Madeira East Tour: Pico Arieiro, Santana & Ponta de São Lourenço

Eight stops across Madeira's east side, from mountain peak to rocky coastline

You visit eight locations across Madeira's east side in one day: a mountain peak at 1,818 meters with possible cloud views, a forest walk in the Laurissilva, traditional Santana village, two viewpoints, and the rocky eastern peninsula. A guide leads the route and manages timing; entrance fees to Pico Arieiro and the forest walk are separate, and lunch is on your own. The route can shift if weather turns, so flexibility helps.

Step-by-step itinerary

East side island tour stops

• Stop at Camacha
• Visit Pico do Arieiro viewpoint
• Walk Vereda dos Balcões forest trail
• Visit Ribeiro Frio fishing nursery
• See Faial sea views and Eagle's Nest
• Explore Santana traditional houses
• View from Portela viewpoint
• Visit Ponta de São Lourenço rock formations
• Stop at Machico valley

The Experience

You start high and end by the sea—that's the rhythm of this route. The tour picks you up and heads straight for Pico Arieiro, the island's third-highest peak at 1,818 meters, accessible only by car. On a clear day you get a 360-degree view of the whole island; on a cloudy one, you're standing above a sea of clouds looking down at nothing. It's unpredictable, which is partly why people come.

From there the route drops into the Laurissilva Forest at Ribeiro Frio, where the air gets thick and green. There's an optional walk called Vereda dos Balcões that cuts through the middle of it—short enough to do without planning, though weather can cancel it. You can also visit the fishing trout nursery if you want something quieter. Then you move to Faial, a smaller stop with views over the valleys and the Eagle's Nest massif, before reaching Santana around lunchtime. The village is known for its A-frame houses with straw roofs, the kind you see in old photographs of Madeira. Lunch isn't included, so you'll need to find somewhere to eat there or bring something with you.

The afternoon takes you to Portela Viewpoint, where you look back over Faial and Porto da Cruz, and finally to Ponta de São Lourenço on the easternmost tip of the island. The rock formations there are unlike anywhere else on Madeira—jagged, wind-shaped, with vegetation that's adapted to the exposure. The tour ends in Machico, where the Portuguese first landed in 1419. Your guide handles the driving and the stops; you just show up and move through the day.

What’s included

• A professional tourist guide leading the entire route.
• stops at Camacha, Pico Arieiro, Ribeiro Frio (with optional forest walk), Faial, Santana, Portela Viewpoint, Ponta de São Lourenço, and Machico.
• access to viewpoints and villages.
• the option to visit the trout nursery at Ribeiro Frio. Entrance fees to Pico Arieiro and the Vereda dos Balcões forest walk are not included.
• lunch is not included and must be arranged in Santana or brought with you.

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleStroller friendlyInfant seats availablePets welcome

Operated by DG-Travel

Is this one for you?Choose this if you want to see the full east side of Madeira in one day without renting a car or planning eight separate stops—the guide handles the route, timing and navigation, leaving you to focus on the views and the villages.

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Top questions

Is the entrance fee to Pico Arieiro included?

No. The entrance fee to Pico Arieiro is not included in the tour price and must be paid separately at the site.

Can I do the Vereda dos Balcões forest walk?

Yes, it's optional and included as a stop at Ribeiro Frio. However, it may not be possible if weather conditions are poor, so the guide will decide on the day.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included. You'll have time to eat in Santana, but you need to arrange and pay for your own meal.

What happens if the weather is bad?

The tour company reserves the right to change the route depending on weather conditions, so the stops and order may shift to keep you safe.

Is this tour suitable for people with limited mobility?

Yes. The tour is wheelchair accessible, and the company can provide specialized infant seats if needed. It's suitable for all physical fitness levels.

Can I bring a stroller or pram?

Yes. Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller, and service animals are allowed.

What's the difference between this tour and other Madeira tours?

This tour focuses on the east side of the island and includes eight specific stops, from the high mountain peak to the rocky eastern peninsula, with a guide managing the full route and timing.