Around The Island – Two Days Tour From 9am To 5pm (Each Day)

This two-day around-the-island tour is interesting because it gives you Madeira’s big hitters in one smooth loop, without you managing the roads or the timing yourself. I love that it runs as a small group (up to 16), so guides like Lionel can actually talk with you, not just at you.

Second, I like the built-in coverage that connects viewpoints, villages, and nature stops across both the west and east sides, plus pickup from central Funchal areas so your sightseeing starts fast. You also get stops like Porto Moniz with real time to breathe and enjoy, not just quick photo stops.

One possible drawback to consider is comfort and motion on winding roads. I’d plan for sit toward the front if you get travel sick, because one guest noted there were no small bags or backup help if someone feels unwell.

Key Points Before You Go

• Cabo Girão glass balcony: a 580m-high viewpoint with big cliff views, and Cabo Girão’s admission is not included.
• Porto Moniz natural volcanic pools: the main lunch break area, and you can swim if weather cooperates, so bring your swimsuit.
• Laurissilva and levada country: you’ll stop at Fonte do Bispo around 1300 to 1500m and get a feel for the famed walking network through the forest.
• East coast contrasts: Garajau’s Cristo Rei statue, Machico’s history, and the wild scenery of Ponta de São Lourenço.
• Pico do Arieiro and Poço da Neve: 1818m views, plus the story of an English-built snow well, and a radar site at the summit.
• Guide energy matters: many guides, including Lionel, Renato, Gloria, and Paulo, are praised for humor and clear explanations.

Why This Two-Day Around Madeira Loop Feels Effortless

Madeira is famous for views, but it’s also famous for driving. This tour works because it stacks the island’s most dramatic stops into two full days, starting at 9:00am and running to 5:00pm, so you don’t waste half your vacation in transit.

The small group size helps more than you might think. When there are up to 16 people, the guide can slow down when needed, point out details, and keep the day from feeling like a rushed bus tour. And names keep popping up in a good way, especially Lionel for engaging storytelling and a friendly group vibe.

You also benefit from the route design. Day 1 leans west and Day 2 leans east, so you get variety instead of repeating the same kind of coastline, viewpoint, or village rhythm. It’s a smart way to get your bearings fast.

Price and Logistics: What You Pay for and What That Buys You

At $72.56 per person for two days, the value is mostly about what’s included: pickup, transportation around the island, and a guide with context for the places you’re seeing. With a tour like this, your main cost is buying time and effort you’d otherwise spend planning and driving.

There’s one important cost detail: Cabo Girão’s admission is not included. The rest of the stops listed as free on the itinerary are marked as admission free, but Cabo Girão stands out as the one place where you should expect to pay entry.

The tour also uses a mobile ticket, which is handy when you’re juggling phone maps and weather checks. If you want a plan that feels organized without feeling rigid, this setup fits.

One more practical point: the order of stops can change, and you’ll receive updated information if the sequence shifts. That’s normal on Madeira, where conditions can shift quickly.

Getting Picked Up in Funchal (and What to Expect on the First Morning)

Pickup is offered from Funchal city centre and the main tourist area. There’s also pickup from hotels in Caniço de Baixo and Garajau, but it requires a minimum of two people. If your accommodation is outside those areas, you’ll be guided to the nearest meeting point in Funchal.

That matters because the tour is timed tightly. When you’re picked up near the center, you’re less likely to lose time to long hotel-to-hotel routes. And the closer you are to Funchal’s main areas, the easier it is to connect this tour with other plans for the rest of your day.

Most importantly, you can show up without needing to rent a car. Several guide-focused highlights in the experience come from the driver-guide combo working together, especially on Madeira’s winding roads.

Day 1 West Side: Cabo Girão to Câmara de Lobos

Day 1 is where Madeira feels most dramatic fast. You’re climbing high viewpoints, moving along the coast, and stopping for village and forest moments that break up the driving.

Cabo Girão viewpoint, 580m up with a glass balcony

Your day starts with Cabo Girão, rising 580 meters above the ground with a glass balcony. The itinerary notes it as the highest in Europe and the second highest cliff in the world, and you’ll feel that scale the moment you look down.

Plan on bringing your camera because this is the kind of viewpoint where you want more than one angle. If you’re afraid of heights, keep that in mind, but the stop itself is short at about 30 minutes.

Ribeira Brava church and a coastal village feel

Next you’ll reach Ribeira Brava, a coastal village where you can visit a 15th-century church. This is one of those stops that adds texture, not just scenery. It gives you a pause from pure viewpoint chasing and a sense of how locals shape daily life around the coast.

The time here is about 30 minutes, so it’s enough to see what you came for, then move on.

Madalena do Mar and the banana plantation walk

Then it’s Madalena do Mar, a short visit through lush banana plantations. This stop is brief at around 25 minutes, but it’s valuable because Madeira’s agriculture is a huge part of the island’s identity.

If you love small sensory moments, this is where you’ll get them: greenery, roadside farms, and a softer visual rhythm than the cliffs.

Fonte do Bispo and the levada country

The tour climbs to Fonte do Bispo in the Paúl de Serra area around 1300 to 1500 meters. This is where the itinerary points you toward several walks along the levadas, Madeira’s famous irrigation channels and walking routes, connecting parts of the island through the Laurissilva forest.

You get about 20 minutes here, so don’t expect a full hike. Instead, think of it as a launch pad for understanding what those trails are about. You might find yourself wanting to come back for a longer walk on a different day.

Porto Moniz natural volcanic pools, with time for lunch

Lunch and downtime happen at Porto Moniz, where you can explore the natural volcanic pools, described as the largest in Madeira. You’ll also get views from the descent toward the village.

The free time here is around 1.30 to 2 hours, which is a sweet spot. It’s long enough to eat, wander, and decide whether to swim. The itinerary explicitly notes that in good weather, swimming is possible, so pack accordingly.

If you want an easy tip: bring a swimsuit and a small towel even if you think you won’t swim. Sometimes you show up, the water looks inviting, and suddenly you’re glad you didn’t pack for the minimum.

Seixal viewpoint and Véu de Noiva waterfall

Next comes Miradouro do Veu da Noiva at Seixal, with a special emphasis on the Véu de Noiva waterfall. The stop is about 20 minutes, but it’s one of those waterfalls where the motion of the water is part of the art.

Even if you’re not chasing waterfalls all day, it’s a great visual reset after Porto Moniz.

São Vicente church, then back toward Funchal

You’ll visit São Vicente, including a 17th-century church, for around 30 minutes. It’s a calm finish to the west loop, and it helps you end the day with a sense of place, not only views.

The final stop is Câmara de Lobos, a fishing village about 5km from Funchal. It’s also tied to the late Winston Churchill, who famously painted here. It’s a short stop, about 30 minutes, but it’s memorable because it’s both scenic and story-driven.

Day 2 East Side: Cristo Rei to Pico do Arieiro Peaks

Day 2 is the east side’s turn to impress. You’ll move from coastal monuments to nature reserves and end high up in the mountains at Pico do Arieiro.

Garajau Cristo Rei monument

Start with Miradouro do Cristo Rei do Garajau, a statue in an eye-catching setting on the east coast. The itinerary describes it as one of Madeira’s most emblematic monuments.

At about 30 minutes, it’s designed to be enough time to take in the statue and the surrounding views without turning the day into a slow crawl.

Machico, Madeira’s early capital story

Then you’ll reach Machico, described as historic and the second most populous city on the island. It was Madeira’s first capital from 1440 to 1496, with settlers arriving in 1420, and Funchal becoming the capital later in 1508.

The stop is about 20 minutes, so it’s best to approach it like a history highlight, not a museum visit.

Ponta de São Lourenço nature reserve

Next, Ponta de São Lourenço (Ponta do Rosto) takes the tour into nature reserve territory. This stop is about 30 minutes and is known for panoramic Atlantic views and rock formations that feel very different from much of the rest of the island.

If you like places that look like they belong on a different planet, this is where you’ll feel it.

Porto da Cruz rum distillery connections

In Porto da Cruz, you’ll learn about the old rum distillery at Engenhos do Norte, tied to sugar cane’s role in Madeira’s past. The itinerary notes steam machines and that the factory’s equipment is maintained by original workers, with free entry for visitors.

This is a smart stop if you like industrial history and everyday-scale production stories. You’ll get about 30 minutes here.

Santana’s triangular thatched houses and lunch time

Then it’s Santana, famous for colorful triangular thatched houses. The itinerary gives their origin as dating back to the 16th century and connects the area to authentic Madeiran culture.

Here you also get the day’s big pause, with a stop for lunch and free time of about 1.30 to 2 hours. If you’re trying to avoid the tour feeling like non-stop driving, this is a good time to slow down, eat, and just people-watch.

Ribeiro Frio valley, trout pools, and birds

After Santana, you head to Ribeiro Frio, a natural park in a deep north valley. The itinerary mentions trout farming pools and easy nature trails, which is a nice shift from viewpoints and coastline.

The guide’s commentary can be especially fun here because the stop is also about the forest feel, including laurel trees and birds endemic to the region, like the smallest Madeira bird called the bis-bis, plus pigeons and chaffinches.

Time is about 30 minutes, so think of it as a stroll and a reset, not a full nature outing.

Pico do Arieiro, Poço da Neve, and high clouds

Finally, you end at Pico do Arieiro, the island’s third highest peak at 1818 meters. The itinerary promises fabulous views, sometimes with clouds hovering around rock formations, and mentions you may see the south coast, Curral das Freiras, and even Porto Santo on clear days.

You’ll also see the stone structure called Poço da Neve, described as an igloo-like snow well built by an English family to store ice, snow, and hail. The itinerary also notes that a radar was installed on the summit in 2011.

This is about 30 minutes total, so dress for fast-changing conditions. Even when the rest of the day feels mild, you can hit cloud and chill at altitude.

The Guide Factor: Lionel, Renato, Gloria, and Paulo

A tour like this lives or dies on the guide. The strongest experiences here are linked to guides who can hold attention with stories, humor, and clear explanations, not just a reading of stop-by-stop facts.

Lionel gets repeated praise for engaging delivery and group rapport. Renato is also highlighted for being funny while staying informative. Gloria earns notes for staying entertaining and helping the day feel organized, even on challenging roads. Paulo Coelho is singled out for an informative and professional approach.

Here’s the real benefit for you: when the guide is good, you start noticing the small things. A church date makes sense in context. A coastline name feels less random. Even stops that are only 20 to 30 minutes feel worth it because you understand why the place matters.

What to Bring: Layers, Nausea Strategy, and Swim Time

Madeira weather can change fast, and the tour includes multiple altitude swings. The most practical advice I’d give you is to pack extra layers for the mountain stops. People often think cool means a light jacket, then quickly learn it can mean wind and chill at higher points.

If you deal with motion sickness, this tour is still doable, but plan smart. One guest specifically advised sitting toward the front if you’re prone to feeling sick on winding roads. Bring your usual remedy, too. I’d rather you carry it and not use it than get stuck trying to improvise.

For the west day, bring a swimsuit. Porto Moniz is where swimming is possible in good weather, and you’ll be glad you didn’t skip it. You can always change your mind, but you can’t swim if you left your gear at your hotel.

Binoculars might also be worth packing if you like birdwatching or detail viewing, especially on the nature-heavy east stops.

Who Should Book This and Who Might Prefer Another Plan

This tour is a great fit if you:

• Want an island overview without renting a car
• Like a guided day with time for photos and occasional free wandering
• Enjoy both villages and viewpoints, not just one type of scenery

You might rethink it if:

• You need lots of deep free time in one place. The stops are designed to be efficient.
• You strongly prefer hiking. This experience is mostly scenic stops, with levada country referenced but not framed as a long trek.

If you’re traveling solo, this style can be especially comfortable. A small group plus active guiding means you’re not stuck trying to decode everything alone.

Should You Book Around The Island With Feeling Madeira?

If your goal is to see Madeira across the island in two days, I’d say yes. The best reason to book is simple: you get a guided route that connects major viewpoint moments, coastal villages, and nature stops without you having to plan each drive and timing puzzle.

I’d book it now if you like structure but still want the chance to enjoy viewpoints at your own pace. The stops are short enough to keep energy up, and long enough at key points, like Porto Moniz and Santana, that you can actually enjoy the day instead of only passing through.

Just go in with one clear mindset: it’s a drive-first tour. Bring layers, plan for motion if you’re sensitive, and keep expectations aligned with scenic stops plus stories.

FAQ

What time does the tour start each day?

The tour starts at 9:00am each day and runs until 5:00pm.

Where does pickup happen?

Pickup is available from Funchal city centre and the main tourist area. There is also pickup from hotels in Caniço de Baixo and Garajau for a minimum of two people. If you are outside these areas, you will be directed to the nearest meeting point in Funchal.

Is the tour in English?

Yes, the tour is offered in English.

Are admission tickets included?

Most stops are listed as free. Cabo Girão specifically notes that the admission ticket is not included.

How long do I get at Porto Moniz for lunch?

You’ll have about 1.30 to 2 hours at Porto Moniz for lunch and free time.

What is the group size?

The tour has a maximum of 16 travelers.

Are service animals allowed?

Yes, service animals are allowed.

FAQ

What should I bring for the mountains?

Pack extra layers. The itinerary includes high-altitude viewpoints like Fonte do Bispo and Pico do Arieiro where conditions can feel colder and more changeable.

Is the stop order fixed?

The order of activities may change. If it changes, you’ll be sent updated information.

Can I go swimming on this tour?

Swimming is possible at Porto Moniz in good weather, and the itinerary suggests you come prepared with that in mind.