MADEIRA · FOOD & DRINK
Scabbardfish with banana, beef on a bay-laurel skewer, and a market of fruit that grows nowhere colder. These 12 walk the stalls and the small bars, priced, timed and clear about exactly how hungry to turn up.
Spend eight hours exploring eastern Madeira with a guide-driver such as Tony, Carlos, Daniel, or Benjamin. Expect mountain viewpoints, Santana’s thatched houses, a short Balcões levada walk, Porto da Cruz rum tasting, and Ponta do Rosto, with hotel pickup included.
“Perfectly structured route, I especially enjoyed Miradouro da Ponta do Rosto”
Spend about four hours walking through Funchal with a local English-speaking guide such as Ana, Leonora, or Roberto. Taste Madeiran food, Madeira wine, and poncha at several small eateries, with cultural stories, menu help, and practical restaurant tips along the way.
“We would really recommend this tour. It was great to try local food and drink and Ana was an excellent guide.”
Walk Funchal’s old center with guides such as Ana, Anna, Elda, or Darleen, stopping for Madeira wine, poncha, espadada, pastries, market produce, and local sweets. The four-hour tour includes food and drinks, welcomes dietary requests, and offers Portuguese, English, French, or German guidance.
“Very enjoyable and good relaxed pace. Lovely local guide who was passionate about Madeira.”
Join a local guide such as Robert, Silva, Tiago, or Diogo for a half-day 4x4 ride from Funchal to Cabo Girão and Quinta Barbusano in São Vicente. Expect steep mountain roads, a glass-floored skywalk, vineyard views, a guided walk, and a tasting of six Madeira wines with a small food plate.
“Awesome and thrilling trip up the to vineyard. Our guide was very knowledgeable. Ride was thrilling and safe.”
Walk through Funchal with an English-speaking guide such as Matt, Roberto or Isabel, stopping at eight venues for 11 food tastings and six drinks. Try Madeira wine, pork, bolo do caco, poncha, market fruit and local seafood while learning about the island’s food and culture.
“The history was fascinating and the rooftop bar at the end had a beautiful view and food was good!”
Ride an open-roof 4x4 from Funchal to Boca dos Namorados, cherry-growing Jardim da Serra, Cabo Girão, a local bar, and a Madeira wine cellar. Guides such as Rui, Gil, Chris, and Tony are praised for local insight and humor. Small groups are limited to eight, with Poncha and the €3 skywalk fee extra.
“Our guide Rui was very friendly and told us lots of interesting facts throughout the tour. Although it rained a lot it didn't spoil our day and although the clouds were down when we visited the Skywalk Rui spotted a window of sunshine and took us to an alternative viewpoint. It was dry for long enough for us to enjoy the off road part with the top off the 4x4 so we could stand, great fun.”
Travel from Funchal in a small 4x4 group to Cabo Girão, Serra d’Água, and São Vicente. Expect steep roads, forest tracks, big island views, and a guided tasting of six wines at Quinta do Barbusano, with cheese and chorizo.
“Great experience and very enjoyable. The jeep tour offered nice views and a relaxed, fun atmosphere. The guide was friendly and easygoing, and the wine tasting at the vineyard was a pleasant way to finish the trip. The winery itself was great as well. Overall, a nice and well-organized experience — recommended!”
At H.M. Borges in central Funchal, an English-speaking guide such as Melissa, Maria, or Marie explains Madeira wine, aging casks, labels, and family history before your tasting. Choose two, three, or six pours, paired with honey cake and sugar cane cookies.
“Great trip. Could tell us what flavours we can taste in each wine. Anyway I recommend”
Spend about three and a half hours walking Funchal with guides such as Matt, Roberto, or Enia, stopping for Madeira wine, poncha, beer, sweets, fish, pork, bread, fruit, and more. The small group, usually capped at 12, ends in the old town.
“Interesting tour in Funchal with a very competent guide! Info about buildings and places, combined with tasting food, cakes, fruit and different things to drink gives a special touch of the city and Madeira.. The tour was very well organized! Thanks for letting us know Funchal in this way!”
Spend four hours in an open-roof Land Rover with a local guide such as Rui, Hugo, Luis, or Vitor. Ride steep mountain roads, visit Boca dos Namorados, Boca da Corrida, and Cabo Girão, then sample poncha and Madeira wine. Pickup is included in central Funchal and at the port.
“Skywalk disappointing , stopped to watch a man making poncha which was ok. Stopped a couple of times to be informed about local plant life. Wine tasting compared to numerous others we have done was poor.”
This 8-hour small-group tour combines Madeira wine, local table wine, vineyard visits, a traditional lunch, and scenic drives from Funchal to São Vicente. Guides such as Sofia, Roberto, and Mónica add island stories, while hotel pickup and drop-off keep the day simple.
“We had the most wonderful time with Sophia! Definitely a highlight of our stay on Madeira. All of the locations had a wonderful balance of history, education and of course, wine. Beautiful views, amazing food and great conversation. Sophia provides a wonderful and in-depth knowledge of the island with fascinating stories. We could not recommend her or this experience more. Don’t hesitate and book it now!”
Join a private four-hour drive from Funchal in a classic VW with a guide such as Miguel or Rudolph. Visit Câmara de Lobos, Cabo Girão, Ribeira Brava, and Serra de Água, stopping for views, local stories, and a traditional poncha tasting.
“Lovely chilled trip round the south side of the island. Miguel was very friendly and knowledgeable-knew the right places for poncha!”
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