7 Days in Madeira on a Budget

Kick off the trip by visiting Funchal's historic core, browsing local produce markets, and tackling an afternoon levada trail.

1. 08:00|09:15
   

   Food

   Breakfast at Cafe Apolo

   08:00 – 09:15

   Enjoy traditional Portuguese baked goods and coffee in central Funchal.

2. 09:30|10:45
   

   Sightseeing

   Explore Funchal Old Town

   09:30 – 10:45

   Stroll through historic cobblestone streets, painted doors, and historic plazas.

   • entryFree
3. 11:00|12:15
   

   Shopping

   Shopping at Mercado dos Lavradores

   11:00 – 12:15

   Browse market stalls packed with fresh tropical fruits, flowers, and local crafts.

4. 12:30|13:45
   

   Food

   Lunch at A Venda da Donna Maria

   12:30 – 13:45

   Sample Madeira regional dishes at an affordable old town bistro.

5. 14:00|15:45
   

   Outdoor

   Levada Walks

   14:00 – 15:45

   Follow irrigation channel paths through lush green woodland and hillside terraces.

6. 16:00|17:30
   

   Sightseeing

   Visit Pico do Arieiro

   16:00 – 17:30

   Drive up to Madeira's third-highest peak for panoramic cloud-level views.

   • entryFree
7. 17:45|19:00
   

   Sightseeing

   Explore Funchal Old Town

   17:45 – 19:00

   Return to the historic quarter as late afternoon light highlights the traditional architecture.

   • entryFree
8. 19:30|21:00
   

   Food

   Dinner at Taberna Madeira

   19:30 – 21:00

   Dine on local seafood specialties and espetada skewers.

Experience morning views from Pico do Arieiro before returning for market shopping and levada hiking.

1. 08:00|09:15
   

   Food

   Breakfast at Ritz Madeira

   08:00 – 09:15

   Start the morning with fresh pastries on the outdoor patio.

2. 09:30|11:00
   

   Sightseeing

   Visit Pico do Arieiro

   09:30 – 11:00

   Take advantage of clear morning skies at the summit altitude lookout point.

   • entryFree
3. 11:15|12:30
   

   Outdoor

   Levada Walks

   11:15 – 12:30

   Trek along forested aqueduct channels tucked into the mountainside.

4. 12:45|14:00
   

   Food

   Lunch at Abrigo do Poiso

   12:45 – 14:00

   Enjoy hearty mountain soups and casual dishes.

5. 14:30|15:45
   

   Shopping

   Shopping at Mercado dos Lavradores

   14:30 – 15:45

   Shop for local spices, dried fruits, and artisan souvenirs.

6. 16:00|17:30
   

   Sightseeing

   Explore Funchal Old Town

   16:00 – 17:30

   Walk down Rua da Santa Maria and admire urban street art.

   • entryFree
7. 17:45|19:15
   

   Outdoor

   Levada Walks

   17:45 – 19:15

   Walk a shaded section of levada path as the sun begins to dip.

8. 19:30|21:00
   

   Food

   Dinner at Restaurante Santa Maria

   19:30 – 21:00

   Eat affordable petiscos and local wine in an atmospheric alley setting.

Combine market visits with mountain viewpoints and scenic levada walking routes.

1. 08:00|09:15
   

   Food

   Breakfast at Padaria Do Calhau

   08:00 – 09:15

   Grab espresso and warm bolo do caco bread.

2. 09:30|11:00
   

   Shopping

   Shopping at Mercado dos Lavradores

   09:30 – 11:00

   Pick up regional Madeira wine bottles and fresh produce.

3. 11:15|12:30
   

   Sightseeing

   Explore Funchal Old Town

   11:15 – 12:30

   Discover local churches, quiet side streets, and public squares.

   • entryFree
4. 12:45|14:00
   

   Food

   Lunch at Taberna Ruel

   12:45 – 14:00

   Try local grilled fish and Madeira wine side dishes.

5. 14:30|16:00
   

   Sightseeing

   Visit Pico do Arieiro

   14:30 – 16:00

   Observe dramatically shifting clouds over central mountain ridges.

   • entryFree
6. 16:15|17:45
   

   Outdoor

   Levada Walks

   16:15 – 17:45

   Explore levada pathways carved alongside steep laurel mountain slopes.

7. 18:00|19:15
   

   Sightseeing

   Explore Funchal Old Town

   18:00 – 19:15

   Take an early evening walk along the old town waterfront promenade.

   • entryFree
8. 19:30|21:00
   

   Food

   Dinner at Restaurante Kampo by Chef Júlio Pereira

   19:30 – 21:00

   Enjoy traditional island meats cooked on stone grills.

Spend the morning active on levada trails before browsing Funchal's central landmarks.

1. 08:00|09:15
   

   Food

   Breakfast at O Calhau Cafe

   08:00 – 09:15

   Savor coffee and freshly baked traditional rolls.

2. 09:30|11:15
   

   Outdoor

   Levada Walks

   09:30 – 11:15

   Embark on an extended morning walk through rich island vegetation.

3. 11:30|12:30
   

   Sightseeing

   Visit Pico do Arieiro

   11:30 – 12:30

   Take photos at mountain vistas above the main cloud canopy.

   • entryFree
4. 12:45|14:00
   

   Food

   Lunch at Cantinho dos Petiscos

   12:45 – 14:00

   Relax with affordable small plates and sandwiches.

5. 14:30|15:45
   

   Shopping

   Shopping at Mercado dos Lavradores

   14:30 – 15:45

   Browse Madeira wicker basketry and local crafts.

6. 16:00|17:30
   

   Sightseeing

   Explore Funchal Old Town

   16:00 – 17:30

   Venture through the narrow lanes of Zona Velha.

   • entryFree
7. 17:45|19:15
   

   Outdoor

   Levada Walks

   17:45 – 19:15

   Enjoy a late afternoon walk along low-elevation forest water channels.

8. 19:30|21:00
   

   Food

   Dinner at Doca do Cavacas

   19:30 – 21:00

   Dine on fresh octopus and limpets by natural sea pools.

Combine historical explorations in Funchal with outdoor levada paths and mountain scenery.

1. 08:00|09:15
   

   Food

   Breakfast at Cafe Golden Gate

   08:00 – 09:15

   Start the day with breakfast at a landmark Funchal cafe.

2. 09:30|11:00
   

   Sightseeing

   Explore Funchal Old Town

   09:30 – 11:00

   Visit historic plazas, monuments, and stone paving details.

   • entryFree
3. 11:15|12:30
   

   Shopping

   Shopping at Mercado dos Lavradores

   11:15 – 12:30

   Sample tropical passionfruit varieties and local sweets.

4. 12:45|14:00
   

   Food

   Lunch at Snack Bar O Moinho

   12:45 – 14:00

   Taste local prego rolls and fresh fruit juice.

5. 14:30|16:00
   

   Outdoor

   Levada Walks

   14:30 – 16:00

   Hike through lush terraced agriculture zones along historic irrigation paths.

6. 16:15|17:45
   

   Sightseeing

   Visit Pico do Arieiro

   16:15 – 17:45

   Enjoy late afternoon light across dramatic sharp mountain ridges.

   • entryFree
7. 18:00|19:15
   

   Sightseeing

   Explore Funchal Old Town

   18:00 – 19:15

   Wander through lit historic alleys near the old fort.

   • entryFree
8. 19:30|21:00
   

   Food

   Dinner at Venda do Bento

   19:30 – 21:00

   Savor classic island recipes in a historic setting.

Spend the morning taking in mountain views before shopping for local goods and walking levada routes.

1. 08:00|09:15
   

   Food

   Breakfast at Boutique do Pão

   08:00 – 09:15

   Enjoy fresh bread rolls and hot beverages.

2. 09:30|11:00
   

   Sightseeing

   Visit Pico do Arieiro

   09:30 – 11:00

   Observe high mountain scenery and clear views towards neighboring peaks.

   • entryFree
3. 11:15|12:30
   

   Outdoor

   Levada Walks

   11:15 – 12:30

   Walk mountain paths past small waterfalls and native vegetation.

4. 12:45|14:00
   

   Food

   Lunch at Peixaria do Mercado

   12:45 – 14:00

   Eat fresh grilled scabbard fish with fried banana.

5. 14:30|15:45
   

   Shopping

   Shopping at Mercado dos Lavradores

   14:30 – 15:45

   Pick up floral products, embroidery, and dried goods.

6. 16:00|17:30
   

   Sightseeing

   Explore Funchal Old Town

   16:00 – 17:30

   Walk old cobble lanes and enjoy street music performances.

   • entryFree
7. 17:45|19:15
   

   Outdoor

   Levada Walks

   17:45 – 19:15

   Trace quiet irrigation channels surrounded by eucalyptus trees.

8. 19:30|21:00
   

   Food

   Dinner at Restaurante As Vides

   19:30 – 21:00

   Dine on traditional beef espetada cooked over bay leaf embers.

Conclude your Madeira stay with market shopping, old town sightseeing, and a final mountain walk.

1. 08:00|09:15
   

   Food

   Breakfast at Padaria Pasteleria Mariazinha

   08:00 – 09:15

   Enjoy breakfast with typical island pastries.

2. 09:30|10:45
   

   Shopping

   Shopping at Mercado dos Lavradores

   09:30 – 10:45

   Final souvenir shopping at the traditional market stalls.

3. 11:00|12:30
   

   Sightseeing

   Explore Funchal Old Town

   11:00 – 12:30

   Stroll down historic streets one last time.

   • entryFree
4. 12:45|14:00
   

   Food

   Lunch at Restaurante O Lagar

   12:45 – 14:00

   Savor local bread, meats, and traditional side dishes.

5. 14:30|16:00
   

   Outdoor

   Levada Walks

   14:30 – 16:00

   Take a final nature walk along scenic water channels.

6. 16:15|17:45
   

   Sightseeing

   Visit Pico do Arieiro

   16:15 – 17:45

   Catch late afternoon sun across Madeira's volcanic peaks.

   • entryFree
7. 18:00|19:15
   

   Sightseeing

   Explore Funchal Old Town

   18:00 – 19:15

   Reflect on the journey in the peaceful square of Funchal's historic core.

   • entryFree
8. 19:30|21:00
   

   Food

   Dinner at Restaurante Do Forte

   19:30 – 21:00

   Celebrate your trip with local gastronomy in the historic São Tiago fort.