Top 5 Madeira Car Tours: Explore the Island at Your Pace
Madeira, very much a Portuguese island that sits pretty in the Atlantic, just about begs to be explored at your own speed. That means a bunch of people skip the tour buses and instead grab the keys to a rental car. And so, getting behind the wheel actually lets you unearth little villages, find some secret viewpoints, and seriously make your holiday memories in the process. Picking the greatest routes could be, a little tricky with so many choices, right? Anyway this is where we come in. We’ve done some digging, and it’s almost found the best five driving tours Madeira’s got to offer. Ready for that dream Madeira road trip? Let’s hit the road.
1. The Classic West Coast Adventure
First up, we’ve got what you might call the “Classic West Coast Adventure.” So, if you like seeing unbelievable coastal landscapes, yet little picturesque towns, this one’s seriously for you. We normally kick this off from Funchal and go west, that is until we hit Câmara de Lobos. Think: Winston Churchill vibes; very, very colorful fishing boats bobbing in the harbor. Pretty much irresistible for some photographs, and a decent poncha – a traditional Madeiran drink – by the sea. The road actually hugs the coastline afterwards, climbing higher. Then it passes Cabo Girão – you know, one of the world’s tallest sea cliffs. And so prepare yourself because those views are absolutely something! Check those cliffs out!
After that, you’ll be driving through Ribeira Brava, so, a small town really with a charming feel, until we arrive at Ponta do Sol. In a way this spot, is recognized to be Madeira’s sunniest spot. Maybe think about stopping here for a snack, or for dipping your toes in the ocean. Very possibly a bit further along the west coast sits Calheta, still boasting a man-made golden beach, which is ideal if you wish for swimming. The journey back is usually done via the highway, so, a faster, easier way of returning to Funchal – giving you more time to think about every incredible viewpoint you just saw. That is if you are doing the driving anyway!
Highlights:
- Câmara de Lobos: Actually admire this attractive fishing village and the harbor scenery.
- Cabo Girão: Seems that it stops for the astonishing views from one of the highest sea cliffs in Europe.
- Calheta Beach: Often appreciate sunbathing on golden sands or simply taking a refreshing swim.
2. The Volcanic North: Porto Moniz & São Vicente
Next, you have the route that shows off the rougher side of Madeira: the Volcanic North. Starting from Funchal, the drive to São Vicente does mean heading up and into the mountains. We make it a point that the views become spectacular quickly, and the air so fresh you can seriously almost taste it. The descent into São Vicente itself very much leads you through these valleys. And so this area is recognized to be very green, lush, that’s because of the volcanic rock here. Volcanic Rock here.
In São Vicente, we’ll swing by the São Vicente Caves, anyway offering a glimpse into the island’s volcanic origin with tours through the underground caves that can be found. Pushing onward, and the roads take you to Porto Moniz, so, known for those natural swimming pools that were made from the lava formations. That’s a seriously cool area to take a plunge. That is unless it’s February of course, I always thought this spot was pretty spectacular! Going back we will cut across the Paul da Serra plateau, rather the island’s largest, so that means flat, highland area that you wouldn’t imagine on Madeira. Seems that there are unbelievable panoramas, especially around sunset.
Highlights:
- São Vicente Caves: It is worth taking a guided tour to find something more about the volcanic past.
- Porto Moniz Natural Pools: And so take a dip inside remarkable natural pools produced of lava rock.
- Paul da Serra: Arguably capture sweeping scenic vistas throughout the greatest plateau in Madeira.
3. The Enchanting East: Ponta de São Lourenço & Machico
That is, should you be searching for views unlike anywhere else on Madeira, well there’s Ponta de São Lourenço on the east coast. Leave Funchal behind you, then start following signs to Caniçal, still seeing a dramatically shifting landscape that looks barren. However what it shows is an unbelievable coastal walk at the tip of the peninsula. Actually take some time to go explore, although make sure you’ve got loads of water; that’s because it will get very hot there and is exposed. The views? Very seriously unforgettable.They will blow you away.
After experiencing Ponta de São Lourenço’s raw scenery, take the car and continue onwards to Machico. Then it happens: one of Madeira’s earliest towns. I want to say it has a cute harbor, then a sandy beach also, so this will be somewhere ideal for having lunch. By the way the trip back to Funchal from Machico is simple and pretty short, and leaving plenty of room to perhaps stop off at viewpoints along the way. As a matter of fact this eastern route is truly great assuming you simply desire to see an alternative side to Madeira.
Highlights:
- Ponta de São Lourenço: Obviously experience incredible coastal hikes and different scenery.
- Machico: Actually soak into the location’s past using its captivating bay along with seaside.
- Viewpoints Along the Way: Clearly locate appealing perspectives ignoring coastal landscapes while you revisit.
4. Up High: Pico do Arieiro & Ribeiro Frio
Want to virtually feel like you are at the top of the island? So then this drives is definitely the drive for you. Very probably begin from Funchal. You’ll make a slow but definitely worthwhile ascent to Pico do Arieiro; usually one of Madeira’s highest points you are able to drive to. By the way wrap up warmly; so, that altitude really affects the climate, and occasionally that means fog in addition. What exactly helps you reach there it will literally take your breath away (quite actually if you hike around!); very breathtaking panoramas abound and, that means on a morning, we have come here and gone above those clouds.That altitude.
From the Pico do Arieiro, take the scenic course to Ribeiro Frio that is located a little lower down the mountain. Often visit its trout farm or embark over a light-weight stroll along a number of the levadas (irrigation channels), actually exploring the laurisilva forests found right here. So then this entire course provides an amalgamation involving great mountain landscapes together with calm woodland walks. That is if, by chance, the weather conditions are good.
Highlights:
- Pico do Arieiro: Usually reach higher altitude together with panoramic island broad perspectives (depending up on weather conditions)
- Ribeiro Frio: Very often be thankful to trout farms. And do some simple forest walks.
- Laurisilva Forests: So they are simply exploring the old forestation by wandering around levadas that appear to wind around the woodland area..
5. Southern Charms: Jardim do Mar & Ponta do Pargo
If you want more to do with sunshine and cute villages with quiet coastline appeals subsequently give consideration to driving off towards Madeira South facet. In this case from Funchal head on towards Jardim do Mar, that appears almost as charming; which is probably where it bought its name. Seems that small lanes will be going down steeply near that sea giving a fairly spectacular view that feels very secluded from somewhere in time!Small Lanes.
Move more toward western, in other words, in direction of Ponta do Pargo: Madeira is definitely most westerly level presenting its great lighthouse but also scenic opinions as much as this north shoreline together with the limitless Atlantic. Then just have a leisurely drive between and past modest villages found close by there simply absorb traditional life that’s completely unaffected alongside rugged beauty through South coastline.
Highlights:
- Jardim do Mar: Enjoy relaxed strolls across stunning village including great water views.
- Ponta do Pargo: Notice west the right level around island experiencing exceptional views through cliffs in the north & seas.
- Southern Villages: Experience an original kind on lifestyle by only using unhurried routes beyond tiny towns offering real Madeira lifestyle.