All Madeira In 2 Days Tour

Madeira hits different when you have a plan. This fast 2-day route strings together the island’s top viewpoints, and I like that you get west and east in one go with pickup. The biggest catch is weather, because Pico do Arieiro can turn misty, and then the view you hoped for can fade.

I also like the pacing and the stops that make sense for first-timers. You spend real time at places like Porto Moniz’s natural pools, then you get quick photo moments at cliff edges and church viewpoints so you still feel like you saw Madeira, not just rode in a van.

One thing to consider is the guide mix and group setup. With a maximum group size of 15, the experience is usually personal, but if you are in a mixed-language group or you get a quieter guide day, the narration energy can feel uneven.

Key things worth knowing

• Small group feel: capped at 15 travelers, so you are not just another face in a huge crowd.
• Two coasts in 2 days: you cover major west and east highlights without booking separate tours.
• Big-view payoffs: Cabo Girão and Pico do Arieiro are the kind of stops that make the trip worth it.
• Pool time on the north coast: Porto Moniz natural swimming pools give you more than just a quick overlook.
• Most admissions are free: many stops list free entry, but Cabo Girão and Cristo Rei are not included.
• Weather can change everything: clear skies are not guaranteed at the higher peaks.

Two full days that actually cover most of Madeira

This is the kind of tour I recommend when you are short on time but still want the signature Madeira moments. You start from Funchal with pickup options, then you swing across the island, first working your way down the west side and north coast, then returning via the east with iconic peak and village stops.

The simple advantage is you do not have to manage driving, parking, or route decisions. You also get a guide who can point out what you are seeing, why it matters, and what to look for in the next place.

If you love scenery and you want a tight plan, you will probably enjoy this. If you are the type who wants long hikes or slow afternoons in one town, you may find the stops feel brief.

Pickup, meeting points, and how to plan your morning

The tour starts at 9:00 am, with pickup available from Funchal city center and main tourist areas. They also offer pickup from hotels in Caniço de Baixo and Garajau, as long as there are at least two people.

If your hotel is outside those areas, you will be told where to meet in Funchal. That matters because it can change how early you need to leave, especially if you are not staying in the most central zone.

Also plan for some waiting. In busier periods, the ride plan can feel more like a larger vehicle situation with pickups taking time. It is usually fine, just do not assume you will be on the road instantly at 9:00 on the dot.

Day 1 on Madeira’s west side, plus the north coast swim stop

Day 1 is built around classic west coast viewpoints, then it drops you into the drama of the northern shoreline. It is a big day, and the schedule is designed so you get both quick stops and one longer “do something” break.

Here is how it unfolds, and what to expect at each stop.

Baía de Câmara de Lobos, the fishing village inspiration

You begin at Baía de Câmara de Lobos, a traditional fishing village about five kilometers from Funchal. It is linked to Winston Churchill, whose paintings were inspired by the look of this area.

Your time here is around 30 minutes, so think of it as a short wander and a good photo stop. Look for the harbor setting, the colorful waterfront feel, and the layered hills that frame the village. It is an easy way to get your first sense of Madeira’s coastal character.

Cabo Girão, that high sea cliff and the glass skywalk

Next is Cabo Girão, one of the island’s headline viewpoints. This is often described as the highest sea cliff in Europe, and you experience it from the glass skywalk at the viewpoint.

Expect about 30 minutes here. Since the admission is not included, budget for the skywalk entry if you plan to step out onto it. If it is windy, keep your stance steady, and wear shoes with good grip.

This is one of those stops where a short time makes sense, because you mainly need to line up, walk out, take photos, and get a sense of the drop down to the ocean.

Ribeira Brava Beach, wild stream country

Ribeira Brava Beach is a calmer, more local-feeling break, with about 30 minutes on the ground. Ribeira Brava means wild stream, and the wider municipality includes multiple parishes in the southwest.

Admission is listed as free, so you can treat this as a stretch and sea-breeze stop. You may not spend your time doing much beyond strolling and taking in the coast.

If you are hoping for a long swim or a big beach day, this is probably not that stop. It is more about views and a quick reset before the mountain pass.

Caminho Real da Encumeada PR12, the pass with big south and north views

Then you climb into the Encumeada area, starting from Ribeira Brava and rising toward Serra d’Água. The route is described as a road traversing a 1004 m high pass, with views that connect south and north coast perspectives.

Time is about 30 minutes, which usually means you get viewpoint time rather than a full hike. If you want to do more, you might see the PR12 trail branching into walking options nearby, but the tour window is designed for quick scenic payoff.

The neat Madeira angle here is that the valley includes Serra d’Água, described as the island’s first water power station. Even if you do not go into that part, you are driving through a place where the landscape is tied to how people used water for power.

Porto Moniz Natural Swimming Pools, volcanic pools that you can actually use

This is the big one on Day 1. Porto Moniz is famous for natural swimming pools formed by volcanic rock, and you get around 2 hours here.

Admission is listed as free, and the main experience is simple: find a good section of pool, check the water temperature, and decide if you want to swim or just sit by the shore. The views across the Atlantic and the rugged coast are part of the experience even if you skip the water.

Practical tip: go with swim gear if you can, because 2 hours is enough to change your mind and still enjoy it. Also, volcanic pools can mean slick surfaces, so move carefully.

Miradouro do Véu da Noiva, plus Seixal and church time

After Porto Moniz, you swing to Miradouro do Véu da Noiva, with about 20 minutes. This stop description ties in Seixal, the largest parish in the Porto Moniz municipality by area, plus options like a trout farm and the chance to visit Santo Antão Church.

This is a short stop, so treat it as a viewpoint and a quick culture angle rather than a full visit. It is another chance to take in the north coast feel from above the water, with those sharp angles between sea and rock.

São Vicente, a village and a chapel built into a boulder

You wrap Day 1 at São Vicente, another place where the coastline and inland hills feel close together. Time is about 30 minutes.

A distinctive detail here is a large boulder near the sea with a Saint Vincent chapel built into it. It is one of those “wait, that is inside a rock?” moments that makes the stop memorable.

If you like simple, visual landmarks, you will probably enjoy this ending. It feels less like a giant attraction and more like a place locals keep using.

Day 2: Pico do Arieiro, Santana thatched houses, and the east coast finale

Day 2 shifts to the north and east side highlights, including Madeira’s most famous mountain view. It is still fast, but the stops are chosen for variety: peak, forest area, fortress viewpoint, village life, and coastline.

Pico do Arieiro, the 1818 m viewpoint with big bragging rights

Day 2 starts at Pico do Arieiro at 1818 m. This is Madeira’s third-highest peak and the second with pedestrian access, and the tour makes it convenient by reaching it by car.

Time is around 30 minutes. If the weather cooperates, you can even see Porto Santo on clear days. If it does not, you might get clouds swallowing the view, and that can be frustrating.

Two things help: keep your expectations flexible, and remember that the drive itself is part of the experience. Even when you cannot see far, the mountain air and the sudden changes in terrain give you a feel for why Madeira is so steep and sculpted.

Ribeiro Frio, a popular start for levada walks

Next is Ribeiro Frio, described as a popular starting point for levada walks. This stop is about 30 minutes, on the northern slopes near Santo da Serra.

Admission is listed as free, and the area is linked to original vegetation and the Laurissilva forest, a prehistoric relic type of woodland. With only a short time, you likely will not do a full long walk, but you can still enjoy the cooler feel, the greenery vibe, and maybe do a quick stretch along whatever easy path is available.

Fortress of Faial, quick photos with north and south coast views

Then you reach the east side viewpoint at the Fortress of Faial, which is about 30 minutes. This is described as a place for superb views of both the bold north coast and the sunnier south coast.

This is a “stop for the view” moment. Wear layers if you feel chilly up high, because Madeira can go from warm coast to cooler mountain quickly.

Santana, thatched triangular houses and a real village feel

Santana is one of the longer stops of the day at around 2 hours. The focus here is its iconic thatched triangular houses built from natural stone and straw.

Admission is listed as free. With 2 hours, you can actually wander rather than just step in and out. If you are trying to understand Madeira beyond the viewpoints, this is one of your best chances on the schedule, because you see how a specific local style shaped homes over centuries, even as buildings and uses changed.

Ponta de São Lourenço, near-untouched rocky coast

Then you head to Ponta de São Lourenço, described as one of the last nearly untouched places on Madeira. Time is about 30 minutes.

This stop is built for quick appreciation, with rocks, sea, and nature creating dramatic coastal shapes. If you want to do a longer walking route, you might find options nearby, but the tour window is mainly about photos and a short walk.

Machico, where explorers arrived in 1419

Machico is next, and you get about 30 minutes. The tour notes that explorers first arrived here in 1419, making it a place with early historical importance, plus it is one of the island’s more populated cities.

Admission is listed as free, so treat this as a short history and waterfront stroll stop. You may not have time for museums or deeper study, but it helps you understand Madeira’s settlement story before you head back toward the viewpoint finish.

Miradouro do Cristo Rei do Garajau, the statue viewpoint with a fee

Day 2 ends at Miradouro do Cristo Rei do Garajau. Time is about 20 minutes, and admission is listed as not included.

This is the east coast statue viewpoint, described as one of Madeira’s most emblematic monuments. The main value is the angle and the way the statue connects with the coast views.

If you plan to pay for access, make sure you get there early enough in the group flow to avoid rushing.

Guides, pacing, and that small-group difference

The biggest reason this kind of tour works is the people driving and explaining. In this tour, guides like Paulo, Renato, and Lionel were praised for being excellent narrators and safe drivers, with an emphasis on island history and practical context as you pass key areas.

Still, there is one practical reality: guide energy varies. Some days can feel more animated, some more straightforward. You can also experience minor friction in mixed-language groups if multiple languages are present, because the guide’s speaking time can lean toward one language.

On pacing, you should know this is not a slow travel day. You do get time blocks, especially Porto Moniz and Santana, but the rest of the stops are brief. That means you should travel light, keep water with you, and be ready to hop in and out quickly when the group moves.

Price and what makes the $72.41 value work

At about $72.41 per person for roughly 2 days, this is one of those “value works if you want the highlights” deals. The price is low enough that you feel like you are buying time and convenience, not just transport.

The value becomes even clearer because many stops list admission as free. Your paid extras are mainly the two stops marked as not included: Cabo Girão and the Cristo Rei area.

So you get a strong bundle: pickup, guided viewpoints across a wide range of the island, and at least one proper long stop for an activity at Porto Moniz.

If you are the kind of traveler who plans to pay for separate private drives or separate full-day tours, this format can save real money. If you only care about one side of the island, you might feel the other day is less relevant. But for first-timers, it tends to hit the sweet spot.

Who should book this, and who might want something else

You should book this if you:

• have limited time and want west plus east in 2 days
• want major viewpoints without driving
• like a mix of photo stops and one longer break

You might skip it if you:

• want long hikes and off-schedule time
• hate crowds moving quickly between stops
• are extremely weather-dependent and cannot tolerate mist at higher peaks

If you are flexible, you will enjoy the “ride and see” rhythm. Madeira rewards that style, because the roads and changing elevations are part of the story.

Should you book the All Madeira in 2 Days tour?

Yes, if you want an efficient first pass at Madeira and you can accept that conditions at peaks may not be perfect. The combination of Pico do Arieiro, Cabo Girão, Porto Moniz pools, and village time at Santana is a strong highlight set for the price.

If you are picky about one-day priorities, pick based on your taste. I tend to think the west and north side gives more dramatic coast-and-cliff energy, while the east and village stops give more cultural and settlement context.

If you do book, pack for wind and temperature swings. Bring a light layer for the higher viewpoints, and if you plan to swim at Porto Moniz, bring swim gear and footwear you can trust on slick surfaces.

FAQ

Where does the tour take place?

It starts and operates out of Funchal, Portugal, with pickup available from the city center and main tourist areas.

What time does the tour start?

The start time is 9:00 am.

Is pickup included?

Pickup is offered. They pick up from Funchal city centre and main tourist area, and also from hotels in Caniço de Baixo and Garajau for a minimum of two people. If you are outside those areas, you will be directed to the nearest meeting point in Funchal.

What language is the tour in?

The tour is offered in English.

How long is the tour?

It runs for about 2 days.

How big is the group?

The tour has a maximum of 15 travelers.

Are there admission fees at the stops?

Many stops list admission as free. Cabo Girão and Miradouro do Cristo Rei do Garajau list admission as not included.

Do I get a mobile ticket?

Yes, it uses a mobile ticket.

Is free cancellation available?

Yes, you can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

Is the tour suitable for everyone?

Most travelers can participate, and service animals are allowed.