How many days in Madeira?
3, 5, 7, or 10 days — what you can actually cover in each timeframe, and what you will have to skip.
3
Bare minimum
Greatest hits. No north coast.
5
Sweet spot
Full island. One unhurried day.
7
Recommended
Everything, including slow mornings.
10+
Stay long
Two base areas. Second visits.
Day-by-day breakdown
Select a duration to see how the days break down.
The sweet spot — enough time to breathe
Day 1
Funchal
Funchal arrival + orientation
- Afternoon arrival, walk the old town at your own pace
- Evening: dinner in Zona Velha
Day 2
Funchal
Mountain core: Pico do Arieiro + Pico Ruivo ridge
- Early start: sunrise at Pico do Arieiro
- Morning: PR1.3 ridge walk to Pico Ruivo (3-4h one way, arrange taxi return)
- Afternoon: rest and recovery in Funchal
Day 3
Porto Moniz or Calheta
North coast: Santana, Fanal, São Vicente
- Morning: Caldeirão Verde levada walk (PR1) from Santana side
- Afternoon: drive west along north coast, stop at São Vicente caves
- Late afternoon: Fanal laurel forest — misty if you are lucky
Day 4
Funchal or Calheta
West: Porto Moniz + Paul da Serra + Levada das 25 Fontes
- Morning: Porto Moniz volcanic rock pools
- Mid-morning: drive up to Paul da Serra plateau
- Afternoon: PR17 Levada das 25 Fontes (Risco + 25 Fontes, 3-4h)
Day 5
Funchal
East: Ponta de São Lourenço + Câmara de Lobos
- Morning: Ponta de São Lourenço peninsula walk
- Lunch: Machico
- Afternoon: Cabo Girão, Câmara de Lobos sunset
Five days is the minimum for a trip that does not feel rushed. You can do the essentials properly, add the north coast, and have at least one morning with no agenda. Most people who visit Madeira once come back, and five days is what convinces them.
What fits
- First or second visit
- Comfortable mix of hiking and driving
- North and west coast
- Two signature levada walks
- Time to actually stop and eat properly
What you leave out
- The quieter eastern villages
- Multi-day hiking itineraries
- Slow mornings most days
- Deeper regional exploration
See full itineraries
Day-by-day plans ready to use
Coverage at a glance
What each duration includes.
| Experience | 3 days | 5 days | 7 days | 10+ days |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Funchal old town | ||||
| Pico do Arieiro sunrise | ||||
| One levada walk | ||||
| Ponta de São Lourenço | ||||
| North coast villages | ||||
| Fanal laurel forest | ||||
| Porto Moniz rock pools | ||||
| Levada das 25 Fontes | ||||
| Arieiro–Ruivo ridge | ||||
| Slow mornings | ||||
| Two+ levada walks | ||||
| Multiple region overnights | ||||
| Mountain hut overnight |
= possible with an early start or by skipping something else