Madeira Must Do s

[Spydaman]

Going to Madeira at the beginning of July staying in Porto Moniz. We are reasonably fit and active and definitely not beach/pool people. Last few holidays have been on Gozo where we walked whole perimeter of the island. Madeira looks like a hikers delight but some trails might be a bit beyond us at our age. We've got a book of trails coming but would welcome any inside knowledge.

[dundarach]

My experience was - land!

Took two days and ended up landing on Porto Santo and getting the ferry.

Once there, was lovely, enjoy!

My daughter loved the duck shop, I know there's loads now and the book shop.

[nvubu]

It doesn't really take any length of time to get anywhere in Madeira as we discovered in December.

If you visit Funchal, try booking a Tuk Tuk tour - a different way of seeing the city, we went with https://tuktukrides.pt/, we did the city tour, had a picnic (more like snacks) also took a toboggan ride.

The Stairway to Heaven was packed - everyone taking their Instagram shots (that includes my daughter) - the weather was glorious. I think I'd look for a walk that follows one of the Levardas - there are a couple that are close to the Fanal forest - unfortunately, we went the day after the stairway, and the weather was dreadful.

We stayed in Sao Vicente, where there is a restaurant that rotates, although it wasn't in December. Some of the old roads along the cliff edges look interesting. I think they are looking to re-open them for tourists having been closed for a fair while.

[Matt..]

Get away from some of the really busy trails. There are a number of trails that you know will be busy and it's just how it is, eg. Pico Areeiro at sunrise and Pico Ruivo for sunset). What's your fitness level? A lot of the trails aren't that demanding, but some are and some have long tunnels that you cannot standup straight in. Lots of trails have sizeable drops with no barriers but most are fine.

These are some of the trails I've done:
- PR 1 (sunrise)
- PR 1.2 (sunset)
- PR 1.3 (sunset. partial)
- PR 6
- PR 8 (sunrise)
- PR 9
- PR 10
- PR 11
- PR 17 (sunrise, started at the top viewpoint instead of normal start point)
- Pico Grande (sunset)
- Vereda da Penha de Águia
- Vereda do Larano (out and back from Caniçal) (sunrise)

PR 17, Vereda do Larano, PR 1, Pico Grande were my favourites. PR 1, PR 9, PR 11 were all very busy.

My experience is from a couple of years ago (2023 and 2024) so I guess some trails might be more busy now?

Edited by Matt.. on Monday 23 February 15:37

[dunkind]

All very interesting if you like that sort of thing. On the other hand just get yourselves booked in at Reid’s for a few weeks and enjoy life.

[Matt..]

dunkind said:

All very interesting if you like that sort of thing. On the other hand just get yourselves booked in at Reid s for a few weeks and enjoy life.

That's very interesting but the question raised was about Madeira for walkers. It's a great place to visit for enjoying life walking and taking in the views. The views are considerably better once out of the city and especially up high.

[marcosgt]

Definitely walk a Levada (I think that's the term, we always called them Lamadas!).

Take a bus or taxi up into the hills and then follow one down.

Pretty easy walking, although some of the drops to the side, which while giving fantastic views, are a bit vertiginous!

Probably worth doing some online searching to find some that you think are up to your fitness level.

EG https://ohwhataknight.co.uk/blog/the-best-hikes-in...

Walking up, though, would be a challenge!

Definitely try a Scabard Fish - Ugly, black things, but taste great.

M

Edited by marcosgt on Tuesday 24th February 09:56

[John D.]

We did a minibus tour of the west half of the island on our trip last year. Was really good albeit one of the sights was completely in the clouds (something forest).

Definitely do a levada walk. We did a really tame one as my partner and daughter aren't up to anything too strenuous. I'd have happily done a few miles.

Eat out. There are loads of good independent restaurants. Felt like good value.

Whale watching trip on a rib boat was decent too. Saw loads of dolphins and a couple of whales, plus a good view of the island.

We also stayed an extra night as it was too windy for any planes to land when it was time to leave.

[Every day a journey]

Drink Poncha.

Drink Coral (father-n-law worked for the brewery his whole career)


Drink the best rum I’ve tried, William Hinton.

Don’t do any of the above before doing any of the Levadas.

[Peterpetrole]

Caution with the ice cream, got food poisoning last year

[otolith]

Camera De Lobos









Porto Moniz





Fishing out of Funchal







Fish market in Funchal







We got a taxi driver to take us round the Island on one visit. I regret not taking more photos.

[GuyA3]

I understand from the 1st January 2026 they are charging to walk all Levadas.

[Timothy Bucktu]

dundarach said:

My experience was - land!

Our experience was...
Fly to near Madeira, then fly in a circle off the coast of Madeira for 2 hours.
Give up and land at Porto Santo. Check in to hotel. Go for a walk, have dinner. Bed.
Next morning...Take off and fly in a circle off the coast of Madeira for 2 hours.
Try a landing...fail.
Fly to Tenerife and sit on the tarmac for 4.5 hours with almost no supplies on board!
Take off, and fly back to Birmingham.

And that was our holiday failing to land at Madeira.
My top tip...take lots of snacks and water onto the plane!!