Go North Tour – Madeira Island Excursion

North Madeira has a way of making you slow down. This long, guided day turns the island’s north coast and inland viewpoints into a simple route you can actually enjoy, with narration that explains what you are seeing along the way.

I really like the mix of dramatic scenery and hands-on geology at São Vicente, because it is more than a quick photo stop. I also love the human touch of the guide, and in particular the way Luís adds personal insights and keeps things clear in English (and sometimes French on the same outing, depending on the group).

One thing to weigh: the São Vicente Caves visit is not fully included. The cave entry is optional and the admission ticket is not included, plus the tour depends on decent weather to run smoothly.

Key Highlights You Should Know

• Small group size (max 18) so the drive feels personal, not like a cattle call.
• São Vicente Caves + optional Volcanism Centre for context on how Madeira formed.
• Frequent short stops in north coast towns, built for viewpoints and quick village flavor.
• Local guide style with live commentary and reported language ability that keeps everyone engaged.
• Lunch is on you, but you get time to eat, and you can bring snacks.

Touring Madeira’s North, From Funchal Pickups to Long-Day Views

The Go North Tour is a full day, about 7 hours 45 minutes, built around a steady loop from Funchal out through the north. You can get picked up, and you will use a mobile ticket. The meeting points are in Funchal, one near the cable car area in the old town, and another at the Rotunda do Infante roundabout.

This is one of those itineraries where the time on the road matters. The north side of Madeira is not a straight line between two sights, so the value is that you get an organized route and live commentary to connect the dots.

Booking runs a week ahead on average, and the max group size is 18, which usually means you can actually hear the guide without craning your neck the whole time. The whole outing runs in English, and it is live commentary throughout, which makes the stops feel more intentional.

São Vicente Caves: The Volcanic Tunnel and Optional Volcanism Centre

The tour’s signature stop is São Vicente Caves. You have an option to add the Volcanic Caves and the Volcanism Centre, and this is where the day turns educational without turning boring.

You can follow an underground route of over 1,000 meters. The cave heights vary between 5 and 6 meters, which gives you a good sense of scale once you are inside. Locals first reported the caves in 1885, and they opened to the public on October 1st, 1996, so this is not a trendy new attraction. It is been structured for visitors for a long time.

At the end of the cave walk, you can access the Volcano Centre, a pavilion with audiovisual displays. The displays recreate the geological evolution of the caves and even include simulations tied to volcanic activity and the Madeira Islands’ formation.

Practical reality check: the cave admission ticket is not included. That is the one part you should plan for financially. Still, this stop is often the best return on time, because it helps you understand why the north coast looks the way it does, with rock, valleys, and dramatic terrain that are all connected to volcanic history.

Ponta Delgada: Quick Village Time Between Mountains and Ocean

After the caves, the pace shifts to a smaller, calmer stop at Ponta Delgada. This is a village on the island’s north side, located between the mountains and the ocean.

You get about 30 minutes, so think of it as a chance to break the driving time with a short stroll and a few photos. Since admission is free here and the focus is the setting, you do not need a checklist. Just use the time to watch how the town sits against the coastline, then rejoin the group before the next leg.

If you like your days to feel balanced, this kind of stop is helpful. It gives you a breather after a long underground walk, and it keeps you from feeling like the tour is all “stop, take photo, move on.”

Arco de São Jorge Area at São Jorge: Viewpoints and Lunch Break

Next is São Jorge, with a 1 hour stop that includes a viewpoint over the village area and a lunch break. The view is focused on Arco de São Jorge.

This is also a good moment to plan your own food strategy. Lunch is not included on the tour, and you can bring your own food or snacks. You will also get time here to make that work without rushing.

Because this is a longer stop, you can do more than just look. If the weather is clear, take a few minutes to sit and orient yourself. If the weather is hazy, you can still use the time for a short wander and a slower look at the village edge.

Porto da Cruz: Penha D’Águia and the Steam-Era Rum Factory Option

At Porto da Cruz, you get another picture-perfect north coast village moment, plus a recognizable rock formation called Penha D’Aguia. You have 30 minutes here, with free admission for the general stop.

This is also where an optional side visit appears. You may be able to visit the historic Northern Milling Company, described as the only rum factory in Europe still operating with steam. That makes this more than a generic “heritage building” stop, because the selling point is the working method.

There is a small trade-off here. If you add the rum factory visit, your time can feel tighter. If you skip it, you still get the village views and a short break from the bus.

Either way, I like this stop because it adds Madeira flavor beyond the usual viewpoint circuit. It connects food and drink to place, and it gives you a reason to slow down around Porto da Cruz, not just pass through it.

Pico do Facho Viewpoint: 15 Minutes to See Far

Then it is up to Pico do Facho, a viewpoint with wide views over the Machico valley. From here, the visibility can stretch toward the island’s central peaks and Ponta de São Lourenço.

You only get about 15 minutes, which means this is a grab-and-go moment. If the weather is good, it is a great payoff. If visibility is poor, you still get the experience of reaching the viewpoint and getting your bearings.

This is one of those times where you will be glad you are not driving yourself. Even short viewpoints benefit from a good route and a guide who knows where to stand and what to look at, and that is exactly what the live commentary helps with.

Santa Cruz Promenade and São Salvador Church

The last regular stop is Santa Cruz, with about 30 minutes. This is a pleasant seaside village with a promenade where you can stretch your legs and walk at a slower pace.

If you want a cultural add-on, you can visit the São Salvador Church, described as a gothic manueline style temple. It is also noted as one of the churches outside Funchal with large architectural interest.

This stop works well at the end of a busy day. You get movement, not just standing in another overlook. Plus, the church visit is a nice way to tie the day back to Madeira’s built heritage, not just geology and scenery.

What You Actually Get for the Price (and Where Costs Can Pop Up)

The price is $46.81 per person, which is pretty strong for a guided north and east style day with pickup offered. You are also getting insurance and live commentary, which matters when you are moving through many small towns and viewpoints.

But I would not oversell it as fully all-inclusive. The cave admission ticket for São Vicente is not included, and the tour is built around the option to visit the caves and the Volcanism Centre. Other stops are listed with free admission time, so most of what you pay covers the guiding, the driving, and the structure.

Lunch is not included. You will stop for lunch or snacks, and you can bring your own food. That is a fair setup for a long day because it helps you control costs and handle dietary needs without hunting for a specific place at the last minute.

So the value comes down to one decision: whether you want the cave experience. If you do, this tour likely feels like a good deal because the geology stop is the centerpiece. If you skip the optional cave entry, you still get a nice tour of villages and viewpoints, but you lose the most “explains the island” component.

Pace, Comfort, and How to Plan Your Long Day

This is a full-day tour, and the structure is short stops plus a couple of longer anchors. You spend meaningful time at São Vicente caves (about 1 hour 10 minutes, excluding the fact you pay for admission), and at São Jorge (1 hour) where lunch happens. The rest are smaller time blocks: Ponta Delgada (30 minutes), Porto da Cruz (30 minutes), Pico do Facho (15 minutes), and Santa Cruz (30 minutes).

Because of the short stop lengths, you should come prepared to be efficient. Wear comfortable shoes, keep your water handy, and have your snacks ready so you are not scrambling during the tight segments.

Weather is also a real factor. The tour requires good weather, and if it is canceled due to poor conditions, you are offered a different date or a full refund. Madeira can change quickly, so pack for cool and warm swings even if it looks pleasant at the start of your day.

One more practical note: you are using a mobile ticket. Bring the phone battery charge you need, and keep an eye on confirmation timing, since you receive it at booking.

The Guide Makes the Difference: Live Commentary and Personal Insight

This is where the tour earns its top marks. The live commentary is built into the experience, not added at random. The group may be small enough that you can actually follow along while the drive connects everything.

In the best experiences described, the guide is Luís, and the style is described as both personable and clear. People liked the personal insights and the “life philosophy” angle, but the key travel win is that he links what you see to history and reason, so the stops feel connected.

Language ability also matters on Madeira, where you might meet visitors from all over. The tour is offered in English, and the reported language comfort from Luís includes the ability to handle English and French for different groups. Either way, you should expect narration that keeps moving, not awkward pauses.

Who Should Book This Tour (and Who Might Want Something Different)

This tour fits best if you want a guided way to see Madeira’s north without planning a road trip. If you like mixing geology, viewpoints, and village flavor in one day, this hits the right notes.

It is also good for first-timers who want a structured introduction to how the island’s north works. The caves and Volcano Centre option gives you a strong educational foundation, and the later villages give you a taste of everyday Madeira towns.

You might consider another option if you hate long days. This is close to eight hours, and even with breaks, you are on the move for most of the day. You should also think about the optional cave costs if you are trying to keep the day strictly budgeted.

Should You Book the Go North Tour on Madeira?

Yes, if you want a well-driven north circuit with live commentary, a strong centerpiece at São Vicente Caves, and short, manageable village stops. At $46.81, it is a solid value because so much of the cost is really about transportation, guiding, and organization, not just entry fees.

Book it especially if the caves and Volcanism Centre interest you. That is where you get the “why Madeira looks like this” payoff, and the optional structure lets you match the day to your interests. If you prefer a fully independent day where you control every stop and entry, then it may feel a bit structured.

FAQ

FAQ

How long is the Go North Tour on Madeira Island?

It runs for about 7 hours 45 minutes, approximately.

What is the price per person?

The tour costs $46.81 per person.

Is hotel or apartment pickup included?

Pickup is offered. The tour also has two meeting points in central Funchal, one near the cable car station in the old town and one at the Rotunda do Infante roundabout.

What languages is the tour offered in?

The tour is offered with live commentary in English.

What is included in the tour price?

Insurance and live commentary are included.

Is lunch included?

Lunch and snacks are not included. You can bring your own food, and you will stop for lunch or snacks during the day.

Do I need to pay for São Vicente Caves?

Admission ticket is not included for the São Vicente Caves portion (with the option to visit the Volcanic Caves and Volcanism Centre).

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes, free cancellation is available. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, based on local experience time.