Madeira East Island Tour and Levada Walk

Madeira’s east packs mountain air, laurel forest, traditional cottages and a rugged coast into one long day. This small-group tour links them by minibus, so you can take in the island’s sharp changes in scenery without navigating steep roads yourself.

I like two things in particular: the range of stops, from Pico do Arieiro to the Balcões levada, and the chance to hear a local guide explain the island as you travel. Shared tours also include a three-course lunch with drinks, which makes the $63 price especially appealing.

The trade-off is the pace. You cover a lot of ground, and some stops are brief; the levada walk also costs an extra €3. This works best as a first look at the east, not as a slow day focused on one place.

• Pico do Arieiro reaches 1,818 metres: A high-altitude viewpoint where cloud and weather can change the view quickly.
• The Balcões route passes through laurel forest: A short levada walk at Ribeiro Frio, with a €3 fee payable on the day.
• Santana brings a change of pace: See the island’s familiar A-frame cottages, then take time for lunch and a look around.
• Porto da Cruz adds a local taste: The stop includes free rum tasting at a rum factory.
• Small-group transport keeps the day manageable: The modern, air-conditioned minibus carries 8 to 14 people.
• Shared and private tours differ: Lunch is included on the shared tour, but not on private tours.

A full day from mountain summit to coast

This is a broad sampler of eastern Madeira, not a single-site excursion. In about eight hours, you travel from Funchal into the mountains, walk in the Laurissilva forest, stop in Santana and follow the northern and eastern coast before returning to Funchal.

Pickup generally takes place between 8:00 and 9:00, depending on where you are staying. The supplier reconfirms your pickup time after booking, and the tour aims to return by 17:00. That timing suits a visitor with limited days on the island, but it leaves little room to linger whenever a view catches your eye.

The minibus is a practical part of the experience. Madeira’s roads climb and twist, and a guided ride saves you the work of driving and parking at several stops. The group size is listed as 8 to 14, though some departures may be smaller. You will still need to keep an eye on the clock: this is a shared day, and the next viewpoint is part of the plan.

Funchal viewpoint and the climb to Pico do Arieiro

The first stop is a viewpoint above Funchal, a useful way to see the capital from above before leaving it behind. The tour then climbs toward Pico do Arieiro, Madeira’s third-highest peak at 1,818 metres. The listed stop is about 35 minutes, enough for photos and a look around, not a long mountain outing.

The height is part of the appeal and a reason to pack a jacket. Funchal can feel warm, even in winter, while the air at higher elevations may be much cooler. Weather also matters: on a clear day, the views can open across the island; clouds or changing conditions may limit them. The route can be adjusted for weather or other unexpected restrictions, so treat the summit as a highlight, not a guaranteed view.

Some tour descriptions refer to driving through the national park and Black Forest. The main value here is seeing how quickly Madeira changes as the road gains altitude, from the city and cultivated slopes to mountain scenery. If you want a long hike among the peaks, this short stop is not a substitute. It gives you a taste of the high country, then moves on.

Ribeiro Frio and the Balcões levada walk

At Ribeiro Frio, the day shifts from open mountain views to the shade of the Laurissilva forest. This is one of the tour’s most distinctive stops: you visit the trout farm, then take a levada walk toward Balcões. Levada paths follow water channels, a characteristic feature of Madeira’s walking routes, and this one offers a close look at the island’s forest setting.

The walk is often a favorite part of the day for people who want more than roadside viewpoints. It brings you into the greenery rather than asking you to admire it through a minibus window. The route is described as a walk to Balcões, but the tour is not designed as a strenuous hiking day. You should still bring comfortable shoes, since the path is on foot and the surface may feel different from a paved viewpoint.

There is a €3 entrance fee for the levada walk, paid on the day. It is not included in the tour price. The experience is not suitable for people with mobility impairments, so consider this before booking if walking is difficult for you. Your guide may also point out plants, trees or fruit along the route and roadside. Guides such as Lucy have been noted for bringing these details into the day, but the assigned guide varies.

Santana’s cottages and the lunch stop

Santana is known for its traditional A-frame cottages, often shown with steep, thatched roofs. The stop gives you time to see the houses and explore the area, with about an hour and a half listed for the visit, free time and lunch. It is a welcome pause after the mountain and forest stops.

Keep expectations grounded. The cottages are a well-known sight, and many have been converted into shops for visitors. They are still worth seeing as a distinctive part of Madeira’s built heritage, but this is not a quiet village visit untouched by tourism. The time here is useful for a look around and a meal, rather than an extended cultural stop.

On the shared tour, lunch is a three-course meal with drinks. The food is described as regional, and it can be good value when you consider that it is part of the $63 fare. Private tours do not include lunch, so allow for that difference when comparing options. The lunch venue has changed from the cave restaurant once associated with the trip, and the current details may not always match older descriptions. If dining in a particular setting matters to you, confirm the venue before booking.

Faial’s coastal viewpoint and Porto da Cruz rum

After Santana, the route heads toward the north coast and Faial. Miradouro do Guindaste is a photo stop, with a listed visit of about 15 minutes. The Faial Skywalk is another name used for the coastal viewpoint, where the scenery turns from mountain forest to steep shoreline. Short stops are the rhythm of this part of the day, so have your camera ready and take in the view without expecting a long walk.

Next comes Porto da Cruz, where the tour visits a rum factory and offers a free tasting. The stop is about 35 minutes and combines a look around with a taste of local rum. It is a pleasant change from viewpoints, and a chance to connect the island’s agricultural life with something you can sample. The tasting is included; any other purchases are your choice.

The eastern stretch also includes viewpoints toward São Lourenço, Machico and, on a clear day, the Desertas Islands and Porto Santo. The exact sequence can vary, and one itinerary stop is not named, so do not assume every departure follows precisely the same order. The larger point is that the drive gives you several looks at Madeira’s coast, with views that change as the road turns around the island’s eastern end.

What the guide adds to the ride

A good guide can turn the drives between stops into part of the day, rather than dead time. The guides who lead this tour vary. Names associated with the experience include Lucy, Carlos, Tony, Michael, Fernando, Marco, Miguel and Luciano. Guests are often especially pleased when a guide brings in local stories, explains plants and fruit growing by the road, or adds a viewpoint when time and conditions allow.

Guides may be managing a multilingual group, so the pace and style can differ from one departure to another. Some lead with humor and personal stories; others focus on explaining the island’s culture and natural features. Extra stops are possible, but they are not guaranteed. One reported tour ran about 90 minutes longer after the guide added viewpoints with the group’s agreement, so keep some flexibility in your plans after the advertised return time.

The driver-guide role matters on Madeira’s steep roads. The minibus is described as clean and comfortable, and passengers have appreciated careful driving. Still, the ride includes winding mountain and coastal roads, which may not suit anyone prone to motion sickness.

Is $63 good value for this Madeira tour?

At $63 per person, the shared tour bundles transport, a full day of stops, a guide, and a three-course lunch with drinks. You also get a rum tasting and pickup from hotels in Funchal and Caniço, as well as Câmara de Lobos. The levada fee is extra, at €3. For a visitor without a rental car, the price can compare well with the cost and effort of arranging transport between these far-flung sights independently.

The value is strongest if you want an overview rather than a deep visit to each place. You see mountain, forest, village and coast in one day, and you can ask your guide about the island along the way. The compromise is limited time at individual stops, plus a schedule that depends on weather and road conditions.

A private tour offers a more personal pace, but lunch is not included. Pickup from the harbor is free for private tours. Cruise passengers on shared tours must meet at the CR7 Museum, and the ship must arrive by 8:00 and depart at 17:00 or later. Pickup in Santa Cruz may carry an extra charge; the stated amounts differ by tour type, so confirm the fee directly before booking.

Who should book this east-side day

Book it if you have a short stay in Madeira and want a well-rounded first look at the east. It suits people who enjoy changing scenery, short walks and frequent photo stops, and who would rather leave the mountain driving to someone else. The included lunch makes the shared option especially attractive for anyone who values an easy, planned day.

Choose another approach if you want a long hike, unhurried time in Santana, or the freedom to stop whenever you like. The tour is not suitable for people with mobility impairments, and the levada walk involves an additional fee. Bring comfortable shoes and a jacket, and allow room in your schedule in case the day runs late.

FAQ

How long is the Madeira East Island Tour?

The tour lasts about eight hours. It generally starts between 8:00 and 9:00 and aims to return to Funchal by 17:00.

What is included in the $63 price?

The shared tour includes transport, a three-course meal with drinks, and a free rum tasting. The levada walk has a separate €3 fee.

Is lunch included on a private tour?

No. Lunch is included only on the shared tour. Private tour participants need to arrange or pay for their own lunch.

How much does the levada walk cost?

The walk has an additional fee of €3, paid on the day.

Where can I be picked up?

Pickup is available from hotels in Funchal and Caniço, and from Câmara de Lobos. Santa Cruz pickup may cost extra, so confirm the amount for your tour type.

Can cruise passengers join?

Yes. Private tours offer free harbor pickup. Shared-tour cruise passengers must meet at the CR7 Museum. The ship must arrive by 8:00 or earlier and depart at 17:00 or later.

What should I bring?

Bring comfortable shoes for the levada walk and a jacket for the higher-altitude stops. Mountain weather can be cooler than Funchal.

Is the tour suitable for people with mobility impairments?

No. The tour is listed as unsuitable for people with mobility impairments.