The unspoiled North East coast Tour

Sao Vicente caves set the tone. This North East coast tour strings together volcanic underground stops, the postcard towns of Ponta Delgada and Santana, and the dramatic tip at Ponta de Sao Lourenco. I love the Funchal hotel pickup that makes the whole day easier, and I also like the small group size, capped at 18.

One thing to keep in mind: the Sao Vicente Caves can close when conditions or access get problematic, so build in flexibility for that highlight.

Key Things That Make This North East Coast Day Work

• Guaranteed-style access to Sao Vicente Caves, with a realistic chance of closure if nature or operations make entry unsafe
• Ponta Delgada’s mix of old church views and a modern seafront lido, with time to wander and reset
• Santana’s A-frame thatched houses, including how these triangle homes were used by local farmers
• Faial and the lunch stop in a higher village setting before heading toward the coast again
• Porto do Cruz sugar mill area, where you can spot the brick chimney and stroll the promenade
• Ponta de Sao Lourenco viewpoints, where on clear days you may see both coasts and even Porto Santo

A Practical Way to See Madeira’s North East, Starting From Funchal

If you want a day that actually covers ground, this tour is built for it. You start with hotel pickup in Funchal, then head north and east across Madeira, hitting a stack of places that each feel like a different Madeira personality. One moment you are underground with volcanic history, then you are above the sea in traditional villages, then you finish at a wind-scoured headland.

The value here is not just the sights. It is the way the timing works for a single day. With an air-conditioned vehicle and a professional guide, you spend more time walking and looking, and less time working out bus routes and schedules. At this price point, that convenience matters.

Price and What You Get for About $38

At about $38.13 per person, you are paying for more than seats on a bus. You are getting an English-speaking guide, pickup and drop-off (for eligible areas), and all taxes and handling charges bundled in. In practical terms, it is one of those Madeira deals where the math works if you would otherwise be paying for transport plus spending extra time getting yourself around.

It also helps that the group stays small, with a maximum of 18. Smaller groups mean fewer bottlenecks when you park, fewer slowdowns when the guide needs everyone grouped up, and more chance to ask questions.

The only financial gotchas are site admissions at specific stops, plus the chance you have to pay a small extra fee if you are arriving by cruise ship. If you know that up front, the rest stays pretty straightforward.

Funchal Pickup, Meet Time, and Getting On the Right Vehicle

Start time is 9:00 am, and you meet at your hotel reception where possible. If you are not staying in a hotel, like an apartment or villa, you wait outside at the main entrance. If your accommodation is not on the pickup list, you should specify so pickup can be organized.

Pickup is included for hotels in Funchal, plus the Camara de Lobos village, Cabo Girao, and Canico areas. What is not included is pickup from Machico, Santa Cruz, or the cruise port. If you are coming from the cruise ship port, pickup can be arranged with an extra €5 per person.

Two small rules can make or break your morning. First, the driver waits no longer than 5 minutes after the scheduled pickup time. Second, you should check your email or WhatsApp the day before for the most precise pickup timing. That is the difference between a smooth start and a stressful one.

The Sao Vicente Caves Stop: The Big Payoff, With a Real-World Twist

This tour is designed around Sao Vicente Caves. Formed after a volcanic eruption, the caves are the kind of stop that instantly makes Madeira feel deeper than just viewpoints and gardens. Even when you know the general idea of lava tubes and volcanic activity, being in the cave environment gives you a sense of scale you cannot get from photos.

Here is the real-world consideration: entry can be closed if conditions or access rules change. One review specifically called out that the caves were closed, with the response that it was down to natures fault. That means you should treat Sao Vicente as the highlight, but not as a guarantee of physical entry no matter what.

If the caves are open, plan to enjoy the underground time fully. If they are not, the best move is to stay in the mindset of exploring the rest of the North East, because the other stops still deliver a lot of Madeira character.

Ponta Delgada at Complexo Balnear: Seafront Views and a Lido Setting

After the Sao Vicente area and your drive through São Vicente village, you reach Ponta Delgada. This stop is about 30 minutes, and admission is not included for the site you are visiting.

What I like about Ponta Delgada is the contrast. You are looking toward Bom Jesus, the church that anchors the waterfront, while the east side of the area brings in a more modern feel with the lido complex. It is a quiet fishing village vibe, but it is not isolated. You can walk along the seafront, look back at the mountain walls, and get the sense that this coast supports real daily life, not just sightseeing.

Because your time here is short, you will want to do the basics fast. Take a few minutes to orient yourself near the church, then use the rest of your time for the promenade and a relaxed snack if you need one. If you are feeling practical, this is also a good place to check your shoes and water, since the rest of the day includes some walking and viewpoints.

Santana and Faial: A-Frame Houses, Cow Sheds, and a Higher Village Mood

Santana is next. You are going for the image most people associate with Madeira, the A-frame triangle thatched houses. These buildings earned their name through St. Anne, and you will see how roomy the houses feel in real life, even though the shape looks compact from a distance.

More than the photo, I find the story matters. Traditionally, these triangle homes were used by local farmers as cow sheds, and in some cases people also lived in them. That makes Santana feel less like a costume village and more like a living record of how people adapted to the landscape.

From Santana you continue to Faial, described as the biggest parish of Santana. It gets its name from beech-like trees, linked to stream valleys and mountain growth. Faial sits high above the sea, with a pretty little church, plus a modern lido complex at the river mouth, including a sea pool, a kids playground, and a rocky beach.

This is also where you stop for lunch. Since lunch is not listed as included in the tour details, treat it as a chance to refuel on your own. I like Faial for this part of the day because you get both a village feel and a coastal edge, without it turning into a long, exhausting scramble.

Porto do Cruz: The Sugar Mill Chimney and a Promenade You Can Actually Enjoy

After Faial, you go to Porto do Cruz, located at the foot of Penha d’Aguia. The name ties back to the cruz, a cross used to mark the bay for explorers, and also the idea of porto, as in port, since this area once served that role for people moving goods.

One detail I really like here is the mention of the only running sugar mill on the north coast. The brick chimney rises above the village, and it is the kind of working-industrial landmark you do not see on most scenic tours. Even if you are not there for history class, it adds texture to the coastline.

You get about 40 minutes at Porto do Cruz, and admission is free at this stop. What should you do with that time? Walk the sea promenade, look at the chimney, then take a few minutes to sit if you need a break. This is a good buffer stop before the final viewpoint phase.

Ponta de Sao Lourenco: The East Point Finale With Wide Views

Your last stop is Ponta de Sao Lourenco, one of the most eastern points of the island. The region around Caniçal and Sao Lourenço has a climate compared to Porto Santo, and you can often notice the vegetation differences as you approach the headland.

This is also where you get to see both coasts on a clear day. The north and south coast can be seen at once, and Porto Santo may appear in the distance if visibility is good. Even if you do not catch Porto Santo, the rock formations around the area make it feel like a real geographic endpoint, not just another viewpoint pull-off.

There is also a local detail that makes the place more interesting: Pico do Facho, a 320 m high peak near Machico bay, was named for a beacon that used to be lit to warn residents of approaching pirates. You might spot the connection in how the guide explains the history of warnings and seafaring, and it gives the scenery a human timeline.

You have about 40 minutes here, and admission is free. Use the time for two things: find the best spot to stand for a good horizon view, then take a short walk for angles. If the wind is strong, dress for it. This part of Madeira can feel sharper and cooler than the town areas.

The Guide and Vehicle Setup: Small Group Comfort Matters

This is one of those tours where the guide quality shows up in the details. A review highlighted an excellent guide with solid knowledge plus good driving. That matters on Madeira, where roads curve, elevation changes fast, and timing can feel tight.

You also travel by air-conditioned vehicle, which is a comfort win when you are out for about 8 hours. You are covering multiple zones, so having that climate control helps you keep your energy, especially if it is warm out.

The tour is offered in English, and it is capped at 18 travelers. That size tends to keep the day from feeling chaotic, and it is easier for the guide to manage everyone’s timing when stops are short.

What This Tour Feels Like as a Full Day

Think of this day as three acts.

First, you tackle the volcanic story at Sao Vicente and then transition into seaside villages. Second, you switch to cultural villages and higher terrain at Santana and Faial, with lunch in the mix. Third, you finish with working coast texture at Porto do Cruz, then go big on views at Ponta de Sao Lourenco.

The total day is about 8 hours. That is long enough to feel like you covered the North East, but not so long that you end up skipping everything. It is a good fit if you want a packed day that still has small pockets of walking and photo time.

Who Should Book This North East Coast Tour

This is a strong choice if you:

• Want a single-day way to see Madeira’s North East without planning a route
• Like variety, caves plus villages plus headland views
• Prefer an organized guide and a smaller group over long DIY commuting
• Are okay with short stop times and focusing on the essentials

If you hate tight timings, or if you are hoping for only long beach lounging, this might feel fast. The stops are designed to move you along, which is part of the value, but it is not a slow travel plan.

Should You Book This Tour or Aim for Something Else?

I would book it if you want North East highlights in one day and you are staying in or near Funchal. The pickup convenience, the English guide, and the overall mix of volcanic, cultural, and coastal viewpoints make the price feel reasonable.

I would also book it if Sao Vicente Caves are a must for you, just keep your expectations flexible. If they are closed due to conditions, you can still end up with a great day at Santana, Porto do Cruz, and the dramatic endpoint at Ponta de Sao Lourenço.

If you are traveling with someone who gets motion sickness, you might consider your comfort on winding roads, since the schedule is packed. Otherwise, this is a practical, good-value way to see a slice of Madeira that many visitors skip.

FAQ

What is the duration of the North East coast tour?

The tour lasts about 8 hours.

What time does the tour start?

It starts at 9:00 am.

Is hotel pickup included?

Hotel or port pickup and drop-off is included for free for hotels in Funchal. Pickup is also included in the Camara de Lobos village, Cabo Girao, and Canico areas.

Do you pick up from Machico, Santa Cruz, or the cruise ship port?

No pickup is available from Machico, Santa Cruz, or the cruise port, unless you arrange it as a cruise ship passenger with an extra fee of €5 per person.

What is included in the price?

Included are a professional guide, all taxes and fees, hotel or port pickup and drop-off (where included), and an air-conditioned vehicle. You also receive a mobile ticket.

What language is the tour offered in?

The tour is offered in English.

What admission fees should I expect?

Admission for the Ponta Delgada stop is not included (30 minutes). The other stops listed in the schedule are noted as free admission.

How many people are in the group?

The maximum group size is 18 travelers.

Where do I meet the guide if I am staying in a hotel?

Meet at your hotel reception, where possible. If your accommodation is not a hotel, you should wait outside by the main entrance.

What should I do the day before the tour?

Check your email or WhatsApp the day before for more precise pickup times and locations.