Madeira East: Pico do Arieiro, Santana Houses & Rum Tasting Tour

Summary

Pico do Arieiro sunrise air, Santana houses and a rum break

You’ll ride up to Pico do Arieiro for wild mountain air, wander through Santana’s rare triangle houses with a local guide, taste fresh-made rum in Porto da Cruz, and catch coastal views from Pico do Facho—all with hotel pickup from Funchal. Expect honest moments: wind in your face, laughter over lunch breaks, maybe even a wave from a local gardener.

What’s the experience like?

I didn’t expect the wind at Pico do Arieiro to feel so sharp on my cheeks—like waking up twice in one morning. We’d barely left Funchal when our guide Dino started telling stories about old Madeira, his voice mixing with the sound of tires on those twisty roads. At the top, clouds drifted below us, and I caught myself just standing there, hands in my pockets, not really talking. It smelled faintly of pine and something colder—hard to explain. Someone next to me tried to film it all but kept laughing because her hair was everywhere.

We stopped at Ribeiro Frio after that. The Laurissilva forest is thicker than I thought—like you could get lost if you wandered off. Dino pointed out some tiny birds (he called them firecrests), and I tried to spot them but mostly just listened to the leaves moving overhead. Lunch wasn’t included, but we had time in Santana where those triangle houses sit in little bursts of color against green hills. There aren’t many left now; most are just for show, but one old lady was tending her garden and waved at us like she’d seen a thousand groups before ours.

Later on, Porto da Cruz smelled sweet and heavy from the rum factory—molasses maybe? We tasted a sip (burned a bit going down) while Dino explained how they’ve made it for generations here. He laughed when someone asked if locals actually drink it or just sell it to tourists. The last stop was Pico do Facho above Machico; I leaned on the railing and watched the coastline curve away under late sun. It felt quieter than I expected—maybe everyone else was tired too. Still think about that view sometimes when things get noisy back home.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore East Madeira highlights

• Visit Pico do Arieiro peak
• See Laurissilva Forest viewpoint
• Stop at Santana triangular houses
• Visit Rum Factory House and taste rum
• Enjoy viewpoint with admission
• Experience the Sky Walk viewpoint

Top questions

How long does this Madeira East tour take?

The tour covers several stops and usually lasts a full day from morning pickup until late afternoon return.

Is lunch included during the day trip?

No, lunch isn’t included but there’s free time in Santana for you to find your own meal.

Are hotel pickups available from Funchal?

Yes, hotel pickup in Funchal is included as part of the tour service.

Can infants or small children join this tour?

Yes, infants can join—the tour offers pram/stroller access and specialized infant seats if needed.

Do we visit the real triangle houses in Santana?

You’ll see some original triangle houses in Santana; only a few are still lived in today.

Is there a guide during the tour?

Yes, you’ll have a certified local guide throughout the day who shares stories and context at each stop.

What is included at Porto da Cruz?

You’ll visit the rum factory house and have a chance to taste typical local rum during this stop.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup from Funchal with a certified local guide leading every stop—from Pico do Arieiro’s summit air to tasting rum at Porto da Cruz—with free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure so you can book without worry.