From the north coast explorations to Madeira’s south coast

Do we have you hooked so far? The first few days have explored only the wild, north coast and so many “WOW’s” already. There’s so much more to see yet through the interior and along the south coast vantage. Let’s continue …

If for some reason you arrived here and haven’t yet explored our suggested Day 1 through Day 3 Madeira itinerary, just click this sentence link!

Day 4 – Transitioning to the South Coast

Google Map Route Itinerary: https://maps.app.goo.gl/D217LtzBRUaffidZA (Drive time RT - 1 hrs, 55 min + stops)

• This transition day takes us from the windy, wild north coast to the leeward rolling-slopes on the south side at to our next stay - Boutiques Suites Les Terrasses.
• At São Vincente, high on the hillside sits Quinta Do Barbusano winery. Its quite the uphill and winding drive to the winery, but the tasting and a walk through the terraced vineyards are worth the side adventure.
• Pre-hike and post wine tasting, we recommend you stop for lunch … maybe Pizzaria Toscana along the south coast in Ribeira Brava.
• We introduce you to your first Levada hike – Levada Moinho one way and returning higher along Levada Nova. Parking near the church is limited but there were about 12 spots available and washroom facilities before you leave.
• From Alltrails … Levada do Moinho - Levada Nova about 8.7 km (5.5 mi) offers a fantastic levada experience both ways. The lower levada sits a comfortable tree-lined 80m (250 ft) above the valley, the return trail (if you choose to return the high trail route vs the lower trail you came) higher up sits about 150 m (500ft) above the valley floor with what sometimes feel like precipitous cliff-like drops, but there’s waterfalls, a 200m (650 ft) tunnel and great views.
• We recommend dinner harborside in Calheta starting with Manifuttura Di Gelato Italian to nourish you post-hike.

Day 5 – into Old Town Funchal

Google Map Route Itinerary: https://maps.app.goo.gl/tzrWFWb7G1qqCg7W8  (Drive time RT - 1 hrs, 38 min + stops)

• Cascata dos Anjos is one of the most iconic waterfalls on the island of Madeira. Cascata dos Anjos is a waterfall that actually cascades from the cliff onto one of the old coastal roads, which is still accessible. You can get to a few hundred feet and then walk to the falls.
• Cabo Girao Cliffs & Skywalk – a super popular stop along the south coast. Reputed to be the highest seaside promontory in Europe, for the 4 Euro admission pp to walk the glass skywalk high above the surf below is a very cool experience.
• In Funchal, we recommend parking at Almirante Reis Car Park, a large parking garage to base your day while you wander the streets of Old Town Funchal.
• We recommend you begin with the cable car to Monte (15-20 min - $12.50 E pp) which gives you access to the Monte Palace Tropical Garden.
• A uniquely Madeiran experience is a Madeira Toboggan ride down the mountainside. Riding a wicker basket sledge piloted by traditional sledge runners, we hear this is a thrilling treat to experience. (10 min down - $15 Euro pp). Unfortunately, it rained the day of our visit, and the toboggans were not running. Note that this ride does not take you to the bottom in Old Town. We looked up that an Uber back to Old Town was $12 Euro’s.
• One of our favorite ways to gain perspective and history of a place is to take a local walking tour. Get your Guide - Funchal: Old Town Walking Tour - has never let us down for a quality tour experience in all the cities we’ve used them.
• Enjoy a tour and Madeira wine tasting at Blandy’s Wine Lodge – the quintessential beverage of renown from Madeira.
• Shops and restaurants abound along your stroll through the Old Town area.
• Sip a traditional poncho drink at Rei da Poncha, known for the best on the island.
• Explore the Mercado Dos Lavradores – farmers market for the unique island produce and seafood caught that morning.
• Sample Fabrico Santa Antonio (oldest factory and cookie/sweet shop) for their traditional biscuits, sweets and delights.
• Take in some centuries old Churches: Igreja de Santa Maria Maior (Socorro – Catholic mid-18th century, Baroque style), Igreja de São João Evangelista do Colégio do Funchal (originally Jesuit from late 16th century now Catholic), Cathedral of our Lady of the Assumption (Gothic style – late 15th century, Catholic).

Day 6 – Circling the west of Madeira

Google Map Route Itinerary: https://maps.app.goo.gl/QvPNZFF7j8ZQHZou8 (Drive time RT - 2 hrs, 30 min + stops)

Experience the western section of the island, quieter with small villages, lighthouses, and lots of Miradouro vantages to see the beautiful topography. Our travels in late October 2023 was just after the forest fires that ravaged 5 of 8 western parishes. Heartbreakingly sad to see the degree of devastation and loss of forest and property.

• Explore lots of Miradouro’s … da Raposeira, do Massapez, da Garganta Funda, do Ponta da Ladeira – for stunning viewpoints on the cliff edges with epic views!
• Lighthouse at Ponta do Pargo – marks the westernmost point of the island sitting 290 m (950 ft) above sea level.
• Miradouro do Teleférico das Achadas da Cruz – As a viewpoint, this extremely steep cable car declines at a slope of 98% (steepest slope in all of Europe … starting at 450 m (1475 ft) up). Stunning views nonetheless of Fajã da Quebrada Nova, a tiny, isolated town that is one of the most unique places on the island.
• Porto Moniz Natural Swimming Pools and Piscinas Naturais Velhas – volcanic formed natural swimming pools of clear water and a great lunch stop area with lots of restaurants to choose from.
• Hiking in Fanal Forest to see the ancient, indigenous Laurisilva Forest dating back thousands of years - declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. If you’re lucky enough to have the fog roll through, it’s magical. Lots of room for parking, walk the forest and climb the saddleback hill for a great view of the northern coast.
• Bica da Cana peak and viewpoint – this is an under-recommended treat! Parking is available and a short 10-minute walk to the Bica da Cana viewpoint reveals a stunning vista of the surrounding mountains and central valley. If you look carefully straight across the valley you can find the Pico Areeiro Observatory where you visited earlier in the week. On our visit the clouds rolled into the valley and the effect of being high above the clouds was breath-taking.

Day 7 – One good hike for a lighter day

Google Map Route Itinerary: https://maps.app.goo.gl/W6Djp1pCRiHNhXpSA (Drive time RT - 36 min + stops)

• One good hike with free time in to add any other points of interest found and yet unexplored along the weeks adventure.
• Levada do Risco & 25 Fontes … a very popular hike due to the 2 wonderful waterfalls (Risco and the 25 Fountains), but also means this can be a very busy hike. Note that on our day we were hiking, the second half of the trail loop was closed so we meandered alternate trails on our way back. Great little café stop about 1.8 km (about 1 mi) in for a gelato treat along your hike.
• From Alltrails … PR6 - Levada do Risco - 25 Fontes … our adjusted hike clocked in at 11.7 km (7.3 mi) and a 775 m (2500 ft) elevation gain – beautiful cascading waterfall and pool of the 25 fountains.

Other interesting additions we’d wish we had more time for:

• Statue of Christ the King of Garajau
• Dolphin / whale watching
• Sugarcane and Rum tours
• Valley of the Nuns
• Viewpoints of Madiera
• Explore Madeira Wineries and their Wines
• Madeira hiking trails (Alltrails)

Overall, Madeira’s majesty is in its landscape - the transitions from mountainous highs to seaside lows offer some truly spectacular viewpoints. Add the bonus of a rich food and city culture, with history and culture entwined and you double the experience.

For a hidden gem overlooked in the Atlantic but with so much to offer, we highly recommend visiting Madeira (and Sao Miguel of the Azores). We can’t imagine you’d come away disappointed!

Interested in more information on our travels to Madeira and São Miguel of the Azores, check out our other posts offering more detail:

• Jump over to our GoGirlfriend Album on Facebook for a photo stroll
• Madeira hiking – seaside to mountains, and levadas
• Visit Madeira Tourism
• Our comparison of these Atlantic jewels - Madeira and Sao Miguel of the Azores
• Sao Miguel, Azores 6-day itinerary
• Visit Azores Tourism
• Sao Miguel, Azores hiking – calderas, tectonic plates and waterfalls

Have you visited Madeira and explored it’s mountainous awesomeness. Tell us what you enjoyed most. Drop a comment below or connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or now Bluesky.

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