Day Trips from Madeira to Santana

Madeira’s eastern shores draw far fewer crowds than the areas surrounding its capital, but exploring in your own wheels can mean you spend more time focusing on the road than the scenery. This 4x4 tour of eastern Madeira takes you off the beaten path to places hard to reach on your own, including UNESCO-listed Santana.

The most popular tour on the island of Madeira. We have created a diversified program especially for you to ensure that you have the best time of your life. We want our customers to see the spectacular beauty of Madeira Island.

Departure from the hotel at 9:00 am towards the parish of Camacha to observe the wicker factory and all its process. Afterwards, climb to Pico do Areeiro at 1818m, where you can observe the beautiful mountains and surrounding valleys and even the parish of Curral das nuntas, deep in one of the great valleys. Descent to Ribeiro Frio, where there is a nursery of trout that later are dropped in the brook. A visit to the center of Santana is followed to observe the typical triangular houses with thatched roof, followed by another stop in Faial. Returning to Funchal, you will have two more stops, at the belvedere of Ponta de São Lourenço and Machico. Return to the hotel by 5:00 p.m.

Departure from the hotel at 9:00 am towards the parish of Camacha to observe the wicker factory and all its process. Afterwards, climb to Pico do Areeiro at 1818m, where you can observe the beautiful mountains and surrounding valleys and even the parish of Curral das nuntas, deep in one of the great valleys. Descent to Ribeiro Frio, where there is a nursery of trout that later are dropped in the brook. A visit to the center of Santana is followed to observe the typical triangular houses with thatched roof, followed by another stop in Faial. Returning to Funchal, you will have two more stops, at the belvedere of Ponta de São Lourenço and Machico. Return to the hotel by 5:00 p.m.

While Madeira's western half features more natural landmarks, the eastern part is more cultural. Take a small-group tour from Funchal and discover several landmarks including the wicker factory in Camacha, the colorful village of Santana, several viewpoints, and the Arieiro summit. While you explore, learn about the village traditions and history of Madeira from your tour guide.

Venture beyond Funchal, without needing to rent your own car, on this full-day Jeep tour that showcases Madeira’s most spectacular natural landscapes. With just a small group for company, travel to Pico do Arieiro, explore the UNESCO-listed Laurisilva Forest, visit Santana’s iconic triangular houses, and admire dramatic coastal scenery. Traveling by 4WD makes it easy to reach some of the island’s most scenic and less accessible locations.

You can explore the Madeira Island in a very unusual and active way by Land Rover 4x4. You`ll see breathtaking views, visit hidden places which you can`t reach by yourself and collect memories you never forget. You will come back to experience our tours again! In this Madeira Jeep Private Tour we have a little bit of everything as the Land Rover is reserved only for you (not-shared). You can see the Mountains, Cliffs, Sea and Laurissilva Forest (East part of island). The tours are personalized you can choose some places that you like to visit and we are flexible to changed the tour route to find places where the weather is better and sun is shining. We will take you on the best adventure with a Land Rover in Madeira Island! The Tour is provided in English, French, Spanish, Italian and Portuguese.

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.

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.

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.

Spend a day exploring the dramatic sea cliffs, islands and traditional villages of Madeira’s east coast on this full-day small-group tour, with a maximum of 8 people. Enjoy magnificent views of Ribeiro Frio, Pico do Arieiro and Laurissilva forest; discover the crafts-making heritage of Camacha village; and snap photos of the thatched triangular houses in Santana village. After a scenic walk along the levadas (canal ways) and a visit to a trout farm, tuck into a delicious 3-course lunch (included) on the island of Grutas do Faial.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Whether you're arriving by cruise ship or staying at a hotel, join us for an unforgettable off-road journey to Pico do Areeiro! Rise above the clouds at 1,818m on Madeira's 3rd highest peak with breathtaking views of the entire island Explore the ancient UNESCO Laurisilva forest at Ribeiro Frio and Portela - a magical world of unique wildlife and plants Visit a genuine 240-year-old Santana house and enjoy delicious traditional Madeiran lunch Capture stunning photos along the dramatic north coast at Faial and Porto da Cruz Go OFF-ROAD on hidden back roads through Funchal's hills for secret viewpoints

Get off the beaten track on a full-day tour of Madeira by open-top 4x4 vehicle, exploring a landscape of rugged mountains with views of the sea. Depart Funchal for the northeastern side of the island, where the scenery gets wilder and more dramatic. You’ll pass through a series of Madeira villages, with time to explore traditional factories, a water mill, and old-fashioned thatched houses. This full-day tour includes pickup and drop-off at Funchal hotels, and it’s the perfect introduction to the island’s natural side.

Escape the crowds as we embark on an exclusive 4x4 Jeep adventure that guarantees an intimate and personalized experience. Feel the breeze and embrace the open-top experience as you travel in our 4x4 Jeep, immersing yourself in the pristine landscape of dense vegetation, ancient trees, and crystal-clear streams. Santana, a village famous for its traditional thatched houses, unique architectural heritage of Santana as you stroll through its charming streets lined with these iconic houses. Delight your palate with a visit to the renowned rum factory. Engenhos do Norte offers a fascinating age-old process of rum production. Witness the skilled artisans in action as they transform sugar cane into the finest Madeira rum. Experience the dramatic beauty of rugged cliffs, panoramic views, and unique rock formations at Ponta de São Lourenço. Don't miss this extraordinary opportunity to discover the hidden treasures of Northeast Madeira in a truly exclusive and unforgettable fashion.

The island of Madeira is renowned for rugged mountains whose summits shoot into the sky. Ascend to the island’s best viewpoints on a 8-hour 4x4 tour from Funchal, ideal for lovers of nature and the outdoors. In an open-top 4x4, you’ll conquer rugged, off-road routes and absorb views of natural landmarks such as Eagle’s Rock and Ribeiro Frio , the island’s third-highest peak. Plus, you’ll visit a sugar cane factory in Porto da Cruz. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included.

One of the most popular hikes in Madeira is the challenging trek between the Arieiro and Ruivo mountain peaks. Take the guesswork out of getting there by booking a transfer service to easily get to and from the hike. This is not a guided tour but an easy way for visitors who don't have cars to access the hike.

This is an excellent choice for independent travelers who want the freedom to be able to hike on their own, without having to follow a group around. Instead of booking taxis, enjoy a transfer service that drops you off at Pico Do Arieiro to start your hike to Pico Ruivo. At the end of the hike, get picked up from Achada Do Teixeira for a stress-free return transfer.

See more of Madeira than a traditional sightseeing bus can offer with this exciting off-road adventure. Get access to remote outdoor sights that would be hard to reach otherwise—such as mountain peaks, a laurisilva forest, and volcanic swimming pools. As it’s a private tour, there are a variety of tour routes to choose from, based on your preferences. Potential places to visit include Santana, Porto Moniz, and Câmara de Lobos.

We call it the Typical Tour trought the East side of the Island. You will stop at the following locations (in order): Camacha, Pico Arieiro, Ribeiro Frio, Faial, Santana, Portela, Ponta de Sao Lourenco, Machico