Madeira Best of the West Day Tour

Madeira’s west packs sheer cliffs, a broad mountain plateau, a waterfall viewpoint and volcanic swimming pools into one day. From the glass platform at Cabo Girão to the coast at Porto Moniz, this is a fast-moving introduction to an island where the scenery changes around every bend.

I like two things in particular: you don’t have to drive the steep, winding roads, and the route gives you a useful spread of Madeira, from village life to high country and the north coast. The guide’s running commentary can add context between stops, too. Guides named on tours include Bruno, Marco, Nuno, Marco and Luciano, though assignments vary.

The trade-off is time in the vehicle. You cover a lot of ground in about eight hours, but some stops are brief, and Porto Moniz takes up a large share of the day. If you want long walks or hours at the pools, this route may feel too scheduled.

• Cabo Girão’s viewpoint sits 580 meters above the sea; the optional skywalk ticket costs €5.
• Porto Moniz gets about 90 minutes, including time for lunch and, if you choose, a swim in the natural pools.
• The route crosses the Paul da Serra plateau and the UNESCO-listed Laurissilva forest.
• Seixal’s Véu da Noiva viewpoint offers a look at a waterfall and old roads cut along the cliffs.
• Funchal hotel pickup and return transport are included; pickups outside Funchal may cost extra.
• The group can reach 55 people, so expect a shared coach experience rather than a private outing.

A full day from Funchal to the west coast

The tour starts at 8:30 am, with pickup arranged from your central Funchal hotel or an agreed stopping point in the Funchal area. The operator contacts you with the pickup time. If you are staying beyond Funchal, pickup may be available for an additional charge, so check the details before booking.

You travel by bus or coach, with a professional guide and driver handling roads that can be narrow and steep. That matters on Madeira. You get to watch the coast and hills instead of concentrating on bends, traffic and parking, and you can hear the guide’s commentary along the way.

The return to Funchal is scheduled for around 5 pm. That makes this a substantial day, but it also means you can see several distinct parts of the island without arranging separate transport. The itinerary is built around short scenic stops and one longer break, not a series of hikes.

Cabo Girão: a high view above the sea

The first stop is Cabo Girão, where a viewpoint looks down from about 580 meters above the Atlantic. It is described as Europe’s highest cape and the world’s second highest. The stop lasts around 20 minutes, enough to take in the drop and snap photos, but not a leisurely visit.

The skywalk platform is optional and costs €5 per person. That fee is not part of the tour price, so bring a little extra if you want to step onto it. If you would rather keep your feet on a solid surface, you can still appreciate the high coastal view from the stop.

This is an early highlight, but the short visit is worth keeping in mind if heights or crowded viewpoints are not your thing. The tour does not linger here, and you will soon be back on the road heading toward Ribeira Brava.

Ribeira Brava’s church and seaside setting

In Ribeira Brava, you have about 30 minutes to look around the village and visit the church of São Bento. The stop also offers sea views, giving you a change of pace after the high viewpoint at Cabo Girão.

Thirty minutes is a modest window. It suits a short wander and a look inside the church, but it is not enough for a slow meal or an extended visit. I’d use the time for the church and a quick walk rather than trying to fit in too much.

Paul da Serra and the route across the island

From the south coast, the coach crosses Paul da Serra, Madeira’s largest plateau. The scheduled stop is only about 10 minutes, so think of it as a chance to pause and take in the open high country, not a walking excursion.

The change in scenery is part of the point. The route leaves the coast and crosses a broad upland before turning toward the northwest. Views and conditions can shift in the hills, so a light jacket and covered shoes are sensible. One tour taker specifically advised bringing a jacket because the high areas can be wet.

The roads themselves are a notable part of the day. Madeira’s steep terrain makes driving a demanding job, and the guide-driver is responsible for navigating while you look out the window. Several named guides, including Bruno, Marco and Nuno, have been praised for confident driving and clear commentary, but you cannot count on a particular person being assigned to your departure.

Ribeira da Janela on the way to Porto Moniz

The coach passes through the Ribeira da Janela valley on the way to Porto Moniz. It is included as a scenic stretch of the drive rather than a separate stop with a set time to walk around.

That distinction matters if you are planning the day around specific photo stops. You can take in the valley from the vehicle, but the itinerary does not set aside a dedicated visit there. Keep your camera ready, and enjoy this part as a moving view of the island’s rugged northwest.

Porto Moniz: lunch, pools and the longest break

Porto Moniz is the main stop of the day, with about an hour and a half for lunch and time around the natural swimming pools. You pay for lunch yourself, and the village has local restaurants and bars to choose from. The tour does not include a meal or a pool entrance fee.

This is the stop where you have the most freedom, but it is still a timed break. You will need to balance lunch with a swim if you want both. Bring swimwear and a towel if taking a dip is part of your plan, and allow time to change. Facilities including showers and changing rooms are available at the volcanic pools.

The pools are a major reason to choose this tour. A swim is a welcome active break in a day otherwise spent mostly seated, and it gives Porto Moniz a different feel from a quick roadside photo stop. Still, if the pool is your main reason for going, an hour and a half may feel tight once lunch and changing are factored in.

The long stop cuts both ways. Some people appreciate enough time to eat and swim; others may feel the schedule spends too much of the day in one place. If you prefer a packed itinerary with frequent short stops, this extended pause may not suit you. If a relaxed lunch and a chance to get into the water sound appealing, it is a useful part of the route.

Seixal and the Véu da Noiva waterfall

After Porto Moniz, the tour stops at Seixal for around 20 minutes. The Véu da Noiva viewpoint looks toward a waterfall and the old roads running along the cliffs. It is a short stop, but it gives you another striking coastal view and a chance to stretch your legs.

As at Cabo Girão, you will want to be ready to make the most of the allotted time. This is a viewpoint visit, not a walk along the coast. You get a quick look and photos, then continue toward the mountains and Funchal.

Encumeada and the Laurissilva forest

The return route includes a 20-minute pause at the Encumeada viewpoint on the ER228. From high on the mountain, you can look toward both the north and south coasts. It is a fine place to understand how much terrain the island fits into a relatively small area.

The drive then passes through the Laurissilva forest, a UNESCO-listed area. The forest is part of the route back rather than a scheduled hiking stop, so you experience it mainly from the coach. If you want time on foot among the trees, you will need to plan a separate outing.

The return gives you a final contrast: after ocean cliffs and pools, you are back among mountain views and forest. By the time you reach Funchal around 5 pm, you will have covered a wide swath of the west without needing to rent a car.

What the price includes, and what it does not

At $43.53 per person, the tour offers strong value if you want transport, a guide and a broad route through Madeira’s west in one day. Hotel pickup and round-trip transport from Funchal are included, along with the professional guide. A car rental, fuel and the effort of driving mountain roads are not part of your day.

The price does not cover lunch or the €5 Cabo Girão skywalk ticket. Pool costs are not specified, so check locally if you plan to swim. Add those extras when comparing the tour with other ways to visit the island.

The group size can reach 55 people. That makes the price accessible, but it also means you need to keep an eye on the time and follow the guide’s instructions at each stop. Some departures may use a minivan, while others use a larger coach; the exact vehicle is not guaranteed.

Guides may speak more than one language, and the tour can be operated by a multilingual guide. English is offered, but commentary may be shared across languages. The guide names associated with departures include Bruno, Marco, Nuno, Luciano and Dino, but your guide will depend on the day.

Who should book this west Madeira tour?

I would choose this tour if it is your first visit, you have limited time, or you do not want to drive Madeira’s winding roads. It gives you an efficient first look at villages, mountains, forest and the north coast, with a guide providing context along the way.

It is also a good fit if you like scenic stops more than long walks. The day is largely spent riding between viewpoints, with time to explore on your own at selected stops. If you want a more active day, or prefer to linger at each place, consider arranging your own transport or choosing a smaller, more focused outing.

For the best experience, arrive ready for a full day, bring a jacket and covered shoes, and decide before Porto Moniz whether you want to prioritize lunch or a swim. Book this tour for broad coverage and ease, not for an unhurried visit to every stop.

FAQ

How long is the Madeira Best of the West tour?

The tour lasts about eight hours. It starts at 8:30 am and is expected to return to Funchal around 5 pm.

Is hotel pickup included?

Pickup and drop-off are included for hotels in Funchal. Other pickup points in the Funchal area may be arranged if the vehicle can stop safely. Pickup outside Funchal may cost extra.

What is included in the tour price?

The price includes a professional guide and hotel pickup and drop-off for hotels in Funchal. Lunch and the Cabo Girão skywalk ticket are not included.

How much does the Cabo Girão skywalk cost?

The skywalk viewpoint ticket costs €5 per person. Admission is not included in the tour price.

Is lunch included at Porto Moniz?

No. You have time to choose from local restaurants or bars, but lunch is at your own expense.

Can I swim in the Porto Moniz natural pools?

The tour provides time at Porto Moniz for the natural pools, and a swim is possible if conditions and timing allow. Pool admission is not included in the stated tour price.

How many people can join the tour?

The tour can have a maximum of 55 travelers.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes. English is offered, though the guide may be multilingual.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

If the experience is canceled because of poor weather, you will be offered another date or a full refund.