Tour overview

This 8-day walking holiday explores Madeira's levada paths, laurel forests and sea cliffs. It is self-guided, with route notes and maps, transfers to the trailheads and luggage moved between hotels. You stay seven nights in three hotels with pools, ending in the five-star Quinta da Bela Vista in Funchal, with breakfast daily and several dinners.

From Santana you follow the coastal path to the cobbled village of São Jorge, then walk the Caldeirão Verde levada through tunnels and laurel forest to a green cauldron of waterfalls.

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From Ribeiro Frio you walk to Santo da Serra and a historic hotel, with a choice of walks on the wild Ponta de São Lourenço peninsula or the Levada Nova. A final walk along the Levada do Norte leads to the sea cliffs of Cabo Girão before two days in Funchal, with a cable car ride.

The physical rating is medium. This holiday suits walkers who want dramatic scenery and comfortable hotels.

Trip highlights

  • The coastal path to São Jorge (Day 1)
  • The Caldeirão Verde levada (Day 2)
  • Ribeiro Frio (Day 3)
  • Ponta de São Lourenço (Day 4)
  • Cabo Girão (Day 5)
  • The Funchal cable car (Day 7)

Your route

10 stops from Santana to Funchal

8-day route: Santana – São Jorge – Caldeirão Verde – Ribeiro Frio – Santo da Serra – Cabo Girão – Funchal
  1. Santana Days 1–2
  2. São Jorge Day 1
  3. Parque das Queimadas Day 2
  4. Ribeiro Frio Day 3
  5. Santo da Serra Days 3–4
  6. Sao Lourenco Day 4
  7. Boa Morte Day 5
  8. Cabo Girao Day 5
  9. Funchal Days 5–7
  10. Funchal Day 8

Why choose this tour

Madeira's best levada walks. Hotels with pools, ending in five-star style.

Best suited to

  • Walkers
  • Nature lovers
  • Couples and friends
  • Independent travellers
A hiker at a waterfall in Madeira's forest

Day-by-day itinerary

8 days from Santana, Portugal to Funchal, Portugal

  1. Day 1 · Santana, São Jorge São Jorge

    A coastal walk.

    Hotel
    Quinta do Furão
    Meals
    Breakfast, Dinner
  2. Day 2 · Parque das Queimadas, Caldeirão Verde Caldeirão Verde

    A levada walk.

    Hotel
    Quinta do Furão
    Meals
    Breakfast, Dinner
  3. Day 3 · Ribeiro Frio, Santo da Serra Ribeiro Frio

    Laurel forest.

    Hotel
    Porto Bay Serra Golf
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  4. Day 4 · Ponta de São Lourenço São Lourenço

    A wild peninsula.

    Hotel
    Porto Bay Serra Golf
    Meals
    Breakfast, Dinner
  5. Day 5 · Boa Morte, Cabo Girão, Funchal Cabo Girão

    Sea cliffs.

    Hotel
    Quinta da Bela Vista
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch
  6. Day 6 · Funchal Funchal

    A free day.

    Hotel
    Quinta da Bela Vista
    Meals
    Breakfast
  7. Day 7 · Funchal Funchal

    A cable car ride.

    Hotel
    Quinta da Bela Vista
  8. Day 8 · Funchal Funchal

    The holiday ends.

The cliffs of Ponta de São Lourenço, Madeira

Where you stay

  • Santana (2 nights) Quinta do Furão
  • Santo da Serra (2 nights) Porto Bay Serra Golf
  • Funchal (3 nights) Quinta da Bela Vista

Hotel names are indicative and may be replaced with a property of similar standard and location.

What's included

Included

  • Accommodation 7 nights in hotels with pools
  • Meals 6 breakfasts, 2 lunches and 4 dinners
  • Transfers to the trailheads
  • Luggage transfers between hotels
  • Route notes and maps
  • Funchal cable car ticket

Not included

  • Flights
  • Meals not included 2 breakfasts, 4 lunches and 3 dinners
  • Airport transfers
  • Travel insurance and personal spending
Walkers on a forest levada in Madeira

This trip might not be for you if…

Honest disclaimer — please read

  • You want a guide or group
  • You dislike heights or narrow paths
  • You want a beach holiday
  • You want flights included — they are not

Good to know

Meals by day Breakfast: Days 1–6 · Lunch: Days 3 and 5 · Dinner: Days 1–4
FCDO advice UK FCDO travel advice for Portugal
Funchal on its hillside above the harbour

In pictures

Departures & prices

From £1,529 per person, twin share, tour only. 382 upcoming departures.

Frequently asked questions

How do I book this tour?

Tap any "Enquire" button on the page and one of our travel specialists will be in touch within 24 hours (often same day). We'll confirm availability on your preferred date, run through anything you need to know, and only ask for the deposit once you've decided.

What financial protection do I get?

Every Travelisto booking is 100% financially protected. Your money is held in a ring-fenced Trust account until you return from your trip, and we are members of the Protected Trust Services scheme (PTS 6035). Most tours also include ATOL protection where flights are part of the package.

Is there a guide?

No, this is a self-guided holiday with route notes, a navigation app and local support on call.

Do I need a visa for Portugal?

No, UK citizens can visit Portugal visa-free for up to 90 days in any 180. Check gov.uk for the latest EU entry rules before you travel.

How hard is the walking?

Moderate, on levada paths with some narrow sections, drops and tunnels.

Is my luggage moved for me?

Yes, between each hotel.

Which meals are included?

Breakfast daily, several dinners and a picnic lunch.

When can I start?

On almost any day through the season.

Can you tailor the trip?

Yes — every escorted tour can be modified into a private tailor-made version with your own dates, adjusted pace, upgraded hotels and add-on extensions. Tell us what you'd like changed when you enquire and we'll quote it both ways so you can compare.

What if my flight is delayed or cancelled?

If your international flight is part of your booking through us, we re-book at no cost. If you've booked flights separately, the tour's local team holds your transfer slot until you arrive. We strongly recommend a comprehensive travel insurance policy that includes delay and cancellation cover.

ATOL protected 100% financially protected in a Trust bank account PTS 6035 4.7 on Trustpilot
Tailor-made option

Not quite the right fit? Make it tailor-made.

If this group tour doesn't match your ideal trip, our specialists will turn it into a private tailor-made journey — your own dates, your own pace, upgraded hotels where you want them, and the parts you don't love swapped out. Same destinations, just rebuilt around you.

Contact us for a tailor-made version of this itinerary

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