Madeira Discovery Self-Drive

Arrive at Madeira International Airport and collect your rental car. Before heading to your hotel, we recommend visiting Santo da Serra, just 9 kilometres from the airport. Here, explore Quinta do Santo da Serra, a charming estate showcasing Madeira’s native vegetation and a wide variety of flowers and plants. You can also visit the stables, which are open daily. Afterwards, continue to Machico, the historic landing site of Madeira’s 15th-century discoverers. Take a stroll along the seafront promenade, enjoying views across the bay and the island. Weather permitting, you may wish to swim at the small sandy beach nestled in the bay. In the evening, drive to the village of Boaventura for your first night’s stay.

After breakfast, set off from Boaventura towards Santo da Serra, travelling via Poiso, Ribeiro Frio and Faial. En route to Ribeiro Frio, you may wish to pause for a short hike up to Pico do Areeiro, Madeira’s third highest peak, offering striking views. Continue through the enchanting Laurissilva forest, a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its unique laurel trees. At Ribeiro Frio, visit the trout hatchery before taking a one-hour walk to Balcões viewpoint. This trail rewards you with impressive vistas over the island’s mountainous interior and pristine natural surroundings. Return to Boaventura for your overnight stay.

After breakfast at the hotel, continue your exploration of Madeira by driving to Faial. This small, picturesque village in Santana offers stunning emerald views along the coastline. You may wish to stop for lunch at one of the local restaurants, where fresh fish and other seafood delicacies are a highlight. After your visit, return to Boaventura for the night.

Begin your day with breakfast at the hotel before setting off on a scenic drive through the countryside. Experience the warmth of local hospitality and sample traditional regional cuisine as you travel along the coastline. Stop to admire the stunning waterfalls and take in the panoramic views from São Vicente and Encumeada Pass, where, weather permitting, you may even glimpse the island of Porto Santo. Return to Boaventura for your overnight stay.

After breakfast, check out from your hotel and set off for Ponta do Sol, a charming harbour on Madeira’s south-west coast. En route, visit the Veu da Noiva waterfall – known locally as the Bride’s Veil – where couples are said to seal their love with a kiss. Continue to Porto Moniz to enjoy the natural volcanic swimming pools and savour a local fish dish, arroz de lapas, at a restaurant recognised for cooking the largest portion of this traditional limpets’ rice. After lunch, drive up to the Paul da Serra Plateau, Madeira’s only plateau, then descend through the village of Calheta. Arriving in Ponta do Sol, take time to relax on the cobbled stone beach and perhaps swim or snorkel in the clear sea. Later, continue to Funchal and check in to your hotel for the night.

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast at your hotel before spending the day at your own pace. You might choose to drive to the charming fishing villages of Jardim do Mar and Paul do Mar, both known for their distinctive, picturesque coastal landscapes. From Paul do Mar, continue inland to Prazeres, where you can appreciate the peaceful, vibrant countryside and sample the fresh flavours of local cuisine. Return to Funchal for your overnight stay.

After breakfast at the hotel, we visit the lush vineyards and banana plantations that characterise this region. Next, we stop in Ribeira Brava, a charming village where you can stroll through its quaint streets and lively squares, soaking up the peaceful local atmosphere. We then take a short hike to Cabo Gir?o, one of the highest sea cliffs in the world, located near the villages of Campan?rio and Quinta Grande. The day concludes with a visit to C?mara de Lobos, a small fishing village on the island's southern coast. Overnight in Funchal.

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast in Funchal before setting off for the journey back to Madeira Airport. Allow ample time to return your rental car and complete any necessary formalities ahead of your departure flight. This marks the end of your trip, with memories of Madeira’s diverse landscapes and charming villages to take home.