Tours and Tickets to Experience Paul da Serra Plateau

There are plenty of ways to experience the Paul da Serra Plateau. Looking at ratings and reviews previously given by customers, these are the best tours available right now:

• Full-Day Jeep 4x4: Amazing West Full-Day Tour to Natural Pools

• 4x4 Safari Private Jeep, Full Day, Customizable Santana or Porto Moniz or other

• Private Madeira Island Tour: The Most Complete 8-Hour Experience

• 4x4 Jeep Safari Porto Moniz – the "Farowest" tour – Full Day Small Groups

• Northwest Terraces and Volcanic Pools 4x4 Full Day Tour

While it’s free to visit the Paul da Serra Plateau on your own, many travelers opt to experience it with an expert guide who knows the terrain. Some tours of the west side of the island start at about US$40, while private or more extensive island tours range above US$300.

Paul da Serra Plateau has an average altitude of 4,920 feet (1,500 meters) above sea level, making it both the highest and flattest part of Madeira. Its most elevated point is called the Pico Ruivo do Paul, at 5,380 feet (1,640 meters) high.

At the top of the Paul da Serra Plateau, there are no eateries, hotels, restrooms, or other amenities. However, there are hotels and restaurants almost 7 miles (11 kilometers) from the plateau. The towns of Serra da Agua and Lombo do Moleiro also have observation decks, making them well worth a stop.

Yes, you can drive through Paul da Serra, which is a convenient way to reach the top of the plateau, especially if you can’t devote time to hiking the surrounding trails. The drive itself is quite scenic, and there’s a small parking lot at the top where you can take in the views.

You can take a private car or book a guided tour to Paul da Serra from Funchal and most parts of Madeira. If you drive there yourself from Funchal—which is less than an hour away—take the ER101 west, then the ER104 north. Head west on the ER105 and you’ll reach the Paul da Serra Plateau.