Funchal: Jeep Tour Pico do Arieiro & Santana with Laurissilva Forest

A full-day Jeep ride through Madeira's mountains, forests and volcanic cliffs

You ride in a small Jeep from Funchal up to Pico do Arieiro's mountain views, walk through Laurissilva Forest and its trout nursery, visit Santana's thatched-roof village with a waterfall, then descend to the arid volcanic cliffs of Ponta de São Lourenço on the island's east tip. The route adjusts for weather, includes a small walk and optional swimming stop, and returns you to Funchal by late afternoon or early evening.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Monte Palace Tropical Gardenspass by
2. Pico do Arieiro40m
3. Santana1h
4. Ponta de São Lourenço30m

Full-day Jeep tour around Madeira

• Depart from Funchal to Pico do Arieiro
• Pass by Monte and Poiso
• Stop and walk at Pico do Arieiro
• Visit trout nursery in Laurissilva Forest
• Drive off-road through the forest
• Stop at Faial village for sea views
• Visit Santana village and thatched houses
• Lunch at typical Santana restaurant
• See waterfall in Santana village
• Visit viewpoint with sea cliffs
• Explore Porto da Cruz seafront promenade
• Visit old sugar cane distillery
• Explore Ponta de São Lourenço cliffs
• Visit Jesus Christ statue near Funchal
• Return to Funchal

The experience

You've just landed in Funchal and the afternoon is yours. The Jeep picks you up and heads straight up: past Monte, through Poiso, climbing toward Pico do Arieiro at 1818 meters. The road narrows as you gain altitude, and the island starts to shrink below you. At the peak, the view opens across the whole of Madeira, and you stop long enough to walk a little and let it sink in. Weather shapes the day here. If clouds roll in, the driver knows the alternative routes and will pivot to chase clearer skies.

From the peak you drop into Ribeiro Frio and the Laurissilva Forest: a UNESCO-protected natural park where the air changes and the light filters green through ancient trees. There's a trout nursery here, and if the weather holds, you can walk the Levada water channels that cut through the forest like veins. The Jeep then takes an off-road path through the trees toward Santana village, where the houses have thatched roofs (Colmo) that look like something from another century. You stop to visit them, and there's a typical restaurant if you want lunch, plus a waterfall nearby that's worth the short walk. The village sits on the north coast, and from Faial below it, you can see Penha de Águia mountain and volcanic rock formations that drop straight to the sea.

The eastern side of the island, Ponta de São Lourenço, is where the landscape shifts. It's drier, more arid, with cliffs in reds and oranges and browns that you won't see anywhere else on Madeira. The colors come from the volcanic rock, and on a clear day you can see Porto Santo island in the distance. You stop at viewpoints where the cliffs drop away hard, and the scale of it hits different than the green mountains you started with. There's also a statue of Jesus Christ with views back toward Funchal and the beach at Garajau. The tour wraps with a drive back down to Funchal, and by then you've crossed the whole island, from wet forest to dry coast, from 1818 meters to sea level, in one day.

The Jeep itself is the point. You're not on a bus with forty people. The group stays small, and the driver knows the roads and the weather patterns. If conditions change, the route bends with it. If you want to swim and the weather's good, you stop. If someone needs to sit out a walk, that's fine too. It's flexible in a way that fixed itineraries can't be, and that flexibility is what makes a full-island day actually work in Madeira's changeable climate.

What’s included

• Jeep transport from Funchal with a small group.
• guided stops at Pico do Arieiro, Laurissilva Forest with Levada walk, Ribeiro Frio trout nursery, Santana village with thatched-roof houses and waterfall, Faial viewpoint, and Ponta de São Lourenço.
• small walks at each stop.
• swimming stop if weather permits.
• flexible routing adjusted for weather and road conditions.
• return transport to Funchal.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (under 12)

GroupUp to 8

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French, Italian and Portuguese

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

ConfirmationConfirmation within 48h

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller friendlyInfant seats availablePublic transport nearbyNot for heart conditions

Operated by Just Go Tours

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to see the whole island (mountains, forest, villages and volcanic cliffs) in one day without driving yourself or managing separate transport and timing. The Jeep's flexibility and small-group size are what make a full-island route fit into a single afternoon.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, French, Italian and Portuguese.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (under 12).

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

How long is the full Jeep tour?

The tour runs 8–10 hours, depending on stops and weather conditions.

What's included in the tour?

Jeep transport, small walks at key stops, entry to Santana village and viewpoints, and a swimming stop if weather permits. Lunch at a typical restaurant in Santana is optional and not included in the base price.

What should I bring?

Layers and a waterproof jacket: the weather changes with altitude and can shift quickly. Comfortable walking shoes, sunscreen, and a camera for the viewpoints.

Can the route change during the day?

Yes. The driver adjusts the itinerary based on weather and road conditions to find the best visibility and safest routes.

Is there a swimming stop?

If weather is good, the tour includes a swimming stop. Bring a swimsuit and towel if you plan to use it.

Are there any restrictions I should know about?

People over 190 cm or over 100 kg should inform the company in advance. The tour is not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health, as it involves altitude and walking.

Do I need to arrange my own lunch?

Lunch is not included in the base tour price, but you can eat at a typical restaurant in Santana village during the stop there.