Madeira: Hiking & Culture

After breakfast, we'll embark on a walking tour of Funchal. We'll explore the city's charming streets and squares, marvel at the artist-painted doors in Rua de Santa Maria, and visit the beautiful cathedral. We'll also visit the bustling market hall and a traditional bakery, where you'll get to taste local pastries. The day will conclude with a visit to Madeira's oldest wine shop for a wine tasting session.

Today, we'll drive to the Paúl da Serra plateau via Ribeira Brava. We'll hike along a levada, enjoying the views of Calheta and the deep blue sea. Our journey will then take us to the village of Porto Moniz, impressively built into the lava cliffs. If the weather permits, you'll have the chance to refresh yourself in the natural seawater pools. After a lunch of typical island specialties, we'll return to the hotel via the villages of São Vicente and Serra da Água.

In the morning, we'll visit the town of Santana, known for its traditional thatched houses. We'll then hike from Queimadas along the Levada do Caldeirão through the green laurel forest of Laurisilva, a UNESCO World Natural Heritage site. Our destination is the spectacular Caldeirão Verde valley basin, where a waterfall plunges into a small, idyllic lake. After a picnic break, we'll hike back.

In the morning, we'll visit the viewpoint of Pico de Barcelos, offering panoramic views of Funchal. We'll then head to Eira do Serrado, located above the village of Curral das Freiras, for more breathtaking views. Our next stop is the impressive cliff of Cabo Girao. Finally, we'll visit the small fishing village of Câmara de Lobos, where you'll taste the local specialty Espetada and a traditional drink called Poncha.