Madeira East Island Tour and Levada Walk

The East side of Madeira has a way of feeling both dramatic and soothing in the same day, and this tour is built for exactly that mood. You start high on the mountains, drop into the cool Laurissilva forest for a levada walk, then finish with coastal views and a rum tasting in Porto da Cruz. It is a full, efficient day, but still has breathing room at most stops.

Two things I really like about it are the focus on iconic East Madeira viewpoints like Pico do Arieiro and Faial Skywalk, plus the chance to walk a real levada path in the Laurissilva forest around Ribeiro Frio. The tour also includes a 3-course meal with drinks on the shared option, which means you do not have to plan food mid-journey.

The main drawback to plan around is the pace. This is an 8-hour day with multiple photo stops and some added costs once you are there, like the levada walk entrance fee of 3.00 EUR.

Key moments that make this East Madeira day tour worth it

• Pico do Arieiro (1818 m), one of Madeira’s highest viewpoints, with time for photos
• Ribeiro Frio levada walk inside the Laurissilva forest, a classic Madeira walk with shade and streams
• Santana Centre lunch and time in town to see the famous A-framed cottages
• Faial Skywalk, a dramatic coastal viewpoint after lunch
• Porto da Cruz rum tasting, plus coastal scenery toward Ponta de São Lourenço and Caniçal

The East Side of Madeira, in One Day That Makes Sense

If you only have a limited amount of time on Madeira, the East side can be hard to organize on your own without driving yourself into a headache. Roads climb fast, weather can change quickly, and most of the must-sees are spread out. This tour bundles the big hits with the right order: up high first, then down to greener forest, then back toward the coast.

What makes the routing feel smart is the way the scenery shifts. You begin above Funchal looking out over the national park and black forest areas, then head to Pico do Arieiro, which often feels like stepping into another weather system. After that, Ribeiro Frio brings you into the cooler Laurissilva environment, where the walk is much more pleasant than fighting summer heat.

The day is built around a modern air-conditioned minibus with a small group size (typically 8-14 people). That matters because it keeps the experience personal. You get guided context without the feeling of being herded onto a big coach.

Pickup, Minibus Comfort, and How the 8-Hour Timing Actually Works

The tour typically starts between 8:00 and 9:00, with pickup from hotels in Funchal and Caniço. If you are on a cruise ship, shared tours require you to meet at CR7 Museum, while private tours list harbor pickup as free. The supplier also notes the ship must arrive by 08:00 or before and depart at 17:00 or later.

Plan for a pickup window that might be between 8:30 and 9:00 depending on where you are staying. It is not unusual to feel slightly early on Madeira days like this, since the first real viewpoint comes soon after you leave town.

Onboard, the minibus is described as modern and air-conditioned, which is great for comfort. One review note said the air conditioning could be imperfect and windows might open, but the overall impression from others is that the vehicle stays clean and comfortable. Either way, bring layers. Funchal can feel warm, and the tour climbs to higher altitudes where it cools down fast.

As for the tempo, it is busy but not frantic. Most stops are photo-oriented, but you do get some proper time at the bigger moments like Santana, and you get a real walk in the forest.

Stop 1 to Pico do Arieiro: The First Climb and the Big Views Above Funchal

After pickup, there is about 70 minutes of van time before you reach Pico do Arieiro. That drive is not just transit. It is part of the experience because Madeira’s road system can quickly lift you out of the low cloud layer.

At Pico do Arieiro, you get a photo stop of about 35 minutes. This is the third highest peak on the island at 1818 meters, and it is the kind of spot where the scenery can change while you are standing there. You might be surrounded by cloud, and then suddenly the valley opens up. Even if the weather is hazy, the mountains still read as huge and dramatic.

What I like about doing Pico do Arieiro early in the day is that you avoid the most common timing problem. If you leave this peak too late, fog and wind can be worse, and you lose the sense of accomplishment from seeing the high point in decent conditions.

Miradouro do Guindaste: Quick Photo Stop, Worth the Detour

Next comes a Miradouro do Guindaste photo stop for about 15 minutes. This is a classic Madeira kind of stop: short, scenic, and designed for photos and orientation. It is not the longest moment of the day, but it adds variety without stretching your schedule.

Think of it like this: Pico do Arieiro gives you the height and scale. Guindaste gives you a different angle. Together they help you understand the island’s shape rather than just collecting a couple of stand-and-shoot photos.

Ribeiro Frio Levada Walk in Laurissilva Forest: The Most Calming Part

The day’s mood change happens around Ribeiro Frio. This is where you step into one of Madeira’s signature environments: the Laurissilva forest. The tour is designed for a levada walk in this area, and it is often the emotional highlight because it feels cooler, quieter, and more grounded than the mountain viewpoints.

You may also see a trout farm mentioned as part of this section. That adds a practical, local-feeling element, because it is not just scenery. After that, the levada walk heads toward Balcões.

One important detail: the levada walk has an additional entrance fee of 3.00 EUR paid on the day. That is small, but you should still plan for it so it does not surprise you. Also, note that the tour is not suitable for people with mobility impairments, which usually means this is not an easy stroll without uneven footing.

What you should bring is straightforward: comfortable shoes. The path is a levada style walk, and even in good weather it helps to have grip and cushioning. The payoff is that you do not just look at Madeira’s forests. You walk through them, following the water infrastructure that helped shaped life here.

Santana A-Frame Cottages and Lunch at the Santana Centre

After the forest, you go to Santana, which is known for its famous A-framed cottages. The stop here is one of your larger blocks of time, around 1.5 hours, with options like photo time, visiting, free time, and regional food.

Lunch on this tour is included on the shared option as a 3-course meal with drinks. You eat at the Santana Centre, which is also where many people find the food both tasty and good value because it is bundled into the day.

A practical heads-up: one note from a past day said the lunch location had changed since earlier expectations, so if you were picturing a very specific type of venue, do not lock onto that idea. The meal itself was still described as worthwhile, it just may not match the older mental picture you have.

This is also a good spot for shopping and small breaks. Santana is a place where you can slow down, grab a souvenir if you want one, and let your legs recover a bit before the coast climbs back into view.

Faial Skywalk and the Northern-to-Eastern Coast Shift

Once lunch is done, the route continues along the northern side of the island, then turns toward Faial. You get a Faial Skywalk viewpoint stop, designed for those cliff-and-coast angles that make you feel like you are looking into the open ocean.

You do not just ride past it. You stop, take photos, and get time to actually stand there and look. That matters because Madeira’s coast often looks different from one turnout to the next. One bend gives you jagged edges. Another shows a calmer stretch of shoreline.

Following that, the itinerary includes a section that reaches Porto da Cruz, with 35 minutes that include sightseeing time and a rum-focused stop.

Porto da Cruz: Rum Tasting, Aperitif Time, and Coastal Power

In Porto da Cruz, you visit the rum factory area and get free rum tasting. This is one of the day’s fun, social moments, and it is also a smart add-on for people who do not want to spend extra time researching where to taste Madeira rum.

The itinerary lists a photo stop and visit around Porto da Cruz, plus aperitif time. It is not a long factory tour style moment, but it is enough to connect the flavor to the place.

As you move through this region, the coast starts becoming more about scale and distance. The tour highlights include viewpoints around Caniçal and Ponta de São Lourenço, plus sights toward Machico. On a good day, the tour notes you can even see the Desertas Islands and Porto Santo from the area. That is not something you can control, but it is exactly why doing this part earlier rather than later can help, since weather can shift.

The Return Toward Funchal by 17:00

After the eastern coast and viewpoints, you make your way back toward Funchal with a scenic drive segment. The schedule suggests you arrive back by around 17:00.

Drop-off includes two locations in the Funchal area, with one listed as Caminho do Lombo Segundo 6. This is a normal structure for group tours, but it is still worth knowing so you are not surprised if your final stop is not right at your front door.

What You Really Get for About $63 Per Person (Shared Tour)

Let’s talk value, because this is where the tour either earns its spot or gets skipped.

At roughly $63 per person, you are paying for:

• A full day out to the East side with major scenic stops
• A guided experience in a small group, in a modern air-conditioned minibus
• A 3-course meal with drinks on the shared option
• Rum tasting at Porto da Cruz

Then you have one extra item to consider:

• Levada walk entrance fee: 3.00 EUR
• And lunch is not included for private tours, based on the info provided, so costs can shift depending on what option you choose.

If you tried to replicate this with a rental car, you would pay for gas, parking hassles, and driver time, plus you might not hit Pico do Arieiro, the forest walk, and the coast efficiently in one day. The tour also removes decision fatigue. You follow the route, and the guide points out what matters.

This is why many people rate it very highly. The strongest praise tends to be about guides like Toni, Lucy, Michael, Carlos, Marco, and others, described as friendly, funny, and seriously invested in Madeira. In plain terms, that matters because the difference between a good and great viewpoint day is often the explanations and the pacing.

Guide Quality Matters More Than You Think

Even with a great route, your experience depends on the human being driving and talking. Multiple guides named across the better feedback include Toni, Lucy, Michael, Carlos, Marco, and Fernando, plus others.

What stands out from the notes is:

• Guides often point out fruit, plants, and details along the roads, not just the big stops
• They answer questions and add context to island life
• Several guide styles seem to balance structure with personal flexibility, with extra viewpoint detours sometimes added with consent

You should expect the day to feel well managed. Some comments mention it can feel slightly rushed, but the overall pattern is that you still see a lot and you are not stuck waiting forever.

Who This Tour Suits Best (And Who Should Skip It)

This tour makes sense for you if:

• You want an East Madeira highlights circuit without planning transport
• You like the mix of viewpoints and at least one real walk
• You enjoy tasting stops like Porto da Cruz rum
• You prefer small group travel, typically around 8-14 people

You might want to skip it if:

• You are not comfortable with walking uneven levada paths, since it is not suitable for mobility impairments
• You want a slow, relaxed day with long stays at fewer places
• You hate surprises like the 3.00 EUR levada entrance fee on the day

Also bring a jacket. Even if Funchal is warm in winter, higher altitude viewpoints can feel much colder.

Should You Book This Madeira East Island Tour?

Book it if you want a one-day shortcut to the East side, with a real levada walk, a proper meal included on shared tours, and the kind of guided energy that makes scenery feel like more than just photos.

Skip it only if you need a fully flexible, self-paced day or if mobility limits make a levada walk unrealistic for you. Otherwise, this is exactly the kind of Madeira day that hits the highlights, teaches you how to read the island, and gets you back by late afternoon.

FAQ

How long is the Madeira East Island Tour and Levada Walk?

The tour duration is about 8 hours, with pickup typically starting between 8:00 and 9:00 and returning by around 17:00.

What is included in the price for the shared tour?

The shared tour includes a 3-course meal with drinks, rum tasting (free), and the guided experience on a modern air-conditioned minibus with pickup in the Funchal and Caniço areas.

Is the levada walk fee included?

No. The levada walk has an additional entrance fee of 3.00 EUR, paid on the day of the walk.

What time does pickup happen?

Pickup is available from all hotels in Funchal and Canico, and the pick-up time can be between about 8:30 and 9:00 depending on your location. The supplier reconfirms the exact time after booking.

Are there different options for cruise passengers?

Yes. For shared tours from cruise ships, you meet at CR7 Museum. For private tours, pickup from the harbor is listed as free, with the note that your ship must arrive by 08:00 or before and depart at 17:00 or later.

Where do we go during the day?

The route includes viewpoints above Funchal, Pico do Arieiro, a viewpoint stop at Miradouro do Guindaste, time in Santana, Porto da Cruz, additional coastal viewpoints, and then a return scenic drive to Funchal.

How much free time do I get at key stops?

You get photo stops at some viewpoints (for example about 35 minutes at Pico do Arieiro), and a longer stop in Santana (about 1.5 hours). Exact free time at other viewpoints is listed in the itinerary segments.

Is lunch included for private tours?

No. Lunch for private tours is listed as not included.

What languages are available for the guide?

Live tour guides are available in English, French, German, Portuguese, and Spanish.

Is the tour suitable for people with mobility impairments?

No, the tour is not suitable for people with mobility impairments.