Day Trips from Madeira to Funchal

Follow a guide uphill and downhill over some challenging trails on this Portela mountain bike ride. Departing from Funchal, you’ll start near the biological reserve of Madeira Natural Park and ride along one of the levadas of Madeira. See ocean views and immerse in the Laurisilva of Madeira, the World Heritage–listed Laurel Forest. Please note, this mountain bike ride is suitable for those with good physical fitness and moderate skill level.

Discover the rugged mountain landscape of eastern Madeira on a full-day, small-group tour from Funchal for your group of up to 8 people. Travel in the comfort of a climate-controlled vehicle as you look down at the clouds from the summit of Pico do Arieiro, Madeira’s third-highest peak, see traditional thatch architecture in the seaside community of Santana, then take in the views along the coast from the Penha d’Aguia. Throughout the day, enjoy the personal service of a private driver, with pickup and drop-off at Funchal hotels included.

Find the sheer cliffs, volcanic pools, and mist-shrouded peaks of western Madeira on a full-day, small-group tour from Funchal. You’ll wind through a series of fishing villages to the dramatic Cape Girão, climb the Encumeadato for views into a deep valley, then see the rocky pools at Porto Moniz, where you’ll have free time for lunch. Including pickup and drop-off at hotels in Funchal, this tour is limited to eight people for personal service, with all transport by climate-controlled minivan.

On this excursion you will visit the eastern side of the island of Madeira, visiting one of the highest points of the island, the typical Casas de Santana and passing through the Laurissilva Forest. You will be dazzled by all the charms that this side of the island offers.

This full day excursion to Porto Moniz will allow you to discover and explore the west side of Madeira Island, knowing the corners and charms of the Atlantic Pearl - Madeira.

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.

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.

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.

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.

The Madeira Islands are renowned for their Madeira fortified wine and this full-day tasting tour from Funchal is the ideal introduction. Explore the vineyards of Câmara de Lobos, Porto Moniz, and São Vicente; enjoy winery tours, cellar visits, and guided wine tastings; and tuck into a delicious Madeiran lunch at a traditional restaurant.

This guided tour of Madeira is a great way to save time, and see multiple sites in one day. After a hotel pickup, travel by jeep to the heights of Nun’s Valley. Get access to beautiful panoramic views at Pico do Arieiro, which would be difficult to reach without a jeep. Make the most of your trip by seeing Madeira from the water, and going on a dolphin and whale watching tour too.

During your Madeira vacation, take control of your sightseeing itinerary on a private, custom 7-hour tour from Funchal. Depending on your preferences, you’ll explore the east or west side of the island in a 4x4 vehicle while receiving undivided attention from a private guide. If you choose to explore the east, you’ll visit Pico do Arieiro, Santo da Serra, and Santana, famed for its triangular houses. Opt for the west side to marvel at the vineyards of São Vicente and the panoramic views from Cabo Girão, Europe’s highest sea cliff. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included.

Customize your own sightseeing itinerary on a private 5-hour jeep tour of Madeira. Depending on your preferences, you’ll explore the east or west side of the island in a 4x4 vehicle while receiving undivided attention from a private guide. Opt to discover Pico do Areiro and the Valley of the Nuns (Curral das Freiras) in the east, or ascend to Cabo Girão, Europe’s highest sea cliff, and Câmara de Lobos, home to a colony of monk seals, during a tour of the west.

Experience the best of the Madeira region on this wine-tasting and off-road tour from Funchal. Admire 360-degree views difficult to access by car, then head to a vineyard to learn about the wine production process from long-time owners. Indulge in a wine tasting paired with local snacks before heading to Girão Cape for stunning Atlantic views. End in the fishing village of Câmara de Lobos for another tasting of Madeira wines.

Head off the beaten track to explore Madeira in a way that many travelers miss out on. On this full-day tour, start your adventure with a visit Pico do Areeiro, Madeira's third-highest peak. Snap photos of the surrounding valleys and soak in the scenery. Next, explore the beautiful Laurissilva Forest—a UNESCO World Heritage Site—and make your way to Balcões Viewpoint. Pick up the pace with an exhilarating off-road adventure through Cova da Roda's rugged terrain, then head to the charming village of Santana—another great photo op—before stopping at a local rum distillery. Finish the day at the cliffs of Ponta de São Lourenço.

Discover some of Madeira's most popular landmarks on a full-day tour in a 4x4 vehicle. Join a small group in Funchal and head to the north of the island, to sample wines from a local producer and enjoy a tour of the vineyard. Then, visit Girao Cape for stunning views of the Atlantic before heading on a boat tour to search for dolphins. Enjoy convenient hotel pickup included in your tour.

Discover the beautiful nature of northwest Madeira on this exciting 4x4 adventure. Spend the day driving through rugged terrain and across volcanic beaches to visit the beautiful countryside of this island. Pass through small villages and the UNESCO-listed Laurissilva Forest all the way to Porto Moniz to enjoy the warm volcanic lava pools on this island adventure.

Get back to nature on a day trip to the eastern side of Madeira. Take a convertible 4x4 vehicle past small villages and forests to key landmarks such as the human-looking Eagle Rock, a sugar cane and rum factory in Porta da Cruz, and the traditional village of Santana. Enjoy an authentic Portuguese lunch before heading to one of the highest points on the island for beautiful panoramic views.

Venture off-road in a 4x4 on this full-day tour from Funchal and explore the wild landscapes, lush forests, and coastal villages of Madeira’s north-east coast. Admire the traditional houses in Santana, take in the views from Pico do Areeiro mountain, sample Madeira rum at the Porta da Cruz rum factory, and enjoy a delicious lunch (own expense) at a local restaurant.

Reach places in southwest Madeira that most tours can’t with this full-day sightseeing 4WD. After pickup from Funchal, spend the day exploring local villages, old peasant roads, and more: Highlights include visiting the village of Campanário with its cliffside terraces, Fonte do Bispo park in the majestic Paul da Serra plateau, and the fishing villages of Paul do Mar and Jardin do Mar.

Discover the beautiful Portuguese island of Madeira on this full-day Jeep tour from Santana. Take in the beautiful scenery and panoramic views of the forest, sea cliffs, and local villages. Enjoy a delicious Madeiran lunch before heading to a rum factory to sample some of the local spirits. Soak up the nature and beautiful views on this fun safari tour.

If you only have a day to explore the beautiful, wild northwest of Madeira, then booking a guided tour is the best way to ensure a great experience. This shore excursion from Funchal takes you to natural highlights on an exciting 4x4 vehicle, including volcanic lava pools, cliffs, and waterfalls. Upgrade to include a 3-course meal with a drink and coffee.

Discover Madeira’s top sights on a half-day tour to Porto Moniz and Girão Cape. Join a small group and climb aboard your 4x4 vehicle to travel along the island’s rugged northwest coast. Visit the natural pools of Porto Moniz, where you can take a refreshing dip, and take in the dizzying views from Girão Cape as well as stops at a few other viewpoints.

Spend the day discovering some of Madeira’s most spectacular scenery—without worrying about navigating the rugged terrain—on this full-day tour. Hop aboard a 4WD vehicle to discover Madeira’s wild northwestern corner. See the rugged coastal scenery at Seixal, admire volcanic landscapes from Encumeada, discover natural lava pools at Porto Moniz, and more. If the weather behaves, you may even have time to stop and take a dip.