Day Trips from Madeira to Santana

Explore Madeira on a private full-day tour with your own driver and vehicle. Choose between a West or East Madeira route and discover some of the island’s most iconic landscapes, viewpoints and villages at a comfortable pace. The West Madeira route can include Câmara de Lobos, Ponta do Sol, Paul da Serra, Fanal Forest, Ribeira da Janela, Porto Moniz, Seixal, Véu da Noiva and Cabo Girão. The East Madeira route can include Machico, Porto da Cruz, Santana and Pico do Areeiro. This is a private experience exclusively for your group, with no shared bus and no other passengers joining your tour. Your driver takes care of the driving and local transportation while you enjoy the scenery and stops along the way. Routes and stops may vary depending on the selected option and the conditions on the day.

Start with sunrise at Pico do Arieiro, then follow your guide along a scenic section of PR1 to the famous Stairway to Heaven. Continue through the forest to Balcões, explore Santana’s traditional houses, and discover a waterfall and sweeping north-coast views. What makes our day special is the pace. We leave time to enjoy the scenery, take photographs, ask questions, and pause over coffee. With a small group and a flexible itinerary, the day can unfold naturally, with adjustments for weather and local conditions. Optional experiences include the Rocha do Navio cable car, lunch with the group, and traditional Madeiran drinks at São Cristóvão, all at an additional cost. PR1 and PR11 trail entry fees, water, snacks, and raincoats are included. Allow approximately 10–11 hours, including pickup and drop-off.

Discover the best that the Portuguese island of Madeira has to offer on a full-day tour. Visit top locations including the Camara dos Lobos fishing village, Girao Cape, Arieiro Peak, the traditional houses of Santana, and many more. Since this is a private tour, you are able to customize the itinerary to your group’s interests and stop at any place you’d like.