100% customisable travel idea
Madeira essentials From Funchal to the north coast
Portugal - Madeira - Funchal - Porto Moniz - Santana
An island at your own pace
One, two, three stops
Three stays, each in a hotel combining charm, comfort and style. In the heart of Funchal - the island’s only true city - you explore on foot, leaving the car parked. Your first instinct will likely be to head up to your hotel’s rooftop terrace to take in the sea and city views, before enjoying a lofty swim. Three nights allow you to settle into island life and appreciate both the contemporary charm and the spa at your first stop. Next, it’s north to Porto Moniz. Here, the pool becomes natural, filled by the ebb and flow of the ocean while rarely feeling its force. You stay with your feet in the water and eyes fixed on the horizon. That call of the open sea grows stronger still in Santana, where your accommodation sits high above and boasts a large garden planted with vines - the perfect prelude to a deeper exploration of the wild delights that define this part of the island…
Itinerary
100% customisable for you
Arrival in Funchal and pick up your rental car. This coastal city is the island's capital and stretches between steep hills, its small harbour and the beaches of its trendy neighbourhood. Founded in the 15th century by Portuguese navigators, the city retains a pretty historic centre with simple and elegant architecture from this period.
Stay for three nights in the heart of Funchal, in a hotel whose architectural features give it a presence that suits the old stones around it. Climb up to the roof terrace for the view and the panoramic swimming pool.
On your itinerary - 4x4 ride and wine tasting. To tackle the island's winding, hilly roads, there's nothing like a 4x4 - and a driver to drive it. With their help, you'll head west to the Serra de Agua valley, to a village built halfway up the Ribeira Brava valley. You'll wind your way up to the Encumeada Pass, which rises to an altitude of 1,000 metres and separates the north and south of the island. Here you can enjoy panoramic views of both sides of Madeira before heading down to the northern part of the island. You will then cross the famous Madeira Laurel Forest, 90% of which is endemic and listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Composed of moss, ferns and rare species, it is also home to a rich and unique fauna, in a splendid setting of shady valleys, steep cliffs and waterfalls. You will finally arrive in Seixal, where you will visit a quinta to discover local wines and some traditional tapas before returning to Funchal.
Optional - Private kayaking along the coast.
On your itinerary - Whale watching. Your RIB quickly leaves Funchal marina behind and heads for several areas ideal for whale and dolphin watching, slowing down considerably as you approach them. The location of the Madeira archipelago in the North Atlantic, right in the middle of the migratory route, makes it an ideal place to observe up to 28 species of cetaceans in motion, depending on the season.
Head northwest of the island to Porto Moniz, between the endless ocean and black rock formations. This small seaside resort boasts a series of natural pools that are as beautiful as they are pleasant. Even when the ocean is roaring, there is always an almost Olympian calm.
This is where you will be staying for two nights - literally with your feet in the water, as the hotel is adjacent to the natural pools arranged in a semicircle in front of it. A charming welcome, modern facilities and a restaurant offering excellent food and views are among its attractions. From here, you can explore a region that has a special relationship with the ocean and offers plenty of opportunities for walks in the fresh air.
Optional - Private hike along the Levada do Alecrim.
Head east along the north coast to Santana. Here you will discover traditional Madeiran houses, with their pointed roofs that also serve as side walls. There is also a museum describing island life over the centuries. From the sugar loaf of Penha de Agua in the east to the baroque altarpiece of the church of São Jorge in the west, via the Miradouro do Guindaste, the surrounding area is full of interest.
Stay for two nights in a quinta perched on top of a cliff. The view is immense, overlooking the ocean merging with the sky on one side and Pico Ruivo, Madeira's highest peak, on the other. The quinta is surrounded by a vast flower garden and three hectares of vineyards. It has successfully capitalised on its natural heritage and turned it into a major asset, producing an excellent quality, certified organic wine! To delight the taste buds, guests can taste and compare the island's best wines in the cellar and discover local culinary specialities at the table. The rooms are spacious and comfortable, decorated in soft colours, with furnishings combining traditional furniture and contemporary touches.
On your itinerary - Hiking along the Levada Referta. Carved out from the 16th century onwards to irrigate the remote parts of the island, the levadas wind their way everywhere despite the terrain and the elements. It is an engineering feat that today allows hikers to follow marked trails that are always gently sloping. The Levada Referta is no exception and allows you to explore the north-east of the island and its picturesque villages. Along the way, you will pass the imposing Penha d'Águia rock and observe endemic flora and fauna. An immersion in the rural and agricultural world of Madeira.
Optional - Snorkelling at Ponta de São Lourenço.
Return to Funchal, drop off the vehicle and return flight.
À la carte
This suggested itinerary can be customisable down to the smallest detail, including duration, stops and content. An à la carte menu of experiences is also available to create a journey that reflects who you are.
Kayaking off the coast of Funchal
Setting off from Funchal’s marina, you head out along Madeira’s coastline, enjoying front-row views of breathtaking scenery. You glide across crystal-clear waters, weaving between secret sea caves and towering cliffs cloaked in greenery. If you're lucky, you may even spot dolphins and seabirds.Private hike along the Levada do Alecrim
Designed as early as the 16th century to supply Madeira’s driest areas with water, the levadas are irrigation channels that trace the island’s cliffs, passing through tunnels and eucalyptus forests. Following the Levada do Alecrim, lined with tree heathers, you look out over Rabaçal, the mountains of the Janela valley and, in the distance, the ocean. Along the way, you’ll discover several waterfalls and natural pools - an ideal opportunity to relax, swim, and enjoy a picnic.Snorkelling at Ponta de São Lourenço
While fiercely protective of its ancient forests, volcanic landscapes and remarkable levadas, Madeira is still very much an island open to the sea, with its fishing villages and spectacular coastline inhabited by cetaceans. After following the shore and admiring the cliffs sculpted by wind and waves, you stop at Ponta de São Lourenço, on the eastern tip of the island, for a refreshing swim. Mask, snorkel, a few expert tips on the best spots - and a whole underwater world opens up.
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