Self-Launched Madeira Levada Walking Week

Land at Funchal Airport (Aeroporto da Madeira). Take SAM city bus 20/21 into Funchal (£1.70) or the Aerobus (£5) and then the SAM interurban bus 56/103 to Santana via Porto da Cruz and Faial (roughly 1h45–2h, ~£6–8). Alternatively, shared airport transfers to Santana can be booked online for ~£25–35. Settle into a guesthouse in Santana (the village is famous for its triangular thatched A-frame houses) and use the afternoon for an easy warm-up: the short coastal walk from Santana down to Calhau and along the cliff base towards São Jorge, with big Atlantic views. Visit São Jorge village and its lighthouse before heading back. Buy a picnic and water for the next day at the local mini-market.

🚌SAM bus from Funchal to Santana (~£6–8, 2h) or shared transfer (~£30)

🛏Guesthouse or small hotel in Santana (double/twin ~£40–55/night, ~£20–28 pp)

• →Coastal clifftop walk Santana to Calhau and São Jorge (~10–13km, 3.5–4h)
• →São Jorge village and lighthouse
• →Santana A-frame houses

The signature Madeira levada walk. Take a taxi or local transfer from Santana to Parque Florestal das Queimadas (10–25 min, ~£8–12 shared; taxis wait for walkers). From Queimadas follow the Levada do Caldeirão Verde through the Vale da Lapa laurisilva forest, passing through dripping rock tunnels (bring a headtorch and rain jacket) to the Caldeirão Verde waterfall amphitheatre. It's roughly 13km return, 4–5h, flat but with exposure and tunnel sections. Continue to Caldeirão do Inferno if you have energy and the weather is good. Back in Santana, eat dinner at a local restaurant or your guesthouse (espetada or grilled fish, ~£10–14).

🚌Taxi/shared transfer Santana–Queimadas (~£10 return pp)

🛏Guesthouse in Santana (~£20–28 pp)

• →Levada do Caldeirão Verde walk (13km return, ~4–5h)
• →Laurisilva forest and levada tunnels
• →Caldeirão Verde waterfall

Bus or taxi from Santana to Ribeiro Frio (SAM bus via Faial, ~£2–3, 30–40 min). Walk the Levada do Furado from Ribeiro Frio to Portela through laurel, heather and pine forest — about 11km, 3–4h, mostly level with a couple of short climbs and a tunnel near the start. From Portela continue on foot or catch a local bus to Santo da Serra for its weekend market square, where you can try traditional espetada (beef skewers on laurel sticks) for ~£8–10. Return to Santana by bus, or ask about a shared transfer if the timetable is tight.

🚌Local SAM buses Santana–Ribeiro Frio–Portela/Santo da Serra (~£4–5 total)

🛏Guesthouse in Santana (~£20–28 pp)

• →Levada do Furado walk Ribeiro Frio to Portela (11km, 3–4h)
• →Santo da Serra market square
• →Optional espetada lunch

Make your own way to Caniçal at the eastern tip of Madeira (SAM bus from Santana via Machico, ~£4, 1h15–1h45, or a shared taxi ~£25–30). Walk the Ponta de São Lourenço loop — the island's most dramatic coastal trail: bare red-and-ochre cliffs, wind-sculpted rock, Atlantic on both sides, about 7–8km return in 2.5–3h. Bring a windproof layer and plenty of water; there's a small café at the Casa do Sardinha near the end. On the way back you could stop at Machico for a swim. Alternative if the weather is wet or windy: the Levada Nova walk from Ribeiro da Santa Cruz (~9.5km, 3h) with waterfalls, reached by local bus.

🚌SAM bus Santana–Caniçal return (~£8 pp) or shared taxi

🛏Guesthouse in Santana (~£20–28 pp)

• →Ponta de São Lourenço peninsula loop walk (7–8km)
• →Machico beach stop
• →Alternative: Levada Nova waterfall walk

Check out of Santana and take the SAM bus or a shared transfer to Boa Morte in the south (Santana to Funchal ~£7, then local bus to Boa Morte ~£2; or a shared taxi ~£35–40 direct). Walk the Levada do Norte through pine and eucalyptus and past villages built on poios — the terraced farm plots that define Madeira's south coast — with easy gradients and big drops below. Finish near Cabo Girão, one of Europe's highest sea cliffs, and step onto the glass skywalk (free, ~£2–5 if you want to go up to the viewpoint platform). Continue by local bus into Funchal (~£2) and check into your Funchal accommodation. Evening stroll along the Avenida do Mar.

🚌Buses Santana–Funchal–Boa Morte–Cabo Girão (~£10–12 total), or shared taxi

🛏Hostel or budget hotel in Funchal (~£30–50/night, ~£15–25 pp)

• →Levada do Norte walk
• →Poios terraces and hillside villages
• →Cabo Girão skywalk
• →Funchal seafront evening

A rest day in Funchal. Start at the Mercado dos Lavradores near the harbour — fruit, fish and flowers, plus the famous black scabbard fish. Wander the old town's painted doors on Rua de Santa Maria, take the cable car up to Monte if you fancy it (return ~£16, or hike back down), and visit the Monte Palace Tropical Garden (~£12). In the afternoon, do the classic Reid's Hotel cream tea on the terrace above the harbour (~£15–20) or, on a budget, an ice cream on the seafront. Optional half-day east-island or whale-watching trips can be booked on GetYourGuide/Klook from Funchal harbour (~£25–45).

🚌Walking; local bus ~£1.70 if needed

🛏Hostel or budget hotel in Funchal (~£15–25 pp)

• →Mercado dos Lavradores
• →Funchal old town painted doors
• →Monte cable car and gardens (optional)
• →Reid's Palace cream tea (optional)

Flex day. Options using public transport: the bus to Ribeira Brava and Ponta do Sol for a coastal stroll (~£5 each way); the famous Pico do Arieiro to Pico Ruivo ridge hike if you're up for a big day (book a shared transfer to the trailhead and back from Funchal, ~£20–30, then hike 7–10km with 3–4h of exposure and stair sections); or a cheap day at Praia Formosa / Lido for a swim. Catch sunset from the Funchal marina or the São Tiago fortress.

🚌Local buses (~£5–10) or shared transfer for Pico Arieiro (~£25)

🛏Hostel or budget hotel in Funchal (~£15–25 pp)

• →Optional Pico do Arieiro–Pico Ruivo ridge hike
• →Ribeira Brava and Ponta do Sol coastal day
• →Praia Formosa swim

Last morning in Funchal: coffee and a pastel de nata at a local bakery (~£2.50), a final wander through the market or the Jardim Municipal, then take the SAM bus 20/21 or the Aerobus to the airport (~£2–5, 30–45 min). If you have time, book a late flight and use the day for a final swim at Praia Formosa.

🚌SAM bus or Aerobus to Funchal Airport (~£2–5)

🛏—

• →Funchal market and gardens
• →Airport transfer