Funchal & the Island of Madeira

The floating garden of the Atlantic
 

Holiday Highlights

Funchal | Stay in or near Madeira’s appealing capital.
Rewarding routes | Walk classic and lesser-known paths, including levadas & the Paúl da Serra plateau.
Subtropical landscape | Discover peninsulas, jungle, laurel forests, and wild beaches.
Eternal spring | Madeira is an ideal year-round walking destination.
Distinctive accommodation | Choose between three typically Madeiran hotels.
Price from
£1305pp
Funchal & the Island of Madeira . 7 nights
Price from
£1305pp
Funchal & the Island of Madeira . 7 nights
Price from
£1305pp
 

Holiday information

 

An easy walking holiday on Madeira

‘The floating garden of the Atlantic’ – Madeira’s abundance and contrasts of subtropical landscapes are a magnetic pull for walkers and nature enthusiasts all year round. It’s an island where nature reigns supreme, and on this single-centre holiday, you can choose from classic and lesser-known routes, including its famed levada walks, an ancient network of waterways carved through misty forests, jungle, and UNESCO-listed laurel forest.


Your base is in or near Funchal, the island’s captivating capital, which exudes the feel of mainland Portugal and where you have a choice of three different, distinctively Madeiran hotels: a traditional quinta, a historic hotel, or a former hunting lodge turned five-star hotel. From here, you’re free to explore its remote, suspended-in-time mountain villages, wild beaches, and waterfall-laden routes as well as to discover the vast array of thriving, exotic flora brought in from across the globe by explorers.

The island’s a mere 35 miles long and 14 miles wide, but packed within is a landscape of startling contrasts, which, thanks to your included hire car, you can discover with walks for all levels. Everything is enhanced by a delightful eternal-spring climate, the chance to dip into traditional wine lodges, and sample a cuisine that reflects the island’s rich heritage.

 
Gallery

 

Walking & more

The key to Inntravel holidays is flexibility. You can start on the day of your choice, and are free to add extra nights. There's no fixed itinerary, so take your pick of our suggested walking routes, sightseeing, and driving tours as the mood takes you. With your hire car, the possibilities are endless, so you can get to know the quieter, western side of Madeira as well as some of the island’s better-known attractions, including the colourful markets and lush botanical gardens of the spirited capital.
  • The average maximum daytime temperatures and monthly rainfall relate to the nearest weather station and are intended as a guide only.

    As you explore this Atlantic island’s coast, interior and mountains – all of which have their own microclimate – you should be prepared for variations of temperature, and for rain – Madeira has high levels of humidity. There are flowers all year, but April, May and June are particularly colourful.
    Average temperatures and rainfall
      Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
    °C 15 15 16 16 18 20 22 23 23 21 18 16
    mm 112 93 75 49 30 18 9 12 38 82 110 108
  • One route: 4km  


    Fanal circuit (grade 1): 4km, 1.5hrs; ascent/descent 150m

    Approximately 1,200 metres above sea level, the wild-feeling Paúl da Serra plateau is the rugged heartland of the island, a landscape of moor and heath not found elsewhere on Madeira. Beginning on its northern slopes, this short circular walk leads through an area of ancient laurisilva.

  • Choice of routes: 8km to 13km


    The cliffs of Cabo Girão (grade 1-2): 8km, 3hrs; ascent 75m/descent 80m
    From Câmara de Lobos, you walk through traditional villages and small farms to reach Cabo Girão, the second-highest sea cliff in the world. Venture out onto the viewing platform - it has a glass floor - to stare in wonder at the 580-metre vertical drop to the sea below.
     

    Ponto do Pargo circuit (grade 1-2): 13km, 5hrs; ascent/descent 420m
    Explore the island's westernmost tip on a circular walk that follows a combination of panoramic country lanes and a levada. Starting at Ponto do Pargo, you pass through copses of date palm and eucalyptus, descending past a solitary white chapel set high above the sea. Nearby, a short stroll will take you to a cliff-top viewpoint for more astonishing views. Shady pine forests and small hamlets of traditional Madeiran houses line the hillsides as you return to your car. Afterwards, we recommend that you drive to nearby Fajã Grande for a short walk (1km each way) to the lighthouse sited at the island's westernmost point, where there is a small exhibition and a wonderful viewpoint. Ask politely, and you may even be allowed to climb the tower to watch the seabirds soaring above the waves.
     

    Risco Falls & 25 Fontes (grade 1-2): 10.5km, 4.5hrs; ascent/descent 770m
    The Risco falls are on the Paúl da Serra plateau, the island's rugged heartland, and this is a popular and iconic walk, passing through dense evergreen landscapes to visit a number of waterfalls, including the Risco falls and 25 fontes (springs) that feed a small turquoise lake.
     

    Out-and-back route to Levada Caldeirão Verde: 12km, 4hrs; ascent/descent 170m
    For this spectacular route along the Levada da Caldeirão Verde, you should take a torch (important) and swimwear (optional!). This is because you pass through several tunnels before reaching the cauldron itself, a natural pool fed by a 100-metre waterfall. You might wish to add to the sense of adventure by taking a dip here, before retracing your steps to return along the same route.
     

    Santo da Serra to Funchal: 13km, 4hrs; ascent 100m/descent 320m
    From Rochão, join the Levada da Serra do Faial where you walk through woodland of pine and eucalyptus to reach the historic village of Monte. You are rewarded with fine sea views, but the best is saved until last: at the cable car station you can gaze across the Bay of Funchal before descending into the capital (pay locally).

  • Choice of routes: 7.5km to 16km


    São Lourenço Peninsula: 7.5km, 3hrs; ascent/descent 450m
    This route takes in the breathtaking scenery of the São Lourenço Peninsula, revealing rocks of astonishing shapes and colours, as well as fossilised coral and seashells, as you explore the island's treeless easternmost tip.
     

    Santo da Serra to Maroços: 16km, 5hrs; ascent 280m/descent 770m
    Walk along the Levada da Serra to meet another levada which leads you down to Portela (or you can halve the walk by going directly to Portela). From here, you head into a unique landscape: the island’s oldest expanse of laurisilva (laurel forest), which is made all the more atmospheric by the magnificent wild ferns. You then wind downhill through terraces of tiny gardens and allotments to the hamlet of Maroços.

  • One route: 11km

    Pico Arieiro and Pico Ruivo: 11km, 6.5hrs; ascent/descent 1000m
    Experience one of Madeira's most fulfilling 'classic' walks: the dramatic path linking the peaks of Arieiro and Ruivo, the highest on the island, via a couple of easily accessible tunnels round the base of craggy Pico Torres. Viewing platforms on the summit of Pico Ruivo offer spectacular, far-reaching views across the mountains of the interior. The routes are steep in places and dramatic - but clearly signposted and well protected.
  • Tour the capital or explore with your hire car


    Funchal
    It is well worth spending a day amid the old colonial houses of the capital, Funchal. Here, you have an array of intriguing places to visit, and we provide notes for a walking tour to make sure you get the best out of your visit, including a trip to the Mercado dos Lavradores, the town’s colourful and lively fruit and vegetable market. Other places not to be missed are the Zona Velha (Old Quarter), with its many bustling shops and welcoming cafés; the unassuming cathedral of 1485; the Museum of Art; and, of course, Blandy’s wine lodge (closed Sundays) to learn about the history of the island’s world-famous fortified wine before savouring a sample or two from the leading producer.

    Visit Monte and its botanical gardens. The best – and most thrilling – way to return to Funchal is via the famous Monte wicker toboggan run, whose white-flannelled drivers will take you (quite quickly!) down to the outskirts of the town – the perfect way to complete your exploration of this astonishing island.
     

    Seixal Beach & Porto Moniz
    Madeira’s black-sand beach is made all the more idyllic with its backdrop of greenery-topped mountains and crystalline waters lapping the shores. Nearby, you’ll find the natural pools at Porto Moniz, formed by volcanic rocks that allow salt water to run in and out.
     

    Driving tour
    This tour takes you up the hillside towards Monte, former retreat for the wealthy islanders, and on up to the central mountain region. There’s a short detour to Pico Arieiro, the second highest peak on the island, if you wish, too.

    Descend towards the north coast where you head to the far eastern tip, the São Lourenço Peninsula, which is unlike any other part of the island with its multi-coloured cliffs. We include a short walk to a secluded beach here or you can follow the waymarked PR route out onto the peninsula itself.

    The tour brings you back via Machico, the first capital of the island, then onto Santo da Serra and finally Camacha, the centre of the wicker industry on the island where the traditional craftsmanship is still very much alive today.

 

Accommodation

We offer a choice of three different hotels, each rooted in Madeira’s history and heritage, from a traditional quinta to a converted fish market.
 
Prices & travel options
All prices are in £ sterling (GBP). If you'd like to see what they equate to in your currency, use the converter. For general information on pricing, see the 'your holiday price explained' page.
Currency converter

We can only accept payment in GBP, but you can use this converter to find out how much the holiday equates to in your own currency.

Please enter an amount Please enter a valid amount British Pound Sterling (GBP)
Currency is required
NB: this should be used as a guide only. Fluctuations in exchange rates could result in significant variation by the time you come to pay.
  • Quinta de la Casa Branca, 7 nights: 01 December 2024 - 31 December 2024 & 01 January 2025 - 31 December 2025

    Start any day | End by latest date(s) shown above

    Starting Price Single room
    1 - 22 Dec 2024 £1305 £740
    23 - 24 Dec 2024 £1680 £955
    1 Jan - 31 Mar 2025 £1425 £855
    1 - 30 Apr 2025 £1525 £875
    1 - 31 May 2025 £1945 £1145
    1 Jun - 30 Sep 2025 £1775 £935
    1 - 31 Oct 2025 £1680 £995
    1 Nov - 21 Dec 2025 £1340 £770
    22 - 24 Dec 2025 £1770 £1020
    3rd & 4th person discount -£80 to -£160
    Single traveller supplement £80 to £160

    Includes accommodation, meals and services integral to the holiday as described, plus walking notes and maps, but no travel from the UK, nor any connecting travel from the airport unless stated below.

    Price includes: 7 days' category C car hire (eg VW Polo or similar with manual transmission and a 1.2L or 1.4L engine, depending on vehicle)

    Driving time between airport and hotel: 0h25

    Book your flights through us and we'll find the best route and times to suit you. Please contact us to find out more about our flight booking service. We can also book connecting travel - see below.

  • 7 nights staying at Casa Velha do Palheiro: 01 December 2024 - 31 December 2024 & 01 January 2025 - 31 December 2025

    Start any day | End by latest date(s) shown above

    Starting Price Single room
    1 - 20 Dec 2024 £1330 £615
    21 - 24 Dec 2024 £1970 £975
    1 - 31 Jan 2025 £1405 £670
    1 - 28 Feb 2025 £1310 £615
    1 Mar - 31 Jul 2025 £1540 £580
    1 Aug - 30 Sep 2025 £1490 £555
    1 Oct - 22 Dec 2025 £1410 £625
    23 - 24 Dec 2025 £1985 £1050
    3rd & 4th person discount -£80 to -£160
    Single traveller supplement £80 to £160

    Includes accommodation, meals and services integral to the holiday as described, plus walking notes and maps, but no travel from the UK, nor any connecting travel from the airport unless stated below.

    Price includes: 7 days' category C car hire (eg VW Polo or similar with manual transmission and a 1.2L or 1.4L engine, depending on vehicle)

    Driving time between airport and hotel: 0h25

    Book your flights through us and we'll find the best route and times to suit you. Please contact us to find out more about our flight booking service. We can also book connecting travel - see below.

  • 7 nights staying at Pestana Churchill Bay: 01 December 2024 - 31 December 2024 & 01 January 2025 - 31 December 2025

    Start any day | End by latest date(s) shown above

    Starting Price Single room
    1 - 20 Dec 2024 £760 £345
    21 - 24 Dec 2024 £1165 £590
    1 Jan - 28 Feb 2025 £770 £360
    1 - 31 Mar 2025 £985 £525
    1 Apr - 28 Jun 2025 £1185 £610
    29 Jun - 15 Aug 2025 £1415 £660
    16 Aug - 27 Sep 2025 £1305 £670
    28 Sep - 31 Oct 2025 £1020 £525
    1 Nov - 18 Dec 2025 £825 £400
    19 - 24 Dec 2025 £1235 £630
    3rd & 4th person discount -£80 to -£190
    Single traveller supplement £80 to £190

    Includes accommodation, meals and services integral to the holiday as described, plus walking notes and maps, but no travel from the UK, nor any connecting travel from the airport unless stated below.

    Price includes: 7 days' category C car hire (eg VW Polo or similar with manual transmission and a 1.2L or 1.4L engine, depending on vehicle)

    Driving time between airport and hotel: 0h25

    Book your flights through us and we'll find the best route and times to suit you. Please contact us to find out more about our flight booking service. We can also book connecting travel - see below.

  • Room upgrades (£ per person per night)

    Quinta da Casa Branca , Funchal
    Premium: 01 Dec - 31 Dec 2024 £25
    Premium: 01 Jan - 31 Dec 2025 £25
    Suite: 01 Dec - 31 Dec 2024 £125
    Suite: 01 Jan - 31 Dec 2025 £125

    Extra nights (£ per person per night) in a double or single room

    Quinta da Casa Branca , Funchal (B&B) Double room Single room
    01 Dec - 21 Dec 2024 £123 £246
    22 Dec - 25 Dec 2024 £146 £292
    26 Dec - 31 Dec 2024 £171 £342
    01 Jan - 28 Feb 2025 £138 £276
    01 Mar - 30 Apr 2025 £146 £292
    01 May - 31 May 2025 £192 £384
    01 Jun - 31 Jul 2025 £146 £292
    01 Aug - 31 Oct 2025 £166 £332
    01 Nov - 21 Dec 2025 £128 £256
    22 Dec - 25 Dec 2025 £152 £304
    26 Dec - 31 Dec 2025 £177 £354
  • Room upgrades (£ per person per night)

    Casa Velha do Palheiro , Funchal
    Deluxe: 01 Dec - 31 Dec 2024 £35
    Deluxe: 01 Jan - 31 Dec 2025 £35
    Superior: 01 Dec - 31 Dec 2024 £40
    Superior: 01 Jan - 31 Dec 2025 £40

    Extra nights (£ per person per night) in a double or single room

    Casa Velha do Palheiro , Funchal (B&B) Double room Single room
    01 Dec - 20 Dec 2024 £131 £224
    21 Dec - 31 Dec 2024 £219 £395
    01 Jan - 04 Jan 2025 £212 £381
    05 Jan - 28 Feb 2025 £127 £230
    01 Mar - 30 Apr 2025 £151 £254
    01 May - 30 Jun 2025 £131 £224
    01 Jul - 31 Aug 2025 £120 £213
    01 Sep - 20 Dec 2025 £131 £224
    21 Dec - 31 Dec 2025 £219 £395
  • Extra nights (£ per person per night) in a double or single room

    Pestana Churchill Bay, Câmara do Lobos (B&B) Double room Single room
    01 Dec - 19 Dec 2024 £66 £132
    20 Dec - 27 Dec 2024 £113 £226
    28 Dec - 31 Dec 2024 £157 £314
    01 Jan - 02 Jan 2025 £136 £272
    03 Jan - 28 Feb 2025 £57 £114
    01 Mar - 04 Apr 2025 £87 £174
    05 Apr - 19 Apr 2025 £112 £224
    20 Apr - 30 Apr 2025 £98 £196
    01 May - 12 May 2025 £112 £224
    13 May - 03 Jul 2025 £98 £196
    04 Jul - 27 Sep 2025 £112 £224
    28 Sep - 31 Oct 2025 £87 £174
    01 Nov - 19 Dec 2025 £66 £132
    20 Dec - 27 Dec 2025 £113 £226
    28 Dec - 31 Dec 2025 £157 £314
  • RECOMMENDED AIRPORT(S):

    Funchal

    Travelling from the UK

    Travelling from outside the UK

    If you are flying from outside Europe,  we recommend flying via Lisbon. To discuss onward connecting travel to the start of your holiday, please contact us.

    Outward route Airline
    Belfast Intl. - Funchal jet2 
    Outward route Airline
    Birmingham - Funchal jet2,  TUI 
    Outward route Airline
    Bristol - Funchal easyJet,  jet2 
    Outward route Airline
    Nottingham East Midlands - Funchal jet2,  TUI 
    Outward route Airline
    Edinburgh - Funchal easyJet,  jet2 
    Outward route Airline
    Glasgow - Funchal jet2,  TUI 
    Outward route Airline
    Leeds Bradford - Funchal jet2 
    Outward route Airline
    Liverpool - Funchal jet2 
    Outward route Airline
    Gatwick - Funchal British Airways,  easyJet,  TUI 
    Gatwick - Funchal (via Lisbon) TAP Air Portugal 
    Outward route Airline
    Heathrow - Funchal British Airways 
    Heathrow - Funchal (via Lisbon) TAP Air Portugal 
    Outward route Airline
    Luton - Funchal Wizz Air 
    Outward route Airline
    Stansted - Funchal jet2,  Ryanair 
    Outward route Airline
    Manchester - Funchal easyJet,  jet2,  Ryanair,  TUI 
    Manchester - Funchal (via Lisbon) TAP Air Portugal 
    Outward route Airline
    Newcastle - Funchal jet2,  TUI 
    Travelling from outside the UK

    If you are flying from outside Europe,  we recommend flying via Lisbon. To discuss onward connecting travel to the start of your holiday, please contact us.

    This list of flight options should be used as a guide only, and you should check each airline’s website for current routes, frequency and schedules. Not all flights operate daily, and may not run for the entire season. You should also heed the latest flight arrival time and earliest flight departure time stated in the connecting travel section, as it may not be possible to arrange connecting travel outside these times. Please do not book your flights until we have confirmed your accommodation to you. Alternatively, our expert reservations team will be happy to offer advice and to make flight bookings for you for any of the options listed above. We charge £35 per person for our flight booking service. Your flights are then covered by our package-booking conditions, which give you greater protection in the event of delay or cancellation, as well as providing ATOL cover.

What is included
  • 7 nights
  • 3 dinners
    7 breakfasts
  • route notes and maps
  • GPS navigation
  • 7 days' category C car hire
 
Reviews

There are currently no reviews for this holiday. If you have experienced it, why not be the first to write a review?

 

FAQs

If you have any questions relating to this or any other Inntravel holiday, our friendly travel experts will be happy to help. You might also find our General FAQs section helpful.
  • Yes, prior to going on holiday you will be able to download GPX tracks so that you can follow your route on your smartphone or dedicated GPS device if you wish. It’s entirely up to you whether or not you use them – our detailed, step-by-step route notes remain the principal means of guiding you from A to B – but we provide them as a secondary means of navigation for additional reassurance when walking.
  • We can book a wide range of routes from the UK with a variety of airlines. As well as being more convenient for you to book all elements of your holiday together, it also means that we’ll accept liability for your travel arrangements, so if things go wrong, such as the airline going bust, we’ll make suitable alternative arrangements for you. The fee for this service is £35 per person (£15 for children aged 2-11). More information on flights >
  • We can’t book flights that originate outside the UK, but if you wanted to book your own flights to London (or elsewhere in the UK), we can make all onward travel arrangements (including flights) from there. Alternatively, if you are booking your own flights to an airport in continental Europe that’s appropriate for your holiday, we can book onward rail travel and/or taxis. More information about how we can tailor holidays for customers outside the UK >
  • Since our holidays are self-guided, we recommend calling us for a chat about your plans before making a booking, especially if it’s the first time you’ve booked with us.
    The price panel shows the supplement for a single room and also the single traveller charge (this covers (luggage) transfers and other costs which are usually shared between two people).
  • Once you’ve decided on your exact itinerary (our travel experts will be happy to offer advice), you need to provide us with your party’s details, either by phone or via our booking form. At this point we also ask you to pay a deposit so that we can secure a room for you immediately on confirming availability with the hotel(s). If it turns out that we can’t secure the accommodation for the holiday you’ve requested, or offer an acceptable alternative, we’ll refund your deposit promptly and in full. After booking your accommodation and other key elements, we'll then book your travel (or you can do so if you’re making your own arrangements) and send you a Booking Confirmation and Invoice.

    More information about the booking process >
    Information about accommodation, general practicalities and more >
    Booking conditions >
  • Yes, it’s something we insist on, even for holidays in the UK. The vast majority of holidays go smoothly, but when things go wrong, it can be expensive to put them right. Buying a new pair of walking boots after your suitcase is stolen mightn’t seem so bad, but the bill for being airlifted down from a mountain with a broken leg or flown home while still recovering from an illness or accident can incur a five or six-figure bill.

    Many insurers offer travel insurance (you can find details on our insurance page of a policy that you may like to consider if you are a UK resident), but you do need to make sure that you’re covered for medical emergencies – including falling ill with Covid-19 while on holiday – and repatriation. We also recommend that you are covered for other eventualities, such as cancellation and loss of luggage and passports.

    When you purchase a policy, be sure to check that it covers the activities you'll be doing on holiday and that it is adequate for your own individual needs.
  • It is your responsibility to ensure you are in possession of the correct travel documents, with the correct validity. If you’re a UK citizen, you need a full British passport to travel to Portugal, Madeira and the Azores, but not a visa (please note, however, that a new travel authorisation system is being introduced). If you are a citizen of another country, you’ll need to check requirements with the national embassy or your own consulate.

    Current information regarding vaccinations and travel health advice for UK citizens can be found through the Travel Health Pro website. You must make sure you have adequate insurance cover for illness, accidents and repatriation (see the insurance question). You should also apply for a Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) if your EHIC has expired (if you have a still-valid EHIC, you can use this until it expires).
  • The official language is Portuguese. The currency is the Euro. Portuguese time is the same as GMT/UTC. It uses Daylight Saving Time, so in summer is on the same time as BST.
  • For information on the practicalities of travel now that the UK is no longer part of the European Union, visit www.gov.uk/visit-eu-switzerland-norway-iceland-liechtenstein.
  • The UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) provides up-to-date, country-by-country travel advice, as well as information on security, local laws, passports and visas for UK citizens.

    If you live outside the UK, see our essential travel information page for a list of relevant websites.
  • You are the best judge of your child’s/children’s capabilities. We are happy to take bookings for families of older children/teenagers if they walk regularly, love the outdoors and are comfortable with the distances and ascent/descent involved. Please note that the bedrooms at most of the accommodation we use will normally only sleep a maximum of 3 people, and sometimes only 2.
Last fetch time is : 11/3/2024 12:24:00 PM

currency iplookup:

cookie value: null

querystring value: null