Top Funchal Half-day Tours

Experience a famous Madeira beauty spot on a small-group Nuns Valley (Curral da Freiras) trip from Funchal, Canico, and Machico. Traveling by air-conditioned minivan that keeps you cool, make the scenic journey to the village tucked into an ancient crater-like bowl between vertiginous peaks. Stop at Pico dos Barcelos to gaze over Funchal, enjoy bird’s-eye views over Nuns Valley from Eira do Serrado, and visit the history-steeped village. Hotel pickup and drop-off, and choice of departure times included.

Embark on a guided adventure of the west side of Madeira that helps you uncover beautiful scenery, places that locals love, and lots of surprises along the way too. Exploring the island with a guide helps you access off the beaten path locations that you might not find alone. It also means you don’t have to worry about navigating or hiring a vehicle. Highlights along the way include Cabo Girao viewpoint, Ribeira Brava Beach, and Porto Moniz Natural Swimming Pools.

Venture off-road to explore the rugged mountains and rural villages of Madeira, without having to worry about driving, on this small-group safari from Funchal. Travel around in an open-top safari vehicle, take in the views from Boca dos Namorados, and pass through traditional villages such as Camara de Lobos, and visit the famous glass walkway at Girao Cape that towers 1,970 feet (600 meters) above the sea.

Discover the enchanting island of Madeira during your 4-hour stop in Funchal. This mini-adventure takes you to breathtaking viewpoints and lush landscapes, providing a glimpse into the island's natural beauty and rich culture. With expert guides leading the way, you'll enjoy a surprise itinerary that showcases the best sights Madeira has to offer, making the most of your limited time. - Explore stunning viewpoints and natural landscapes in Madeira - Experience local culture through guided tours tailored for short stays - Enjoy a surprise program that highlights the island’s charm - Perfect for travelers looking to make the most of a 4-hour break in Funchal

Taste your way around Madeira on this small-group food and walking tour. You won’t have to worry about language barriers as you’ll have a guide to translate and order for you. Save time researching and planning your trip by having a guide to show you around. Make the most of your day by visiting multiple places and tasting local specialties. All food and drink is included.

Start your day above the clouds with a magical Pico do Arieiro sunrise tour. After an early hotel pickup, head to the viewpoint of one of Madeira’s highest points for panoramic views at dawn. For a more complete morning experience, upgrade to the premium option to enjoy a traditional breakfast in the open air before a short levada walk through Paradise Valley (when conditions allow). Note: this is not the PR1 Pico do Arieiro to Pico Ruivo hike; if conditions are not favorable, an alternative sunrise viewpoint is used.

Check out the center of Madeira Island, where you'll find the Valley of the Nuns. This is a half day small group tour, that runs twice weekly at 9:30am. You’ll stop at Miradouro Pico Dos Barcelos for a wonderful view of Funchal, and later at Eira do Serrado viewpoint for some gorgeous surrounding nature. You'll then spend time in the Valley of the Nuns with layers of white clouds among the mountain peaks.

Exploring Madeira Island by car is a special way to discover the beauty and culture of this charming island, with the personalization and flexibility we offer. This is a private tour but we can adjust according to your interests and personal preferences. You have the freedom to choose unplanned stops along the way. You will be able to visit the Miradouro do Cristo Rei do Garajau, observe the beautiful landscapes in the Miradouro das Neves and the Miradouro Pico dos Barcelos. Next we will head towards Cabo Girão to observe the island of the floating platform, explore the bay of Vila de Câmara de Lobos, where you can stop for a meal and finally enjoy a traditional drink at the Castrinhos bar. Meals and entrance to the attractions are not included (Miradouro do Cabo Girão - 2€)

Experience the essence of Madeira in just 5 hours. This immersive tour takes you through breathtaking landscapes, vibrant local culture, and scenic viewpoints, offering a true taste of island's unique charm. Perfect for those looking to capture the spirit of Madeira in short time, especially if you are cruise traveller. In the rare event that I'm fully booked, rest assured that my brother Ricardo and our team of professional drivers are ready to step in and ensure that your tour is nothing short of spectacular.

Leaving the hotel, we reached Pico Arieiro in 45 minutes. When we arrive and get a comfortable spot where the sunrise begins, there is pure magic happening right in front of us. We are above the clouds, and Mother Nature welcomes us with a display of her splendor. Shades of orange and purple tear through the blue sky and reflect on the clouds below us. Little by little, it is possible to see the sea and the green mountains emerging between our views. After sunrise, we will descend to a campsite to discover the enchanting Levada de Balcoes. Pick-up is 90 minutes before sunrise.

This half-day adventure introduces you to an unusual form of transport that originated in the early 19th century—wicker sledges known as the Monte Toboggans. There’s no need to go to a meeting place, as door-to-door hotel transfers are included. After meeting your guide, see local sights—such as the Church of Our Lady of the Mount. Then, enjoy a thrilling toboggan ride in Monte.

Seeing Portugal’s Madeira region can be difficult on your own because of its hard-to-get-to highlights. This small-group Jeep tour to Madeira’s cliffs and valleys charges through the area’s rough landscape, so you can stop by Boca dos Namorados, Jardim da Serra, Cabo Girão, and Câmara de Lobo all in one day plus enjoy a tasting of Madeira wines. Plus, round-trip transport from Funchal is included for a seamless adventure.

Discover the best of Madeira in your very own tuk-tuk during this full-day excursion. Alongside your private guide, create an itinerary that suits your group's interests. Sightsee around Funchal, stop at the fishing village of Camara de Lobos, take in the sights from Cape Girao, stroll through the botanical garden, and more. While you explore, your guide regales you with information about the island and its landmarks.

Enjoy Madeira’s natural beauty and renowned wine on a half-day off-road adventure. After a convenient hotel pickup in Funchal or Caniço, travel by 4x4 to picturesque sites like the soaring cliffs of Cabo Girão and the vineyards of Sao Vicente. Learn about local wine customs and production from a local winemaker, and sample white, red, and rosé varieties.

Bask in the sun and sea of Madeira, one of the world’s tallest oceanside cliffs, on this catamaran excursion from the Funchal Marina. After boarding, find a nice spot on the deck or one of the four trampoline nets for spotting whales and dolphins. Your crew highlights landmarks and wildlife plus you have a choice of a morning or afternoon departure time.

Pico do Arieiro is the third-highest peak in Madeira, and offers spectacular views—especially at sunset. Enjoy an easier way to visit, and give yourself the best chance of admiring the postcard-worthy sunset, on this half-day tour. With round-trip transit from several areas, including Funchal, getting there is made simple. As a bonus, you can choose to extend the experience with a self-led hike to the Stairway to Heaven viewpoint.

Uncover the natural splendor surrounding Funchal on this full-day northern wonders Jeep trip. Stay from Funchal’s well-trodden paths in a fully-equipped Jeep to see the awe-inspiring plateaus at Paul da Serra. Admire the natural Porto Moniz pools, formed by volcanic activity long ago, as well as the renowned São Vicente vineyards and Cabo Girao.

On this scenic, private half-day trip, you’ll travel from Pico dos Barcelos to picturesque Nun's Valley in a comfortable, WIFI-equipped car. See where the nuns of the Monastery of Santa Clara once sought refuge from French privateers. Other highlights include postcard-perfect views from Pico dos Barcelos, a stop at popular Eira do Serrado lookout point, and a peek at the UNESCO-listed Laurisilva Forest.

Explore Madeira’s diverse landscapes and rich culture on our Jeep Tour, which traverses iconic locations and hidden gems. Starting in the fishing village of Câmara de Lobos, the tour moves through the secluded Fajã das Galinhas, climbs to the scenic Boca dos Namorados Viewpoint, and includes an exhilarating off-road experience. The adventure also stops at a local bar for a taste of Poncha, Madeira's traditional drink, and concludes with breathtaking views from the Cabo Girão Skywalk Viewpoint.

Experience Funchal and its surroundings on a private 3-hour tuk-tuk tour with me as your local driver-guide. From the historic Old Town to scenic viewpoints, coastal landscapes and quiet mountain roads, we’ll cover some of the island’s most varied scenery in one trip. Along the way, we’ll pass painted doors, hidden corners and panoramic views over Funchal Bay and the Atlantic, then the Cristo Rei statue in Garajau, before climbing into the quieter hills, past Madeira Stadium, Caminho dos Pretos, Terreiro da Luta and the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Peace. Because this is a private tour, I’ll share local stories along the way and happily adapt the route to your interests, pace and the day’s conditions, with plenty of time for photos and to enjoy each stop without feeling rushed. I was born and raised on this island, and this is the tour I’d choose to show someone everything Madeira does well in one trip, history, coast and mountains, back to back.

Watch the sunset from one of Madeira’s most beautiful locations, Pico do Areiro, on this half-day excursion from Funchal. Join a small group and climb aboard your 4x4 vehicle to the summit of Areiro, Madeira’s third-highest peak. Then, watch as the sky turns from blue to different hues of orange and pink as the sun begins to set; don’t forget to bring your camera to capture the moment.

We start at Pico dos Barcelos, a viewpoint overlooking the bay of Funchal and mountains. We continue to climb until Eira do Serrado which is at a height of 1053 meters. This viewpoint offers an overview of the parish of Curral das Freiras. Access to the viewpoint is via a footpath that leaves from Estalagem Eira do Serrado. We went down to Curral das Freiras, a cozy village surrounded by mountains. Finally we go to the parish of Monte, known for its gardens and the Church of Nossa Senhora do Monte. On January 1st and December 25th there are no excursions.

Madeira's mountains are a must-see but navigating them without local know-how can be tricky. This small-group hike pairs you with a mountain guide, taking you along the PR3 trail to Pico do Areeiro, the island's third-highest peak. Cross the Stairway to Heaven ridge and pause at clifftop viewpoints over the valleys before reaching to the summit.