Funchal: Pico do Areeiro & Santana 4x4 Peak Tour

Madeira's East Peaks in a 4x4: From Rum Factory to 1,818 Meters

You're picked up from your Funchal hotel and driven into Madeira's interior in a 4x4, stopping at Machico's waterfront, Portela Viewpoint, the rum distillery in Porto da Cruz with tasting included, the traditional village of Santana, and finally Pico do Areeiro at 1,818 meters for panoramic views across the island and sea. Lunch is at your own expense in Santana. The driver handles all navigation and timing, returning you to your hotel by late afternoon.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Portela Viewpoint10m
2. Santana15m
3. Pico do Arieiro15m

Explore East Madeira's nature and culture

• Start tour from Funchal
• Visit Machico beach and promenade
• Stop at Portela viewpoint
• Pass Guindaste viewpoint for photos
• Pass through Faial village
• Arrive at Porto da Cruz village
• Tour Porta da Cruz rum factory
• Visit Santana village and houses
• Wander Santana village streets
• Enjoy lunch in Santana (own expense)
• Pass Ribeiro Frio village
• Visit Pico do Areeiro peak
• Return to Funchal

The experience

You're in Funchal with a free day and no rental car, or you want to see the island's interior without navigating mountain roads yourself. That's the moment this tour makes sense. The 4x4 leaves the hotel between 7:45am and 9:15am depending on where you're staying, and for the next eight or nine hours you're off the main roads, climbing into cloud cover and dropping into villages most visitors miss. The driver knows the switchbacks and the stops that matter: Pico do Areeiro at 1,818 meters, Santana with its triangular thatched houses, the rum distillery at Porto da Cruz where the process hasn't changed much in generations.

The route loops through the east side of Madeira, and the order matters because of the light and the crowds. You'll start at Machico, the island's first capital, where the promenade sits quiet in the morning, then climb toward Portela Viewpoint before the clouds roll in. From there the 4x4 takes you inland through Ribeiro Frio (a village so green and water-logged it feels like the island is still being born), and then to Porto da Cruz, where you stop at the rum factory. The tasting is included. Lunch in Santana later is on your own, but the driver will point you toward a local spot where the food tastes like someone's grandmother cooked it. Pico do Areeiro comes last, so you're climbing into afternoon light, and the views from the peak stretch across the whole island and out to the Atlantic.

The vehicle is built for this. A proper 4x4 that handles the steep grades and the tight hairpins without drama. Groups stay small, which means the driver can stop when someone spots something worth photographing, or when the clouds part and you need five minutes just to stand there. The Guindaste viewpoint appears twice on the route, once on the way up and once on the way down, and both times the light is different. By the time you're back in Funchal, you've crossed the island's spine, seen how people actually live in the villages, tasted rum that tastes like the volcanic soil it grew in, and stood on a peak where you can see the curve of the horizon.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off in the Funchal area.
• 4x4 vehicle with driver throughout the day.
• rum tasting at the Porto da Cruz distillery.
• access to Pico do Areeiro, Santana, Portela Viewpoint, Guindaste Viewpoint, Ribeiro Frio, Machico, and Faial.
• lunch at a local restaurant in Santana is at your own expense.

Before you book

Days and timesTuesday, Thursday, Saturday and SundayDeparts at 08:30

Book up to8h before

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (3 to 11 years) · Infant (under 3)

GroupUp to 40

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French, German and Portuguese

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Paid on site€ 29

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Easy physical levelInfant seats availablePublic transport nearbyNot for heart conditions

Operated by Green Devil Safari

Is this one for you?Choose this tour if you want to explore Madeira's interior and peaks without renting a car or planning stops yourself: the 4x4 and driver handle the mountain roads and timing, leaving you free to focus on the views and the villages.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

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

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 11 years); Infant (under 3).

What time does the tour start?

Pickup times vary by location: 7:45am from Calheta or Ponta Delgada, 8:30am from Funchal, 9:00am from Caniço, and 9:15am from Machico.

Is lunch included?

No. You'll eat lunch at your own expense at a local restaurant in Santana, though the driver will recommend options.

What's included in the tour?

Hotel pickup and drop-off from the Funchal area, the 4x4 vehicle with driver, rum tasting at Porto da Cruz, and access to all viewpoints and villages on the route.

How high is Pico do Areeiro?

1,818 meters (5,966 feet). It's Madeira's third-highest peak.

Do I need a rental car?

No. The tour includes transportation from your hotel, so you don't need to drive yourself.

Is this suitable if I'm not very fit?

The tour is suitable for all fitness levels, though it involves walking at high altitude and some steep terrain. It's not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health.

Can I bring an infant?

Yes. Specialized infant seats are available.

How long is the full day?

Approximately 8 to 9 hours from pickup to drop-off.