read article
- 10 best hikes & levada walks in Madeira – reach article
- Tips to rent a car and drive around Madeira – read article
- 12 Madeira Hidden Gems – read article
- 4 Madeira Natural Pools (and 6 coastal alternatives) – read article
- 18 best beaches in Madeira – read article
- 7 best Madeira boat tours & trips – read article
Planning a trip to Madeira?
Check out my travel guide to help you plan:
Plan your dream trip in Madeira thanks to my guide
- 7 maps to easily plan your itinerary
- 120+ pre-selected locations
- GPS coordinates direct to the carparks
- Tips to make the most of your time
- 260+ original photos to help you choose
And keep track of your own trip!
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