• From 1300€ /pers
    • Self-guided
    • Walking
    • Easy
      • 8 days
      • From January to December
      • Charming

About the Gourmet walks on the flower island trip

About the trip in Madeira

With its mild climate throughout the year, subtropical vegetation and 2000km of trails, the Portuguese island of Madeira is an ideal destination for lovers of the great outdoors and good food.  
From the lunar tip of Sao Lorenzo, to the primary forest of the plateaus, passing through the Picos - the high peaks of the island, this self- guided walking holiday in Madeira consists of easy itineraries, accessible to all, allowing you to explore some of the most remarkable sites. Along the way, you will inevitably come across the levadas, the irrigation canals that allow the development of subsistence farming, which in turn has given rise to a tasty and copious home cooking cusine. And it is these culinary delights that we highlight on this trip: a clever mix of easy walks, punctuated by gourmet breaks to enjoy a glass of Madeira wine or an ‘espetada’ (a meat skewer often served at festivals).
In the evening, in the comfort of your charming hotel, you can relax after a day on the beautiful trail, lounging by the pool or sipping a traditional ‘poncha’ whilst looking out at the ocean. This is a walking holiday with a gentle rhythm: easy hikes and epicurean delights for a complete discovery of the island.

Please note : if you suffer from severe fear of heights, please contact us to get more information about the tour.

Highlights of the trip

  • Easy hikes accessible to all, on the most emblematic sites : Sao Lorenzo, Primary forest (UNESCO Site), Pico Ruivo (1862m)
  • Overnight stay in a vineyard that produces the famous Madeira Wine
  • 5 dinners included to enjoy Madeira's culinary specialities including two meals in typical restaurants 
  • A gourmet walk through the city of Funchal, a wine tour, a visit of a cheese dairy  and a Rum factory 
  • Two nights in the picturesque village of Camara dos Lobos, celebrated in painting by its illustrious visitor: Winston Churchill


    Go private or go guided ! Customize your holidays with a local specialist here 

Madeira walking: Gourmet walks on the Flower island: Day by Day 

Day 1 - Arriving in Madeira

Sao Lorenzo

  • Arrive on your own at Madeira's international airport. Private taxi transfer to Santo da Serra, located at an altitude of 600 metres on a plateau covered with pine and eucalyptus forest. Santo da Serra enjoys a cool and restful climate, much appreciated by Madeirans who, over the years, have built beautiful Quintas, traditional dwellings surrounded by gardens with lush vegetation. A pleasant and gentle start to your trip. Check in for the next 3 nights in a charming hotel located a few steps away from the famous 27-hole golf course of Santo da Serra
  • Night in Santo da Serra
  • MEALS included: Dinner

  • ACCESS:
    . By air: There are regular flights that go directly to Madeira's airport or via Lisbon, the Portuguese capital.
    Click here for more travel information 

Day 2 - Farmers market & Peninsula of Sao Lorenzo

  • Santo da Serra farmers' marketWalk - Machico > Sao Lorenzo
    3 hours /  7.2 km - 4.5 miles / Ascent: +400 - Descent: - 400m
  • For your first morning, take the time to discover the village: its church, its small square and its botanical garden with a belvedere offering a panoramic view of the Machico valley. Every Sunday morning the village hosts a typical and colourful market selling farm products. Different from the tourist markets, here you will meet the local producers and sample some traditional food of the island: sweet potatoes, anones, the fruit of the rhododendron, but also some unusual drinks such as coffee with lemon ...
  • After a morning of immersion in the local culture, transfer to the peninsula of Sao Lorenzo at the eastern end of the island.  Characterized by a coastal ridge formed by the wind and the sea, the tip of São Lourenço offers an unusual spectacle of rocky formations. It is famous for its numerous fossils, birds and unique flora.  Swimming is possible in small isolated coves. Transfer back to Santo da Serra.
  • Night in Santo da Serra
  • MEALS included: Breakfast & Dinner

Day 3 - Caldeiro Verde & visit of a family cheese dairy

levada Caldeiro Verde

  • Walk - Queimada > Caldeiro Verde > Queimada
    4 hours 30 /  14 km - 8,6 miles round trip / Ascent: +110 - Descent: -110m
  • Today, after a short transfer, you walk along an ancient levada carved centuries ago into the rock and discover Madeira's primary forest: the incredible Laurissilva, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Levada rises above dizzying cliffs, passes through 4 tunnels dug into the basalt (don't forget your headlamp) to finally reach the source of the Levada: the Caldeiro Verde, an amphitheatre of subtropical vegetation, framing a waterfall that plunges into a basin. You can jump in for a refreshing dip if you are brave enough! Return to the Queimadas Botanical Park via the same route.
  • Before going back to the hotel, you visit a family cheese dairy in the mountains specialising in the production of fresh cheese! An ideal stop for a delicious snack before heading back to your hotel and relaxing in the heated indoor swimming pool.
  • For your evening meal, we have booked a table for you at a local restaurant (located 10 min walk from the village) for a typical feast of beef sweker; the famous Espetada!
  • Night in Santo da Serra
  • MEALS included: Breakfast & Dinner

Day 4 - From Pico Ruivo to the vineyards of the south coast

  • Pico RuivoWalk - Achada Texeira  > Pico Ruivo > Achada Texeira
    2 hours 40 /  5,6 km - 3,5 miles round trip / Ascent: +300 - Descent: -300 m
  • After a short transfer, a wide paved and landscaped path leads you to the highest peak of the island, Pico Ruivo (1862m). Breathtaking scenery of the jagged volcanic peaks, the shimmering blue of the ocean with the sea of clouds as a backdrop... This is a spectacular and unmissable stop on the central ridge of the island.
  • Your taxi will then transfer you to the sunny south coast, passing by the north coast with its cliffs plunging dramatically into the ocean and then via the Encumeada pass. Check-in to a Quinta nestled in the heart of a wine estate overlooking the sea. At the end of the afternoon you will be joined by an expert for a visit of part of the vineyards. He will share with you the history of the famous Madeira wine and explain the production process whilst you taste.
  • This evening, dinner is served in the wine bar of the Quinta with magnificent views of the ocean.
  • Night in Estreito da Calheta
  • MEALS included: Breakfast & Dinner

Day 5 - Rum and the seaside fishermen's village of Paul do Mar

vineyards Madeira

  • Walk - Prazeres > Paul do Mar
    1 hour 30 /  3,3 km - 2 miles / Ascent: +50 - Descent: -600m
  • Lazy morning to enjoy the swimming pool before a late morning transfer for the visit of the rum factory in Calheta (free entry). It produces a quality rum, obtained by fermentation and distillation of sugar cane honey which for a long time was the white gold of Madeira. Important: the factory is in operation only once a year (usually a few days in April) but can be visited all year round (video, exhibition, tasting and sale).
  • After the visit, you are transfered to Prazeres located at an altitude of around 600m. Before starting your hike, you can visit the Quinta Pédagogica, with its magnificent garden of endemic species, jam making, homemade tea and medicinal plants. Descend to the seaside village of Paul do Mar along a spectacular paved path lined with poios (terraced crops), houseleeks and prickly pears. This trail is part of the extensive network of "royal" trails, which used to allow you to travel all over the island. In Paul do Mar, swimming is possible from the small pier.
  • Then treat yourself to a traditional poncha (traditional cocktail made of rum and fruit juice) in the most famous surfing pub on the island where we have reserved a table for a dinner for a delicious meal of fresh fish! Return to your accommodation after dinner.
  • Night in Estreito da Calheta
  • MEALS included: Breakfast & Dinner

Day 6 - Rabacal Waterfalls & the picturesque village of Camara dos Lobos

  • Rabacal 25 Fontes levadaWalk - Rabacal > 25 Fontes > Do Risco waterfall
    . 4 hours /  11 km - 6,8 miles / Ascent: +400 - Descent: -400m
    . Possibility to shorten the walk by 1 hour by taking a shuttle from the Rabacal car park (to be paid on spot - 3 € per person)
  • Morning transfer to the Paul da Serra plateau, at an altitude of 1200 metres. This is where the deep valley of Ribeira de Janela is born. On the site of Rabaçal, following the many levadas that fetch water in the heart of the mountain, you will discover numerous waterfalls, a forest of remarkable tree heather, the famous giant dandelion and the Madeira daisy. After the walk, transfer to Camara dos Lobos, a small fishing port renowned for its charm but also for one of its most famous visitors Winston Churchill, who stayed there several times and enjoyed capturing the authenticity of this port on canvas.
  • Night in Camara dos Lobos
  • MEALS included: Breakfast 

Day 7 - A culinary experience in Funchal

  • Food tour FunchalThis morning you have the  choice !
    . Either a free morning in the village of Camara dos Lobos to explore the colourful streets and take a stroll along the seaside promenade that leads to Funchal or simply relax by the hotel swimming pool overlooking the bay! 
    . or opt to head off immediately to Funchal, the capital of the island, and stroll through the narrow streets, along the marina or take the cable car up to the Tropical Gardens or the Botanical Garden.
  • Either way, at 2pm, you meet with a local guide in Funchal for a gourmet stroll in the historic centre of Funchal for a wonderful mix of gastronomic and cultural discovery. No less than 15 tastings to sample the savoury delights such as the hot pork and garlic sandwich, sword fish and grilled tuna and the sweet treats such as ginger biscuits, honey cake and not forgetting of course the famous Poncha (Tour possible on Tuesday and Friday afternoon or Wednesday morning).
  • Free evening in Funchal to enjoy one of the many restaurants in the old town before your transfer back to your accommodation in Camara dos Lobos.
  • Night in Camara dos Lobos
  • MEALS included: Breakfast

Day 8 - End of your trip in Camara dos Lobos

Camara dos Lobos

  • End of your trip in  Madeira! Private transfer to the airport.
  • MEALS included : breakfast

  • ACCESS: Madeira airport information here.
  • From 1300€ /pers
    • Self-guided
    • Walking
    • Easy
      • 8 days
      • From January to December
      • Charming

Let's book your tour !

TOTAL
2600
From the blog

How does it work ?

  • 1 - Select your start date and click « BOOK NOW »
  • 2 - Enter your details on the next page.
  • 3 - Wait for confirmation before booking your flights.

Peace of mind

  • Free cancellation if you need to cancel your booking due to official government travel advice or covid-related restrictions.
  • Your booking is protected by our membership of Rejsegarantifonden (the Danish Travel Guarantee Fund).

Contact us

  • +33 - (0)4 86 65 00 20
  • contact@intura.com

More Madeira walking tours

    • 8 days
    • Walking
    • Medium
    • Self-guided
      • From January to December
  •   Accommodation choice :
      • Simple
      • /
      • Comfort
      • /
      • Charming

Highlights of the trip

  • A complete exploration of the island from East to West, and North to South
  • The freedom of the rental car to discover the island at your own pace
  •  A choice of easy, moderate or challenging hikes - to choose according to your mood and fitness level of the day
  • 4 dinners included and a free choice of local restaurants in Porto Moniz and Funchal
  • A free day in Funchal to discover the city through its many activities



    Go private or go guided ! Customize your holidays with a local specialist here 

    • 8 days
    • Walking
    • Medium
    • Self-guided
      • From January to December
  •   Accommodation choice :
      • Comfort

Highlights of the trip

  • The most emblematic walks of the island of Madeira
  •  Discover the primary laurel forest, an UNESCO World Heritage site
  •  An itinerary alternating between Levada walks and mountain walks
  • 6 dinners included
  • Daily private transfers included



    Go private or go guided ! Customize your holidays with a local specialist here 

    • 8 days
    • Walking
    • Easy
    • Self-guided
      • From January to December
  •   Accommodation choice :
      • Charming

Highlights of the trip

  • Easy hikes accessible to all, on the most emblematic sites : Sao Lorenzo, Primary forest (UNESCO Site), Pico Ruivo (1862m)
  • Overnight stay in a vineyard that produces the famous Madeira Wine
  • 5 dinners included to enjoy Madeira's culinary specialities including two meals in typical restaurants 
  • A gourmet walk through the city of Funchal, a wine tour, a visit of a cheese dairy  and a Rum factory 
  • Two nights in the picturesque village of Camara dos Lobos, celebrated in painting by its illustrious visitor: Winston Churchill


    Go private or go guided ! Customize your holidays with a local specialist here 

Gourmet walks on the flower island
      • Portugal - Madeira
      • 2 adults (2x1300€)
      • 0 children (0x0€)
    • 8 days
    • Charming
Total 2600 €
Deposit 820 €
Book now !