All Madeira In 2 Days Tour

Madeira reveals its best sides on this two-day circuit: black volcanic coast, high mountain roads, old fishing villages, and peaks that rise above the clouds. You cover the west on day one and the east on day two, with guides such as Paulo, Renato, Lionel, and Gloria adding local stories along the way.

I like the way the tour removes the need to drive Madeira’s steep, twisting roads, and I like the range of scenery packed into only two days. Porto Moniz’s natural pools and Pico do Arieiro’s mountain views are the big visual prizes. The tradeoff is a brisk schedule, and weather can erase a major viewpoint without warning.

Key points to know before booking

• Two days cover most of Madeira: Day one follows the west and north coast, while day two takes in the central mountains and eastern end.
• Short stops keep the tour moving: Most viewpoints and villages receive 20 to 30 minutes, with two hours at Porto Moniz and Santana.
• Guide quality matters: Paulo, Renato, Lionel, Gloria, and other guides have drawn praise for clear driving, island knowledge, humor, and storytelling, though the experience can vary by guide.
• Transport is arranged for you: Pickup is offered in Funchal’s center and main tourist area, with limited pickup in Caniço de Baixo and Garajau.
• Some costs are extra: Entry to Cabo Girão and Cristo Rei is not included, while the listed price is $72.41 per person.
• Weather is part of Madeira: Pico do Arieiro can be hidden by mist, and mountain visibility may change during the drive.

Two days, two very different Madeiras

This is not a slow village tour or a walking holiday. It is a broad island survey for people who want to see as much as possible without renting a car.

Day one is the stronger day for many people because it combines the south coast, the dramatic north, and Porto Moniz. You start near Funchal, climb into the mountains, cross toward the north coast, and return through São Vicente. Day two has impressive peaks and wide sea views, but its stops are more spread out and some involve less time on foot.

The tour is capped at 15 people, though transport can depend on the size of the group. One review describes a summer coach with air conditioning and more room, but also more people and longer waits. That is worth keeping in mind if you prefer a small van and quick departures.

The start time is 9:00 a.m. Pickup is available from central Funchal and the main tourist area. If you stay in Caniço de Baixo or Garajau, pickup is offered for a minimum of two people. Otherwise, you are directed to a nearby Funchal meeting point.

Day one: from Churchill’s village to the north coast

Câmara de Lobos, Madeira’s fishing village

The first stop is Baia de Câmara de Lobos, about five kilometers from Funchal. This old fishing village is closely linked with Winston Churchill, who painted its setting during his time on Madeira.

You have about 30 minutes here. That is enough to look around the harbor, see the boats, and take in the compact waterfront. It is a quick introduction rather than a full village visit, so do not expect time for a long café stop or a detailed walk through town.

I like this opening because it gives you a taste of Madeira’s working coast before the tour turns toward high cliffs and mountain roads.

Cabo Girão and the glass viewpoint

From Câmara de Lobos, the road climbs to Cabo Girão, often described as the highest sea cliff in Europe. The glass skywalk puts you above the drop, with the ocean and cultivated slopes far below.

The stop lasts about 30 minutes. Admission is not included, so you should allow for an extra charge at this viewpoint. The tour information does not give the current entry fee, so check at booking or at the site.

This is one of the places where the quick schedule works well. You get the main view without spending half a day at a single lookout. If heights trouble you, the glass floor may feel like the main event rather than a minor detail.

Ribeira Brava and the climb to Encumeada

The bus continues along the southwest coast to Ribeira Brava, whose name means wild stream. The town sits among steep slopes and gives you another short look at Madeira’s coastal settlements.

Next comes the road toward Encumeada Pass, rising to about 1,004 meters. The route passes Serra de Água, associated with the island’s first water power station, before reaching a high point with views toward both the south and north coasts.

The schedule allows about 30 minutes at the Caminho Real da Encumeada area. In practice, the road itself is a major part of this section. You get changing views through the windows as the road winds upward, so a seat with a clear view is useful.

This is also a good example of the tour’s value. A rental car gives you freedom, but Madeira’s steep roads and tight bends demand confidence. Here, you can watch the scenery instead of concentrating on every turn.

Two hours at Porto Moniz

Porto Moniz is the main stop of the first day, with about two hours available. The town is famous for natural swimming pools formed by volcanic rock, with the sea moving around and through them.

The itinerary lists admission as free, but it does not specify whether every pool facility has the same access arrangement. Bring swimwear if you hope to enter the water, and confirm the practical details with your guide on the day.

Two hours gives you more breathing room than the short viewpoint stops. You can see the pools, walk around the waterfront, and possibly swim if conditions and access allow. Still, the tour does not present this as a dedicated beach day, so do not plan on several relaxed hours in the water.

Porto Moniz is one of the tour’s best reasons to book. It brings together volcanic geology, the north coast, and a chance to slow down briefly after the mountain drive.

Veu da Noiva and Seixal

The next stop is Miradouro do Véu da Noiva, a viewpoint connected with the north coast near Seixal. The area is known for steep scenery, the sea, and mountain views. The name refers to a waterfall-like feature, though the information provided does not promise a particular flow on the day of your visit.

You get about 20 minutes here. That is enough for photographs and a quick look, but not a long walk. The notes also point to Seixal’s natural pools, Santo Antão Church, and a trout farm in Chão da Ribeira, yet the listed stop time means these are best treated as nearby points of interest rather than guaranteed visits.

This is a good place to keep expectations measured. You will see the north coast at one of its most striking stretches, but the tour moves on quickly.

São Vicente to finish the west

São Vicente is the last stop on day one, with around 30 minutes. Though it sits by the coast, the village has grown into the more sheltered land behind it. A chapel built into a large boulder beside the sea adds a curious detail to the visit.

The stop gives you a final taste of northern Madeira before the return journey. Day one covers a lot of ground, and by this point you may value the chance to stretch your legs more than another major attraction.

Day two: peaks, thatched homes, and the eastern tip

Pico do Arieiro, the high point of the tour

Day two begins at Pico do Arieiro, at 1,818 meters. It is Madeira’s third-highest peak and one of the highest places you can reach by road.

The official stop is about 30 minutes. In good weather, views can extend across the island and possibly as far as Porto Santo, roughly 30 nautical miles away. In poor weather, the peak may be hidden in mist. One account describes reaching the summit and seeing almost nothing, while still finding the drive up and down worthwhile.

That is an important warning: Pico do Arieiro is weather-dependent. You cannot treat a clear photograph from a sunny day as a guarantee. Even so, the high mountain road and changing conditions are part of the experience.

This is the visual highlight for many people. If you want a longer mountain walk, this tour is not designed for it. The stop is a scenic visit, not a hiking excursion.

Ribeiro Frio and Madeira’s old forest

The route continues to Ribeiro Frio on the northern slopes near Santo da Serra. The area is a starting point for levada walks and retains much of Madeira’s original Laurissilva forest, a type of vegetation linked to the island’s ancient past.

You have about 30 minutes. The tour does not include a full levada walk, so you should see this as a brief forest and mountain stop. It adds variety after the exposed summit at Pico do Arieiro, but people hoping for a serious walk may find the time too short.

The contrast is useful. Madeira is not only cliffs and viewpoints. Its water channels, mountain woods, and older plant life help explain why the island feels so different from one coast to the next.

Fortress of Faial and the east coast

At the Fortress of Faial, you stop for about 30 minutes and look toward the bold north coast and sunnier southern side. The name suggests a historic structure, but the supplied details focus mainly on the views rather than on a guided interior visit.

This stop works as a lookout between the forest and Santana. It is another place where the tour favors a broad view over a long historical visit.

Santana’s thatched houses

Santana receives the longest stop of day two, around two hours. The village is known for small triangular houses with thatched roofs, built from natural stone and traditionally used as homes and stables.

The extra time matters here. You can look at the houses without rushing, have a break, and take in one of Madeira’s most recognizable forms of traditional architecture. The tour does not specify a meal arrangement, so plan to ask the guide how the two hours are organized.

Santana is a good stop for anyone interested in local building traditions. It also gives the second day a more human scale after the open mountain views.

Ponta de São Lourenço

The eastern end of Madeira brings a sharp change in scenery. Ponta de São Lourenço is described as one of the island’s least altered areas, where rock, sea, and open nature meet.

You have about 30 minutes. That is enough for a viewpoint and a short stretch of walking, but not for a full exploration of the peninsula. If you have seen photographs of a long trail across the headland, remember that this tour does not provide the time for that hike.

Still, the stop earns its place because it looks different from Porto Moniz and the north coast. The island’s eastern end feels more open and exposed, with the sea taking center stage.

Machico and Madeira’s arrival story

Machico is one of Madeira’s more populated towns and has an important place in the island’s story. Explorers first arrived here in 1419, according to the tour information.

The visit lasts about 30 minutes. You will get a quick look at the town rather than a full historical tour. It is a useful stop for context, especially after a day focused mainly on scenery.

Cristo Rei at Garajau

The final stop is the Cristo Rei statue in Garajau, one of the east coast’s best-known monuments. The statue sits in a dramatic setting above the sea, and the stop lasts about 20 minutes.

Admission is not included. As with Cabo Girão, check the current cost before booking if you want to keep your spending exact.

This makes a pleasant final viewpoint, though the short visit leaves little time to linger. Depending on traffic, group size, and the day’s pace, the end of the tour may feel more like a last photograph than a relaxed farewell.

Guides, vehicles, and the pace of the day

The guides are a major part of this experience. Paulo is praised for explaining Madeira’s history while driving, Renato for humor, kindness, and strong island knowledge, and Lionel for safe driving and clear commentary. Gloria is noted for her warm manner and steady stream of interesting facts.

That said, guide style can vary. One person enjoyed the first day with Gloria more than the second day, and another found one guide’s strong opinions about rising tourism tiring after a while. You should book this as a company-led group tour, not as a private guide chosen by name.

Some departures combine English and Spanish speakers. That can mean commentary in more than one language, and one person found the balance less convenient. The tour is offered in English, but ask about the language arrangement if a single-language experience matters to you.

Pickup was reported as prompt in several accounts, though one cruise passenger received pickup information only on the morning of the tour. Another departure had to wait for late participants and even retrace part of the route after making contact. These are not reasons to reject the tour, but they show why you should be ready at the stated time and keep the day flexible.

Is $72.41 good value?

At $72.41 per person for two days, the price is low for an island-wide introduction, especially when you consider the driving involved. You reach both coasts, high mountain roads, villages, viewpoints, and natural pools without paying for a rental car or handling Madeira’s more demanding roads yourself.

The price does not include entry at Cabo Girão or Cristo Rei. Food is not listed as included, and the schedule leaves you to manage meals around the longer stops. Porto Moniz and Santana each receive about two hours, so these are the likely places to arrange a meal or longer break.

The value is strongest if you have only two days in Madeira. It is weaker if you already have a car, want long walks, or prefer to spend a whole morning at one village. You are paying for breadth and convenience, not a slow, personal exploration.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund, so do not leave the decision until the morning of pickup.

Who should book this Madeira tour?

I would choose this tour if you are staying in Funchal, have limited time, and want to see the island’s major regions without driving. It also suits solo visitors and couples who want transport, commentary, and a ready-made plan.

It is a practical choice for first-time visitors. The tour gives you enough exposure to decide where you might return for a longer walk, a second swim, or more time in a village.

I would hesitate if you dislike group schedules or need guaranteed clear views. The short stops can feel rushed, and mist may hide Pico do Arieiro. You should also look elsewhere if your main goal is hiking, since neither day provides a long trail walk.

For most people with only two days, I would book it. Expect a fast-moving overview, bring patience for group transport, and treat the weather as part of the deal. You will not see every corner of Madeira, but you will understand the island’s shape, variety, and best-known sights quickly.

FAQ

How long does the All Madeira In 2 Days Tour last?

The experience lasts approximately two days, with one day focused mainly on western Madeira and the second on the eastern and central parts of the island.

What time does the tour start?

The listed start time is 9:00 a.m.

Where can I be picked up?

Pickup is available from Funchal city center and the main tourist area. Pickup from hotels in Caniço de Baixo and Garajau is available for a minimum of two people.

What happens if my accommodation is outside the pickup areas?

You will be directed to the nearest meeting point in Funchal.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes. The tour is offered in English. Some departures may combine English and Spanish speakers.

Are entrance fees included?

Admission is not included at Cabo Girão or Cristo Rei do Garajau. The listed stops at the other locations do not show an admission charge.

How many people can join the tour?

The tour has a maximum of 15 participants, although the vehicle can vary according to the number of people booked.

Is swimming included at Porto Moniz?

Porto Moniz is visited for about two hours and is known for its natural swimming pools. Bring swimwear if you want to swim, but the provided information does not confirm specific pool access arrangements.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience starts. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours in advance are not accepted for a refund.