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

Madeira packs dramatic cliffs, volcanic pools, mountain roads, old villages, and Atlantic views into a surprisingly small island. This two-day island tour gives you a useful first look without the work of planning every turn, parking spot, and viewpoint yourself. You travel roughly from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day, with time to get out, look around, and hear the story behind the scenery.

I like the small maximum group of 16, which gives the guide a better chance to explain what you are seeing. I also like the mix of natural and cultural stops, from a banana plantation and rum distillery to churches, fishing villages, and high mountain viewpoints. The main drawback is the amount of winding road travel, and a full day of stops can feel long if you are prone to motion sickness.

Key points to know before booking

• Two full days cover both sides of Madeira, with west coast scenery on one day and the eastern peaks and villages on the other.
• Cabo Girão reaches 580 meters above the sea, with a glass viewing platform and sweeping coastal views.
• Porto Moniz includes a long lunch and free-time stop, and you can swim in the volcanic pools when conditions allow.
• The tour reaches Pico do Arieiro at 1,818 meters, but mountain clouds can hide the views.
• Guides including Lionel, Renato, Paulo, Gloria, and Luís are praised for humor, history, safe driving, and friendly care.
• Pickup is limited to Funchal’s main tourist areas, with special pickup from Caniço de Baixo and Garajau for at least two people.

Why two days work better than one

Madeira is not an island you understand from Funchal alone. The capital is a fine base, but the island changes quickly as you leave the city. Banana fields line the lower slopes, cliffs drop into the sea, and roads climb into cool mountain country within a short drive.

Trying to see all of this in one day would turn the tour into a race. Here, you get two days, each running about eight hours. That gives you time to stop at viewpoints, visit villages, eat lunch, and hear about Madeira’s past without spending every minute rushing back into the van.

This is not a hiking tour. It is a sightseeing tour with short walks and photo stops. You will see much of the island, but you should not expect long trail time at Ponta de São Lourenço, Ribeiro Frio, or Pico do Arieiro. The value is the range of places covered and the fact that someone else handles Madeira’s steep, winding roads.

Day one: cliffs, bananas, volcanic pools, and the west coast

The first day links several of Madeira’s most recognizable sights. The route includes high viewpoints, coastal villages, mountain country, and the volcanic pools at Porto Moniz. It is a day of constant change, which is one of the pleasures of touring Madeira by road.

Cabo Girão and the glass platform

Cabo Girão is the opening stop, and it makes a strong first impression. At 580 meters above sea level, the viewpoint looks down over the coast and cultivated slopes. The glass balcony adds a little drama, particularly if you are comfortable looking straight down.

You get about 30 minutes here. That is enough for photographs and a quick look around, though it is not an extended visit. Admission is not included, so check the current entry arrangement when booking. Weather matters at this height. Clouds can soften or block the view, but the guide can still explain the site and the coastal setting.

Ribeira Brava and a 15th-century church

The road continues toward Ribeira Brava, a coastal village with a church dating from the 15th century. The stop is short, around 30 minutes, and admission is free.

This is a useful cultural pause after the large view at Cabo Girão. You are not only ticking off viewpoints. You are also seeing the older settlements that grew along Madeira’s narrow coastal strips. Keep expectations sensible: this is a brief village visit, not a guided church study or a long free afternoon.

Madalena do Mar’s banana fields

Madalena do Mar offers a quick walk through lush banana plantations. The stop lasts about 25 minutes, so it is more about seeing how farming fits into Madeira’s lower coastal slopes than taking a long agricultural tour.

Some people will find this stop interesting, especially if they want more than postcard scenery. Others may find it modest compared with the cliffs and mountain peaks. I would treat it as a pleasant change of pace and a chance to notice the everyday side of the island.

Fonte do Bispo and the Paul da Serra high country

The route then climbs toward Paul da Serra, a broad high plateau between roughly 1,300 and 1,500 meters. At Fonte do Bispo, you get a short viewpoint stop and a sense of how quickly Madeira rises from the sea.

This area is linked to the island’s levadas, the water channels that cross the mountains and connect walking routes through the laurel forest. You will not be taking a full levada walk on this tour, but the guide can place those famous paths in context. Bring an extra layer. The upper slopes can be far cooler than Funchal, and weather can shift quickly.

Porto Moniz and the volcanic pools

Porto Moniz is the longest stop of the day, with about one hour and 45 minutes for lunch and free time. This timing matters. You have room to eat, look around the seaside town, and, if the weather and conditions cooperate, swim in the natural volcanic pools.

The pools are formed by dark volcanic rock and filled by the Atlantic. They are one of Madeira’s signature sights, but swimming is not guaranteed by the tour. Pack a swimsuit and a towel if you want the option. The tour does not list pool admission as included, so check the current arrangements before you go.

The long break also helps the day’s rhythm. After several short stops and winding roads, you get time to sit down instead of eating in a hurry. One useful point to consider is that some people would prefer more time for photographs and less time at lunch. If you like taking pictures, use the stop efficiently and confirm how much free time you have before settling in.

Seixal and the Véu da Noiva waterfall

The route continues along the north coast, with a brief stop near Seixal and the Véu da Noiva waterfall. Water drops down the steep rock face toward the sea, and the viewpoint gives you a clear sense of how rain and erosion have shaped this side of Madeira.

The stop is about 20 minutes. That is enough for a look and photographs, but not enough for a leisurely coastal walk. The road itself is part of the experience, with waterfalls and steep slopes appearing between stops.

São Vicente and Câmara de Lobos

São Vicente brings you to another picturesque northern village, with a 17th-century church and about 30 minutes to explore. It is a quieter stop than Porto Moniz and gives the day another cultural note before the return toward Funchal.

The final stop is Câmara de Lobos, a fishing village about five kilometers from Funchal. Its harbor and boats made it a favorite painting spot for Winston Churchill. You get around 30 minutes, enough for a short walk and a look at the working character of the village.

Day one covers a lot, but it does not feel like a list of identical lookouts. You get farming, churches, villages, cliffs, waterfalls, and volcanic rock. The tradeoff is that most stops are short, so you need to be ready to get off the van promptly and make each pause count.

Day two: Madeira’s eastern point and high mountain roads

The second day shifts toward the drier, more exposed east and then climbs into the mountains. It combines the Cristo Rei statue, the historic town of Machico, the rocky Ponta de São Lourenço, Santana’s traditional houses, Ribeiro Frio, and Pico do Arieiro.

Cristo Rei at Garajau

The morning begins at the Cristo Rei viewpoint in Garajau. The statue looks over the Atlantic from one of Madeira’s best-known eastern viewpoints. You get about 30 minutes, with no admission charge listed.

This is a good opening stop because it lets you see the coast before the route moves inland and east. The setting is open and dramatic, but as with every viewpoint on Madeira, clouds and light will shape what you see.

Machico, Madeira’s first capital

Machico is the island’s second most populous city and a place with an important role in Madeira’s early settlement. It served as the island’s capital from 1440 to 1496, before Funchal took that role in 1508.

The visit lasts around 20 minutes. That is a short introduction rather than a full city tour, but it gives your guide a chance to explain Madeira’s early Portuguese history. If you enjoy local history, listen closely here. The stop is brief, but the background is useful for understanding the island beyond its scenery.

Ponta de São Lourenço at the island’s eastern end

At Ponta de São Lourenço, also called Ponta do Rosto, Madeira looks very different from the green, wooded interior. The eastern tip is a nature reserve with exposed rock formations and broad Atlantic views.

You get about 30 minutes. The tour does not turn this into a long hike, so you should think of it as a viewpoint visit. The dry, open appearance of the peninsula makes a useful contrast with the laurel forest and steep valleys seen elsewhere.

Porto da Cruz and the old rum distillery

Porto da Cruz is a small northeastern village with a former sugar cane rum distillery, Engenhos do Norte. The old steam machinery remains in place, and visitors can enter freely.

This is one of the more distinctive stops because it connects Madeira’s scenery with its working past. Sugar cane helped shape the island’s economy, and the distillery gives you something tangible to see. You get about 30 minutes, so the visit is relatively quick, but it is a welcome change from another viewpoint.

Santana’s thatched houses and lunch break

Santana is known for its colorful, triangular houses with thatched roofs. Their roots go back to the 16th century, though today they are mainly a cultural attraction.

The stop lasts about an hour and 30 minutes, including lunch and free time. This is your main meal break on day two. You have enough time to look around, eat, and take photographs without the pressure of a very short stop.

Santana is also a good place to consider what this tour can and cannot do. You will see a famous symbol of Madeiran culture, but this is not a detailed village walk or a long visit with local residents. For a first look at the northeast, it works well. If you want extended time in one town, a private tour would offer more control.

Ribeiro Frio and the laurel forest

Ribeiro Frio sits in a deep northern valley surrounded by mountains. The area is known for trout pools, nature paths, laurel trees, and birds found in Madeira, including the chaffinch, pigeon, and bis-bis.

You get around 30 minutes. That allows a short stroll and a breath of cool mountain air, but not a serious hike. The stop is especially useful if you want to see Madeira’s natural side without committing to a full-day walk.

Pico do Arieiro at 1,818 meters

The final stop reaches Pico do Arieiro, Madeira’s third-highest peak at 1,818 meters. On a clear day, you may see the south coast, Curral das Freiras, and even Porto Santo. Clouds often gather around the rock formations, creating a striking scene even when the long-distance views disappear.

The visit lasts about 30 minutes. The access road makes the peak suitable for a sightseeing tour, while famous trails continue toward Pico das Torres and Pico Ruivo. You will not have time for those longer routes here.

Along the way, you may see Poço da Neve, a stone structure once used to store ice, snow, and hail. A radar installation is also located at the summit. The weather can be very different from the coast, so wear layers. Several people who enjoyed this tour specifically pointed out the need for warm clothing at the mountain stops.

Guides, vans, and the comfort question

The guides are a major part of the experience. Lionel is repeatedly praised for clear explanations, humor, and his ability to involve the whole group. Renato is also singled out for lively commentary, care, and practical knowledge of the island. Paulo, Gloria, Luís, and other guides are described as friendly, informative, and capable drivers.

That last point matters in Madeira. The roads are steep and winding, and the guide is handling the vehicle while explaining the island. You may have a different guide on each day, and the tone can vary. One day may feel especially polished while another guide may still be gaining confidence.

The van holds no more than 16 people, which is smaller than a large coach but not a private tour. Seating can matter. If you get motion sick or are tall, ask about sitting near the front as early as possible. One traveler who sat at the back found the winding roads difficult, and a tall passenger had trouble with legroom. Bring your own small bag in case you feel unwell, since sick bags are not listed as supplied.

If you need to leave the tour early because of illness, do not assume a replacement vehicle will be available. The company may offer a chance to reschedule, but you should be prepared to arrange your own return if you cannot continue.

The price and who gets good value

At $72.56 per person for two days, this is strong value for anyone who wants to see most of Madeira without renting a car. The price covers the guided transport and a large number of stops, while lunch, some admissions, and possible swimming costs are extra.

You are paying for access to places that would take careful driving and route planning to connect yourself. You also get local explanation, pickup in the covered areas, and a group small enough for the guide to remain present. The price is less appealing if you already have a car, enjoy long hikes, or prefer to spend half a day in one village.

Pickup is offered in Funchal city center and the main tourist zone. Hotels in Caniço de Baixo and Garajau can receive pickup when at least two people book. If you stay elsewhere, you will be directed to a meeting point in Funchal. Confirm this before booking, rather than assuming every Madeira address qualifies.

The tour is available in English, and most people can take part. Service animals are allowed. The order of stops may change, particularly if conditions require a different sequence.

Should you book this Madeira tour?

Book it if you have only a few days, do not want to drive, and want a broad first look at Madeira. It is especially useful for solo visitors, couples, and anyone who values local stories along with the views.

Skip it if your main goal is serious hiking, long photography sessions, or complete control over the schedule. You will spend many hours on winding roads, and mountain weather may hide Pico do Arieiro or other high viewpoints.

For most first-time visitors, I would choose this tour early in a Madeira stay. It shows you what the island offers, from banana fields and fishing villages to volcanic pools and cloud-level peaks. Pack layers, motion-sickness supplies if needed, and a swimsuit for Porto Moniz. Cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund.

FAQ

How long does the tour last each day?

The tour runs from approximately 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on both days, for a total duration of about two days.

Where is 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 booking of two people. Other accommodations are assigned the nearest meeting point in Funchal.

Is lunch included?

Lunch is not stated as included. Day one provides about one hour and 45 minutes for lunch and free time in Porto Moniz. Day two provides about one hour and 30 minutes for lunch and free time in Santana.

Can I swim in the Porto Moniz pools?

Swimming may be possible in good weather. Bring a swimsuit if you want that option. Admission to the pools is not listed as included.

Is this a hiking tour?

No. It is a sightseeing tour with short visits and brief walks. You will visit places connected with levada walks and mountain trails, but extended hiking is not part of the schedule.

What happens if I need to cancel?

You can receive a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations and changes made less than 24 hours before the start are not accepted for a refund.