Madeira East Island Tour and Levada Walk

Madeira’s east side packs mountain peaks, laurel forest, old villages, and rugged coast into one busy day. The high point is Pico do Arieiro, followed by an easy levada walk through the Laurissilva forest to Balcões. I like the range here: you go from chilly mountain air to a northern-coast lunch and a free rum tasting at Porto da Cruz.

I also like the personal touch from guides such as Lucy, Carlos, Tony, and Gamma, who have been praised for explaining plants, farming, history, and island life along the drive. The trade-off is pace. With so many stops in eight hours, some visits last only 15 to 20 minutes, and the mountain views depend on weather.

Key points at a glance

• Pico do Arieiro at 1,818 metres: A dramatic mountain stop high above the clouds, with about 35 minutes for photos.
• Balcões levada walk: An easy, roughly one-hour outing in Ribeiro Frio and Madeira’s Laurissilva forest.
• Lunch in Santana: The shared option includes a three-course meal with drinks and time to see the island’s famous A-framed cottages.
• Faial Skywalk and north coast: Look across the coast toward Machico, São Lourenço, and, on clear days, the Desertas Islands and Porto Santo.
• Porto da Cruz rum tasting: A short stop at the local rum or sugar-cane brandy facility, with tasting included.
• Good value for a first day: At $64 per person, the shared tour combines transport, guiding, lunch, and many viewpoints, though optional levada fees and private-tour lunch costs need checking.

Why this east Madeira tour works well

Madeira is compact on a map but slow to cross. Roads climb sharply, tunnels cut through mountains, and viewpoints sit far above the towns. Driving yourself can be rewarding, but it also means dealing with steep roads, parking, and changing weather.

This tour takes care of the driving and links together the main sights of the east. You spend about eight hours on the road, usually starting between 8:00 and 9:00 in the morning and returning to Funchal around 17:00. That makes it useful if you have only a short stay, a cruise stop, or no interest in hiring a car.

The route is not just a string of photo stops. It shows several sides of Madeira: the capital from above, volcanic mountain country, native forest, traditional homes, agricultural villages, and the drier eastern coast. I especially like that the guide commentary continues between stops. Past guides including Lucy and Fernando have been praised for pointing out fruit, flowers, trees, and roadside crops, rather than waiting until everyone steps out of the minibus.

The main limitation is obvious: this is a sampler, not a slow exploration. If you want long walks, extended meals, or time to sit at each viewpoint, book a private trip or plan separate days for the mountains and coast.

Starting above Funchal and heading into the mountains

Pickup is available from hotels in Funchal and Caniço, with cruise pickup arrangements depending on the tour type. The drive from the pickup area toward the mountains takes about 70 minutes, so settle in for winding roads and changing views.

The first viewpoint above Funchal gives you a useful sense of the island’s geography. From here, the capital spreads below, with the hills rising behind it and the Atlantic opening out in front. It is a quick orientation stop, but it helps you understand why Madeira’s towns are built in layers up the slopes.

As the van climbs, the setting changes quickly. The warm feel of Funchal can give way to cool air at altitude, especially in winter or on cloudy days. Bring a jacket even if the morning at sea level feels mild.

The guides make a real difference on this part of the drive. Carlos has been praised for safe driving and humor, while Tony and Michael have been singled out for clear explanations about the island. Guide quality can vary by departure, of course, but the format gives you a local driver who can explain what you are seeing instead of leaving you to guess.

Pico do Arieiro, Madeira’s high mountain viewpoint

At 1,818 metres, Pico do Arieiro is Madeira’s third-highest peak. The stop lasts about 35 minutes, which is enough to take in the views and photographs but not enough for a serious mountain hike.

The air can be cold and the cloud can roll in fast. On a clear day, the view reaches across jagged volcanic ridges and deep mountain valleys. If the clouds sit below the summit, the effect can be even more striking, with the peaks appearing to rise above a white sea.

This is one of the places where weather can change the experience completely. A cloudy visit is not a failure, but you should keep expectations flexible. The route may also change if weather or road restrictions make a stop unsafe.

The tour does not turn this into a strenuous hike. You get a high-altitude viewpoint and time for photographs before returning to the van. That suits anyone who wants the mountain scenery without committing to a full-day trail. It may disappoint experienced hikers who want to walk farther along the famous ridge routes.

Ribeiro Frio and the Balcões levada walk

Ribeiro Frio is the green heart of the day. The area sits inside Madeira’s Laurissilva forest, a native laurel forest that gives the stop a cooler, shaded feel after the exposed summit.

The walk follows the PR11 Levada dos Balcões route toward the Balcões viewpoint. It takes about an hour and is described as short and easy, with the path following the irrigation channel through the forest. You may also visit the trout farm here, another small link to the area’s mountain environment.

The reward comes at Balcões, where the view opens over the wooded valleys and mountain slopes. This is not the sweeping ocean scene of Pico do Arieiro. It is a closer, quieter view into Madeira’s interior, and I find the contrast makes the day work.

Wear proper shoes. The path can be wet, and sturdy walking shoes are more useful than smooth trainers. The tour is not suitable for people with mobility impairments, and anyone unsteady on uneven ground should think carefully before booking.

There is an extra charge for the levada walk, but the supplied information gives two different figures, €3 and €4.50. Check the current amount when you book or with the operator before departure. It is also worth confirming that the walk is operating on your chosen date.

Santana’s thatched cottages and a proper lunch break

After the forest, the route continues to Santana, one of the best-known stops in northeastern Madeira. The town is famous for its small, steep-roofed A-framed cottages, traditionally covered with thatch.

The cottages are visually charming, but set your expectations correctly. The visit is brief, and many of the examples have been turned into shops or displays. You get the picture of the traditional architecture rather than a long look at a working historic village.

Santana also provides the main meal break. On the shared tour, lunch is a three-course meal with drinks. The meal has been described as traditional and filling, with wine included on some departures. A past restaurant change means the meal may no longer be served at the former cave restaurant in Grutas do Faial, so do not book this tour solely for a cave dining experience.

The practical advantage is that the meal is arranged for you. Guides may collect orders in advance so the food is ready when the group arrives, reducing the time lost at a busy restaurant. The drawback is less choice than eating independently. If you have strict dietary needs, confirm what can be provided before booking.

Lunch is not included on private tours, which changes the price calculation. A private group gives you more control over timing, but you will need to pay for the meal separately.

Faial Skywalk and the north coast

After Santana, the van follows the northern coast toward Faial. Miradouro do Guindaste is one of the main viewpoints, with about 15 minutes for photographs. The viewpoint looks across the rugged coast and gives you a good sense of how sharply the mountains meet the sea.

The Faial Skywalk adds a different angle. You look out from a glass-fronted or projecting viewpoint above the coast, depending on the exact stop and current conditions. This part of the route is built around quick scenic pauses, so keep your camera ready and listen for the guide’s meeting time.

The drive itself is part of the attraction. Madeira’s north coast has steep slopes, scattered villages, and narrow strips of cultivated land. Guides often point out local produce and plants along the way. That small detail can make the drive more than dead time between official stops.

You will not have a long coastal walk here. If you want to spend an afternoon on cliff paths, this tour is not a substitute. It does, however, give you several strong views without asking you to navigate the roads yourself.

Porto da Cruz and the free rum tasting

Porto da Cruz is a short but tasty stop, lasting about 35 minutes. The village is linked with sugar cane production and local rum or sugar-cane brandy, and the tour includes a free tasting at the rum facility.

This is a useful cultural stop because it connects the drink in your glass with Madeira’s agricultural past. It also breaks up the viewpoints with something you can taste and discuss.

The tasting is optional in spirit, even though it is included in the tour. If you do sample the rum, remember that the day continues through winding roads and several viewpoints. Anyone who does not drink can still enjoy the village and coastal scenery.

Do not expect a long distillery visit. The schedule allows time for a tasting and a look around, not a detailed production tour. It works best as a brief local stop rather than the main purpose of the day.

The eastern viewpoints, Machico, and São Lourenço

The final stretch brings the tour toward the eastern end of Madeira. Viewpoints in the direction of Caniçal and Ponta de São Lourenço show a drier, more open side of the island. The contrast with the shaded Ribeiro Frio forest is one of the day’s best features.

From suitable viewpoints, you may see toward Machico, the Desertas Islands, and Porto Santo. These distant islands require clear conditions, so treat them as a bonus rather than a promise.

Machico appears on the return route, followed by a scenic drive back toward Funchal. The exact stopping pattern can change with traffic, weather, or road restrictions. A guide may add an extra viewpoint when time and conditions allow, but you should not assume every departure will include the same bonus stops.

This final section can feel rushed if the earlier stops run long. That is the cost of fitting the east into a single day. Still, the changing scenery gives you a strong introduction to Madeira’s geography, from high volcanic ridges to the exposed eastern coast.

Price, transport, and group size

At $64 per person, the shared tour offers good value if you want transport, a guide, lunch, and several major sights in one day. Hiring a car may cost more once you add fuel, parking, and the price of your time. You also avoid driving steep mountain roads and trying to judge the weather from behind the wheel.

The vehicle is a minibus. Most departures appear to be small groups, with one past trip having about eight people, though group size can vary. A small group makes the short stops easier and gives you more chance to ask questions.

Private tours are available and should suit families or couples who care more about flexibility than the lowest cost. Remember that private-tour lunch is not included, and pickup from Santa Cruz carries an additional fee. Cruise pickup is available under specific timing conditions: the ship must arrive by 8:00 or earlier and depart at 17:00 or later.

The advertised pickup window is broad. Your exact time may fall between 8:30 and 9:00 depending on location, so do not arrange an early independent activity immediately afterward.

Who should book this Madeira day trip

I would choose this tour if you are visiting Madeira for the first time and want a broad introduction without planning a complicated driving route. It also fits cruise passengers with the right ship schedule and people who want to combine a short forest walk with scenic stops.

It suits you especially well if you enjoy:

• Mountain views without a demanding hike
• Short walks and frequent photo stops
• Local food and a rum tasting
• Small-group transport
• A guide who explains nature, history, farming, and daily life

I would think twice if you dislike minibus days, need a slow pace, or want to spend hours at Pico do Arieiro or on a levada. The route is full, and some stops last only 15 to 20 minutes.

Bring comfortable walking shoes, a jacket, water, and protection from sun or rain. The mountain can feel much colder than Funchal, and the levada path may be damp.

Should you book it?

Book it if you want to see the east of Madeira in one well-packed day and value a guide, lunch, and hassle-free transport. The best parts are the contrast between Pico do Arieiro and Ribeiro Frio, the Balcões walk, and the steady stream of local detail from guides such as Lucy, Carlos, Tony, and Gamma.

Skip it if you prefer independent travel or long hikes. For most first-time visitors, though, the $64 shared option gives you a lot: high mountains, native forest, traditional Santana cottages, northern-coast views, rum tasting, and a meal without the work of organizing it all yourself.

FAQ

How long does the Madeira East Island Tour last?

The tour lasts about eight hours. Pickup generally takes place between 8:00 and 9:00, with return to Funchal planned for around 17:00.

Is lunch included?

A three-course meal with drinks is included on the shared tour. Lunch is not included on private tours.

Is the levada walk included in the price?

The walk is part of the planned experience, but an additional entrance or access fee applies. The supplied information lists both €3 and €4.50, so confirm the current charge before departure.

Where can I be picked up?

Pickup is available from hotels in Funchal and Caniço. Cruise passengers can receive harbour pickup under the stated ship arrival and departure conditions. Santa Cruz pickup may cost extra.

What languages are available?

The tour can be offered with a guide speaking English, French, German, Portuguese, or Spanish. Confirm your preferred language when booking.

Is the tour suitable for people with mobility impairments?

No. The experience is not suitable for people with mobility impairments, partly because of the levada walk and the viewpoints involved. Comfortable walking shoes are recommended.