Travel Type
Self-Drive
Duration
8 Days/7 Nights
Country
Madeira
Discover Madeira at your own pace with a self-drive itinerary that gives you total freedom and flexibility. Wind along scenic coastal roads, stop at panoramic viewpoints, explore charming villages, and reach hidden gems that are often missed on guided tours – all while enjoying the comfort of having your own car. A self-drive in Madeira is the perfect way to experience the island’s dramatic landscapes, lush valleys, and authentic local culture on your own schedule.
Inclusions
– 7-night accommodation in 4* hotels, with daily breakfast
– 1 x Car-hire Grp EDMR (Opel Corsa A/C or similar) – 7-day car-hire with pick up / drop off from car rental company (Tangerine company or similar), 1 additional driver and 0€ excess
Exclusions
Flights – City tax, payable directly at the hotels – Gratuities to hotel staff and guides – Meals and drinks unless otherwise specified – Optional excursions and entrances to monuments – GPS, fuel and pay toll roads – Any other items not mentioned in the Inclusions.
Additional Information
The visits mentioned in this itinerary are only suggestions. Clients are free to explore according to their own interests.
1
DAY 1 ARRIVAL IN FUNCHAL
Welcome to Funchal! Upon arrival, go to the car-rental desk to pick up your vehicle and drive to your hotel.
Accommodation : Funchal for 2 nights
2
DAY 2 FUNCHAL
Today we suggest exploring the city. Enjoy a large choice of museums and churches, the local market, Mercado dos Lavradores, gardens and an old town with character. Take the opportunity to take the cable car up to the beautiful little village of Monte from where you can toboggan in a wicker basket most of the way back down to Funchal. During your stay, we recommend a visit to Nun’s Valley village, surrounded by extinct volcanoes and high mountains. In the 16th century, nuns fled their convent in Funchal when it came under attack from pirates. The village is very isolated, and the fertile soil allowed locals mainly live of what they grow. The local chestnuts are delicious and are used in everyday cooking.
Meals : Breakfast
3 - 4
DAYS 3 - 4 PONTA DO SOL (approx. 25km)
Drive along the west coast to Ponta do Sol, the main centre for banana production on the island. Our suggestions of activities would be visiting Câmara de Lobos, an attractive fishing village whose most famous visitor was Winston Churchill. He liked to go there and paint; Cabo Girão, the second highest sea cliff in the world, which offers fantastic views along the south coast and to the sea a dizzying 580m below you. Ribeira Brava (“Wild River”), a pleasant place to spend some time. You may also wish to visit one of Madeira’s finest museums, the Ethnographic Museum or Calheta, the former sugar cane cultivation centre. Alternatively, there is a small artificial and protected sandy beach (sand imported from the Canary Islands).
Meals : Breakfast
Accommodation : Ponta Do Sol for 2 nights
5
DAY 5 ARCO DE SÃO JORGE
Leave from Ponta do Sol and drive in the direction of the village of Arco de São Jorge, surrounded by mountains and vineyards and well known for having one of the most famous rose gardens in Europe and one of the largest in the world. On your way, we suggest visiting attractive sites on the west side of the island. In the village of Jardim do Mar (can only be visited on foot), take a stroll around the village and down to the promenade and admire the sea defenses - it is a charming place. Visit a mini zoo and herb garden in the village of Prazeres. The well-maintained mini zoo contains llamas, Vietnamese pigs and more. Here you will also find flowers, fruits, an herb garden and tea house. In Ponta do Pargo, if you go down to the lighthouse (Farol) you will be at the westernmost point of the island. In Porto Moniz (on the northwestern side of Madeira), discover the well-known natural sea pools formed in volcanic rock, and take a swim here! Explore São Vicente, whose old town is worth seeing, with its cobbled streets and beautiful church. It is another of Madeira’s prettiest villages.
Meals : Breakfast
Accommodation : Arco de São Jorge for 1 night
6
DAY 6 SANTA CRUZ
Leave from Arco de Sâo Jorge and continue to explore the northeast coast via Santana. Considered one of the most attractive villages in Madeira due to its stunning location, you will see the unusual houses peculiar to this area. These are known in Portuguese “As Palheiros” (‘haylofts’) and are tiny, thatched houses shaped like the letter ‘A’. From Santana to Santa Cruz, take the road from Ribeiro Frio (“cold river”), to Poiso, meaning “resting place”, and was a traditional stop for travelers, where you can appreciate the fantastic view across to both coastlines. For stunning views, ascend above the clouds to Pico do Arieiro (1810m high), the second highest peak on the island.
Meals : Breakfast
Accommodation : Santa Cruz for 2 nights
7
DAY 7 SANTA CRUZ
Today, discover the East coast of Madeira Island. Travel to Camacha, the wicker-work village; One of the most popular tourist sights here is the modern style church “O Relogio”. Next to this church is the Clock Café with its fantastic exhibition of wicker-work items ranging from small baskets to complete furniture. This is the only place you can see wicker-work production on the island, as it is a cottage industry. From here drive to the pretty fishing village of Caniçal, once the most famous whaling villages on the island. This practice was outlawed in 1981; Nowadays, the only reminders lie in the Whaling Musuem (Museu da Baleia). You will find some excellent fish restaurants here. On the way back to your hotel, we suggest that you explore the first capital of Madeira, Machico, the second biggest city in Madeira and one of the centres for boat building on the island.
Meals : Breakfast
8
DAY 8 DEPARTURE FROM FUNCHAL
Travel back to Funchal airport and return your car or extend your holidays in Portugal
Meals : Breakfast
| Rates in CA$, per person, starting at | |||
| Daily Departures – 2026 | Double Occupancy | Single Occupancy | |
| January – March | 1790 | 3330 | |
| April – June September | 2095 | 3910 | |
| July | 2325 | 4390 | |
| August | 2610 | 4945 | |
| October | 1945 | 3600 | |
Product code: D
**Prices in this document are for information only; they were issued at press time, for the current year. Please note that due to exchange rates and temporary promotions, they can increase or decrease at any time. Contact your travel agent for the price and promotion of the moment. Prices include the contribution of customers to the Compensation Fund for clients of Quebec travel agents.
*** PLEASE CAREFULLY READ OUR TERMS & CONDITIONS. ***
Madeira by Car – Detailed Itinerary
Madeira by Car – Detailed Itinerary
