5 days is right for Madeira, and 7 for hikers

3 days works only as a short break, with no spare day for cloud

5 days: Funchal, the peaks, north-west coast, a levada, São Lourenço

A week lets hikers wait out mountain cloud or a closed trail

The best levadas are far apart: Rabaçal west, Queimadas north

October to January: add a day for rain and trail closures

Ten days adds Porto Santo's sandy beach; day plans in the guide