Portugal: 10 Days in the Azores and Madeira
One of my favourite trips ever! I went on this trip with my partner in 2019. The Azores were already popular at that time, but they have have gained much more popularity over the last few years (and for good reason!). With that being said, we seemed to be the only tourists in many of the towns that we explored - something I loved about the islands! I can't touch on whether this is still the case or not. We went in May and had great weather (although it was a little too cold to go swimming most days, especially in the Azores).
The landscape in the Azores feels like a combination of Ireland and Hawaii; lush tropical plants mixed in with green rolling hills filled with cows. We started our trip on São Miguel Island - the largest island in the Azores. We chose São Miguel partly because there was a direct flight from Canada, and partly because the pictures looked INSANE.
We then flew to Madeira for the second half of our trip, and I am SO glad that we did. With a hilly terrain filled with high peaks, cliffs, and deep valleys, I loved getting to explore the landscape. You could easily swap out Madeira for another island in the Azores of you wanted.
This itinerary is perfect for someone who enjoys exploring, being active, and spending time outdoors. It is also a great trip for any photographer - the landscape is truly incredible! As always, you can add or change this itinerary to fit what you are looking for.
We rented a car from Discover Cars on both the islands, and would highly recommend doing this if you are hoping to explore at your own pace! I will say, the driving was not always easy. Often we found ourselves driving up steep hills with narrow roads to get to our destination. Pro tip: do NOT rent the lowest grade car, we found this out the hard way - it can't handle the hills. You could also opt to stay in the main city and do day tours if you are not interested in driving around the islands. Looking at the tours offered, you could easily choose to do a few of them on each island and check off most of the main attractions. Here are some tour options:
Azores
Madeira
Hotels
The Lince Nordeste Country and Nature Hotel
Azores Night 1 and 2: We ended up staying in two different hotels during our stay on São Miguel. One on the east side of the island and the second on the west side.
Depending on your style of travel, you may opt to stay in one hotel the whole time in which case I would choose a central hotel. We enjoyed the fact that we stayed in two different hotels (both for 2 nights) so that we could explore both sides of the island in more depth.
If I were to go back, I would have perhaps chosen a hotel that was a little more central to limit the driving (however the landscape is SO beautiful I really didn't mind all the driving we did). A hotel in Furnas rather than Nordeste for the first 2 nights would be a good more-central option. Here are three hotels with great reviews in Furnas:
Santa Bárbara Eco-Beach Resort
Azores Night 3 and 4: Nights 3 and 4 we stayed in Ribeira Grande. We did not love our hotel, so if we went back we would stay at Santa Bárbara Eco- Beach Resort because we loved Praia do Areal de Santa Bárbara.
A second option would be Mosteiros Place, as the views look incredible and it is located close to Lagoa das Sete Cidades (one of the must do's during your trip to the Azores).
If neither of these interest you, click here for more hotel options!
The Vine Hotel
Madeira Night 5, 6 and 7: Just like the Azores, we opted to stay in two different hotels during our time in Madeira. We loved them both for different reasons.
The Vine Hotel was our first stay, and it was beautiful. It has an amazing rooftop patio and pool, and is located right in the heat of Funchal (and attached to a shopping mall). This hotel is a great option if you want to explore Funchal. It also had free parking (a perk for anyone renting a car) and a wonderful breakfast.
Would highly recommend this hotel!
Aqua Natura Madeira Hotel
Madeira Night 8 and 9: We absolutely LOVED the location of this hotel. It allowed for us to have a few relaxing days, which was the perfect way to finish off our trip.
Located right on the ocean, we spent our day lounging by the natural pools and on our balcony (which had a perfect view of the water and sunset!).
The first picture shows the incredible view from our room. Steps to the ocean!
Day 1: Oi Portugal
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Land at Aeroporto João Paulo II
We took an overnight flight from Canada and landed in Ponta Delgada at the Aeroporto João Paulo II.
We then picked up our rental car and started our first day. To avoid jet lag, I always try to start the trip off with a busy day so that I don't end up taking a nap (which throws off my whole sleep schedule).
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Miradouro da Lagoa do Fogo
2hr·7:00AM - 9:00AM
An amazing 360 degree view of the island. You can hike up the hill (which we did) and hike down to the lake if you have time.
I would recommend parking here. We went early enough in the day that we would have gotten to see sunrise here (if it had not been cloudy) and had no trouble finding parking.
- 3
Centro de Interpretação Ambiental da Caldeira Velha
1hr 30min·9:30AM - 11:00AM
Beautiful thermal pools - 3 small pools and a waterfall.
I would recommend booking your ticket in advance. You can book your tickets here.
- 4
Salto do Cabrito
2hr·11:00AM - 1:00PM
A short hike to a waterfall in a nature reserve.
You can take your car right to the waterfall, however the road is very steep so I would recommend parking your car at the white building (there will likely be other cars there). From there you walk about 10 minutes to the waterfall. You can explore the waterfall further by taking the metal staircase on the side through the forest to the top of the waterfall.
Once you are done exploring, take a dip in the waterfall. I would recommend having shoes to wear in the water as there are many rocks.
- 5
Praia dos Moinhos
3hr·1:00PM - 4:00PM
We then spent the afternoon at the beach. We found a restaurant nearby for lunch and then relaxed for the rest of the day.
It can be difficult to find a parking spot - but there is a beach bar, showers, and changing rooms.
Check into hotel
We then drove the 30 minutes to our hotel. Once we checked in, we changed and went for dinner. There were limited restaurant options in the small town of Nordeste, but we found a small place that had great soups and sandwiches.
Day 2: East São Miguel
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Miradouro da Ponta do Arnel
1hr·8:00AM - 9:00AM
We started the morning with breakfast at our hotel and then went out to explore the lighthouse in Nordeste.
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Miradouro da Ponta do Sossego
30min·9:00AM - 9:30AM
A great lookout point with beautiful views of the ocean and wonderful gardens.
- 3
Cascata do Salto do Prego
2hr·10:00AM - 12:00PM
We then did a short hike (4km round trip) from the parking lot to the waterfall. The trail can be slippery - so dress appropriately. You will likely see wild chickens along the trail!
The water can be cold, but bring your bather and towel as you may want to cool off after the hike in.
Explore Furnas
2hr·1:00PM - 3:00PM
While in Furnas you must try cozido (a stew that is slow-cooked underground by volcanic heat). Some other ideas of activities to do in Furnas include:
Parque Terra Nostra: A scenic park & botanical garden (cost is 10 Euro)
Enjoy lunch at À Terra Furnas : a little pricey but the atmosphere is great
Have a relaxing afternoon at the Spa.
- 5
Praia do Fogo
3hr·3:00PM - 6:00PM
We spent the afternoon (and evening) relaxing at the beach. Lots of parking, a café, toilets and showers.
Day 3: Central São Miguel
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Villa Franca do Campo
We spent the morning in Villa Franca do Campo. A few options of what to do:
Enjoy a Whale and Dolphin Watching Tour - this is what we did! To note, this could also be done in Ponta Delgada instead if that fits your schedule better.
Visit Nossa Senhora da Paz: a white chapel on a hilltop with panoramic views
Take a ferry to the Islet of Vila Franca do Campo. This island is actually the crater of an ancient volcano, and is a perfectly circular lagoon of clear and turquoise waters. For more information, click here.
Enjoy a trip to the Islet by kayak instead. Click here for tour details!
- 2
Bar Praia de Água d'Alto
1hr·12:00PM - 1:00PM
We enjoyed a lunch here. Great views of the ocean!
This beach would also be a great place to lounge for a few hours if you have the time.
- 3
Surfing at Praia do Areal de Santa Bárbara
We spent the afternoon at the beach here. We enjoyed exploring the rock formations around the beach and had a great surf lesson!
If you are not wanting to surf, this is still a great beach to enjoy! This was one of our favourite beaches.
- 4
Explore the historic center of Ribeira Grande
2hr·4:00PM - 6:00PM
A few things to see in this town:
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Check into hotel
With this hotel being right beside Praia do Areal de Santa Bárbara, if I return to this island I would definitely chose to stay here!
Day 4: West São Miguel
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Miradouro do Pico do Carvão
Along the drive, we stopped at this viewpoint to take in the beautiful landscape.
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Lagoa das Sete Cidades
2hr·7:00AM - 9:00AM
One of the highlights of our trip!!
About a 45 minute drive from Santa Bárbara, I would highly recommend waking up early and getting to the destination at sunrise. The earlier you go the quieter it will be.
The best way to find the viewpoint is to follow directions to Lagoa do Canário - you will eventually come to a small car park at the side of the road and opposite some gates with stone walls. Park here and then enter the gates on foot. Stay left at the small junction and you will eventually come to a car park. On the left hand side you will see steps - take these steps and after a short climb and walk you will get to the viewing point.
- 3
Enjoy a morning at Mosteiros Beach
2hr·9:00AM - 11:00AM
After waking up early and exploring Sete Cidades, spending the remainder of the morning at the beach was perfect way to relax.
Mosteiros Beach is known for its volcanic rocks & natural pools. It is also a popular place for surfing and sunset watching!
- 4
Piscinas Naturais Caneiros
2hr·11:00AM - 1:00PM
A great place for a dip in a natural swimming pool. Even if it is cold out, it is still a great place to take in breathtaking views.
- 5
Explore Ponta Delgada
6hr·1:00PM - 7:00PM
We finished off the day by exploring Ponta Delgada. A few things to see in town:
Praça Gonćalo Velho Cabral - one of the main town squares where you will find the statue of Gonćalo Velho Cabral, the discoverer of the island
Praça do Municipio - a small town square with its main landmark being the town hall and bell tower. Right beside Praça Gonćalo Velho Cabral.
Stroll along the waterfront
Largo da Matriz - a town square located right behind the city gates. A 16th-century church names Igreja de São Sebastião is located here.
Explore Mercado da Graça - a local farmer's market.
Pineapple Plantation - any pineapple lover should make sure to stop at one of the many pineapple plantations in the Azores. The Azorean Pineapple Plantation is a popular one to visit.
Day 5: Azores to Madeira
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Flight to Madeira
In the morning, we took the 2 hour flight from Ponta Delgada to Funchal, Madeira.
Landed at Madeira Airport International Cristiano Ronaldo, and picked up our rental car right at the airport.
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Machico town for lunch
2hr·11:00AM - 1:00PM
We stopped in Machico for lunch. While we were there we walked around the town and explored the praia de Machico (beach).
- 3
Hiking around PR8 Verada da Ponta de São Lourenço
4hr·1:00PM - 5:00PM
We spent the afternoon hiking around this point. I would recommend parking here, although it will be quite obvious where to park as cars are parked all along the road. There are so many different areas to check out by foot and it all depends on how much time you have! Some viewpoints include:
You can also extend your visit on this side of the island by driving to Miradouro do Caniçal and visiting it's viewpoint and Miraouro da Ponta do Rosto.
Also to note, going for sunrise would be ideal (especially if you are hoping to take photos) - so you can always change up your itinerary to fit this activity in at sunrise.
Check into The Vine Hotel
5:30PM
We then drove about 40 minutes, and checked into our hotel. We then spent the rest of the day checking out La Vie - the shopping mall attached to our hotel.
Day 6: Funchal
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Explore Funchal
4hr·8:00AM - 12:00PM
We spent the morning exploring Funchal. There are many different things to see and do and you could easily spend more time in Funchal. Some activities include:
For the Garden Lovers: Madeira Botanical Gardens
Mercados dos Lavradores: A wonderful Farmer's Market that is open Monday - Saturday
For anyone who loves soccer: CR7 Cristiano Ronaldo Museum
This would also be a great day to do a Whale and Dolphin Watching Tour if you did not end up doing on in São Miguel (or if you enjoyed the tour so much that you want to do it again!). You could also opt to do the tour at sunset instead, which I would opt for!
- 2
Cabo Girão Skywalk
1hr·12:00PM - 1:00PM
A wonderful (and free!) viewport that is one of the highest cliffs in the world (589 meters high). I would definitely recommend checking it out (unless you are afraid of heights).
- 3
Miradouro Eira do Serrado
3hr·2:00PM - 5:00PM
A great unobstructed view of the picturesque town of Curral das Freiras (also known as Valley of the Nuns. We enjoyed exploring the area and eating dinner at the restaurant with fabulous views!! To note, the drive here is quite steep!
You can also drive down to Curral das Freiras afterwards and explore the town as well!
Day 7: Pico to Pico
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Hike from Pico do Areiro to Pico Ruivo
5hr·7:30AM - 12:30PM
Absolutely one of my highlights of the trip! If you enjoy hiking then you will not want to miss this stunning hike. To avoid having to hike the return trip, I would highly recommend booking a transfer that will drop you off at Pico do Areiro and pick you up at Achada do Teixeira. Click here for a transfer option. If you chose this option, the hike will take around 5 hours (10km).
If you decide to do the out and back hike on your own, I would recommend starting at Pico do Areiro at sunrise and the continuing the hike to Pico Ruivo. This is also around a 5 hour 11km journey.
Choosing the transfer option will allow you to hike further for the same amount of time (and distance) because you will not need to do the hike back.
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Finish hike at Pico Ruivo (or Achada do Teixeira)
Again, depending on if you decide to get picked up or do the out and back hike - your final destination may be different!
- 3
Hotel Rooftop Pool
After such an early morning and a long hike, we spent the rest of the afternoon and evening enjoying our rooftop pool and bar.
This would also be a great afternoon to explore more of Funchal or to do a Sunset Cruise.
Day 8: Roadie to Porto Moniz
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Funchal Cable Car
One popular activity is taking the Cable Car up to the Monte Village. The cable car takes around 20 minutes, so you have plenty of time to enjoy the scenery and the rooftops of Funchal. Check the site for more information on tickets and hours of operation.
- 2
Monte Palace Madeira
While in the Monte Village, I would recommend checking out the tropical gardens.
- 3
Traditional Toboggan Ride
Take a Madeira Toboggan Ride on Traditional Wicker Basket Sledges. The ride starts in the Monte Village near the Church of Our Lady of the Mount. The ride costs 15 Euros per person and the toboggan is driven by two runners dressed in white wearing hats known as straw boaters.
Before you do this activity, make sure you have seen all that you want to in the Monte Village.
- 4
Drive to Porto Moniz
1hr·12:00PM - 1:00PM
After grabbing lunch in Funchal, we checked out of our hotel, hopped in our car, and took the 1 hour roadie to Porto Moniz. We made many stops along the way to take pictures of the incredible views!
If you are wanting to break up the drive, you could add the Levada do Alecrim Walk. We did not end up doing this, but heard good things.
- 5
Porto Moniz Natural Swimming Pools
We then enjoyed the afternoon at the Natural Swimming Pools. As we were staying at the Aqua Natura Madeira Hotel, we got free entrance into the natural swimming pools.
- 6
Pizza and Sunset
We had the perfect view of the sunset from our hotel room, so we grabbed pizza and enjoyed dinner on our balcony.
Day 9: Porto Moniz
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Explore Porto Moniz
2hr·9:00AM - 11:00AM
After a wonderful hotel breakfast, we spent the morning enjoying the town of Porto Moniz and the surroundings. After spending many days in the busy town of Funchal, we appreciated the quiet nature and remote setting on this town.
João Baptista Fort: located right next to the pools
Porto Moniz Aquarium - Aquario da Madeira: located inside the fort and costs 7 Euros
- 2
Explore Porto Moniz
2hr·11:00AM - 1:00PM
We also drove 15 minutes out of Porto Moniz and found:
Seixal natural pools - Poças das Lesmas: Natural pools formed by volcanic rock
Praia de Seixal: An amazing black sand beach
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Porto Moniz Natural Swimming Pools
We then spent our last afternoon back relaxing at the Natural Swimming Pools.
Day 10: Tchau Portugal
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Madeira Airport International Cristiano Ronaldo
We packed up our bags, drove back to Madeira Airport International Cristiano Ronaldo, and said goodbye to Portugal.
