Madeira Road Trip: A Guide to the Best Spots on the Island
People love road-tripping around Madeira for a mix of beautiful mountain and coastal scenery, small towns, wineries, and unique sites to see.
With short drives through minimal traffic, you can see coastal cliffs, misty forests, volcanic peaks, and waterfalls.
Driving on Madeira…
- allows you to reach popular hikes and waterfalls on your own schedule…
- gives you the flexibility to get to sites for sunrise, or early to beat the crowds…
- and allows you to spend time in the island’s charming towns that are hard to reach by the tour buses.
It might help to read my separate post, which includes everything you need to know about driving on Madeira!
The 3 Sites I Use for Every Trip
– For tours: Viator
-For travel insurance: Travel Guard
– For rental cars: Discover Cars
Madeira Road Trip Map
You can drive around the entire island of Madeira in under 4 hours, on a circular route that runs about 160km.
The destinations on our road trip itinerary are plotted on the map below. While it’s not on the map, it’s also still easy and worthwhile to take the road up through the center of Madeira.
Guided Road Trip Tours
If you’re not a fan of renting a car and driving on your own, or you just have a single-day stop on a cruise, you can have a guide do all the work for you.
These two options have excellent reviews:
Start Your Madeira Road Trip in Funchal
Funchal is the vibrant capital city of Madeira, and it’s about a 90-minute flight from Lisbon. It’s the port city most cruise ships will dock at, leaving passengers yearning to stay longer to see everything Madeira has to offer!
🚙 Click Here: Book a Madeira Rental Car
Arriving & Renting a Car
Arriving at the Madeira Airport, officially Cristiano Ronaldo International Airport (airport code FNC), you’ll have a variety of rental car companies to choose from. You’ll walk out of baggage claim to see internationally known brands and local Madeira rental companies.
I’ve had success renting from Madeira Rent.
- It’s easier (though a bit more expensive) to rent from a car company with an office right in the airport.
- If you’re looking to save money, you can rent from a car company off-site.
- I’d recommend choosing an automatic transmission, since the roads are hilly on Madeira.
- Book in advance, especially in the busy summer tourist season. We had cheaper rates and more selection for our spring trip to Madeira.
Where to Stay in Funchal
I can’t say enough about the famous Savoy properties on Madeira. There are several in Funchal, including the Savoy Palace.
I’ve centered this interactive map on the Palace, the 5-star flagship of the Savoy Signature collection of hotels on the island, so you can check your dates and rates:
Things to Do in Funchal
The city is home to just over 100,000 people, but feels much larger. It’s surrounded by terraced hillsides, botanical gardens, and dramatic coastline.
There’s plenty to do to keep you busy for a couple of days at the start or end of your road trip on Madeira:
- Old Town: Funchal’s historic core, Zona Velha, features narrow cobblestone streets, colorful doors (part of a public art project), and countless bars and restaurants.
- Mercado dos Lavradores: This lively market is a great place to sample tropical fruits and local fish (like the famous black scabbardfish). I love that they sell seeds to all of the gorgeous flowers you’ll see growing on the island.
- Cable cars & toboggan rides: Take a cable car up to the Monte district, then ride a traditional wicker toboggan back down. Sounds odd, but it’s one of the island’s most popular experiences.
- Madeira wine: Funchal is a great place to tour wine cellars and taste the island’s signature fortified wine. Blandy’s is a favorite spot to take a tour.
Hike Pico do Areeiro (Also Spelled Arieiro)
Pico do Areeiro, at 5,965 feet, is Madeira’s third-highest peak. It offers some of the island’s most breathtaking views. For non-hikers, it’s easily accessible by car from Funchal.
The summit is famous for its sunrises and sunsets, since you’ll usually be above the clouds!
The summit area includes a large car park, a café, and a souvenir shop. A radar station operated by the Portuguese Air Force is also located here.
Pico do Areeiro serves as the starting point for the PR1 Vereda do Areeiro trail, one of Madeira’s most iconic hikes. The famous “Stairway to Heaven” portion of the hike is closed. It initially closed due to a wildfire, and has remained closed until they come up with a plan to make it safer and handle the crowds.
Instead, you can do the much shorter hike to other overlooks, like Miradouro do Ninho da Manta.
- Trail Access Fee: In 2025, Madeira implemented a €3 fee for tourists over 12 years old to access certain popular hiking trails, including the PR1 Vereda do Areeiro. This initiative aims to promote sustainable tourism and conservation efforts. Payments can be made through the Simplifica portal or on-site,
- Weather: Conditions can change rapidly. The staff at your hotel will give the best advice on which days will be ideal for a visit.
Madeira’s Southern Coast
Continuing on your road trip along Madeira’s southern coast, we’ll head west from Funchal.
Generally, the southern coast enjoys milder, sunnier, and drier weather than the north, with temperatures year-round in the 60s–70s°F.
Let’s go over a few stops to make as you drive:
Camara de Lobos
This colorful fishing village west of Funchal is known for its painted boats and cliffside views. Winston Churchill used to come here to paint.
Ponta do Sol
Ponta do Sol is a charming small town, known as the sunniest spot on the island. It has a small town center, beach access, and several restaurants.
Calheta
You’ll find one of the few sandy beaches on Madeira in Calheta, with imported sand from Morocco.
There’s a large marina, with swimming and dolphin tours in addition to restaurants along the coast.
Savoy Signature has another amazing property here, Saacharum, which is great to use as a base for a few days on your road trip. Be sure to check out their amazing farm-to-table garden behind the hotel!
Cascata dos Anjos
A favorite draw here is the waterfall onto an old highway. Parking is cramped up the road, but it’s not a far walk down to the falls. The light shines through beautifully right at sunset.
Madeira’s Northern Coast
Madeira’s northern coast is greener and less developed than the south. It’s famous for its dramatic cliffs, lush forests, and traditional villages.
The drive from São Vicente to Porto Moniz is known for its tunnels, lush mountains, and ocean views.
Porto Moniz
We’ll pick up our road trip from Madeira’s northwestern tip: Porto Moniz, which is famous for its large natural swimming pools. They’re surrounded by lava rocks, and filled by the crashing waves from the ocean.
Porto Moniz is home to several large parking lots, which are often full. There’s additional street parking available.
In addition to the pools, the Aquarium of Madeira is here, along with other attractions.
Ribeira da Janela
Traveling east from Porto Moniz, we’ll arrive in Ribeira da Janela. The town itself is small, but it’s a popular spot because of the striking rock formations just off the coast. There are lots to park in, to make the quick walk down to the water’s edge.
Seixal
Seixal is another small town with restaurants and shops, plus its own natural pools.
Driving along Madeira’s coast, you’ll spot several more waterfalls on the cliffs above the highway. If you need map guidance, search for one of the famous falls: Veu da Noiva (Bride’s Veil). You’ll find a few lots to pull over into for views.
São Vicente
A river runs through the center of town, which is home to caves you can visit (São Vicente Caves) and a nice coastal promenade.
Nearby, you’ll find access to several levada walks, including Levada Faja do Rodrigues. Bring a flashlight or make sure your phone battery is charged to help lead you through the tunnels to the waterfalls!
Quinta da Barbusano Winery
This winery, producing reds, whites, rosés, and sparkling wines, expanded in 2024 to accommodate more visitors. Its large tasting room can accommodate a large crowd, and overlooks the vineyards and valley.
If you’d like the full tasting experience, make sure to book in advance.
Hike Pico Grande
If you’re looking for a full day hike, this is it! The views are stunning, and it’s fascinating to feel the climate change around you as you curve along the trail.
Click here to read more about Pico Grande’s trail, parking, and viewpoints!
This is an old royalty path, created hundreds of years ago to connect villages on the island.
Pico Grande is one of Madeira’s most impressive peaks, at 5,400 feet. It’s not as high as Pico do Areeiro or Pico Ruivo, but its 360-degree panoramic views and uncrowded trails are perfect for hikers who want something a bit off the beaten path.
There are a few routes, but I’d follow this:
- Pico Grande PR12 Caminho trailhead
- 3.5 miles each way
- The final 0.9 mile is steep uphill
- You’ll be exposed to the sun, so bring sunscreen, water and snacks!
Santana
Santana is another northern town, best known for its traditional homes with thatched roofs.
Madeira’s Eastern Coast
Continuing east along the northern coast, we’ll go all the way to the tip of the island for some of the best views of our road trip!
PR8 Vereda da Ponta de São Lourenço
Ponta de São Lourenço is a peninsula on the eastern tip of Madeira, known for its otherworldly, windswept landscapes and dramatic sea cliffs. Unlike the rest of the island, this area is dry, rugged, and almost desert-like, where volcanic rock formations meet the ocean.
While it’s one of the best spots on Madeira to watch the sunrise, I’d also recommend visiting in the afternoon. The morning crowds will have moved on, and you’ll have a less-crowded experience.
There are a series of parking lots and roadside parking opportunities leading up to the Ponta de São Lourenço trailhead.
The entire hiking distance is just over four miles, but you can choose to take additional detours along the way. I’d suggest reserving several hours for this stop on your road trip, since there are a lot of trails worth exploring. The views are unmatched, and the colors are so vibrant, from the reds in the cliffs to the blues in the ocean.
While you’re in the area, consider stopping in nearby Machico or Canical, or to the Whale Museum nearby.
Wrap Your Madeira Road Trip in Funchal
It makes sense to wrap up your Madeira road trip in Funchal, and spend another day there before returning your rental car.
In the city, you can walk the coastal path to Doca do Cavacas, the natural pool in the city.
Or if you’re looking for more of an adventurous hike, try heading to Ponte de Roma. It’s a bridge over waterfalls, which is way off the beaten path.
Video: Madeira Itinerary
Road Trip Warnings
I enjoy driving around São Miguel (the main island in the Azores) more than Madeira. By that, I mean the driving itself is more enjoyable, not the island or its sites.
Madeira drivers are often slow pokes or speed demons, and while they’re patient (mostly) with tourists, there are a few things to keep in mind:
- The roads are narrow, winding, and steep, which some travelers find thrilling and part of the fun. Expect to wind up on a few single-lane roads, where you’ll have to back up and squeeze to the side to allow oncoming traffic to pass.
- The weather changes constantly, so be careful in foggy conditions.
- Madeira’s highways are largely a network of tunnels and roundabouts. The engineering is amazing! The tunnels are modern and spacious, but be prepared to lose cell signal and GPS signal in many of them (which are a kilometer or longer). Make sure to know which roundabout exit you’re taking next well before you arrive at the traffic circle.
