Planned by Joel,
local expert for Portugal
5.0/5
Starting at USD 3159 per adult / 9 days
International flights not included. Price details
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Visit two of Portugal's autonomous regions: Madeira, the island of eternal spring as they call it, as well as São Miguel, nicknamed the green island. Guided excursions will take you to the highlights of both islands and there's plenty of time to discover on your own or simply relax.

This itinerary is just a starting point as all services are 100% customizable to suit your travel wants and needs. Looking for different hotels, other experiences or an alternative route? Get in touch with Joel today to receive your personalized quote. Just enter your details and receive a quote based on your preferences.

Overview

Funchal 5 nights
Furnas 3 nights

Detailed Itinerary

DAY 1-6

Funchal

Funchal Travel guide

DAY 1

Welcome to Madeira!

Upon arrival at Funchal airport, you will be picked up by your driver and transferred to your hotel. Depending on the time of arrival you can go for a walk in the centre of the city of Funchal or enjoy the amenities of your hotel.

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Accommodation: Hotel Porto Mare

DAY 2

Madeira - West side

Today you'll visit the west side of Madeira Island.You'll be driven via the Encumeada Pass (1007m high) - where it might be possible to see both sides (north and south) of the Island - to São Vicente on the north shore.You'll have a stop in Porto Moniz by the natural swimming pools and where you'll be invited to swim, so have your swimming gear at hand! You'll then head to Seixal which is a great place to have lunch.On the way back to Funchal you'll get the chance to stop at many miradouros (view points) including Cabo Girão, a steep cliff standing at 580m, one of the highest in the world, where you can enjoy the magnificent view on a skywalk (glass bottom) balcony.

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Accommodation: Hotel Porto Mare

DAY 3

Madeira - East side

Today you'll have a tour to the east side of Madeira.You'll head to the easternmost tip of the island, the Ponta de Sao Lourenço.Already on the north coast, in Porto da Cruz you can visit a traditional sugarcane factory.You'll then head to Santana, an old farmer’s village with its famous triangular houses with thatched roofs, a trademark of Madeira Island.You'll be invited into a short and easy Levada (path along irrigation canals) walk of 45 min maximum through the UNESCO protected Laurissilva forest in Queimadas.On the drive back to Funchal, you'll be able to visit a traditional market in Santo da Serra, where you'll have the chance to taste the famous local beverage, Poncha!

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Accommodation: Hotel Porto Mare

DAY 4

Free days in Funchal

You'll take the day to relax in Funchal.You can choose to visit the city, you can enjoy the oceanic pools of the city or simply enjoy the amenities of your hotel.You can visit the old town and the Monte (hill top) area which you can reach by cable car and where you can visit the Tropical Garden. You might want to try to descend from Monte in a traditional wicker "toboggan"!!You'll also have a chance to visit Funchal's Botanical Garden arguably the most beautiful on the island.And because Madeira is a semi-tropical island, you cannot miss the local market, undoubtedly the most colourful in Portugal.

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Accommodation: Hotel Porto Mare

DAY 5

Second free day in Funchal

Another day at rest in Funchal, yours to discover or relax. 

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Accommodation: Hotel Porto Mare

DAY 6

Madeira to São Miguel + Sete Cidades guided tour

You'll have a transfer to Madeira's airport and will board the plane to São Miguel.Already in Ponta Delgada, you'll be picked up and will to a half-day guided tour to the beautiful Sete Cidades lagoon area. Sete Cidades Lagoon is the most famous lagoon in the Azores, and together with the neighbouring lagoons forms some of the most amazing landscapes in the Azores Archipelago. You can choose to go for a hike in the trails on the ridges around these lagoons (the difficult part will be to choose the most beautiful ones) or simply choose to be driven around to enjoy the views!

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Accommodation: Terra Nostra Garden Hotel

DAY 6-9

Furnas

DAY 7

São Miguel - Day trip to Furnas

Today you'll drive east towards the Furnas Valley area.The Furnas Valley is the part of the Island that concentrates the biggest number of volcanic phenomenons, being also home to some of the most dramatic landscapes.  You'll visit this stunning area, famous for the Furnas Lagoon - whose margins you can walk to visit the mystic Nossa Senhora da Vitória chapel - and for its hot springs and fumaroles.You will obviously visit the Terra Nostra garden, arguably the most important in the Azores, and should try a plunge into the hot waters in one of the local pools! Another local thermal pool option you might want to consider is the Poça da Dona Beija.You cannot miss the famous “cozido das Furnas” a kind of stew cooked in a pan placed in a hole in the ground only through the geothermal heat.

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Accommodation: Terra Nostra Garden Hotel

DAY 8

Azores sailing day

You'll have a full day on board a sailboat enjoy the views of São Miguel and the beauty of the ocean that surrounds it.You'll sail around the stunning Vila Franca do Campo Islet and will have a chance to swim in the Azorean crystal clear waters.Onboard you'll be served a set of local products.If you're lucky you might spot dolphins and possibly other cetaceans and hopefully will understand why the Azores is one of the best places in the world to spot these incredible mammals.

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Accommodation: Terra Nostra Garden Hotel

DAY 9

Departure from Ponta Delgada

Unfortunately, it's time to say goodbye.You'll be picked up at your hotel and driven to Ponta Delgada's airport.Safe travels! Hope to see you again!

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