Solo Traveler’s Madeira Itinerary (Madeira On a Budget And With NO Car)
Madeira is incredible. I know I repeat myself whenever I mention Madeira on the pages of this blog, but it’s true!
Often called the “Hawaii of Europe,” Madeira delivers dramatic coastlines, spectacular landscapes, lush mountains, and levada walks that feel almost unreal. It’s also known as the “island of eternal spring,” which sounds like marketing until you actually spend time there and experience its kind climate for yourself.
You’ll often hear that Madeira is best explored by car, and I can’t argue with that. There are indeed places on the island that are tricky to reach via public transport. However, not everyone wants to rent a car, can rent a car, or feels comfortable driving narrow mountain roads in a foreign country. And that shouldn’t mean missing out on Madeira.
I traveled around Madeira for six weeks on a budget and without a car, and I had the best time. Maybe if I had a larger budget and felt more confident driving in a foreign land, I would have rented a car, but I didn’t. So that’s that.
This trip was about seeing what’s realistically possible for a solo budget traveller and it was indeed one of my most memorable trips.
That’s exactly what this itinerary is built around.
In this guide, I’m sharing what I genuinely believe is a realistic, budget-conscious Madeira itinerary for solo travelers who plan to use buses, the occasional organized tour, and are ready to use a bit of flexibility rather than a rental car. I’ll show you what’s doable, where compromises make sense, and where they don’t. I will add a few customizations and alternative options so you can follow it step by step or adapt it to your own pace and priorities.
Is Madeira Budget-Friendly?
The simple answer is no. Yes, this sounds contrary to the title of this article as I aim to make it budget-friendly. But the fact is, Madeira is not the most budget-friendly destination in Europe, and when compared to mainland Portugal, it can be more strenuous on your wallet.
Accommodation is where your budget will take a hit. While the grocery or eating out cost is comparable to most European countries, and sometimes even cheaper, Madeira will be a hard place to find truly affordable private rooms. Expect to pay around €65 and above per night for a simple, clean, well-rated private room, or roughly €35 for a dorm bed in a hostel.
So if you are looking for a destination with €15 per night dorm beds or €30 per night single rooms, Madeira will not cut it.
However, can you make it cheaper? Yes! You can make everything more affordable!
I had to revise my initial budget of 1000 euros per month for my Madeira trip to a more realistic 1,500 euros. I based myself mostly in Funchal, spent shorter stays in places like Machico and Santana, used hostels when it made sense, and relied almost entirely on public transport.
And with that approach, Madeira became not cheap, but doable for a cautious budget traveler like me. And this itinerary will show you how.
So how much would you expect to spend a week on a budget conscious trip to Madeira?
Super budget (staying in hostel, eating breakfast at the hostel or pastries in town, few dinners out with no booze, one organised day expedition, busses and some miscalensions like entre fees, cable car ticket, souvenirs or ponchas) : €500
Mid budget (private room, eating dinner out with some wine, couple of day xexpedionas and some taxi fairs): €800 to 850
Another important question to address here is:
Is Madeira a Good Solo Travel Destination?
Definitely yes! Madeira is very safe and solo traveler-friendly. You can dine alone without feeling awkward, go hiking solo, and join group excursions to meet other like-minded travelers in hostels.
Madeira is welcoming, the people are kind, and there are tons of incredible activities to enjoy whether you’re traveling solo or not. I’ll be speaking from my perspective as a solo traveler, but that doesn’t mean you can’t adapt this guide to your needs if you’re traveling with family, friends, or as a couple. Much of the advice and tips in this guide will be universal.
How This Itinerary Works:
We’ll take a practical approach to building this itinerary. Since Madeira is a small island and we’re on a budget, we won’t be constantly traveling from one place to another. Instead, we’ll choose one or two bases from which to explore the island.
You’ll find two main sections in this Madeira itinerary:
- Funchal-Based Itinerary: In this section, you’ll be based in Funchal for your entire stay and will visit other parts of the island on day trips, while also exploring the town during your off days.
- Two to Three Locations-Based Itinerary: This section is geared towards those staying in Madeira for over a week, ideally for two weeks to a month. I’ll recommend the two additional base locations in Madeira, from which we’ll take trips, enjoy awesome hikes, and see amazing landscapes. In my opinion, Madeira is all about the landscapes!
So let’s begin:
Funchal-based Madeira itinerary (7 to 10 days)
Why Funchal?
If you’re visiting Madeira without renting a car, Funchal just makes sense. It’s the island’s transport hub, the place where most bus routes start and end, and the easiest spot to book organized tours or guided hikes. It is also one of the most affordable towns in Madeira. But Funchal is also a genuinely wonderful town to be based in. It’s lively without being overwhelming, walkable, charming, and it packs a punch when it comes to great things to do.
For solo travelers in particular, Funchal offers a sense of connection. Here you will find the most hostels, you will never be far from people, cafés, restaurants, or a sunset viewpoint. On days when you’re not exploring the island, Funchal will give you enough to do without feeling like you’re “wasting” time. The opposite, in fact.
When it comes to choosing where to stay, central Funchal is ideal if you want to walk everywhere and rely heavily on buses. Areas around Avenida do Mar, Sé Cathedral, and São Martinho are especially convenient. The Old Town, Zona Velha, has more character and charm, though it can be slightly pricier.
The Lido area works well if you want access to swimming complexes and promenades, but it’s further away from the Old Town. There are, however, frequent buses connecting you back to the centre.
São Martinho is also further away from the centre, and some parts of the area are located on the hill, so walking to town might be a bit strenuous. But the accommodation here seems to be the most affordable, and there are frequent buses to the centre as well.
Best hostels In Funchal:
- 29 Madeira Hostel is where I stayed, and I found it to be clean, very social, and the dorm beds were very comfortable.
- 109 Funchal Hostel is preserving its original architecture. This 19th-century building is beautiful, and the rooms are very comfortable. It offers both private and dorm rooms.
For a budget private room, you can consider Residential Funchal. Maybe it is not the most glamorous of them all, but the location is fantastic and so is the price. You will get a small, clean, private room and access to the shared kitchen. Madeira Accommodation offers lovely and very well-rated rooms in a central location. It is a bit pricier, but breakfast is included, and location is unbeatable.
For a comfortable and beautiful stay in the Funchal Old Town:
- Alexia Room is the best budget option in Funchal Old Town.
- Hotel Cajú is a beautiful small hotel in the heart of the old town offering delicious breakfast, great views, and nicely decorated rooms.
- Finally, if you are looking for a spacious and excellent apartment, Apartamentos Praça Amarela is the best choice.
If you are looking for a great hotel near the Funchal Lido:
- The Cliff Bay – PortoBay for the true luxury resort experience.
- Monte Verde – where I stayed. A small and basic but comfortable and clear budget room near the Lido area. Apartamentos Turisticos Paraiso is also a great budget option.
- Hotel Alto Lido is a wonderful and comfortable 3-star hotel with raving reviews and an excellent location.
Itinerary (7 days):
Day 1: Arriving, Settling In, and First Impressions of Funchal
Arrive at Madeira Airport and make your way to Funchal using the airport shuttle bus or a local bus. Here you will find the schedule and bus stops for the airport shuttle bus. You can also catch the local bus to Funchal, but the aerobus is the best and fastest option.
Once you arrive, keep this day light. Check into your accommodation, take a short walk around your neighbourhood, and get familiar with the city layout. On this first day, you can take a walk along Avenida do Mar, explore the Old Town, and grab an easy dinner nearby.
If you arrive early, you can spend more time exploring Funchal Old Town.
Madeira’s Old Town, Zona Velha, is one of those places where you don’t need a plan. It’s best explored slowly. The heart of the Old Town is Rua de Santa Maria. But be sure to wander all the little streets of the neighbourhood. You will notice beautifully painted doors and windows – the most recognisable features of Madeira’s Old Town.
There are also plenty of casual restaurants and cafes where you won’t feel out of place as a solo traveller. Look for traditional Madeiran dishes like espetada (meat skewer), espada fish with banana, lampuki or tuna steak.
In the late afternoon, walk towards the waterfront and the Forte de São Tiago area. This is a great spot for a slow stroll, especially around sunset.
If you’re staying in Funchal without a car, this is also the area you’ll naturally return to again and again.
Do not miss: Barreirinha Bar Café – the best local spot for food or drink (or both) for sunset near the old town.
Day 2: Exploring Funchal (Gardens, markets, and cable cars)
Dedicate your first full day to Funchal itself and the surrounding areas, and there is so much to explore!
What to see in the centre of Funchal:
Be aware! The market is for visiting but not for shopping. While the market looks authentic, much of it today caters to tourists. Prices for fruit — especially the exotic varieties like passion fruit and banana hybrids — can be much higher than elsewhere, and vendors often encourage visitors to try samples without clearly mentioning the cost.
In the afternoon, take a cable car to Monte and visit the magical Monte Palace Tropical Gardens. It is said to be one of the most beautiful gardens in the world. It is more than just a garden – it’s the whole experience! It is like walking into a fairytale!
If you have enough time, take another cable car from Monte to Madeira Botanical Garden. It is one of the most beautiful gardens in Madeira. Not only is the garden home to a fascinating collection of a wide variety of plants, but it also has an area dedicated to research and conservation.
Day 3: Câmara de Lobos and Cabo Girão
We will start the second day by visiting the ‘highest’ cliff viewpoint in Europe – Cabo Girao. You can get there by taking bus number 7 (Rodoeste) from Funchal.
The Cabo Girão is referred to as the highest sea cliff in Europe (but at least three European cliffs are higher). Nevertheless, the experience is breathtaking. For many reasons!
It is 580 meters in height; this viewpoint has always been one of the main attractions in Madeira.
After spending some time marvelling over the views, you can walk down to the Camara de Lobos (around one hour) or catch the same bus returning from Ribeira Brava. Or you can take a Hop On Hop Off bus too!
The super fun way to travel between Cabo Girao and Camara de Lobos is by taking a little green tourist train. It costs €7.5 both ways, but it’s a lot of fun! So the second way you can see Cabo Girao is to visit Camara de Lobos, take a green train up the Cabo, and after viewing, take the same train back to the village.
Camara de Lobos Bay is a picturesque, colourful fishing town overlooking some of the highest cliffs in Europe, where brightly coloured boats rest on the beach, and numerous restaurants offer the freshest fish. In fact, this bay inspired Winston Churchill, who was visiting in January 1950, and he spent his time immortalizing it in his paintings. Today, you can find his statue standing (actually sitting) down at the bay.
Although there are not heaps of things to do, Camara de Lobos has a lot of charm, and visiting will make for a great, relaxed afternoon.
Day 4: Levada Walk Day (Independent Hiking)
You just can’t visit Madeira without walking one of its stunning levada walks.
Levada walks are hiking trails that run alongside narrow irrigation channels called levadas. These channels were built centuries ago to transport water from the wet, mountainous north of the island to the drier south, where crops were grown. Over time, maintenance paths next to the levadas turned into walking routes, and today they form one of the most unique hiking networks in Europe.
Most of them are relatively flat, follow the natural contours of the land, passing stunning views, waterfalls, and mountain edges. You don’t need advanced hiking skills, and you don’t need to be super fit to enjoy many of them.
Most popular levads walkes which can be reached from Funchal bu bus:
Nun’s Valley (Curral Das Freiras)
If hiking isn’t your thing but you still want to experience dramatic views of Madeira, then I highly recommend taking a half-day trip to Nun’s Valley (Curral Das Freiras) and Eira Do Serrado viewpoint.
Nun’s Valley (Curral Das Freiras) is located around 30 minutes by bus from Funchal and offers some of the most breathtaking views on the island. It is one of the best things to do in Funchal and one of the best things to do in Madeira.
Curral das Freitas is a village sitting at the bottom of a vast cauldron nestled within almost vertical mountains.
You can take bus 81 from Funchal to Eira Do Serrado (viewpoint) and admire the Valley from the top. Take a walk to Eira Do Serrado viewpoint and stop for a coffee or a meal. You will be granted the most spectacular views over the Nun’s Valley.
You can also walk down from Eira Do Serrado by the pretty steep path to the village itself. It takes around 45 minutes, but it is pretty steep and wet at times. Make sure you bring comfortable shoes with a good grip for that walk.
The village itself is a bit sleepy, but I really liked it. There is a little museum where you can find an example of how nuns used to live and a few restaurants where you can try the chestnut soup, cheesecake, roasted chestnuts or chestnut liquor – delicious!!
I have a separate post dedicated to all the hikes you can do in Madeira without a car, so I recommend you read it before choosing your favorite hike.
Day 5: Jeep West Island Tour
An organised tour day is, in my opinion, one of the smartest compromises you can make when travelling around Madeira without a car. You give up a bit of independence for one day, but in return, you get access to some of the most remote and spectacular parts of the island that are genuinely difficult, slow, or stressful to reach by public transport.
I recommend this particular tour first because I really enjoyed it, and also because you will be able to reach parts of Madeira which are quite far from Funchal and hard to get to by public transport. This is usually a full-day experience, lasting around 7 to 8 hours, with hotel pickup in Funchal included. You’ll travel in a small group in an open-top or panoramic 4×4 jeep, which makes the journey itself part of the experience.
West Island Tour will include the following stops:
Day 6: A Slow Day of sunbathing/swimming
Use this last full day to slow down. Sleep in, chill, revisit a favourite café, or head to Praia Formosa or the Lido bathing complex for some swimming action. After several active days, this pause is important.
Praia Formosa is a stunning, slightly mysterious (in my eyes) beach that is both pebbly and sandy in places. It is a black sand beach, which adds to its unique beauty.
You can also stay at Lido Bathing Complex, which is a large saltwater swimming pool. There are also two smaller pools for kids and direct access to the sea via platforms. There are changing rooms, showers, and a cafe.
Extended Madeira itinerary (10–14 days with an additional base)
If you have more time, this is where Madeira really opens up. For the second part of the itinerary, I recommend adding Machico or Santana as a second base. Both are reachable by bus and allow you to explore different parts of the island without constantly commuting from Funchal.
Adding Machico as a second base
Machico is ideal if you want easier access to some of the most spectacular hiking and want to chill at a sandy beach.
Spend a day or two enjoying the beach and exploring the town. Machico has a slower pace than Funchal but still offers good restaurants and solid bus connections. And the beach is trully lovely.
From Machico, dedicate one day to Vereda da Ponta de São Lourenço, one of the most breathtaking trails on the island, and fully accessible by bus.
The hike takes you along the easternmost point of Madeira, following a long, narrow peninsula with dry, rocky terrain and dramatic cliffs. The landscape here is completely different from the lush greenery you’ll find elsewhere on the island, which makes it even more unique. The highlight is without doubt the stunning ocean views paired with unusual rock formations that make you feel like you’re walking on another planet.
Another day can be used for Vereda do Larano, if you’re comfortable with heights. This hike is truly spectacular, and it ends in Porto da Cruz, where you can stop for a well-earned meal—or a glass of poncha. From there, you can catch the bus back to Machico or grab a taxi.
Adding Santana as a second base
Santana is more remote and less social, but perfect for hiking. The town itself is known for
From here, you can hike Levada do Rei, Levada do Caldeirão Verde, and access Pico Ruivo more easily. This is a great choice if hiking is your main priority and you don’t mind quieter evenings.
Santana is best known for its traditional A-frame houses with steep thatched roofs, known locally as casas típicas de Santana. These colourful houses have become one of Madeira’s most recognisable symbols. Many visitors see them briefly on a day trip and move on. I stayed in santana for a few days and took some incredible hiking trips from there. But the town itself is quite sleepy, I must admit.
Do not miss: Rocha do Navio is one of the standout spots in the area. This dramatic coastal nature reserve can be reached by a short drive or bus ride, followed by a cable car ride down to sea level. From the top, you get stunning views of cliffs dropping straight into the ocean, with a small rocky islet just offshore. Even if you don’t take the cable car down, the viewpoint alone is worth the trip. You can get there on foot from Santana Centre.
I recommend following trips and hikes from Santana:
Best organised tours and experiences in Madeira (for those extra lazy days)
Best rated and handpicked by me.
Responsible Whales and/or Dolphins Watching Tour – one of the most popular boat tours where you can see whales i their natural habitat!
Pico do Arieiro Sunrise Hiking Transfer from Funchal – Pico do Arieiro is Madeira’s third-highest peak (1,818m), famous for its dramatic, cloud-piercing views and serving as the start of the iconic PR1 hike to Pico Ruivo. The great thing about this peak is that you can actually drive there. This transfer will allow you to see it without renting a car.
Funchal: Old Town Walking Tour – a great way to discover the old town and learn more from a local expert.
Food and Wine Walking Tour in Funchal – this is a great tour allowing you to sample local foods and wines while gaining insight into Madeira’s culture as you visit local producers, bars, and markets.
Rabaçal: 25 Fontes & Risco Levada Hiking Transfer – 25 Fontes is one of the most popular levada walks, and this is great option if you dont want to fuss around with public transport.
Madeira Canyoning For Beginners Nun’s Valley Level 2 – for those more adventurous souls.
Final thoughts
Madeira is perfect for solo travelers – safe, friendly, spectacular, and full of unforgettable experiences. You don’t need a car to experience the highlights, and with a little planning, you can see a huge variety of landscapes, try local food and wine, and even join tours that take you to hidden corners of the island.
Hike levadas, wander colorful villages, sip poncha by the ocean, and soak up the sunsets—you’ll leave the island inspired and already planning your return.
Madeira isn’t just a destination, it’s an adventure you can take at your own pace, even on a budget.
I hope this itinerary helps you make the most of your time in Madeira, whether it’s seven days or two weeks, and inspires you to discover the island at your own pace