Fly Drive Holidays

Madeira's Peaks - Off the Beaten Track

** Click here for large Maps of Madeira **

Madeira is an excellent destination for those of you wishing to explore on a daily basis without worrying about returning long distances to your base hotel. We have developed two itineraries which take in the delights of Madeira's coastal and mountain areas, combining them with a personal selection of small hotels strategically dotted around the island.

During the last few years Madeira has been lucky enough to obtain substantial funding for the development of new roads and tunnels which have opened up the island somewhat for easier and quicker exploration. However, this has meant that the older, more scenic, roads are now significantly less congested and a pleasure to drive along. It also means that you can take advantage of certain stretches of the new highway to allow you extra time in the more scenic areas or at your hotels. There is a main highway from Machico to Ribeiro Brava in the south as well as new tunnels through the island from south to north between Ribeiro Brava and Sao Vicente and between Machico and Faial. The coastal roads from Porto Moniz in the north west to Sao Vicente and from Calheta in the south west to Ribeiro Brava have also been improved recently.

Summary

DAY 1
Upon your arrival at Funchal airport you will be met by one of the representatives from our car rental company and shown to their office to take delivery of your Group C car (with a/c).
Depending on your arrival time, we suggest that you spend today exploring the nearby Parque do Santo da Serra. This consists mostly of woodland, although you will also find deer and bird enclosures here. If you are staying here on a Sunday, you will have the opportunity to see a local market close to the church.
Overnight in HOTEL DO SANTO in Santo da Serra.

DAY 2
Today head east to the wild and windswept Ponta de São Lourenço. If you are feeling energetic you might like to take a short walk around the headland - the views are spectacular.
A short drive away is the pretty fishing village of Caniçal, once the most famous whaling village on the island. This practice was outlawed in 1981 - nowadays the only reminders lie in the Museum of Whaling (Museu da Balaia). The owner, once in charge of the whaling station, now devotes his time to marine conservation. Keen filmgoers might spot that the village was one of the locations for the film ‘Moby Dick’ half a century ago. You will certainly find some excellent fish restaurants here.
On the way back to your hotel we suggest that you visit the first capital of Madeira, Machico, now the second biggest city in Madeira and one of the centres for boat building on the island.
Overnight in HOTEL DO SANTO in Santo da Serra.

DAY 3
Your first stop this morning could be at Poiso. This means ‘resting place’ and was a traditional stop for travellers when journeying from the north to the south coast. For stunning views ascend above the clouds to Pico do Arieiro (1810m),the second highest peak on the island. From here you have a fantastic view (weather permitting!) across to both coastlines. If visibility is poor you may like to relax in the cafe at the top where you can wait for the mist to clear for that elusive photograph!
Back to Poiso and take the road to Ribeiro Frio (‘cold river’), which has a pretty setting in a wooded valley. Here you may wish to visit the trout hatchery or continue downhill where you find a sign for the Balcões - this is a relatively short (one mile approx.) and level walk to the viewpoint where you have absolutely spectacular views across ravines and hillsides to Madeira ’s peaks – Ruivo & Arieiro.
Upon your return to Ribeiro Frio you can warm up with a hot chocolate or coffee at Victor's -there is usually a roaring fire there on chilly days.
Continue to São Roque do Faial and then go west via Faial (take time to visit the church there) to Santana. Many consider Santana to be one of the most attractive villages on Madeira , due to its stunning location – you must also view the unusual houses , peculiar to this area. These are known in Portuguese as palheiros (‘haylofts’) and are tiny thatched houses shaped like an ‘A’.
Overnight in HOTEL COLMO in Santana.

DAY 4
Today you may wish to stay around the Santana area, which offers many opportunities for walking. Another option would be to visit the newly opened Madiera theme park in Santana. This has exhibitions of how Madeira was formed and the way of life in days gone by. There is also a simulator to allow you to 'travel' around the island (not for the faint in heart or head!). As well as an extensive playground you will also find large replicas of famous Madeiran items, a shop and several cafes. There is also a lake where you can try your hand at rowing. All the attractions are free of charge once you have paid your entrance fee.
Just past Achada do Teixeira, you may want to climb up to Madeira ’s highest peak, Pico Ruivo (1861m) (approx. 1 hour each way.) Another possibility is to go to Pico das Pedras from where there is a short walk to Queimadas with its beautiful park in the middle of Laurisilva forest.
If you are a keen walker another possibility is the Levada do Caldeirao Verde walk. This will take approx 3-4 hours but should not be undertaken if you suffer from vertigo. The walk will take you through some of the island’s most dramatic terrain.
Overnight in HOTEL COLMO in Santana.

DAY 5
Go west along the north coast via São Jorge (recommend a visit to the wonderful church here), Boaventura and Ponta Delgada until you reach São Vicente. São Vicente ’s old town is worth seeing. With its cobbled streets and beautiful church it is another of Madeira ’s prettiest villages.
An unusual feature in this area are the Lava Caves . These caves were formed some 400,000 years ago thanks to a volcanic eruption but they were only discovered in 1855 and opened in 1997. After your visit to the caves you can enjoy a wonderful 3D film on the volcanic eruption which formed Madeira - this is included in the entrance fee to the caves.
Continuing along the north coast you will reach Seixal,the centre of the wine growing district. Before reaching Seixal you may want to take a slight diversion to Chão da Ribeira, a beautiful and unspoilt area. Then continue to Porto Moniz, well known for its natural sea pools formed in volcanic rock.
From here you go north via Santa up to Paúl da Serra (‘high moorland’), a plateau measuring 11 miles by 4 miles. Just after Rabaçal, a stunning and completely unspoilt valley, you will find your overnight stop set in splendid isolation. We can heartily recommend the jungle themed restaurant at the hotel for an unusual dinner experience!
Overnight in PICO DA URZE on Paúl da Serra.

DAY 6
We suggest you continue along Paúl da Serra to Encumeada, a pass from where you may see both the north and south coast (weather permitting). From here go south to Ribeira Brava (‘wild river’). In the 15th century the town was an important stopping off point for those journeying to Funchal from the north – it still remains a pleasant place to spend a few hours. You may wish to visit the Ethnographic Museum (Museu Etnografica) – closed Mondays and holidays. Today you could also take the opportunity to drive along the south coast to visit the villages of Ponta do Sol (the main centre for banana production on the island), Madalena do Mar, Calheta, Jardim do Mar (very picturesque) and Paul do Mar.
Given the new roads and tunnels it will not take very long to get to these towns on the highway or you could take the old road towards Funchal. But whichever you choose a stop at Cabo Girão is a must. Cabo Girão is the second highest sea cliff in the world and of course offers fantastic views along the south coast and to the sea a dizzying 580 m below you.
Leave the highway in São Martinho and follow the road to Eira do Serrado. There is an excellent handicraft & tourist market next door to your hotel and superb views down to Nun’s Valley.
Overnight in ESTALAGEM EIRA DO SERRADO in Eira do Serrado.

You may also want to round off your week by visiting Funchal, the capital of Madeira.
Funchal is a suprisingly compact city and has an abundance of sights to entertain the visitor -a wealth of museums, churches, markets, gardens and a characterful old town to explore. We also recommend that you take the cable car up to the beautiful little village of Monte from where you can toboggan (in a wicker basket!) most of the way back down to Funchal (check times of operation with our local office as they sometimes work half days).
If you are not extending your stay then for a good overview of Funchal why not rise 150m off the ground in the balloon which is at the promenade. This will give you a fantastic bird's eye view of the whole city. This only operates weather permitting.
Overnight in ESTALAGEM EIRA DO SERRADO in Eira do Serrado.

_________________________________________________________________________

Click on a link below to view details of our selected hotels in Funchal and across the island:

LINKS FOR TOURS & HOTELS: Hotels in Funchal   Hotels on Coast   Hotels Inland     Self-catering villas & apartments     Hotels on Porto Santo   Special Interest Packages   Car Hire   Essential information     Back to Madeira Home Page     FLY-DRIVES   (options a & b below)   a. Madeira's Peaks - Off the Beaten Track b. Madeira - Coast and History	Tel: + 44 (0) 1989 730 552 (UK) OR EMAIL US BY CLICKING HERE: