Madeira: Cabo Girão Skywalk, 4x4 Vineyard Tour & Wine Tasting

Summary

Glass skywalk thrills, vineyard tracks and honey tasting in Madeira

You’ll walk out over Cabo Girão’s glass skywalk, ride off-road through Madeira’s northern vineyards, sample local honey straight from the source, and taste six regional wines with cheese and chorizo. With pickup from Funchal and a guide who knows every twist of these hills, this day is for anyone who wants to feel — not just see — Madeira.

What’s the experience like?

My hands were sweating before I even stepped onto the glass floor at Cabo Girão. Our guide, Miguel, just grinned and told us to “look down — it’s better if you do it quickly.” The Atlantic was a dizzying blue far below. Some local kids were daring each other to jump on the glass panels. I tried not to think about my knees shaking. It’s wild how you can feel both tiny and totally awake up there.

Bouncing along backroads in the 4x4, we passed terraced hillsides that looked like green patchwork. In São Vicente, we stopped at this little bee museum — honestly, I didn’t expect much but the smell inside was sweet and earthy, almost like warm bread. The woman running it handed me a spoonful of honey (I tried to say thank you in Portuguese and probably butchered it). She explained how they keep things sustainable here — made me think about how much work goes into every jar.

The main reason I booked this day trip from Funchal was the wine tour. Walking through the vines at Quinta Barbusano with Miguel telling stories about his grandfather’s harvests felt pretty personal. We tasted six wines — one rosé, three whites, two reds — paired with cheese and chorizo that tasted smoky and sharp. There was a moment when everyone just went quiet for a second after sipping the third white; maybe it was the view or just that feeling of being somewhere new together. I still think about that view sometimes when I’m back home washing dishes or whatever.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Sea cliff, museum, vineyards, and wine tasting

• Travel from Funchal to Cabo Girão
• Visit Cabo Girão glass floor balcony
• Drive to São Vicente
• Explore Lime Route Museum Centre
• Off-road tour through northern terraced landscapes
• Visit sustainable bee honey museum
• Tour vineyards at Quinta Barbusano
• Taste rose, white, and red wines with cheese and chorizo

Top questions

Is pickup included for this Madeira wine tour?

Yes, free pickup and drop-off are included in Funchal’s central area and near the port.

How high is Cabo Girão skywalk?

Cabo Girão is about 580 meters above sea level.

What wines are tasted during the vineyard tour?

You’ll taste one rosé, three whites, and two reds from Madeira.

Does this day trip include lunch?

No full lunch is included but you get wine tastings with Portuguese cheese and chorizo snacks.

Is this tour suitable for families or kids?

Yes, specialized infant seats are available and all fitness levels are welcome.

How long does the skywalk & wine tasting tour last?

This is a half-day tour starting from Funchal with multiple stops including Cabo Girão and São Vicente.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup and drop-off in central Funchal or by the port, all insurances required by Portuguese law, a guided walk on Cabo Girão’s glass skywalk, visits to a bee museum with honey tasting, a 4x4 drive through São Vicente’s vineyards with six local wines plus cheese and chorizo snacks — all led by a professional local guide before returning to your hotel.