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What to expect

Santana

Santana

Natural beauty & rural culture

Sexial

Sexial

Natural pools & black sand beaches

Funchal

Funchal

Markets, wine tasting & scenic rides

Monte

Monte

Lush gardens & historic landmarks

About this trip...

Join Solos as we head to Madeira, a Portuguese archipelago in the Atlantic Ocean and known for its stunning landscapes, lush green mountains, and vibrant culture. Starting in Funchal's charming old town and pristine squares, we head above the city to Monte to explore its gardens, waterfalls and breathtaking views. Covering the east and the west side of the island, join your fellow solo travelers to discover dramatic landscapes, picturesque villages and stunning scenery on this incredible guided group tour of Madeira.
Activity Level: Activity Level Rating
What's this?

What's included

  • Airport Transfers
  • Room for sole use
  • Half board and three lunches
  • City tour of Funchal
  • Full day excursion discovering Western Madeira
  • Visit the garden in Monte
  • Full day excursion discovering Eastern Madeira
  • Witness the spectacular scenery of Eira do Serrado
  • Accompanying Solos Tour Leader

What's extra:

  • City tax is currently 2,00 euros per pax/night, paid locally.
  • International flights are not included
  • Travel insurance
  • Tips & drinks
  • Meals when not included in the itinerary
  • Activities when not included in the itinerary

Itinerary

  • Arrival day
  • Funchal
  • Western Madeira
  • Monte
  • Eastern Madeira
  • Free day
  • Eira do Serrado
  • Return home

What you'll be doing

Day One: Arrive into Madeira

Day One: Arrive into Madeira

Today we arrive into Funchal, the capital of Madeira, and transfer to our hotel. We gather later today for a welcome drink and dinner. 

  • Dinner included
Day Two: Funchal

Day Two: Funchal

This morning we will be exploring Funchal. The bustling port city has kept its authentic character which we will witness as we wander past baroque churches, picturesque squares and colonial houses. Mercado dos Lavradores, a vibrant market with fresh produce, flowers, and local crafts. We visit an embroidery workplace and experience a Madeira Wine tasting. 
 
This afternoon we will have free time to explore further. A popular attraction is the Funchal Cable Car, a scenic ride offering panoramic views over the city and coastline.
 
  • Breakfast & dinner included
Day Three: Western Madeira

Day Three: Western Madeira

We have a full day exploring the western side of this fascinating island where we can expect breathtaking landscapes. We start the day visiting Câmara de Lobos - a picturesque fishing village just west of Funchal, Madeira. It's famous for its colorful fishing boats, stunning coastal views, and connection to Winston Churchill, who once painted its landscape. From here we head to Cabo Girão, one of Europe's highest sea cliffs, with a glass-floored viewpoint. We will take the Encumeada, a stunning mountain pass, to the beautiful coastal village of Sexial, known for its dramatic landscapes, natural pools, and black sand beach. It’s a quieter, more authentic alternative to the busier areas of the island. Our next stop will be Porto Moniz, famous for its natural volcanic pools, rugged scenery and breathtaking ocean views.

 
After lunch, we continue onwards to the largest and highest plateau on the island, Paul da Serra then to Madalena do Mar, a charming seaside village on Madeira’s southwest coast, known for its banana plantations. We will return to Funchal for dinner.
 
  • Breakfast, lunch & dinner included

Day Four: Monte

Day Four: Monte

Today we head above Funchal to the beautiful hillside parish above Funchal, known for its lush gardens, historic landmarks, and the famous Monte Toboggan Ride. It’s one of Madeira’s most iconic spots, offering sensational views. We visit the Monte Palace Tropical Garden - a breathtaking garden with exotic plants, waterfalls, koi ponds, and stunning tile art. We will also pay a visit to Nossa Senhora do Monte Church, a beautiful church where Emperor Charles I of Austria is buried. Those who wish to choose, can descend back down to Funchal by the famous toboggan (paid locally). 

 
This afternoon we have free time to relax or explore further. 
 
  • Breakfast, lunch & dinner included

Day Five: Eastern Madeira

Day Five: Eastern Madeira

We have another full day exploring today as we begin the day at one of the island's highest points, Pico do Arieiro, standing at 1,818 meters offering breathtaking views, dramatic landscapes. We head onto Ribeiro Frio for the starting point of the popular Levada dos Balcões walk, offering incredible panoramic views of the valley, forests, and mountains. It’s a relatively short and easy hike, perfect for all levels. We will drive to the stunning rock formation of Penha de Águia and have lunch at Santana, known for its traditional thatched houses and stunning natural landscapes. It offers visitors a glimpse of Madeira’s rural culture. 

 
Making our way back to Funchal, we will stop at Porto da Cruz Sugar Cane Rum Distillery. Porto da Cruz is known for its traditional rum distillery and we will get to try some of the rum too. On the way back, we will also enjoy a visit to the Cristo Rei monument. 
 
  • Breakfast, lunch & dinner included

Day Six: Free Day

Day Six: Free Day

After a busy few days exploring, today we have a free day to spend as we wish. We can relax around the hotel, walk along the seafront or Funchal is close to some of the most famous levada trails on the island, such as the Levada do Rei and Levada dos Tornos, offering incredible hikes through the island's beautiful landscapes for those who want to hit the trails.


  • Breakfast & dinner included 

Day Seven: Eira do Serrado

Day Seven: Eira do Serrado

Today we head back into the mountains of Madeira. We take a unique winding road to an altitude of 1049m in Eira do Serrado located in the central mountains of Madeira, offering some of the most dramatic landscapes on the island. From the viewpoint, we can see the picturesque Curral das Freiras village nestled in the valley below, surrounded by the towering peaks of the central mountains. The sight is especially breathtaking on clear days, with lush green slopes and dramatic cliffs. The small village of Curral das Freiras (Valley of the Nuns), was historically a place of refuge for nuns fleeing from pirate attacks.


  • Breakfast & dinner included

Day Eight: Return home

Day Eight: Return home

We gather one final time for breakfast before making our way back to Funchal Airport for our flight home. 


  • Breakfast included

Accommodation

Vila Baleira Funchal Four-star

The hotel is located in the heart of Funchal's Lido area with many restaurants, bars and shops in the area, just a 30 minute walk into the city centre.
The hotel has an outdoor and indoor swimming pool, sun terrace, a bar, a restaurant, a gym and views of the Atlantic Ocean.
Each rooms have air conditioning, a private bathroom, a hairdryer, a TV, a mini bar and free WiFi.

Dates & Prices

Departure Return Nights Price from Other Info Regional flights
16 Mar 2026 23 Mar 2026 7
$2780
  

Essential Information

Transfer time
Transfer time from Funchal Airport to the hotel is approximately 25 minutes.
General Information

Please note: At the beginning of your trip, your Tour Leader will ask if you would be happy to sign a photo permission form. This means that any photographs taken during your holiday can be used by Solos to share what the Solos experience is all about. It also means you have lots of memories to go home with! Details will be given at your welcome meeting.

WhatsApp Group: Just before the start of your trip, you will be sent an invite to the WhatsApp group which will put you in touch with your fellow Solos travellers and Tour Leader prior to your departure day. By choosing to join, you're consenting to share your contact details with other members of your group. However, if you prefer not to join, that's completely fine, and you can meet the group on your first day instead. Please note, if you have not received an email within 24 hours of departure, we recommend you check your email junk folder.

Dress Code
The dress code for during the day is casual. It can be windy and temperature might drop when at altitude so a light windproof jacket might be useful. In the evenings the dress code is smart casual. Comfortable shoes for walking and sightseeing are recommended.
Gratuities
There is often confusion on the question of gratuities, since it frequently depends on the type of holiday, location and, of course, your attitude towards tipping, as to what is normally expected. To give you a rough idea, we have given appropriate guidance below. The Tour Leader will be on hand to offer advice or suggestions if required but gratuities are offered entirely at the sole discretion of the individual. We suggest a group collection at the beginning of your holiday to cover drivers, guides, porters and hotel staff of approximately €15. Your Tour Leader will collect this on your behalf and distribute it accordingly, thus relieving you of the burden of who, when and how much to tip.
Passport, Visa & Entry Requirement
We recommend that you check passport and visa requirements for the country you are visiting at the State Department if you have a U.S. Passport. Most countries require that your passport have at least six months validity when traveling internationally, and many require that you have one to two blank visa pages for either an entry stamp or visa. As a general rule, please check that your passport has six months validity beyond your planned trip, and if not, please renew your passport with plenty of time to provide Solos with your updated passport information by the final payment due date.
Health requirements
We recommend that you check if vaccinations are required for your destination at the CDC’s recommendations for your visited destination(s). We also recommend you purchase travel protection. A travel protection plan can often assist with medical emergencies and reimburse costs that are covered by the plan. Please verify coverage details with Solos before you travel.
Currency
Euro
Important information
A reasonable level of fitness/mobility is required as we include plenty of sightseeing/travelling. Itinerary is subject to change according to traffic, weather conditions and other unforeseen circumstances beyond control.

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