Madeira is a destination increasingly sought after by both national and foreign tourists.
Car rental is probably one of the most attractive options for visitors, however this is not always possible, especially in times of high season on the island, when most affordable cars are no longer available.
So the question arises: how to visit Madeira without a car?
In Funchal
In the city of Funchal, the public transport system (namely buses and taxis) is easy to use and inexpensive, and visitors can buy charging cards for bus trips within the urban area.
However, if you want a more detailed experience with an audio guide of the main attractions in Funchal, Câmara de Lobos and even the highest maritime cliff in Europe, Cabo Girão, you can opt for the Yellow Bus. a focus on the line that goes to Monte there is also the Red Bus.
Outside the urban area of Funchal
While in Funchal and Câmara de Lobos it is easy to walk around the city or use the hop on hop off buses, outside Funchal there is no such option. Public transport is much more infrequent and tends to have a large number of stops, making a trip from Funchal to one of the other sides of the island long and this is not ideal for those who want to know and explore Madeira.
So what to do?
Don't worry, there are options! It is easy to integrate group tours organized by the various areas of the island. This is a good way to get to know the island through the best guides and, possibly, even make new friends, as the groups tend to be smaller, providing a more differentiated experience. Let's see:
East
One of the most popular excursions in Madeira Island is the excursion to the East side of the Island. This tour has Santana as its main focus. Departing from Funchal (and any of its hotels), the first stop is at Terreiro da Luta, right above Monte, where you can have a truly unique and panoramic view of Funchal. Then you will head to one of the biggest mountains in Madeira, Pico do Areeiro, a place where, under perfect conditions, you can see the clouds below you, giving the illusion of being in the sky! From the top of the mountain, the group will continue to Ribeiro Frio, passing through Laurissilva, a UNESCO World Heritage Forest. Lunchtime is spent at the main location of this tour, Santana. Here you can explore the famous triangular thatched houses and learn a little more about the history and way of life of these rural populations in the past. After a relaxed lunch, we pass through the town of Faial and Portela heading south towards Machico, the place where the Portuguese first landed in the 15th century. The last stop is at Ponta de São Lourenço, the easternmost point of Madeira Island with fabulous views of the sea and the rock formations that accompany it.
West
Probably the most popular tour and with good reason! Starting from Funchal, the first stop is at the fishing village of Câmara de Lobos with its scenic bay full of fishing boats, from there you go up to Cabo Girão, where you can walk on the famous Skywalk, the glass floor allows a perspective that stirs the senses (if you have vertigo it is not recommended). The group will head west to Ribeira Brava, and from there cross the island towards Encumeada on the crest of the mountain range that crosses the interior of the island, providing dramatic views over the Ribeira Brava valley. The trip continues to Paúl da Serra, a fabulous plateau from where it is possible to see both the south and north coasts. The landscape is made up of undergrowth, but also witches and endemic heather. you can see cows grazing freely everywhere or even on the road saying “hello” to visitors. In this area there are several walking paths or levadas in the middle of the forest. After witnessing such natural beauty, the main stop is Porto Moniz. Here, visitors can have lunch by the beautiful natural lava pools and witness the charm of that deep blue sea and constant restlessness. it is after lunch that we head to Seixal, with its beautiful black sand beach surrounded by green vegetation coming from the cliffs to the village of São Vicente, before returning to Funchal at the end of the day.
Southwest
Why not go to the Southwest of the island? This coast is full of small towns planted by the sea. Leaving Funchal heading west on the expressway, the first stop is in the village of Ponta do Sol, the hottest place in Madeira, with a beautiful historic center right by the sea and a distinctive yellow pier dating back to the mid-19th century and that can be seen from a great distance. The group will head from here to Moledos, where you can have a panoramic view of the village of Madalena do Mar before continuing on to Calheta, where you can enjoy the calm waters and non-native yellow sand beach that allows a calm entry into the sea. After lunch, head further west to the picturesque towns of Jardim do Mar and its labyrinthine houses and Paul do Mar, where you can have the best mojito on the island right in front of the sea. The trip arrives at the westernmost point of the island of Madeira, Ponta do Pargo, where you can see a dramatic seascape from its famous lighthouse. On the way back, you will make a short stop at Madalena do Mar, surrounded by beautiful banana plantations that reach almost to the sea.
North East
There is also the option of getting to know a little bit of the Northeast of Madeira. Starting in Funchal and crossing the island from Ribeira Brava, we arrive at São Vicente, a town known for its vineyards and volcanic caves that are currently still closed (to assess possible structural damage caused by an earthquake in March 2020). From there, keep heading east, mostly along the coast, passing by Ponta Delgada, by Arco de São Jorge, where you can take beautiful pictures framed by the sea and the ruins of an old arch belonging to the mills that were established there at the beginning. of the population of the island in the 15th and 16th century. This is a rural landscape, full of mountains, sea and with an indomitable air. The route continues this time a little further south, stopping at Porto da Cruz, with its beautiful bay suitable for surfing and also passing by the viewpoint of Pico do Facho and finally the city of Santa Cruz.
Photo: A ticket to take off
Apart from sightseeing, there are also many options for other activities, such as levadas and hikes (in which transport and a guide are always included), extreme activities such as canyoning or even boat trips that reveal another facet of parts of the island.
As you can see, it is quite possible to discover Madeira without a car, do not hesitate to visit us!