Marvels of Madeira: Self-Launched Walking Adventure
7 days · Madeira, Portugal
Exodus charges £1,910
No-markup version: ~£470 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Explore the incredible levada trails and coastal paths of Madeira entirely on your own terms — no group, no set departure dates, and a fraction of the cost. This self-launched version of Exodus's popular walking holiday takes you from the wine village of Santana on the north coast all the way to vibrant Funchal in the south, following the same stunning routes through flower-lined water channels, dramatic sea cliffs, laurel forests and hilltop hamlets. You'll swap the Exodus-curated hotel package for handpicked guesthouses and budget-friendly quintas, and replace private transfers with Madeira's surprisingly good public bus network (SAM/Horários do Funchal). All routes are well-marked and freely walkable — no guide required. Cost estimates are approximate and based on 2025 budget traveller rates.
Day-by-day
Arrive in Santana — Coastal Walk to São Jorge
Santana, North Coast
Fly into Funchal (Cristiano Ronaldo International Airport) and take the public Horários do Funchal bus No. 103 or 132 north to Santana (~£5, ~2 hrs). Check into your guesthouse and get your bearings. In the afternoon — or on a fresh Day 1 morning if you arrive the evening before — set out on the panoramic coastal path linking Santana to São Jorge (10–13 km, 3.5–4 hrs). Agapanthus and cacti line the descent to Calhau; you'll hug the base of the Atlantic cliffs before climbing to balcony views with Pico Ruivo framing the horizon. Return to Santana by foot or the local bus. Try a Madeiran espetada (laurel-skewered beef) at one of the village restaurants for dinner (~£12).
🚌Fly to Funchal; take bus No. 103/132 to Santana (~£5). Download the Horários do Funchal app for timetables.
🛏Quinta do Avô or similar guesthouse in Santana (~£35–45/night B&B)
- →Coastal path walk: Santana to São Jorge and back (10–13 km, free)
- →Visit the iconic A-frame thatched houses (palheiros) of Santana
- →Dinner at a local Santana restaurant — try espetada and bolo do caco bread
The Caldeirao Verde Levada
Queimadas / Santana, North Coast
Take the public bus or a shared taxi (~£5–8) up to Parque das Queimadas, the trailhead for the spectacular Caldeirao Verde Levada (14 km, ~4 hrs return). The levada threads through the Vale da Lapa, passing hilltop villages and sea views before tunnelling into the hillside and delivering you to the breathtaking Caldeirao Verde waterfall. The tunnels are low and narrow — bring a head torch. Return the same way to Ilha, then catch the bus back to Santana. Pack your own picnic lunch from the village bakery to save money.
🚌Bus or shared taxi from Santana to Queimadas (~£5–8 each way). Bus timetables via Horários do Funchal app.
🛏Quinta do Avô or similar guesthouse in Santana (~£35–45/night B&B)
- →Caldeirao Verde Levada walk (14 km return, free — no entry fee)
- →Head torch essential for the levada tunnels — hire or buy one locally (~£5 if needed)
- →Parque das Queimadas picnic area stop
Ribeiro Frio to Santo da Serra — Levada do Furado
Ribeiro Frio / Santo da Serra
Check out and take bus No. 56 from Santana (or a connection via Funchal) to Ribeiro Frio (~£6). From here, join the famous Levada do Furado — a verdant paradise of laurisilva forest, waterfalls and tame finches. The trail (14 km, ~4 hrs) descends through the laurel woods to Santo da Serra, a breezy highland village with a lively market square. Arrive in time for lunch — you must try the traditional espetada al fresco at the market. Check into your guesthouse and explore the village gardens and manor.
🚌Bus from Santana to Ribeiro Frio via connections (~£6). Walk to Santo da Serra (end point of the levada). Download AllTrails or Wikiloc for offline trail maps.
🛏Casa de Hospedes or Airbnb guesthouse in Santo da Serra (~£35–45/night)
- →Levada do Furado walk: Ribeiro Frio to Santo da Serra (14 km, free)
- →Ribeiro Frio trout hatchery and Victor's Bar — famous espetada stop
- →Santo da Serra market square and the Jardim Municipal gardens
Ponta de São Lourenço Nature Reserve
Ponta de São Lourenço / Caniçal
Take the public bus from Santo da Serra toward Caniçal/Machio (~£5), then walk or take a taxi to the Ponta de São Lourenço car park (free entry to nature reserve). This hugely popular 8 km peninsula loop is unmissable — jagged volcanic peaks, wild sea views from both coasts, masses of endemic flora and nesting seabirds. Allow 3–4 hrs. Return to Santo da Serra by bus for your second night. Alternatively, walk the Levada Nova (9.5 km, ~3 hrs) from near Santo da Serra — a quieter option through sun-dappled waterfalls and terraced farmland.
🚌Bus from Santo da Serra toward Caniçal (~£5), then local taxi or walk to São Lourenço trailhead (~£5–8). Return bus to Santo da Serra.
🛏Casa de Hospedes or Airbnb guesthouse in Santo da Serra (~£35–45/night)
- →Ponta de São Lourenço peninsula loop (8 km, free — nature reserve, no entry fee)
- →OR: Levada Nova walk from Santo da Serra (9.5 km, free)
- →Birdwatching: Cory's shearwaters, Madeiran storm petrels and endemic flora
Levada do Norte & Cabo Girão — On to Funchal
Boa Morte / Cabo Girão / Funchal
Take the public bus from Santo da Serra toward Funchal, then connect to Boa Morte (~£6 total). Join the Levada do Norte through fragrant pine and eucalyptus forest, with belladonna-lined paths and stunning terrace views, arriving at Cabo Girão — one of Europe's highest sea cliffs at 580 m, with a vertiginous glass-floored skywalk (free to access). From Cabo Girão, take the bus west into Funchal (~£3) and check into your hotel. Funchal is your base for the next two nights — drop your bags and explore the Old Town's cobbled lanes and tiled facades.
🚌Bus from Santo da Serra to Boa Morte (~£6 with connection). Bus from Cabo Girão to Funchal (~£3). Use Horários do Funchal bus app.
🛏Residencial Arcos or similar B&B / budget hotel in Funchal (~£45–55/night)
- →Levada do Norte walk: Boa Morte to Cabo Girão (11 km, free)
- →Cabo Girão glass-floored skywalk — one of Europe's highest sea cliffs (free)
- →Explore Funchal's Zona Velha (Old Town) — painted door art trail
Funchal Free Day — Markets, Monte & Cable Car
Funchal
A full free day to explore Madeira's capital at your own pace. Start at the Mercado dos Lavradores (Workers' Market) — a riot of colour with exotic fruits, flowers and fresh fish. Walk the harbour and sample poncha (the local sugarcane spirit) at a harbour-front bar. Take the Funchal cable car up to Monte (~£13 return, bookable on the spot or via GetYourGuide) for sweeping city views — and if you dare, come back down by traditional wicker toboggan (~£15 per person, shared). Explore the Monte Palace Tropical Garden (~£10 entry). End the evening with a gourmet dinner in the Old Town — Madeira wine pairings are a must.
🚌All on foot or local bus within Funchal. Cable car departs from Zona Velha.
🛏Residencial Arcos or similar B&B / budget hotel in Funchal (~£45–55/night)
- →Mercado dos Lavradores (free to enter — buy exotic fruit and flowers)
- →Funchal Cable Car to Monte (~£13 return — book on GetYourGuide or direct at station)
- →Monte Palace Tropical Garden (~£10 entry)
- →Traditional Monte toboggan ride (~£15/person, shared carreiros)
- →Old Town painted door art trail (free)
- →Madeira wine tasting at an Old Town bodega (~£10–15)
Final Morning in Funchal — Departure
Funchal
Your final morning — enjoy a leisurely breakfast before heading to the airport. If you have time before your flight, walk the seafront promenade (Avenida do Mar) or visit the Jardim de São Francisco for a last dose of Madeiran flora. The public bus No. 53 runs from central Funchal to Cristiano Ronaldo International Airport (~£2, 20 mins).
🚌Public bus No. 53 from central Funchal to the airport (~£2, ~20 mins).
🛏N/A — departure day
- →Funchal seafront promenade morning walk (free)
- →Jardim de São Francisco (free)
- →Final pastel de nata and galão coffee at a Funchal café (~£3)
Self-launched vs. Exodus
| This itinerary (self-launched) | Exodus | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£470 | £1,910 |
| Duration | 7 days | 7 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £1,440 per person (75%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more Exodus-style trips? Check them out here.~£470
estimated per person
You never pay Travel Crew for this — you pay hostels, transport, and activity providers directly, the same as if you'd booked it all yourself.
This publishes your dates so other travellers can find and join you — no tour operator needed.
Customise with Tour BusterCreated by
Travel Crew
0 trips
Frequently asked questions
How much does Marvels of Madeira: Self-Launched Walking Adventure cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £470 per person for 7 days in Madeira, Portugal. This is an AI-generated estimate based on typical budget-traveller prices — actual costs will vary by season and how you book.
Is this cheaper than booking with Exodus?+
Yes — Exodus charges around £1,910 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £470 — a saving of roughly £1,440 (75%) per person.
How long is the Madeira, Portugal trip?+
This itinerary runs 7 days, covering 7 day-by-day stops through Madeira, Portugal.
How do I join this trip?+
You can join an existing open departure using this itinerary if one is scheduled, or launch your own departure with your own dates and invite other travellers to join you — no tour operator required.
Isn't it easier to just use a tour operator?+
Well, yes, a tour operator will book all the individual parts of your travel for you and provide a guide. That's obvious, but doing this has the potential to save the group thousands, which can in turn improve your itinerary substantially or save you huge amounts of money. Also, when you launch a departure, Travel Crew has tools in place to help you book the individual sections of the trip or make it easier for you to do this as a group. Really, you do not need a middle man. If you are more comfortable paying more and using a middle man, then you should certainly do this.
Is it safer to book through a tour operator?+
Arguably, there isn't much difference. A self-launched trip runs on the same principle as a group travel crew: collective responsibility, everyone looking out for each other, the same way it would if a group of friends organised the trip themselves — because that's exactly what's happening. You should always take out travel insurance before you go, self-launched or not; that doesn't change either way. Every open departure is published publicly with real dates and a real trip organiser, so it's never an anonymous arrangement, and our support team is reachable any time you need help, including in an emergency while you're away. Longer-term, we're building direct relationships with ground DMCs in popular destinations, offered as an optional paid add-on for extra on-the-ground support. Ultimately, though, the group is responsible for its own conduct and safety on a self-launched trip, same as on any trip you plan yourself.
What kind of trip is this?+
This is a hiking, culture, slow-travel trip through Madeira, Portugal, self-launched rather than run by a tour operator — you organise it with a group you find or bring yourself.
Would you like to name the operator, name the trip, or have any suggestions about how to improve this itinerary?
Drop your comment below — if you've done a similar route, tell us what worked, what you'd add, or what you'd skip.
No comments yet — be the first to share your take.
Sign in to leave a comment.