After landing at one of the world's most interesting airports, pick up your rental car and head straight to refresh your tired crew. You'll head to the stunning Miradouro do Guindaste viewpoint near Praia do Faial. Walk along the glass walkways jutting out from the cliff above the roaring ocean, and then head to your accommodation in Santa Cruz to recharge for a serious ride tomorrow. Everything depends on your arrival time, so feel free to adjust the program to your liking.

Note: Reservations are required before entering the levadas, and there has been an entrance fee since 2024.

After sunrise, we'll head to Praia De Machico beach, which has one unique feature: there are tons of lizards running around. Just sit on the promenade for a bit and the teens will be entertained, as the lizards will stand on their hind legs for pieces of fruit. The beach is pebbly, and there are showers and public restrooms. For drivers, there is also convenient parking right by the beach. After relaxing, you'll head to the statue of Christ at Garajau cape. The statue, dating from 1927, overlooks the open ocean from a height of 180 meters. Get ready for a few stairs, but the view is awesome. The highlight of the day will be the drive southwest to my favorite levada - Levada Do Moinho. It starts on the outskirts of the town of Ponta do Sol. You can have a picnic near the church in the Lombada area, and it's also a great place to park. 

You'll set off on a hike up the third-highest mountain at 1818m, offering iconic views of jagged mountain peaks rising above the clouds; you can drive there along a winding asphalt road all the way to the NATO radar station. From there, you'll head to one of the most popular viewpoints on Madeira called Balcoes. Right at the start of the trail, you'll explore the Ribeiro Frio trout farm. An interesting feature of this place is that due to its mountain location, it's often shrouded in mysterious fog and rain. In the afternoon, you'll swap the silence of the mountains for pure adrenaline in Funchal. The brave can take a downhill ride from Monte on wicker toboggans right on the asphalt. It whooshes along unexpectedly fast, and teenagers will be thrilled by how the guys in straw hats drift through the turns. To finish the day in style and away from the crowds, stretch your legs along the peaceful levada - Levada dos Tornos.

You will explore the island's capital, Funchal, the birthplace of Cristiano Ronaldo. Your first stop will be the CR7 Museum. It's a must for any teenage fan—you'll see Ronaldo's Golden Balls, boots, and jerseys. A huge highlight is his life-sized chocolate statue, and the smell! After visiting the museum, take a walk through the city to the blooming Santa Catarina Park, grab some ice cream, and then head to the famous Mercado dos Lavradores market, where you'll see incredible types of fruit like banana-pineapple, dragon fruit, or passion fruit. Also, try the traditional honey cake, Bolo de mel. Toward evening, escape the city to the northeast and walk along the breathtaking cliff edge on the Boca do Risco trail. These views will be the perfect end to an action-packed day.

Today you'll put your rental car and your driving skills to the test. Your first stop is Cabo Girão, the highest sea cliff in Europe at 589m. Walk across the glass-floored skywalk. From there, drive to the island's most famous road—the Cascata dos Anjos waterfall, which cascades directly onto the road in the village of Ponta do Sol. Before driving under the waterfall, fold in your mirrors, turn on your wipers, and crawl forward; your passengers will have an incredible experience and scream with excitement. In the afternoon, head to the Levada das 25 Fontes and the parallel Levada do Risco trek. Get ready for narrow concrete walls, stairs, and magical lagoons hidden in the wild green jungle.

You'll end the day on the plateau in the mysterious ancient laurel forest of Fanal, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site. The atmosphere is so eerie and fascinating that the kids will immediately start exploring hollow trees and playing hide-and-seek—it's like adrenaline in Roblox.

In the morning, a steep drive awaits you up to the Monte district above Funchal, but this time you'll visit the Jardim Tropical Monte Palace tropical botanical garden. The kids will love this—it's not a boring greenhouse, but a huge outdoor jungle filled with colorful koi carp, ponds with swans and flamingos, various orchids, and stunning hydrangeas. You'll find plenty of statues and art pieces throughout the garden, as well as Japanese pagodas and azulejos ceramic tiles. There's also a unique collection of minerals from all over the world. At the end of the day, you'll drive to the easternmost tip of the island, Ponta de Sao Lourenco cape.

In the morning, head to the town of Santana, famous for its fairytale Casas de Colmo houses. You'll recognize them by their thatched roofs that reach almost to the ground and their colorful doors and windows—they look just like something out of a cartoon. You can pick up some souvenirs, and while you're at it, the adults can try a traditional Madeiran Poncha. The highlight of the day will be the hike up to Pico Ruivo (1862m), the highest peak on Madeira. Expect stunning views above the clouds and photos that will look better than most Instagram filters. After the hike, hop in the car and make a quick stop at the Miradouro do Véu da Noiva viewpoint—it's just a few meters from the parking lot. Plus, there's another waterfall, Cascata do Córrego da Furna, right across the road. To wrap up the day, you've earned a reward: a swim in the natural volcanic lava pools in Porto Moniz.

In the morning, pack your bags, load them into the car, and set off on a relaxed drive towards the airport. If you have some time left, you can go say goodbye to the island's beauty at the panoramic viewpoint above the airport - enter "Miradouro Santa Catarina" into your mobile app, from where you can enjoy one last view of the ocean and the coast. If you're short on time, head straight to the car rental to return the vehicle and then to the airport for your flight home.