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

Two days can feel like a cheat code. This Around The Island tour strings together Madeira’s best coasts and viewpoints, with pickup help and tight stop times that keep the day moving. I especially love the small group size, since it usually means your guide has an easier time answering questions and staying tuned in. And I really like that you get both west and east flavors, from the glass balcony at Cabo Girão to the dramatic rock scenery near Ponta de São Lourenço. One heads-up: this is a van ride with lots of winding roads, and if you get motion sick easily, you’ll want to sit near the front and bring your own coping plan.

The tour runs about 9am to 5pm each day, with a max of 16 people, English-language guiding, and a mobile ticket. Price is listed at $72.56 per person for the two-day circuit, and most stops are free admission except Cabo Girão, where an admission ticket is not included. The order can change based on conditions, but the main highlights stay on the route.

Key points worth knowing before you go

• East and west in 2 days: you’ll cover a huge chunk of Madeira without renting a car
• Small group, 16 max: easier conversation and less crowding at viewpoints
• Top “wow” stops: Cabo Girão glass balcony, Porto Moniz natural pools, and Pico do Arieiro
• Most admissions are free: you only need to plan for Cabo Girão ticket costs
• Guides bring personality: names like Lionel, Renato, Gloria, Paulo, and Leonel show up often for humor and clarity
• Pack for motion and weather: winding roads can trigger nausea, and mountain temps can shift fast

Why this Around The Island tour works on Madeira

Madeira is one of those islands where the best stuff is not in a straight line. It’s cliffs, valleys, ocean overlooks, and towns clinging to steep roads. This tour is built for that reality: you get a set schedule, stops are timed, and you don’t spend your trip wrestling with directions.

I also like the way the itinerary balances “big viewpoint moments” with calmer breaks in towns. You get the famous scenes first, then you get time to breathe, wander, and actually enjoy a place instead of just passing through.

Getting picked up in Funchal, and what the day feels like

The tour starts at 9:00am each day. Pickup is offered from Funchal city centre and the main tourist area, plus hotels in Caniço de Baixo and Garajau if you’re at least two people. If you’re outside those areas, you’ll be directed to the nearest meeting point in Funchal.

You’ll travel in a group of up to 16, and the guide provides commentary in English. The mobile ticket is used for entry, and you’ll get confirmation at booking time. Also note the practical detail that the order of stops can change, and the company may send updated info if sequencing shifts.

On Madeira, the roads are twisty. That’s part of the experience, but it also means how you sit in the van can matter. One caution from real-world experience: if you’re prone to motion sickness, aim for the front seats when you can.

Day 1 on the west and north side: Cabo Girão to Porto Moniz

Day 1 feels like a “highest highs and steepest drops” sampler. You start with one of Madeira’s signature moments, Cabo Girão, the cliff viewpoint with a glass balcony about 580 meters up. This is the kind of stop where photos don’t just look good, they help you understand the scale of the island. Cabo Girão has an admission ticket requirement, and it’s not included, so plan for that cost.

From there, the tour heads to the south coast area near Ribeira Brava. You’ll have a short stop to visit a church dating from the 15th century. It’s not flashy, but it’s the sort of place that gives Madeira a local rhythm, not just scenery.

Next you’ll move toward Madalena do Mar, with a brief visit through lush banana plantation areas. The stop is short, so go in expecting a quick taste of rural Madeira rather than a long stroll.

Then comes altitude and the start of the island’s famous levadas. At Fonte do Bispo, you’re in the 1300 to 1500 meter zone, with views over Paúl de Serra. The tour frames this as a launching point for walks along the levadas through the Laurissilva forest, with a stop at the viewpoint. This is a good moment to slow down, because the air and the temperature shift as you climb.

After that, the big “swim or just admire” stop arrives: Porto Moniz. This seaside town is known for the largest natural volcanic pools in Madeira. You’ll get descent views that let you see the pools from above, which is a huge part of the visual payoff. In good weather, it’s possible to swim, so bring a swimsuit if that’s your plan. Lunch and free time are built in here for about 1.30 to 2 hours, so you can eat without rushing.

Day 1 finishes with Véu de Noiva, São Vicente, and Câmara de Lobos

The final stretch keeps the coast-and-cliff vibe going. At Seixal Viewpoint, you’ll get a brief stop focused on waterfalls, especially the famous Véu de Noiva. Even if the day is cloudy, you’ll usually still get a strong sense of scale as water cuts down the rock face.

Then you head to São Vicente, a neighboring village with a church dating from the 17th century. This stop is more about atmosphere than landmark shopping. You’ll have about 30 minutes before heading back toward Funchal.

Your last stop is Câmara de Lobos, the fishing village about 5 km from Funchal. It’s famous with an artistic footnote: Winston Churchill painted here. The time is short, about 30 minutes, but it’s a great place to pick up a snack, watch the boats, and end the day with that classic Madeira coastal feeling.

Day 2 starts on the east coast with Cristo Rei and Machico

Day 2 shifts gears into east and northeast Madeira. You begin at Cristo Rei in Garajau, one of the east coast’s emblematic monuments. It’s not just the statue, it’s the viewpoint feel of the location. This is a good warm-up stop, especially if Day 1 left you wanting more “where am I” views.

Next up is Machico, a historic city and the second most populous area on the island. You’ll learn that Machico was Madeira’s first capital from 1440 to 1496, and that early settlement happened around 1420, with Funchal later becoming the capital in 1508. The stop is about 20 minutes, so you’ll get the basics and move on, but it’s valuable context for a first-time Madeira visitor.

Then you ride to one of the day’s major natural-change-of-pace moments: Ponta de São Lourenço (Ponta do Rosto). This is the easternmost point of Madeira and a nature reserve. Expect panoramic Atlantic views and rock formations that look very different from the rest of the island. The stop is about 30 minutes, which is just enough time to get viewpoints and photos without turning it into a hike day.

Day 2’s villages and trails: Porto da Cruz, Santana, Ribeiro Frio

At Porto da Cruz, you’ll stop at an old rum distillery history point tied to sugar cane and Madeira’s older economy. The equipment is still kept operational, and there’s an option to enter freely. You’ll only have about 30 minutes, so treat it as a quick “how it worked” stop rather than a full museum visit.

Then comes Santana, known for its colorful triangular thatched houses. These buildings point back to origins from the 16th century, and the area is also where you’ll feel most clearly that you’re visiting a distinct part of the island, not the same views recycled. The tour includes about 1.30 to 2 hours here for lunch or free time, so this is where you can eat without planning.

After Santana, you head to the north side valley area at Ribeiro Frio. This is a nature park setting with trout farming pools and easy trails. It’s a favorite kind of stop because it gives you green, shade, and the slower pace that pairs well with the earlier cliff intensity. Along the trails, you may spot endemic birds like the pigeon, chaffinch, and bis-bis. The stop is about 30 minutes, so pick one short walk and don’t try to do everything.

Pico do Arieiro: the peak stop and why timing matters

Day 2 ends with Pico do Arieiro, Madeira’s third highest peak at 1818 meters. This is the stop many people plan around because the views can be dramatic, with clouds hovering over rock formations. On a clear day, you can even see the south coast, Curral das Freiras, and Porto Santo.

On the way up, you pass by a stone well called Poço da Neve, built by an English family to store ice, snow, and hail from the mountains. The summit also has an air defense radar installation, added in 2011.

This peak stop is about 30 minutes. That sounds short, but it’s about right for a first-time summit look when weather can change quickly. Pack for layers, because mountain conditions can feel cooler and windier than in Funchal.

Guide style and group size: why 16 people matters on Madeira roads

A huge part of this tour’s success is the guide. Across the most praised experiences, people often mention names like Lionel and Renato and also Gloria, Paulo, and Leonel. The common theme is that the best guides mix clear history with humor, and they keep the group moving without making the day feel like a race.

Another practical detail: older roads require a calm driver. Several guide experiences mention this explicitly, which matters because you’ll be on winding routes day after day. If you’re sensitive to motion, that driver skill can be the difference between tolerable and miserable.

One watch-out: some people have found the use of microphones a bit loud during longer stretches. If you’re noise-sensitive, bring earplugs.

Price and value: what $72.56 buys you over two days

At $72.56 per person for two days, you’re paying for transport, guided context, and a tight routing plan. When you compare that to the cost of renting a car plus parking, plus your time figuring out routes, it can feel like a bargain, especially if you’re only in Madeira a short while.

Admission costs are mostly minimal. Many stops are listed as free, including the church and viewpoint stops, São Vicente, Câmara de Lobos, Ponta de São Lourenço, Ribeiro Frio, and more. Cabo Girão is the notable exception, where an admission ticket is not included. So your real budget is mainly food, plus that one viewpoint ticket.

Lunch is not included as a single fixed package, but the itinerary builds in free time. The big meal windows are around Porto Moniz (about 1.30 to 2 hours) and Santana (about 1.30 to 2 hours). That’s a relief if you hate deciding where to eat on the fly.

Practical tips I’d follow before your departure

If you want this tour to feel good instead of just “done,” plan around Madeira’s weather and motion.

Pack layers for the mountains. Reviews and the itinerary both point to altitude stops, especially Fonte do Bispo and Pico do Arieiro. A light jacket or extra layer can make the difference between comfortable and regretting every photo stop.

Bring a swimsuit if you want Porto Moniz. The tour notes swimming is possible in good weather. If you’re going to bring it, you might as well use it.

Use binoculars if you like detail. One practical tip included bringing binoculars, and it makes sense for viewpoints where you’re spotting patterns in the coastline and rock formations.

Plan your seat for motion sickness. Expect winding roads. If you’re the person who gets queasy in the back, choose the front when possible. One experience also noted a situation with limited options if someone feels ill, so do your own preparedness before the van starts climbing.

Expect short photo windows, not long shoots. Each stop is timed, from 20 minutes to about 1.5 to 2 hours at lunch-type breaks. You’ll get chances to photograph, but you won’t be able to linger like you would on a solo hike.

Weather on Madeira peaks: why your best view might be a moving target

Madeira weather changes fast, especially near high points. The itinerary includes places like Pico do Arieiro where clouds can swallow the distance. That can still be beautiful, but it affects visibility of the far-off views.

The good news is that even when peak views are muted, the coastline angles, waterfall lines, and town atmosphere remain worth your time. Still, if seeing the long-distance panorama is your top goal, keep expectations flexible and be ready to take photos quickly when the sky clears.

Is this the right fit for you?

This is a great choice if you want:

• A no-car overview of Madeira with guided context
• To see both sides of the island in a short stay
• A manageable pace with frequent stops and built-in free time

It may not be the best choice if:

• You’re chasing a specific nature area that isn’t on the route. For example, Fanal Forest is not included on this itinerary, though there may be a nearby viewpoint stop that lets you see parts of the wider region.
• You need lots of time for a single long walk or a deep hike. This is a sightseeing circuit, not a hiking program.

Should you book Around The Island?

I’d book it if you’re weighing “car and planning” against a guided plan that covers the island’s major hits. The combination of small group size, pickup, and stops that include Cabo Girão, Porto Moniz pools, Santana, Ribeiro Frio, and Pico do Arieiro makes it a strong value for two days.

If you’re motion-sensitive, sit toward the front and bring your own remedy. If you’re obsessed with one very specific nature destination like Fanal, check other options, because this route is designed for a broader set of highlights.

FAQ

What time does the tour start and end?

It starts at 9:00am each day. The full tour runs until about 5:00pm.

How many people are in the group?

The group size is capped at 16 travelers.

Is pickup included, and where does it work?

Pickup is available from Funchal city centre and the main tourist area, plus hotels in Caniço de Baixo and Garajau for groups of at least two people. If you are outside those areas, you are directed to the nearest meeting point in Funchal.

Is the tour in English?

Yes, it is offered in English.

Do I need tickets for the stops?

Most stops are listed as free admission, but Cabo Girão requires an admission ticket not included. Other stops are marked as free admission.

How long are the stops?

Stops vary by location, often around 20 to 30 minutes, with longer free time for meals, especially at Porto Moniz (about 1.30 to 2 hours) and Santana (about 1.30 to 2 hours).

Is there free cancellation?

Yes. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the experience starts.

What if I get motion sick on the drive?

This itinerary uses a van on winding roads. If you get sick easily, plan to sit closer to the front and be prepared before the climbing starts, since there may be limited practical help if someone feels unwell.