Around The Island – Two Days Tour From 9am To 5pm (Each Day)

Madeira is the kind of place where the best views appear without warning, usually after a winding road and a short walk. This two-day Around The Island tour turns that chaos into a small-group plan with guided stops that cover both the east and west sides.

I love how little you have to organize yourself, from pickup through the day’s pacing. I also like the guide energy, because you may get big personality plus solid explanations, with names like Lionel, Renato, Gloria, Paulo, and Leonel popping up repeatedly in guide feedback. The one drawback to keep in mind is motion sickness and rough seating, since this is a road-heavy route and the van layout can matter if you get carsick.

Key highlights worth planning around

• Pickup options near Funchal, plus Caniço de Baixo and Garajau with a minimum group
• A max group size of 16, which usually means more back-and-forth with the guide
• Cabo Girão’s glass viewpoint, then Porto Moniz’s natural volcanic pools for a swim if weather cooperates
• Easy access to Pico do Arieiro (1818m), with clouds sometimes rolling in and out
• Mix of quick viewpoints and village time, so you are not stuck in one long bus loop
• Practical packing tips from the crowd: extra layers for higher elevations and front seats if you get sick

Two Days That Cover Madeira Fast, Without Feeling Like a Sprint

This is a sightseeing tour designed for people who want the big hits without renting a car or building a route map from scratch. Two full days, starting at 9:00 am and running until about 5:00 pm each day, gives you enough time to see dramatic coasts, mountain viewpoints, and a few places that feel local.

You should expect a steady rhythm of short stops rather than long guided walks. That matters because Madeira’s best scenery often comes from lookout points, and the tour is built around getting you there at the right moment, then giving you just enough time to take photos and stretch your legs.

The best part for me is the balance: you get guidance on what you are seeing, but you are also left time to breathe. People often mention guides who keep things fun, and the small group size tends to make the stories and explanations feel less like a lecture.

Price and Logistics: What You Pay for Pickup, Time, and a Small Group

At $72.56 per person for two days, this tour can feel like good value if you are staying around Funchal and do not want to drive. The price is not just about getting from A to B. You are paying for transportation, the guide work, and the fact that somebody else handles the sequencing of stops across both sides of the island.

Pickup is part of the deal, with service from Funchal city centre and the main tourist area. If you are staying in Caniço de Baixo or Garajau, pickup is offered for a minimum of two people, and if you are outside those areas, you are directed to the nearest meeting point in Funchal.

Two practical notes. First, this tour is limited to a maximum of 16 travelers, which helps with group attention and flexibility at viewpoints. Second, it is offered in English, and your mobile ticket is part of the experience so you are not scrambling for printouts.

Day 1 West and North: Cabo Girão, Levadas, Porto Moniz, and Old-School Fishing Villages

Day 1 is your west-leaning day, with viewpoint drama first and then a lot of coastline variety. The time at each stop is short, usually 20 to 30 minutes, except for longer breaks around lunch.

Cabo Girão (glass balcony viewpoint)

You start by heading up to Cabo Girão, famous for its height and a glass balcony viewpoint. The stop is about 30 minutes, and the admission ticket is not included, so plan for that cost if you want the glass experience.

Even if you have been to cliff viewpoints before, this one hits because it is so high and exposed. I like this early stop because it sets the tone for the rest of the day, and it also lets you start photos while your energy is fresh.

Ribeira Brava Beach and a 15th-century church

Next you roll down toward the village of Ribeira Brava, where you can visit a church dating from the 15th century. The stop is about 30 minutes, and entry here is free.

This is not a huge museum kind of stop. Instead, it gives you a taste of the island’s settled life, with a church and village atmosphere rather than only scenery.

Madalena do Mar banana plantations

From there, the tour moves toward Madalena do Mar for a short visit through lush green banana plantations. This stop is about 25 minutes, and it is free.

This kind of stop matters because Madeira is not only cliffs and flowers. It is also agriculture, and a quick banana plantation look helps connect the island’s terrain to how people make a living.

Fonte do Bispo overlook, Paúl de Serra, and levada connections

After that, you reach higher ground around Paúl de Serra and Fonte do Bispo, with an overlook and connections to levada walks through the Laurissilva forest. The stop here is about 20 minutes and is free.

You will not be doing a long hike on this tour, but this is a valuable glimpse of what Madeira is famous for: levadas, the irrigation channels that shaped access across the island. If you have ever imagined Madeira as a place of footpaths, this stop helps you picture how the walking routes are laid out.

Porto Moniz natural volcanic pools for lunch and possible swimming

The big break on Day 1 is Porto Moniz, where you get lunch plus about 1.30 to 2 hours of free time. Porto Moniz is known for its natural volcanic pools, and in good weather it may be possible to swim, so come prepared.

This is one of those stops where timing and weather matter. Even if you do not swim, the pools are worth seeing, and you will have time to eat and reset before continuing.

Seixal and Véu de Noiva waterfall area

Next you stop at Seixal for a brief viewpoint with waterfalls in the area, including the famous Véu de Noiva waterfall. The visit is around 20 minutes and is free.

If clouds and mist roll in, waterfalls can look even more dramatic. Still, keep expectations flexible, because Madeira’s weather can shift fast at elevation.

São Vicente church stop

Then you visit São Vicente, including a church dating from the 17th century. This stop is about 30 minutes and free.

This is a calm, human-sized stop after more cliff and coastline energy. You get a little village feel and a chance to slow down.

Câmara de Lobos, Winston Churchill’s painting spot

Your last stop on Day 1 is Câmara de Lobos, a famous fishing village about 5 km from Funchal. The stop is around 30 minutes and free.

This one is fun because it connects Madeira to a recognizable story, with Câmara de Lobos known as a favorite painting spot of Winston Churchill. Even if you do not care about art history, it is a pleasant place to wrap up the day with ocean views and local rhythms.

Day 2 East Coast to Pico do Arieiro: Cristo Rei, Rocky Promontories, and North Valley Trails

Day 2 leans more east, then swings into the north with higher altitude viewpoints. You keep the same overall format: short stops, a couple longer breaks, and a lot of driving on mountain roads.

Cristo Rei in Garajau

You start with Miradouro do Cristo Rei do Garajau, a landmark statue on the east coast. The stop is about 30 minutes and free.

It is a great opener because the statue is instantly recognizable and the views around it are unusual compared to the more typical cliff panoramas. Expect strong sea air and winds depending on weather.

Machico, Madeira’s earlier capital

Next is Machico, described as historic and tied to Madeira’s early settlement era. The stop is about 20 minutes and is free.

Machico is useful as a pause point because it gives context for how the island developed, beyond just looking at nature. If you like history, this is a small stop that adds meaning to the scenery you have been seeing.

Ponta de São Lourenço (Ponta do Rosto) nature reserve

After Machico, you head to Ponta de São Lourenço, also known as Ponta do Rosto, at the easternmost tip of Madeira. This is around 30 minutes and free.

This is the kind of place where the island looks different from the rest. Expect dramatic rock formations and ocean views, and bring patience for wind. This stop is short, so prioritize a couple of key viewpoints and then soak in the ocean line.

Porto da Cruz and an open rum distillery visit

Then you reach Porto da Cruz, where an old rum distillery highlights sugar cane history on Madeira. The stop is about 30 minutes and entry is free, with the distillery recently opened to visitors.

This works well for people who prefer something hands-on to another quick overlook. Even if you only get a taste of the equipment and setting, it helps explain why Madeira’s economy formed where it did.

Santana and its triangular thatched houses

Next comes Santana, famous for colorful triangular thatched houses. The stop is around 1.30 to 2 hours and is free, with time for lunch or just exploring at your own pace.

This is a longer, more flexible stop, and it is where you can trade photos for a meal. The triangular houses are the headline, but the area also gives you a stronger sense of local architecture.

Ribeiro Frio valley, trout farming pools, and easy trails

Ribeiro Frio follows, a natural park stop in a deep valley north of the island. The visit is about 30 minutes, and it is free, with trout farming pools and leisurely trails.

This is where the tour shifts from cliff drama to a gentler nature setting. It is also a nice break if you want a lower-stress stretch after big elevation viewpoints.

Pico do Arieiro, 1818m, clouds, and the Poço da Neve

Finally, you finish Day 2 at Pico do Arieiro, the third-highest peak on Madeira at 1818 meters. The stop is about 30 minutes and free.

On clear days you can see major parts of the island, and clouds may hover over the rock formations. On the way, you might pass the Poço da Neve, described as an igloo-like stone well built by an English family to store ice, snow, and hail from the mountains.

Pico do Arieiro is popular because it is easy to reach and has famous trails nearby, but this tour keeps you at viewpoint time rather than long hiking. If the weather is foggy, do not panic, just make the best of the moment because misty views can still feel otherworldly.

Guide Style Matters: Humor, History, and Why the Small Group Feels Better

The tour does not just transport you. The tour tries to make sense of Madeira while you are driving between major points.

In the feedback you can see a clear pattern: people rave about guides who keep things engaging, with humor and easy explanations, and who make time for everyone to enjoy the viewpoints at their own pace. Names like Lionel, Renato, Gloria, Paulo, and Leonel show up often, and the consistent theme is how they connect the stops to Madeira’s culture and daily life.

Expect mic-based guiding. One review noted microphones can feel loud, so if you are sensitive to sound, plan to take breaks at viewpoints and enjoy quieter moments when you can.

Also, seating and comfort are part of the experience. A few comments mention motion sickness risk and how the van’s layout can make it worse if you end up in the back. If you are prone to car sickness, you will be happier choosing your seat when possible, or asking your guide for the best spot right at pickup.

Practical Tips That Make This Tour Much Easier

Bring extra layers, especially for higher elevations like the mountains around Pico do Arieiro and the viewpoints above. Even when Funchal feels warm, it can feel chilly up high, and you do not want to be stuck wearing the same thin shirt all day.

If you plan to swim at Porto Moniz, bring a swimsuit. The tour description notes swimming is possible in good weather, and a quick dip can turn a normal free-time lunch stop into a highlight.

If you like getting photos without rushing, aim to arrive at each viewpoint with a plan. You often get short time blocks like 20 to 30 minutes, so pick a main viewpoint angle, shoot quickly, then take a slower lap after.

One more practical tip from experience on this route: if you get travel sick, sit closer to the front. Some feedback recommends this because Madeira’s roads are winding.

Binoculars can also help, especially when you are at cliff edges and farther ocean points. Even a simple pair can make you feel more connected to what you are seeing during brief scenic stops.

Fanal Forest: If It’s Your Dream Stop, Know This Tour Does Not Go There

If Fanal forest is at the top of your Madeira wish list, check your expectations before booking. This tour does not include a stop inside Fanal forest, though it may offer a nearby viewpoint option depending on the day and route sequencing.

That does not make it a bad choice. It just means you should pair this with a separate plan if Fanal is the one place you will regret missing.

Who Should Book This Two-Day Around The Island Tour?

This tour is a strong fit if you want a guided overview of Madeira beyond Funchal without driving yourself. The coverage across east and west is exactly the type of “see the main parts, learn the meaning” approach that works for first-timers.

I also think it fits solo travelers well. The small group feel and guide involvement makes it easier to talk, ask questions, and still step out on your own for short stretches at viewpoints.

If you prefer long hikes or deep nature immersion, you might find it too short and too stop-and-go. Most segments are viewpoint time and brief village visits, not full-day hiking.

If you are sensitive to motion sickness, you should take extra care. Between winding roads and short seat comfort limits, this is one of the tours where your body matters as much as your itinerary.

Should You Book Around The Island?

Book this if you want two days with a guided route that hits the classic Madeira stops, from Cabo Girão to Porto Moniz, then onward to Cristo Rei and Pico do Arieiro. The small group cap and consistently praised guide styles make it feel personal rather than like a giant bus tour.

Consider skipping or supplementing it if you already have strong hiking plans, or if Fanal forest is a must-do for you. Also be honest about motion sickness, because this route is full of curves and elevation changes, and comfort can vary with seating.

If your goal is to get your bearings fast on Madeira and come back with clear favorites for future days, this tour is one of the most practical ways to do it.

FAQ

What time does the tour run each day?

Both days run from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.

How much is the tour?

The price is $72.56 per person.

Is pickup included, and where does it pick up from?

Pickup is offered from Funchal city centre and the main tourist area. Pickup is also available from hotels in Caniço de Baixo and Garajau for a minimum of two people, and if your accommodation is not in these areas you will be directed to the nearest meeting point in Funchal.

How many people are in the group?

The tour has a maximum of 16 travelers.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes, it is offered in English.

Are admission tickets included for attractions?

Some stops are free, but Cabo Girão has an admission ticket that is not included.

Can I swim at Porto Moniz?

In good weather it is possible to swim at Porto Moniz’s natural volcanic pools, so it’s a good idea to come prepared.

What is the free cancellation window?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.