Self-drive tour Madeira Island – Portugal

Pick up your rental car at Madeira airport. Night in a hotel in Funchal city centre.Includes: car rental, insurance, unlimited mileage, room and breakfast

Suggested visits: Visit to the old town and historic centre of Funchal, its lively streets and the 15th-century Gothic-style Sé Cathedral. Stop off at the Lavradores market for its exotic scents (every day except Sunday). Explore the heights of Funchal and the village of Monte, an essential part of your stay in the Madeira archipelago. When you arrive, you can enjoy a breathtaking view over the bay of Funchal. The municipal garden covers a large part of this parish and immediately invites you to take a stroll. Another emblematic garden is that of Monte do Palace, which boasts endemic plants from various countries, as well as species native to Madeira's laurel forest. A famous wicker sledge ride, the return trip to Funchal takes about 15 minutes this way and may be a perfect way to end your visit to Monte. For half a day, take a guided tour of the town to sample a variety of local products. This walk is a great opportunity to discover Madeira's wines and recipes as well as the city itself. Duration: approx. 3h30 Night in a hotel in Funchal city centre. Included: car rental, insurance, unlimited mileage, excursion (grouped service), local guide, wine tasting, room and breakfast

The centre of Madeira hides some magnificent viewpoints, such as Pico Arriero, culminating at 1813 metres, or the panoramic balconies of Balções. Further north is Santana, with its small triangular houses with thatched roofs, a must on your trip to the archipelago, ideal for a stroll after a good hike. Then on to Porto Da Cruz, famous for its rum distillery. On the way back, stop off at Camacha for its small wickerwork stalls. Suggested itinerary: A narrow, arid peninsula jutting out into the ocean, the Ponta de São Lorenço offers some incredible clifftop scenery. At the eastern end of the Portuguese island, the "Ponta de São Lourenço" offers a hiking trail that is quite different from other Madeira trails. This is a far cry from the levadas and their lush countryside. The landscape is semi-arid, open to the ever-present sea around you. Steep cliffs, the wind whipping your face, and a clear sea that finishes its course on the rocks. Don't look for a shady spot on your walk, there isn't one! There are no trees, just ground-level vegetation. Night in a hotel in Funchal city centre. Includes: car rental, insurance, unlimited mileage, room and breakfast

Transfer to the Pico do Arieiro viewpoint, where the hike to Pico Ruivo begins. Discover two of Madeira's highest peaks on an absolutely incredible route with tunnels, caves, peaks and views of the island's interior. Botany and birdwatching enthusiasts will also be well catered for on this beautiful walk on Madeira's roof. Average distance: 8 km - 3h30 walk - Difference in altitude: - 300 metres approx. (altitude approx. 1800 metres) Hike in a small group with a local English/French-speaking guide Difficulty: medium/difficult (alpine hike on mule-tracks, sometimes paved and with steps, sometimes stony. Exposed passages not secured. Good physical condition required for steep climbs). Only in dry, stable weather.   Night in a hotel in Funchal city centre. Included: car rental, insurance, unlimited mileage, excursion (grouped service), guide (hiking), transport (grouped service), room and breakfast

Suggested visits: Welcome to Câmara de Lobos. The name of this parish comes from the fact that, when the island was discovered, there were large numbers of seals in this cove. Discover the photogenic historic centre of this small fishing village and the surrounding miradouros. The viewpoint at Pico da Torre offers breathtaking views of the ocean and the area around Câmara de Lobos. The village lies close to Cabo Girão, the highest cliff on the island. Although very popular with tourists, this viewpoint is well worth a visit. A glass platform was installed in 2012 and offers visitors a splendid panoramic view. Don't miss the Fajã dos Padres viewpoint either, and if you want to get down to the foot of this cliff, you can take the boat from Câmara de Lobos or the cable car from the Miradouro. The discovery of Madeira also includes a visit to the Interpretation Centre and the island's banana plantations. You will have the opportunity to be accompanied on part of the tour to receive explanations and then you can explore individually. At the end of the tour, you'll find a shop and a bar selling products made from bananas. NB: It is also possible to taste the craft banana beer in addition to the tour. Please contact us if you are interested. Open Tuesday to Saturday Today's itinerary takes you to Madeira's sunniest coast. We start in the small, authentic, flower-filled village of Jardim do Mar. A haven of peace for nature lovers, you can walk along the seafront promenade. There are also a number of beautiful narrow streets leading to gardens. Then there's Calheta and its small beach. If you missed the rum factory at Ponta da Cruz, here's another opportunity to discover the workings of the white gold (machines in operation between April and May). Quality rum is produced by controlled fermentation and careful distillation, and cane honey is obtained by steaming the vesou. Tasting available on site. Finally, the villages of Ponta do Sol, surrounded by banana plantations, and Ribeira Brava (with its church famous for its mosaic forecourt) will round off this tour. Night in a charming Quinta in the heart of a vineyard near Calheta (west coast of Madeira). Includes: vehicle hire, insurance, unlimited mileage, audio guide, entrance to site(s) mentioned in the programme, bed and breakfast.

Suggested hikes: Set off on an adventure and discover Madeira's island and plant environment. This route is not very touristy and starts from the Rabaçal car park along stone paths. You'll pass lakes, waterfalls and dense forest. The trail takes you as far as the Pico da Urze water dam. Level: easy-moderate Duration: 1-2 hours Km: 7km Type : round trip Night in a charming Quinta in the heart of a vineyard near Calheta (west coast of Madeira). Includes: car rental, insurance, unlimited mileage, room and breakfast

Board a RIB from the Calheta Marina: Set off to discover the extraordinary marine life of south-west Madeira Island. During the cruise, you'll be able to observe cetaceans and make several swimming stops. Duration: approx. 2 hours Small groups to optimise the experience   Night in a charming Quinta in the heart of a vineyard near Calheta (west coast of Madeira). Included: car rental, insurance, unlimited mileage, excursion (grouped service), local English-speaking guide, cetacean watching, room and breakfast

uggested itinerary for exploring the north-western part of the island: São Vicente, a village with a mountain atmosphere. One of its most representative symbols is the small chapel built into a basalt rock at the mouth of the river that runs through the village. São Vicente enchants visitors with its beauty, tranquillity and heritage of churches and chapels. Continue on to Porto Moniz and its natural pools. You may return via the central plateau.   Guided tour of the Quinta Do Barbusano winery and tasting of 6 wines accompanied by local produce. English-speaking guide Duration: approx. 1h30 Night in charming accommodation in São Vicente in the north of the island. Includes: car hire, insurance, unlimited mileage, wine tasting, bed and breakfast

Take a walk along the Levada Madre da Vida : Start and finish your journey at the same point. You'll enjoy exotic vegetation such as mimosas and eucalyptus, and cross one of the island's most lush and dazzling valleys, populated by endemic and native species - the Valley of the Mimosas. Along the way, you'll take in some impressive stretches, such as just below a waterfall that cuts through the Levada. There will be a break where you can enjoy a picnic before leaving this magical place.   Approximately 12 km - 4h00 return walk Difference in altitude: slight Easy to medium level This walk can be done privately with a local English/French-speaking guide, please contact us for details. Night in charming accommodation in São Vicente in the north of the island. Included: car rental, insurance, unlimited mileage, excursion (grouped service), guide (hiking), private transport, room and breakfast

Return the vehicle to the airport before catching your flight. Departure from Madeira airport, connection to your return flight.   Includes: car rental, insurance, unlimited mileage, vehicle abandonment fee