Stay : A week in Madeira
It is possible to see the 'essentials' of Madeira (i.e. the island's tourist ex-libris) in a week, but then you won't really have time to stroll along the levadas at your leisure, and a trip to Porto Santo is very unlikely. Such a stay, ideal for short holidays (like Easter holidays) could be divided as follows:
Summary of the stay
Best time to go
7 days
€€ - Charm and comfort
Detail of the stay : A week in Madeira - 7 days
Day 1: In the country of flowers
Steps: Funchal
Visit of Funchal. The historic center in the morning; The botanical garden and the orchids (rather concise and right next door).
JARDIM BOTÂNICO
Day 2: Visit of the tropical Park
Steps: Funchal, Monte, Pico Dos Barcelos, Eira Do Serrado, Curral Das Freiras
Around Funchal. Eira do Serrado and Curral das Freiras, and Pico dos Barcelos belvedere in the morning; Monte and the tropical park as well as the visit of one or two museums in the afternoon.
Day 3: Small peaceful villages
Steps: Câmara De Lobos, Cabo Girão, Ribeira Brava, Jardim Do Mar, Ponta Do Pargo
Câmara de Lobos, Cabo Girão, Ribeira Brava in the morning. Lunch in Ribeira Brava; Jardim do Mar and its peaceful atmosphere in the afternoon; sleep here or at Ponta do Pargo, or in Santa.
Day 4: The natural swimming pools of Porto Moniz
Steps: Rabaçal, Porto Moniz, Seixal, Ponta Do Pargo
Ponta do Pargo, Santa, detour through the Guañuna da Serra. Picnic in Rabaçal, for example; return to Santa, Porto Moniz (natural pools) and then "gold route" to Seixal (small beach). Sleep in Porto Moniz or Seixal.
Day 5: On the road to gold
Steps: São Vicente, Boaventura, São Jorge, Ilha, Santana, Queimadas
"Gold Route" to São Vicente (caves), Boa Ventura, Santana. Lunch in Santana or São Jorge; in the afternoon, walk in Queimadas to Caldeirão do Inferno (4 to 5 hours round trip) or to the Achada do Texeira plateau, or near Ilha. Sleep in Ilha or Santana (depending on your budget too).
Day 6: Inside the island
Steps: Santo Da Serra, Pico Do Arieiro, Ribeiro Frio, Porto Da Cruz, Machico, Porto Moniz
East and Interior. Porto da Cruz (natural pools) on the coast, then direction Ribeiro Frio and the Balcões lookout; up to Pico do Arieiro; Lunch (picnic); return to the Embranchement line, then road to Santo da Serra, and descent to Machico (to sleep).
Day 7: Last stroll in the capital.
Steps: Funchal, Machico, Santa Cruz
In the morning, walk to Ponta de São Lourenço; a picnic (if there is not too much wind), return to Machico for lunch; then return to Funchal by Santa Cruz; last stroll in the capital.
Ideas for holidays and week-end breaks Madeira
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