Best things to do in Madeira by car

Choose Madeira activities that are easier with a hire car, with routes, stops and practical advice to help you plan safely.

Best things to do in Madeira by car, for every kind of trip

Some activities are better when you are not tied to a return timetable. Between mountains, levadas, coastal towns and forest areas, a hire car gives you the flexibility to combine places that are difficult to fit into the same day using public transport. In this guide to the best things to do in Madeira by car, the aim is not to create a rigid list: it is to help you choose experiences that suit your pace, your travelling companions and the weather forecast.

You do not need a car to explore the island. If you are staying in Funchal or prefer organised excursions, there are other options. Even so, a car is particularly useful when you want to alternate between high ground and the coast, stop at a viewpoint without cutting your day short, or reach the starting point of a walk with your own equipment. The key is to use that freedom sensibly, rather than trying to fill every hour.

What we mean by “best” in this guide

There is no single activity that is best for everyone. Some choices simply become more rewarding when transport no longer dictates the order of the day. Our criteria are straightforward: places some distance apart; experiences that call for an early arrival or an unhurried departure; spots where you should bring a jacket, water or walking shoes; and plans that may need to change if the mountains are covered in cloud.

For a first visit, the priority may be to see very different landscapes in one day. For a family, being able to take breaks when needed may matter more. Photographers may want the flexibility to wait for the right light or return when visibility is poor. And for walkers, a car mainly makes it easier to reach the start of a trail — it does not replace safety planning or confirm that a route is accessible.

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Mountains and viewpoints: choosing the best window with a car

Pico do Areeiro, at an altitude of 1,818 metres, is a good choice if you want to experience the scale of the mountain massif without setting aside a whole day for a walk. Driving there means you can bring clothes for a sharp change in temperature and decide on the spot how long to stay. In clear conditions, the landscape opens out across the central mountain range; if the clouds close in, do not force yourself to wait indefinitely: adapt your plans and head for a lower area.

This is where having a car makes a practical difference. You can start early, stop for photographs and then continue to a valley, a town or another activity you have chosen in advance. But one important rule applies: a high-altitude view is never guaranteed. Mist, wind and road restrictions can change the experience completely. Check the weather, official information and local signs on the day. Do not park outside permitted spaces, and do not assume there will be a free space without having an alternative.

If you plan to walk, distinguish a visit to the viewpoint from the challenge of completing the full PR1. The route’s official page explains that the Vereda do Areeiro links the Pico do Areeiro area with Pico Ruivo and that part of the route is one-way. This affects the logistics: driving to the start does not mean you will have a car waiting at the end. Before setting off, check the trail status, any applicable access conditions and how you will get back. Take suitable equipment; do not treat a high-altitude walk as a simple extension of a drive.

A day on the north coast: Fanal, Porto Moniz and stops without a stopwatch

On the north coast, the value of a car lies less in ticking off places and more in being able to build a day in layers. The Porto Moniz area brings together coastal scenery, natural volcanic-rock pools and proximity to the Laurissilva forest. Fanal, in the same municipality, is known for its centuries-old tis trees. These are different environments in terms of pace and altitude; with a car, you can give each the time it deserves instead of reducing them to a quick photograph.

This is a good plan for travellers who enjoy nature but do not want a long walk, for couples who like spontaneous stops, and for families who benefit from being able to bring a change of clothes, a snack and warm layers. Start with whichever setting looks more inviting according to the forecast, and accept that you may need to reverse the order. Humidity and mist give the forest its character, but can limit the view; on the coast, rough seas and local warnings should guide any decision to enter the water or stay close to the sea.

In Porto Moniz, think of the pools as a bathing area subject to the day’s conditions, not an automatic stop. Respect flags, warnings, closed-off areas and the instructions of staff on site. The road makes it possible to add a stop in a town or at a viewpoint, but a good itinerary leaves enough time to return before driving when tired, particularly after a wet day or when daylight is fading.

The west and south-west: put the map aside and follow your own pace

In the west and south-west, a car is especially useful if you like combining a town, a café terrace, a beach or coastal area and a viewpoint in one day. There is no need to devise a closed circuit: choose a direction, allow time for a walk by the sea when conditions permit, and keep one or two other stops as possibilities. This flexibility avoids feeling as though you are driving from one compulsory stop to the next.

Caution still matters. On mountain roads, bends, steep gradients, fog and wet surfaces call for extra attention. Madeira Tourism recommends adapting to the terrain and obeying road signs; Madeira Civil Protection advises defensive driving, reducing speed and watching out for surface water during periods of heavy rain. If there is a weather warning or a closure, the right decision may be to switch to an urban activity or stay in a less exposed area.

Walks and levadas: a car gets you there, but does not remove your responsibility

For many visitors, the answer to “what to do in Madeira with a car” starts with a levada or a footpath. It makes sense: reaching the starting point with boots, walking poles, water and a warm layer makes the beginning much simpler. It also helps when the route does not start near your accommodation or does not finish where it began. But this convenience has a clear limit: vehicle logistics should never determine whether you set out on a trail.

IFCN maintains information about classified walking routes, including their status and guidance on conduct. Check it before setting off and confirm it again on the day of your walk. Routes may be restricted or inaccessible for safety or conservation reasons; access rules, reservations and fees may also change. Plan using current official information, not old videos, route-planning apps or recommendations from other travellers.

Make a return plan as well. If the trail is linear, decide in advance whether you will have arranged transport, a taxi or another confirmed way back at the end. Do not leave valuables on display in the car, and do not try to shorten the route using unofficial shortcuts. Among other measures, IFCN advises walkers to stay on the trail, tell someone their plans, take water and finish before dark. In heavy rain, wind or hail, the official advice is not to start the route.

Practical information and planning before you set off

A Madeira road trip becomes much more straightforward with a five-minute routine over breakfast. First, check the forecast for different areas, not just an icon for Funchal. Then check Civil Protection warnings and the official status of your route if you are going walking. Finally, choose one main activity, a lower-altitude alternative and a realistic time to start heading back.

To make driving less stressful, choose roads you feel comfortable on rather than blindly following the shortest route suggested by your sat-nav. The official travel information page points out that mountain roads can have many bends. Leave plenty of room on descents; on climbs, do not stop in unsuitable places just to take photographs. Use designated car parks and spaces, read the signs as you go, and accept that a simpler loop may be the most enjoyable option.

It is also worth separating a “driving day” from an “activity day”. If you want to do a substantial walk, do not add a long drive around the island in the afternoon. If you choose the north coast, focus on that area. If your aim is to see viewpoints, leave time to wait a few minutes for the light to change, or abandon the idea if visibility does not cooperate. A car gives you freedom when your plans have room to breathe.

Which experience best suits your kind of trip?

First visit of just a few days: prioritise the mountains or the north coast on separate days. This gives you a better sense of the island’s contrasts and means you will not spend your whole trip in the car.

Photography and scenery: use your independence to choose the altitude according to visibility, and return to a place that was clouded over. Bring a spare battery, a jacket and an alternative near sea level.

Family: choose a single area each day, with short stops and room for breaks. Bring the essentials in the car, but do not leave children alone in the vehicle or loose items inside it.

Walkers: treat the vehicle as support for getting to and from the route, not as a shortcut to safety. Always check the official status, assess the weather and have a plan in case the route is unavailable.

Anyone who is not comfortable on winding roads: stick to areas where you feel confident driving, combine a car with a taxi, public transport or an organised excursion, and do not feel obliged to cover the whole island. The best activity is one that lets you be present, not one that leaves everyone feeling tense.

Frequently asked questions

Is it worth hiring a car in Madeira just to see viewpoints?

It can be worthwhile if you want to link several places in different areas and adjust your day according to visibility. If you are staying mainly in Funchal, also consider taxis, public transport, app-based services or organised excursions.

Can I visit Pico do Areeiro and go for a walk on the same day?

Yes, as long as the walk is your main activity and you are prepared for its elevation change, duration and return logistics. Check the official route status, forecast and access conditions on the day.

Are the natural pools at Porto Moniz always suitable for swimming?

Do not assume that they are. Sea conditions, warnings and access may vary. Check the signs and follow local instructions before entering the water or staying in areas exposed to the sea.

Is driving in Madeira difficult?

Main roads and urban areas are different from mountain roads. Bends, gradients and changing weather call for calm driving, respect for road signs and routes suited to your confidence.

How can I check whether a levada or footpath is accessible?

Check IFCN’s classified walking routes page and Madeira Tourism’s notices before setting off. Check again on the day, as a change in the weather or a restriction may alter your plans.