Around The Island – Two Days Tour From 9am To 5pm (Each Day)

Madeira reveals its best sides when you cross the island: banana terraces on the south coast, black volcanic cliffs in the west, thatched houses in Santana, and high mountain roads above the clouds. This two-day trip gives you that broad view without asking you to plan every turn.

I like the wide range of scenery, from the glass platform at Cabo Girão to the natural pools of Porto Moniz and the stark rock of Ponta de São Lourenço. I also like the guides’ strong reputation, with names such as Lionel, Renato, Gloria, and Paulo repeatedly praised for their humor, island knowledge, and safe driving.

The main consideration is the pace. You spend 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in a van each day, and Madeira’s roads are famously winding. If you get carsick, ask for a front seat early, bring layers for the mountains, and pack a small bag in case you need it.

Key points to know before booking

• Two full days cover Madeira’s major western and eastern sights, making this a useful choice if you have limited time.
• The group is capped at 16 people, small enough for guide interaction but not a private tour.
• Porto Moniz includes a long lunch and free-time stop, with swimming possible in good weather.
• Pico do Arieiro reaches 1,818 meters, so cloud, cold, and poor visibility can change the experience.
• Fanal Forest is not part of the route, although a nearby viewpoint may offer views toward the area.
• Pickup is available in central Funchal and the main tourist zone, with limited pickup from Caniço de Baixo and Garajau.

Why two days is the right length for Madeira

At $72.56 per person, this tour offers a lot of ground for the money. You get two days of transport, a guide and driver, and stops across nearly every side of the island. The price does not include admission at Cabo Girão, and you pay for your own meals, but the basic sightseeing value is strong.

You could attempt the same route by rental car, but Madeira’s steep roads, tight bends, changing weather, and unfamiliar viewpoints make driving a serious part of the trip. Here, you can watch the cliffs and valleys rather than study the next hairpin bend.

The tour is best understood as an island introduction, not a hiking holiday. You get short visits at many places, generally 20 to 30 minutes, with longer breaks at Porto Moniz and Santana. That suits you if you want to see the main character of Madeira before deciding where to return for a longer walk or swim.

The route order can change. That may happen because of road conditions, weather, or the operator’s daily planning, so treat the sequence as a guide rather than a promise that every stop will occur in exactly this order.

Day one: Cabo Girão, banana country, and Madeira’s wild west

The first day moves through the island’s western side, beginning with Cabo Girão. At 580 meters above the sea, the cliff viewpoint gives you a dramatic opening to the tour. The glass balcony is the main attraction, and it puts the drop directly beneath your feet.

You have about 30 minutes here. Admission is not included, so allow for that extra cost. The stop is short, but that is probably enough for the platform, photographs, and a quick look at the coast below.

From Cabo Girão, the route follows the coast toward Ribeira Brava. This village offers a quieter cultural pause after the big viewpoint. You have around 30 minutes to see the village and its church, which dates from the 15th century.

I like this stop because it breaks up the scenery with a little local history. Do not expect a long town visit. It is a brief look at a Madeiran settlement rather than a full walking tour.

Next comes Madalena do Mar, where you spend about 25 minutes among the banana plantations. This is a small but useful stop because it shows how much of Madeira’s lower, warmer coast is shaped by agriculture.

The banana terraces are more interesting as part of the island’s working life than as a single major sight. If you are expecting a grand viewpoint, this may feel modest. If you like seeing how a place functions beyond its postcard views, it adds useful context.

Paul da Serra and Fonte do Bispo at mountain altitude

The road then climbs toward the Paul da Serra plateau, reaching between 1,300 and 1,500 meters. This change is one of the pleasures of Madeira. In a short time, you move from warm coastal plantations into open high country.

At Fonte do Bispo, you stop for about 20 minutes at a viewpoint. The area is linked with levada walks and routes through the Laurissilva forest, Madeira’s laurel forest. You will not have time here for a long walk, but the guide can help you understand how the island’s water channels connect different parts of the mountains.

Bring a jacket. Several people have found the high points far colder than Funchal, and the weather can shift quickly. Clear skies may give you broad views; cloud can turn the stop into a moody mountain visit instead.

Porto Moniz: the day’s longest break

Porto Moniz is the centerpiece of the first day. You have roughly one hour and 45 minutes here, sometimes described as 1.5 to 2 hours, for lunch and free time.

The town is known for its natural volcanic pools, formed where the sea meets dark lava rock. In good weather, you may swim, so bring a swimsuit and towel if that appeals to you. Admission to the stop itself is listed as free, but the tour does not state that any pool entry, if charged locally, is included. Check locally before assuming swimming costs nothing.

This long pause gives you room to choose your own rhythm. You can eat, look at the pools, take photographs, or simply enjoy the coast. Some people would prefer more time at viewpoints and less time for lunch, so this is a useful point to consider when deciding if the tour fits your style.

I see Porto Moniz as a practical value point. A self-drive visit requires a long journey, parking decisions, and attention to the road. On this tour, the transport is handled and you get enough free time to experience the town rather than merely photograph it from the van.

Seixal, Véu da Noiva, and São Vicente

After Porto Moniz, the route makes a short stop near Seixal. Along the coast, waterfalls drop down the cliffs, including Véu da Noiva, whose name means bridal veil. The water runs down the rock face toward the sea, making this one of the more memorable roadside views.

You have about 20 minutes. It is enough for photographs and a look from the viewpoint, but not a long exploration of Seixal. Weather matters here, as mist and cloud can soften or obscure the view.

São Vicente follows, with around 30 minutes in the picturesque village. Its church dates from the 17th century, giving you another short link to Madeira’s past.

The rhythm of the western day is clear: a major viewpoint, small cultural stops, a long lunch break, and a string of coastal views. You see plenty, but you do not linger long in any one village.

The final stop is Câmara de Lobos, only about 5 kilometers from Funchal. This fishing village was a favorite painting place of Winston Churchill, and its harbor gives the day a more human, lived-in ending after the cliffs and waterfalls.

With 30 minutes here, you can look around the waterfront and take in the fishing heritage. It is a compact stop, but its closeness to Funchal makes it an easy final visit before drop-off.

Day two: Madeira’s east coast and volcanic peaks

The second day begins at Cristo Rei in Garajau, on the southeast coast. The statue of Christ the King overlooks a striking stretch of coast and sea, and the viewpoint gives you an early dose of Madeira’s steep terrain.

You have about 30 minutes. This is a viewpoint stop rather than a long walk, so wear comfortable shoes but do not expect a formal hike.

Machico comes next. It was Madeira’s first capital from 1440 to 1496, before Funchal took that role in 1508. The town also has an early connection with the island’s settlement in the 15th century.

The visit lasts around 20 minutes, which makes it a quick historical orientation. You will not see all of Machico in that time, but the stop helps place Madeira’s eastern side in its wider story.

Ponta do Rosto and the easternmost coast

At Ponta do Rosto, you reach the eastern end of Madeira and a nature reserve known for wide Atlantic views and unusual rock formations. This part of the island looks very different from the green, steep valleys elsewhere.

You have about 30 minutes here. The open setting can be windy, so hold on to hats and loose items. Clear weather gives you the best sense of the long rocky peninsula and the sea around it.

This is one of the tour’s strongest contrasts. Madeira is often pictured as a lush island, but Ponta do Rosto shows a drier, more exposed side. I like that the itinerary does not simply repeat one type of scenery.

Porto da Cruz and the sugar-cane story

The route continues to Porto da Cruz, a small northeastern village with a former rum distillery. Engenhos do Norte preserves old steam machinery and reflects the importance of sugar cane to Madeira’s economy.

You have about 30 minutes, and entry is listed as free. The original equipment remains operational, giving the stop a practical connection to the island’s industrial past rather than just another scenic overlook.

This is a good place to listen to the guide. The machinery and sugar-cane background explain part of how Madeira developed. It also gives the second day more variety before the mountain roads begin.

Santana’s thatched houses and the longer lunch stop

Santana is one of Madeira’s most recognizable villages, famous for its colorful triangular houses with thatched roofs. The style dates back to the 16th century, although the houses are now mainly a cultural attraction.

The stop lasts around 1.5 to 2 hours and includes lunch and free time. That makes Santana more relaxed than several of the shorter village visits. You can eat, look around, and spend time with the traditional houses instead of rushing through a photograph.

The exact balance between lunch and sightseeing matters. If you prefer scenic stops, you may wish the break were shorter. If you appreciate having time to sit down during a full touring day, Santana provides welcome breathing room.

The village is also a useful place to see a more traditional side of Madeira. You are not just passing a viewpoint. You are seeing a recognizable piece of local building culture and the character of the northeast.

Ribeiro Frio and the laurel forest

Ribeiro Frio sits in a deep northern valley surrounded by mountains. The stop lasts about 30 minutes and includes trout pools and nature trails.

You may see laurel trees and birds associated with Madeira, including the pigeon, chaffinch, and bis-bis. The bis-bis is described as the island’s smallest bird. The time allowed is enough for a gentle look around, but not for a serious trail walk.

This is another point where expectations matter. The tour gives you an introduction to the area, not a levada hike. If you want to walk through the forest for hours, you would need a separate plan. If you want a short nature stop without arranging transport, Ribeiro Frio works well.

Pico do Arieiro at 1,818 meters

The final major stop is Pico do Arieiro, Madeira’s third-highest peak at 1,818 meters. The summit is easy to reach by road, which is why it is one of the island’s most visited high points.

On a clear day, you may see the south coast, Curral das Freiras, and even Porto Santo. Clouds can hover around the rock formations, creating a dramatic scene, but they can also block the views completely. The weather is not a minor detail here. It can decide whether this is the tour’s grand finale or simply a cold, cloudy mountain stop.

You have about 30 minutes at the peak. The famous trails toward Pico das Torres and Pico Ruivo begin in this area, but this experience is not designed as a hiking tour. Treat the stop as a viewpoint visit unless your guide gives different instructions.

On the way, you may notice Poço da Neve, a stone structure shaped somewhat like an igloo. It was built to store mountain ice, snow, and hail. You may only see it from the vehicle, but it is a fine example of the practical details hidden along Madeira’s mountain roads.

Guides, vehicles, and the comfort question

The tour is offered in English and uses small groups of up to 16 people. That is a useful middle ground. You get the efficiency of shared transport and a better chance of asking questions than on a large coach, but you should not expect the flexibility of a private car.

Guide quality is an important part of this experience. Lionel, Renato, Gloria, Paulo, Luis, and others have been praised for clear explanations, humor, good care, and safe driving. Lionel in particular is known for involving the group and combining stories with information about Madeira’s culture, plants, and past.

You may have a different guide on each day, and the style can vary. A newer guide may be more nervous or less polished, while an experienced guide can make the long drives feel easy. The best guides also allow enough quiet and free time, since constant microphone commentary can become tiring.

The roads deserve respect. If you are prone to motion sickness, request a front seat when possible. Tall passengers should also think about legroom, since seats in the rear may feel tight. One difficult experience involved a tall passenger becoming sick and having to make an independent journey back, so carry motion-sickness supplies and do not rely on the operator to provide sick bags.

Pickup, clothing, and what to bring

Pickup is offered from central Funchal and the main tourist area. Hotels in Caniço de Baixo and Garajau can receive pickup when at least two people are booking. If you stay elsewhere, you will be directed to a meeting point in Funchal.

The start time is 9 a.m., and each day runs until about 5 p.m. Pickup and drop-off communication has generally been straightforward, but confirm your location at booking.

Bring:

• Extra layers for Paul da Serra, Ribeiro Frio, and Pico do Arieiro
• Comfortable shoes
• A swimsuit for Porto Moniz in good weather
• Water and any motion-sickness medication you use
• A small personal bag for the day

The tour is listed as suitable for most people, and service animals are allowed. Still, the short stops, mountain roads, and frequent vehicle access mean you should check directly if you have particular mobility needs.

Is $72.56 good value?

For $72.56, you are paying mainly for transport, route planning, and guiding across two long days. That is good value if you do not want to rent a car or build a complicated island plan.

The itinerary includes numerous viewpoints, villages, cultural sites, and natural areas. Meals and any non-included admission are extra, and the tour does not include Fanal Forest. If Fanal is essential to your Madeira plans, choose a different route or add a separate visit.

The strongest value comes from the variety. In two days, you can see fishing villages, banana plantations, volcanic pools, high peaks, traditional houses, and old sugar-cane machinery. You will not explore each place deeply, but you will understand how different Madeira can look from one coast to the next.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want a well-planned overview of Madeira, especially if you are short on time, traveling alone, or do not want to drive mountain roads. It is also a good first step before choosing a later hike or a slower return visit.

Skip it if you want long walks, extended time in each village, or a route centered on Fanal Forest. You should also think twice if you dislike winding roads or long days in a van.

For most people, the combination of scenery, history, free time, and capable local guides makes this a sensible way to get oriented. Bring layers, plan for changing weather, ask about your seat early, and save your energy for the views.

FAQ

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts two days, with each day running approximately from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

How much does the tour cost?

The listed price is $72.56 per person.

Is hotel pickup available?

Pickup is available from Funchal city center and the main tourist area. Pickup from hotels in Caniço de Baixo and Garajau is available for a minimum of two people.

What if my accommodation is outside the pickup areas?

You will be directed to the nearest meeting point in Funchal.

What language is the tour offered in?

The tour is offered in English.

How many people can join the tour?

The maximum group size is 16 travelers.

Is this a hiking tour?

No. It is mainly a sightseeing tour with short stops at viewpoints, villages, natural areas, and cultural sites. Some stops are near levada walks and nature trails, but the listed schedule does not provide time for a long hike.

Is swimming possible during the tour?

Swimming may be possible at the natural volcanic pools in Porto Moniz when the weather is good. Bring a swimsuit if you want that option.

Is Fanal Forest included?

No. Fanal Forest is not included in the route. A nearby viewpoint may provide views toward the area.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted for a refund.