Madeira: Westside Achadas Cruz, Moniz, Seixal and Fanal

The sharpest moment comes early: you glide 600 meters downhill on the Achadas da Cruz cable car, with steep cliffs and the Atlantic opening below. I like that this tour reaches beyond Madeira’s usual postcard stops, pairing Porto Moniz with Seixal, Ribeira da Janela, and the moody trees of Fanal Forest.

I also like the small group, limited to eight people, and Richard’s friendly running commentary. He adds local coffee, water, a drink, and sometimes Madeira biscuits without turning the day into a sales pitch. The trade-off is simple: this is a full eight-hour outing, and the vehicle may feel cramped when all seats are filled. Weather can also close the cable car or change the route.

Key points at a glance

• Achadas da Cruz cable car: Take one of Madeira’s most thrilling rides down a near-vertical cliff to the coast.
• Porto Moniz natural pools: Spend about 90 minutes walking, viewing the pools, or paying separately to swim.
• Seixal’s black sand: Pause for photographs at one of the island’s most unusual beaches.
• Fanal Forest: Walk among twisted trees where mist can make the place feel straight from a storybook.
• Small-group guiding: With up to eight people and English, Portuguese, or Spanish guiding, the day feels more personal than a large coach trip.
• Poncha finale: End with a local drink, coffee, and a relaxed toast to the day.

Why this west Madeira tour works

Madeira’s west is a long way from the center of Funchal, and the roads climb, twist, and drop toward the sea. You can see these places by rental car, but doing so means watching the road instead of the cliffs, finding parking, and working out how to fit several far-flung stops into one day.

This tour handles the driving while giving you a broad sample of western Madeira. You get a dramatic cable car, a swimming option, coastal viewpoints, volcanic sand, old trees, and a local drink in one outing. That mix is the main reason I would choose it for a first visit or for a final full day on the island.

The pace is active but not built around long hikes. Most stops involve a short walk, a viewpoint, or free time to explore. You should still expect a long day in a vehicle, with the final return ride taking about 20 minutes after the bar stop and the earlier drives linking the main sights.

Starting in Funchal, Lido, or Caniço

You choose from four pickup points when booking: the Achadas da Cruz cable car lower station, Supermercado Mendonça, the shuttle bus drop-off point, or Hotel Porto Mare. Transportation is provided from meeting points in central Funchal, the Lido area, and Caniço.

Pay attention to the exact pickup option you select. A transfer from outside Funchal or Caniço to the meeting point is not included, and the tour returns to the same general meeting point at the end.

The group is limited to eight people. That matters on a day with many stops because Richard can keep the gathering together without the slow loading and unloading associated with a large coach. It also gives you more room to ask about Madeira’s daily life, food, roads, and customs.

The vehicle is electric, which makes for a smooth ride. One practical point is that a full vehicle may feel fairly tight, especially on the longer sections. Bring water, sunscreen, a hat, and rain gear. Madeira can change from warm and clear to damp and cool during the same day.

Achadas da Cruz and the 600-meter descent

The Achadas da Cruz cable car is the tour’s big thrill. The ride drops around 600 meters from the cliff top toward the coast, offering wide views as the land falls away beneath you. Calling it Europe’s steepest cable car gives you a fair idea of the angle.

At the lower station, you have time for photographs, views, and a guided visit. The setting feels quieter and more exposed than the better-known west coast stops, with the ocean and high cliffs doing most of the work.

This is not a ride I would recommend to anyone with serious vertigo. The tour is also not suitable for wheelchair users or children under 12. If the cable car is closed because of maintenance or weather, the operator may need to alter this part of the day.

Waiting is another possibility. The cable car can have a line, and the guide cannot control how quickly it moves. That may shorten or shift the timing at another stop, so keep a flexible attitude rather than expecting every minute to run exactly to plan.

Porto Moniz: black rock and sea pools

Porto Moniz gives you the longest free-time stop, about an hour and a half. The town is famous for natural seawater pools formed by black volcanic rock. Waves move in from the Atlantic, while the rock walls create calmer places for bathing.

You can use this time in different ways. If you bring swimwear and a towel, you can pay the separate entrance fee and swim in the natural pools. If the weather is poor or you prefer dry clothes, you can walk, take photographs, and watch the water around the volcanic formations.

The pool entrance is not included in the $77 price, so budget for it if swimming is important to you. The tour does include a bottle of water, but lunch is also your responsibility. Since this is your main substantial break, it is sensible to plan ahead and avoid assuming the included drink replaces a meal.

I like the generous pause here. You are not reduced to a quick photograph from a roadside lookout. You can sit by the water, explore at your own speed, or make the most of the swimming option before the route continues.

Seixal’s black beach and falling water

The stop at Seixal lasts around 20 minutes and is mainly for views and photographs. The black sandy beach gives you a different look at Madeira’s volcanic character. Against the Atlantic and green hills, the dark sand makes a strong contrast.

You may also see waterfalls dropping toward the coast. The stop is short, so think of it as a scenic pause rather than a beach afternoon. You will have time to take pictures and enjoy the view, but not the long, unhurried break offered at Porto Moniz.

That distinction helps you plan your expectations. Pack swimwear for Porto Moniz, not because every coastal stop is a swimming stop. At Seixal, your main reward is the view.

Ribeira da Janela’s sea rock

Ribeira da Janela receives only about 10 minutes, but it adds one of the tour’s more distinctive sights. A dramatic rock formation rises from the sea, creating a sharp focal point along the coast.

This is a quick photo stop, yet it breaks up the day well. After the longer Porto Moniz visit and the shorter Seixal pause, you get one more look at Madeira’s rugged shoreline before heading inland.

The stop also shows why having a guide and driver is useful here. You are not spending your day trying to identify every viewpoint or decide which road leads to the best angle. Richard can keep the group moving while giving context about the places you are seeing.

Fanal Forest and its twisted trees

Fanal Forest is the tour’s most atmospheric stop. You walk for about 45 minutes among strangely shaped trees, with open views and, if conditions cooperate, a veil of mist around the branches.

The weather makes a real difference here. On a clear day, you see the unusual forms of the trees and the surrounding high country. In mist, Fanal can feel far more mysterious, with trees appearing and disappearing as you move along the paths.

Keep an eye out for the local cows that sometimes wander through the forest. They are part of the charm, but wildlife is never guaranteed, so do not make them the sole reason for choosing the stop.

You do not need to be a serious hiker to enjoy Fanal. The planned walk is short, but proper shoes and rain gear are useful because the ground and weather can change. This is also a good place to slow down after the coastal viewpoints and simply notice the shapes, air, and silence around you.

Poncha, coffee, and a local finish

The day ends at a local bar for about 30 minutes. Your booking includes one local drink: poncha, beer, or a soft drink such as Brisa Maracujá. You also receive one coffee, either a bica or garoto.

Poncha is Madeira’s best-known drink, usually associated with local rum, citrus, and sweetness. The included glass gives you a chance to try it without committing to a full evening of bar-hopping. If alcohol is not for you, choose the beer or soft drink option.

This final stop has a useful social role. After spending the day in a group of up to eight, you have time to relax and talk. The experience feels less like a checklist at this point and more like a shared road trip.

Richard’s style is part of the appeal. He mixes island history, cultural details, humor, and practical tips during the drives. The coffee, water, and occasional local biscuits are small additions, but they matter on a long day.

What the $77 price really covers

At $77 per person, the price is reasonable if you want to see several distant parts of Madeira without renting a car. The cost includes transport from the listed Funchal, Lido, and Caniço meeting points, the Achadas da Cruz cable car, a local driver-guide, water, one drink, one coffee, and insurance required by local law.

The cable car ticket is especially useful because it removes one extra expense from the day’s most distinctive activity. The tour also gives you access to a guide who can explain the island between stops rather than leaving you to read signs after you arrive.

You still need money for lunch and the Porto Moniz pool entrance. The eight-hour schedule also means you are paying for convenience and coverage, not just admission tickets. If you already have a car and prefer to spend half a day at one beach or forest, a guided tour may feel too structured. If you want to cover the western highlights in one day, the value is stronger.

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and the option to reserve now and pay later make planning easier. The important practical point is to check the weather and remain open to changes on the day.

Who should book this experience?

I would choose this tour if you want a wide introduction to Madeira’s west, especially without driving. It suits couples, friends, and solo visitors who enjoy scenic stops, short walks, local commentary, and a small social group.

It is a good fit for you if Porto Moniz, Seixal, and Fanal are all on your list but you also want places that are less routine, such as Achadas da Cruz and Ribeira da Janela. The combination gives you more variety than a tour built around only viewpoints and villages.

You should think twice if you dislike long vehicle days, have vertigo, need wheelchair access, or want complete control over how long you spend at each location. The cable car can close, weather can force changes, and a full electric vehicle may feel cramped.

The tour is not suitable for children under 12. English, Portuguese, and Spanish guiding is available, and the group size remains limited to eight people.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want Madeira’s west coast in one well-packed day, with a guide who adds local color and keeps the driving simple. The best parts are the Achadas da Cruz descent, the long Porto Moniz break, misty Fanal, and the poncha finish.

Skip it if your ideal day means one slow beach visit, a long hike, or no fixed schedule. For most first-time visitors staying around Funchal, though, this is a strong way to see the island’s dramatic western side without renting a car. Just bring layers, swimwear, sensible shoes, and patience for Madeira’s changeable weather.

FAQ

How long does the Madeira westside tour last?

The tour lasts eight hours, including transportation, sightseeing stops, the cable car, the Fanal Forest walk, and the local bar visit.

Where does the tour start and finish?

Pickup and drop-off options include the Achadas da Cruz cable car lower station, Supermercado Mendonça, the shuttle bus drop-off point, and Hotel Porto Mare. The exact meeting point depends on the option you book, and the activity ends back at the meeting point.

Is the Achadas da Cruz cable car included?

Yes. The cable car entrance fee is included in the tour price. The cable car may close because of weather or maintenance, and waiting time may occur.

Is swimming at Porto Moniz included?

No. The Porto Moniz natural pool entrance fee is not included. You may bring swimwear and a towel if you want to use the pools, and you should allow extra money for admission.

What is included in the food and drink arrangements?

The tour includes one bottle of water, one local drink such as poncha, beer, or Brisa Maracujá, and one coffee. Lunch is not included.

Is the tour suitable for everyone?

The tour is not suitable for children under 12, people with vertigo, or wheelchair users. Smoking and vaping are not allowed in the vehicle.