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Madeira, the island of eternal spring! Want a little preview? We’ll hike Pico Ruivo, swim in the natural pools of Porto Moniz, and try canyoning. In just 8 days, you’ll fall in love with the vibes of the Atlantic garden. Yes.

Is this trip for me?

Party and nightlife
Relax
Nature and adventure
City and cultures
Monuments and history
Physical effort
Trip type
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Itinerary

Madeira, the island where it is always spring, always blooming and always welcoming. This pocket of paradise off the coast of Africa waits to be discovered, which is exactly what we’ll do for the next 8 days!

Stunning views, lush nature and inviting beaches, it won’t be long before we fall in love with this island. We'll hike to the highest point on the island, Pico Ruivo and swim in the natural pools of Porto Moniz. We’ll also try our hand at canyoning, spend a day on the neighbouring island of Porto Santo and have a unique experience at the Igreja de Nossa Senhora do Monte (Church of Our Lady of the Mount). Then, there are simply no words to describe the The Floating Garden in the Atlantic, you’ll just have to see it for yourself!

A minimalist map of Madeira showing a tour itinerary with a start and end point, and stops connected by lines.
A WeRoad group trip poses for a photo in front of a traditional A-frame thatched-roof house on a sunny day.

Check-in

Flights to and from the UK are not included in the package, so you can decide from where and when you want to leave! This gives you complete freedom of choice to adjust your travel itinerary to your needs.

Check-in at the hotel in Funchal. We are in the island’s capital, whose name derives from the abundance of fennel that grows here (Funcho in Portuguese). Fear not, our first dinner won’t solely consist of this… Our first taste of Madeira will most likely be fresh fish from the Atlantic!

A WeRoad group trip in wetsuits and yellow helmets poses for a photo on a rocky hillside under a clear blue sky.

Ready for canyoning?

Let’s get our adrenalin pumping with canyoning, an immersive experience where you descend the course of a river by climbing, swimming, sliding and jumping! With its water-carved gorges, waterfalls and lush vegetation, Madeira is considered the best country in the world to do this sport!

Machico

After a quick lunch and chance to recover, we pick up our cars and drive to Machico, Maderia’s second largest city. We stroll through the narrow streets of the town centre before reaching the seafront promenade full of cafes and restaurants, where we can try the famous ‘bolo do caco’ with a sea view! At sunset, we head to the Francisco Alvares Nobrega Miradouro for a spectacular view of the Ponta de São Lourenço.
A WeRoad group leader with their back to the camera stands on a rocky mountain peak, making a peace sign over a vast mountain range.

The eternal spring

Madeira is often dubbed the island where it is always spring due to its mild climate and sheer natural beauty. This morning we wake up at dawn to tackle one of the most beautiful hikes on the island, Pico do Areeiro - Pico RuivoWe have about 6 hours of walking ahead of us, so let’s put on our walking boots and let the views talk for themselves!

On the roof of Madeira!

Pico Ruivo is the highest mountain on the island at 1862 metres. We set off on the trail and seek to maintain a good pace, crossing our fingers the weather promises clarity so we can soak up all the scenery. Once we reach the peaks, there is one last push to reach the summit, and although the overhangs are daunting, the path is safe and there are handrails in place. After a packed lunch, we retrace our steps and make our way back down the mountain to the cars, ready for a well-deserved evening of relaxation!
A WeRoad group trip posing on a coastal road under a waterfall cascading from a rocky cliff.

Achadas da Cruz

We set off early in the morning to explore a unique highlight at the north-western tip of the island: the steepest cable car in the European Union, located at Achadas da Cruz. The ride itself is quite an adventure, plunging almost vertically for 450 metres down the dramatic cliff face to sea level. Once there, we are rewarded with breathtaking views and a noticeably different microclimate, where unspoilt farmland is dotted with small houses and traditional wine presses. The seaside promenade is regarded as one of the island’s finest photo spots. With a little luck, we might also meet locals who occasionally open their homes to serve drinks and snacks in exchange for a small donation.

Porto Moniz

Via Porto Moniz, where we may take a dip in the natural lava pools if time allows, we make a detour to the island’s famous fairy-tale forest – the Parque Florestal do Fanal. This ancient laurel forest is often cloaked in thick mist, creating a truly unique and mystical atmosphere.Afterwards, we continue to the black-sand beach of Seixal – one of the island’s few black beaches and certainly the most renowned. Here, we can relax by the shore and plunge into the Atlantic Ocean, which remains at a pleasant 20°C. From the beach, there is also a distant view of the Véu da Noiva waterfall, cascading directly into the sea. A short stop at the Miradouro do Véu da Noiva then gives us an even more spectacular vantage point of the falls, before we return towards Funchal via São Vicente, where we can round off the evening with some laid-back drinks and dinner.

A hiker with a backpack walks on a stone trail along a high, grassy cliff overlooking the ocean under a blue sky.

Trekking with a view

This morning we can enjoy another wonderful hike. We can reach Ponta de São Lourenço, the easternmost point of the island by taking a path overlooking the Atlantic Ocean and red cliffs covered with vibrant vegetation. Alternatively we can explore the middle of the island by trekking to Leveda do Caldeirao Verde.

Boat trip at sunset

In the afternoon we'll enjoy a scenic 3 hour boat trip at sunset. We'll set sail towards Cabo Girão, where we will anchor up for some snorkelling. For those that are keen to dive into the ocean, snorkelling equipment is provided on board. Those that prefer to simply kick back and enjoy the views can do so with a drink in hand, watching the sky turn from blue to orange as the sun sets over the ocean. What better way to soak up the epic views halfway through this Portuguese adventure?

A woman with curly hair sits on a rocky mountaintop surrounded by green shrubs, overlooking a vast mountain valley filled with clouds.

The island from above

We travel along the south coast starting from Camara de Lobos which, as some people know, hosted Winston Churchill, who was fascinated by this place during his trip in 1950. We ascend a little and prepare to put our vertigo to the test at Cabo Girão, a viewpoint from where you can see the entire southern coast of the island. Fear of heights will be truly tested by the glass platform standing 580 metres above ground, making it the highest cliff overlooking the ocean in Europe and second highest in the world! We pick up the cars and continue up to Ponta do Pargo, the westernmost point of the island. The view from up here is truly unrivalled, so why don't we stop here and watch the sunset?
A woman takes a selfie with a WeRoad group trip on a cliffside overlooking a rocky coastline and the ocean.

Sledding in Madeira?

We have one last day to spend in beautiful Madeira. The island has already won us over, but there is one final activity that still stands to astound us. We take a cable car to the Igreja de Nossa Senhora do Monte (Church of Our Lady of the Mount), the most important pilgrimage site on the island. Aside from the incredible view, we also enjoy the botanical gardens, before descending in the strangest and most epic way possible; sledding! Toboggans were first used at the beginning of the 19th century as a means of public transport.

A tour of the local market

In the afternoon we are free to enjoy the island as we see fit. A must-see is the Mercado dos Lavradores, located in the centre of Funchal. Here we’re guaranteed to find the freshest fruit and flowers, and the most intricate crafts of the island. After buying souvenirs to take home with us, we get ready for our farewell dinner, where we’ll raise a glass to this incredible shared experience!

Check out

Time flies when you’re having fun: see you soon for another WeRoad adventure!

What's included

What's not included

Roundtrip flight to/from destination
  • Food and beverages when not specified
  • Gas/petrol, parking, toll fees 

  • Trails and trekking entry fees

  • All extras you'll be able to fit in your backpack
  • Anything not mentioned in the "What's included" section

Optional activities

Please note, some extra optional activities will be available for this trip. Your Group Leader will be happy to assist with organizing these activities for the group once the trip starts. Availability may vary depending on location and group preferences.

Please note these activities are provided by third party suppliers and liability rests exclusively with these third party suppliers.


  • Teleferica Funchal return trip - approx. USD23

  • Whale watching excursion approx. USD67

  • Surf Lesson - approx. USD65

  • Wine tasting at Quinta do Barbusano - approx. USD20

Additional info

Learn more about accommodation, transport, and other useful travel information.
  • Accommodation

    Hotels, typical guest houses. 

    The first hotel will be shared with you at least 2 days before your departure by your Group Leader!

  • Transport

    Rental car

  • Self-driven tour

    This is a self-driven tour - it isn’t compulsory to drive, however if you are willing to, then please tick the box when booking your trip.

  • Staff

    Our trips are led by a Group Leader who has been specifically trained by us to lead group travels to ensure you have the best time. A WhatsApp group with all travel participants will be created two weeks prior to departure by your Group Leader.

  • Visas and Vaccinations

    Before booking, please ensure to check what documents, visas, and vaccinations are required to enter the country you are visiting. If you have any questions, please contact us.

  • Arrival and Departure Times

    We always advise trying to get to the meet-up point for the first day of your tour by 5pm. On the last day of the tour you are free to leave whenever you want!

  • Luggage

    Backpacks are mandatory to allow easy transfers - we recommend a 45L backpack for our trips.

  • Info on private roomsShow all details
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Why WeRoad

  • Small groups, on average 11 people

  • Move or change your trip for free up to 31 days before departure

  • Book with $ 0. Pay the $ 100 deposit only once the trip is confirmed

The Group Leaders

Our Group Leaders are chosen because they’re people just like you: passionate travelers who share the experience authentically, while having the skills to take care of the organisation, and help you get the most out of every moment of the trip.

Find your flight

For this trip, we recommend arriving and departing from these airports.

ArrivalFunchal (FNC)
ReturnFunchal (FNC)
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FAQs – Frequently Asked Questions

About this trip

About WeRoad

About Madeira

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