Adventure brief
Benimar Ford Transit 2.0
Turn Madeira into your own mobile basecamp with a Benimar Ford Transit 2.0 from Funchal. Compact, reliable, and ready for three-night minimums, this camper gets you to levadas, cliffs, and coastal sunsets on your schedule.
Madeira’s jagged coastline and highland chestnut forests feel different when you roll through them with a home on wheels. The Benimar Ford Transit 2.0 motorhome in Funchal is a compact, reliable 2017 build that turns the island into a road trip curated by you. With just 50,000 km on the odometer and a practical layout, it’s designed for couples, small families, or friends who want freedom without sacrificing comfort.
Wake to ocean light spilling across the cab, brew coffee inside a tidy kitchenette, and head to cliff-top viewpoints, levada trails, or sandy coves at your own pace. The vehicle’s Ford Transit chassis provides nimble handling for Madeira’s narrow coastal roads while offering the shelter and creature comforts of an equipped camper: a sleeping area, cooking facilities, and storage for gear. Minimum rental is three nights, giving enough time to sample Funchal’s historic centre, the volcanic sands of the south coast, and the scree-backed plateaus high above sea level.
Check-in requires arriving thirty minutes early and a security deposit of €1,500 by cash or bank transfer; extras include airport transfers and child seats for an added fee. Note restrictions: international travel beyond Portugal is not permitted, pets are not allowed, and smoking inside is prohibited. What makes this rental stand out is the combination of a trusted Benimar build and the practicality of the Ford platform: a compact motorhome that still lets you chase sunrise on the São Lourenço peninsula, park near levada trailheads, or find a sea-view spot for dinner.
The island’s defining features — basalt cliffs, laurel forests of the UNESCO-recognized Laurisilva, and Atlantic shelves where dolphins surface — become accessible without hotel bookings or rigid schedules. The host preps the van for immediate use, and local extras like airport pickup simplify logistics, so you spend daylight exploring rather than organizing. Practical advice: plan campsites ahead during summer, account for steep, winding roads when routing, and fuel at main stations in Funchal before heading into remote northern stretches.
This motorhome is a straightforward ticket to an active, self-directed Madeira adventure: a blend of road mobility, coastal vistas, and island routes that reward curiosity. For travelers who prize flexibility, want to sleep with the sea on the horizon, and prefer their itinerary adjustable by mood and weather, the Benimar Ford Transit 2.0 in Funchal delivers an efficient, memorable base for exploring Madeira. Bring a compact travel kit and secure loose items before driving; the island’s microclimates mean quick weather changes from sun to drizzle near the peaks.
Reserve popular campsites like those near Ponta de São Lourenço in advance, and use local municipal Aires when available. This motorhome keeps logistics simple so you can focus on trails, seafood dinners, and cliffside sunsets daily.
Adventure tips
Plan your experience.
Curated tips for an optimal adventure.
- 01Book campsites in advanceessential
Summer fills quickly—reserve municipal Aires or private campgrounds ahead of time to secure sea-view spots.
- 02Fuel before remote driveswarning
Top up in Funchal before heading north; some mountain roads have sparse service stations.
- 03Pack a compact travel kitinfo
Secure loose items before driving and bring straps for gear—Madeira’s winding roads can toss unsecured items.
- 04Respect parking rulesessential
Use designated camper parking and avoid overnighting in prohibited roadside areas to protect fragile landscapes.
Recommended gear
What to bring.
Valid driver’s license & ID
Required to operate the motorhome and complete check-in.
EssentialLayered clothing
Microclimates mean warm sun and cool, wet conditions within short drives.
EssentialGPS or offline maps
Useful for narrow, winding island roads where cell coverage can drop.
EssentialPortable camping chairs
Allow you to enjoy sea-view dinners and sunrise without relying on campsite furniture.
Local insights
Context for the journey.
Nearby secrets
Ponta de São Lourenço cliffs for stark coastal panoramas, Levada do Caldeirão Verde for mossy tunnels and waterfalls
Local fauna
Bottlenose dolphins, Madeira firecrest (local endemic bird)
Historic heritage
Madeira was discovered in the early 1400s and has long been a maritime waypoint and agricultural island.
Mindful exploration
Use designated campsites and dispose of waste at municipal stations; Madeira’s laurisilva and cliff habitats are sensitive to off-road camping.
Photography tips
Capture the moments
- Viewpoints
- Cabo Girão skywalk, Ponta de São Lourenço cliff edges, Levadas and waterfall clearings
- Subjects
- Coastal cliffs and sea views, Dolphins and seabirds, Levadas and laurel forest details
- Best times
- Sunrise, Golden hour, Late afternoon
Frequently asked questions
Before you go.
What is the minimum rental period?
Minimum rental is three nights.
How large is the security deposit and how is it paid?
A security deposit of €1,500 is required at check-in and can be paid by bank transfer or cash.
Are pets allowed in the motorhome?
Pets are not permitted in this vehicle.
Can I take the motorhome to other countries?
Travelling abroad is not permitted; rentals are restricted to Portugal.
Is smoking allowed inside the vehicle?
Smoking inside the vehicle is prohibited.
Are airport transfers available?
Yes—airport pick up and transfer are available for a fee (€36.60 each way).