Funchal & Santana: Full-Day Accessible Tour with Off-Road Chair

Madeira's North Coast & Mountain Villages on an Off-Road Wheelchair

You spend a full day touring Funchal and Santana with a specialized off-road wheelchair that opens mountain trails and levadas to you, visit the Whale Museum with elevator access and three coastal viewpoints, taste seasonal fruit at the Santana market, and return in an air-conditioned vehicle with water and snacks included. The company confirms equipment compatibility before you book, so you know exactly what terrain you can reach.

Step-by-step itinerary

Accessible East Madeira Full Day Tour

• Visit gazebo with views over Funchal
• Explore belvedere with north and south sea views
• Tour Whale Museum in Caniçal
• See mills producing Madeira brandy and rum
• Visit Faial Fortlet viewpoint
• Explore traditional houses and market in Santana

The experience

The sound of gravel crunching under the wheels of an off-road chair is the first thing that changes. Most wheelchair tours stick to paved city routes, but this one in Funchal and Santana takes you onto mountain trails and levadas (the narrow irrigation paths that cut through Madeira's interior) using specialized equipment designed to handle terrain that standard chairs cannot. You start the day in an air-conditioned vehicle with a driver who knows which stops work best for your equipment, and the route itself is built around what you can actually access, not what the brochure claims.

The itinerary moves through several distinct stops. You'll see the gazebo overlooking Funchal and Caniço, a viewpoint with accessible facilities, and then head to a belvedere on the north coast where the off-road chair lets you move beyond the standard lookout point. The Whale Museum in Caniçal (opened in 1989, redesigned in 2011) has elevator access and houses life-size whale models and 3D films about Madeira's whaling history. After that, you visit the rum and brandy mills of the north, then the Faial Fortlet, an 18th-century coastal defense structure now used as a viewpoint. The day ends in Santana, where you can see the traditional A-frame houses and visit the local market to taste seasonal fruit. Each stop accounts for the actual accessibility of the ground and the equipment: the company doesn't pretend every location works the same way.

What matters most here is honesty about limitations. The company provides manual wheelchairs, electric wheelchairs, and electric scooters, but not every location accepts every type of equipment. Some terrain (gravel, uneven ground, steep slopes) will restrict access to certain areas. They ask you to contact them before booking to confirm which equipment works for your specific itinerary. Bottled water and traditional snacks (with options for children and diabetic-friendly products) are included, and you travel in a vehicle with WiFi and air conditioning. The day is full, but the pace is set by what your chair can handle, not by a fixed schedule that assumes everyone moves the same way.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off.
• air-conditioned, wheelchair-accessible vehicle.
• specialized off-road wheelchair for mountain trails and levadas.
• entry to the Whale Museum.
• visits to three viewpoints (Funchal-Caniço gazebo, north coast belvedere, Faial Fortlet).
• rum and brandy mill visit.
• Santana traditional village and market.
• bottled water.
• traditional snacks (with children's and diabetic-friendly options available).
• WiFi on board.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

AgesAdult (18 and older) · Infant (under 4): free

GroupUp to 6

Live guideEnglish 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 8 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller friendlyPets welcome

Operated by Madeira Acessivel By Wheelchair

Is this one for you?This tour is built for wheelchair users who want to reach mountain trails and coastal viewpoints beyond standard city routes, and who need the company to confirm equipment access before the day starts so there are no surprises at each stop.

Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and Portuguese.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Infant (under 4): free.

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.

What type of wheelchair or mobility equipment can I use on this tour?

The company provides manual wheelchairs, electric wheelchairs, and electric scooters. Not all equipment is permitted at every location due to terrain and access restrictions. Contact them before booking to confirm which equipment works for your chosen stops.

How long is the full-day tour?

The itinerary covers a full day visiting multiple stops across Funchal and Santana, including viewpoints, the Whale Museum, mills, and the traditional village market. Exact duration depends on your mobility needs and which locations you access.

Is the Whale Museum wheelchair accessible?

Yes. The museum has elevator and ramp access inside. It opened in its current building in 2011 and houses life-size whale models, 3D films, and exhibits on Madeira's whaling history.

What is included in the tour?

Hotel pickup, air-conditioned vehicle transport, entry to the Whale Museum, bottled water, and traditional snacks (with options for children and diabetic-friendly products). Snack upgrades are available for an extra charge.

Are service animals allowed?

Yes, service animals are allowed on the tour.

Can I bring my own wheelchair or scooter?

You can use your own manual, electric wheelchair, or electric scooter, but some locations have restrictions. Contact the company in advance to confirm access at specific stops on your chosen route.

What should I wear on this tour?

Bring comfortable clothing suitable for sun or rain, and closed, non-slip shoes. The day includes both outdoor viewpoints and indoor museum visits.

Is there WiFi and water provided during the tour?

Yes, the vehicle has WiFi on board and bottled water is provided throughout the day.