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

Madeira packs cliffs, old villages, banana fields, volcanic pools, and high mountain roads into a surprisingly small island. This two-day circuit gives you a quick but satisfying look at both the west and east, with transport, timing, and route planning handled for you.

I like the small group limit of 16, which makes a big difference on narrow roads and at busy viewpoints. I also like the mix of scenery and local life: you will see dramatic cliffs, but also churches, a rum distillery, fishing villages, sugar-cane country, and Santana’s thatched homes.

The main consideration is the long day on winding roads. If you get motion sick, ask for a front seat if possible, bring a small bag, and eat lightly beforehand. Mountain weather can also hide the best views, even when Funchal is sunny.

Key points to know before booking

• Two full days from 9am to 5pm: You cover Madeira’s west and east without trying to force the whole island into one exhausting day.
• A maximum of 16 people: The van format keeps the tour more personal than a large coach trip.
• Porto Moniz swimming option: Bring a swimsuit on the western day if the weather is good and you want to try the volcanic pools.
• Strong guide element: Guides including Lionel, Renato, Gloria, Paulo, Luis, and others add stories about Madeiran culture, plants, roads, and history.
• High mountain stops: Cabo Girão and Pico do Arieiro can be cold, windy, or clouded over, so pack extra layers.
• Pickup is limited by location: Funchal’s center and main tourist area are covered, as are Caniço de Baixo and Garajau for bookings of at least two people.

Why two days is the sensible way to see Madeira

Madeira is not an island you understand by staying in Funchal and taking one short scenic drive. The coast changes sharply from one side to the next, and the interior rises fast into high plateaus and peaks.

This tour splits the island into two manageable days. The first day follows the south and west, moving from Cabo Girão through Ribeira Brava, banana country, the Paúl da Serra plateau, Porto Moniz, Seixal, São Vicente, and Câmara de Lobos. The second day heads east, then turns inland through Santana, Ribeiro Frio, and Pico do Arieiro.

You will spend much of each day in the vehicle, but the schedule includes regular stops. Most are around 20 to 30 minutes, while lunch and free time in Porto Moniz and Santana run roughly 90 minutes to two hours. That rhythm works well for sightseeing, though you should not expect proper hikes or long visits inside museums.

The tour is best understood as an island introduction, not a walking holiday. You get the broad picture, useful orientation, and plenty of photo stops. Later, you can return to the places that deserve more time.

Day one: cliffs, banana fields, and the wild northwest

Cabo Girão and the glass viewpoint

The first major stop is Cabo Girão, one of Madeira’s most famous viewpoints. At about 580 meters above the sea, the cliff gives you a huge view down toward the coast and across the Atlantic.

The glass balcony is the draw. It is famous as the highest in Europe, and standing over the transparent platform can be a thrilling few minutes for some people and a test of nerve for others. The scheduled stop lasts about 30 minutes, and admission is not included, so be prepared for a possible extra charge.

This is a good early stop because it gives you an immediate sense of Madeira’s steep geography. The island does not ease you into its terrain. It drops and rises dramatically from the coast.

Ribeira Brava’s church and coastal setting

The route continues along the southern coast to Ribeira Brava. You have about 30 minutes here, enough to look around the village and visit its church, which dates from the 15th century.

This stop is less about a single sweeping viewpoint and more about seeing a real Madeiran settlement. The church adds a small piece of the island’s early history, while the coastal setting shows how towns occupy every available strip of flatter ground.

The visit is free, and you will need to use the time sensibly. If you want both a look inside the church and a quick wander, do not linger too long in one place.

Madalena do Mar and Madeira’s banana country

At Madalena do Mar, the tour makes a short visit through lush banana plantations. The stop lasts about 25 minutes.

This may be the least exciting part of the route if you are mainly chasing grand viewpoints. Still, it gives useful context. Bananas are an important part of Madeira’s agricultural identity, and the plantations show how carefully cultivated the lower slopes are.

Think of this as a brief change of pace between coastal towns and the high interior. You will not get a long farm visit or a detailed agricultural tour, but you will see the crops close to the road.

Fonte do Bispo and the Paúl da Serra plateau

The van then climbs to the Paúl da Serra area, between roughly 1,300 and 1,500 meters. At Fonte do Bispo, you stop at a viewpoint and get a look at the high interior.

This is where Madeira feels very different from the banana-growing coast. The plateau is more open, cooler, and exposed. It also connects with levada walking routes and the laurel forest, a major part of Madeira’s natural character.

The tour does not turn this into a hike. You get a short stop of about 20 minutes, so wear shoes that are comfortable for uneven ground and bring a jacket. Mountain temperatures can be much lower than in Funchal.

Porto Moniz: lunch beside volcanic pools

Porto Moniz is the longest stop of the first day, with about one hour and 45 minutes for lunch and free time. This coastal town is known for its natural volcanic pools, formed where seawater meets the island’s dark volcanic rock.

The long pause is useful. You have time to eat, walk toward the pools, take photographs, and, in good weather, swim. Bring your swimsuit and a towel if you want that option. Admission to the stop itself is listed as free, but the tour price does not promise included entry to any pool facility.

This is one place where expectations matter. You will not have all afternoon for a leisurely seaside break, and some people may prefer more time at viewpoints instead of lunch. Still, the pause keeps the day from becoming a nonstop series of van stops.

Porto Moniz is also a good place to watch the sea working against the rock. The pools are not a manufactured resort attraction. Their appeal comes from Madeira’s volcanic shore and the practical way people have adapted it for swimming.

Véu da Noiva and the Seixal viewpoint

After Porto Moniz, the route pauses near Seixal for about 20 minutes. Along the way, you pass waterfalls, including Véu da Noiva, or Bridal Veil, where water drops down the steep cliff toward the sea.

The viewpoint is built around the meeting of rock, water, and ocean. Rain and wind have cut the cliff face over a very long period, leaving a scene that looks almost arranged for a photograph.

This part of the coast can be especially weather-dependent. Mist may soften the waterfall or block parts of the view, but the changing conditions are part of Madeira’s mountain-and-sea climate. Keep your camera ready, since the best sight may appear briefly from the road.

São Vicente’s village and church

São Vicente receives about 30 minutes. The village is known for its attractive setting in the north and for a church dating from the 17th century.

The short visit lets you see another side of Madeira’s smaller communities. The north is generally greener and quieter in feel than the more built-up south, and São Vicente gives you a useful contrast with Funchal and Ribeira Brava.

This is a look-around stop rather than a deep visit. If you want to explore the village at length, you would need to return independently.

Câmara de Lobos and a Churchill connection

The final stop on day one is Câmara de Lobos, only about five kilometers from Funchal. This fishing village is famous for its harbor and was a favorite painting location of Winston Churchill.

It is a fitting finish to the western route. After the high plateau and rugged north coast, you return to a low, human-scale harbor setting. Take a short walk, look at the fishing boats, and enjoy the chance to see a working village rather than another isolated lookout.

Day two: Madeira’s east coast and high peaks

Cristo Rei at Garajau

The eastern day begins at the Cristo Rei viewpoint in Garajau. The monument is one of Madeira’s best-known sights on the east coast, and its position gives you broad views across the Atlantic and along the shore.

The stop lasts about 30 minutes and is free. It is a strong opening because you begin with a clear coastal panorama before moving into the island’s older towns and more rugged eastern reaches.

Machico, Madeira’s first capital

Machico is a short 20-minute stop, but it carries plenty of historical weight. It was Madeira’s first capital from 1440 to 1496, before Funchal took that role in 1508.

The town is also associated with the first settlers, who arrived in the early 15th century. You will not have time for a detailed historical tour, but the stop gives you a useful framework for understanding how Portuguese settlement developed across the island.

The guide commentary matters here. Guides such as Renato and Paulo have been praised for explaining Madeira’s past in a clear, lively way, which helps these brief town visits feel like more than photo breaks.

Ponta do Rosto and the dry eastern peninsula

At Ponta do Rosto, you reach the eastern end of Madeira’s distinctive peninsula, Ponta de São Lourenço. This is a nature reserve with wide Atlantic views and unusual rock formations.

The scenery here differs sharply from the thick greenery of the north. The peninsula is more open and exposed, with a drier, more stripped-back appearance. You have about 30 minutes, enough to take in the view and walk a little, but not enough for the full Ponta de São Lourenço hiking experience.

That distinction is important. This tour gives you an overview of the reserve, not a trail day. If this area is your main reason for coming to Madeira, plan a separate hike.

Porto da Cruz and the Engenhos do Norte distillery

Porto da Cruz is a small northeastern village and the next stop. Its old sugar-cane rum distillery, Engenhos do Norte, shows how central sugar production once was to Madeira’s economy.

The original steam machinery remains operational, and entry to the factory is free. With about 30 minutes, you may have time to look around the distillery and absorb the industrial side of island life.

This stop adds welcome variety. After cliffs and viewpoints, you see machinery, production, and the legacy of sugar cane. The factory is not presented as a long formal tasting session, so treat it as a compact cultural visit.

Santana’s thatched houses and lunch break

Santana is the main cultural stop on the second day, with about 90 minutes to two hours for lunch and free time. The town is best known for its colorful, triangular houses with thatched roofs.

These homes are not simply decorative souvenirs. Their form reflects older Madeiran building traditions dating to the 16th century. Today, they are a popular attraction, but they still help you picture how people lived in the island’s rural northeast.

The extended stop gives you more breathing room than the short village visits earlier in the day. You can eat, see the houses, and spend a little time exploring rather than rushing from one photo point to the next.

Santana is also a good place to listen to the guide’s explanation of local culture. The strongest guides on this route, including Lionel, Gloria, and Renato, have been singled out for mixing facts with humor and stories about daily life.

Ribeiro Frio and laurel forest country

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

You will also hear about Madeira’s native plants and birds. Laurel trees are part of the island’s ancient forest environment, and the area can offer sightings of endemic birds such as the Madeira chaffinch, the long-toed pigeon, and the small bis-bis.

Again, this is not a full levada walk. The schedule allows for a short stroll, not a long trail. If you value walking above all else, you may find the stop too brief, but it gives you a useful glimpse of the forested interior without requiring hiking gear or a full day on foot.

Pico do Arieiro above the clouds

The final stop is Pico do Arieiro, Madeira’s third-highest peak at 1,818 meters. The road makes this summit accessible without a strenuous climb, which is one reason it is among the island’s most visited mountain spots.

On a clear day, you may see the south coast, Curral das Freiras, and even Porto Santo. Clouds often hover around the rock formations, creating a dramatic scene even when the distant view disappears. On a bad-weather day, you may see very little, so keep expectations flexible.

The peak also connects with famous routes toward Pico das Torres and Pico Ruivo, but this tour does not provide time for those hikes. You get around 30 minutes at the summit.

On the approach, you may see Poço da Neve, an unusual stone structure built to store mountain ice, snow, and hail. A radar installation now occupies the summit area, another reminder that this is both a scenic site and a working piece of the island.

Guides, van travel, and the pace of the days

The guide can shape this experience as much as the scenery. Several guides have been praised for clear explanations, humor, safe driving, and an ability to point out plants and local details from the road. Lionel, Renato, Gloria, Paulo, and Luis are names associated with particularly warm feedback.

You may have a different guide each day. That can be a plus, since you get two personalities and two ways of explaining Madeira. It can also mean the quality of commentary feels less consistent from one day to the next, especially if one guide is newer or more nervous.

The van holds no more than 16 people. That is small enough for a friendlier feel, but seating matters on Madeira’s winding roads. If you are tall, ask early about a comfortable seat. If you are prone to motion sickness, the front is usually the practical choice, and a small bag is wise.

The guides use microphones so everyone can hear. Clear commentary is helpful, though you may prefer a quieter ride at times. You can politely tell the guide if the volume is uncomfortable.

Price, pickup, and what you need to bring

At about $72.56 per person for two days, the price is strong value if you do not plan to rent a car. You are paying for two full days of transport, route planning, and guiding across roads that can be narrow, steep, and demanding to drive.

The value is less compelling if you want long hikes, private stops, or hours in each village. This is a sightseeing circuit designed to show you a lot efficiently.

Pickup is available in Funchal city center and the main tourist area. Pickup from hotels in Caniço de Baixo and Garajau is available when at least two people book. If you stay outside those zones, you will be directed to a meeting point in Funchal.

Bring layers for the mountains, comfortable shoes, water, and sun protection. On day one, add a swimsuit if you want to swim at Porto Moniz. Binoculars can be useful at coastal viewpoints and in the forest, though they are not required.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. The route order can change, and updated details are sent if the sequence is modified.

Should you book this Madeira island tour?

I would book it if you have only a few days in Madeira, do not want to drive, and want a broad look at the island’s coast, villages, mountains, and culture. It is particularly useful for solo visitors, first-time visitors, and anyone who wants an easy overview before choosing where to return.

I would not choose it as your only activity if your priority is hiking. The tour visits Ribeiro Frio, Ponta de São Lourenço, and high mountain areas, but the stops are short. It also does not include Fanal Forest, so check the route carefully if that is high on your list.

For most people, the two-day format is the smart choice. You see far more than you could comfortably manage alone in two days, and good guides turn a string of viewpoints into a clearer picture of Madeira.

FAQ

How long is each tour day?

Each day runs approximately from 9am to 5pm. The full experience lasts two days.

Where is pickup available?

Pickup is offered from Funchal city center and the main tourist area. Pickup from hotels in Caniço de Baixo and Garajau is available for a minimum booking of two people. Other accommodations are directed to the nearest Funchal meeting point.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes. The tour is offered in English.

How many people can join the tour?

The tour has a maximum of 16 travelers.

Is swimming possible during the tour?

Swimming may be possible at Porto Moniz in good weather. Bring a swimsuit if you want to use that opportunity.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours in advance are not accepted for a refund.