GuardTrailsPortugal · July
As you asked
Lush Valleys & Coastal Strolls
The route that sticks closest to what you asked for.
A balanced exploration of Madeira's lush valleys and coastal villages, featuring moderate hiking and cultural strolls.
- days7
- bases3
- stages6
- nights6
- transfer days2
- stage to stage135 km
- at the wheel, day by day4 h 53
Who this itinerary is for
This itinerary suits a traveller looking for: a trip in July, days of walking, a day hike and a village stroll.
The area
the sunny south coast and the lush northern levadas
The map
Loading the map…
The days at a glance
One line per day: where you sleep, what the day is, the road, and how its time is split.
| Day | Evening base | The day | Road | Time of the day |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Day1 | Evening base : Funchal | ArrivalFunchal, arrival | Road 20 min | |
| Day2 | Evening base : Funchal | Day excursionRibeiro Frio Balcões | Road 51 min | |
| Day3 | Evening base : São Jorge | TransferLevada do Rei | Road 54 min | |
| Day4 | Evening base : São Jorge | Day on siteLevada do Rei | — | |
| Day5 | Evening base : Calheta | TransferLevada do Alecrim | Road 1 h 10 | |
| Day6 | Evening base : Calheta | Day excursionPonta do Sol Coastal Stroll | Road 36 min | |
| Day7 | — | DepartureFunchal, departure | Road 1 h 02 |
- programme
- road
- free time
12.0 h usable every day
Good to know
What it leaves aside
Bypasses the high-altitude volcanic ridge traverse (Arieiro-Ruivo) due to its steepness and exposure.
Places it did not keep
Pico do Arieiro · Ponta de São Lourenço
Getting there
Fly to Cristiano Ronaldo International Airport (FNC), 20 min by road from the start.
Where you sleep
The area offers a variety of accommodations including hotels, guesthouses, and mountain lodges, and it is highly recommended to book well in advance during the peak tourist season.
Safety
Portugal: no warning from the UK authorities (FCDO). Advice of 2026-08-11 · Official advice
Check before booking and before taking out insurance: the advice may have changed since.
Why this version, the cost in detail and the sources are on the method page. Read the method →
When, and for how long
How long?
- You ask for
- 7days
- The area needs, at least
- 6days
- Days kept
- 7days
Travelling in July.
The climate — July
- Daily high, 1 day in 4 is hotter
- 27 °C
- Daily high, 1 day in 20 is hotter
- 29 °C
- Unfavourable day
- 0%
- Windy day
- 3%
Rain, wind and temperature are measured over the 8 h in the middle of the day, on a historical baseline of 40 observations (Open-Meteo). It is a measuring window, not the length of your day: each day of the programme counts 12 h of usable time.
The itinerary, day by day
6 stages over 7 days, in the order of the days. A stage appears on the day you first reach it: you sleep several nights at some, and a day trip leaves from your base and brings you back to it. Each day has its own page.
Every day of this trip has 12 h of usable time. Room to breathe — we have not padded these days to fill them: the free time left is part of the trip.
- Day 1ARRIVALFunchal, arrival · night in Funchal2 h 30 planned · 20 min on the roadSee the day →
Stage 2 · Ribeiro Frio
Ribeiro Frio Balcões
Day trip from Funchal · no night here · climate favourable
- Day 2EXCURSIONfrom Funchal → Ribeiro Frio Balcões9 h planned · 51 min on the roadSee the day →
Stage 3 · São Jorge
Levada do Rei
We sleep at King's villa Madeira, 1.1 km away
2 nights · climate favourable
- Day 3Levada do Rei · night in São Jorge7 h planned · 54 min on the roadSee the day →
- Day 4AT BASELevada do Rei · night in São Jorge6 h plannedSee the day →
Stage 4 · Calheta
Levada do Alecrim
We sleep at Refúgio do Lourinho, 3.1 km away
2 nights · climate favourable
- Day 5Levada do Alecrim · night in Calheta9 h planned · 1 h 10 on the roadSee the day →
Stage 5 · Ponta do Sol
Ponta do Sol Coastal Stroll
Day trip from Calheta · no night here · climate favourable
- Day 6EXCURSIONfrom Calheta → Ponta do Sol Coastal Stroll9 h planned · 36 min on the roadSee the day →
- Day 7DEPARTUREFunchal, departure · end of the trip2 h 30 planned · 1 h 02 on the roadSee the day →
What it costs, roughly
€551 to €860 per person
€79 to €123 per day
Based on: 2 people.
The cost estimate and the availability of accommodation, transport and activities are as of 6 November 2026: prices and availability change over time.
Where the money goes, and how this figure is obtained →What the review flagged
Our automatic checks flag these points to verify before booking.
- Days 4 and 5: the programme review flags a point to check (bothersome).
The method
Why this version, what sets it apart from the others, the cost in detail, the interest of the places, the automatic review and the sources.
Read the method →