Portugal has a way of capturing hearts with its mix of vibrant city life and unspoiled natural beauty. Starting in the colorful streets of Porto, we immersed ourselves in the city’s soulful charm before setting off on an island adventure in Madeira. With a rental car from Sunnycars, we had the freedom to road trip along Madeira’s stunning coastline and venture into its misty mountains. From hidden beaches to breathtaking mountain vistas, this journey offered an unforgettable blend of city and nature, perfect for anyone eager to explore Portugal’s most captivating landscapes.
Day 1: Porto arrival
After a smooth evening flight from Eindhoven, we arrived in Porto under the city lights. Porto welcomed us with its vibrant nightscape and historic charm, setting the tone for our journey ahead. As we made our way through the city’s winding streets, the energy and unique character of Porto was already visible—even at this late hour. We headed over to our Airbnb and used the self-checkin before crashing down into our comfy bed.
Day 2: Long lay-over in Porto
Our first full day in Porto began with panoramic views from a lookout point called Miradouro da Vitoria, giving us a breathtaking introduction to the city’s colorful rooftops and the iconic Douro River. We wandered through the cobbled streets, discovering why Porto is so beloved by travelers. A laid-back vibe filled the air as we relaxed at summer bar BASE, a local favorite for good reason.
One highlight was Livraria Lello, often called one of the most beautiful bookstores in the world. We then headed to Mercado do Bolhão, where a bustling atmosphere and fresh Portuguese flavors made for the perfect lunch stop. From there, we took the scenic route down Porto’s historic stairways down to the river, leading us straight to the Ferreira Port Wine Cellar. Here, we enjoyed a tour and tasting, uncovering the rich heritage and flavors that make Porto’s wines famous worldwide.
Day 3: From Porto to Funchal, Madeira
After a hearty breakfast at our Porto hotel, we were filled with excitement for the next leg of our journey. We hopped on a domestic flight from Porto to Funchal, the capital of Madeira. This airport is famous for it challenging landings, so were anticipating on this. But overall it was a very smooth landing. So nothing to worry about!
Upon landing, we headed over to the rental car desk to pick up our pre-booked car. We always choose to make our reservation via Sunnycars. The all-in protection and unlimited km’s make it perfect to go out and discover each destination at its best. After a 1 hour drive towards the southwest area of the island we checked into our charming Airbnb. Nestled amidst lush landscapes, our home away from home was the perfect spot to unwind and soak in the island’s natural beauty. With the sun setting over the ocean, we couldn’t wait to begin our Madeira adventure, starting with the breathtaking sights and experiences that lay ahead.
Day 4: Discovering Funchal’s treasures
Our first full day in Madeira began with a city day in Funchal starting at the Mercado dos Lavradores, a vibrant market brimming with local products, flowers, and crafts. The lively atmosphere and colorful displays were a feast for the eye, and we couldn’t resist sampling some of the island’s exotic fruits: “banana-ananas”, a surprising fruit that literally tastes as a mix of banana and pineapple.
Next, we took a scenic ride on the Teleférico, a cable car that offered panoramic views of Funchal and the sparkling Atlantic Ocean. Ascending to the Jardim Tropical Monte Palace, we wandered through its lush gardens, enjoying the exotic plants and impressive views.
To add a little thrill to our day, we wanted to hop on the famous Carreiros do Monte, traditional toboggans that whisk you down the hill in traditional gigantic baskets. But there is always a huge queue, so we decided to only watch others make the thrilling ride.
After that impressive sight, we headed back down with the Teleférico. Heading over to the Rua de Santa Maria for a leisurely stroll along the more than 200 with street art decorated doors. After which we walked past the historic Forte de São Tiago and the coastline back to the city center.
As the day drew to a close, we went for a delightful dinner at Kampo restaurant, where the flavors of Madeira truly came to life. We chose the discovery menu with 5 courses of sharing dishes. From an artistic interpretation of steak tartare over tasty sardines and a pumpkin dish to a creative passion fruit dessert, all 5 courses were brilliant. With our bellies full and hearts happy, we drove back to our little home.
Day 5: A day on the southwest coast of Madeira
On our fifth day, we set out to explore the breathtaking southwest coast of Madeira, close to where we are staying on the island. Our first stop was the stunning Cascata dos Anjos, a picturesque waterfall that cascaded gracefully into the road below. The sight was quite special since we had never saw cars driving through a waterfall before. We even took the time to take a little natural shower ourselves.
Continuing along the coast, we ventured onto the famous RB1 Verena Da Ladeira, also known as the Banana Route, which led us to the charming village of Madalena Do Mar. After which, we took a break to relax on the beach, take a refreshing dip in the ocean and listen to the waves rolling into the shore.
As the day unfolded, we enjoyed a sunset dinner right on our doorstep, savoring a quick and easy dish prepared ourselves while the sun was setting into the Atlantic Ocean. It was the perfect way to end our day.
Day 6: Hiking the Levada Nova in Madeira
Day six found us eager to dive into Madeira’s stunning landscapes with a hike along the Levada Nova, one of the island’s famous irrigation channels that double as scenic walking trails. After our breakfast, we set out for this hike, surrounded by lush greenery and breathtaking views. The sound of flowing water accompanied our footsteps as we walked through tunnels and along narrow paths.
This hike is a combination of the Levada do Moinho and Levada Nova. You’ll park your car near the “Igreja da Lombada”-church. Behind the church your hike will start. Follow the Levada do Moinho for a few kilometers until you reach a staircase on your right, go up and at the top go right to follow the Levada Nova. After 10-15 minutes you’ll reach the absolute highlight of this hike: the waterfall! You’ll walk right underneath it, which adds a super cool extra to this hike. After this you’ll enter a tunnel for 200m. So make sure you’ll bring along a flashlight or a fully charged cellphone with flashlight to get across save. After this the path continues back to the village.
After this nice hike, we stopped for lunch in the charming village of Ponta do Sol, where we went for a local version of a roasted bread sandwich. Refreshed and recharged, we made our way to Calheta Beach for a relaxing afternoon enjoying the fresh sea water relaxing our legs.
As the sun began to dip below the horizon, we enjoyed a delightful dinner at a local restaurant, enjoying some Madeiran sardines. A last stroll along the beach gave us an incredible sunset to end our day.
Day 7: Pico do Arieiro in the Mist
Today we set our sights on the majestic Pico do Arieiro, the third-highest peak in Madeira, renowned for its dramatic views. The day began early as we drove our trusty rental car from Sunnycars up the winding mountain roads. With each turn, the landscape transformed, revealing towering peaks and deep valleys.
Upon reaching the summit, we donned our hiking gear and ventured out into the mist, which added an extra layer of mystery to our adventure. But we weren’t worried, we planned to do the PR1 Pico to Pico hike of 10km one-way with over 1.000 climbing metres. So more than enough time for the clouds to dissolve and show us the impressive views we came for. But … without any notice (both at the start or online) we bumped into a gate after 1.5 km in to the hike: “closed due to rock fall”… what a bummer! No views and no spectacular hike. Nevertheless the short part we did was spectacular. So it gave us even more a taste of what we were probably missing out.
After our hike, we continued our road trip through Madeira’s enchanting forests towards the north coast. We made a stop at Miradouro do Guindaste, where we took in stunning views of the dramatic northern coastline. As the day drew to a close, we drove around the east part of the island headed towards Cristo Rei near Funchal. The perfect spot to watch the sun set behind the Funchal skyline.
To wrap up our day, we treated ourselves to cocktails and dinner at the Rooftop Bar of the Three House Hotel in the middle of the city center. Sipping our drinks and enjoying our sharing dishes while taking in the panoramic views of Funchal below.
Day 8: 25 Fontes & Risco Waterfall Hike
On today’s schedule is yet another of Madeira’s most scenic hikes: PR6 to 25 Fontes and Risco Waterfalls. After a quick breakfast at our cozy Airbnb, we hopped into our Sunnycars rental, ready to explore more of the island’s breathtaking landscapes.
As we drove towards Rabaçal, the road wound through steep hillsides all the way to the large parking lot. Upon arriving at the trailhead, we laced up our hiking boots and set out on a well-marked path that led us via a 2 km paved road down to the Rabaçal Nature Spot Café. But we skipped the coffee and headed further on the trail.
First we followed the little detour PR6.1 going to the Risco Waterfall. This is a 600m one-way detour bringing you to a viewpoint at the bottom of this 100+ metres high waterfall. We head back to the main trail of the PR6 towards the 25 Fontes waterfall. We followed another levada (water channel) up and down through the valley for another 2 km before reaching the magical pond where 25 little waterfalls are falling down from above.
After we followed mainly the same way back, we treated ourselves to a well-deserved recovery cake at the Rabaçal Nature Spot Café, enjoying a lovely recovery cake that re-energized us for the afternoon. Refreshed and revitalized, we then drove to Madalena do Mar for a leisurely afternoon spent lounging by the sea. The Praia dos Pescadores is a little pebble beach that isn’t very crowded and has some wooden platforms to relax. Make sure to bring along your water shoes, this will make it much easier to enter the ocean.
As the sun began to set, we sat down at the beach bar “Blaiken”. And we can tell you one thing: they serve by far the best shrimps we’ve ever eaten anywhere in the world! Dining on the beach while watching the sky turn red when the sun set over the ocean.
Day 9: Madeira north coast road trip
On our last full day on the island we set out on a road trip along Madeira’s rugged north coast. Our first stop was the breathtaking Miradouro Véu Da Nova, a viewpoint that revealed sweeping vistas of a cascading waterfall crashing into the ocean.
Continuing our adventure, we headed to a old partly closed road parallel to the new highway. This antique road curls round the cliffs with the waves crashing into the rocks below. Just 1-2 mins on this road you’ll spot Cascata Da Pedra Branca on your left, a striking waterfall that tumbles gracefully down a rocky cliff into the ocean. You’ll drive over a bridge crossing the last part of this waterfall: a fantastic sight with a waterfall on one side and the wild ocean on the other. Now that if you keep continuing this road through some old tunnels and bridges you’ll end up in a village where the road stops and you need to return. If you are up for some cool driving experience, sure do!
Next, we made our way to the picturesque Ilhéus da Ribeira da Janela, where jagged rock formations jut out of the ocean, creating a dramatic shoreline. We walked along the rocky beach, marveling at the powerful waves crashing against the cliffs, and took a moment to create our very own rock cairn. The beach is filled with these little pebble towers build by the many visitors who’ve been here before.
After soaking in the sights, we drove to the famous Piscinas Naturais de Porto Moniz, a series of natural volcanic rock pools filled with crystal-clear seawater. The pools were an inviting oasis, perfect for a refreshing swim. We spent a leisurely afternoon here, enjoying the sun and the waves that were rolling into the tidal pools.
As the sun began to set, we made our way to our last stop at Miradouro dos Pombais, a viewpoint renowned for its panoramic sunset views over the Atlantic Ocean. For dinner, we went back to Calheta for one last time where we enjoyed a delicious meal at Magnolia Contemporary Bar & Restaurant. The perfect last day on the island!
Day 10: Farewell to Porto
As our journey came to an end, day ten began with a last breakfast in our lovely Airbnb followed by a midday flight from Madeira back to Porto, where our adventure had started. Upon arrival in Porto, we collected our luggage and made our way to our boutique hotel Pur Oporto, where the charming ambiance instantly made us feel at home.
After checking in, we ventured out to explore the city one last time. Our first stop was the stunning Chapel of Souls, adorned with beautiful blue and white azulejos. Next, we strolled across the iconic Ponte Luis I bridge, soaking in the views of the Douro River below. From this vantage point, we could see all the famous Port Houses along the docks. We continued our walk to Jardim do Morro, a picturesque park that offered a perfect spot to relax and enjoy the views over Porto city center.
As evening approached, we decided to treat ourselves to a delicious apero platter and a refreshing Porto Tonic at the Quinta do Noval Port House. The combination of tasty bites and exquisite wine made for a perfect end to our day, and we savored every moment as the sun began to set. To cap off our trip, we returned via the Ponte Luis I bridge for a final sunset view over the river and the city.
With a backpack full of memories, we said farewell to this city and our one-week roadtrip in Madeira. This trip had come to an end flying back home very early in the morning.
