Madeira East: Pico do Arieiro, Santana Houses & São Lourenço Day Trip

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Free cancellationExcellent quality

1/6

Duration7h 45m

GroupUp to 18

LanguagesEN · DE +4

PickupAt your hotel

See Madeira’s wild east: peaks, laurel woods, and Santana houses

You’ll ride high above clouds at Pico do Arieiro, wander laurelwoods near a trout farm, explore Santana’s famous triangle houses over lunch, and feel Atlantic wind at Ponta de São Lourenço—all with a local guide who shares stories along every bend. Expect moments that stick with you long after you’ve left Madeira’s east behind.

7h 45m

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Eastside Madeira Island

Visit Pico do Arieiro viewpoint
See laurelwoods and trout fish farm
Lunch break in Santana village
View from Portela viewpoint
Visit Ponta de São Lourenço
Explore Machico town and bay

The Experience

“You can smell the sea even up here,” our driver Rui said, cracking his window as we wound higher toward Pico do Arieiro. He was right — that salty tang mixed with eucalyptus in the chilly morning air. The road twisted so much I lost track of direction, but then suddenly we were above the clouds. I remember my hands on the cold stone wall at the viewpoint, just staring out where the land dropped away and thinking, okay, this is not what I expected from Madeira at all.

We stopped at a trout farm tucked in a patch of laurelwoods — honestly, it smelled more like moss and wet leaves than fish. Rui pointed out how these forests used to cover most of the island. He told us about his grandmother gathering wild herbs here (I tried to repeat one of their names in Portuguese and he grinned — “close enough!”). The quiet was thick except for some birds and distant water running somewhere below.

Santana came next — those little triangle houses you see on postcards are real, but they look almost toy-like in person. Lunch was simple but good; I still think about that bread with local cheese. A group of older men played cards outside the café, arguing softly over something I couldn’t follow. Afterward at Portela Viewpoint, wind whipped my hair everywhere and Rui pointed out Penha d’Águia rising sharp against the north coast. You could see rain falling far off but not a drop where we stood.

The last stop was Ponta de São Lourenço — all cliffs and wild grass bending sideways in the Atlantic wind. It felt like standing at the edge of everything. We drove back through Machico just as kids were getting out of school, uniforms messy and laughing loud into the afternoon sun. Funny what you remember most from a day like this.

What’s included

Your day includes live commentary from a local guide who shares stories along every stop.
insurance coverage for peace of mind.
specialized infant seats if needed.
plus flexibility for strollers or prams and service animals—so everyone can come along comfortably on your journey through eastern Madeira.

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Madeira Happy Tours