The Best Tours in Madeira

Madeira’s mountain roads are steep and winding, and its best sights are spread across the island, so a good tour makes a huge difference. Here are the best tours and excursions in Madeira, from sunrise above the clouds to whale watching, jeep safaris and levada walks.

Quick answer: the most popular tours are a west island tour (Cabo Girão, Porto Moniz’s lava pools, the Fanal forest), an east island tour (Santana’s houses and Ponta de São Lourenço), a Pico do Arieiro sunrise trip, a guided levada walk, a jeep safari and whale and dolphin watching from Funchal.

The best Madeira tours

West island tour

Cabo Girão’s glass skywalk, the fishing village of Câmara de Lobos, the natural lava swimming pools of Porto Moniz, the waterfalls of Seixal and the misty laurel forest of Fanal. See west Madeira tours.

Jeep safari

Off-road tracks through the mountains and forests to viewpoints that coaches can’t reach. Great fun, and an easy way to see the interior. See Madeira jeep tours.

Pico do Arieiro sunrise

An early pick-up to watch the sun rise above a sea of clouds from Madeira’s third-highest peak. See sunrise tours.

Guided levada walks

A guide handles the transport, booking and trail fees, which is especially useful now that trails need a booked slot. Popular walks include Caldeirão Verde, the 25 Fontes and the Pico do Arieiro to Pico Ruivo trail. See levada walks and Pico Ruivo hikes. See also Madeira levada walks.

Whale and dolphin watching

Dolphins are seen on most trips from Funchal, and whales are frequent. See whale-watching trips and dolphin trips.

Canyoning

Abseil down waterfalls and jump into pools in the island’s ravines. No experience needed. See canyoning.

Food and wine in Funchal

Taste espetada, bolo do caco, poncha and Madeira wine. See Funchal food tours and Blandy’s Wine Lodge.

Tips

• Weather: the mountains can be cloudy when Funchal is sunny. Flexible tours reschedule for clear days.
• Small groups: minibuses and jeeps handle the narrow roads better than coaches.
• Hotel pick-up is usually included from Funchal.
• Cruise passengers: see Funchal’s cruise port.

More: the Madeira itinerary, things to do in Funchal and the best hotels in Madeira.

See also: Santana.

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