MyPortugalHoliday.com

The best independent guide to Madeira

MyPortugalHoliday.com

The best independent guide to Madeira

Day trips from Funchal

Funchal is a great destination for a holiday to Madeira, which offers all the expected facilities of a major city while providing a welcoming and traditional atmosphere. All of the major attractions of Funchal can be easily seen in a couple of days but the capital’s location and good public transport allows for numerous excellent day trips.

This guide will detail the better and most popular day trips from Funchal. Just to note Monte is an enjoyable district just outside Funchal but due to its close proximity it is usually included in a tour of Funchal and is not consider as a day trip or excursion.
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Pico do Arieiro Madeira

The stunning mountains of Madeira

Into the Mountains

Pico do Arieiro is the third highest peak of Madeira and with the construction of a major NATO radar installation at the summit the area has unexpectedly good roads that are easily accessible from Funchal.

The summit of around 1,800 meters provides wonderful views over the interior and on certain days is above the cloud line which is a truly magical experience. For the very active there is a challenging hiking route which leads to the Pico Ruivo highest point of Madeira at 1,830m.

madeira hike routes

There are challenging hiking routes in the mountains

The Hidden Valley of Curral das Freiras

During a particular savage 16th century pirate raid on the island a convent of nuns fled the capital to hide in the most inaccessible and remote area of Madeira, the Curral das Freiras. Today there is a major road connecting to Funchal but the deep natural depression is still a stunning sight.

Curral das Freiras mountains

The Curral das Freiras is surrounded by massive mountains

At the base of the massive cauldron shaped valley is the small village which was established by the nuns and the ancient mule route is a popular hiking trail. The region is famed for its chestnuts which are used to make delicious cakes.

The skywalk of Cabo Girao

The cliffs of the Cabo Girao are some of the world’s highest, with a near vertical drop of 590 meters and what better tourist attraction could there be than a glass bottomed sky walk which extends out over this nauseating height.

Cabo Girao skywalk

The glass floor of the sykwalk, only for the brave

At the base of the cliffs are terrace vineyards which once were only accessible by boat. The cliffs are often combined with a visit to the pretty fishing town of Camara de Lobos.

Cabo Girao

The stunning view from Cabo Girao

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MyPortugalHoliday.com

The best guide to Madeira

Madeira portugal
Madeira weather when to visit
Madeira top 10
Madeira 1 week
Madeira hotel
funchal madeira
Pico Ruivo Hike Madeira
Cabo Girao Skywalk
Cruise Ship Madeira
Pico do Arieiro Madeira
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Madeira portugal
Madeira weather when to visit
Madeira top 10
Madeira 1 week
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