15 Best Day Trips From Funchal That Are Actually Worth Doing

If you’re planning to stay in Madeira’s capital city, you’ll soon come to the point where you need to decide your day trips from Funchal.

Because although there are some really cool things to do in Funchal itself, most of the magic is outside of the city: in the mountains, valleys, and smaller fishing towns.

Simply put, I don’t recommend visiting Madeira and never leaving the city. Whether you want to do some of the best hikes in Madeira, relax on the coast, ride cable cars or simply drive through the mountains, the best scenery is beyond Funchal.

And if you have time, a road trip along the north coast is something that’ll stay with you: steep green cliffs, tumbling waterfalls and houses merging into the hills.

In this blog post, I’ll share my favourite day trips from Funchal – I’ve done almost every single one, many more than once, over three long trips to Madeira – including day trips that you can do with or without a car.

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My Biggest Tips For Planning Day Trips From Funchal

1. Do you need a car?

Renting a car is the best way to explore, but the roads can be challenging (especially in the mountains) and parking limited.

So if you’re not keen on the idea, there are still buses and tours that’ll help you explore without. It can limit what you’re able to see and do, especially when it comes to hiking, so I recommend reading my guides to visiting Madeira without a car and getting around Madeira.

The good news is, Funchal is well-connected by buses, tours and transfers. That’s why it tops my list of the best places to stay in Madeira without a car.

Preparation is key if you’re planning to rent a car. My guide to renting a car in Madeira covers how to choose your car rental, key considerations and costing guides.

2. How long does it take to drive around Madeira?

Most destinations in Madeira can be reached within 1–2 hours of Funchal (often less), but winding mountain roads can make short distances take longer than expected. Mountains fill the inner island, so the fastest route is usually via the coast.

3. Consider the weather and time of year

The time of year affects everything from the weather to how clear the views are, how powerful the waterfalls, hiking conditions and crowd levels. For more detailed advice, check out my guide to the best time to visit Madeira.

Best Day Trips From Funchal If You Don’t Want to Go Far

I want to start this list off with two day trips from Funchal that you can do if you’re limited on time. Sometimes you just need a quick trip, before turning to the Old Town for poncha and espetada!

1. Câmara de Lobos

Possible without a car? Yes (SIGA bus no. 4, 7, 96, 137 and more)

My go-to easy day trip from Funchal is Câmara de Lobos. By car, it’s a 10-minute drive. By bus, it takes under 30 minutes. It was one of the first places I visited in Madeira, and somewhere I can’t help but go back to.

Firstly, it’s absolutely stunning: a small fishing village with colourful boats bobbing in the harbour and views of distant Cabo Girão.

Secondly, it does a stunning sardine lunch and nikita (my favourite bev in Madeira, an alcoholic combo with pineapple, ice cream and beer). There are plenty of poncha bars in town for the latter! There’s not a huge number of things to do in the town, but it’s worthwhile visiting.

2. Cabo Girão

Possible without a car? Yes (SIGA bus no. 7 via Cabo Girão)

Cabo Girão is the highest cape in Europe at 580 metres. It also happens to be a 15-minute drive west of Funchal (or a short bus ride).

Cabo Girão is a popular attraction because it has a Skywalk (a glass platform suspended over the cliff) and a cable car to the fajã below. Madeira’s fajãs are pretty unique: terraced farmland set on land formed by old volcanic eruptions.

I haven’t visited Cabo Girão myself, mainly because I’m not a huge fan of crowds. I visited nearby Fajã dos Padres instead, which is much quieter – I mention this day trip later in the post.

It’s located just past Câmara de Lobos, so it’s easy to combine the two together – they’re on the route for Funchal’s popular tuk-tuk tour.

Popular Day Trips From Funchal: Well-Known Trips That Are Actually Worth It

1. North Coast: Porto Moniz and Seixal

Possible without a car? Yes

If you only have time for one day trip from Funchal, I’d make it the north coast. It feels totally different to Funchal, with its steep green cliffs, volcanic pools and waterfalls right next to the highway.

Porto Moniz is best-known for its large volcanic swimming pools (for more details, check out my guide to the Porto Moniz natural pools). Seixal has the quieter, wilder Seixal natural pool, plus a large black-sand beach.

The north coast day trip from Funchal is best by car, as you can drive through the gorgeous green valley stretching from Ribeira Brava to São Vicente, stopping at poncha bars along the route (don’t miss Taberna da Poncha!) and then drive the whole length of the north coast.

But without a car, you can still do this day trip from Funchal by taking a north coast tour. Bus is also possible, but the journey takes so long and the stops and return buses are limited.

2. Pico do Arieiro

Possible without a car? Yes (PR1 hiking transfer)

I’m working on a whole separate post for the best hikes from Funchal, but I simply couldn’t round up the best day trips from Funchal without mentioning Pico do Arieiro, the island’s second-highest mountain.

When it’s open (weather/safety risks lead to regular closures), the PR1 hike from Pico Arieiro to Pico Ruivo is absolutely spectacular and partly why Madeira has become so popular in recent years.

But you don’t even need to do the hike to enjoy the views from Pico do Arieiro. You can drive up there (or take a tour) to see the chiselled mountains just steps from the car park.

Even if you’re renting a car, the best way to do it is to take a PR1 hiking transfer because it’s a long point-to-point trail – meaning you’ll end the hike in a totally different location as to where you started.

When the hike is closed, most tours stop at Pico do Arieiro for sunrise and substitute the trail with a different hike: often Vereda do Larano in Porto da Cruz or a levada walk – like this Pico do Arieiro sunrise and Larano hike.

3. Ponta de São Lourenço

Possible without a car? Yes (PR8 hiking transfer)

Ponta de São Lourenço is another popular day trip from Funchal. People head there for the 7-kilometre Vereda da Ponta de São Lourenço (PR8) trail, which is busy at sunrise with crowds lessening later in the afternoon.

My pictures are only people-free because I hiked there in the early morning, before trail bookings became mandatory!

This easternmost peninsula feels totally different to the north coast and tall mountains: it’s almost barren-looking, with dusty orange paths, dry shrubs and turquoise water.

Parking can be difficult, so I do recommend avoiding peak morning or just opting for an easy PR8 hiking transfer.

4. Curral das Freiras (Nun’s Valley)

Possible without a car? Yes (SIGA bus no. 81/181)

If you’re looking for the best day trips from Funchal without a car, Curral das Freiras (Nun’s Valley) is right up there with Câmara de Lobos.

At the centre of the island, surrounded by dramatic mountain peaks, the village was founded by nuns who once fled the risk of pirates on the coast.

You’ll want to start any day trip to the Nun’s Valley at the Eira do Serrado viewpoint (accessible by car or bus from Funchal), where there’s a coffee shop and viewpoint.

From there, take the same bus into the village or walk down via Caminho das Voltas (around 1–2 hours on foot).

In the village itself, there are restaurants and a small museum. The Valley of the Nuns is famous for its chestnut dishes, so try them if you get a chance.

5. Fanal Forest

Possible without a car? Yes (PR13 hiking transfer)

Fanal Forest is Madeira’s only UNESCO World Heritage Site, home to centuries-old twisted laurel trees. I happened to snap a picture on a sunny day, but Fanal is best known for its misty atmosphere.

You can drive directly to Fanal Forest from Funchal to see the trees (they’re seconds from the car park) or spend the whole day there hiking along Vereda do Fanal (PR13), just under 11 kilometres in length.

Without a car, a tour or transfer is best. For hiking, I recommend this PR13 hiking transfer. For a brief stop, this West Madeira tour is better, visiting Fanal, Porto Moniz, Câmara de Lobos and Cabo Girão.

6. Rabaçal Valley

Possible without a car? Yes (PR6 transfer)

The Rabaçal Valley is one of my favourite parts of Madeira for waterfalls. It’s very popular, though, because the 25 Fontes and Risco waterfall trails are considered some of the easiest on the island, attracting families and casual hikers.

The Rabaçal Valley is more hiking-focused than anything else, but the trails don’t take the whole day so you can visit the beaches in nearby Calheta or combine it with Fanal. Without a car, you’ll need to rely on these hiking tours and transfers to the Rabaçal Valley.

It’s also possible to take a less-crowded route, like Rocha Vermelha (check it out in my guide to the best hikes in Madeira).

7. Santana

Possible without a car? Yes (East Madeira tour)

On Madeira’s northeast coast, Santana is best known for its small museum with traditional Madeiran houses (palheiros), triangular with thatched roofs.

But it’s also great for hiking (with a car); you could try the short trail to Pico Ruivo (PR 1.2 Vereda do Pico Ruivo), Levada do Caldeirão Verde (PR9) or Levada do Rei (PR18). I also like combining Santana with the viewpoints in São Jorge – more on that later.

You can take the bus from Funchal to Santana, but it takes well over one hour, so a tour is easier. Most Santana tours include other West highlights, like Machico, Porto da Cruz and sometimes Pico do Arieiro or São Lourenço.

8. Ponta do Sol

Possible without a car? Only the village

Ponta do Sol is honestly one of the most underrated Funchal day trips. It’s best done by car (a 30-minute drive), because the village itself is tiny with a small pebble beach and waterfront restaurants.

For me, the real highlight is the Levada do Moinho and Levada Nova walk (PR7), which is through a lush, green valley behind Ponta do Sol. You’ll pass right underneath waterfalls at one point.

After taking the walk at your own pace, you can head to Ponta for a swim or a meal on the Sol Ponte terrace. And if you have time left over, you can drive to Taberna da Poncha, Calheta or Jardim do Mar.

It’s also possible to take a hiking transfer to Levada do Moinho and Levada Nova walk (PR7), so don’t rule it out if you’re visiting Madeira without a vehicle.

9. Machico

Possible without a car? Yes (bus no. 113)

I have a real soft spot for Machico, a city between Funchal and Ponta de São Lourenço. This is where I usually base myself in Madeira.

It has a soft sandy beach and several hikes, including the Pico do Facho mountain hike and uncrowded Levada dos Maroços.

You can easily spend a whole day in Machico from Funchal, using my guide to the best things to do in Machico. It’s accessible by car or bus.

10. Porto da Cruz

Possible without a car? Town only (bus no. 208)

Porto da Cruz is one of my favourite places in Madeira, and it’s one of the best day trips from Funchal if you are renting a car. There are several awesome hikes: Vereda do Larano (coastal), Eagle Rock (mountain) and Levada do Castelejo (levada) but a car is essential for them.

The main town itself, accessible by bus from Funchal, is beautiful too. Eagle Rock, a standalone mountain, looms over the pebble beach. There are poncha bars, a couple of the best cafes in Madeira, and a surf school.

11. São Jorge

Possible without a car? Yes (bus no. 103)

São Jorge is another underrated spot, near to Porto da Cruz, on the northeast coast of Madeira. I like going to Cabo Aéreo Café Restaurant here for views over the scenic coastline.

You can also park in Arco São Jorge and do the Caminho Real hike to the São Cristóvão Viewpoint. This ‘zig-zag’ hike can be seen from from Cabo Aéreo Café.

12. Ribeiro Frio and Levada dos Balcões

Possible without a car? Yes (bus no. 103)

Ribeiro Frio is one of my favourite day trips from Funchal. It’s so easy to do, and full of variety, yet not many tourists know about it.

Start by driving or taking the bus to the trailhead for Levada dos Balcões, then do the quick, flat 3-kilometre walk to the viewpoint over Madeira’s mountains. You can then stop at John’s Poncha.

On the way back to Funchal, you’ll pass the Funchal Ecological Park and the Forest Food & Cafe, which is a cabin-style coffee shop and the ultimate rainy-day vibe. I love this all as a rainy-day trip from Funchal.

Lesser-Known Day Trips From Funchal (To Escape The Crowds)

1. Fajã dos Padres

Possible without a car? Yes (Fajã dos Padres tour from Funchal)

You can’t really go wrong with a day trip to Fajã dos Padres, 15–20 minutes’ drive west of Funchal. It has a cable car that’ll take you down to a hidden fajã with a farm-to-table restaurant and an area for sunbathing and swimming.

It’s a good activity for a few hours, so for a whole-day trip, I recommend combining it with Cabo Girão and going to taste the pastel de nata at the nearby bakery and coffee shop Sabores Maria.

2. Prainha

Possible without a car? Yes (bus no. 113)

Prainha Beach is a small black-sand cove tucked out of sight between Caniçal and Ponta de São Lourenço. You can reach it within half an hour’s drive of Funchal, or take the directly there instead.

This beach is popular with locals and people who want to get off the beaten track – it’s typically far less busy than the black-sand beach in Seixal on Madeira’s north coast, which is why I love it. If you’re going by car, combine it with Machico or Porto da Cruz.

3. Cristo Rei and Garajau Beach

Possible without a car? Yes (bus no. 109 or 155)

Cristo Rei and Garajau Beach is another underrated Funchal day trip. Located just a 15-minute drive east of Funchal, the location has a large Christ statue (pre-dating Rio’s famous Christ the Redeemer) and a cable car that’ll take you down to an idyllic pebble beach.

There’s a beach bar down there, plus a dive school; the water’s considered one of the best places to snorkel in Madeira.

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I hope you loved this post on the best day trips from Funchal. I certainly loved writing it. Let me know if you do any of the day trips, and what you make of them, in the comments below.

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