Winter Holiday in Madeira with Jet2holidays + Hiking Routes

Fancy a winter break somewhere hot? Madeira is a perfect destination if you want to get away from the UK over the colder months and enjoy some winter sun with Jet2holidays. Here I’ll share my itinerary, hikes and other useful information from my trip to Madeira in December.

If you love hiking in the UK but fancy somewhere warmer to explore over the winter then Madeira is a great destination for outdoor lovers. The island has plenty of great places to explore, and there are a few hills for those who love hiking in the mountains! 

Disclaimer – My trip was paid for by Jet2holidays, however, all thoughts and opinions are my own. I also planned all my activities and arranged transport whilst I was in Madeira.

Enjoying some winter sun

Madeira Winter Sun Holiday with Jet2holidays

Firstly, I’ll cover the essential information, how to get to Madeira, what’s included with a Jet2holiday and my accommodation for my trip plus a few other useful tips. You’ll also find a few frequently asked questions at the bottom of the post, from what’s the weather like in Madeira, do I need to hire a car for my trip and can I pay on card or do I need cash?

Feel free to pop any other questions in the comments or pop me a message on Instagram @beckythetraveller where you can also find more about my trip via my Highlights (Madeira). 

Flight to Madeira with Jet2

How to get to Madeira?

I live in Nottingham so my flights were from Birmingham airport with Jet2; however, you can also select various other airports around the UK, from Manchester to London airports. I opted to drive, due to train strikes at the time and I booked long-stay car parking online (which is cheaper than doing it when you get there – £73 for 5 days). The car park has registration number recognition which makes it easy to arrive, park and hop on that plane to sunny Madeira!

Check out more flight deals to Madeira here.

My flight times were great, something that Jet2 advertised as part of their package holidays. My flight departed the UK at 11 am, meaning no early wake-up alarm to get to the airport and I arrived in Madeira at 3.45 pm. In December, sunset in Madeira was approximately 6 pm, so an extra 2 hours of daylight compared to the UK, which makes for a nice arrival on the island.

Stunning views from the plane

Arriving in Madeira

The flight into Madeira can be known for being bumpy, although I can’t say I noticed it on the day I arrived. I was too excited gazing out the window at the luscious green land and dramatic cliffs dropping into the Atlantic Ocean.

At Madeira airport, there were the normal security queues, but it was pretty quick, then off to pick up my duffel bag. Jet2 has a 22 kg bag allowance and 10 kg hand luggage which is more than enough for a warm destination like Madiera. I’d not been on a package holiday for years so I wasn’t sure what to expect as regards my airport transfer. However, it was so easy, there was a Jet2 stand in the arrivals hall, and they handed me a welcome pack and told me where to catch my minibus (number 25) to my hotel in Canico. 

The bus filled up quickly, and we were off. There was a short pre-recorded audio with loads of useful information and then before I knew it we’d arrived at my accommodation in Canico. 

My accommodation in Madeira

I was staying at one of the hotels used by Jet2holidays called Sentido Galomar in Canico, a gorgeous hotel on the seafront. I’d stayed in Funcahal before and although it’s lovely, I decided I wanted a quieter location for this trip. My sea-view room was spacious, with a walk-in shower and open plan bathroom (with private toilet), a cosy chair and a lovely outdoor space overlooking the upper pool and ocean beyond.

In the room, there is a kettle, a fridge with a minibar, basic toiletries, a hairdryer and my favourite item, a yoga mat!

My room at Sentido Galomar
Open plan bathroom

The Jet2 package included Bed and Breakfast, it’s a buffet-style breakfast, with a mix of hot and cold food. My favourite thing about breakfast was dining in the Atlantic Restaurant which overlooked the ocean.

As well as the restaurant the hotel includes the Ashola Spa, plus two stunning outdoor pools on different levels with a range of comfy chairs and loungers. My favourite was the lower pool which also had ladders directly into the sea, complete with plenty of sealife as you enter. I even saw a Monk Seal (unconfirmed) on my final day, swimming only 50 metres from the hotel.  

For more package holidays to Madeira visit here.

Upper pool area at Galomar Hotel
Lower pool with steps into the sea

 

My Madeira Itinerary

Here I’ve included my itinerary for my 5-day trip to Madeira, please note that my arrival and departure days were shorter days/evenings but if you plan your trip well you can still fit plenty into this winter mini-break. I’ve also included the restaurants where I dined on the trip.

As you can see I opted for a mix of activities versus chill time which was a perfect mix for the trip. In particular, I enjoyed the sunrise hike, although it meant an early start I then had the rest of the afternoon/evening to do my own thing.

Day 1 (arrival day)

  • Flight Birmingham to Funchal, Madeira (11 am to 2.50 pm)
  • Check-in to the hotel, and a quick explore around the facilities including the two pools and spa.
  • Run from the hotel (with a lot of walking due to the hills) to the Cristo Rei Viewpoint then down to the beach to watch sunset. You can also take the cable car down/up from the beach but I like a challenge!
  • Dinner in a local restaurant, complete with being serenaded by the waiter on his guitar – Restaurant/pub Habeas Coppus.
Cristo Rei viewpoint

Day 2 

  • All important lie-in and a big buffet breakfast.
  • Ponta Sao Lourenco, a half-day hike around the eastern peninsula (Taxi drop off)
  • Santa Cruz – sunset, dinner and Christmas lights! (Bus back from Ponta Sao Lourenco, then second bus back to Canico)
Ponta de Sao Lourenco hike

Day 3

  • Morning at the hotel pool area, plus swimming in the sea.
  • Lunch at the Atlantic Restaurant
  • Half-day Jeep Tour (2 pm pick up) with stop-offs at numerous viewing points (Nun’s Valley and Pico do Arieiro)
  • Dinner in a local Canico restaurant – Munchies
Nun’s Valley Viewpoint on the Jeep Tour

Day 4

  • Sunrise at Pico do Arieiro to Pico Ruivo (6 am pick up)
  • 5-hour hike from Pico do Arieiro to Pico Ruivo (with pick up at the end)
  • Drop off at 2 pm (ish) then chill time at the hotel pool
  • Dinner at a local restaurant – La Carbonara
Pico Ruivo – highest point in Madeira

Day 5 (departure day)

  • Yoga on my balcony
  • Chill time by the pool and more swimming in the sea!
  • Check-out at noon (then back by the pool until my transfer pick-up at 1.30 pm)
  • Flight from Funchal, Madeira to Birmingham (3.50 pm to 7.50 pm)
Swimming in the sea (from the lower pool entry)

Things to do in Madeira

Here I’ve included more details about the activities I did on my trip to Madeira and I’ve also included a few activities that I did on a previous trip 🙂

PR8 Ponta de Sao Lourenco half-day hike

Ponta de Sao Lourenco hike
  • Distance: 7 km
  • Time: 2.5-3.5 hours (allow extra for breaks)
  • Ascent: 571 m

This short hike is one of the most popular ones on the island, mainly because it’s not too tough and it’s easy to navigate! To start the hike you can catch a bus or jump in a taxi. From my hotel, the taxi (30 mins) was €41 or the bus (1 hour-ish) was €2.60, I opted for a taxi there and a bus back due to missing the midday bus! 

From the start point of the hike, there’s a map and also a link to pay for a fee of €1 (the signal is weak so if you can do this before you leave your hotel that’s the best option). You then begin walking down a well-established trail. Note this is an out-and-back route so depending on the time you set off you might encounter numerous people walking in the other direction!

The terrain is rocky in place so good footwear is essential, and since the weather can change on the island it’s worth packing a jacket. You’ll also need to take some water and snacks. However, there is a cafe at the mid-way turnaround point where you can stop for a break and refreshments.

Watch a sunset

Sunset colours on Santa Cruz beach

If you’re located in Canico or Funchal then you’re in a great spot to watch some stunning sunsets. One of my favourites was nearby Santa Cruz which I stopped off on the way back from my hike since I needed to switch buses. 

Also, Santa Cruz has a lovely Christmas display, loads of lights and mini stands with Christmas music. I’d highly recommend visiting if you’re looking to book a pre-Christmas trip! 

Sunrise at Pico do Arierio then hike to Pico Ruivo

Sunrise at Pico do Airerio
  • Distance: 11 km
  • Time: 3-4 hours (allow extra for breaks)
  • Ascent: 497 m

This was one of my favourite activities on the trip. Yes, for sunrise it’s an early start, but luckily in winter, it’s not too early (8 am approx). I booked with Pico Transfers for €33 for a drop-off and pick-up at the other end of the hike (along with 8 other people).

The transfer dropped us off about 30 minutes before sunrise, so we could find a good spot and also watch the sky change colour before sunrise

The hike from Pico do Arierio to Pico Ruivo (then on to the pick-up point) is roughly 11 km, based on hiking at an average pace of 4 km per hour (3 hours) plus add an extra hour for the 497 m ascent it should roughly take 3-4 hours to hike the trail, but then of course, you need to add in extra time for photo stops and breaks so Pico Transfer allows 5 hours, which is more realistic to ensure a lovely hike

For the hike you’ll need to wear warm clothes at the start, Sitting waiting for the sun to rise at 1,818 m can be chilly, so it’s worth having thin layers so as you begin your hike you can, pack your gloves and a warm hat too.  You’ll need hiking footwear, boots or trail shoes, the terrain is rocky and uneven in places. 

You’ll also need to take some snacks, water (at least 1.5 litres) and a bag for any rubbish. There are no toilets on the trail until you reach the cafe at the base of Pico Ruivo (there is a cafe at Pico do Arieiro but this is closed at the time you start your hike).

Take a Jeep Tour

Nun’s Valley Viewpoint

There are numerous Jeep Tours you can book whilst you’re visiting Madeira, from half-day to full-day tours. I opted for a half-day tour so I could spend the morning relaxing by the pool. I arranged my tour via the local tour agency near my hotel, I need to pay in cash €40. The route went via a local lookout point over Funchal, views of the Nun’s Valley and then on to Pico do Airerio for some epic views just before sunrise.

Do a Levada Walk

Levada do Rei easy walk, Madeira

There are numerous Levadas all over Madeira and these make for wonderful walks. On my last trip, I hiked along the Levada do Rei which was a stunning trail with lots to see on the way.

For my full detailed post on this trail, you can read my guide here.

What to pack for Madeira?

I was planning a mix of activities from hiking, running, swimming and some nice evening meals so my packing list reflects that.

The baggage allowance was plenty for me, as someone who’s used to packing light for hiking adventures it was a real luxury to have a 22 kg hold luggage allowance and an extra 10 kg for my hand luggage. I was nowhere near the limit but I had everything I needed for the trip.

I used my 65-litre Osprey Duffel bag which was perfect for this trip, it also included shoulder straps so you can carry it like a backpack if needed. For my hand luggage, I took my 25-litre Salomon XA backpack, which also doubled as my hiking bag.

Wearing warm layers + small backpack for my hike

Clothes + footwear

Since I left the UK in December (in the snow), I ended up wearing most of my warmer hiking clothes on the flight.

  • Running shoes 
  • Trail shoes (Salomon Sense Ride)
  • Sandals (Teva hiking + lightweight evening ones)
  • Waterproof jacket
  • Warm insulated jacket
  • Lightweight hoody
  • Leggings
  • Shorts (hiking + running)
  • T-shirt/vest tops (for hiking/running)
  • Sports bra
  • Socks (for hiking/running)
  • Underwear
  • Hat + gloves
  • Jeans
  • Tops (for going out)
  • Cardigan
  • Dress
  • Bikini + goggles
Shorts + t-shirt weather (even when I was high up)

Toiletries + First Aid

  • Shampoo + soap 
  • Deodorant
  • Toothpaste + toothbrush
  • Brush + hair ties
  • Tissues, hanky + cotton buds
  • Sanitary items
  • Face wipes
  • Moisturiser
  • Make-up
  • Sun cream
  • Bug spray
  • Plasters, anti-septic wipes + tape
  • Ibruprofen + paracetamol
  • Personal mediation

Electricals

  • Phone + cable
  • Watch + cable
  • Power bank + cable
  • USB plug (the hotel had USB points so I didn’t need this)
  • European plug adaptor
  • Mini speaker + headphones
Stunning views on the Ponta de Sao Lourenco hike

Other items

  • Passport
  • Bank cards + cash (Euros)
  • Driving licence
  • Notepad + pen
  • Book
  • Beach towel (one was included in the room for hotel pools)
  • Water bottle
  • Dry bag

FAQs for Madeira

Stunning cloud inversion ion at Pico do Arierio summit

What’s the weather like in winter?

I travelled to Madeira in December, the first day it was quite breezy but since I was running I quite enjoyed it. The temperature was roughly 22-24 degrees so a nice temperature, perfect for hiking and most evenings I didn’t need a cardigan or jacket when I went out for dinner.

How easy is Madeira to travel around?

I opted for a mix of different transport whilst I was there. Canico is approximately 10 km from Funchal but there are public buses (a short walk from the hotel), taxis and also picks for tour companies. I met a few people who had hired a car for their trip, but as I was travelling solo I opted not to do this as it would have been more expensive. I spoke to the hotel reception who kindly printed bus times off for me.

Jeep Tour transport!

What’s the phone signal like in Madeira?

For the majority of the trip, I had a good phone signal. The only place that I had none/limited was during the half-day hike to Ponta de Sao Lourenco (on the eastern peninsular) so it’s worth checking return bus times/weather before you go.

Do I need to take cash to Madeira?

Like many European countries, card payment is accepted in most places, however, I did encounter a few times where I needed to pay cash so it’s worth taking some with you. In Canico there’s a cash machine, so not a big deal if you’ve forgotten! 

I needed cash for the buses, and my taxi fare (although I was able to pay by card at their office later in the day) and I also needed cash to book my Jeep Tour. Also, for tipping (restaurants and tour guides), I prefer to leave cash.

Any more questions?

If you’re planning a trip to Madeira why not check out the great package holidays by Jet2holidays? You could even book the same hotel as me, I’d highly recommend it if you’re looking for a warm and quiet break.

For any further questions pop them in the comments below and I’ll be sure to answer them. or you can message me via my Instagram @beckythetraveller

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