Go North Tour – Madeira Island Excursion

Madeira’s north side can feel like a different island than Funchal, and this Go North tour is a smart way to see that change without spending your whole day navigating buses and tight roads. You get a full-day drive with live commentary and a tight route that keeps you moving from village to viewpoint to a couple of memorable stops.

I especially like two things about it. First, the pacing gives you real photo time, including Pico do Facho with broad views toward Machico, the central peaks, and Ponta de São Lourenço. Second, the guide experience can be top-notch, and in one recent tour, a guide named Luis combined driving skill with personal insights and strong language ability for an English-speaking group.

One possible drawback is that the big cave stop costs extra. São Vicente Caves (and the optional Volcano Centre audiovisual pavilion you can access at the end) are not included in the price, so you’ll need to decide on the spot whether that inside visit fits your budget and your timing.

Why This North Madeira Route Feels Different From Typical Sightseeing

Madeira isn’t flat. Roads bend around cliffs, and towns sit between ocean and mountains like they’re hugging the terrain. This tour leans into that reality. You are not just checking boxes. You’re getting the north coast feel, the inland look from viewpoints, and the kind of small places that only really come alive when you slow down and look around.

With a max group size of 18, the tour also avoids that totally-impersonal bus vibe. You’ll still be on a schedule, but it’s the sort of day where you can ask a quick question and get an answer instead of being swallowed by the crowd.

And yes, the day is long enough that it can feel full. Plan to treat it like a proper half-holiday, not a light stroll. You’ll be happiest if you like scenic driving and short stops where you can actually look up from your phone.

Key Highlights You’ll Actually Remember

• São Vicente Caves on an underground route over 1,000 m, plus a Volcano Centre pavilion with audiovisual storytelling.
• North-coast villages with real breathing room, including Ponta Delgada (30 minutes) and Porto da Cruz (30 minutes).
• Viewpoints that show Madeira’s geography clearly, especially Pico do Facho over the Machico valley.
• A lunch break built into the Arco de São Jorge stop, so you’re not scrambling to find a place at the worst time.
• Small-group feel (18 max) with live commentary that helps you connect the scenery to the island story.

Driving the North: What the 7 Hours and 45 Minutes Really Covers

The whole experience runs about 7 hours 45 minutes. In practice, you should expect a long, active day built around several short scenic stops, plus two moments where you can opt in or decide how much time to spend.

The tour includes live commentary, and it’s listed as offered in English. That matters because north Madeira is easier to understand when you have the guide pointing out what you’re looking at, not just when you’re staring at a view with no context.

The route is designed so that you get contrast. You start in the São Vicente Caves area, then shift through smaller northern settlements, then move toward viewpoints and coastal promenade time in Santa Cruz. It’s an efficient “north-to-east” style loop, and that’s why it’s good value for a single day.

Pickup and meeting points in Funchal, so you start smoothly

Pickup is offered, and you have two meeting points in central Funchal:

• near the cable car station in the old town
• at the Rotunda do Infante roundabout

The official tour start and end point is listed as Monumental Experience, Estrada Monumental 284, São Martinho (and you return there at the end). If you want a stress-free morning, confirm which pickup spot you’re using when you book, then be there a few minutes early.

Stop 1: São Vicente Caves and the Volcano Centre (Plus the Inside-Visit Decision)

São Vicente Caves is the tour’s “main event” stop. The visit here is optional, and it’s where you’ll likely spend the most extra money if you want the full cave and pavilion experience.

A few facts worth knowing before you go in:

• locals reported the caves as early as 1885
• the caves opened to the public on October 1, 1996
• you can follow an underground route of over 1,000 m
• the cave height varies between 5 and 6 metres

At the end of the cave visit, you may access the Volcano Centre pavilion. It uses audiovisual displays to recreate the geological evolution of the caves, an eruption, and even a simulation of the birth of the Madeira Islands.

What I like about this stop

If you care about how places formed, this is the kind of stop that turns scenery into understanding. North Madeira has plenty of dramatic geology on the surface, but the cave route is about experiencing it from inside.

The trade-off

Admission is not included at this stop. So your real cost depends on whether you choose the cave visit and then the Volcano Centre as well. Also, since the tour is moving on a schedule, an inside visit is the kind of activity where you should go in with the mindset that you’ll be back on the bus when you’re done, not lingering for hours.

Stop 2: Ponta Delgada, a Small Village Between Mountain and Ocean

Next is Ponta Delgada, a north-side village tucked between mountains and the ocean. You get about 30 minutes, and it’s listed as free time for admission.

This isn’t a “sit and stare at one monument” stop. It’s a short chance to walk, look at how the coast meets the terrain, and get your bearings on what north Madeira feels like away from Funchal.

Who will like this most

If you enjoy casual strolling and small-town atmosphere, you’ll make the most of this. If you want big attractions every stop, this will feel lighter, but it still works as a breather between more focused moments.

Stop 3: São Jorge Viewpoint and the Arco de São Jorge Lunch Break

At São Jorge, you get about 1 hour including a viewpoint over the village of Arco de São Jorge, plus a lunch break.

This is one of the better-designed segments because it mixes a view with time you actually need. When a tour includes a lunch window, you’re not hunting for food while everyone else is waiting to depart.

How to use the hour

Bring or buy something for lunch, then take a few minutes just to look out from the viewpoint. You’ll get a sense of how the village sits relative to the rugged interior.

The practical catch

Lunch is not included. The tour notes that you stop for lunch or snacks and customers can bring their own food. That means you’ll want to decide early if you’re packing a simple sandwich or planning to buy something during the stop.

Stop 4: Porto da Cruz and Penha D’Águia, Rum Factory Optional

Porto da Cruz is a picturesque village on the coast, and it’s recognizable for the imposing rock formation Penha D’Águia. You’ll have about 30 minutes here.

There’s also a possibility to visit a historic rum factory: the Northern Milling Company. It’s described as the only one in Europe with steam still in operation.

Why this stop is worth your time

Penha D’Águia gives you a dramatic visual anchor in a short time. And the rum factory option adds a different flavor to the day, especially if you like industrial history or food and drink culture.

The trade-off again

Because this is a short stop, you need to be realistic about how long the factory visit could take if you choose it. If you prefer to spend your whole Porto da Cruz time simply walking the village, that can work too.

Stop 5: Pico do Facho Viewpoint Over Machico Valley

Then it’s up to Pico do Facho for views. You get about 15 minutes, which sounds short until you understand the goal. This stop is about giving you a quick, high-payoff view corridor.

From here, the viewpoint offers a wide view over the Machico valley, reaching as far as the island’s central peaks and Ponta de São Lourenço.

What to expect in a short stop

In 15 minutes, you’re not going to do a long hike or hunt for a viewpoint circuit. You’ll stand, look, take photos if you want, and then move on. The value is in the clarity: this is a “see the island scale” moment.

Stop 6: Santa Cruz Promenade and São Salvador Church

The final stop is Santa Cruz, a pleasant sea-side town with a promenade that’s perfect for a relaxed stroll. You get about 30 minutes, and it’s free admission time.

If you want a cultural stop inside that short window, there’s also São Salvador Church, described as a gothic manueline style temple. It’s noted as one of the churches with significant architectural interest outside of Funchal.

Why I like ending here

After a day of caves, viewpoints, and short village breaks, ending with a promenade gives your brain a moment to breathe. It’s also a nice reset because you can end with a calm walk instead of rushing to another “must see” place.

A simple tip

If you’re choosing between the church and the promenade, pick based on your energy level. If you’re tired, the promenade gets you the best payoff per minute. If you like architecture, the church is the one structured cultural moment in the end stretch.

Included Value: Insurance, Live Commentary, and the Small-Group Setup

At $46.81 per person, the value is about what you get for that day-driving time. The tour includes:

• insurance
• live commentary
• a pickup option
• a mobile ticket

It also runs with a maximum of 18 travelers, which usually means you’re less likely to feel like a number.

How the price math works for you

The base price is likely a good deal if:

• you enjoy scenic driving and short stops
• you appreciate commentary that helps you understand what you’re seeing
• you plan to do the free-time parts even if you skip the paid cave admission

If you add the São Vicente Caves and Volcano Centre admission, the total day cost rises. Still, the caves are a strong stop if geology and history through exhibits are your thing.

Weather, Timing, and the One Thing You Should Watch: Conditions

This tour requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

Because you’re visiting viewpoints and coastal areas, weather can make or break the experience. When visibility is clear, Pico do Facho and the valley views feel like a postcard. When the weather is rough, you may get less of what those stops are designed to show.

Who This Tour Fits Best

I’d book this if you want a single-day Madeira experience that mixes north-coast villages with viewpoints, and you like the idea of learning as you go.

This is especially a good match for:

• first-timers who want structure without a rigid “one attraction only” day
• travelers who prefer small-group dynamics
• people who enjoy geology and the island’s volcanic story, especially if you’re considering São Vicente Caves and the Volcano Centre

It’s less ideal if you want long time at each location, or if you dislike optional paid admissions building into the day.

Should You Book the Go North Tour?

Yes, I think you should book this if your goal is to see Madeira’s north and east feel efficiently, with live commentary and plenty of “look up and take it in” moments. The pricing is reasonable for a full-day drive with insurance and small-group size, and the route ends with an easygoing promenade in Santa Cruz that helps the day feel complete.

Skip it only if you know you won’t want the paid cave stop and you prefer deeper time at fewer places. Otherwise, treat it as a well-paced scenic sampler, with enough structure that you come away understanding what you saw.

FAQ

How long is the Go North Tour on Madeira?

The tour lasts about 7 hours 45 minutes.

How much does the tour cost?

It costs $46.81 per person.

Does the tour include pickup in Funchal?

Yes. Pickup is offered, and there are two meeting points in central Funchal, including near the cable car station in the old town and at the Rotunda do Infante roundabout.

What languages is the live commentary available in?

English is offered.

Is admission to São Vicente Caves included?

No. Admission tickets for São Vicente Caves are not included, though the visit is optional.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch or snacks are not included, and you can bring your own food.

Are there any other admission costs during the tour?

The itinerary lists free admission for the other stops, while São Vicente Caves is the stop marked as admission not included.

How big is the group?

The tour has a maximum of 18 travelers.

What is the cancellation window?

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours in advance of the experience start time.