Madeira Itinerary 2025

Madeira Itinerary

A guide to your trip

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Quality Christian Holidays

With so much to do in Madeira, we've put together an outline itinerary to help set the scene for your holiday. There will be options for local explorations of the gardens, markets, seafront, group lunches, evening drinks and more throughout the week. We’ll also be taking time for early morning rooftop prayers and evening times of teaching and worship. There is the opportunity to sign up in advance for more significant, bookable excursions, outlined below.

The Itinerary

We hope this itinerary will capture your interest and show you the best of Madeira, whether exploring central Madeira, spending time with others in the group on an organised excursion or enjoying a spa treatment in the hotel.

We have planned three days of fantastic excursions each week, which are available to pre-book using the booking request form at the bottom of the page. We’ve left some space in the itinerary so you can enjoy a balance of seeing more of the island on excursions and relaxing at the gorgeous Castanheiro Boutique Hotel!

Day 1 - Monday

Welcome to Madeira! We will be greeting you personally or via our wonderful transfer company from Madeira airport – look out for a Richmond sign (more information on arriving is in your pre-departure letter). We’ll help you get settled in and host our first meal to get to know one another in the evening.

Day 2 - Tuesday

For the early risers among you, we’ll have the first of our daily sunrise prayers on the rooftop. Today is about finding your feet: we’ll enjoy our first impressive breakfast and then hear about the week in a welcome meeting from your tour leaders Jerry, Ian and Jan.

We’re looking forward to exploring Funchal with an opportunity for lunch together in the Old City. We’ll finish our day with the first of our daily ministry times from Ian and Jan, followed by a three-course meal at the hotel’s fantastic Tipografia restaurant together.

Day 3 - Wednesday

Our hotel is ideally situated a short walk from the Marina, where we can take an Eco-catamaran boat trip around the island. We’ll join the morning* boat trip, and the afternoon is a great opportunity to visit the local art galleries and museums, which are plentiful in Funchal, or perhaps enjoy a wine tasting session.

Excursion - Catamaran Boat Trip

Join us on a Catamaran boat trip and enjoy the gorgeous scenery of the island from the sea and the opportunity to see marine wildlife.

Catamaran Boat Trip – £32

Departing in the morning, the tour will last approximately 3 hours with a chance to see dolphins and whales. We’ll stop for a dip in the sea if time and weather allows.

What to pack: an extra layer, towel and swimmers just in case, shoes for walking on the boat deck, a rain jacket

*Please note, the catamaran boat trip is highly weather dependent and can be rescheduled at late notice. We have built in a second contingency timeslot later in the week but cannot guarantee that the trip will be able to run, in which case you’ll be refunded your ticket price. 

Day 4 - THURSDAY

Today there are two opportunities to get further afield – either by bus or on foot. For those who are keeping rest and relaxation in mind: take time to explore the local neighborhood, enjoy the rooftop pool and spa.

Excursion - Island Tour or Levada Walk

Join us on our full day bus tour with a fantastic local guide or join the Levada walk, where our local guide will take us off the beaten track along one of the beautiful ‘levada’ waterways which are found all over the island. Transport and the expertise of a local guide are included in the price of both options.

Full Day West Island Bus Tour – £40 

Experience the best of the West! This popular island tour includes several incredible viewpoints from the Cabo Girão Skywalk to Porto Moniz, where we’ll stop for lunch and a wander (lunch not included).

Moderate Levada Walk – £42

This Levada route will be around 10-13km and take most of the day. Suitable for those used to walking and hiking.

What to pack: walking boots, an extra layer, a rain jacket and plenty of water. You’ll need to take a packed lunch with you, which can be purchased from the hotel or in town before you go.

Please note, the distance and terrain will vary depending on which Levada is the best choice on the day based on the conditions and the participants (the group may be offered a choice/recommendations by the guide). Although Levada walks are generally on level ground, proper walking boots or trail shoes are an essential safety requirement. Guides will not escort individuals wearing inappropriate footwear because there are steep drops to one side and the ground may be rough or slippery.

Northern Coast of Madeira
Levada Walk

Day 5 - Friday

Today will be a good opportunity to have a slower-paced day for those who would like it; enjoying the spa facilities at the hotel and the local area.

Funchal is home to beautiful gardens that are well worth a visit. The Tropical Garden and Botanical Gardens are accessible by bus or by cable car for a unique experience. We’re excited to see the gardens in April, which is a new season for us to be visiting the island.

For the more adventurous, the famous Wicker Toboggan Rides are available from Monte and are a unique cultural experience in Madeira!

This is also our contingency day for the Catamaran boat trip.

If there is another walk or place you’re keen to see that hasn’t been included in the itinerary, today’s the perfect opportunity. Speak to our fantastic tour leaders or the friendly and helpful Castanheiro staff for advice.

Day 6 - Saturday

After another of our daily sunrise prayers, we look forward to a hard decision: taking on Madeira by foot or heading on a half day bus trip into the mystical Valley of the Nuns.

Excursion - Levada Walk or Valley of the Nuns Bus Tour

Join the private Richmond walk, with another opportunity to experience the beautiful and unique landscapes of the island. Alternatively, join us on a bus tour to the breath-taking views of the Valley of the Nuns and stop off at Câmara de Lobos on the way home.

Half Day Valley of the Nuns Bus Tour – £30

We will take the winding roads to a viewpoint of the extinct volcano crater, in which the Valley of the Nuns is hidden, before heading down into the village itself. On the way home, look forward to stopping in the colourful fishing village of Câmara de Lobos. This is a great option if you’re less comfortable walking but want to see some more of the beautiful views the island has to offer.

Morning Levada Walk – £32

This walk will be around 5-6km and will be taken at a slower pace over the course of a morning, sticking to mostly flat terrain.

What to pack: walking shoes or boots, an extra layer, a rain jacket and plenty of water

Please note, the distance and terrain will vary depending on which Levada is the best choice on the day based on the conditions and the participants (the group may be offered a choice/recommendations by the guide). Although Levada walks are generally on level ground, proper walking boots or trail shoes are an essential safety requirement. Guides will not escort individuals wearing inappropriate footwear because there are steep drops to one side and the ground may be rough or slippery.

Sheltered Port
Levada Walk

Day 7 - Sunday

After a leisurely breakfast together, we’ll be heading out to a local English-speaking church to join with them for their Sunday service, held on the beachfront (weather permitting). There is something so special about worshipping outside with the sound of the waves and enjoying God’s beautiful creation with our Christian brothers and sisters. We’ll have a couple of different options for lunch out – or head back to Funchal for lunch and free time in the afternoon.

In the evening, we’ll come together for a celebratory drink in the hotel bar to reflect on our week together before a last delicious evening meal together at the Tipografia.

Day 8 - Monday

Departure Day! Our time together draws to a close. Take your fill of one last delightful breakfast before being taken to the airport for your flight home. Our team, alongside our brilliant partner company, will be on hand to support with the logistics of the day and get you to the airport on time.

Book My Excursions Now

We recommend booking your excursions in advance to ensure your place on the trips with limited availability.

To book, just complete this quick form. We’ll add the excursions to your booking and send you a payment link for the balance to secure your place!