A week covers Madeira end to end: Funchal, the central peaks, the north coast, the eastern peninsula, a dive off the south coast, the wild west around Rabaçal and Porto Moniz, and a day trip to Porto Santo. The plan uses two bases (Funchal and Santana) and puts the Porto Santo day last so it can move if the sea or the timetable does not suit. Trail fees and status were checked with IFCN and SIMplifica, and ferry facts with Porto Santo Line, on 28 October 2026.
Day 1 — Funchal
Mercado dos Lavradores in the morning, the Funchal cable car to Monte, the Monte Palace Tropical Garden and the Monte toboggan. If you have more energy than time, the Jardim Botânico da Madeira is the other garden worth the detour. Evening in the old town (Funchal guide).
Day 2 — Pico do Arieiro to Pico Ruivo, then Santana
Start at sunrise at the Pico do Arieiro viewpoint; the 3-day itinerary has the sunrise table. Then walk Vereda do Areeiro (PR 1), 6.1 km, west branch only, to Pico Ruivo, and descend by PR 1.2 (2.8 km) to Achada do Teixeira. The €10.50 SIMplifica ticket covers this route, which is one-way past Pedra Rija, so plan a pick-up: Achada do Teixeira is about 37.4 km and 52 minutes by road from Arieiro. Sleep in Santana, about 10 km away. Stop at Vereda dos Balcões (PR 11) only if your driver is free.
Weather back-up: if PR 1 is closed, swap Days 2 and 3 or 2 and 4.
Day 3 — Caldeirão Verde and Santana
Levada do Caldeirão Verde (PR 9): 8.7 km each way from Queimadas, about 4 km from Santana. Afternoon at the Santana thatched houses. If the levada is shut, IFCN lists the 1.9 km PR 9.1 from Queimadas to Pico das Pedras separately.
Day 4 — Ponta de São Lourenço, back to Funchal
Santana to the Baía d'Abra trailhead is about 26 km, an estimated 30 minutes. Vereda da Ponta de São Lourenço (PR 8) is 4 km each way to Cais do Sardinha, exposed and shadeless. Swim afterwards at Prainha do Caniçal, then drive about 31 km back to Funchal. More context in the east region guide.
Day 5 — A dive, then Cabo Girão
Book a licensed dive centre for either the Garajau marine reserve, about 7 km east of central Funchal, or the Corveta Afonso Cerqueira wreck. Non-divers can snorkel or simply swim at Doca do Cavacas or Praia Formosa on Funchal's west side. In the late afternoon, Cabo Girão is about 14 km and 20 minutes from the centre.
Diving and flying: if you plan to take the air shuttle to Porto Santo on Day 7, tell your dive centre and follow their advice on the interval between diving and flying. The ferry avoids the question.
Day 6 — The wild west: Rabaçal, Fanal and Porto Moniz
The Rabaçal car park is about 42 km and an estimated 47 minutes from Funchal. Walk Levada das 25 Fontes (PR 6), 4.3 km each way with a one-way loop back by the Bypass; add Levada do Risco (PR 6.1), 3 km each way, for the €9.00 combined daily rate. Then drive about 13 km across the plateau to the Fanal forest, continue about 14 km down to the Porto Moniz natural pools, and on the way back pass Seixal beach and the Véu da Noiva viewpoint. Porto Moniz to Funchal is about 50 km, an estimated 59 minutes. It is a long day; the west region guide lists places to stay if you would rather split it.
Day 7 — Porto Santo
How do you get to Porto Santo for a day?
- Ferry: Porto Santo Line's Lobo Marinho sails from Funchal's south harbour. The operator gives about 2 h 15 min per crossing; Visit Madeira quotes about 2 h 30. Foot passengers must be at the terminal at least 30 minutes before departure; cars one hour before.
- Timetable example, November 2026: most days depart Funchal 08:00 and return from Porto Santo at 18:00 or 19:00, which leaves roughly 7–8 hours on the island. On Fridays the only Funchal departure is at 19:00, and some Tuesdays (10, 17 and 24 November) have no sailing. The operator states timetables may change, so check the month you travel.
- Plane: Visit Madeira lists a 15-minute air shuttle between the islands.
What to do on the day
Porto Santo beach runs along the south coast. Walkers can book PR 1 Vereda do Pico Branco e Terra Chã (2.7 km each way) or PR 2 Vereda do Pico do Castelo, both open on IFCN's list, on SIMplifica like Madeira's trails. See the Porto Santo guide.
Weather back-up: if sailings change, Day 7 can trade places with Day 1 or Day 5, which need no trail booking.
Before you go
- Book PR trails on SIMplifica before each walking day, and Porto Santo PR trails too. Payments are refunded only if a trail is officially closed. See trail booking and fees.
- Check IFCN trail status the evening before; several trails on the island are listed as closed or partly open.
- Driving times are OpenStreetMap routing estimates without traffic.
- See best time to visit and getting around without a car.