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

Madeira in two days feels like cheating. This two-day island loop is built for people who want big viewpoints and island culture without driving themselves, with pickup and a small group on winding roads. I like that you get frequent stops for photos and short walks, plus proper guide storytelling that turns roadside scenery into context. One thing to think about is that the days are long and curvy, so if you get motion sick, plan ahead.

You’ll also appreciate the way the itinerary mixes dramatic heights with human-scale places like fishing villages and historic towns. The guiding team often hits a sweet spot of history, humor, and clear explanations, with guides such as Lionel, Renato, Gloria, and Paulo showing up in people’s feedback. Still, weather can steal summit views on the day you hit the high points, so keep expectations flexible.

Key highlights

• Small-group format (max 16) means less waiting and more attention when questions pop up.
• Cabo Girão glass balcony and cliff height give you a true Madeira wow moment early on day one.
• Porto Moniz natural volcanic pools are the kind of stop you can actually build a plan around, including swim time when conditions allow.
• Ponta de São Lourenço nature reserve shows a very different Madeira feel on the east end of the island.
• Pico do Arieiro is the high-altitude payoff, with cloud views and even the Poço da Neve ice well nearby.
• Pickup in Funchal and nearby areas keeps the start of each day painless.

A Smart Two-Day Island Loop If You Don’t Want to Plan

This is the kind of tour that helps you see Madeira’s “greatest hits” fast, without feeling like you’re racing. You get two full days, running 9am to 5pm each day, and the route takes you across both sides of the island rather than only staying near Funchal.

The value here is not just the number of stops. It’s the structure. Short time at each place means you can enjoy viewpoints and key town moments without burning an entire day on one spot. And because the group size is capped at 16, you’re usually not stuck way at the back while everyone else disappears to take photos.

There are tradeoffs. This is not a slow, deep hiking trip. If you’re hunting for long trail time, you’ll likely want to pair this tour with separate guided walks or a dedicated levada day. Also, if you’re sensitive to motion on mountain roads, don’t treat that as a minor detail. Curves and elevation changes are part of the deal on Madeira.

Pickup in Funchal, Plus the Real Meaning of 9am to 5pm

Pickup is a big part of why this works. The tour includes pickups from Funchal city centre and the main tourist area, and it can also pick up from hotels in Caniço de Baixo and Garajau if there are at least two people. If you’re outside those areas, you’ll be directed to the nearest meeting point in Funchal.

Why this matters: morning logistics on Madeira are where good plans go to die. This tour removes the need to figure out buses, parking, or timing. You start together, you return together, and you can focus on the stops.

The schedule is also a heads-up for your planning. Because each day runs until about 5pm, you should expect a full day of sights rather than a relaxed “half-day” vibe. That means you’ll want a hearty breakfast, water, and a small strategy for photos and snacks.

One more practical detail: the order of activities may change. That’s fairly normal with island driving and traffic. The good news is that you still get the same set of highlights.

Day 1 on the West Side: Cabo Girão, Porto Moniz, and Churchill’s Câmara de Lobos

Day one is all about the western half’s drama. You’ll move from cliff views down to the coast, then back toward Funchal through villages with real character, not just a quick photo stop.

Stop 1: Cabo Girão (30 minutes)

Cabo Girão is the opener, and it’s a strong one. You’ll head to a viewpoint about 580 meters high with a glass balcony. It’s known as the highest sea cliff in Europe and one of the tallest anywhere. Admission for the viewpoint is not included, so budget for the ticket at the site.

Tip for enjoying it: dress for changes in wind and temperature. Even on bright days, clifftop air can feel sharp.

Stop 2: Ribeira Brava Beach (30 minutes)

This is a chance to slow down. You’ll arrive in the village of Ribeira Brava and can visit a church dating from the 15th century. Admission is free.

This stop is less about a single “wow” moment and more about getting a feel for coastal life.

Stop 3: Madalena do Mar (25 minutes)

Next comes Madeira’s agricultural side, with banana plantations and a short visit through lush green scenery. Admission is free.

I’d treat this as a quick reset. It’s not set up as a long hike, so if you’re hoping for a deep walk, you may want extra time elsewhere.

Stop 4: Fonte do Bispo and Paúl da Serra area (20 minutes)

At 1300 to 1500 meters altitude, you’ll reach the Fonte do Bispo viewpoint area near Paúl da Serra. This point is linked to levada walks through the Laurissilva forest, but on this tour you’re mainly there for the lookout and a short stop.

This is one of those stops that’s worth paying attention to even if it feels brief, because it gives you a sense of how Madeira’s water and old path systems shaped travel and farms.

Stop 5: Porto Moniz (lunch and free time, 1h30 to 2 hours)

Then you hit the star stop for many people: Porto Moniz and its natural volcanic pools, described as Madeira’s largest. Admission is free. You’ll stop for lunch and have extra time, about 1 hour 45 minutes total.

When weather and conditions are right, swimming is possible. Pack for that if you want the option. A swim costume and a towel can turn this into a highlight, not just a photo stop. When conditions are rough, you’ll still get excellent views of the pools from the descent.

Stop 6: Seixal and Véu de Noiva viewpoint (20 minutes)

A short stop later on brings you to the famous Véu de Noiva waterfall area. Expect a quick break, passing waterfalls along the way. Admission is free.

Even in mist, the waterfall vibe usually translates well to photos. Just don’t plan on controlling the weather.

Stop 7: São Vicente (30 minutes)

You’ll visit São Vicente, including a 17th-century church. Admission is free. This is another human-scale stop, good for stretching your legs and grabbing a snack if lunch ran long or early.

Stop 8: Câmara de Lobos (30 minutes)

Câmara de Lobos is your wrap-up for day one. It’s a fishing village about 5 km from Funchal, and it’s famously associated with Winston Churchill’s painting spot. Admission is free.

This final stop often feels like a reward: you’ve spent the day moving through mountains and coasts, and now you get a village that looks and feels lived-in.

Day 2 on the East Side: Cristo Rei, Machico, Ponta de São Lourenço, and Pico do Arieiro

Day two leans toward the island’s east and north-east variety. You’ll move from statues and historic towns to a nature reserve and then up to one of Madeira’s top viewpoints.

Stop 1: Cristo Rei do Garajau (30 minutes)

You start with the Cristo Rei statue in Garajau. It’s described as one of Madeira’s emblematic monuments on the east coast. Admission is free.

If you’ve never been to a viewpoint like this, the fun is the combination of religion, coastline, and the feeling that the island is built on cliffs and viewpoints.

Stop 2: Machico (20 minutes)

Machico is a historic town and the island’s second most populous area. It was Madeira’s first capital between 1440 and 1496 under Tristão Vaz Teixeira. Settlers arrived in 1420, and Funchal became the capital in 1508. Admission is free.

This is the kind of stop where listening to the guide matters. A few minutes in town can feel quick, but the background changes how you see the streets and harbor area.

Stop 3: Ponta de São Lourenço, Ponta do Rosto (30 minutes)

Then you reach the east edge. Ponta de São Lourenço is a nature reserve, the easternmost point, with panoramic Atlantic views and rock formations that feel different from the rest of Madeira. Admission is free.

Plan for wind. This is exposed. Bring layers even if Funchal feels warm.

Stop 4: Porto da Cruz and Engenhos do Norte rum distillery (30 minutes)

In Porto da Cruz, you’ll see an old rum distillery tied to sugar cane history, with steam machines that reflect how production once ran. Admission is free, and it’s said you can enter freely at Engenhos do Norte.

Even if you skip the deeper tour inside, the point of this stop is to connect Madeira’s economy and landscape to the island’s past.

Stop 5: Santana (lunch or free time, about 1h30 to 2 hours)

Santana is famous for its colorful triangular thatched houses, linked to 16th-century origins. Admission is free. You’ll have about 1 hour 30 minutes for lunch or free time.

This is your long breathing moment of day two. If you want to eat calmly, this is where to do it.

Stop 6: Ribeiro Frio (30 minutes)

Ribeiro Frio is a natural park in a deep valley, surrounded by mountains. You’ll see trout farming pools and nature trails. Admission is free.

One of the details I’d remember for this stop is that the area is associated with endemic birds like the pigeon, chaffinch, and the bis-bis, described as Madeira’s smallest bird. Even if you don’t spot them, you’ll understand why locals keep coming back here.

Stop 7: Pico do Arieiro (30 minutes)

Finally, you go up to Pico do Arieiro, Madeira’s third highest peak at 1818 meters. The views can be spectacular, with clouds hovering over rock formations. On clear days, it’s possible to see the south coast, Curral das Freiras, and even Porto Santo. Admission is free.

Two fun details: there’s a stone well called Poço da Neve, built by an English family to store ice, snow, and hail, and in 2011 an air defense radar was installed on the summit.

This is a photo stop with a lot of “how the sky feels” energy. When clouds roll in, you get a different kind of beauty than a clear panorama.

Guides That Make the Difference: Lionel, Renato, Gloria, and Paulo’s Style

The driving is tough on Madeira, with narrow roads and constant turns. That’s why guide skill matters as much as the route. In people’s feedback, a strong pattern appears: guides like Lionel, Renato, Gloria, and Paulo keep the day moving while still explaining the history and culture in a way that’s easy to follow.

What I’d pay attention to is the difference between a guide who reads facts and one who helps you connect the dots. Lionel and Paulo come up often for mixing storytelling with humor and keeping the group involved. Renato and Gloria show up for clear explanations and a lively rhythm through the challenging roads.

One particularly helpful detail from feedback is that at least some guides can switch between languages when needed, with an example of Spanish and English switching mentioned. If you’re not fluent in Portuguese, that matters.

Packing Tips That Actually Help: Sickness, Layers, Binoculars, and Swim Plans

Madeira can trick you with weather. You might start the day warm in town, then reach higher elevations and feel cold fast. People also recommend bringing extra layers for the mountain points, especially before you get up to places like Fonte do Bispo and Pico do Arieiro.

If you’re sensitive to cars, take motion seriously. Curvy roads are part of day one and day two. A practical tip from feedback is to sit at the front if you tend to feel sick. If you know you need it, pack your usual motion sickness solution. And since one person reported there weren’t small bags available, I strongly suggest bringing your own small plastic bag just in case, so you’re not dealing with a stress situation mid-drive.

For Porto Moniz, bring swim gear if the weather looks friendly. The pools are the whole point, and when conditions allow, you can turn viewing into a quick dip.

Finally, if you love details at viewpoints, binoculars can help. They’re not required, but they can make ridge and coastline views more fun when the light is good.

Price and Value at $72.56 per Person

At $72.56 per person for two days, this sits in a mid-range category for Madeira. The value comes from three things.

First, you get two full days from 9am to 5pm, which is a lot of guided driving and sight time for one booking. Second, pickup is included in key areas around Funchal, and that reduces the cost and hassle of figuring out your own transport. Third, most stops have free admission, with the big exception being Cabo Girão, where the admission ticket is not included.

So you can plan your budget better than you can with tours that surprise you with paid entries all day long. If you want to spend money on just one paid viewpoint ticket, Cabo Girão is the one to expect.

It also helps that the group size is limited to 16 travelers maximum, based on the tour rules. More personal attention is often what you pay for when you’re not renting a car.

Final Call: Should You Book This Two-Day Island Tour?

Book it if you want a clear Madeira overview across both sides of the island, especially if you won’t have a car. This works well for couples, solo visitors, and anyone who likes photo-worthy stops paired with short walks and village time.

Skip it or add a plan if you want long hikes or a deep-dive nature day. This route includes levada-adjacent viewpoints, but it’s not built as an all-day trekking experience. Also, if a specific area like Fanal forest is on your must-see list, don’t assume it will happen on this loop, since it is not listed among the stops.

For the best experience, do two things: bring layers for the higher points, and protect yourself from motion if you need to. If you do that, this tour becomes one of the most efficient ways to turn limited vacation time into strong memories, from glassy cliff views to volcanic pools.

FAQ

What time does the tour start, and how long is each day?

The tour starts at 9:00am and runs until about 5:00pm each day, for a two-day experience (about 2 days total).

Is pickup from my accommodation included?

Yes, pickup is offered. It covers Funchal city centre and the main tourist area, and it can also pick up from hotels in Caniço de Baixo and Garajau if there are at least two people.

If my hotel is outside the pickup areas, where do I meet the group?

If your accommodation is not within the pickup areas, you will be directed to the nearest meeting point in Funchal.

What language is the tour offered in, and do I receive a mobile ticket?

The tour is offered in English, and you receive a mobile ticket.

How many people are in the group?

The maximum group size is 16 travelers.

Are admission tickets included for every stop?

Most stops have free admission, but Cabo Girão lists an admission ticket as not included.

Which attraction requires an admission ticket?

Cabo Girão (the glass balcony viewpoint) is the stop where the admission ticket is not included.

Can I cancel and get a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel for a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience starts. If you cancel less than 24 hours before, the amount paid is not refunded.

Is the tour suitable for most people, and are service animals allowed?

The tour states that most travelers can participate, and service animals are allowed.