Contrasts of Madeira with Porto Santo and the Splendours of Funchal

Day 1 - Santo António da Serra

Join your tour group at the hotel.

Hotel Enotel Santo da Serra, Santo António da Serra (4-star)

Day 2 - East and North Island Tour

Our Madeira guided tour begins with a scenic drive around the east and the island’s north coast. Making our way to Pico do Arieiro one of Madeira’s highest peaks at 1,818m, we’ll see the island’s thick green woodland give way to sparse rock and crisp clean air. If the weather is kind, the views across the ocean are breathtaking and you may even spot Madeira’s smaller island neighbour, Porto Santo. At Ribeiro Frio, we’ll find some of the best examples of Madeira’s indigenous and UNESCO-protected Laurissilva forest. It’s lovely to wander through the rich green vegetation, maybe spotting the delicate flowers of Clethra arborea (Lily of the Valley Tree) or the tiny birds that reside here. Driving along dramatic coastal roads, we arrive in Santana - a village of charming, thatched houses with distinct triangle shaped roofs. On the outskirts of Santana, we’ll enjoy lunch at the Quinta do Furão, an estate with five hectares of organic vines, vegetables, herbs and gardens of Madeiran plants. The rest of the afternoon is free.

Hotel Enotel Santo da Serra, Santo António da Serra (4-star)

Day 3 - Santo António da Serra

Today is free to explore the area at your own pace. Or maybe join an optional guided walk along the Levada Referta. Initially built as far back as the 15th century for water irrigation, levadas are a great way to explore the island as you navigate their sloping pathways. On this walk you’ll be treated to views over Porto da Cruz and of the towering Eagle Rock formation, all the while learning about the local crops, native flora and Madeira’s unique landscapes.

Hotel Enotel Santo da Serra, Santo António da Serra (4-star)

Day 4 - The Madeira Mandolin Route

A feast for the senses awaits this morning as we explore on the Madeira Mandolin Route. We’ll visit a collection of fascinating places showcasing the sights, sounds and flavours of Madeiran traditions dating back more than a century. We’ll witness deep blue ocean vistas over Machico Bay from the Little Camões viewpoint. In Portela, we’ll taste a local family’s traditional recipe for Poncha. We’ll explore the town of Porto da Cruz, before a magical mandolin concert and a rum tasting with traditional breads and snacks at a property overlooking the bay. The afternoon is free to relax.

Hotel Enotel Santo da Serra, Santo António da Serra (4-star)

Day 5 - Santo António da Serra

Today is free or there’ll be an optional whale watching trip. The volcanic formation of Madeira makes way for deep surrounding oceans making it an ideal place for whale and dolphin watching and more than 25 species can visit the waters throughout the year. From Funchal, you’ll head out on a cruise around the island looking out for whales, dolphins, seals and turtles. It’s also a great way to view the island’s coastline from another perspective.

Hotel Enotel Santo da Serra, Santo António da Serra (4-star)

Day 6 - Palheiro Gardens

Sometimes referred to as the ‘floating garden of the Atlantic’, Madeira’s rich fertile soil allows a great number of plant species to thrive. The famous Palheiro Gardens beautifully set in the hills close to Funchal offer a stunning collection of tropical plants, sweeping lawns and water features, with views over Funchal against the backdrop of the quinta. The lush pinks of Hibiscus and Bougainvillea are on show almost all year round, interspersed seasonally by delicate mauve Jacaranda and the orchid-like flowers of Bauhinia. After exploring these lovely gardens, we’ll sit down for some tasty tea and cake, before returning to the hotel.

Hotel Enotel Santo da Serra, Santo António da Serra (4-star)

Day 7 - Santo António da Serra

Today is free or you could join an optional excursion combining a fascinating walk with a Madeiran cooked lunch. A hilly walk will take you along a ridge through the UNESCO-protected Fanal forest, with incredible valley views on either side. At the end of the walk a delicious Espetada lunch will be served - meat or fish cooked in the typical Madeiran way on skewers, flavoured with special seasonings.

Hotel Enotel Santo da Serra, Santo António da Serra (4-star)

Day 8 - Fajã dos Padres - Funchal

Set at the base of dramatic coastal cliffs sits the organic farm of Fajã dos Padres, accessed by a 300m-high gondola. Gliding down in just two and a half minutes, we’ll be treated to sweeping panoramas before reaching the secluded bay. With endless sea views from the exclusive beach, the farm’s setting benefits from fertile soils and its own microclimate helping to cultivate a rainbow of tropical fruits including mangoes, bananas, pineapples and pomegranates. After an exploration we’ll enjoy a tasting, before heading back up the cliffside and continuing to Funchal. With orange-tiled houses climbing up the hillside, Madeira’s capital is vibrant in colour and in culture. Peppered with historic churches and painted colonial buildings, the cobbled old town is a wonderful place to get lost in and we’ll stay for three nights.

Hotel Madeira Regency Cliff, Funchal (4-star)

Day 9 - Porto Santo

Today we visit Madeira’s smaller neighbour for a Porto Santo tour, known as the ‘Golden Island’ for its straw-coloured sand and aquamarine waters. The interior is a stark contrast to Madeira - dry and rocky with volcanic peaks sculpted into perfect cones. An early start will ensure we catch the ferry across to the island enjoying breakfast on board as we sail. On arrival, we’ll meet a local guide to show us this lovely island’s highlights on a Porto Santo tour, starting with the far southwest tip of Ponta de Calheta. We’ll pass the golf course designed by Seve Ballesteros, before stopping at Moinho das Lombas for great views of the beach, ocean and its characteristic windmill. At Pico do Castelo, once used as a shelter from pirate attacks, there’ll be time to enjoy the views before checking out the traditional tools and artefacts specific to the island at the Museum of Cardina in Camecha. After a spot of wine tasting, the afternoon will be free for you to enjoy the beach or find a local café for lunch or coffee. We’ll sail back early evening, enjoying dinner on board before heading back to the hotel.

Hotel Madeira Regency Cliff, Funchal (4-star)

Day 10 - Funchal

Today you’re free to explore the capital at your own pace. Or maybe choose an optional Jeep safari to the northwest of the island. In an open-top safari vehicle, you’ll take in coastal landscapes, drive incredible mountain paths, see the spectacular Veu da Noiva waterfall and cross the plateau of Paúl da Serra on the way to Porto Moniz - famous for its sea-fed lava-formed natural swimming pools.

Hotel Madeira Regency Cliff, Funchal (4-star)

Day 11 - Funchal

On a guided tour of Funchal, this morning is all about visiting corners of the city you may not yet have discovered. We’ll stop at Funchal Market Hall to learn stories of local farmers and taste some of their fresh tropical fruits. The afternoon is free to explore more.

Hotel Madeira Regency Cliff, Funchal (4-star)

Days 12-14 - Funchal

Three more days in Funchal to enjoy this lovely capital or more of the island. On day 13, we’ll ride the cable car up to Monte to be greeted by spectacular sweeping views over orange-tiled rooftops to the Atlantic Ocean. Monte’s pretty stone buildings are set close to amazing Botanical Gardens - home to 2,500 species of plants, trees and flowers. We’ll stroll through the gardens and when you’re ready for refreshments, a glass of Madeiran wine will be waiting. We’ll return to the hotel with an exhilarating ride on the Madeiran toboggans and a short coach transfer.

Hotel Madeira Regency Cliff, Funchal (4-star)

Day 15 - Funchal

Say goodbye to your tour group for your onward travel.

Funchal