Madeira road trip: Pico do Arieiro to Ponta de São Lourenço
Explore Madeira's top attractions across 149.1 km, starting at Pico do Arieiro's dramatic peaks and descending through Funchal's charming old town on Rua de Santa Maria. Visit Monte's botanical gardens and cable car, swim in Porto Moniz's natural lava pools, catch sunrise at Ponta de São Lourenço, and experience the glass skywalk at Cabo Girão.
- Distance
- 149.1 km
- Mode
- route
- Start
- Pico do Arieiro
- End
- Monte Palace Tropical Garden
- Stops
- 7
- Video author
- travmap
- Updated
Stops on this route
- Pico do Arieiro — Third highest peak; hiking trail to Pico Ruivo (island's highest peak)
- Funchal — Capital city; historic old town with charm and character
- Monte — Hilltop area above Funchal with gardens, churches, and cable car descent
- Visit Cabo Girão Skywalk — Glass-floored clifftop platform perched 580 meters above the ocean, providing breathtaking perspectives of Madeira's dramatic coastal geography.
- Madeira Island — Lush, wild island full of natural wonders in Portugal
- Rua de Santa Maria — Street transformed into open-air gallery with artistic doorways
- Monte Palace Tropical Garden — Botanical garden with exotic plants, ponds, and flamingos
Useful for your trip
- Timing
- Visit Pico do Arieiro early to catch sunrise; there's a parking area at the summit for easy access without hiking.
- Tip
- Bring layers of clothing for Pico do Arieiro hike as it can be cold at the top; also bring a headlamp for sunrise and a camera.
- Transport
- Join a guided tour if you're not an experienced hiker for the Pico do Arieiro to Pico Ruivo trail; it has steep stairs, tunnels, and narrow paths.
- Timing
- Visit Funchal's old town (Zona Velha) in the evening when lights are on and streets buzz with live music and outdoor dining.
- Food
- Stop at Mercado dos Labradores for local fruit, spices, and fish in Funchal's old town.
- Tip
- For Levada walks, bring good shoes, a flashlight or phone with full battery for tunnels, and a rain jacket.
- Transport
- Take the Monte cable car from Funchal's waterfront for scenic views of red-tiled rooftops, steep hills, and the ocean.
- Tip
- Try the toboggan ride downhill from Monte in a wicker sled steered by two guides—a unique and historic Madeira tradition.
- Tip
- Bring sturdy shoes, water, and a windbreaker for Ponta de São Lourenço hike as it gets gusty; about 7 km round trip.
- Timing
- Visit Ponta de São Lourenço early to catch sunrise lighting up the cliffs in deep orange and gold.
- Tip
- Swim in the natural lava pools at Porto Moniz on the northwest tip; one area is polished for tourists with lifeguards, another is wilder.
- Tip
- Join a whale and dolphin watching boat tour from Funchal or nearby harbors; tours typically last a few hours.
Video on this route
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