Volcanic Pools, Cloud Hikes & Rooftop Wine: 1 Week in Madeira

Hike Pico do Arieiro at sunrise

Set an alarm you’ll resent and drive up before dawn—watching the sun rise above the clouds from Madeira’s third-highest peak is the kind of moment that stays with you. The trail toward Pico Ruivo is dramatic and exposed, with steps carved into volcanic rock and ridgelines that feel like another planet.

Walk the Fanal Forest (PR13 — start from Fanal)

Most hikers do this trail in the opposite direction, but starting at Fanal puts you in the ancient laurel forest first—twisted, moss-covered trees in rolling fog that feel genuinely otherworldly. Go in the morning when the mist is thick and download an offline trail map before you go. Signage is limited.

Stop at Miradouro de São Cristovão

Make this your first stop on the island and let it set the tone. The viewpoint is staggering, and Bar São Cristóvão is right there with floating chairs and comfortable seating perched at the edge of the vista—order a drink and take it in before you drive another meter.

Ride the Teleferico at Achadas da Cruz:

Recently named the second steepest cable car in Europe—and it drops straight down a cliff face to a tiny farming plateau at sea level. The four-minute ride is smoother and more relaxing than you’d expect, the kind of quiet descent where the view just keeps expanding. The village at the bottom is small, peaceful, and worth the trip down.

Spend a half day at Monte Tropical Palace Garden

This one surprised me. Dripping ferns, unexpected tile work, lush flora around every corner, wine tasting, café, and a bar tucked throughout the grounds. I expected a quick garden stroll and ended up spending half a day—and could have easily made it a full one. When you’re ready to leave, take the traditional toboggan ride down. It’s exactly as wild as it sounds.

Drive the ER101

Both coasts skip the highway tunnels and take the old coastal road. The ER101 hugs the cliffs along Madeira’s northern and western shores—narrow, winding, and completely worth the white-knuckle moments. Pin your viewpoints on a map before you start driving because the turns come up fast and you won’t want to miss them.

Visit the natural pools at Porto Moniz

Volcanic rock formations filled with seawater—natural infinity pools with the Atlantic crashing around you. Check conditions with your hotel before heading out; rough seas can close them without notice. When they’re open, there’s nothing like it.

Hike Levada do Moinho

A different rhythm than the mountain trails—lush, green, following the island’s historic irrigation waterways through tunnels and terraced hillsides. The trail needs some maintenance in spots, so sturdy shoes and an offline map are essential. It’s a quieter side of Madeira that most visitors miss entirely.

Try surfing at Seixal Beach

Black sand, dramatic cliffs, and waves that are surprisingly approachable for beginners. Even if surfing isn’t your thing, Seixal is worth the stop just for the contrast—dark volcanic sand against bright turquoise water.

Sit on the black stone beach at Saccharum Resort

Not everything has to be an activity. The sound of the Atlantic rolling over the black stone beach at Saccharum was mesmerizing—I could have sat there for days. If there had been a hammock, I might not have left.

• Akua, Funchal: Fresh, chic, and the kind of place you want someone in your corner for. Our concierge at Barcelo Funchal Oldtown personally walked over and secured us an early seating on Valentine’s Day—during Carnival—for a birthday dinner. We sat at the kitchen counter and watched the chefs work like artisans. The curry shrimp is the dish I’m still thinking about months later.

• Trapiche Restaurant, Saccharum Resort: The resort’s main restaurant delivers on both the food and the setting—great fish, well-balanced flavors, and ocean views that make dinner feel like an event. Don’t rush it.

• Bar São Cristóvão: Not a restaurant—a viewpoint with drinks. Floating chairs and comfortable seating perched right at the edge of one of Madeira’s most dramatic vistas. Order something cold and let the scenery do the rest.

• Restaurant São Cristóvão: Sharing the same view as the bar, the restaurant is casual and a little pricey—but when the landscape looks like that, you’re not paying for the food alone. Worth the stop, especially for lunch.

• Villa 77, Funchal: Small, casual, and easy to walk right past—but the burger is excellent and the vibe is the kind of unpretentious local spot you want to know about. Good for a low-key night when you don’t need a production.

• Fly Lounge Bar, Saccharum Resort: The resort’s rooftop bar with live music on select nights. The kind of place where you order one more glass of wine because the sunset won’t stop and neither should you.

• Calhau Beach Club, Saccharum Resort: Saccharum’s beach-level spot—casual, well-designed, and right where the river meets the ocean. The setting alone makes a simple lunch feel special.