Madeira Island Tour: Cabo Girão & Porto Moniz Natural Pools

You'll Stand on Glass 580 Meters Above the Atlantic

You ride through Madeira's full north-coast arc in a single day: glass skywalk over a 580-meter cliff, volcanic pools at Porto Moniz, mountain plateau views, historic towns and waterfalls. Hotel pickup and air-conditioned transport mean you just show up and let the route unfold. Lunch is included, and the day runs long enough to hit all the main stops without feeling rushed.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Cabo Girão15m
2. Santana20m · entry included

Scenic tour of Madeira's highlights

• View Camara de Lobos
• Walk glass skywalk at Cabo Girão
• Drive along Paul da Serra plateau
• Visit natural pools in Porto Moniz
• See waterfalls and explore Sao Vicente
• Stop at Cabanas Viewpoint
• Visit traditional cottages in Santana
• Explore Machico town
• Return to Funchal

The experience

You're probably wondering if you'll actually do it: walk out onto that glass skywalk at Cabo Girão. Most people do. The cliff itself is 580 meters high, the second highest in Europe, and the glass platform extends you right out over the edge so there's nothing between you and the drop except air and your own nerve. The views across the Atlantic are real, though. You can see the whole north coast of Madeira spread out below, and on clear days the neighboring island of Porto Santo sits on the horizon like something from a postcard.

After that adrenaline settles, the tour moves inland through Paul da Serra, the island's largest plateau at 1,400 meters, where the landscape flattens into green mountains and valleys that feel almost untouched. Then you drop down to Porto Moniz on the north coast, where volcanic rock has carved out natural swimming pools that fill with seawater. The pools are cold but clear, and the town itself is small and quiet: the kind of place where you can actually hear the waves. From there the route follows the seaside, winding past waterfalls that tumble straight down the cliffs, and you stop in São Vicente, a historic town with narrow streets and old stone buildings where lunch happens. The guide will point out the monuments, but mostly you're just walking around, taking in the pace of a place that doesn't feel rushed.

The final stretch takes you through Santana, famous for its A-frame cottages with steep roofs and painted doors. They're real houses, not a museum, though there's a center where you can see how people actually lived and pick up regional products if you want something to take back. Then it's the drive back through Machico, where Portuguese explorers set sail in the 1420s to find new lands, and you're back in Funchal by late afternoon. The whole day is one vehicle, one driver, no transfers or logistics to figure out yourself: hotel pickup and drop-off included, so you don't have to navigate getting to the starting point.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off in Funchal.
• air-conditioned vehicle for the full day.
• entry to Cabo Girão skywalk.
• stops at Porto Moniz natural pools, Paul da Serra plateau, São Vicente, Cabanas Viewpoint, Santana villages and Machico.
• lunch.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Spanish and Portuguese

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Good to know

Easy physical levelInfant seats available

Operated by Intertours

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to see Madeira's main landmarks in one loop without renting a car or planning the route yourself. The fixed itinerary gets you to the cliff, the pools, the plateau and the villages in a single afternoon, and the driver handles all the navigation.

Traveler reviews

4.63★★★★★★★★★★

16 verified traveler reviews

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English, Spanish and Portuguese.

How long is the tour?

Around 8 hours total, including hotel pickup and drop-off.

Is the glass skywalk at Cabo Girão safe?

Yes. The glass platform is engineered to hold weight and is a standard tourist attraction. You're not required to walk on it if you'd prefer to stay on solid ground.

Can you swim in the Porto Moniz pools?

Yes, the natural pools are open for swimming. Bring a swimsuit and towel if you plan to go in. The water is seawater and can be cold.

Is lunch included?

Yes, lunch is included in the tour.

What's the vehicle like?

Air-conditioned coach with comfortable seating. Suitable for all fitness levels.

Do I need to book in advance?

Yes, hotel pickup requires advance booking so the driver knows where to collect you.

What if the weather is bad?

The tour operates in most weather. Heavy fog or storms may affect visibility at Cabo Girão, but the route continues to the other stops.

Are infant seats available?

Yes, specialized infant seats are available on request.