Madeira · EAST MADEIRA TOURS
East means Pico do Arieiro, Santana’s thatched houses, the bare cliffs of São Lourenço and lunch in Machico or Porto da Cruz. These 15 are priced and timed, with the stops each one actually makes.
From Funchal, spend eight hours crossing Madeira’s eastern half by minibus, with stops at Terreiro da Luta, Pico do Arieiro, Ribeiro Frio, Santana, Ponta de São Lourenço and Machico. Guides such as Marco, Bruno and Patrícia share island history and local customs. Hotel pickup is included in selected Funchal areas. Lunch is extra.
“information on all aspects off trip from start to finish by guide”
Travel from Funchal or Caniço into eastern Madeira with a driver-guide, stopping at Pico do Arieiro, Ribeiro Frio’s laurel forest, Santana and coastal viewpoints. The optional Balcões walk is an easy, flat route of about 20 minutes. Guides have included Bruna, Pedro and Nelson; lunch and snacks are extra.
“This was the best trip of the holidays by far. The weather was fantastic. We were picked up from our hotel on time and the journey was interspersed with stops with views that were stunning. Pedro was a great host and driver. using his mic so we could hear his commentary. loved the stop on the peak at over 1800 MTs and the fabulous views. later we did the gentle laveda walk to see the viewpoints. We walked down the hill and he advised us on the best restaurant for lunch near where the van was. in the afternoon he took the faster routes from Santana to the east point.…”
Travel from Funchal to Pico do Areeiro, Ribeiro Frio’s short Levada dos Balcões walk, Santana’s thatched houses and the northeast coast. A guide handles the mountain roads and shares island stories, with time for lunch and a free Madeira rum taste. The walk costs €5.50 extra and must be arranged in advance.
“Diogo was such an amazing tour guide, very attentive and knowledgeable! We got to spend a good amount of time at all the different spots, and were given some options for things to do at each location. Even with the weather not being the best it was so much fun and for a whole day out very good value for money! Would highly recommend especially if you’re not driving in Funchal, a great way to see the East of the island.”
Set out from Funchal at 9 a.m. for a seven-hour east Madeira safari in a small 4x4 group of up to eight. Expect mountain views, a short walk to Balcões, lunch time in Santana, coastal stops and a rum tasting in Porto da Cruz. Guides vary, with names including Nico, Alex, Ernesto and Rodrigo.
“Excellent day out, enjoyed it from start to finish. Our driver John was very knowledgeable about Madeira. Some incredible views to be seen. Madeira is a beautiful island and there's no better way to see it. Recommended 👍”
Spend eight hours crossing eastern Madeira in an air-conditioned minibus for 8 to 14 people. The route takes in Pico do Arieiro, Ribeiro Frio’s Balcões levada, Santana’s thatched cottages, coastal viewpoints and a Porto da Cruz rum tasting. Shared tours include a three-course lunch with drinks. Guides vary, with Lucy, Carlos and Tony among those who lead the trip.
“Great trip many different areas around the island. A great way to see the highlights, get a yummy meal, and get to ask a local about all of the history.”
Lido Tours takes you from Funchal to Pico do Arieiro, Ribeiro Frio, Santana, Ponta de São Lourenço and Machico in an air-conditioned vehicle. Expect brief scenic stops, a longer lunch break and a guide who may give commentary in more than one language. Guides have included Marco, Bruno and Nuno.
“This is a not-to-be missed experience with amazing scenery and many fun stops. Our driver was prompt and professional, and very kind and considerate when one of the passengers felt ill.”
From Funchal, a driver-guide takes you by 4x4 to Pico do Arieiro, Ribeiro Frio, Santana and the east coast, with a short levada walk, off-road tracks, a rum stop and wide cliff views. Groups are limited to eight, lunch and drinks are extra, and guides have included Brian, John, Niko and Darcio.
“Really amazing tour! You get to see so much in one day. It was a wonderful experience :)”
Travel Madeira’s eastern highlands and north coast by van, stopping at Pico do Arieiro, Laurissilva forest, Santana, Guindaste and more. You’ll hear about island life from a guide, with guides such as Luca, Rui and Cristian among those who have led the tour. An optional easy, flat levada walk is included; lunch is not.
“Great tour and guide, with a lot of interesting informations in a non-formal level.”
This seven-hour east Madeira tour leaves Funchal at 8:30 am, with hotel pickup in Funchal and Câmara de Lobos center. Expect mountain and forest viewpoints, Santana’s traditional houses, a Porto da Cruz rum stop, and a guide such as Dino, also called Deano. Lunch is not included, and the advertised group limit is eight.
“An enjoyable day out with Dino as our guide. Comfortable vehicle.Tour was well paced and interesting.. A lovely part of Madeira to visit.”
Set out from Funchal with a local driver-guide in a closed-top Land Rover Discovery for an eight-hour east Madeira outing. Stops include Pico do Arieiro, Santana’s traditional A-frame houses, Porto da Cruz and Ponta de São Lourenço. Lunch and drinks cost extra; an optional 45-minute levada walk is offered. Guides named in recent trip accounts include Nuno, Hugo, Fabio and Wilson.
“Relaxed trip around the East side of Island driven expertly by Wilson the best driver in Madeira,the Cristiano Ronaldo of Land Rover drivers👊 Spent the day in the company of 2 Americans,a Kiwi and a Scotsman,very nice people which also made the day.”
Set out from Funchal for an 8-hour guided circuit through Camacha, Pico do Arieiro, Ribeiro Frio, Santana and the east coast. Expect mountain viewpoints, a levada walk, a three-course lunch and a rum tasting in Porto da Cruz. Guides such as Tony, Carlos and Lucy have led the route, though your guide is not guaranteed.
“Stunning views on this trip provided by Secret Madeira. The driver Tony was very informative and told us the history of the island as well as details of the places we visited, He also pointed out the many different plants and vegetation on the island. Lovely meal reservation at Restaurant O Colin in Santana.”
Spend 7.5 to 9 hours crossing Madeira in a small minibus, from Ponta de São Lourenço and Santana to Porto Moniz, Ponta do Pargo and Cabo Girão. You’ll have time to swim, eat lunch and explore at several stops, with hotel pickup and a live guide. Guides on different departures have included Rui, Jorge, Nuno and Francisco.
“Great way to see some of the most beautiful spots on the island in a short time frame. Nothing felt rushed and we were able to stay longer at spots if we chose. Nuno was an excellent guide and driver.”
Set out from Funchal at 9:00 am in an air-conditioned vehicle for an eight-hour circuit of eastern Madeira. Visit Pico do Arieiro, walk a short stretch of Levada dos Balcões, stop in Santana for lunch and its thatched houses, then take in the coast at Ponta de São Lourenço and Machico. Guides have included Alberto, Marko, Andrei, Benjamin and Emanuel.
“Great tour, fantastic tour guide Emanuel who had a great sense of humour and told us a lot about the island and the places we visited. Sadly the weather meant we couldn’t do our planned walk or get out at the Pico do Arieiro but we still had a great day out and would highly recommend this tour.”
Spend 7 to 8 hours crossing eastern Madeira by 4x4, from Pico do Arieiro’s high mountain views to a levada walk in the Laurissilva Forest and traditional houses in Santana. A local guide leads the day, with guides such as Ricardo and Juan sharing island stories. Pickup is available around Funchal, and the group is limited to eight.
“Superb. Varied, interesting,. No time wasted. Juan knew a lot and found out if he didn't know. Friendly and very competent.”
Spend eight hours exploring eastern Madeira in a small-group 4x4, with pickup in Funchal and a guide who shares local stories along the way. Stops include Pico do Arieiro, Ribeiro Frio, Santana’s triangular houses, an off-road stretch and Porto da Cruz’s rum distillery. The Levada walk is optional, and weather can affect mountain stops.
“Great day out. Our guide was excellent as was the jeep we travelled in! Explored areas we would never have seen or found. Stunning scenery and finished the tour knowing a lot more about Madeira than when we started. Would definitely book another trip to a different part of the Island.”
Pick a coast, a peak or a boat.
