Just a week is not enough to explore this stunning Madeira full of mountains and fresh fruits. I had a wonderful time of discovering and travelling and will be more than happy to come back again. Here is my story.
My Long weekend in Porto flew in a speed of rocket and I was packing and moving around again, not with a direction Home – but Madeira!
I have spent amazing 6 days full of exploring, hiking and discovering this beautiful island and I would just wish to have more time and stay here longer so I can see more of it.
Last hugs and goodbyes with my friend Kira • and Kuba and I were running through streets of Porto again to catch the tube to the airport. Nervously getting a ticket and hopping on, was another lucky close call of this journey. Sweating with all the passengers we made it to the airport on time and enjoyed queues and overpriced airport buffets.
Quick 2 hours on a board and we were excitedly bumping feet with our impatient to land and explore this beautiful island!
Our host kindly gave us a lift to our first accommodation so we could start our adventure and enjoy the whole house just for 2 of us. Btw watching the night city lights from the far and right from my bed was the best start! Living on the steepest streets was also an experience, worth it.
MONDAY
11.4.2022 – Bye Porto and Hello Madeira
Last hugs and goodbyes with my friend Kira • and Kuba and I were running through streets of Porto again to catch the tube to the airport. Nervously getting a ticket and hopping on, was another lucky close call of this journey. Sweating with all the passengers we made it to the airport on time and enjoyed queues and overpriced airport buffets.
Quick 2 hours on a board and we were excitedly bumping feet with our impatient to land and explore this beautiful island!
Our host kindly gave us a lift to our first accommodation so we could start our adventure and enjoy the whole house just for 2 of us. Btw watching the night city lights from the far and right from my bed was the best start! Living on the steepest streets was also an experience, worth it.
Early get-ups will probably never work on holidays but at least we tried. Grabbed a toast to fill tummies and getting a taxi to pick up our new car! Honestly it was a drama to rent even a car on Madeira, after all the hustle from Covid, but we made it and in few minutes we were walking on a beach of Funchal, watching crabs, getting soaked from unexpected waves and getting some sun.
And right from the beginning we started with a 1,5 hr hike on the east coast • Ponta de São Lourenço. Walking with quite a lot of people was not ideal but with all those stunning view you don’t really care. And finishing in Sardine House we booked a boat trip back which was awesome and fun! However the boat took us to a dock not exactly where we parked so we had to walked a bit back, but thanks that we could explore an abandoned and bankrupted resort • and that was exciting!
Our growling tummies stopped us in Cani̤al РPaladares da Tarra restaurant to get some fresh fish and chips. How delicious. Exhausted from hiking and food we fell in beds right after.
On a top of that all we decided to climb the highest mountain on Madeira – Pico Ruivo, 1862 m. The misty and rainy nightfall just brought me a cold and runny nose for the rest of the holiday and we missed the romantic sunset at the end. Yet still happy to be here.
TUESDAY
12.4.2022 – Hiking, Boat and Pico Ruivo
Early get-ups will probably never work on holidays but at least we tried. Grabbed a toast to fill tummies and getting a taxi to pick up our new car! Honestly it was a drama to rent even a car on Madeira, after all the hustle from Covid, but we made it and in few minutes we were walking on a beach of Funchal, watching crabs, getting soaked from unexpected waves and getting some sun.
And right from the beginning we started with a 1,5 hr hike on the east coast • Ponta de São Lourenço. Walking with quite a lot of people was not ideal but with all those stunning view you don’t really care. And finishing in Sardine House we booked a boat trip back which was awesome and fun! However the boat took us to a dock not exactly where we parked so we had to walked a bit back, but thanks that we could explore an abandoned and bankrupted resort • and that was exciting!
Our growling tummies stopped us in Cani̤al РPaladares da Tarra restaurant to get some fresh fish and chips. How delicious. Exhausted from hiking and food we fell in beds right after.
On a top of that all we decided to climb the highest mountain on Madeira – Pico Ruivo, 1862 m. The misty and rainy nightfall just brought me a cold and runny nose for the rest of the holiday and we missed the romantic sunset at the end. Yet still happy to be here.
With Wednesday we packed our few things, checked out and moved to a new exploring in the capital – Funchal. Parked the car and bought a cable car to the top with a great view of the whole city. Enjoyed the view we ate some pizza, walked around and came back down to the centre for the streets Art on Doors, some souvenirs, lollies and visit of the local market! Supporting the local people and buying some fresh fruit and nuts, I listened also to the sellers and their stories and life, in deed interesting!
With another ride we visited a little village called Santana and its typical little houses, after few attempts we discovered a hidden waterfall Cascata da Aguage and welcomed to Ruins of St. George and its beach in the next village Sao Jorge.
And to happily close our successful day we came to our second accommodation in the most beautiful village Sao Vicente right beyond the mountains and the sea! Hosted by the most kind grannie Margarita in her beautiful house! Book HERE!
WEDNESDAY
13.4.2022 – A day in Funchal
With Wednesday we packed our few things, checked out and moved to a new exploring in the capital – Funchal. Parked the car and bought a cable car to the top with a great view of the whole city. Enjoyed the view we ate some pizza, walked around and came back down to the centre for the streets Art on Doors, some souvenirs, lollies and visit of the local market! Supporting the local people and buying some fresh fruit and nuts, I listened also to the sellers and their stories and life, in deed interesting!
With another ride we visited a little village called Santana and its typical little houses, after few attempts we discovered a hidden waterfall Cascata da Aguage and welcomed to Ruins of St. George and its beach in the next village Sao Jorge.
And to happily close our successful day we came to our second accommodation in the most beautiful village Sao Vicente right beyond the mountains and the sea! Hosted by the most kind grannie Margarita in her beautiful house! Book HERE!
On Thursday I wasn’t feeling very well, so we split with Kuba and I went just to the local church to see the Easter celebrations and relax in the morning. In the afternoon we met again and went together around the north coast through Seixal and Porto Moniz, another waterfalls and just a ride around the island which sadly was mostly through tunnels and we couldn’t see much.
In the evening I kept it easy and went for a little walk around the Sao Vicente and waited for a sunset at the beach.
THURSDAY
14.4.2022 – Lazy Thursday and Sao Vicente
On Thursday I wasn’t feeling very well, so we split with Kuba and I went just to the local church to see the Easter celebrations and relax in the morning. In the afternoon we met again and went together around the north coast through Seixal and Porto Moniz, another waterfalls and just a ride around the island which sadly was mostly through tunnels and we couldn’t see much.
In the evening I kept it easy and went for a little walk around the Sao Vicente and waited for a sunset at the beach.
Friday was the most relaxing day, maybe because it was our last. I am not sure actually what we were doing in the morning but probably just chilling and enjoying the beautiful place and then we went on another trip and photoshoot to the Madeira Natural Park, walking around freely moving cows and calves, windmills and boiling sun.
In the evening we came back to Funchal to our last hostel, which became a disaster and I refused to sleep in a tiny room with a shower and toilet in a cupboard right behind the beds. So last minute I booked a 3* hotel in a Quinta das Eiras and used my charm to convince the host that I have to stay here just 1 night. Which became a nice experience in a log cabin and peaceful nature! And I didn’t ruin my last night squishing in a tiny creepy room. 😀
FRIDAY
15.4.2022 – Road trips, parks and mountains
Friday was the most relaxing day, maybe because it was our last. I am not sure actually what we were doing in the morning but probably just chilling and enjoying the beautiful place and then we went on another trip and photoshoot to the Madeira Natural Park, walking around freely moving cows and calves, windmills and boiling sun.
In the evening we came back to Funchal to our last hostel, which became a disaster and I refused to sleep in a tiny room with a shower and toilet in a cupboard right behind the beds. So last minute I booked a 3* hotel in a Quinta das Eiras and used my charm to convince the host that I have to stay here just 1 night. Which became a nice experience in a log cabin and peaceful nature! And I didn’t ruin my last night squishing in a tiny creepy room. 😀
Early on Saturday I got ready and waited for Kuba to pick me up and head off to the airport and a 4-hour flight back home.
It was nice to be here and will be more than happy to come back one day, Madeira!
SATURDAY
16.4.2022 – Last day
Early on Saturday I got ready and waited for Kuba to pick me up and head off to the airport and a 4-hour flight back home.
It was nice to be here and will be more than happy to come back one day, Madeira!
TICK YOUR MUSTS OF
MADEIRA
I wish to had done more research about Madeira and try so many different and traditional things over there, but the time was tight. So at least here is some inspiration once you’re planning to visit the island!
Hope you’ll have a nice weather!
Visit a local market Buy local fruit, fish or veg, nuts, flowers, souvenirs or a honey cake like me!
Take a hike to Pico Ruivo Pico Ruivo is the highest mountain of Madeira and you can easily choose one of 3 routes from the most difficult the the easiest one which takes only about 2 hours to get you on the top and watch the romantic sunset.
Take a boat trip There are many boat trips, dolphins and whales observations or diving, surfing. Just stay a day at the beach and on the sea and get this experience!
Go hiking This is the most most must do – because Madeira is famous for its mountains and hike routes and you can’t miss it while you’re here!
FIND YOUR EVENT ON MADEIRA
There are so many wonderful events going through the whole year on Madeira and you won’t be bored!
Take your time and your planner to get the most of your next holiday on the island!
Travelling with Kuba my friend and an amazing and talented photographer, whole time in Portugal and Madeira, was a great company and I couldn’t choose better.
Come and see his work at his website or visit a post I made with him about his photography and work!
We talked a lot about the photography and his life, his journey as a photographer and many tips and tricks, I was happy to learn something new and having his company!
