Want to stay long enough to discover the best the region has to offer?
Here’s our advice on how many days to spend in Madeira to suit your needs.
This opinion is completely independent, based on our experiences. We made our own choices, visited the area anonymously, and paid our bills in full.
How many days to spend in Madeira: quick answers
- Minimum to get an overview of the region: 5 days
- Number of days to see all the most famous places: 7 days
- Ideal number of days to really enjoy it, in our opinion: 10 days
- Number of days for you: according to your criteria such as vacation time, budget, desires and interests:
- If you just want to spend some time at the beach… it depends on the number of days you have available and your budget.
There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question. It depends on a number of criteria. We give you more details in the article to help you make your decision.
Number of days to see the highlights
In our opinion, the must-see places are..:
- The old town of Funchal
- Dolphin and whale watching
- Pico do Arieiro and its rugged mountains
- The Volcanic Cliffs of Ponta de São Lourenço
- The lush garden: Monte Palace Tropical Garden
- Hike along a levada, a traditional irrigation channel
- The natural pools of Porto Moniz and Seixal
- Fanal forest
- Views of the cliffs of Cabo Girao
- The charming village of Camara de Lobos
We think that in 5 to 7 days, you can comfortably cover the most famous places.
Find out more in our article on Madeira’s top attractions.
Size and travel time
Madeira is not a very large island.
You can stay in one place and visit the whole island on day trips.
The roads in the mountains are the longest.
Here’s a map with driving times, to give you a better idea:
3-, 4-, 5-, 7-, or 10-day itineraries
To get an even better idea of what you can see, take a look at our itinerary suggestions:
- 3-Day Itineraries in Madeira
- 4-day itineraries
- 5-day itineraries
- 6-day itineraries
- 7-day itineraries
- 10-day itineraries
Criteria for deciding how long to spend in Madeira
Budget
Estimate how much you can afford in total, so you know how many days you can stay.
- More about car rental in Madeira
- and see the best offers
- See our articles on where to stay in Madeira
- or our article on the best hotels to discover prices
Hotel price ranges vary widely among hostels, aparthotels, vacation rentals, 5-star hotels, luxury villas, and more… We can’t give you an exact price, so please check the prices for your type of accommodation.
Your desires, interests and goals
Spending time at the beach? Hiking? Visiting cultural sites?
Your desires have an impact on the time you need to enjoy your destination.
For example, a cultural immersion may require more days than a quick beach getaway.
In Madeira, the offer is quite complete.
- Cultural sites: museums in Funchal, traditions all over the island
- Charming villages: especially on the south coast
- Beaches: few beaches, two with imported golden sand, two with natural black sand and otherwise pebbles.
- Lots of hiking
- Beautiful botanical gardens
- And plenty of breathtaking views
Visa
If your passport is outside the Shengen area, the traditional tourist visa authorizes you to travel within the area for a maximum of 90 continuous days, including Madeira, which is part of Portugal.
Personal circumstances
Take into account your own schedule, including work commitments and personal responsibilities. This will help you realistically assess how much time you can devote to the trip.
Weather, conditions, events
There are no specific conditions that could affect the duration of your trip.
But if you’re wondering when to go to Madeira, read our article (coming soon).
How many days to visit Funchal
To get an idea of Funchal, just one day is enough.
But to really explore it, including the gardens, allow two days.
And for those who want to see it all, allow 3 to 4 days.
Find out more in our article on Funchal attractions.
Frequently asked questions
Are 4 days enough in Madeira?
4 days is a bit short in our opinion, given the air travel required to get to the island. You’ll have time to discover a bit of each type of landscape, but we think you’ll have the impression that your stay is too short.
Is 5 days enough in Madeira?
5 days is a good length of time to get an overview of all types of landscapes in Madeira. It’s not enough to take your time and explore, but it’s enough to understand the island, its traditions and its nature.
Is 7 days enough or too long in Madeira?
A week is often considered the ideal length of time to explore Madeira, even if it’s not enough to see every nook and cranny. You won’t have time to get bored, as you discover villages, gardens, levadas, volcanic cliffs, natural lava pools and much more.
Is 10 days too long in Madeira?
10 days is our preferred length, allowing us to explore every corner of Madeira, do several hikes and even spend a day in Porto Santo.
PLAN YOUR STAY IN Madeira
Practical advice
Getting around Madeira
Rent a car in Madeira
Driving in Madeira
Itineraries: 3 days – 4 days – 5 days – 6 days – 7 days – 10 days
