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Madeira Fly-Drive Holiday
Explore Madeira independently
Highlights
Immerse yourself in the charming, friendly culture of Portugal’s largest island community.
Explore Madeira’s magnificent landscapes at your own leisure.
Stay in some of the best, hand-picked accommodation on Madeira.
Our Madeira Fly-Drive Holiday is one of the best ways to explore this stunning island in the Atlantic.
You’re independent: free to explore where you like, when you like. You could take a drive to the famous Curral das Freiras (the Nuns Valley) where you can mingle with the locals over coffee and cake, or take drive along the dramatic coastal road from Sao Vicente to high cliffs and waterfalls of Porto Moniz – without a doubt one of the most spectacularly-scenic drives in Europe.
We’ll organise your flights, your accommodation and your car – and we’ll suggest a few of our favourite things to see and do on the island. The rest is up to you !
Day 1
Fly from the UK to Madeira. You’ll be collected by our driver for your transfer into Funchal, for your three night stay at Quintinha Sao Joao.
Day 2
Explore Funchal; the capital of Madeira. The city is easily explored on foot: Funchal’s marina, the historic Sé Catedral and the famous Blandy’s wine lodge are all within easy walking distance of your hotel.In the afternoon, you could take the Teleferico cable car up to the beautiful Monte Palace Gardens, before returning to the city riding the famous Carro de Cesto wicker taboggans.
Day 3
Your hire car will be delivered. You could spend the day exploring eastern Madeira: the forest park at Ribeiro Frio, the Parque Temático da Madeira, the town of Machico (the first settlement on the island) and the beautifully-barren landscape of the Ponta de Sao Lourenco peninsula.
Day 4
You’ll leave Funchal today, heading north for a two-night stay in the town of Santana. The town is home to the Parque Temático da Madeira which preserves the island’s traditional thatch and lavastone buildings and celebrates Madeiran handicrafts.
Accommodation on this day: Hotel Quinta do Furao
Day 5
If you’re keen hikers, you might like to walk the Levada do Rei trail, following the ‘King’s Levada’ across the slopes of the Lombo do Meio. The trail takes you through an area lush with wild herbs and Laurisilva.
Day 6
Leaving Santana, you’ll head west along the coast for a three night stay in the town of Sao Vicente.
Accommodation on this day: Estalagem do Vale
Day 7
Santana is home to Madeira’s Volcanism Centre, where you can explore the island’s 800,000-year-old lava caves and tunnels.
Day 8
You could take drive into the island’s central mountains, via the summits of Pico do Cedro and Pico da Encumeada, onto the high Paul de Serra plain. At 1500m it’s a beautifully-desolate part of the island – it’s also the start point for one of the island most popular way-marked walks: the 25 Fontes trail.
Day 9
Leaving Sao Vicente, it’s a short drive to the north coast and the magnificent sea cliffs that dominate the landscape on this side of Madeira. The road leads to Porto Moniz, where the coastline is dotted with natural rock pools; it’s one of the best swimming spots on the island.
Day 10
You could take a drive to the most westerly point on the island – to the lighthouse at Ponta do Pargo and the 140m high cascata da Garganta Funda waterfall; one of the highest waterfalls on the island. Achadas da Cruz is nearby – a cable car connects the village on the top of the sea cliffs with its seafront farmlands 500m below. It’s a steep ride compared to some of the other telefericos on the island – but worth it for the spectacular views.
Day 11
Leaving Porto Moniz, you could head south for a three-night stay in the sunny south coast village of Ponta do Sol. An en-route lunch stop the fishing village of Paul do Mar is highly recommended. You’ll also pass through the town of Calheta – home to one of the island’s few surviving rum distilleries at Engenho da Calheta.
Accommodation on this day: Estalagem da Ponta do Sol
Day 12
It’s a short drive from Ponta do Sol to the Eira do Serrado – the famous miradouro (viewpoint) overlooking the Curral das Freiras, or Nuns Valley. The nuns of the Convent of Santa Clara famously took refuge here in the mid-16th Century, following attacks by French pirates on Funchal. Cherries and chestnuts are the main crops grown on the terraces that you’ll see lining the steep sides of the valley – the annual Chestnut festival on the 1st November is one of the island’s most popular celebrations.
Day 13
Ponta do Sol’s neighbour is the coastal town of Camara de Lobos – home to some of the island’s largest banana plantations and vineyards. Winston Churchill famously visited the town during a stay on the island in 1950 – the ‘Miradouro de Winston Churchill’ was named in his honour. A more modern miradouro is close-by at Cabo Girao – a glass skywalk which extends out over the 580m high Cabo Girao seacliff.
Day 14
You’ll return to Funchal for your final evening on the island.
Accommodation on this day: Quintinha São João
Day 15
You’ll be transferred to the airport for your flight home.
Whale and Dolphin Watching
Madeira’s position in the North Atlantic makes it the ideal destination for Whale and Dolphin watching. Add in the island’s temperate Winter weather, and you’ve arguably got the best year-round destination for Cetaceans (and for humans to spot them).
Canyoning
Madeira is fast becoming Europe’s most popular destination for canyoning. Our guides will lead you down a mountain stream as it winds its way to the valley floor - abseiling down a series of increasingly spectacular waterfalls.
Guided tours
Madeira looks like a small island on paper. Once you’re here, you’ll see that the steep terrain and sinuous, winding roads make it tricky to explore the entire island in just one week. Our private tours take you to those lesser visited parts of Madeira you might otherwise miss.
Mountain Biking
Perhaps more than any other pursuit, it’s mountain biking that's at the heart of the changing face of tourism on the Madeira. The island’s seemingly endless network of trails are attracting more and more riders each year - whatever your preferred style of riding, there’s a trail for you on Madeira.
Levada Trails
Whether self-guided or as part of a small group, the hiking trails on Madeira are outstanding. The way-marked paths along the famous levada water channels are the most popular way to explore he island on foot, and we can recommend the walks we'll think you'll enjoy the most.
Birdwatching
Our Bird Watching trips are more like in-depth sightseeing tours of Madeira with extras. Accompanied by a passionate naturalist, you’ll get closer to the birds, plants and butterflies you'd otherwise have missed - including the Trocaz pigeon the rare Zino’s Petrel.
Estalagem do Vale
The 150-year old Estalagem do Vale is a former country house-turned-hotel overlooking the breathtaking Ribeira de Sao Vicente valley in northern Madeira.
The superior manor-house rooms have cosy, homely-feel with many of the original features of the manor house preserved: high ceilings, pretty cornicing and georgian-esque sash windows. The balcony rooms in the Estalagem’s new wing are a more modern option – the cedar floors and pastel-shades reflect the historic-feel of the manor house, but with a contemporary-style décor.
There’s also an outdoor pool and spa, and the ‘O Caramujo’ restaurant serves delicious Madeiran cuisine and Portuguese wines.
Estalagem da Ponta do Sol
Perched high on a cliff top with a commanding view of Madeira’s southern coast, the Estalagem da Ponta do Sol is an impressively stylish hotel.
Originally constructed as a 19th Century private Quinta, the hotel is a wonderful rabbit-warren of intersecting floors, walkways and terraces. The 54 rooms have a minimal-but-warm finish of light wood furnishing, white walls and black basalt floors.
And the views are breathtaking – it’s hard to pick a favourite: the panoramic ocean view from the terrace pool or the perfect view of every setting sun form the garden terrace ? Of all our hotels on Madeira, the Estalagem is arguably the best choice if you just want to spend the morning by the pool, jump in the jacuzzi in the afternoon, and spend the evening eating great Portuguese food.
Quintinha São João
Quintinha São João is a charming, family run hotel providing a relaxing escape from the bustle of downtown Funchal.
The hotel’s forty rooms are spacious and bright, and the décor is towards the more traditional Portuguese style: there are some lovely pieces of antique furniture and artwork dotted around the hotel. The hotel is a member of the “Quintas da Madeira” – an association working to preserve Madeira’s valuable heritage: specifically the beautiful 150-year-old manor house which sits within the grounds of the Quintinha São João, and is home to the Barreto Family (owners and builders of the hotel).
We particularly love their deluxe rooms, with balconies overlooking the gardens and the Vasco da Gama bar and terrace. There are also indoor and outdoor pools, extensive spa facilities for those days when you just want a bit of pampering, and their Morgadinha restaurant is excellent.
The hotel is owned and managed by Senhor André Barreto and his ‘right-hand’ Rosie Borges. Their staff are all hand-picked and it really shows – their friendly service and attention to detail make Quintinha São João one of the most welcoming hotels on Madeira.
“Excellent service, expert knowledge, nothing too much trouble + always go the extra mile”
Greg
Where is Madeira?
Madeira is 880km south west of mainland Portugal and 460km north of Tenerife.
When is the best time to visit Madeira?
Madeira’s seasons follow a similar pattern to our own: it’s mild in Spring and Autumn and hot from around May through to November. The winter can be a bit showery but the temperature’s usually still up in the high teens. Christmas and New Year are the busiest times to visit so we advise booking early.
How do I get to Madeira?
From the UK you can fly direct from Gatwick, Bristol, Birmingham, Manchester, Leeds/Bradford and Glasgow.
What languages do they speak on Madeira?
Portuguese, and English is widely spoken.
Is it safe to drive on Madeira?
Very; the quality of the roads is excellent and it’s very easy to navigate around the island.
Do I need an international driver’s license for Madeira?
All you require is a valid UK driving licence.
Do I need travel insurance to visit Madeira?
We highly recommend that you have the right type of travel insurance that will cover your medical expenses, baggage loss, accidents and personal liability and repatriation.
Can I get WiFi on Madeira?
All our hotels offer WiFi – mostly in your room but in some smaller places it’s available in the shared, public areas.
Can I use my mobile phone on Madeira?
There’s an excellent mobile reception right across the island.
What is the food like on Madeira?
As you’d expect on a small Atlantic island, Madeiran restaurants serve excellent fresh fish. The restaurants in Funchal have a good mix of Portuguese more European-style menus, and there’s usually a nice selection of vegetarian options available. In the smaller towns and villages, you’ll tend to find more traditional-Portuguese menus. If you have any food allergies, just let us know.
Are credit & debit cards accepted in Madeira?
Yes, although some smaller bars and cafes are cash only.
What type of plug adapter do I need in Madeira?
You will need a type F plug adaptor in Madeira.
Is tap water safe to drink in Madeira?
Yes, the tap water is safe to drink on Madeira.
Do I need to tip in Madeira?
Tipping is not compulsory but if you feel your guide or driver has done a good job then they’ll always be happy to receive a tip.
How do I go about booking my holiday to Madeira with Archipelago Choice?
We offer two options, either book one of our ‘Best of’ holidays from the website. Alternatively, many people choose the bespoke approach where we have an insightful conversation and create a personalised itinerary that gives you the unique holiday experience you’re looking for.
How far in advance should I book my trip to Madeira?
Our advice is to start planning around nine months prior your visit, as this helps us offer the best value airfares and secure your hotels of choice.
Can I book a last-minute holiday to Madeira?
Absolutely; it helps if you have a bit flexibility with your dates as some of our hotels might be fully booked.
Highlights
Immerse yourself in the charming, friendly culture of Portugal’s largest island community.
Explore Madeira’s magnificent landscapes at your own leisure.
Stay in some of the best, hand-picked accommodation on Madeira.
Our Madeira Fly-Drive Holiday is one of the best ways to explore this stunning island in the Atlantic.
You’re independent: free to explore where you like, when you like. You could take a drive to the famous Curral das Freiras (the Nuns Valley) where you can mingle with the locals over coffee and cake, or take drive along the dramatic coastal road from Sao Vicente to high cliffs and waterfalls of Porto Moniz – without a doubt one of the most spectacularly-scenic drives in Europe.
We’ll organise your flights, your accommodation and your car – and we’ll suggest a few of our favourite things to see and do on the island. The rest is up to you !
Day 1
Fly from the UK to Madeira. You’ll be collected by our driver for your transfer into Funchal, for your three night stay at Quintinha Sao Joao.
Day 2
Explore Funchal; the capital of Madeira. The city is easily explored on foot: Funchal’s marina, the historic Sé Catedral and the famous Blandy’s wine lodge are all within easy walking distance of your hotel.In the afternoon, you could take the Teleferico cable car up to the beautiful Monte Palace Gardens, before returning to the city riding the famous Carro de Cesto wicker taboggans.
Day 3
Your hire car will be delivered. You could spend the day exploring eastern Madeira: the forest park at Ribeiro Frio, the Parque Temático da Madeira, the town of Machico (the first settlement on the island) and the beautifully-barren landscape of the Ponta de Sao Lourenco peninsula.
Day 4
You’ll leave Funchal today, heading north for a two-night stay in the town of Santana. The town is home to the Parque Temático da Madeira which preserves the island’s traditional thatch and lavastone buildings and celebrates Madeiran handicrafts.
Accommodation on this day: Hotel Quinta do Furao
Day 5
If you’re keen hikers, you might like to walk the Levada do Rei trail, following the ‘King’s Levada’ across the slopes of the Lombo do Meio. The trail takes you through an area lush with wild herbs and Laurisilva.
Day 6
Leaving Santana, you’ll head west along the coast for a three night stay in the town of Sao Vicente.
Accommodation on this day: Estalagem do Vale
Day 7
Santana is home to Madeira’s Volcanism Centre, where you can explore the island’s 800,000-year-old lava caves and tunnels.
Day 8
You could take drive into the island’s central mountains, via the summits of Pico do Cedro and Pico da Encumeada, onto the high Paul de Serra plain. At 1500m it’s a beautifully-desolate part of the island – it’s also the start point for one of the island most popular way-marked walks: the 25 Fontes trail.
Day 9
Leaving Sao Vicente, it’s a short drive to the north coast and the magnificent sea cliffs that dominate the landscape on this side of Madeira. The road leads to Porto Moniz, where the coastline is dotted with natural rock pools; it’s one of the best swimming spots on the island.
Day 10
You could take a drive to the most westerly point on the island – to the lighthouse at Ponta do Pargo and the 140m high cascata da Garganta Funda waterfall; one of the highest waterfalls on the island. Achadas da Cruz is nearby – a cable car connects the village on the top of the sea cliffs with its seafront farmlands 500m below. It’s a steep ride compared to some of the other telefericos on the island – but worth it for the spectacular views.
Day 11
Leaving Porto Moniz, you could head south for a three-night stay in the sunny south coast village of Ponta do Sol. An en-route lunch stop the fishing village of Paul do Mar is highly recommended. You’ll also pass through the town of Calheta – home to one of the island’s few surviving rum distilleries at Engenho da Calheta.
Accommodation on this day: Estalagem da Ponta do Sol
Day 12
It’s a short drive from Ponta do Sol to the Eira do Serrado – the famous miradouro (viewpoint) overlooking the Curral das Freiras, or Nuns Valley. The nuns of the Convent of Santa Clara famously took refuge here in the mid-16th Century, following attacks by French pirates on Funchal. Cherries and chestnuts are the main crops grown on the terraces that you’ll see lining the steep sides of the valley – the annual Chestnut festival on the 1st November is one of the island’s most popular celebrations.
Day 13
Ponta do Sol’s neighbour is the coastal town of Camara de Lobos – home to some of the island’s largest banana plantations and vineyards. Winston Churchill famously visited the town during a stay on the island in 1950 – the ‘Miradouro de Winston Churchill’ was named in his honour. A more modern miradouro is close-by at Cabo Girao – a glass skywalk which extends out over the 580m high Cabo Girao seacliff.
Day 14
You’ll return to Funchal for your final evening on the island.
Accommodation on this day: Quintinha São João
Day 15
You’ll be transferred to the airport for your flight home.
Whale and Dolphin Watching
Madeira’s position in the North Atlantic makes it the ideal destination for Whale and Dolphin watching. Add in the island’s temperate Winter weather, and you’ve arguably got the best year-round destination for Cetaceans (and for humans to spot them).
Canyoning
Madeira is fast becoming Europe’s most popular destination for canyoning. Our guides will lead you down a mountain stream as it winds its way to the valley floor - abseiling down a series of increasingly spectacular waterfalls.
Guided tours
Madeira looks like a small island on paper. Once you’re here, you’ll see that the steep terrain and sinuous, winding roads make it tricky to explore the entire island in just one week. Our private tours take you to those lesser visited parts of Madeira you might otherwise miss.
Mountain Biking
Perhaps more than any other pursuit, it’s mountain biking that's at the heart of the changing face of tourism on the Madeira. The island’s seemingly endless network of trails are attracting more and more riders each year - whatever your preferred style of riding, there’s a trail for you on Madeira.
Levada Trails
Whether self-guided or as part of a small group, the hiking trails on Madeira are outstanding. The way-marked paths along the famous levada water channels are the most popular way to explore he island on foot, and we can recommend the walks we'll think you'll enjoy the most.
Birdwatching
Our Bird Watching trips are more like in-depth sightseeing tours of Madeira with extras. Accompanied by a passionate naturalist, you’ll get closer to the birds, plants and butterflies you'd otherwise have missed - including the Trocaz pigeon the rare Zino’s Petrel.
Estalagem do Vale
The 150-year old Estalagem do Vale is a former country house-turned-hotel overlooking the breathtaking Ribeira de Sao Vicente valley in northern Madeira.
The superior manor-house rooms have cosy, homely-feel with many of the original features of the manor house preserved: high ceilings, pretty cornicing and georgian-esque sash windows. The balcony rooms in the Estalagem’s new wing are a more modern option – the cedar floors and pastel-shades reflect the historic-feel of the manor house, but with a contemporary-style décor.
There’s also an outdoor pool and spa, and the ‘O Caramujo’ restaurant serves delicious Madeiran cuisine and Portuguese wines.
Estalagem da Ponta do Sol
Perched high on a cliff top with a commanding view of Madeira’s southern coast, the Estalagem da Ponta do Sol is an impressively stylish hotel.
Originally constructed as a 19th Century private Quinta, the hotel is a wonderful rabbit-warren of intersecting floors, walkways and terraces. The 54 rooms have a minimal-but-warm finish of light wood furnishing, white walls and black basalt floors.
And the views are breathtaking – it’s hard to pick a favourite: the panoramic ocean view from the terrace pool or the perfect view of every setting sun form the garden terrace ? Of all our hotels on Madeira, the Estalagem is arguably the best choice if you just want to spend the morning by the pool, jump in the jacuzzi in the afternoon, and spend the evening eating great Portuguese food.
Quintinha São João
Quintinha São João is a charming, family run hotel providing a relaxing escape from the bustle of downtown Funchal.
The hotel’s forty rooms are spacious and bright, and the décor is towards the more traditional Portuguese style: there are some lovely pieces of antique furniture and artwork dotted around the hotel. The hotel is a member of the “Quintas da Madeira” – an association working to preserve Madeira’s valuable heritage: specifically the beautiful 150-year-old manor house which sits within the grounds of the Quintinha São João, and is home to the Barreto Family (owners and builders of the hotel).
We particularly love their deluxe rooms, with balconies overlooking the gardens and the Vasco da Gama bar and terrace. There are also indoor and outdoor pools, extensive spa facilities for those days when you just want a bit of pampering, and their Morgadinha restaurant is excellent.
The hotel is owned and managed by Senhor André Barreto and his ‘right-hand’ Rosie Borges. Their staff are all hand-picked and it really shows – their friendly service and attention to detail make Quintinha São João one of the most welcoming hotels on Madeira.
“Excellent service, expert knowledge, nothing too much trouble + always go the extra mile”
- Greg
Where is Madeira?
Madeira is 880km south west of mainland Portugal and 460km north of Tenerife.
When is the best time to visit Madeira?
Madeira’s seasons follow a similar pattern to our own: it’s mild in Spring and Autumn and hot from around May through to November. The winter can be a bit showery but the temperature’s usually still up in the high teens. Christmas and New Year are the busiest times to visit so we advise booking early.
How do I get to Madeira?
From the UK you can fly direct from Gatwick, Bristol, Birmingham, Manchester, Leeds/Bradford and Glasgow.
What languages do they speak on Madeira?
Portuguese, and English is widely spoken.
Is it safe to drive on Madeira?
Very; the quality of the roads is excellent and it’s very easy to navigate around the island.
Do I need an international driver’s license for Madeira?
All you require is a valid UK driving licence.
Do I need travel insurance to visit Madeira?
We highly recommend that you have the right type of travel insurance that will cover your medical expenses, baggage loss, accidents and personal liability and repatriation.
Can I get WiFi on Madeira?
All our hotels offer WiFi – mostly in your room but in some smaller places it’s available in the shared, public areas.
Can I use my mobile phone on Madeira?
There’s an excellent mobile reception right across the island.
What is the food like on Madeira?
As you’d expect on a small Atlantic island, Madeiran restaurants serve excellent fresh fish. The restaurants in Funchal have a good mix of Portuguese more European-style menus, and there’s usually a nice selection of vegetarian options available. In the smaller towns and villages, you’ll tend to find more traditional-Portuguese menus. If you have any food allergies, just let us know.
Are credit & debit cards accepted in Madeira?
Yes, although some smaller bars and cafes are cash only.
What type of plug adapter do I need in Madeira?
You will need a type F plug adaptor in Madeira.
Is tap water safe to drink in Madeira?
Yes, the tap water is safe to drink on Madeira.
Do I need to tip in Madeira?
Tipping is not compulsory but if you feel your guide or driver has done a good job then they’ll always be happy to receive a tip.
How do I go about booking my holiday to Madeira with Archipelago Choice?
We offer two options, either book one of our ‘Best of’ holidays from the website. Alternatively, many people choose the bespoke approach where we have an insightful conversation and create a personalised itinerary that gives you the unique holiday experience you’re looking for.
How far in advance should I book my trip to Madeira?
Our advice is to start planning around nine months prior your visit, as this helps us offer the best value airfares and secure your hotels of choice.
Can I book a last-minute holiday to Madeira?
Absolutely; it helps if you have a bit flexibility with your dates as some of our hotels might be fully booked.
