All Madeira In 2 Days Tour

This two-day Madeira loop is interesting because it mixes big viewpoints with real stops where people actually live, fish, swim, and hike. You start in Funchal, get pickup (when you’re in the right area), then get carried to west-coast and east-coast highlights without trying to drive the whole island yourself.

Two things I especially like: the chance to ride with guides who keep the day moving and explain what you’re seeing (Lionel and Renato are both repeatedly praised), and the way the stops cover Madeira’s contrasts fast, from fishing villages to cliff views to volcanic swimming pools. One drawback to plan for: the top sights can be weather-dependent, so Pico do Arieiro can turn misty and visibility may drop.

Key highlights worth knowing

• Small group cap of 15, so the day feels more personal than a huge coach
• Pickup from Funchal and nearby areas like Caniço de Baixo and Garajau (with conditions)
• Churchill’s Camara de Lobos viewpoint connection, a cool story behind a classic stop
• Cabo Girão glass skywalk is a paid add-on, so budget for it
• Porto Moniz natural swimming pools, including a long enough stop to actually enjoy them
• Ponta de São Lourenço for raw rock, sea, and one of the island’s least built-up feel

Two days that really cover Madeira, from Funchal to both coasts

If you only have a short window in Madeira, this is the kind of tour that helps you get your bearings fast. Two days is long enough to see the island’s big shapes, but short enough that you won’t burn your whole trip on logistics.

The tour runs at about 9:00 am start time, and you’re back at the end of the experience. Price is $72.41 per person, and when you spread that across a full two days with pickup and multiple stops, it lands in the “good value” zone for many first-time visitors. It’s also a tour that tends to book ahead, with many departures planned well in advance.

One practical note: the timing is tight by design. Each stop is short, except for the swimming pools day stop, so don’t come expecting long, slow hanging-out time at every location. If you’re the type who wants to wander a lot on your own, this tour works best if you treat it like an overview, then return later for the places you love.

Pickup rules, meeting points, and why small groups matter

Feeling Madeira runs this as a max 15 travelers style experience. That limit is real value. It usually means easier vehicle flow, less chaos at quick photo stops, and a better chance your guide can keep everyone on track without yelling.

Pickup is offered from Funchal city centre and main tourist area. There’s also pickup from hotels in Caniço de Baixo and Garajau, but it’s specifically stated as available for a minimum of two people. If you’re staying outside those areas, you’ll be directed to the nearest Funchal meeting point.

You’ll use a mobile ticket. Confirmation happens at booking time, and service animals are allowed. Most travelers can participate, which fits the general vibe here: plenty of viewpoints, village time, and scenic drives, with only moderate time at each stop.

What I’d watch for is the seasonal rhythm. On busy days, transport can turn into a more vehicle-based operation, and you may wait a bit longer for pickups to finish. The upside is that when the logistics line up, you get a smooth start with your hotel pick-up.

Day 1 on the west side: Camara de Lobos, Cabo Girão, and the coast villages

Day one starts with one of Madeira’s best-known portrait views: Baía de Câmara de Lobos. This is a traditional fishing village about five kilometers from Funchal, famous because Sir Winston Churchill painted the scenery here. Even if you’re not a Churchill fan, it’s a great place to see daily island life up close.

You’ll have about 30 minutes here. That’s enough time to look around, grab a photo over the harbor, and reset before the climb.

Next up: Cabo Girão, a viewpoint reached by driving out past Câmara de Lobos and up into the mountains. Cabo Girão is famous for being among the highest sea cliffs in Europe. The big thrill is the glass skywalk viewpoint, and you should note admission is not included. Translation: you’ll likely pay on-site to step out and do the glass platform photos.

Then the tour shifts to the southwest coast at Ribeira Brava Beach. The name connects to the idea of wild streams, and the area includes several parishes. You get about 30 minutes, which works well for a quick coastal look and a breather.

Encumeada pass: quick mountain road, big views on both sides

One of the more “Madeira” moments on day one comes from driving the Caminho Real da Encumeada (PR12) route. This is a 1004 m high pass, and the road climbs up from Ribeira Brava toward Serra d’Água. The description notes Serra d’Água was the island’s first water power station, which helps you connect the modern scenery to the island’s utility history.

You’ll get about 30 minutes here, plus that classic payoff: viewpoints that show both the south and north sides in the same general trip window. If you’re the kind of traveler who loves “roads as attractions,” this stop is one of the reasons the itinerary works.

Porto Moniz natural pools: the stop that can turn into your best photo of the trip

After the mountain pass, day one heads to one of Madeira’s most fun, physical stops: Porto Moniz Natural Swimming Pools. Porto Moniz is often described like it fell into the northern sea. The highlight is the volcanic pool system, where sea water meets rock.

You get 2 hours here, and that matters. This is the one stop where you can slow down. You can change your pace from “bus window sightseeing” to “hands-on experience” with time to explore around the pools, take photos, and (if you’re comfortable with the water) actually swim.

Admission for Porto Moniz pools is listed as free in the tour description, which adds value because you’re not paying for another ticket just to enjoy the main attraction.

If you’re sensitive to cold water, consider that north-coast conditions can feel cooler. Either way, bring what you’d use for beach time: water-friendly footwear is never a bad idea.

Miradouro do Véu da Noiva, then São Vicente’s chapel-in-a-rock moment

After Porto Moniz, you’re headed for a viewpoint stop: Miradouro do Véu da Noiva. It’s placed around Seixal area, tied to the parish of Porto Moniz. The description includes a Santo Antão Church mention nearby, plus volcanic natural pool scenery.

Time is about 20 minutes, and note the ticket is not included. This is the kind of quick viewpoint stop where you get the view, then move on. I treat these paid viewpoint moments as a “yes, do it if visibility is good” decision.

Last on day one: São Vicente. It’s coastal, but it has a more sheltered behind-the-scenes feel. The specific draw here is a huge boulder right by the sea, with the Saint Vincent chapel built into it. You’ll have about 30 minutes, which is plenty for photos and a short wander.

Day 2 starts with a real high point: Pico do Arieiro at 1,818 m

Day two is built around altitude and sea visibility. It begins at Pico do Arieiro, at 1,818 meters. It’s described as Madeira’s third highest peak and the second highest with pedestrian access, and you can reach it by car. The big win is the spectacular views.

You get about 30 minutes. That’s not a lot of time, but it’s enough to walk to the main viewpoint and soak in the panorama.

A key reality check: weather can change fast. In fact, there’s a clear warning from real experiences that Pico do Arieiro can be misty, so you might not see as far as you’d hoped. Plan for fog as a possibility, and bring layers. If the sky clears, you’ll feel like you got lucky.

When visibility is good, the description says you can even see Porto Santo, 30 nautical miles north. Even if you don’t see it, the experience of reaching that height is the point.

Ribeiro Frio and the levada-walk start: forest remnants and an easy reset

From Pico do Arieiro, the tour heads to Ribeiro Frio. This is a popular starting point for levada walks, and it’s on the northern slopes near Santo da Serra.

The key detail here is what Ribeiro Frio represents: the island’s Laurissilva forest once covered most of Madeira, and this area still has original vegetation. Your stop is about 30 minutes, so it’s not an all-day hike. Instead, it’s a chance to see the cooler, greener side of the island feel, and to get oriented if you’re tempted by levada walking later on your trip.

This is also a good break in the rhythm of driving, because you can stretch your legs in a calmer spot than a peak viewpoint.

Fortress of Faial to Santana: a quick history stop plus postcard homes

Next is the Fortress of Faial. The description says you’ll arrive at the east point for superb views of both the bold north coast and the sunny south coast. Time is about 30 minutes, which makes it a view-first stop.

Then you reach Santana, on the north coast. Santana is known for small thatched triangular houses built from natural stone. The description also notes the houses have served as stables and dwellings for locals for centuries.

Your time here is about 2 hours, which makes Santana the second “slow down” moment after Porto Moniz. Use the time to walk through the village, look at the architecture, and slow your pace. Santana is one of those places where your photos look good even without perfect lighting because the shapes are so distinctive.

Ponta de São Lourenço, Machico, and Garajau’s Cristo Rei statue

In the east, the tour shifts from towns and pools to rock formations and sea drama.

First: Ponta de São Lourenço. The description calls it one of the island’s last nearly untouched places. Expect a mix of rocks, sea, and natural scenery. You get about 30 minutes, so this is a short, strong dose of “wild coast” energy.

Then comes Machico, one of the island’s most populated cities and an area with major historical significance. The key fact in the description is that explorers first arrived here in 1419. You get 30 minutes, which is enough to understand the town’s setting and grab a few photos without overcommitting your day.

Finally, you end at Miradouro do Cristo Rei do Garajau. The statue of Cristo Rei in Garajau is described as one of Madeira’s most emblematic east-coast monuments, and it’s built into a surprising landscape. Your stop is about 20 minutes, and the ticket is not included. If the weather is clear, this is a strong finale because the view ties together sea, coast, and the island’s dramatic edges.

What makes the guides so important on this tour, and where it can vary

Across the experiences, the most praised element is usually the person behind the wheel and the narration. Names that show up with high marks include Paulo, Renato, and Lionel, and others like Jose and Gloria also get mentioned for good delivery and friendly energy.

This tour runs on momentum: quick stops, frequent movement, and lots of switching between coasts and mountains. That means you feel the guide’s style. When the guide has energy, the day feels like a story. When the guide is less engaging, the stops can feel more like checkboxes.

One useful takeaway: if you’re picky about pacing and want a lot of personality, treat the guide quality as part of the product. You can’t control who you get, but you can arrive ready to pay attention and ask questions when you stop.

Price, time, and value: why $72.41 can make sense for first-timers

For $72.41 per person, the real value is not just the low ticket price. It’s that you’re buying:

• Two days of driving and routing across the island
• Pickup within the stated areas
• A route that hits both west and east in a single package
• A small group limit at 15 travelers
• A mix of free and paid add-on viewpoints so you can decide where to spend extra

The paid ticket points you should expect in the plan are Cabo Girão and Miradouro do Véu da Noiva. Everything else listed is free for the stop, including Porto Moniz and the rest of the viewpoints and village times.

Also, the rating stands high: 4.6 out of 5 with a strong 93% recommendation rate. The message from those scores is consistent: the tour works well when you want speed plus guidance.

If you’re the kind of traveler who already plans to rent a car anyway, you might choose to self-drive for more freedom. But if you don’t want the stress of navigating Madeira’s roads and just want to see the highlights, this is one of the cleanest ways to do it.

Weather and packing: the small things that save a day

This tour can feel great even when conditions are imperfect, because Madeira still delivers drama. But you should plan for fog and quick changes, especially around the top points like Pico do Arieiro.

My practical packing list for this style of day:

• Light layers, because altitude can feel cooler fast
• A rain layer, because mist can appear even when the town feels fine
• Comfortable walking shoes, since you’re doing quick viewpoint and village walks
• If you plan to swim at Porto Moniz, bring what you need for water time

Also watch your camera habits. You’ll be at many photo points for short blocks. If you want your photos to be sharp, set your exposure and shutter behavior before you reach glass skywalk and bright sea glare stops.

One more thing to consider before you book: language mix and optional stops

The tour is offered in English, but one experience noted that mixing English and Spanish people can affect how much the guide speaks in each language. If language control matters to you, keep expectations flexible and know English is the tour language, not always the only language in the group.

Finally, there’s one rare negative story linked to a bar stop for a traditional drink near the end of day one. The details weren’t enough to confirm what happened, but it’s a reminder to treat any food or drink stop as optional. If you have dietary limits or food sensitivity, tell your guide and stick with what feels safe to you.

Should you book All Madeira in 2 Days?

Book this tour if:

• You’re a first-time Madeira visitor and want a fast overview of the island’s west and east
• You want pickup and minimal driving stress
• You like viewpoint hopping and quick cultural stops, with one real time chunk to swim at Porto Moniz

Skip it, or consider alternatives, if:

• You hate tight schedules and want long stays everywhere
• You’re planning to do deep levada hikes and would rather spend those two days walking
• You’re very sensitive to weather changes and need guaranteed visibility at peaks

My take: if your goal is to see Madeira’s core highlights without renting a car, this is a solid, efficient plan. The best version of this tour happens when you let the guide set the tone and you treat misty peaks as part of Madeira’s personality, not a failure.

FAQ

What time does the tour start?

The tour start time is listed as 9:00 am.

Is pickup included?

Pickup is offered from Funchal city centre and the main tourist area. Pickup from hotels in Caniço de Baixo and Garajau is available for a minimum of two people. If your accommodation is outside these areas, you will be directed to the nearest meeting point in Funchal.

How many people are in a group?

This experience has a maximum of 15 travelers.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes, it is offered in English.

Do I need to buy tickets for all stops?

Not all stops are included. Cabo Girão and Miradouro do Véu da Noiva are listed as admission ticket not included, while the other listed stops are listed as free.

Do I need a printed ticket?

No, the tour uses a mobile ticket.

What is the cancellation policy?

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. If you cancel less than 24 hours before the start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.