Madeira Island by Bike
Portugal Bike Tours
An unforgettable cycling adventure in the green pearl of the Atlantic Ocean
- Tour Type
- Skill Level
- Length7 days
- Prices from€1250 Rates
Overview
Madeira Island, famous for its landscapes and legendary wine, is the perfect setting for this epic bike tour! Embellished by everything that nature has to offer, this is a place so magnificent that words are not enough to describe it.
Admire the typical houses of Santana, dive into the natural pools of Porto Moniz, and discover the beautiful gardens of Funchal. An unforgettable bike tour that showcases the best cuisine, scenery, and cycling!
Highlights
- Stunning views over the ocean
- Laurissilva Forest, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Porto Moniz natural swimming pools
- Santana’s traditional Madeiran houses
- Funchal, a 500-year-old city & birthplace of Cristiano Ronaldo
- Gastronomy, fresh fish, and local products
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival to Santa Cruz
Day 2: Santa Cruz - Camacha - Porto da Cruz (Santana), 15 or 23 mi. (25 or 38 km)
Day 3: Santana - São Vicente, 17 mi. (27 km)
Day 4: São Vicente - Porto Moniz, 22 or 27 mi. (35 or 43 km)
Day 5: Porto Moniz - Ponta do Sol, 32 or 35 mi. (51 or 57 km)
Day 6: Ribeira Brava - Funchal, 22 mi. (36 km)
Day 7: Departure from FunchalDay 1: Arrival to Santa Cruz
You will be transported from Funchal Airport to the hotel at Santa Cruz Village (15 minutes). Here you will be briefed on the tour once you finish your check-in. Depending on your arrival time, we suggest you take a taxi (at your own expense) and visit the tip of the island, Ponta de São Lourenço. Here you will find some of the finest cliff scenery on Madeira island. A sunset here is the perfect welcome to the Island.Sample hotel: Santa Cruz Village
Day 2: Santa Cruz - Camacha - Porto da Cruz (Santana), 15 or 23 mi. (25 or 38 km)
After a traditional breakfast, a short transfer (20 minutes) will take you to Camacha where you'll begin pedaling. An incredible panoramic route awaits you, taking you through some of the most beautiful Island roads until Porto da Cruz, a village known to house one of the last rum distilleries on the island. Once there, you can take a car transfer to the hotel (15 minutes), or you can continue cycling. For those who continue on the bike, the last few miles are challenging, but are certainly worth the impressive views. The day ends at Santana, whose small A-frame houses adorn many postcards.Elevation gain: 300m or 1000m
Sample hotel: O Colmo
Day 3: Santana - São Vicente, 17 mi. (27 km)
It's time to continue exploring this beautiful island. Today, you will leave Santana and ride towards São Vicente, a tiny village located on the north coast of the island. You will follow secondary roads along the coast, between charming villages and stunning viewpoints at every turn. São Vicente was one of the first places to be occupied back in the 15th century. It is now fast becoming a popular surf spot thanks to a pebble beach with excellent conditions, calling surfers from far and wide.Elevation gain: 1100m
Sample hotel: Monte Mar Palace Hotel
Day 4: São Vicente - Porto Moniz, 22 or 27 mi. (35 or 54 km)
Today, you will explore the mountains! The day begins with an optional short transfer (10 minutes) to Boca da Ecumeada that you won´t need in case you go for the long route. Starting from the heart of the island you will conquer the mountains while cycling between the clouds and the sky. The goal is to reach the ocean and find one of the most idyllic spots on the northwest tip of Madeira Island, the natural pools of Porto Moniz. Although challenging, this stage will be a tremendous scenic route, where all the landscapes are breathtaking. Can you imagine such an experience? And then, at the end of the day, you can make it even more special, enjoying a bath in the famous swimming pools or tasting the delicious local cuisine.Elevation gain: 700m or 2000m
Sample hotel: Aqua Natura Bay
Day 5: Porto Moniz - Ponta do Sol, 32 or 35 mi. (51 or 57 km)
Since having started on the eastern side and crossing the north face of the island, today you will cycle along the west coast. Madeira is not very wide but you'll find that this place is full of surprises! Today, for example, the scenery will astound you. You will ride between forest roads and typical hamlets until reaching Calheta, a charming town known for its warmth and sun-filled days. Consider visiting the sugar cane mill and museum, where you can learn about Madeira's old traditions. To reach Calheta, you can choose between a long and a short route. Depending on what you choose, there is a transfer required before you begin cycling (10 minutes).Elevation gain: 1200m or 1700m
Sample hotel: Estalagem da Ponta do Sol
Day 6: Ribeira Brava - Funchal, 22 mi. (36 km)
On this last day of cycling, you will ride towards Funchal, one of the oldest cities on the island. On the way, you will visit the highest seacliff in Europe and the second highest in the world: Cape Girão. At an elevation of 580m and famous for its suspended glass platform. As you approach your final destination, you can also visit Câmara de Lobos, a traditional fishing village that inspired Sir Winston Churchill to paint its lovely surroundings.Elevation gain: 900m
Sample hotel: Castanheiro Boutique Hotel
Day 7: Departure from Funchal
Your tour comes to an end with a 30-minute transfer to the airport. Consider staying extra nights on this exquisite island.Love Madeira Island? Check out our hiking tour or other tours in Portugal!
Map
Accommodation
You will stay in very nice 3- and 4-star hotels. A sample hotel list can be found in the day-to-day itinerary.
Inclusions
What’s Included
- Accommodations for 6 nights
- Breakfasts
- Arrival and departure transfer (to/from Funchal Airport)
- Welcome briefing and personal bike fitting
- Hybrid trekking bike with helmet, handlebar bag and rear rack with pannier
- Luggage transfers
- Transfers as mentioned in the itinerary (Day 2 & 6)
- Navigation app
- Local support number in case of emergencies
What’s Not Included
- Travel to the island
- Lunches and dinners
- Tips
- City taxes (€0-3 per person/night, payable locally in cash)
- Travel Insurance
- Bike Protection
Dates & Pricing
Dates
Daily arrivals possible.
Low season: January 4 up to & including March 24, April 1 up to & including April 24, and October 29 up to & including November 27, 2024
Mid season: May 10 up to & including June 26 and September 27 up to & including October 28, 2024
Easter/flower season: March 25 through March 31 and April 25 up to & including May 10, 2024
High season: June 27 up to & including September 26, 2024Please Note
- Rates are per person, based on double occupancy
- Tour prices are based on the fuel costs at time prices are set, often months or years in advance. In rare cases, additional fees may apply for fuel cost increases.
- Information to read before you book
- We recommend purchasing trip insurance
- Please see our FAQ
Pricing
Daily arrivals possible.
Low season: January 4 up to & including March 24, April 1 up to & including April 24, and October 29 up to & including November 27, 2024
Mid season: May 10 up to & including June 26 and September 27 up to & including October 28, 2024
Easter/flower season: March 25 through March 31 and April 25 up to & including May 10, 2024
High season: June 27 up to & including September 26, 2024Self-guided
Twin/double Single suppl. Solo traveler suppl. Low season $ 2093 £ 1090 $ 1,876 € 1250 kr 191191 ₪ 5132 ¥ 212183 Mex$ 23208 NZ$ 2303 NOK 15079 zł 5515 S$ 1859 kr 14925 $ 1,367 $ 552 £ 288 $ 495 € 330 kr 50474 ₪ 1355 ¥ 56016 Mex$ 6127 NZ$ 608 NOK 3981 zł 1456 S$ 491 kr 3940 $ 361 $ 837 £ 436 $ 751 € 500 kr 76476 ₪ 2053 ¥ 84873 Mex$ 9283 NZ$ 921 NOK 6032 zł 2206 S$ 744 kr 5970 $ 547 Mid season $ 2176 £ 1134 $ 1,951 € 1300 kr 198839 ₪ 5338 ¥ 220670 Mex$ 24136 NZ$ 2395 NOK 15682 zł 5736 S$ 1934 kr 15522 $ 1,421 $ 603 £ 314 $ 540 € 360 kr 55063 ₪ 1478 ¥ 61109 Mex$ 6684 NZ$ 663 NOK 4343 zł 1588 S$ 535 kr 4298 $ 394 $ 837 £ 436 $ 751 € 500 kr 76476 ₪ 2053 ¥ 84873 Mex$ 9283 NZ$ 921 NOK 6032 zł 2206 S$ 744 kr 5970 $ 547 Easter season $ 2344 £ 1221 $ 2,102 € 1400 kr 214134 ₪ 5748 ¥ 237645 Mex$ 25992 NZ$ 2580 NOK 16889 zł 6177 S$ 2082 kr 16716 $ 1,531 $ 720 £ 375 $ 645 € 430 kr 65770 ₪ 1766 ¥ 72991 Mex$ 7983 NZ$ 792 NOK 5187 zł 1897 S$ 640 kr 5134 $ 470 € $ 837 £ 436 $ 751 € 500 kr 76476 ₪ 2053 ¥ 84873 Mex$ 9283 NZ$ 921 NOK 6032 zł 2206 S$ 744 kr 5970 $ 547 High season $ 2260 £ 1177 $ 2,027 € 1350 kr 206486 ₪ 5543 ¥ 229157 Mex$ 25064 NZ$ 2487 NOK 16286 zł 5956 S$ 2008 kr 16119 $ 1,476 $ 636 £ 331 $ 570 € 380 kr 58122 ₪ 1560 ¥ 64504 Mex$ 7055 NZ$ 700 NOK 4584 zł 1677 S$ 565 kr 4537 $ 415 $ 837 £ 436 $ 751 € 500 kr 76476 ₪ 2053 ¥ 84873 Mex$ 9283 NZ$ 921 NOK 6032 zł 2206 S$ 744 kr 5970 $ 547 Extra Options
Electric bike $ 167 £ 87 $ 150 € 100 kr 15295 ₪ 411 ¥ 16975 Mex$ 1857 NZ$ 184 NOK 1206 zł 441 S$ 149 kr 1194 $ 109
Pre-loaded GPS device $ 84 £ 44 $ 75 € 50 kr 7648 ₪ 205 ¥ 8487 Mex$ 928 NZ$ 92 NOK 603 zł 221 S$ 74 kr 597 $ 55
Extra nights: Please ask!
Extra Info
Skill Level — Moderate
This bike tour in Madeira is rated as moderate. The terrain is hilly, so riders should be accustomed to climbs and mileage ranging from 15 to 35 miles. the entire route is 100% asphalt. Elevation charts are available upon request.
Airport Info
Fly to Cristiano Ronaldo Madeira International Airport, commonly known as Madeira Airport or Funchal Airport (FNC).
Local Travel
Airport transfers to and from your hotel are included. Please inform us of your flight information upon or shortly after booking!
Climate
Madeira generally has a very mild and moderated subtropical climate. Summers are dry and warm. On the other hand, winter months are mildly cool and wet because of the increase in precipitation. The temperatures year-round are never extreme, never uncomfortably hot nor uncomfortably cold. The temperature does not reach extreme points. The summer months are not horribly hot while the winter months do not bring intolerable cold. The average temperature is between 61 and 74 degrees Fahrenheit. Please check local conditions before your arrival.
Recommended
While we provide digital navigation for download as part of the tour package, consider reserving a pre-loaded GPS unit which takes all the hassle out of directions. Please see pricing.
Extra Stay
Extra nights can be added before or after your tour start, don’t hesitate to ask!
Tour Operator
This tour is run by Portugal Nature Trails.
We value the strong relationship we have with our local partners and the services we provide.
We are not a broker.
We do not inflate tour prices.
We are simply travelers helping travelers.Would you like to learn more About Us? How about What Makes Us Different than other companies?
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