Top Madeira Day Trips

Find the most photo-worthy views on the western side of Madeira during this small-group day trip, led by a local guide. Let a guide navigate the tricky roads and explore coastal areas and the island's central plateau, including Porto Moniz natural swimming pools with time to swim and Praia do Porto do Seixal. Hotel pickup is included for convenience, and the minibus features air conditioning and booster seats for added comfort.

Discover the wild and authentic side of Madeira with a passionate local guide who knows every hidden corner of the island. This experience blends stunning landscapes, cultural insights, and adventure in a way that goes far beyond standard tours. Enjoy a taste of traditional poncha, swim in natural lava pools, and explore off-road trails, mystical forests, and secret viewpoints that most visitors never reach. Along the way, you’ll hear fascinating stories and enjoy carefully chosen stops that highlight Madeira’s true spirit. Here, it’s not only about where you go, but the unforgettable journey that takes you there.

Start your journey towards Pico do Arieiro (1.818 m), the third highest point in Madeira and one of the few peaks accessible by road. Enjoy panoramic views of mountains, deep valleys and the island’s lush nature. Follow to Ribeiro Frio, in the heart of the UNESCO World Heritage Laurissilva Forest, where you can enjoy one of the oldest forests in Europe, rich in biodiversity and tranquility. Continue along the north coast, passing through Faial to Santana, famous for the traditional triangular houses of colmo, a symbol of Madeirese culture. After lunch break, visit Ponta de São Lourenço, a volcanic peninsula with arid landscapes and impressive cliffs over the Atlantic. End in Machico, the historic Villa where Portuguese sailors landed in 1419, before returning to the hotel, bringing with you unforgettable memories of Madeira’s natural and cultural diversity.

The West Coast of Madeira is full of spectacular lookouts, traditional fishing villages, and natural wonders, but it can be hard to get around without your own transport. Maximize your time on this full-day tour from Funchal and take in highlights including Cabo Girão, Ribeira da Janela, Laurissilva forest, and the Porto Moniz natural pools. Hotel pickup and drop-off is included.

Venture off the beaten path and see a side of Funchal that’s inaccessible to traditional tour vehicles on an excursion by 4WD vehicle. As well as receiving personalized attention in a small group, adventure through mountains, waterfalls, fishing villages, natural pools, and volcanic landscapes. This tour reaches scenic corners of Madeira that showcase the island’s dramatic natural diversity.

Madeira's most striking corners often sit at the end of rural mountain tracks that are tricky for visitors to navigate. This private full-day tour reaches them effortlessly, going off-road to volcanic natural pools at Porto Moniz and Seixal and into wilderness spots most visitors never see. Refuel partway with a light lunch included on the trail and customize the route to suit your group.

The Valley of the Nuns (Curral da Freiras) might be one of the coolest places you can visit in all of Portugal—and this tour makes it easy to explore the area. Not only is it a village built on the crater of an extinct volcano, but it was once a place where nuns would hide when pirates attacked the city of Funchal. Plus, during this tour, you’ll stop by the fishing village, Câmara de Lobos, and try a traditional Madeira drink.

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.

Funchal’s waters are home to whales and dolphins—and this luxurious catamaran tour offers the best way to spot them. Head to Funchal’s marina and hop aboard your vessel, where you’ll enjoy Champagne, cocktails, soft drinks, and snacks like local bread and cheese. Indulge as you look out for whales and dolphins. Then, if you wish, enjoy a swimming and snorkeling break at Cabo Girao before returning to shore.

Spend the day hiking the remarkable Levada das 25 Fontes without any of the hassles of organizing transport, meals and more. On this small group hiking excursion, all of those things are pre-arranged for you. Catch your transport from Funchal and focus on the stunning landscapes of the Laurissilva Forest. Hike through to the center of the forest to get a close-up look at some of its natural highlights, including the dramatic 25 Fontes and Risco waterfalls.

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.

On this day you will discover several natural wonders, as well as surprising landscapes. Start in Câmara de Lobos, a picturesque fishing village featured in Sir Winston Churchill's 1950 painting. Continue the journey towards Cabo Girão and admire the wine fields, used for the production of the famous Madeira Wine. Reach the highest maritime cliff in Europe, and the second highest in the world, Cabo Girão at 580 meters high. Follow the west coast until you reach Ribeira Brava, and the Encumeadas viewpoint, at 1007 meters. Admire the wonderful landscapes both on the coast and on the island. Proceeding, you will cross the plateau of Paúl da Serra, the largest plateau on the island of Madeira. Stop for a snack in Porto Moniz, a famous spot in the north of the island, known for its natural pools. Driving towards São Vicente, you will enjoy the small waterfalls, passing through Seixal, along the way. End of the day with a visit to São Vicente. Return to the Hotel.

You can make the most of your time with this tour that takes you to explore both the western and northwestern regions of Madeira in one day. Hop into your 4-wheel-drive Jeep with hotel pickup and start exploring the landscape. Discover mountains, cliffs, valleys, waterfalls, lush forests, and natural lava pools in areas inaccessible by regular vehicles. This small-group tour provides privacy, comfort, and personalized attention from your guide.

A hop-on hop-off bus tour is the ideal way to combine the flexibility of independent sightseeing with the convenience of a guided tour. With a choice of a 48-hour or 5-day ticket, this great-value deal offers full access to three routes—the highlights of Funchal, the village of Câmara de Lobos, and the Skywalk of Cabo Girão.

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.

See the extraordinary views from the summit of Pico Ruivo on this small-group sunrise hike. The PR1 hike from Pico do Arieiro takes you to the highest peak in Madeira, offering panoramic scenes of the island below. Set off long before the crowds arrive and climb the mountainous region to reach the top, often above the clouds, as the sun rises.

The rugged landscape of Madeira means there are lots of nature spots that can only be accessed on off-road routes. Instead of organizing your own car rental, benefit from the expertise of a local driver who knows the roads well. Enjoy a private off-road tour that’s customized to suit your requirements; swim in rock pools, hike through forests, access stunning viewpoints, or explore local food spots—the choice is yours.

Explore the enchanting landscapes of the west on this immersive sightseeing tour. Experience the thrill of swimming in crystal-clear natural pools and the serenity of wandering through mystical forests. Marvel at stunning waterfalls and uncover the hidden magic of nature's untouched beauty. This tour promises an unforgettable journey into the heart of the wild, perfect for nature lovers and adventure seekers alike. - Swim in pristine natural pools surrounded by breathtaking scenery - Discover stunning waterfalls and their captivating surroundings - Immerse yourself in mystical forests teeming with wildlife

Slow down and explore the lush heart of Madeira island on this half-day walking tour from Rabaçal to 25 Fountains. Led by a local guide, you’ll learn about Madeira’s levadas (canals), catch stunning views of Rabaçal Valley, wander through a laurel forest, watch for the elusive trocaz pigeon—a bird found only on Madeira—and marvel at the clear, green water of 25 Fountains.

Leave all of the planning to someone else and enjoy yourself in Madeira with this tour through ancient forests. Begin with hotel pickup and journey through eucalyptus and mimosa forests. Ascend Pico do Arieiro mountain, then descend to Ribeiro Frio and stop at a trout hatchery. Take a leisurely stroll through the trees and visit the Santana UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Lunch is not included.

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.

Island Explorer Madeira 4x4 aims to make Madeira Island known by sharing cultural curiosities with fun. The objective is to offer a playful adventure, through tours through the most emblematic points of our island, also including off roading that only an all-terrain vehicle can provide. The maximum capacity of the tour is 6 people. Travel time already included in the total duration.

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 the summit on a longer, more rewarding route.