Routes · Europe

Shanghai to Madeira: Funchal and Porto Moniz

Shanghai → Funchal → Porto Moniz

Levada walks & volcanic pools Best season (general guide): Apr–Oct

Madeira, a Portuguese island in the Atlantic, is a mountain of flowers and forests with a mild climate. This route spends four nights in Funchal and two at Porto Moniz. From Shanghai you'll connect via Lisbon to Funchal. UNESCO lists the Laurisilva of Madeira, the largest surviving area of laurel forest, which once covered much of southern Europe.

How to pace it: Spend days one to four in Funchal: day one, the old town; day two, market and cable car to Monte; day three, levada walk; day four, Pico Ruivo. Then spend days five and six in Porto Moniz: day five, drive to the north coast; day six, natural pools and Seixal.

Levadas, narrow irrigation channels, wind across the mountains, and paths beside them make some of the island's best walks. Funchal's market sells exotic fruit and fish, and a cable car climbs to Monte, with tropical gardens. Pico Ruivo, the highest peak, is reached by a trail from Pico do Arieiro along a dramatic ridge. Porto Moniz, on the north-west tip, has natural swimming pools in volcanic rock.

Madeira is the birthplace of the footballer Cristiano Ronaldo, and Funchal has a museum dedicated to him. Pico Ruivo, at 1,861 metres, is the highest point on the island. The Monte toboggans, wicker sledges steered by two drivers, have carried passengers down from Monte since the nineteenth century. Madeira wine, a fortified wine, can be tasted in Funchal's lodges.

Madeira wine is heated during ageing, a process called estufagem, which gives it a long life once opened. Madeira was discovered by Portuguese sailors in 1419. Funchal is the sixth-largest city in Portugal, a popular destination for New Year's Eve and the country's leading port for cruise ships.

Practical notes: April to October is the warmest season, though the island is mild all year. The levadas were built from the fifteenth century to carry water from the rainy north to the farms of the south, and they run for more than 2,000 kilometres.

Safety: Canada's advice for Portugal is to exercise normal security precautions (updated 11 Aug 2026), and the US rates Portugal Level 1 (23 Dec 2025).

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