Go North Tour – Madeira Island Excursion

Madeira’s north coast is where the island feels most dramatic: steep mountains, small seaside villages, volcanic rock, and roads that seem to hang above the Atlantic. This full-day loop links several northern and eastern sights without asking you to rent a car or puzzle out the route yourself.

I like the mix of geology and village life, from the underground São Vicente Caves to the church and sea promenade at Santa Cruz. I also like the small maximum group of 18, plus the chance to hear personal stories from a guide such as Luís. The drawback is that this is a packed day, and the cave admission and lunch cost extra.

Key points at a glance

• São Vicente Caves: Follow an underground route of more than 1,000 metres, with an optional visit to the Volcanism Centre.
• Six varied stops: You see caves, villages, viewpoints, a rum factory option, and a seaside promenade in one outing.
• Small-group format: The tour has a maximum of 18 participants, making the day more personal than a large coach trip.
• Lunch is not included: You stop for food, but you pay separately or bring your own meal and snacks.
• Guide-led sightseeing: Live commentary adds context, and Luís is noted for personal insights and language ability.
• Good value at $46.81: That price is reasonable if you want transport, guiding, insurance, and a broad introduction to Madeira.

A north-coast day built around variety

The Go North Tour is not a single major attraction with a few filler stops. It is a broad look at Madeira’s north and east sides, with each stop offering a different angle on the island.

You begin at one of two central Funchal pickup points. One is near the cable car station in the old town. The other is at the Rotunda do Infante. The listed meeting point is Monumental Experience on Estrada Monumental, in São Martinho. Pickup is offered, but you should confirm the exact point and time when booking.

The outing begins in the morning, with the stated operating time running from 8:30 to 9:00 on Tuesdays. The full experience lasts about 7 hours and 45 minutes, then returns to the starting meeting point. That makes it useful early in a Madeira stay, when you want to understand the island’s shape before choosing which areas to revisit.

The route is especially helpful if you do not want to drive. Madeira’s roads can be steep and winding, and some viewpoints are much easier to reach with someone else at the wheel. You can watch the scenery instead of watching every bend.

São Vicente Caves: the most distinctive stop

The São Vicente Caves are the tour’s most unusual attraction. These volcanic tunnels were reported by local people in 1885 and opened to the public in 1996. The route runs for more than 1,000 metres underground, with cave heights ranging from about five to six metres.

The cave visit is optional, and the admission ticket is not included. That matters because the advertised price does not cover every activity on the route. If geology interests you, this is likely the extra charge that makes the most sense. You get a direct look at the volcanic forces that shaped Madeira, rather than only seeing the finished cliffs and valleys from viewpoints.

The caves also have an educational Volcano Centre. Its audiovisual displays explain the formation of the caves, the stages of a volcanic eruption, and the birth of the Madeira Islands. This gives the stop more purpose than a quick walk through a dark tunnel. You can connect what you see underground with the island’s broader geological story.

The main caution is time. The stop is scheduled for 1 hour and 10 minutes, and that includes the optional cave experience and possible Volcano Centre visit. If you choose to enter, keep an eye on the meeting time. A stop this interesting can make the rest of the day feel fast.

Ponta Delgada and São Jorge: quiet villages and open views

Ponta Delgada is a small village on Madeira’s north side, set between the mountains and the ocean. The planned visit lasts about 30 minutes and does not require an admission fee.

This is a short stop, so think of it as a chance to get a feel for a northern settlement rather than a full town tour. You will have time to look around, take photographs, and enjoy the position between high ground and sea. The appeal is simple: Ponta Delgada shows Madeira at a human scale, away from Funchal’s city activity.

At São Jorge, the tour pauses for an hour at a viewpoint over Arco de São Jorge. This is also the lunch break. The view is the main event, while the meal arrangement is deliberately flexible. You can buy lunch or snacks during the stop, or bring your own food.

That flexibility helps keep the base price low, but it also means you need to plan. The tour does not include lunch or snacks. If you prefer a particular meal, have dietary needs, or simply want to avoid spending time choosing food, bring something with you.

The São Jorge stop is one of the better places to slow down. After the cave and the short visit to Ponta Delgada, an hour gives you room to look out over the village, eat, and reset before the afternoon stops.

Porto da Cruz and Penha d’Águia

Porto da Cruz is a picturesque northern village best known here for the imposing rock formation Penha d’Águia. The stop lasts about 30 minutes and is free to visit.

The rock gives the village a strong visual marker, so this is a good photography stop even though the schedule is short. You can expect a quick look rather than a long walk or a detailed exploration of the village.

There is also a chance to visit the Northern Milling Company, a historic rum factory. The mill is described as the only one in Europe with steam still in operation. The tour information does not include an admission detail for this option, so check with the guide if you want to enter and confirm whether an extra fee applies.

This stop adds a useful local touch. You are not only passing viewpoints and taking pictures. You also have the chance to see a working piece of Madeira’s rum-making tradition. Still, with only half an hour, you may need to choose between the factory and simply enjoying Porto da Cruz.

Pico do Facho: the broadest view of the day

Pico do Facho Viewpoint offers a wide view across the Machico valley. From here, the sightline reaches toward Madeira’s central peaks and Ponta de São Lourenço.

The stop lasts only 15 minutes, so this is a quick viewpoint visit. That can be enough for photographs and a strong first impression, but it is not a place for a long walk or quiet contemplation. Keep your camera ready and listen for the departure time.

This viewpoint is valuable because it gives you a sense of Madeira’s scale. Earlier stops focus on the north coast and individual villages. Pico do Facho opens the view toward the central mountains and the eastern peninsula, helping you see how the island’s regions connect.

Santa Cruz: a calmer final stop

Santa Cruz is the final listed stop, with about 30 minutes for a visit. Its seafront promenade is a pleasant place for a short walk, and you can also visit the Church of São Salvador.

The church is a Gothic Manueline-style temple and is described as one of the more architecturally important churches outside Funchal. If you enjoy historic buildings, this gives the final stop more substance than a simple coastal pause.

Santa Cruz works well near the end of the route because it is gentler than the caves and viewpoints. You can stretch your legs, walk beside the sea, and take in a village atmosphere before returning to Funchal. The half-hour limit means you should keep the visit focused. A promenade walk and church visit may require you to move at a sensible pace.

What the guide adds to the day

Live commentary is included, and the guide can make a real difference on a route with six stops. The strongest guide detail available is Luís, who is noted for personal insights, a strong facility with languages, and guiding in English and French.

That kind of commentary matters in Madeira. A viewpoint can be beautiful without explanation, but a guide can help you understand why a village sits where it does, how volcanic activity shaped the island, and which sights deserve your limited time.

The group limit of 18 is another plus. It is small enough for a more direct exchange with the guide, but it is not a private tour. If every seat is filled, you should still expect a shared schedule and some waiting at stops.

The day is active without being described as a strenuous hike. Most stops are sightseeing visits, viewpoints, or short walks. The cave visit may involve an underground route, but the supplied information does not give detailed accessibility or surface information. If you have mobility concerns, ask the provider before booking.

Is $46.81 good value?

At $46.81 per person, this is a solid price for a guided day covering the north and east of Madeira. The cost includes insurance, live commentary, and pickup service, while the vehicle takes you between places that would be awkward to combine without your own transport.

You still need to budget for the São Vicente Caves, lunch, and snacks. The possible rum factory visit may also involve a separate cost, so confirm that before entering. Even with those extras, the tour can be good value if your goal is to see a lot of the island in one day.

The value is lower if you prefer long visits at fewer places. Several stops last only 15 or 30 minutes, and the route covers a great deal of ground. You are paying for access to a wide range of sights, not for extended time in each village.

I would compare it with the cost and effort of arranging a rental car, fuel, parking, and navigation. For a first visit, the convenience is a major part of the price. You also avoid the stress of driving Madeira’s mountain roads.

Who should book this Madeira excursion?

I would suggest this tour to a first-time Madeira visitor who wants a clear introduction to the north and east sides. It is also a good fit if you are staying in Funchal, do not plan to rent a car, and want to see more than the capital and nearby attractions.

The tour suits people who enjoy scenic drives, short village visits, viewpoints, and a mix of natural and cultural stops. Families and most general sightseers should be able to participate, and service animals are allowed. The activity is listed as suitable for most participants and is near public transportation.

You may want a different style of outing if you dislike fixed schedules or want to spend half a day at one attraction. You should also check the weather forecast. The experience requires good weather, and poor conditions can lead to a new date or a full refund.

Booking is generally flexible up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellation inside that window is not refunded, and late changes are not accepted. The tour also requires a minimum number of participants, so a cancellation for that reason may result in another date, another experience, or a full refund.

My verdict on the Go North Tour

Book it if you want a practical, good-value introduction to Madeira’s north and east, especially without a rental car. The volcanic caves, São Jorge viewpoint, Porto da Cruz, and Pico do Facho give the day enough variety to feel worthwhile.

Go in knowing that the schedule is full. Bring lunch or snack money, consider paying for the caves, and keep your expectations aimed at broad coverage rather than slow exploration. With a small group, live commentary, and a guide such as Luís, this is a sensible way to see a wide slice of Madeira in one day.

FAQ

How long does the Go North Tour last?

The tour lasts approximately 7 hours and 45 minutes and returns to the original meeting point.

Where does the tour start?

Pickup is offered at two meeting points in central Funchal. One is near the cable car station in the old town, and the other is at the Rotunda do Infante. The listed meeting point is Monumental Experience on Estrada Monumental in São Martinho.

Is lunch included?

No. The tour stops for lunch or snacks, but you must pay for your own food or bring it with you.

Is admission to São Vicente Caves included?

No. The cave visit is optional, and the admission ticket is not included in the tour price.

How many people can join the tour?

The tour has a maximum group size of 18 participants.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes. The tour is offered in English and includes live commentary.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations made less than 24 hours ahead are not refunded. If poor weather or insufficient participants causes the provider to cancel, you can receive another date or experience, or a full refund.