The Pearl of the Atlantic, Madeira
Madeira, it’s a Portuguese island located in the North Atlantic Ocean, southwest of Portugal. Known as the Pearl of the Atlantic, Madeira offers you the most amazing landscapes and you can always count on its subtropical climate. Through this itinerary, you can discover how you can spend 7 days in Madeira while you stay in the most amazing place, Casa Félix!
The best way to discover Madeira in 7 days
The best way to see Madeira in 7 days is by car. Madeira public transports are not great and renting a car allows you to have all the freedom for you to explore the island with no schedules! You can rent a car at the airport, but if you are coming to Madeira in the high season, we recommend you renting online.
7-day itinerary in Madeira
Day 1 - Praia da Calheta + Whale and Dolphin Boat Tour
Casa Félix is located in Calheta, Madeira's sunniest Region and 2 minutes by car, you can find Praia da Calheta, an artificial sand beach.
You can enjoy the beach and have lunch in the Marina, where you can find, a wide range of restaurants.
In the Marina, you can find several boat tours to do Whale and Dolphin Watching, a bucket-list-worthy experience!
Before returning to Casa Félix, you can take advantage to go to the supermarket as it is near the beach.
Day 2 - Rabaçal Trails and Relax at Casa Félix
We recommend starting your second day at Madeira by exploring the fantastic nature of Rabaçal.
Rabaçal is located in Calheta, high up on a flat plateau. Here, you have multiple trails where you can walk alongside the ‘levadas’ and chase some waterfalls.
You can choose to take one or more trails, we recommend Levada do Alecrim. If you want to explore more Rabaçal, you can choose to take Levada das 25 Fontes, the most famous trail in Madeira.
To recover from the tracking, why not relax and enjoy Casa Félix's infinity pool and at the end of the day watch its magnificent sunset.
Day 3 - Porto Moniz, Ribeira da Janela and Seixal
On the third day, we recommend you to visit the northwestern coast of Madeira, where you can find the most fantastic views of the island.
Early in the morning, your first stop should be Porto Moniz, since it's the best time of the day (fast entry and fewer people) to visit the beautiful Porto Moniz natural swimming pools.
After your morning at the pools, you can have lunch in the Porto Moniz center, since you may find a lot of restaurant options.
Next, in your way to Seixal, you can take advantage and stop at Miradouro Ilhéus da Ribeira da Janela, to enjoy the scenic view.
When arriving at Seixal, we recommend you take a look at Seixal Natural Swimming Pools before getting to the most beautiful beach in Madeira, Praia do Porto do Seixal.
Praia do Porto do Seixal, it's a natural black sand beach, with the most amazing green mountains by the sea, here you can spend a fantastic afternoon.
When returning to Casa Félix, to end your day in the best way, we recommend you to pass by Taberna da Poncha, in Serra d'Água, where you can taste the traditional drink of Madeira, Poncha!
Day 4 - Jardim do mar and Paúl do mar
On the fourth day of this itinerary, explore with more detail Calheta Region, by visiting two charming villages by the sea that are known to have the best weather and clear sea water of Madeira, Jardim do Mar and Pául do Mar.
Start your day at Jardim do Mar, there, you can visit the vila center and take a swim in Praia do Jardim do Mar. For lunch, there is a great restaurant near the beach that has limpets, a typical dish of Madeira.
You can watch the best sunset in Madeira, at Paúl do Mar, while you drink a Mojito at Maktub Pub.
Day 5 - Funchal and Ponta de São Lourenço
Continue your 7-day trip, by visiting the eastern part of the island, Ponta de São Lourenço, it has wonderful panoramic views with vulcanic formations. The best viewpoints are Ponta do Buraco and Miradouro de São Lourenço.
After admiring the beautiful views you may visit Prainha, a natural sand beach.
In the afternoon, we recommend you to visit Funchal, it has a lot to offer! Firstly, visit Mercado dos Lavradores, where you can find the typical fruits, vegetables, and flowers of Madeira. After that, take the opportunity to walk around the city.
A great activity suggestion in Funchal it is to visit the beautiful gardens of Monte Palace Madeira. To get there, you should take the cable car, located in the old town of Funchal.
Day 6 - Pico do Arieiro and North Coast
Start your sixth day, by getting up early and seeing the sunrise at one of the highest points of Madeira, Pico do Arieiro, since you are so high, it's colder so make sure you take a jacket!
Next, take the opportunity to visit the north side of Madeira, we recommend you to visit Santana, where you can find the traditional Santana houses.
Continue your trip by admiring the view of São Jorge, in Miradouro da Beira da Quinta. Then, head your way to Ponta Delgada to finish your tour by the north!
Day 7 - Câmara de Lobos, Cabo Girão and Ponta do Sol
On your last day at Madeira, we recommend you to visit Câmara de Lobos, a cute village where you can find good restaurants to have the best goodbye lunch!
Near Câmara de Lobos, you can find Cabo Girão Skywalk, famous for its suspended glass platform that offers you a great view of the island coast.
If you have time, you can take your final swim at Praia da Ponta do Sol or Praia dos Anjos, two great rocky beaches.