Madeira : East Tour – Santana North Side

The appeal of this East Tour is its range: in one day, you climb to Pico do Areeiro, pass through Laurissilva forest and reach the island’s north and east coasts. Santana’s thatched houses add a human touch to a route otherwise defined by big views.

I like that the stops offer real variety, and that a small group of up to 15 keeps the day more manageable than a large coach outing. I also like the chance to see trout nurseries and endemic forest plants, not just take photos at viewpoints.

The trade-off is a full eight-hour route with several stops, so time at each may feel brief. The tour runs rain or shine, and high mountain views are always weather-dependent.

Key points before you book

• Pico do Areeiro reaches 1,818 metres, with views over Madeira’s central mountain massif.
• Santana is the north-coast stop for the island’s familiar thatched houses.
• Ribeiro Frio adds forest and trout nurseries to a day otherwise rich in viewpoints.
• Ponta do Rosto faces the island’s eastern end, with views toward the north-coast cliffs.
• Pickup and drop-off at your hotel are included, while food and drinks are not.
• The group is capped at 15, and the tour lasts about eight hours.

One route, several sides of Madeira

This tour is built for you if you want to cover a lot of ground without arranging separate transport to the mountains and north coast. It begins in Camacha, climbs to Pico do Areeiro, descends through Ribeiro Frio and continues to Santana. The return leg takes in Porto da Cruz, Ponta do Rosto and Pico do Facho before heading back to Funchal.

That sequence gives the day a clear rhythm: mountain, forest, village, coast, then a final viewpoint over Machico. You get a broad introduction to the island rather than a deep visit to any one place. If you prefer long walks, extended time in a village or an unhurried lunch, this may feel compressed.

The small-group limit is useful on a route with several stops. With no more than 15 people, it should be easier to hear the guide and keep the group moving than on a large coach tour. The available information does not specify how long you spend at each stop, so go in expecting the overall route to take priority over lingering.

Camacha starts with a football first

The first stop is Camacha, a parish associated with the first football played in Portugal. It is a brief but distinctive opening: instead of beginning with a viewpoint, the tour starts with a local claim to sporting history.

The stop also sets up the day’s mix of sights. Madeira is not only a sequence of mountain panoramas; its parishes and towns have their own stories and character. Still, the description does not promise a specific museum, match ground or extended walking visit here, so treat Camacha as an introduction rather than a major standalone attraction.

Pico do Areeiro puts you above the island

At 1,818 metres, Pico do Areeiro is Madeira’s third-highest peak. The draw is the view across the central mountain massif, a dramatic contrast to the coastal scenery later in the day.

This is likely to be one of the tour’s most memorable stops if the weather is clear. But the tour runs rain or shine, so conditions may affect visibility and comfort. Bring a layer suitable for a high mountain stop, and avoid assuming that a sunny Funchal morning guarantees clear skies at the summit.

The viewpoint is a good reason to choose this tour over a route focused only on villages and coast. You see the island from above, then descend into forest and toward the north. The itinerary does not specify a hike at Pico do Areeiro, so book it for the mountain scenery, not as a guided walking excursion.

Ribeiro Frio brings the forest into focus

From the heights, the route descends toward Ribeiro Frio Forest Park. Here, you may visit trout nurseries and see endemic species of the Laurissilva forest, including the laurel tree, Laurus novocanariensis.

I like this stop because it adds texture to the day. A mountain viewpoint gives you scale; the forest offers a closer look at Madeira’s natural life. The trout nurseries also provide something specific to see beyond another scenic pull-off.

The wording allows for a visit to the nurseries, but does not promise a particular activity or amount of time there. If you are keen on the plants, ask your guide to point out the laurel and explain what you are seeing. The tour is conducted in English, Spanish or Portuguese, so the language available to you matters if you want to follow the explanations closely.

Santana’s thatched houses are the northern highlight

The route continues through Faial to Santana, described as the only town in the north of the island. Its best-known sight is the traditional thatched houses, a distinctive change from the high mountain and forest stops.

Santana gives you a chance to see a piece of local building tradition, rather than only the natural scenery. The houses are the stated highlight, so they are the reason to look forward to this stop. The information does not promise a museum visit, a craft demonstration or a guided walk through the town, so keep your expectations focused on seeing the houses and the town itself.

The pace matters here. With several more stops still ahead and the tour lasting eight hours in total, you may not have time to explore at leisure. If Santana is a personal priority, consider whether a route with fewer destinations would give you more time there.

Porto da Cruz adds a coastal pause

On the return route, the tour descends toward Porto da Cruz, a seaside parish. A sugar-cane rum factory may be visited here, which adds a local-product angle to the day.

The word may is important: the factory visit is not guaranteed. If it is included, it gives you a different kind of stop after the mountain and forest, and a chance to see one of Madeira’s traditional industries. Food and drinks are not included, so budget separately for anything you choose to buy or consume.

This is also a useful point to remember when weighing the tour’s value. The route offers several distinct places, but not every optional element is assured. Book for the overall east-side circuit, not on the assumption that a factory visit or tasting is part of the package.

Ponta do Rosto looks toward the north coast

At Ponta do Rosto, on the eastern end of Madeira, the tour reaches a viewpoint with broad views of the north-coast cliffs. It is a fitting late-day stop: after seeing the island’s interior, you get a clear sense of its rugged edge.

The eastern setting makes this viewpoint different from Pico do Areeiro. One looks across the central mountain massif; the other opens toward the coast and the island’s outer reaches. If dramatic scenery is high on your list, these two stops are the strongest reason to choose this route.

As with the mountain, visibility depends on the day’s conditions. The tour goes ahead in rain, so the view may not always be at its best. Still, the route gives you a chance to see this remote-feeling corner without planning your own transport.

Pico do Facho closes the circuit

Before returning to Funchal, the tour passes Pico do Facho viewpoint, which looks over the Machico valley. It is the final named viewpoint on the route and brings the day back toward the settled east side of the island.

This stop rounds out the geography: central mountains, north coast and eastern cliffs, then a view into the Machico valley on the way home. The description does not list a separate visit or extended stop here, so think of it as a final scenic look rather than a major destination.

What the price covers, and what it does not

At $41 per person, the tour offers an eight-hour circuit with hotel pickup and drop-off, a live guide and a group limited to 15. That is useful value if you would otherwise need to arrange transport to several distant places across the island. The route’s range is the main payoff: mountain summit, forest, north-coast town and eastern viewpoints in one day.

The price does not include food or drinks, and personal extras are also excluded. Plan to cover your own refreshments and any purchases, including anything connected with a possible rum-factory visit. No meal stop or meal inclusion is specified, so do not assume lunch is provided.

Guide quality can make a long sightseeing day feel either smooth or rushed. The feedback available is strongest on friendliness and clear explanations: one guide named Heinz was praised for guiding the group particularly well, while other comments also called the driver helpful and friendly. Guide assignments can vary, so you should not count on Heinz specifically.

There is one reported concern worth keeping in view: a guide was described as overly insistent and as proposing a massage during hotel drop-off. That is a single account, not enough to define the whole operation, but a professional tour should leave you comfortable saying no to any unsolicited offer.

Who should choose this East Tour?

I would choose this tour if you are based in Funchal and want an efficient first look at Madeira’s eastern and northern highlights. The mix suits you especially well if you value scenic viewpoints, want to see Santana, and would rather have transport and guiding arranged than coordinate a long island route yourself.

It is less suitable if mobility is limited or you are pregnant, as the activity is specifically listed as unsuitable for people with mobility impairments and pregnant women. It may also disappoint if your ideal day means slow visits, long walks or a guaranteed stop at the rum factory. The schedule covers many places, and that breadth comes at the cost of time at each one.

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option keeps payment flexible. Those policies are helpful, but the main decision is simpler: choose this for variety and scenery, not for an in-depth visit to any single stop.

Should you book it?

Book the Madeira East Tour if you want one full day that links Pico do Areeiro, Ribeiro Frio, Santana and the island’s eastern viewpoints, with hotel pickup and a small group. The best reasons to go are the varied route and the chance to see both the central mountains and the north and east coasts.

Skip it if you need a slow pace, have mobility concerns, or want a guaranteed factory visit. For most people seeking a broad introduction to Madeira beyond Funchal, it is a practical, well-priced way to see several very different sides of the island in one day.

FAQ

How long does the East Tour last?

The tour lasts eight hours.

What is the price?

The listed price is $41 per person.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included.

What languages are available?

The live guide is available in English, Spanish and Portuguese.

How large is the group?

The tour is a small-group activity, limited to 15 participants.

Which main places does the tour visit?

The route includes Camacha, Pico do Areeiro, Ribeiro Frio, Santana, Porto da Cruz, Ponta do Rosto and the Pico do Facho viewpoint.

Is food or drink included?

No. Food and drinks are not included.

Is the rum-factory visit guaranteed?

No. A visit to the sugar-cane rum factory in Porto da Cruz may be possible, but it is not guaranteed.

Does the tour run in bad weather?

The tour takes place rain or shine.

Who is the tour not suitable for?

It is listed as unsuitable for people with mobility impairments and pregnant women.