Madeira has stolen by heart and I want it to steal yours too. I went to Madeira as a solo woman traveller at the beginning of September 2024. Oh and did I mention I do not drive? You may be wondering why I have mentioned this, but a lot of people suggest hiring a car when on the Island. To be perfectly honest, even if I did drive, I don’t think I would have hired a car. You need to be a very confident driver as there’s a lot of steep hills and tight roads which can be difficult to navigate. Moreover, the tour guides knew a lot of roads uncommon roads, so we often avoided traffic to popular tourist attractions.
Due to the amount of things to see on the island, people usually suggest going for at least 7 days – 2 weeks. However, this may not always be possible for everyone. I did Saturday- Friday on the island (including the flights) and was able to see and do the majority of activities that I wanted to do. If you are someone who is looking to go to Madeira for a similar amount of time, then here is the perfect 5 day Madeira itinerary with no car.
Just an FYI – a lot of these days involve early mornings and long days. If you are looking for relaxation you do not have to do everything on the list. Saying this, I would not recommend Madeira if you are looking for relaxation. There is so much to explore and see!
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Day 1: Arrival
Your first day will depend on what time you arrive into Madeira and where you are staying. The airport is located near the centre of Funchal where majority of tourists and locals stay. I arrived at 8pm so I did not have much time to explore. When I got to the hotel, I headed to the shops to get some snacks as I had an early start the next day. If you arrive a bit earlier in the day, take some time to explore and have some local food or the famous Nikita drink.
Day 2: PR9 hike
On my first official day on the island, I kicked things off with a hike. I booked the PR9 trail with Do It Madeira, with pickup between 8:30 and 9 AM, and the hike starting around 10 AM. Since the trail can take several hours one way, be sure to bring plenty of water and some snacks. I made it back to the transport around 3 PM and returned to my hotel by 4 PM. The hike is quite high up with narrow paths and can be slippery. This is just a pre-warning to bring the correct footwear.
After a long day of hiking, take some time to freshen up, enjoy a nice dinner, and get ready for the next adventure!
Day 3: North/West Jeep tour
If you are a regular on Tiktok and Instagram, then you have probably seen the famous black sand beach in Madeira. It is quite a distance from Funchal, so booking a tour allows you to get transport to famous locations. The tour I chose was an off-road Jeep tour adventure and we were able to stand up for the off-road sections of the tour. If you are looking for something a bit more calming, there are other tours that provide a minibus pick up instead. The tour route takes you to the west/north side of the island. This includes Fanal Forest, Seixal beach and beautiful viewing points. Although time in some areas may be short, it’s still an incredible experience and a fantastic way to explore the island if you’re on a tight schedule. The tour finished around 5-6pm.
Day 4: Nuns valley and Dolphin watching
After 2 full days of non-stop adventure, you can either take today as a rest day, or you can book to visit the Nuns Valley. This activity is not as intense and only lasts a couple of hours. I was picked up at 9:30am and dropped off at around 12:30pm. The tour guide took us to a viewing point and then to the Nuns Valley, famous for being the area of refuge for nuns when pirates tried to invade. There is only a small amount of walking on this tour. I’d recommend this tour if you are looking to learn more about the history of Madeira.
If you decide that you do not want to go on the tour, perhaps instead you can have a lie-in and head to the fish market. Famous for its fresh fish and fruit, it is a great way to do a free activity during the day.
Once the tour is over (if you decide to do it), freshen up and head into Funchal. This is when you can do a boat trip to find Dolphins and Whales. I booked with Azul Diving Madeira, but there are several tours that do something similar. I was quite lucky and saw 2 sets of dolphins, but it is not a guarantee you’ll see them each time.
Day 5: Pico to pico sunrise hike and Tropical Gardens
One of the most iconic activities in Madeira is the sunrise Pico to Pico hike, which requires an early start—my pickup was at 3 AM! If you’re not a keen hiker, you can opt to visit just for the sunrise, provided the weather is clear. Unfortunately, I went on a foggy day and missed the sunrise, but I still attempted the famous “Stairway to Heaven” section of the hike, which I absolutely loved. The strong winds made it a bit scary, but it was an incredible experience nonetheless. If you’re planning to go on your own, I’d recommend checking the webcams beforehand to see if the mountains are foggy. Since I wasn’t driving, I had to go ahead with the tour I booked, as they didn’t allow last-minute cancellations. If you find yourself in the same situation, don’t be discouraged—it’s still an unforgettable adventure!
Due to a forest fire a month prior, half of the hike was closed off. The tour guide recommended we do the PR3 hike instead. Conveniently, this was located in a similar area to the sunrise area. Therefore, if you do not want a scary hike, I’d recommend doing the PR3 trail. Spoiler, at the end you may see some donkeys 🙂
The early start meant that we were back in Funchal for around 1pm. You may want to take a nap if you are tired. However, I’m not a napper on adventure holidays so I headed to the tropical gardens for the afternoon. The weather was a lot better in Funchal so I showered, changed and spent my time roaming around the mystical gardens. I’d absolutely recommend this. The gardens offered beautiful scenery, animals and peaceful atmosphere. Tickets were 15 euros and you can purchase at the ticket office. This is also where the famous cable cars and toboggan rides are located – be sure to bring cash for this!
Day 6: East Tour
The final activity on the itinerary takes you to the East side of the island for a full-day tour— a perfect way to wrap up the trip. This day is much more relaxed, starting with a short walk to a scenic viewpoint where you can feed some birds, followed by a visit to the iconic village houses and a rum tasting experience. I booked this tour with Bearded Madeira Tours, but if you prefer a more flexible plan, you can take a Bolt to specific spots instead of doing the full itinerary.
Day 7: End
Time to say goodbye to one of the most beautiful Islands I’ve ever seen. If you have a late flight then spend the day soaking in the last bits left before your departure. If you enjoyed it as much as I did, I am sure you will be planning to come back soon!
This is just a guideline for your trip. For me it was the best way to see the island in a short amount of time. Although not all of it went how I intended it to go, it allowed me to know what I want to see when I go back – and I will most definitely go back. Although,
