Madeira Manor Houses Drive

 Santa Cruz - Solar de Bom Jesus 

Arrival in Madeira and delivery of the rental car with all documents. The Hotel Solar de Bom Jesus in Santa Cruz is just 3 km from the airport. After checking in, you can stroll through the cozy, car-free town center or along the beautiful beach promenade.

From Santa Cruz you have many options for great excursions. Discover the lively capital Funchal, drive to the third highest mountain in Madeira and enjoy a unique view over the mountain range of the island, hike over the eastern tip of Ponta São Lourenço or relax on the golden sandy beach of Machico.

 São Vicente - Solar da Bica 

From Santa Cruz it goes along the east coast to the north of the island. On the way visit the sugar cane factory in Porto da Cruz, the typical "roof houses" in Santana, the rose garden in Arco de São Jorge and enjoy the unique views of the coast.

You stay overnight in the country house Solar da Bica in São Vicente.

São Vicente has a beautiful, car-free old town and a lively port street with many restaurants and shops. The grottoes and the volcanic center, where you can impressively follow the formation of the island, are also particularly worth seeing.

From here you should definitely make a detour to Seixal with its black sand beach and the “bridal veil” waterfall and to Porto Moniz with the natural lava pools. A unique view of the west coast can be enjoyed from the lighthouse in Ponta do Pargo. Jungle-like levadas in Ribeira da Janela and at Encumeada Pass are ideal for hiking.

 Calheta - Quinta das Vinhas

The journey to Quinta das Vinhas leads across the Paul da Serra plateau, which is reminiscent of the Scottish highlands with its grazing cows. It then goes along above the impressive laurel forests. It is worth taking a detour to Fanal, the island's fairytale forest with the largest and oldest laurel trees.

Discover the west of the island from the Quinta das Vinhas. Hike along from Levadas to the Risco waterfall and the 25 sources of Rabaçal, visit the quaint fishing villages of Jardim and Paul do Mar or enjoy the sun and sea on the sandy beach of Calheta and stroll along the marina with its restaurants. You can also take a boat trip here to watch whales and dolphins.

 Departure

You drive to the airport and hand in your rental car - or you start your additional week.

On the way to the airport, you should plan a detour to Cabo Girão. From the glass platform, which is located on the second highest cliff in Europe, you have a breathtaking view of the sea, which is almost 500m below you.