Madeira: round trip

Pearl of the Atlantic Ocean

Enjoy beautiful landscapes, a mild climate, colorful folklore and a seductive gastronomy. Watered by the warmth of the Gulf Stream, Madeira is famous all over the world for its natural beauty. The island is often referred to as the "floating garden of the Atlantic". In addition to the fantastic natural landscapes, there are a variety of magnificent gardens and parks with exceptional flowers, plants and trees. In 2000, Madeira won the gold medal in the European competition 'Blossoming Cities and Villages'. On beautiful panoramic roads, you will circle almost the entire island. Where it is too mountainous, we help with transfers. Roads that are more crowded will be only cycled for short sections. Nevertheless, several longer climbs have to be mastered daily, therefore a good basic condition is necessary as well as a safe handling of the bike during long and partly steep descents. Let yourself be inspired by pure nature, quiet bays, spectacular cliffs, colorful markets, picturesque squares, bizarre lava rocks, refined terraces - simply from the incredible beauty of the island.

1. day Canico Madeira Arrival

Today you arrive at the hotel, located directly at the beach. Enjoy your hotel stay. In the evening you will be greeted by your carer and informed about the trip.

2. day Caniço – Porto da Cruz approx. 25 km + transfer

Transfer to the small village of Camacha, which is famous for its wickerwork art. After a nice welcome and bicycle adjustment you ride on a beautiful mountain road to the east coast. Enjoy magnificent views and look forward to the small fishing village of Porto da Cruz. Relax on the volcano sand beach and visit one of the last working sugar cane mills in the afternoon.

3. day Porto da Cruz – Sao Vicente/surrounding approx. 40 km + transfer

A bus transfer will take you up to Santana. Before your ride you should visit the landmark of Madeira: the traditional, thatched farmhouses. The most of the farm houses in Santana have been lovingly restored. On a splendid country road you cycle through small, charming villages to the pretty village of Sao Vicente, located in one of the most beautiful valleys of Madeira. The place, named after St. Vincent, is located on the seafront and also famous for its 400,000-year-old Caves. You should also visit the church of St. Vincent with its magnificent ceiling paintings.

4. day Sao Vicente/surrounding – Porto Moniz approx. 35 km + transfer

Enjoy the transfer, which takes you comfortably to the high plateau of Paúl da Serra. Enjoy cycling over the high road before a long descent brings you to the west coast of the island. Admire spectacular views and look forward to Porto Moniz, known for its natural swimming pools. Here, the sea of black lava rock formed smaller and larger basins, shallow bathing pools, whose crystal-clear water is constantly exchanged by the flood.

5. day Porto Moniz – Calheta approx. 45 km

A wonderful cycling day along the west coast awaits you today. Fragrant forests, small villages, breathtaking views of the sea, a new photo-motif after each curve. Today, you definitely know why Madeira is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

6. day Calheta – Funchal approx. 50 km

In the morning you follow the coastal road to Ribeira Brava. Now your muscular strength is required, as you cycle to the most spectacular viewpoint on the island. On top of the probably highest cliff wall in the world, a glass platform was erected at Cabo Girao 580 m above sea level. The view is absolutely incredible. A long descent will take you back to the coast. Enjoy the capital of the island, surrounded by banana plantations, the sunny coast and imposing mountains. Colorful and lively, the city presents itself and trys everything to fullfill your evening wishes.

7. day Funchal Excursion Monte 0 km

Today a cable car takes you to Monte, a popular excursion destination. Here you will find many beautiful photo-motives. Magnificent houses, the pilgrimage church of Nossa Senhora do Monte and Monte Palace Tropical Garden, one of the most beautiful and versatile gardens on the island! It offers a variety of tropical and subtropical plants, ponds, fountains, sculptures and one of the most important collections of tiles in Portugal. For the return journey, a special pleasure awaits you: in a basket sled slide down into the valley!

8. day Departure or Extension

Today your trip ends in Funchal after breakfast. We recommend to book an extension on this beautiful island.

Worthknowing about the Madeira round trip

Below please find more information about your bike trip. If you have any further questions please feel free to contact us by phone: 0049 - (0)6421-886890.

Arrival by plane

You can arrive by plane at the airport of Madeira (FNC). We recommend to take a taxi to the hotel. The trip is about 15 Minutes. For the way back to the airport please take a taxi (25 Minutes). As an alternative you may take a bus shuttle (30 Minutes).

Lufthansa

TAP

shuttle bus

Touring information and rental bike

The personal tour information is on the day of arrival in the hotel. Any changes will be announced upon arrival at the reception. The bike handover is after the transfer to Camacha on the first day of cycling!

Condition of the bike paths

You cycle on minor roads, only on short sections on heavier roads. We offer transfers for the most steepest and longest climbs. Nevertheless, several, even longer slopes are to be mastered every day. Due to the topography and because of the long, partly steep descents we recommend a good basic condition and a safe driving.

Available rental bikes

You can choose between 21-speed gear shift and freewheel and  8-speed unisex electric bikes and men's bikes in different frame heights are also available on inquiry. You simply specify your wishes at time of booking.

Weather and climate

Madeira has different climate zones. The north is precipitous and very lush. The south is characterized by subtropical climate and therefore somewhat drier and sunny.
The island is bathed by warm Gulf Stream. In general, the weather in Madeira is mild throughout the year with pleasant temperatures around 20 degrees Celsius.

Special dates

Special dates are possible on request.

Our tip for january and february

Madeira Carnival brings together the best of Carnival from around the world. With subtropical temperatures, colorful Samba groups with countless participants and ornate costumes make their way through Funchal on Carnival Saturday. Everyone can participate in the fool's parade on Shrove Tuesday. The sometimes daring costumes and illustrated caricatures are left entirely to their own imagination. Both parades end in the town hall square in the city center, where live music and costume competitions serve as entertainment. One month before the carnival highlight, the most famous carnival groups visit the various hotels to entertain the guests.

Carnival

Costs which are note included in the travel price

A possibly resulting tourist tax is not part of the travel price and therefore it has to be paid locally in the Hotel.

Corona travel information

Before booking your trip, please inform yourself about the measures in place to contain the Corona pandemic. Approximately 3 weeks prior to arrival, you will receive from us, together with the travel documents, the current information at that time regarding rules and regulations concerning Corona on your trip.

An up-to-date overview of applicable measures and travel and safety advice regarding Covid-19 for all countries in the EU and Switzerland can be found here:
https://reopen.europa.eu/en/

Passport and visa requirements, health regulations

For EU citizens, there are no special passport or visa requirements and no health formalities to be considered for this trip.

Corona travel information:
Before booking your trip, please inform yourself about the measures in place to contain the Corona pandemic.

An up-to-date overview of applicable measures and travel and safety advice regarding Covid-19 for all countries in the EU and Switzerland can be found here:
https://reopen.europa.eu/en/

You can also find more information on our website at:
Corona virus and holiday planning

Travel insurance

The tour price already includes the statutory insolvency insurance. In addition, we recommend that you take out travel cancellation insurance upon receipt of your travel confirmation in order to protect yourself against financial disadvantages in the event of travel cancellation, interruption of travel, illness or accident.

Madeira

The island of Madeira is one of Europe's most beautiful tourist destination. Many thousands visitors come back every year.
Madeira offers not only a year-round climate and a wonderful fauna and flora - Madeira is also free of crime and one of the safest destination in the world!
Beautiful parks and gardens with exotic sea flowers. Landscapes with blue sea and towering cliffs over rural villages in quiet Valleys. Truly magnificent views to steep mountains, whose peaks are higher than the peaks of Scotland!

Madeira

Porto da Cruz

Porto da Cruz "Port of the Cross" is a charming village on the north coast of Madeira. It is named after the cross erected on the shore to indicate the harbor to the Portuguese explorers. One of the agricultural products cultivated here was sugar cane, although the production plant is still in operation and - as in 1927 - mainly produces rum and honey molasses. Besides sugar cane, it also produces a dry red wine known as "vinho seco". This was very popular and theres is a grape festival every year.

Porto da Cruz

São Vicente

São Vicente is a pretty village in the north of Madeira in one of the most beautiful valleys. The caves of São Vicente, the "Gruta de São Vicente" are the best lava caves found in Madeira. This is the result of an eruption that was around 400,000 years ago. However, the caves were not discovered until 1865. Enjoy a guided tour with an expert through the caves and learn about their origins.
Also interesting is the main church of São Vicente in the middle of the village. It is dedicated to Saint Vincent and was built in the 17th century. There are excellent ceiling paintings, the Saint Vinzent blessing the village in a picture.

São Vicente

Porto Moniz

Porto Moniz is a small and pretty town at the north-western point of Madeira. It is known for the natural volcanic pools and therefore popular for locals and tourists in summer. The historical fortress João Batista was created in 1730 to protect against pirate attacks. Now is in the building the Madeira Aquarium with more than 70 typical species.

Porto Moniz

Calheta

Calheta is located on the southwest coast and is a very popular meeting place for tourists on Madeira. Here there is a beautiful small marina and two man-made sandy beaches. Calheta is also famous for producing the best white rum, the 'Aguardente', which is included in the 'Poncha', the typical drink of Madeira. If you are interested in how the white rum is made, we recommend a tour of the "Engenho da Calheta" rum burner, where you can taste the product.

Calheta

Cabo Girão

Cabo Girão is one of Madeira's most famous tourist attractions, with more than 1.800 visitors a day. The area has been build up, the street has been expanded and shops and parking lots have been created. The platform, which stands out over the coast at the viewpoint, was built in glass and iron and offers tourists a breathtaking experience and wonderful views. With 580 meters above sea level Cabo Girão is the second highest steep cliff in the world with a breathtaking view.

Cabo Girão

Funchal

Funchal is the largest and most densely populated city in Madeira. The magnificent bay and the surrounding mountains make it one of the most beautiful cities in Portugal. Funchal was named after the fennel spice "Funcho" found in the discovery of the island. Today, this spice is used to make the famous fennel sweets, the 'Rebuçados de Funcho', which is found all over the island. Funchal is clean and modern and, historically speaking, was the main port in Madeira, today being used mainly by cruise ships.

Funchal

Monte Toboggan Rides Funchal

The first basket-sledges, originally introduced as a fast transport to Funchal for the inhabitants of Montes, emerged around 1850.
Still in use today, they attract thousands of tourists every year, who want to expose themselves to these thrill with high speed on the narrow, curvy streets to Funchal. These two-seat basket sleds glide on wooden runners, pushed and controlled by two men, traditionally dressed in white linen clothing and a straw hat, which use the rubber soles of their boots as brakes.

Monte Toboggan Rides Funchal

Porto Santo

The island of Porto Santo is about 40 km from Madeira away. The island has a long, sandy and golden beach, which attracts not only foreign tourists, but also attracts the inhabitants of Madeira. The neighboring island of Madeira can be visited by ferry costs about 60 EUR per person for round trip.

Porto Santo