Travel idea: Discover the magnificent island of Madeira in 10 days
My boyfriend, my in-laws, and I decided to explore this island located in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, off the coast of Portugal. Still relatively unknown to travelers, Madeira is a true natural gem. With its spectacular mountains, breathtaking hiking trails, charming villages, and lively capital, the island has it all. And when it comes to food, I was also spoiled for choice: the variety of fresh fish is incredible; I really enjoyed myself. It's not for nothing that they say the Mediterranean diet is the best in the world! We all fell under its spell, so I wanted to share our 10-day itinerary with you if it was on your list. – between the outdoors, good food and moments of relaxation.
Day 1-2-3-4: Arrival in Funchal, visit of the capital
We started our trip in Funchal , the island's capital. It's a super welcoming city, where it's easy to wander around and wander for hours. We took the time to relax (and recover from jet lag!), stroll through the colorful streets, enjoy the sunny terraces, visit the Mercado dos Lavradores market and taste lots of tropical fruits - each one more delicious than the last. We also discovered two local specialties not to be missed: Bolo do Caco (super soft garlic bread) and the famous Poncha , a local drink made with rum, honey and lemon.
We also took the cable car up to the botanical gardens: the view over Funchal Bay was breathtaking, and the garden itself completely transported us. A truly peaceful and beautiful experience.
My favorite restaurants in Funchal:
In Bica: traditional cuisine if you want to eat local: simple, good and authentic.
Akua: a little fancier, perfect for those who love seafood and original dishes.
Carvão: a chic grill restaurant, the portions are generous (we shared a platter of mixed meats between 2).
Galeria: very good quality, generous and excellent service. Charles chose the seafood pasta dish and I finished his plate 😋
Restaurante Santo António (outside the city): a must-try for their famous espetada (meat skewer) – a typical Madeiran delicacy!
My favorite cafes in Funchal:
Fancy a good coffee or brunch to start your day? Here are two places we loved:
Brunch Club: Perfect for brunch, with tasty vegetarian and gluten-free options. The atmosphere is cozy, but be prepared to wait!
The Studio: A quiet and cute place, their coffee was so good!
Nata7: If you're looking for the best pastéis de nata ( small Portuguese tarts) on the island, stop here. Perfectly crispy on the outside and creamy on the inside. Yum!
Day 5: Destination east of the island – Ponta de São Lourenço
This is where the adventure begins! The Ponta de São Lourenço hike takes you to a completely different atmosphere with trails along the cliffs, and breathtaking views of the ocean. We finished the day with a lunch of sardines and squid on the edge of Formoza Beach on the way back!
Day 6: On the way to the west of the island - The Angels' Waterfall
We had rented a house for the rest of our stay in the western part of the island, so we decided to stop in Anjos to admire the Cascata dos Anjos, a waterfall that falls directly... onto the road! Literally. You can drive underneath it or stop to see it up close. THE unmissable photo spot, we even brought our Audvik anorak to test the waterproofing! haha
Day 7: Hike between Pico do Arieiro and Pico Ruivo
This is the most beautiful and famous hike on the island, connecting the two highest peaks of Madeira. Unfortunately, at the time of our trip, the trail between the two peaks was closed due to a fire, so it was not accessible to hikers 😞 .
We were still able to drive up to the Pico do Arieiro station, at an altitude of 1818 m, and take a short walk of about 2 to 3 km to the start of the trail. It was still worth the detour: the views are completely crazy , you really feel like you're walking above the clouds. I admit that I felt a bit dizzy at times – the cliffs were really steep!
I recommend dressing warmly, it was cold at the summit! I borrowed my boyfriend's trousers and I regretted not having brought my Audvik anorak!
Day 8: Natural pools and dream beach in Seixal
One of the highlights of my trip was swimming in the natural pools of Porto Moniz. The experience was truly unique, being able to bathe in crystal-clear seawater pools carved out of volcanic lava.
We then drove to Seixal, where we found a black sand beach surrounded by lush green mountains. The water is clear, the scenery incredible... We also fell in love!
Day 9: Calhetta Beach
Praia da Calheta is one of the few sandy beaches in Madeira. Located in a tourist resort, the sun is almost always shining! Perfect for a relaxing day, we ended with dinner at the beach bar and a memorable sunset.
Day 10: Return to Lisbon to take our flight to Montreal
Already the last day! We took an afternoon flight from Madeira to Lisbon , with just enough time to enjoy the Portuguese atmosphere one last time before heading home. We went up to the Park , a well-hidden rooftop at the top of a parking lot, perfect for a little break in the sun with an incredible view of the festive city. With a drink (mocktail for me!) in hand, we savored this last moment all together.
In short, this trip really disconnected us from reality and reconnected us with nature. We left with our heads full of beautiful images. If you're looking for a destination that combines hiking, beaches, charming villages, and great food, I recommend Madeira 100%.
Happy summer everyone!
Sophie