It’s a new day and a new dawn as the sun rises over the ocean on Madeira Island. Carpe Diem. Seize the day. On an island as diverse as Madeira, there are endless possibilities for how to spend the perfect day and endless elements to consider. How can we possibly fit all of our favorite moments from the island into a single day?
I’m going to share with you a ‘day in the life’ on Madeira so you can get a taste of what is possible when exploring this incredible island. Think of this as the ultimate itinerary if you had just a single day to explore Madeira Island. What would you do? Where would you eat? How would you feel?
The main concept and highlight of Madeira is combining the ocean with the mountains. The beauty of the island is that within just a short drive, you can be above the clouds at the highest peaks of the Central Massif. Minutes later, you can be soaking in the sun while floating in natural volcanic pools by the ocean. In between these epic adventures are the small moments where we find amazing food, traditional architecture, quaint villages, friendly locals, and the magic of Madeira.
Our day begins an hour before the sun rises. I pry myself from the comforts of my bed, knowing that I’m about to have an incredible day of adventures. I gather my belongings, which are an odd assortment of jackets, board shorts, hiking boots and a camera. I’m ready for all climates, all conditions and everything the island has to offer.
Cruising through the tunnels along the highway, we make a beeline toward our favorite bakery, Padaria e Confeitaria Donna, in Sao Vicente, for a quick espresso and Pastel de Nata. Whenever we pass through this bakery, we know we are on our way to a great adventure. Inside, there is a mix of hikers heading to the north, commuters heading to work in the south, and locals in for the morning coffee and bread.
Our early morning mission continues with a drive up to one of my favorite sunrise spots on the island, Bica da Cana. It’s not a hidden gem, but it usually only attracts a handful of committed adventurers, as it is a bit of a drive from Funchal.
The first hazy light of the day is gracing the skies as we arrive at the parking area beneath the huge windmills of Paul da Serra. A short walk, full of anticipation, leads us to the viewpoint to find ourselves as the only ones there to witness the sunrise. Bica da Cana is the perfect place to welcome a new day. The views extend all the way to the ocean at Sao Vicente and across the valley to see the mountains cape of Pico do Areeiro and Pico Ruivo. However, it is the cloud waterfall flowing over the Encumeada Pass that makes this spot so special. Imagine yourself catching the sun breaking the horizon while enjoying views of the Atlantic Ocean, the highest jagged peaks of the island and a constant flow of wispy clouds flowing down into the valley. Bom dia!
The light has swept the valley, and the day has begun. It’s time to hit the trails. With so many different hikes on Madeira it can be a challenge to narrow down your decision. One of my personal favorites is the lush, Levada Fajã do Rodrigues. This relatively flat levada trail leads hikers through an enchanting forest, visiting multiple waterfalls along the way. It’s an overwhelming wall of green as you pass through tunnels carved in the cliff and tree tunnels alike. I love the wildness of this levada and due to its location in São Vicente, it remains a peaceful trail with just a handful of hikers enjoying this beautiful route each day.
After our ten kilometers of hiking along the levada, we’ve built up an appetite and we need to freshen up. There’s one place that can satisfy both of those needs. It’s just a short drive until we arrive at one of my favorite towns on the entire island, Seixal. Arguably the best place to swim on the island, Seixal is a volcanic black sand beach in the north of Madeira.
With a lush green mountain backdrop and even a waterfall on the beach, it is truly remarkable. It’s the perfect place to hang out after a hike, wash off the mud and soak in the sun while gazing up at towering cliffs and waterfalls above.
My lunch approach is casual, convenient and healthy. I take a quick shower at the beach and walk barefoot to the beach cafe, Lounge Bar Clube Naval do Seixal. This is one of my favorite local places to eat in Seixal for a few reasons. The staff are incredibly friendly, it’s possible to sit outside in the sun next to the volcanic pools, they offer classic and traditional healthy meals such as Bife de Atum à Madeirense. Fresh tuna, fresh local potatoes, vegetables and rice while basking in the sun is my kind of lunch. !
After our meal, we need to laze around a little more to entertain ourselves through the afternoon. We journey up the coast in just a few minutes to take a swim. The Seixal Natural Pools on Madeira Island are an incredible collection of volcanic, lava-rock tidal pools, perfect for swimming and exploring. With giant rock arches, giant caves, and lots of rock pools to discover.
The sun is fading and the end of the day begins to become a reality. We begin to dream of a sunset and make the mission to drive around the north-western tip of the island to one of our favorite spots to enjoy a sundowner. The drive along the north coast to reach the west is magical, we always look back out the car window to enjoy the incredible coastline of rugged cliffs above the highway.
Arriving an hour before sunset, we have plenty of time to enjoy a Coral beer as we look back on a classic day in Madeira. It’s all about enjoying the elements here on the island, from the mountains to the ocean, from sunrise to sunset. We’ve arrived at Ponta da Ladeira, which has an incredible view of the west coast. Ponta da Ladeira is one of the most incredible sunset viewpoints on Madeira. This epic coastal spot is near Porto Moniz and is arguably the best spot for sunset ‘near’ the north coast of the island. If we are lucky, the sun will paint the sky full of vivid colors, the perfect end to a wild day of adventures on Madeira.
There is just one thing left to do and that is to finish off this ‘day in the life’ with a glorious dinner. My go-to spot for a hearty feed on the north coast is Brasa Viva in Fajã da Areia. Next to the sounds of crashing waves, we sit in the open-air restaurant next to the wood fire, watching our Espetada cooking over the coals. Brasa Viva serves up some of the best Milho Frito on the island. Fresh meat cooked before our eyes amidst good vibes next to the ocean. What more can you ask for? Well, there is one thing…
The final stop of the day is just another short drive down the coast. A few minutes’ drive from Brasa Viva; we end up at the infamous Venda Nova. Here, we order ‘arguably’ the best Poncha in the North, which is a lime Poncha. This small but rustic bar is where our adventure for the day will end and what an adventure it was. Just another day in paradise!
