18 best Madeira Tours (+ day trips) – to explore the island

The best Madeira Tours - short answer

With or without a car?

If you choose to visit Madeira without a car, it is preferable to stay in Funchal old center or in the Funchal Lido area.

• See best rated accommodations in Funchal
• For luxury resorts, check out the Lido area in Funchal
• More tips on my article about where to stay in Madeira

If you choose to do day trips around Madeira with a car,

• see my tips to rent a car and drive
• or go compare prices
• and check out my eBook that makes planning easier:  

CLASSIC - 3 Best Madeira Excursions

Main stops

• Eira do Serrado - admire Curral das Frieiras (Valley of the nuns) from higher grounds, a hidden valley with giant vertical mountains surrounding the "couldron" 
• Visit the village of Curral das Frieiras - appreciate the perspective from the bottom of the valley and taste the famous chestnuts
• Camara de Lobos - stroll the seafront of a charming village with its colorful fishing port, its beach and promenade.

How long it takes

• Half day - you never drive far from Funchal
• Curral das Frieiras is 30min drive away
• Camara de Lobos is 15min drive away

Why I love it
It combines the wonders of the inland with the wonders of the coast.
You can realise how mountainous the island is and see the most charming old center on the island, where Churchill used to spend time and paint.

Organized tour option:
See details, availability & book

Main stops

• The viewpoint of Portela, one of the most beautiful on the island with views of the Eagle Rock (Penha D'Aguia)
• The Santana traditional thatched houses, iconic of Madeira island (note, if you are renting a car don't miss the view from Rocha do Navio!)
• The magnificent Pico do Arieiro, 3rd summit of the island with impressive views of the jagged mountain peaks

How long it takes

• Full day - a loop around the Eastern part of Madeira island 
• Machico is 30min from Funchal
• Santana is 20min away from Machico
• Pico do Arieiro is 45min away from Santana, and 40min away from Funchal
• Group tours a 4x4 but you can visit all those locations renting a normal car

Why I love it
It is a day with a little bit of everything: coastal views, mountain views, town, history, culture...
You will learn a lot about the history and geology of Madeira and visit iconic locations.

Organized tour option:
See details, availability & book

Main stops

• Porto Moniz Natural Pools - created by lava and filled with sea water
• The Fanal Forest - with ancient Laurrissilva trees 
• Seixal natural black sand beach - sand beaches are rare on the island, and this one is stunning with the green lush cliffs next to it.
• But you can also book other tours that combine Porto Moniz with other parts of the island, such as wine tasting or the Skywalk at Cabo Girao

How long it takes

• Full day
• Porto Moniz is 1h drive away from Funchal 

Why I love it
Swimming in the natural pools of Porto Moniz was one of my favorite experiences on the island. Even just looking at them with the island in the background and the fort on the side. I love lava rock formations...
Note - not all tours include time to go swimming.

Organized tour option:
See details, availability & book
Or see alternative tours that also include Porto Moniz

2 Best boat tours in Madeira

Main stops

• If you take a catamaran, you first head away from the shore, looking for dolphins and whales
• Later in the tour, you get close to the giant Cabo Girao cliffs and you can go for a swim

How long it takes

• Around 3 hours
• Departs from Funchal Marina - most tours don't offer transfer

Why I love it
I always love seeing dolphins. And you may be able to also spot a whale!
Plus, the swimming experience just under the 589m tall cliffs is impressive. And you get to admire the mountainous island from a distance.

Organized tour option:
See catamaran tours & availabilities
Alternative: you can also book a tour where the swim is with dolphins when possible - see details & availability

For this tour, I only recommend it if you have more than 10 days on Madeira Island.
There is already enough to see and keep busy in Madeira, before going exploring the rest of the archipelago.

Main stops

• Ferry from Funchal Harbor to Porto Santo island
• The 9km long sandy beach on the South coast
• The many geological wonders: organ pipe of basalt columns, sand dunes...

How long it takes

• a full day
• The ferry crossing is 2h30 of Navigation and you have to be on board at least 30min before

Why I love it
As someone who loves geology, the very old island of Porto Santo is a marvel. 
Plus, the island differs greatly from Madeira. The mountains are lower and do not stop the clouds, therefore there is hardly any rain, and hardly any vegetation.

Organized tour option:
See details, availability & book
Or book yourself a ferry ride and organize your visit.

4 Madeira Walking Tours

Madeira is also famous for its half day and day hikes (see my article with the best hikes on the island). They offer some of the best landscapes on the island.
Know that if you don't want to hike alone or if you don't rent a car, there are group hikes that are organized departing the Funchal area: they include the volcanic cliffs, the mountains and also the most famous levada walks (traditional irrigation systems on the side of the mountains).

About the hike

• Follows the volcanic cliffs of Ponta de Sao Lourenço, the "dragon tail" of Madeira
• 6.4km/4mi return 
• Moderate difficulty (nothing technical but some ups and downs)

How long it takes

• 40min drive from Funchal
• 3 to 4 hours return hike

Why I love it
Ponta de Sao Louranço is the best place on the island to admire the volcanic origin of Madeira, surrounded by bare landscapes and colorful rocks.
Along the hike there are many viewpoints with steep cliffs, sea stacks and magnificent views towards the sea or back towards the island.
It is impressive and colorful!

Organized tour option:
See details, availability & book

About the hike

• This is the most famous hikes on the island, along the jagged peaks between Pico do Arieiro and Pico Ruivo (highest point on the island)
• 14km (8.7mi) return walk
• Or 7km + 2,8km = 9,8km (6mi) on a guided tour with pick up from another location
• Moderate to strenuous - technically not difficult, but lots of steep ups and downs with staircases

How long it takes

• 40min drive to Pico do Arieiro
• self walk will need to return to Pico do Arieiro - 7 to 8h
• Guided walks head to Achadas da Teixeira for a pick up - 5h to 6h hike - 1h drive back

Why I love it
This is one of the most impressive hikes you will ever do. It connects Pico do Areeiro (1817m - 5961ft) to Pico Ruivo (1862m - 6108ft), the 3rd and 1st highest peaks on the island.
The peaks are sharp and the cliffs dropping straight down around you.
You can see mountains all around, as well as the sea on each side. Plus, along the way, there are caves into the volcanic tuff that were shelters for shepherds.

Organized tour option:
See details, availability & book

About the hike

• Along a levada all the way to a waterfall and lagoon
• Between 9km (5.6mi) return and 16km (10mi) return
• Moderate difficulty - nothing technically difficult - some narrow section on the path

How long it takes

• 50min drive to Rabaçal
• hike is 5h to 5h30 without the shuttle (groups don't take the shuttle)
• If you are doing this Madeira walking tour on your own, there is a shuttle to reduce the hike to 4h to 4h30

Why I love it
This is the most famous Levada walk in Madeira. Head down in the valley to reach the Levada and follow the path in lush vegetation.
It leads to a small lagoon and many tiny waterfalls crying on a wall, hence the name of 25 springs.
Plus, on that same path, you can also enjoy a quick detour to the Risco waterfall, dropping 100m (330ft) on the side of the mountain.

Organized tour option:
See details, availability & book

About the hike

• Along a levada on the side of a mountain, surrounded by lush vegetation
• 13km/8mi return 
• Easy but long (moderate if adding Caldeirao do Inferno)
• Bring a flashlight for the tunnels!

How long it takes

• Parque Florestal das Queimadas - 50min drive from Funchal
• 5h30 return
• If you are doing the hike on your own, you can add Caldeira do Inferno for 2h return extra

Why I love it
Another famous Levada walk in Madeira. It is a long, flat walk in lush vegetation. It leads to a tall waterfall known as Caldeirao Verde.
This walk is pretty special. First, there are the weeping walls with green vegetation. And later, it is also an adventure, because you have to make your way through 5 tunnels. Some of them are quite long and very dark. Kids love it! Adults have mixed feeling, especially when they bump their head...

Organized tour option:
See details, availability & book

3 Funchal Tours

Main stops

• Touring the old town of Funchal
• The historical Jesuit College
• The 19th century history around the theater
• The 17th century religious monuments

How long it takes

• 2h
• No hotel pick-up - make your way to the meeting place

Why I love it
I think walking is the best way to explore a city. You get to take your time and notice details on the buildings.
Plus, with a guided tour you will learn a lot about the history of Funchal and the island: how it was discovered, how it was ruled, how did local used ot live...

Organized tour option:
See details, availability & book

Main stops

• Hop inside a tuktuk to cover more ground around the city and have fu
• The old town with the Jesuit College area, the Cathedral and the 19th century thater
• The area around Mercaro dos Lavoradores (farmers market)
• The neighborhood of Sao Petro with its church and museums
• The municial garden

How long it takes

• 1h30
• includes pick up at your hotel

Why I love it
If you are short in time or are looking for an introduction to Funchal before exploring on your own, this is a great option.
You cover all the main areas of lower Funchal and learn about its history.

Organized tour option:
See details, availability & book

Main stops

• Stops all around Funchal: old town, Jesuit College, Farmers Market
• Plus, another bus route loops to the seaside village of Camara de Lobos

How long it takes

• 2 days to 5 days
• If staying on the bus - 1h35 loop
• Hop-on and Hop-off to see as much as you want

Why I love it
If you don't want a car and don't want to spend a lot on taxis, this is a great option to reach all the various areas of town, as well as Camara de Lobos.

Organized tour option:
See hop-on hop-off tickets

3 Madeira Food & Wine tours

Guided tours are also a great option when you want to learn more about the culinary culture of a destination.
You can find some interesting Madeira Food and Wine tours. Some tours stay in Funchal, and other take you to other places to explore plantations and factories.

Main stops

• 11 food tastings - chocolate, cookies, fish sandwiches, exotic fruits, Madeiran cuisine
• 6 drink tastings - wines, tea
• Walking tour around Funchal old town
• Tastings at markets, restaurants and wine producers

How long it takes

• 3h
• No hotel pick up

Why I love it
This is one of the best tour for tastings. You will be able to sample a little of everything that is famous on the Madeira island.

Organized tour option:
See details, availability & book

Main stops

• Outside Funchal, visit of vineyards and producers
• Vineyards at Camara de Lobos - learn how fortified wine is made.
• Local meal and wine pairing
• North Coast vineyards
• Modern winery in Porto Moniz - white wine

How long it takes

• Full day

Why I love it
Madeira wine is something really special.
This tour combines the history of making fortified wine with where the industry is heading today.

Organized tour option:
See details, availability & book

Highlights

• Eat traditional Espetada
• Drink local wine
• Watch a traditional show

How long it takes

• 3h
• Evening tours on Fridays

Organized tour option:
See details, availability & book

3 Madeira Island Tours - Adventure

And for those who are looking for Madeira tours that are more active and give you an adrenaline rush, check out these experiences:

Want to see more of the best Madeira offers?

• 42 Madeira travel tips to plan an unforgettable trip - read article
• Where to stay in Madeira - best areas - read article
• 35 best things to do in Madeira - read article
• The best landscapes in Madeira in 40 pictures - read article
• Tips to drive around Madeira - read article
• See my 36 tips about renting a car in Madeira
• 12 Madeira Hidden Gems - read article
• 4 Madeira Natural Pools (and 6 coastal alternatives) - read article
• 18 best beaches in Madeira - read article

Planning a trip to Madeira?

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