Self-Launched Madeira Hiking: Santana Levadas to Funchal Peaks

Fly into Madeira Airport (FNC). Take the SAM Aerobus (line 20/23, ~€5-8) or public bus into Funchal, then a SAM bus up the north coast to Santana (~€4-6, 1h30-2h) — or book a shared shuttle transfer for ~£15-20 if you land late. Check into a guesthouse or small posada in Santana, the village famous for its triangular thatched A-frame houses. Wander the village to see the A-frames (free to view from outside; small entry fee at the Madeira Theme Park if you want context), stock up on picnic supplies at the mini-market and check the IFCN/'WalkMe' app for tomorrow's trail conditions. Evening: simple dinner of bolo do caco and espada at a local tasca.

🚌Aerobus + SAM bus Funchal–Santana (~£10-14 total) or shared shuttle ~£15-20

🛏Guesthouse/posada in Santana (private twin or dorm), ~£20-30

• →A-frame houses of Santana (self-guided walk)
• →Picnic supply shop & trail planning

Walk the spectacular clifftop route to Boca do Risco from Machico — a 14km out-and-back along an old coastal path with vertiginous drops to the Atlantic and big views back to the São Lourenço peninsula. Get there by SAM bus from Santana to Machico (~€3-4, 45min). The trail is unsigned in places, so download the GPS track from Wikiloc or the Visit Madeira site in advance. Bring 2L of water, sun cream and a windproof layer; there's no shade and no facilities en route. Return to Santana by bus in the late afternoon, feet up, dinner in the village.

🚌SAM bus Santana–Machico return, ~£6-8

🛏Guesthouse/posada in Santana, ~£20-30

• →Boca do Risco coastal hike (14km, self-guided)
• →Machico town stroll

Early SAM bus to Funchal, then the E23 bus up to Pico do Arieiro (1,818m, Madeira's third-highest peak) — or take a shared minivan transfer if timing is tight (~£15). Hike the famous ridge path toward Pico Ruivo (the classic Vereda do Areeiro): steep ascents, scrambly sections, tunnels and staircases, with cloud-level views on a clear day. Do as much as your legs and the weather allow and turn back for the bus. If you want the full one-way traverse to Achada do Teixeira, pre-book a shared trail transfer back to Funchal (~£25-35) — many local operators run these daily. Evening: check into Funchal accommodation in the old town, dinner at the Mercado dos Lavradores end of town.

🚌SAM bus to Funchal (~£4) + E23 bus to Pico do Arieiro (~£4), optional trail transfer ~£30

🛏Hostel or budget guesthouse in Funchal old town, ~£25-35

• →Pico do Arieiro ridge hike (Vereda do Areeiro, self-guided)
• →Funchal old town evening wander

Bus to Porto da Cruz (~€4, 1h) and walk the Larano Trail — a dramatic levada-and-cliff path cut into the hillside high above the sea, with sheer drops to the Atlantic and views along the north coast. It's roughly 10km one way, so either arrange a bus pick-up at the far end (Boca do Risco junction near Machico) or walk it out and back. The path includes an exposed section with a handrail — not for vertigo sufferers. Back in Funchal by late afternoon: swim at the Lido or Praia de São Tiago, then dinner and a poncha at a bar in the Zona Velha.

🚌SAM bus Funchal–Porto da Cruz return, ~£8

🛏Hostel or budget guesthouse in Funchal, ~£25-35

• →Larano Trail clifftop hike (self-guided)
• →Funchal old town swim & poncha

Big day out west. Take the SAM bus or a shared tour van toward Rabaçal/Paul da Serra (~£10-15 each way, or join a small-group Rabaçal transfer for ~£25-30 return). Walk the Levada do Risco and Levada das 25 Fontes loop — flat, tunnel-and-waterfall levada walking through the UNESCO-listed Laurisilva subtropical forest. On the way back to Funchal, stop at Cabo Girão, one of Europe's highest sea cliffs, and step onto the glass-floored skywalk (free entry; short bus hop from Câmara de Lobos). Finish with dinner in Câmara de Lobos harbour or back in Funchal.

🚌Shared Rabaçal transfer ~£25-30 return + local bus to Cabo Girão ~£4

🛏Hostel or budget guesthouse in Funchal, ~£25-35

• →Levada do Risco / 25 Fontes walk in Laurisilva forest
• →Paul da Serra plateau
• →Cabo Girão skywalk (free)

Last morning in Funchal: coffee and a pastel de nata in the old town, a quick look at the Mercado dos Lavradores (fruit, flowers and fish market) and a stroll through the Santa Catarina park, or ride the cable car up to Monte if you have time (~£10 return). Then take the Aerobus back to the airport (~£4-6). Flights home, or extend your stay — Madeira rewards a few extra days with the Caldeirão Verde levada and the Ponta de São Lourenço loop.

🚌Aerobus to FNC airport, ~£5

🛏None (departure day)

• →Mercado dos Lavradores
• →Optional Monte cable car