Start your day in Monte Palace Tropical Garden in Monte while the air is still cool and the tour buses are only just getting rolling. It’s one of those places where you want to go slowly: the tiled paths, koi ponds, fern gullies, and the city views all reward lingering. Expect around 2 hours here, and wear shoes with a bit of grip because some paths can be damp even in April. If you’re coming up from Funchal, the easiest move is the Teleférico do Funchal from Avenida do Mar or the old-town side; if you’re driving, parking up in Monte is tighter and mornings are less stressful.
From Monte, head down toward Madeira Botanical Garden in Santa Maria Maior for a calmer second stop with a different feel — more structured beds, cactus collections, and those sweeping views over Funchal. Give yourself about 1.25 hours, and don’t rush the lookout terraces; this is a good place to breathe a bit after the more immersive garden in Monte. By early afternoon, make your way toward Mercado dos Lavradores in the old-town edge area, where the ground floor is lively with fruit, flowers, and fish counters. It’s worth a short visit rather than a long one: about 45 minutes is plenty, and you’ll get the full atmosphere without overdoing the crowds. If you want a proper sit-down, A Bica is a solid lunch stop nearby — classic espada, garlic butter, and regional plates, usually around €18–30 per person. It’s the kind of place where a lazy lunch works best, especially if you’ve been walking since morning.
After lunch, wander down to Forte de São Tiago in Old Town and let the pace drop. The yellow fort is especially lovely in late afternoon when the light softens over the water, and the walk along the waterfront gives you a very Madeiran end-of-day feeling without needing a formal plan. If you still have energy, loop a bit through the lanes around Rua de Santa Maria and the Zona Velha for a casual stroll, then head back before dinner or stay out for a drink by the sea. April evenings can turn breezy fast, so keep that light layer in your daypack — and if you’re walking between these stops rather than using a taxi, the hills are short but real, so comfortable shoes make the whole day much easier.
Arrive early in Caniçal and head straight to Miradouro da Ponta do Rosto before the light gets harsh. This is the kind of viewpoint where the east end of Madeira really shows off: jagged volcanic cliffs, open Atlantic, and those sweeping layers of rock that look almost painted at sunrise. Give yourself about 45 minutes here to wander, take photos, and feel the wind; there’s no real “entry fee,” just a small pull-off area and the usual respect-the-edge common sense. If the sky is clear, this is one of the best places on the island to understand how exposed the peninsula hike will feel.
From the viewpoint, continue to Vereda da Ponta de São Lourenço, Madeira’s signature peninsula walk. Plan on around 3 hours if you’re moving at a relaxed pace with photo stops, and remember this trail is open, breezy, and sun-exposed almost the entire way. Wear your hiking shoes, bring plenty of water, and keep your rain jacket in the daypack even if the weather looks perfect—this part of the island can change quickly. The path is well-trodden but uneven in places, with steep bits and occasional strong gusts, so trekking poles help if you like the extra stability. Expect a small trail fee if you continue all the way to the protected end section, and try to be back on the road before the midday heat really settles in.
After the hike, drop down to Prainha do Caniçal for a reset. It’s a small volcanic beach, easy to reach, and exactly the sort of place that feels earned after a windy morning on the cliffs. Even if you only stay for an hour, it’s worth slipping off your boots, swimming if conditions are calm, and letting your legs recover. Then head to Restaurante O Fiquinho for lunch; it’s one of those sensible east-end places where the food is straightforward and fresh rather than fussy. Expect roughly €15–25 per person for grilled fish, limpets, or a simple meat plate, and if you’re hungry after the hike, this is the right stop to order a proper Madeira lunch rather than a snack.
Round out the day at the Whale Museum of Madeira in Caniçal. It’s compact enough that you won’t feel overcommitted, but it gives the day some depth after all the scenery: whaling history, maritime context, and a reminder of how closely this coast was tied to the sea long before tourism took over. Budget about an hour, and check opening hours ahead of time because smaller museums here sometimes close earlier than you’d expect or shift hours seasonally. If you still have energy afterward, take a slow wander around Caniçal itself before heading back, but honestly this is a good day to keep the evening loose and let the peninsula do the heavy lifting.
Start early at Miradouro do Balcões in Ribeiro Frio — it’s one of those rare Madeira lookouts that delivers a big payoff with very little effort. The short out-and-back walk is easy enough for most people, usually around 30–45 minutes total including photos, and it’s best before the mist burns off. Wear your layers here; even in April the laurel forest can feel damp and cool, while the sun can get strong once you step out onto the viewpoint. There’s usually no real entrance fee, just a small parking area and the occasional coffee stop nearby if you want to warm up before continuing.
From there, continue to Levada do Caldeirão Verde near Queimadas for the day’s main hike. This is classic Madeira: narrow footpaths, shady forest, a few tunnels, and that lush, almost unreal green that the island is famous for. Bring your headlamp, proper hiking shoes, and a light rain shell in your daypack — the tunnels are dark and the path can be slick even when the weather looks fine. Plan roughly 3.5 hours depending on pace and how long you linger at the waterfall, and don’t rush it; this is the kind of walk that’s better enjoyed steadily than sprinted. If the trail feels busy, just let the flow move ahead and take your time at the quieter sections.
After the hike, head to Casa do Chá do Faial in Faial for a calm lunch with views and a proper breather. It’s a good reset after the forest, and the menu is exactly what you want at that point: tea, cakes, simple plates, and enough Madeiran comfort food to make you feel human again. Expect around €8–15 per person, and if the weather’s clear, ask for an outdoor table — the mountain views are part of the experience. This is also a nice moment to dry off a bit, refill water, and give your feet a break before the cultural stops.
Keep the afternoon light and unhurried with Santana Traditional Houses in Santana. These thatched cottages are the postcard image people come for, but the trick is to treat them as a quick, pleasant stop rather than a long museum visit. Forty-five minutes is plenty for photos and a short wander, and it’s best when the crowds thin later in the day. Afterward, stay flexible and leave room for a slow drive or stroll through town — Madeira days feel better when you don’t squeeze every minute.
Finish with dinner at Adega do Ramalho in Santana, a solid choice for a relaxed final meal after a mountain day. It’s the kind of place where you can settle in with regional dishes, wine, and something hearty enough to recover from the hike; budget around €18–30 per person depending on how much you order. Go a little earlier if you’re tired, since Madeira evenings can get chilly in the highlands, and you’ll be glad you packed that fleece.
Arrive in Ponta do Sol and go straight to Cascata dos Anjos while the road is still calm and the light is soft. It’s a quick stop rather than a long hike, but that’s the charm: the waterfall spills right over the old coastal road, and when the traffic’s light you can actually enjoy it instead of jostling for space. Give yourself about 30 minutes here, and wear shoes with decent grip — the spray can make the pavement slick, especially in April when the weather shifts fast on this side of the island.
From there, continue to Ribeira Brava Market, an easy inland hop that’s worth it for the everyday Madeira feel. Pop in for seasonal fruit, pastry snacks, and a look at what locals are actually buying rather than just tourist produce. If you want a coffee, the surrounding streets have simple cafés where a bica and a pastel de nata won’t cost much more than a few euros. Budget around 45 minutes, and don’t rush it — this is the kind of stop that works best when you slow down and browse a bit.
Next head up to Cabo Girão Skywalk for the big west-coast viewpoint. This is one of those classic Madeira stops that earns its reputation: a sheer cliff drop, wide Atlantic views, and the glass platform that makes everyone instinctively check their footing. Aim for late morning before the busiest coach wave, and expect about an hour including queueing, photos, and just standing there pretending not to be a little impressed. Entry is usually only a few euros, and if you’re carrying a jacket, keep it handy — the wind up there can feel very different from the coast below. Afterward, roll into Câmara de Lobos and settle in at Rei da Poncha for a relaxed lunch break; it’s casual, lively, and exactly the right place to try poncha without making it a whole production. Plan on roughly €6–12 per person for a drink and a simple snack, and keep it easy — this is more about the atmosphere than a long sit-down meal.
By late afternoon, drift back toward Ponta do Sol and finish at Arraial do Encanada for the trip’s closing meal. This is the day to slow your pace, let the light fade, and order something that feels like a proper Madeira send-off. Expect around €20–35 per person, depending on what you choose, and book or arrive a little early if you want the best view-facing table around sunset. It’s a good final stop because it ties the day together: west coast scenery, a bit of local flavor, and a dinner that doesn’t feel rushed. If the evening is clear, linger a little after sunset — in Madeira, the last 20 minutes of light are often the prettiest part of the whole day.