All Madeira In 2 Days Tour

Madeira in 2 days is interesting because it is the quickest way to see big scenery changes without renting a car. You get a tight route with major sights like Cabo Girão and the famous coastal towns, plus convenient pickup in the Funchal area.

What I like most is how the tour lands on the island’s headline moments, especially the glass-skywalk view at Cabo Girão and the dramatic north-coast swimming vibe at Porto Moniz. My one caution is weather, since high stops like Pico do Arieiro can turn into mist, and you cannot control that.

Key things I’d circle before you book

• Pickup in Funchal and nearby areas so you start your days already in motion
• Max 15 travelers, which usually keeps the group feeling more human than chaotic
• Both sides of the island in 2 days, west first then east, so you get variety fast
• Cabo Girão and Cristo Rei are the main paid add-ons, while many stops are free
• Guide quality matters, and names like Leonel, Renato, Paulo, and Sergio show up in strong feedback

The big picture: why this Madeira route works in a short time

This is a classic “island highlights” format, but it is also practical. Start at 9:00 am, ride through different microclimates, and do quick photo stops plus a couple longer breaks so you actually get to breathe the places, not just drive past them.

The value is not just that you cover a lot. It is that you cover the right stuff for a first visit. On Day 1 you focus on the west and north coast drama: Churchill’s favorite-looking bay area, one of Europe’s highest cliffs at Cabo Girão, then volcanic coastline at Porto Moniz. Day 2 switches gears to the east with the high viewpoint at Pico do Arieiro, a levada start at Ribeiro Frio, thatched homes in Santana, and the rocky peninsula at Ponta de São Lourenço.

One note on pacing: many stops are around 20 to 30 minutes, with only a few extended stretches. That is fine if you are in sightseeing mode. If you want long walks and slow wandering at every stop, you may feel rushed.

Day 1 West Coast: Câmara de Lobos, Cabo Girão, and north-coast pools

Day 1 is the “wow, this island is steep” day. You start near Funchal, then move outward and up, hitting viewpoints and coastal towns with fast turns and big rewards.

Câmara de Lobos Bay, the Churchill connection

Your first stop is Baía de Camara de Lobos, a traditional fishing village about five kilometers from Funchal. It is tied to Winston Churchill, who painted the area, and the point is not to pretend you are in a museum. You are there to feel the fishing-village rhythm and look at the coastline that made an artist stop and stare.

This stop is about 30 minutes, so think of it as orientation plus photos. You get just enough time to walk around and get your bearings before the road starts climbing.

Cabo Girão: the cliff viewpoint and the glass skywalk

Next up is Cabo Girão, often cited as the highest sea cliff in Europe. The highlight is the viewpoint with a glass skywalk, which turns the usual cliff experience into something a bit more nerve-friendly (in a fun way).

Time here is around 30 minutes. Also, this is one of the stops where admission is not included, so plan for that extra cost. If you hate heights, you can still enjoy the view from nearby areas, but the skywalk is the star.

Ribeira Brava Beach: wild stream, quick coastal break

Then you hit Ribeira Brava, with a stop at the beach area. The name matters. Ribeira Brava means wild stream, and it fits the feel of the southwest coast: rugged, not staged.

This is another free stop and it is timed at about 30 minutes. Use it for a stretch, a snack, and a quick look toward the Atlantic.

Encumeada pass on Caminho Real da Encumeada (PR12)

After the coast, you move inland to the Caminho Real da Encumeada (PR12). The key detail is height and views: the road crosses the 1004 m high Encumeada pass, rising from Ribeira Brava up toward Serra d’Água.

You are not signing up for a long hike here. The stop is about 30 minutes, but the drive and the switch in scenery do the heavy lifting. You get views of both the south and north coasts, which is exactly what you want on Day 1.

Porto Moniz Natural Swimming Pools: the iconic volcanic sea pools

Then you reach Porto Moniz Natural Swimming Pools, and this is one of the easiest “yes, this is why Madeira is famous” stops. Porto Moniz sits by volcanic rock that forms natural pools where the sea fills in the right spots.

This stop is about 2 hours, and it is free. That is long enough to actually swim or at least linger by the water. If you are traveling in cooler months, you might still enjoy the views and the water without going in, but the area is built for that picture of people cooling off in rock basins.

Miradouro do Veu da Noiva and Seixal details

Next is Miradouro do Veu da Noiva in Seixal, with a quick stop time around 20 minutes. This viewpoint area also connects to the Santo Antão Church and opportunities to see volcanic natural pools nearby.

It is a short stop, but these are the kind of places where you get one more angle of the north coast before the day continues.

São Vicente: the boulder chapel stop

Your final stop on Day 1 is São Vicente. Even though it is a coastal village, it feels more sheltered, and at the edge of the village by the sea there is a large boulder with the Saint Vincent chapel built inside.

This is another about 30 minutes and free. It is a good ending point because it gives you a different kind of “Madeira surprise,” not just cliffs and water, but the way buildings adapt to the island’s shape.

Day 2 East Coast: Pico do Arieiro, Ribeiro Frio, Santana, Machico, and Garajau

Day 2 is the “variety plus viewpoints” day. It starts with height, moves into forest remnants and walking country, then finishes with iconic east-coast monuments.

Pico do Arieiro: the high point with a weather reality check

You begin at Pico do Arieiro (1818 m), the third highest peak on the island and second highest with pedestrian access. On clear days, you can sometimes even see Porto Santo across the water.

The stop is about 30 minutes and free, but here is the important part for your expectations: this is a weather-dependent viewpoint. Fog or mist can erase the horizon, and you cannot predict it. When that happens, the drive up and down still feels like a highlight, just not the postcard one.

Ribeiro Frio: where levadas start and Laurissilva lives on

Next is Ribeiro Frio, a popular starting point for levada walks. The “cold river” name is fitting, and this area is tied to the Laurissilva forest, a remnant of ancient forest from long ago.

The stop is about 30 minutes and free. Even if you do not take a walk from here, it is a useful change of pace from cliff stops. You start thinking about Madeira not only as a coastline, but as water channels and forest ecology.

Fortress of Faial: a viewpoint for north and south

Then you arrive at the Fortress of Faial, with the payoff being views across the north coast and the south coast from the east side. This is a free stop and again around 30 minutes.

It is the kind of spot that makes you understand why Madeira is so visually dramatic. The island folds into itself, and the viewpoints prove it.

Santana: those thatched triangular houses

Now for culture and architecture at Santana. This village is known for small thatched triangular houses built of natural stone and straw, used for centuries by locals as stables and dwellings.

You get about 2 hours here and it is free. That longer time is what makes Santana feel less rushed. Use it to walk around the village and look closely at the house shape, not just take a quick shot.

Ponta de São Lourenço: rocks, sea, and quiet drama

Next is Ponta de São Lourenço on the eastern side. It is described as one of the last places on Madeira that still feels untouched. The combination of rocks, sea, and wind makes it feel raw in a good way.

This is a shorter about 30 minutes stop, free, and it works best if you treat it as a “see it now, linger later” moment.

Machico: historic arrival in 1419

You finish the day at Machico, one of the more populated cities on the island and important historically. The reason is big: explorers first arrived here in 1419.

The stop is about 30 minutes and free. It is not always the most dramatic stop, but it adds context, and it gives your feet a break before the final viewpoint of the trip.

Miradouro do Cristo Rei do Garajau: a signature statue viewpoint

Your last stop is Miradouro do Cristo Rei do Garajau. This is a popular east-coast landmark with a statue and views that feel like Madeira is showing off.

Time is about 20 minutes and admission is not included. This is a perfect wrap-up stop because it gives you a clean final picture of the east coast, with less walking pressure than some other viewpoints.

How the guides shape the experience (and why certain names keep coming up)

This is one of those tours where the route does a lot, but the guide does even more. In the feedback, certain guide names show up strongly: Lionel or Leonel, Renato, Paulo, Sérgio, Jose, and Gloria. The praise tends to focus on safe driving, clear narration, and a friendly tone that keeps the group moving smoothly.

That matters because with a route this packed, you need someone who can explain what you are seeing in plain language. You also need a driver who understands timing on mountain roads.

One thing to keep in mind: the tour is English, but group composition can vary. If you are sensitive to mixed-language groups, you may want to mentally prepare for some uneven speaking time depending on who else joins your day.

Admission costs: what is usually free, and what can add up

Most stops are free based on the itinerary timing, and that is a big part of the value. You do not pay to enter everything you see, and the tour still gives you a lot of variety.

The two clear non-included items in the schedule are:

• Cabo Girão (admission not included)
• Cristo Rei in Garajau (admission not included)

Everything else listed is marked as free on the plan you follow. Still, it is smart to bring small cash or a card for those two paid sights, plus snacks, water, and any optional souvenirs.

Timing, transport, and the feeling of a 2-day “fast pass”

You are on the move. Many stops are 20 to 30 minutes, and your longest breaks are:

• Porto Moniz Natural Swimming Pools, about 2 hours
• Santana, about 2 hours

So if you want the most “time on the ground,” those are your anchors.

Transport can also change depending on how busy the season is. In thicker tourist periods, you might ride in a larger vehicle and feel a bit more waiting while pickups are collected. If you hate delays, plan your patience.

And do not forget the basic practical tip: in Madeira, viewpoints are often cooler and windier than you expect. Bring a light layer even on sunny days.

Who this tour is best for

This works especially well for you if:

• You are short on time in Madeira and want both west and east coasts
• You do not want the hassle of driving mountain roads
• You want a guided route that hits high-impact sights like Pico do Arieiro and Porto Moniz

It might not be perfect if:

• You want long hikes every day
• You hate weather uncertainty at high viewpoints
• You prefer fully flexible, slow travel where you can change plans every hour

For many first-timers, it is the cleanest way to get your bearings quickly, then pick a few areas to return to on a second visit.

Should you book All Madeira in 2 Days?

If your goal is a fast, structured taste of Madeira, I think this is a smart buy. The combination of Pickup from the Funchal area, a small maximum group size, and major stops like Cabo Girão, Porto Moniz, and Pico do Arieiro makes it strong value for the price.

Book it if you can handle a quick pace and a weather risk at the highest viewpoints. Skip it if you want slow, deep time in just one region. If you are unsure, this tour is the kind that helps you decide where to go next on your own.

FAQ

Where are the pickup locations?

Pickup is available from Funchal city centre and the main tourist area. The tour also offers pickup from hotels in Caniço de Baixo and Garajau if there are at least two people. If your accommodation is outside those areas, you will be directed to the nearest meeting point in Funchal.

What time does the tour start, and how long is it?

The start time is 9:00 am, and the tour runs for about 2 days.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes, the tour is offered in English.

Do I need to bring a ticket?

You will use a mobile ticket.

Are entrance fees included for all stops?

Not all of them. The itinerary lists many stops as free, but Cabo Girão and Miradouro do Cristo Rei do Garajau show admission as not included.

How large is the group?

The tour has a maximum of 15 travelers.

Is the tour suitable for most people, and are service animals allowed?

The information says most travelers can participate, and service animals are allowed.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel for a full refund if you cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience start time. If you cancel less than 24 hours before, the amount paid is not refunded. Cutoff times use local time.