Madeira West Coast Day Tour: Cabo Girão to Porto Moniz

From Europe's second-highest cape to natural pools and mountain views in one day

A guided day tour of Madeira's west coast that departs from Funchal with hotel pickup and covers five major stops over eight hours: Cabo Girão (the highest cape in Europe at 580 meters), the village of Ribeira Brava with its São Bento church, the Paul da Serra plateau, Porto Moniz with natural swimming pools, and the Encumeada viewpoint on the return. The guide speaks English, Spanish, Portuguese, French and one additional language, and lunch is your own choice at Porto Moniz.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Madeira's West Coast Highlights

• Admire views at Cabo Girão
• Visit São Bento church in Ribeira Brava
• Drive across Paul da Serra plateau
• View Ribeira da Janela valley
• Lunch and swim at Porto Moniz
• See waterfall at Véu da Noiva viewpoint in Seixal
• Photo stop at Encumeada viewpoint
• Drive through Laurissilva forest

The experience

You start from your Funchal hotel and head straight to Cabo Girão, where the observation platform sits 580 meters above the sea: the highest cape in Europe and second in the world. The scale hits differently when you're standing there: the cliffs drop sheer to the water, and on clear days the views stretch across the entire southern coast. From there the route moves inland to Ribeira Brava, a working village where the church of São Bento sits near the seafront and the pace is unhurried enough to actually look around.

The drive north crosses the Paul da Serra, Madeira's largest plateau, before the road descends into the Ribeira da Janela valley and opens onto the northwest coast. Porto Moniz arrives around lunchtime, and this is where the day splits: you can eat at one of the local restaurants, grab a coffee at a bar, or wade into the natural swimming pools that form in the volcanic rock. No entry fee, just the pools themselves. The guide waits while you choose. Afterward, the route climbs to Seixal and the Véu da Noiva viewpoint, where a waterfall drops from the cliffs and the old coastal roads cling to the rock face below. On the return to Funchal, the tour stops at Encumeada, a mountain viewpoint where you can see both the north and south coasts at once. The final stretch runs through the UNESCO-listed Laurissilva forest before dropping back into Funchal.

The tour runs eight hours total and suits all fitness levels. There's no serious hiking, just walking at each stop and time to absorb the views. Specialized infant seats are available if you're traveling with small children, and service animals are welcome. The guide is a live person, not a recording, and the group size stays small enough that you're not herded through.

What’s included

• Professional guide in your chosen language.
• hotel pickup and drop-off from Funchal.
• eight hours of driving and stops across the west coast.
• access to all five viewpoints and villages (Cabo Girão, Ribeira Brava, Paul da Serra, Porto Moniz, Seixal, Encumeada, and the Laurissilva forest).

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:30

Book up to2h before

AgesAdult (11 and older) · Child (5 to 10 years) · Infant (under 5)

GroupUp to 55

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French, German and Portuguese

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

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.

Paid on site€ 5

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Lido Tours

Is this one for you?Book this tour for your first or second day in Madeira if you want to see the island's most dramatic west coast without arranging transport or deciding which stops matter most. The eight-hour route holds the geography together and the guide handles the driving so you can focus on the views.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

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

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (5 to 10 years); Infant (under 5).

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 is Cabo Girão and why is it the main stop on this tour?

Cabo Girão is the highest cape in Europe at 580 meters above sea level and the second highest in the world. The observation platform there offers unobstructed sea views across Madeira's southern coast, which is why it anchors the morning of the tour.

Can I swim at Porto Moniz, or is it just for looking?

Porto Moniz has natural swimming pools formed in the volcanic rock where you can actually get in the water. There's no entry fee to use them, and you have free time around lunchtime to swim or eat at the local restaurants and bars nearby.

How much walking is involved on this day tour?

The tour suits all physical fitness levels and involves walking at each stop to reach the viewpoints and explore the villages, but no serious hiking or long treks. You spend most of the day in the vehicle moving between the five main stops.

Is lunch included in the tour price?

Lunch is not included. You choose and pay for your own meal at Porto Moniz, where local restaurants and bars are available during the lunchtime stop.

Does the tour price cover the Cabo Girão Skywalk viewpoint ticket?

The Cabo Girão Skywalk viewpoint ticket is not included in the tour price and is purchased separately if you want to access that specific platform.