From Funchal: Open Roof Jeep Tour with Madeira Wine Tasting

A classic jeep ride in Madeira beats the usual tour. You get open-roof back-road views, plus wine tasting with local stories from guides like Ricardo and Vitor. I love that the day mixes famous stops with lesser-seen corners like Camara de Lobos and a Nun’s Valley look at viewpoints. I also love the small group feel, capped at 7 people, so you actually hear the island talk you can’t read on a sign. One thing to consider: this is an off-road ride on narrow roads in rain or shine, so dress for the weather.

What makes this tour work is the guide style. Guides talk local flora, history, and what Madeira is about, with real-world details they’ve learned growing up on the island. In the reviews, Andre and Andreas (and the wider Ricardo Off Road Madeira team) are praised for tailoring, changing destinations when needed, and keeping the pace fun, not rushed. The tradeoff is simple: you’ll be in the vehicle for a while, and entry tickets are not included.

If you want a day that feels like Madeira to its core, this hits the sweet spot. You’ll start in Funchal, ride out for Camara de Lobos, reach Curral das Freiras and the Nun’s Valley area, then finish at Cabo Girao’s glass platform. With wine tasting, poncha stops, and lookout time built in, it’s a good value play compared with piecing everything together on your own.

Key points

Open-roof classic jeep driving that shows Madeira at road level, not just from bus stops
Small group (up to 7), so the guide can adapt to what you prefer
Henriques & Henriques wine tasting, paired with Madeira wine styles like sweet, dry, and medium dry
Curral das Freiras and Nun’s Valley viewpoints with the guide explaining the name, not just pointing
Poncha stop at a bar en route, including the chance to try a local cocktail
Cabo Girao glass platform at a cliff height of 683 m, with unforgettable coast and valley views

Why an Open-Roof Jeep Tour Feels More Local Than a Bus

Madeira’s beauty is the kind that needs motion. From an open-roof jeep, you feel the turns, the changing light, and the sudden shifts from valley to ocean. The ride also helps you spot the real vegetation and terrain, not just the clean postcard angles.

I like how this type of tour gives you two kinds of value. First, you get access to narrow roads and off-road stretches that most people simply won’t try on their own. Second, the guide is the translator, pointing out what you’re seeing and connecting it to how Madeira works, from farms to food and drink.

One practical note: this is not a sit-back-and-watch-the-scenery-only day. You should come ready for weather and the occasional bumpy section, because the goal is a safe but super fun off-road experience, rain or shine.

A Classic Jeep Day Tailored by Guides in a Group of 7

The small group cap matters more than you might think. With only up to 7 participants, it’s easier for the driver to manage the route and easier for you to hear explanations without fighting for attention. In the reviews, guides like Ricardo and Andre are specifically praised for being enthusiastic, friendly, and flexible.

You’re also choosing a guide team with multiple language options. The driver can speak English, French, and Portuguese, which helps the whole group keep momentum through the day. And when plans need adjusting, the guides are described as responsive, including one case where someone ended up with a private-style tour and still got the full value of the experience.

This is where the tour starts feeling personal. If you’ve been to parts of Madeira before, the guide can tweak destinations so the day doesn’t feel like repeats. If you have interests, the tour can shift in a way that keeps the day from feeling like a checklist.

Camara de Lobos and the Island Life You Pass on the Way

Your drive begins with pickup in Funchal, and the morning sets the tone: short introductions and a plan shaped around your interests. Then you head out on the older, side-road style routes, the kind that show you how Madeira connects its towns instead of only skimming the highlights.

Camara de Lobos is a strong stop for a reason. It’s a fishing village setting, and it’s the sort of place where you can feel the island’s daily rhythm without needing a long walking tour. The tour approach is also practical: you get sightseeing time and a guided feel, so you’re not just standing there wondering what you’re looking at.

What I like here is the balance. This stop is not an all-day detour, so you still have energy for the bigger scenery moments later. And because the route is driven, not just walked, you experience multiple viewpoints as you go.

Keep your expectations real: this is a road-focused tour. You’ll see the village, enjoy the vibe, and move on while the day still feels active, not like you parked your day to wait for weather or crowds.

Curral das Freiras, Boca dos Namorados, and the Nun’s Valley Explain-Why

The core scenic theme of the tour is the Nun’s Valley area. You’ll reach Curral das Freiras with break time and sightseeing on the way, and you’ll also pass through the Boca dos Namorados area for a look at what the region is known for.

The tour’s pitch is simple, and it’s smart: the guide explains the story behind why it’s called the Nun’s Valley. You don’t have to guess at the name or rely on random plaques. You get the “why” tied to what you’re seeing from the viewpoints, which makes the valley feel more than a pretty backdrop.

This part of Madeira is steep, dramatic, and built for lookout moments. Expect mountain views that feel close and layered, where valleys fold into each other and the ocean is visible in the distance. It’s the kind of place where a bus ride often leaves you with one tight viewpoint shot, while a jeep route gives you more angles.

Also, this is where the wine tasting fits. Plan for it as part of the scenery experience, not as a separate “activity block.” You’re tasting while surrounded by the same mountains the stories are about, which helps it feel grounded.

Henriques & Henriques Wine Tasting, Poncha, and a Stop for Local Flavors

The wine part of the day is a real highlight. You’ll do a Henriques & Henriques wine tasting, and the tasting includes Madeira wine styles such as sweet, dry, and medium dry. Having multiple styles is key because it helps you understand what Madeira tastes like across the spectrum, not just one label.

I like this approach because it saves you time. If you tried to build a tasting day on your own, you’d spend time coordinating transport, deciding on wineries, and making it fit the rest of your sightseeing. Here, it’s integrated into the route around the viewpoints, so it feels like a natural pause.

Then comes poncha. After the wine stop, you’ll have a bumpy off-road segment, and the tour includes a traditional poncha at a bar on the way. Poncha is one of those Madeira things you remember, mostly because it’s local and served in a casual setting rather than a formal, tourist-shaped bar.

In the reviews, poncha is specifically praised, including the fun of the guide serving it like a mini bartender moment. Even if you’ve had poncha elsewhere, this stop tends to feel more authentic because it’s tied to the road and the local rhythm of the day.

Cabo Girao’s 683m Glass Platform View Break

By the time you reach Cabo Girao, you’re primed for a big finish. This is where the views go vertical, with Cabo Girao described as one of the highest glass platforms in the world, built on a cliff at 683 m height.

This stop is all about the payoff. You’ll get that coast-and-valley perspective that Madeira does so well, and the glass platform adds a “feet on air” sensation that makes it feel like a proper adventure, not just a sightseeing photo stop. It’s especially memorable after time spent on narrower roads because you’ve already built the sense of scale.

One drawback to keep in mind: the glass platform stop can be affected by weather and how it feels underfoot. The tour runs rain or shine, so if conditions are poor, you might want to bring a mindset for comfort and caution, not perfect photos.

Also remember: entry tickets are not included. The viewpoint itself is a major moment, but you should budget separately if you plan to go onto the platform.

Cost, Comfort, and What Is Included for $94

At $94 per person, you’re paying for more than a bus route. You’re getting hotel pickup and drop-off from and to your accommodation, a small-group jeep day, guiding, plus the wine tasting. The tour also lists driving and guiding service as 8 hours, while the overall experience is scheduled as a 6 hour duration including pickup and drop-off, so build your day with a little flexibility.

Here’s what you should bank on being covered:

Hotel pickup and drop-off
Wine tasting
A driving and guiding service throughout the day

And here’s what you should plan to pay separately:

Entry tickets

• Personal expenses like souvenirs

Comfort matters. The tour asks for comfortable clothes, and you should come ready for weather because it runs rain or shine. With an open-roof jeep, bring a light layer that you can manage if the air turns cool or wet. If you get motion-sensitive, you might also want to take a practical approach, like eating lightly before pickup and staying hydrated.

Should You Book This Madeira Open-Roof Jeep and Wine Tasting Tour?

I’d book it if you want a day that feels like Madeira has edges. The open-roof classic jeep, the off-road energy, and the guide-led storytelling make it more than a standard route. The best reasons to choose it are the combination of viewpoints with Henriques & Henriques wine tasting, plus the poncha stop that feels local instead of staged.

I’d hesitate only if you strongly prefer flat walking, very predictable weather, or a totally calm transport day. This is a road adventure day, including bumpy segments, so you’ll get the most out of it if you’re happy trading comfort for access and perspective.

If you want an efficient, memorable half-day plan from Funchal with a small group and a guide who can tailor the ride, this one makes a lot of sense.

FAQ

How long is the tour, and does it include pickup and drop-off?

The tour duration is listed as 6 hours, including pickup from and drop-off back to your accommodation.

What does the Madeira wine tasting include?

The wine tasting includes Madeira wine styles such as sweet wine, dry wine, and medium dry.

Is the tour offered in bad weather?

Yes, this tour takes place rain or shine.

What group size should I expect?

The tour is a small group, limited to 7 participants.

What languages are available for the driver?

The driver speaks English, French, and Portuguese.

Is the tour suitable for small children or pregnant women?

No. It is not suitable for children under 2 years, and it is not suitable for pregnant women.