Madeira Best of the West Day Tour

Madeira’s west side packs huge variety into one day: sea cliffs, volcanic pools, mountain roads, waterfalls, and forest. This tour lets you see that sweep without wrestling with narrow roads or guessing which viewpoints deserve your time. From Funchal, you cross the island and return by a different route, with Porto Moniz as the day’s main stop.

I like two things right away. Hotel pickup and round-trip transport make this a strong deal at $43.53, especially if you do not want to rent a car. I also like the mix of short viewpoints and a long break in Porto Moniz, where you can eat or swim in the natural pools.

The tradeoff is the pace. You will spend plenty of time on the coach, and some stops last only 10 or 20 minutes. If you prefer long walks and independent exploring, the fixed schedule may feel too slow in some places and too hurried in others.

The west coast in six useful stops

• Cabo Girão at 580 meters: Look out from one of Madeira’s great cliff viewpoints, with the optional skywalk ticket costing €5.
• Ribeira Brava’s São Bento church: A short village stop adds local character beyond the big scenery.
• Paul da Serra plateau: Cross Madeira’s broad highland by road before dropping toward the northwest coast.
• Porto Moniz for 90 minutes: Make this your lunch, swimming, and photo break.
• Seixal’s Véu da Noiva viewpoint: See a waterfall, steep cliffs, and the old coastal roads from above.
• Encumeada and Laurissilva forest: Finish with mountain views toward both coasts and UNESCO-listed forest scenery.

Why this makes sense for a first Madeira visit

Madeira is compact on a map but surprisingly demanding by road. Deep valleys, steep mountains, and cliff-hugging routes make driving more tiring than the distances suggest. A guide handles the bends while you watch the scenery, and that alone can justify the fare.

For a first visit, the tour gives you a useful map in your head. You see the south coast, central highlands, northwestern villages, and mountain interior in roughly eight hours. Afterward, you can decide where you want to return for a slower day.

The price is unusually friendly for a full-day outing. At $43.53 per person, the fare includes a professional guide, hotel pickup in Funchal, and return transport. You still pay for lunch and the Cabo Girão Skywalk, but those extras are easy to control.

The group can reach as many as 55 people, though the vehicle may be a bus, coach, or smaller van. A large group means less flexibility, but it also keeps the cost down. Pickup is free for hotels in Funchal. If you stay elsewhere, pickup may cost extra, so check before booking.

Guides have included Bruno, Marco, Nuno, Luciano, and Dino. The strongest part of the guiding is the steady commentary during the drives. Bruno is especially praised for humor and clear information, while Marco is described as friendly, professional, and able to handle detailed questions. Nuno is noted for his warmth and passion for Madeira.

The tour may use a multilingual guide. English is offered, and commentary can be delivered in more than one language. If your guide is switching between languages, the spoken portions may take a little longer, but the arrangement helps mixed-language groups.

Cabo Girão: a quick look from Madeira’s highest cliff

Your first major stop is Cabo Girão, where the cliffs rise about 580 meters above the sea. The viewpoint gives you a dramatic look down the coast and across the Atlantic. This is a classic Madeira photo stop, and the height does much of the work.

You have about 20 minutes here. That is enough to take in the view and get photographs, but not enough for a leisurely visit or a long wait in line. The skywalk ticket is not included and costs €5 per person.

If you want to step onto the glass platform, bring that extra amount. If not, you can still enjoy the cliff views from the area around the viewpoint. The short stop also sets the pattern for the day: get off, look carefully, take photos, and return to the coach on time.

Ribeira Brava and the São Bento church

Ribeira Brava gives the tour a more human scale after the huge cliff view. You have about 30 minutes to walk around the village, see the sea, and visit the Church of São Bento.

This is not a long cultural visit. It is a compact introduction to a Madeiran settlement, with time to stretch your legs and look at the church. I appreciate this kind of stop because the day is not reduced to one viewpoint after another.

Still, 30 minutes goes quickly. Keep an eye on the meeting time, especially if you stop for photos or enter the church. The tour provides admission here at no extra cost.

Paul da Serra and the high road across the island

The coach then climbs toward Paul da Serra, Madeira’s largest plateau. The scenery changes sharply as you leave the coast and cross the island’s high ground. The scheduled stop is only about 10 minutes, so think of it as a brief pause for the open mountain views rather than a walk.

This section explains why a guided drive is useful. You get a sense of Madeira’s dramatic changes in elevation without having to plan a route through unfamiliar roads. The exact appearance of the highlands can depend on weather, and clouds or mist may soften the views.

After the plateau, the route turns toward the northwest. You continue through the Ribeira da Janela valley, one of the more striking road sections of the day. The valley gives you a look at Madeira’s steep interior before the route reaches Porto Moniz.

Porto Moniz: the day’s main decision

Porto Moniz is where the schedule gives you the most freedom. You have about one hour and 30 minutes, arriving around lunchtime. You can choose a local restaurant, eat at a bar, or spend the break at the volcanic natural pools.

This is the tour’s practical center. You can have lunch, take photos, and, if conditions suit you, swim. The pools are formed by volcanic rock and are one of the west coast’s signature sights. They are also the activity most likely to make you wish the stop were longer.

Several people who enjoyed this tour most valued the Porto Moniz break, and I can see why. A full day of coach travel needs one substantial pause, and 90 minutes gives you a reasonable chance to eat without rushing through the rest of the route.

The limitation is choice. One and a half hours is enough for a straightforward lunch or a quick swim, but doing both may require good timing. Restaurant service can also vary, so you may want to keep lunch simple if swimming matters more to you.

Bring a jacket and covered shoes for the day. The hill areas can be wet, and the pool area may require a change of clothes. Showers and changing rooms are available at the volcanic pools, according to the practical guidance provided for the tour.

Lunch is not included. That is normal for a day trip at this price, and it lets you choose how much to spend. Still, you should budget for the meal and any pool or personal expenses rather than treating the $43.53 fare as the complete cost.

Seixal and the Véu da Noiva waterfall

After Porto Moniz, the coach follows the northwest coast toward Seixal. At the Véu da Noiva viewpoint, you look across steep cliffs toward a waterfall dropping toward the sea. The old roads cut into the cliffs add another layer to the view.

You have about 20 minutes here. This is a photo stop, not a coastal walk. The view is the attraction, and the brief pause works well if you want a broad picture of the northwestern coast without spending another hour at a single site.

Seixal also gives you a change in mood after Porto Moniz. The pools are active and hands-on, while Véu da Noiva is about standing still and taking in the scale of the cliffs. Keep your camera ready, but do not let photographs replace simply looking at the waterfall and road below.

Encumeada: seeing both sides of Madeira

The return route includes a 20-minute stop at the Encumeada viewpoint on ER228. From this mountain position, you can see toward both Madeira’s north and south coasts. It is a useful final panorama because it connects the places you have seen during the day.

The view also helps you understand Madeira’s shape. The island is not just a ring of seaside villages. Its center rises sharply, and the roads cross through high passes and valleys. Encumeada makes that structure clear in one glance.

The roads can be narrow, and the return through the mountains involves plenty of sitting. That is one reason I would not choose this excursion for someone who wants a hiking day. It is better for seeing the island from the road, with frequent photo pauses and a guide explaining what you are passing.

Laurissilva forest on the way back to Funchal

The final route passes through the Laurissilva forest, a UNESCO-listed natural area. The forest is one of the day’s most important settings, even though you may experience much of it from the coach rather than on foot.

Do not expect a forest hike here. The tour is designed as a scenic drive with a viewpoint stop at Encumeada. If you want trails and extended time among the trees, you will need a separate walking excursion.

Even from the road, the forest completes the day well. You have seen exposed cliffs, open plateau, coastal villages, and volcanic rock. The forest adds a cooler, greener mountain setting before the return to Funchal at about 5pm.

The coach ride is part of the bargain

The biggest practical question is how you feel about sitting in a vehicle. The route covers a lot of ground, and some of the roads are winding. One person found the day very sedentary, while others considered the driving a relief because the roads looked too narrow and demanding to handle themselves.

Both reactions are fair. You will get a wide view of western Madeira, but you will not have much time for spontaneous stops. The short pauses can feel rushed when a viewpoint is especially good, and the longer Porto Moniz stop can feel excessive if you are not interested in lunch or swimming.

Your guide matters greatly. The best guides keep the drives lively with history, island facts, humor, and answers to questions. Bruno, Marco, Nuno, Luciano, and Dino have all been singled out for making the long stretches more enjoyable. The quality of the day may depend partly on which guide is assigned.

Front seats can be useful if available. One practical tip is to ask about the two seats at the front of the bus, which offer a clearer forward view. Seat availability is not guaranteed, and the tour may operate in a smaller vehicle, but it is worth asking at pickup.

Who should book this west Madeira tour?

I would choose this for a first visit, a short stay, or a trip where you do not want to rent a car. It gives you the major west coast sights, includes transport from Funchal, and provides enough commentary to help you understand the island.

It also suits couples, solo visitors, and small groups who want a simple full-day plan. Most people can take part, and the tour allows service animals. It is close to public transportation, though the key convenience is the arranged pickup.

You should think twice if your priority is hiking, swimming for several hours, or exploring villages at your own speed. The tour includes scenery rather than long walks, and the maximum group size of 55 can limit personal space and flexibility.

Weather matters in Madeira’s mountains. The tour requires good weather, and poor conditions can lead to a different date or a full refund. If your schedule is tight, keep that possibility in mind when planning other activities.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund, and the local cutoff time applies.

My verdict on value and timing

At $43.53, this is a strong-value orientation tour. You receive roughly eight hours of transport, a professional guide, Funchal pickup and drop-off, several major viewpoints, and a substantial Porto Moniz break. Even after adding lunch and the optional €5 Cabo Girão ticket, the day remains reasonably priced.

The tour does not give you deep time at each place. It gives you range. That difference matters. You will see more of Madeira than you could comfortably cover by public transportation in one day, but you will return with a list of places you may want to revisit.

For the best experience, wear covered shoes, bring a jacket, keep swimwear handy if you plan to use the pools, and stay aware of the meeting times. If you are prone to motion sickness, the mountain roads deserve some preparation.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want a broad, affordable first look at Madeira’s west without driving. Cabo Girão, Porto Moniz, Seixal, Encumeada, and the Laurissilva forest give you a satisfying range of scenery, and the guides can add useful context along the way.

Skip it if you want a quiet, slow day built around walking. For most first-time visitors staying in Funchal, though, Lido Tours’ west coast route is a sensible choice. Use it to get your bearings, enjoy the natural pools, and mark the places worth seeing again on your own.

FAQ

What is included in the Madeira Best of the West Day Tour?

The tour includes a professional guide, hotel pickup, and return transport. Free pickup and drop-off apply to hotels in Funchal.

How long does the tour last?

The experience lasts about eight hours. Pickup begins at around 8:30am, and return to Funchal is expected at about 5pm.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is at your own expense in Porto Moniz, where you can choose from local restaurants and bars.

Does the tour include the Cabo Girão Skywalk?

No. The Cabo Girão Skywalk ticket is not included. The listed price is €5 per person.

Can I swim in the Porto Moniz natural pools?

Yes, the schedule allows time in Porto Moniz for the natural swimming pools. Showers and changing rooms are available at the pools.

Is pickup available outside Funchal?

Pickup outside the Funchal area may be arranged for an additional cost. You should contact the operator for advice based on your accommodation and a safe meeting point.