Madeira East: Pico do Arieiro Peaks & Santana Lunch Day Trip

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Free cancellationTravelers' pick

1/16

Duration8h

GroupUp to 55

LanguagesEN · DE +3

PickupAt your hotel

Mountain peaks trout pools and thatched houses on madeira’s wild east

You’ll ride up twisting roads to Pico do Arieiro’s wild summit, walk among ancient trees at Ribeiro Frio, share lunch in Santana’s colorful village houses, and catch your breath at dramatic viewpoints like Ponta de São Lourenço—all with easy hotel pickup from Funchal and stories from your local guide along the way.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Madeira's eastern highlights

Visit Terreiro da Luta viewpoint
Ascend Pico do Arieiro mountain
See trout farm at Ribeiro Frio
Lunch stop in Santana town
Visit Ponta de São Lourenço lookout
Stop at Machico bay viewpoint

The Experience

I didn’t realize how quickly Funchal would disappear behind us. One minute we’re winding past tiled rooftops, the next we’re at Terreiro da Luta, blinking at a view so wide it makes you go quiet for a second. Our guide, José, pointed out something about old pilgrimage routes—honestly I was half-listening because the air smelled like eucalyptus and I kept trying to spot tiny villages tucked into the green folds below. The road up to Pico do Arieiro is all switchbacks and mist; by the time we stepped out at 1818 meters, my ears had popped twice and my hair was full of wind.

Pico do Arieiro itself—wow, okay, I said I wouldn’t use that word but it fits. The clouds moved so fast they’d swallow one ridge and then reveal another. José showed us where hikers set off for hours-long treks; we just stood there grinning like kids who’d climbed a tree too high. Later at Ribeiro Frio, there was this odd hush under the laurel trees, broken only by water trickling through levadas. Someone pointed out trout darting in a pool (I nearly slipped trying to get a photo—boots still muddy). It felt ancient somehow, like the forest remembered things people forgot.

Lunch in Santana was loud and bright—tables packed with families and those funny little triangular houses everywhere. I tried local fish with milho frito (cornmeal cubes), which tasted better than it looked if I’m honest. José teased me about my accent when I ordered coffee; he said locals can always tell who’s not from around here by how they say “bica.” After that came Ponta de São Lourenço—the cliffs there are sharp, almost red against the sea—and finally Machico bay, where everything seemed softer: golden sand, kids playing football, someone selling chestnuts from a cart. By then my head was full but in a good way.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup and drop-off within Funchal, all entry fees and taxes covered, plus guidance from a knowledgeable local throughout each stop—from mountain peaks to Santana’s village lunch—before returning comfortably to your accommodation in the evening.

Good to know

Easy physical levelInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Lido Tours